Thankful List ~ July 2013

July 2013 Thankful List

*  This month Josh and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary by taking a trip to Colorado. There are so many things that I’ve been thankful for concerning this so I’ll start here.

• First, I’m thankful for my amazing husband. Ten years ago Josh Kelly and I made a covenant together to love and honor one another for as long we live. I am so thankful that by the grace of God we have only grown more deeply in love than either of us knew was possible. We have been through some really hard things together and yet the way my husband has responded to life's trials and the way he patiently leads me to seek The Lord during these times, makes me admire and respect him all the more. He is my favorite person to laugh with and we have more fun together than I can begin to describe. He is the most wonderful husband and the most amazing father I know and I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else!
• Next, I’m thankful for all those friends who watched our kiddos while we were away. The day of our flight or childcare fell through. After several hours of calling around we had lined up 17 friends to watch Addi and Josiah. It made me realize how blessed we are to have that many friends who we trusted and felt confident could care and love for our kids and were willing to serve us at the last minute. Their love and sacrifice meant so much to us!
• My grandmother and grandfather wanted to do something very special for Josh and I for our anniversary so they paid for our airfare to Denver and back! This was a huge blessing! 
• We also were invited to stay with some friends of ours who had moved to Denver last December. They graciously opened up their home, gave us tourist tips, and invited us to their church. We had a great time visiting with them and are so thankful for their hospitality and generosity. 
• While in Colorado we had the opportunity to go a Rockies game, explore downtown Denver and the 16th Street mall, take a white water rafting trip, walk around Idaho Springs, Estes Park and Boulder, enjoy Clear Creek, spend time at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, take in God’s beauty at Mt. Evans, Summit Lake, Echo Lake, Rocky Mountain State Park, and Red Rocks Park. It was an absolutely unforgettable! We loved every minute of it!

*  This month I was thankful to make time to edit home videos. I’ve been a couple years behind but I have a goal to get caught up soon. I was able to downloaded a program to burn the videos on to DVDs so now I’m really excited!
*  I got to go to the Kids Exchange again and I’m so blessed to have found clothes and toys for the kids at really great prices.

*  I’m thankful for more fun events in Raleigh. On Independence Day Raleigh has a huge festival downtown. Although Josh had to work we met up with several of friends and enjoyed the atmosphere. Although Addi and Josiah are both still scared of fireworks we still had a great time. 

This month the kids also had a blast at library Lego time. The movie theaters in the area also do $1 summer movies for kids. We’ve gone to see Despicable Me 2, Rio, and Kung Fu Panda 2. Pullen Park hosts “Hoop Jam and Drum Circle” on Wednesday nights. Addi and Josiah love going. Josiah’s favorite part is joining in with the adults and playing the djembe. Finally, the last week in July kids got to go to half-day summer camp at YMCA. Every day they got to play games, sing songs, swim, and make crafts. It was fun for them and a great break for me!

Thankful List ~ June 2014

June 2014 Thankful List

*  This month I am most I am most thankful for God’s comfort and peace. Our due date for our baby was June 9th and the Lord was more gracious to us than you can even begin to imagine. We are continually amazed at how the Lord works to show is majesty and power.

* Anyone who knows us well, knows what a cuddle-bug Josiah is. This month instead of just showering us with hugs and kisses he also started coming up to me and out of nowhere saying, “I wuv you Mommy.” Every single time it melts my heart. The great thing is he does it on average about 5-10 times a day. Sigh

*  I’m thankful for Raleigh. It is an absolutely wonderful city to live in. There are always events and activities available for the kids and I.

*  I finally got a haircut! I had been waiting to grow it out so that I could sell it for adoption money however, the people who contacted me seemed a little creepy (wanting extra pictures with my neckline and bare back) or they seemed like they were trying to scam me (wanting my bank account). Either way, it just didn’t seem worth it to me so I just got it cut!

*  Our family took a day trip to the beach and the kids had such a great time. Josiah especially loved running in the little puddles across the sandbar. 

*  As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I’m thankful for my amazing husband. Josh is such a phenomenal man of God, leader of our family, provider and protector and husband. This month we got to celebrate him as also being a wonderful Father. For Father’s Day we took him out to eat and got some ice cream (his favorite)!

*  Josiah is a funny kid. Recently he has started a few new things that have merited a few new nicknames. First, since he has been done with potty training he has been walking around saying, “I Big Boy.” We think it’s really cute and on occasion actually call him “BigBoy.” He also has started putting his hands in his pockets while just standing or walking around. He looks like a little man so sometime I call him “Pockets” and he giggles. We’ve also started calling him “Rocket” anytime he is holding a ball because he’s started throwing them so hard. Finally, with us being in the sun a little more a few very small freckles have popped up on his cheeks. Josh and I started calling him “Freckles” and every single time he responds with a really big smile saying “I not Frechels.” However, if I ask “Who’s my little Freckles?” he’ll respond, “I am.” LOVE HIM!

*  This month we had the pleasure of having some friends over who had moved away a few years ago. Two different families (one from Tennessee and one from Texas) came to Raleigh to visit. Although we only got to spend one evening with them, it was so refreshing and we had a great time.

*  As I’ve mentioned before we have decided to start Addilyn in Classical Conversations in the fall. This month I was able to attend a Practicum and learn all about the Classical model as well as meet lots of other moms who homeschool. The community we will be a part of also had a Moms Night Out and I am now beyond excited about our new adventure. I think this next year will be great!

*  Although this may sound silly I am also very thankful for the blessings of brokenness. Over the past few months the Lord has provided me with many opportunities to serve those who can’t serve themselves. We’ve had quite a few visitors to our church small group who are in need of help. I am so thankful for the book our small group is reading and the pastor who visited our church who preached on the exact thing the Lord has been teaching me. In addition, for years I’ve thought about churches across our nation that do not have solid teaching, discipleship, and other components that I feel will help the church be effective with the gospel. Recently though, God has taken that sadness and transformed it to a deep desire to see change. Through a heart of brokenness the Lord has helped me to be faithful to pray continually for churches across America. Specifically, I pray that they will turn to the word of God as authority and Truth will be preached so hearts will be transformed!