I'm Thankful! A-Z

So, a lot of people have been doing thankful posts, 1 letter a day. By the time I caught up on my reader, there was no way I could fit in one letter a day and get them all in for November SO you get them all in one post!!! So here they are!

I'm Thankful for

Army - I am thankful for the Army and for all the opportunities it has provided for our family. It has brought us to Tennessee, and we love it here! It has provided us with job security, and a huge extended Military family!

Barksdale Elementary School - I am thankful for a school where my kids are getting a good education, making great friends, and I know they have a staff who cares about them and their future! They have invested a lot of time and love into our family over the last 5 years, and still have a couple more kids to get through! ;)

Community Group - Our community group has been meeting for less than a year but they are like a second family to us. We can always count on them for spiritual accountability, prayer, friendship, and lots and lots of fun times and good laughs!

Down Syndrome - I am thankful for the Down syndrome community, both here locally and online and the support that comes with that, and I am thankful for Kennedy and the whole new world she has brought into our lives... and for leading us to Kellsey!

Eskimo kisses - and butterfly kisses! These are my favorite things to do with Kennedy and Keeghan. Kennedy insists on butterfly kisses on both cheeks and Keeghan laughs and says, "Das (that's) funny!" I hope they will always love them!

Friends - I am so thankful for my friends, near and far, who are always there to make me laugh, listen if I need it, and sometimes even take my advice! haha

Grace Community Church - I am so thankful we have a place to go each week where our kids can learn about God while we grow stronger in our walk with Him. I can always count on being challenged and leaving refreshed to start my week.

Husband - I am so thankful for my husband. For working hard for our family, for staying in Ukraine to get Kellsey, and for everything else he does for us! We can't wait until he gets back home!!!

Insurance - I am SO thankful for our health insurance! I don't know how we would have survived the last 5 years without it.

Jesus - I am so thankful for Jesus Christ. For being my Savior. For forgiving me and showing me grace over and over. For being my best friend.

Kassidy, Kameron, Kennedy, Keeghan & Kellsey!!! They color my world and decorate my life. I don't know what I would do without them!

Love notes - little notes that my kids leave for me around the house... and little notes I write for them to find, just letting them know that they rock. I hope they never stop.

Mother - I am so thankful for my mom. I love that she lives so close to us and that the kids are growing up with a close relationship with their grandma. I am thankful she is always there for me whether I need a mom, or just a friend to talk to.

Noise - Even though I say, "Be Quiet!" a lot, I am thankful for noise because it means my house is filled with happy children. I hope there is noise for many years to come... I'm sure there will be! :)

Omnipresence - I am thankful that God is everywhere at the same time... He is here with us, He is in Ukraine with Frank and Kellsey, He will be with Frank in Afghanistan when he deploys... He's with you, right now. Amazing.

Pastors - I am thankful for the pastoral staff at our church. They all have different strengths that make them an amazing team when they work together. They keep our church fresh and alive and hungry for God. They keep our children excited about learning God's Word. That's so important!

Questions - I am thankful for the questions my kids ask... sometimes over and over... even if I don't know the answers, because it means they're talking to me, and they THINK I know the answers, and we can spend time FINDING the answers. I hope they always ask me questions.

Reece's Rainbow - I am thankful for Reece's Rainbow... for connecting us with Kellsey and for helping kids with Down syndrome find their forever families every day!

Silent Nights - I am thankful for silent nights and peaceful sleep because it means that everyone is healthy and no one is having nightmares... and it means that mommy is well rested. :)

Teachers - I am thankful for the kids' teachers. They all have wonderful, Christian teachers this year who are not only shaping their minds, but their spirits. They invest in their students 100% in and out of school.

Ukraine - because that's where Kellsey was born. I'm also thankful for the judge there who finalized our adoption. :) And of course the United States and the freedoms that come with living here!

Vanderbilt Children's Hospital - They have been there for Kennedy whenever we've needed them and have some wonderful, caring doctors and nurses there! I am so thankful we live so close and that they are there when we need them!

Water - I admit it. I'm a water snob, but I'm so thankful for bottled water in abundance. I didn't realize HOW thankful I was until I went to Ukraine and I didn't have so many choices! ;)

X-tra hugs and kisses - They come in abundance in this household, and for that, I'll always be thankful!!!

You - I am thankful for YOU, my blog readers and commenters! You have given me lots of good laughs, support, prayers, advice, tips, friendship, and much more over the last couple years! I enjoy reading your comments more than you know!

ZZZZZ's :) - I know, that's a stretch, but I think it's almost time for bed! HA! And I'm definitely thankful for THAT!