Thankful

Julia and I always have a good chat before her nap or bedtime. We snuggle and talk about what we've done today, what has been fun, what we'll do when she wakes up, etc... We sing, we read, we snuggle, we pet each other's eyebrows (her new thing - surprisingly relaxing!). Today I started talking to her about Thanksgiving and explaining to her that we give thanks to God for the things that make us happy.


After chatting with a friend lately, giving a 10-minute update on my life, I realized that I am very very happy right now. I am so blessed and so thankful for the exact spot God has me.

Hebrews 12 talks about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. For some this is a church family, a real family, friends, etc... My cloud includes all these and more. I am surrounded almost daily by amazing groups of people who love Jesus, love me, Ryan, my Julia . . . the whole bit!

I have an amazing community group through church. One couple, in particular, the Botchs, truly bless Ryan and me constantly. They really love Julia and she really loves them. They parent her just like we would when she is with them and she often calls them on her bar of soap, or TV remote, or whatever else she can make a phone. Jerret and Ryan have such a neat friendship and I am growing to love Erika more and more.

I am blessed to be a part of a wonderful MOPS group. This includes friends from past community groups, new friends, and wonderful older mentor moms that pour love and wisdom into us each meeting. We learn about so many wonderful aspects of motherhood and I just feel so blessed to have opportunities to be around women like this!

On Wednesdays, Jules and I go to Community Bible Study along with my sister and her (now 4!!) kiddos. It is non-denominational, and all we talk about is the bible! Not what our pastors, authors or friends say, but what God says. I am in a group of such fun and diverse ladies. We have a wiiiide age range and are in all different stages of life. I am particularly thankful for a fun new friend who's husband also works at SPU. Small world! She has older kids but is just so plain old cool! I love it!! Julia comes home singing scripture verses and asks almost daily if we can go to bible study! Oh be still my beating, thankful heart!

I get to spend the remainder of my week connecting with other friends, some moms, some not, but all who are beautiful parts of my life and true encouragements. Ryan goes out with his boys for beer after bed every once in a while and I love when he gets guy time because he ALWAYS comes back a better husband. It just does something for his soul.

Though my circle of friends is 99.99999% Jesus-loving Christians, I am content where God has placed me and find my new stage in life to be one of encouragement to others. This is so exciting as I feel so poured into by others as well!

My cup is clearly running over. Thank you Lord! THANK YOU LORD!!!