Much to be Thankful For!

This Thanksgiving was shaping up to be one like any other. Eat with family, unbutton pants, groan in misery, eat pie, sleep. But on Tuesday night, we got a call that Tate's dad, Sterling, was not doing well and would not make it to morning. Sterling's health has been declining very quickly, and we know his time is short, but we were not prepared for this. As most of his loved ones were gathered around him, grieving him, thinking of all the "if only I'd told him this", God was working a miracle. It dawned on my mother in law that she couldn't hear his oxygen coming through the tubes. He is on an extremely high concentration of oxygen. After a flurry of events, and calling the right people, we found out his oxygen concentrator was not functioning correctly.

I remember looking at Sterling and noticing how fast he was breathing, trying to get one good breath. I thought about how fast I breathe when I run, and how his breathe was at least 10 times faster than that. I tried to mimic his breathing, but couldn't do it, I couldn't fill my lungs even while sitting there. My heart broke for him, and I prayed God would make it quick. The color in his face was gone, already being replaced with the gray ashy tone of death.

But after one adjustment to the machine, we could all hear the gush of oxygen into his lungs. IMMEDIATELY, life was blown into him. His clear blue eyes opened, color returned to his face, and his breathing slowed. He even cracked a joke. The quiet stillness in the room was gone. Joy and excitement flooded all of us for the life that was extended. What was about to be a deep sorrowful beginning to the thankful and rejoicing holidays, was replaced with joy and thanksgiving. As I left his house early that next morning, I remember thinking about how perfect God is. Even if He had taken Sterling at such a special time of year, that His timing is perfect. But how THANKFUL I was that He gave grace, that He blessed our family with the life of Sterling. Everyday we should give thanks for all that we have, not just one day in November.

Celebrating New Life

My sweet friend Kathy, is expecting her second child. And as the Father would be so awesome, he's giving her a daughter!

I never thought I would want a daughter; too much drama, too much responsibility in shaping her precious self-image, too many dangers. What a load of bologna! When we found out we were having a girl, I was terrified! But the moment I laid eyes on my sweet baby girl, I understood. Girls are a different kind of gift! A daughter brings a whole other dimension of love and beauty to a family. Sophye is the sweetest surprise gift I never knew I always wanted!

So I was thrilled when Kathy found out she was having Selah! I know the joys that are coming her way, and I love that we were able to celebrate with her!

Our life group is somewhat rare, in that the ladies are big Twilight fans. I really think it's just an excuse for us to tap into our inner teenie-bopper. So of course we threw her a Breaking Dawn Baby Shower. Odd, yes. Weird, yes. But totally Kathy, yes!

I hate goodbyes

I don't like goodbyes.

Tate and I have been so incredibly blessed to be apart of an amazing life group for over 3 years. These people that are part of this life group have become our family, standing with us through joys, heartbreak and growing pains. When we joined this group, so did another couple. We didn't have much in common, they were military, newly married and yankees! But very quickly, we figured out they were hand picked for our group. Eric and Ranae have been such a light in our group, always offering wisdom and insight beyond their years. Ranae making us laugh with her quick wit and dry sense of humor! They quickly became a stable constant in our group. So when the announcement came that they too were being re-located to another state (right after another precious couple left), my heart broke. Not again. Not them. But I know my protector and Father has amazing things in store. These relationships were not in vain. As long as I keep reminding myself these goodbyes are not permanent, I'm ok.

But who am I kidding, it just plain stinks.

Love you, my sweet friend!

Out of Practice

So I'm completely bewildered that I'm so overwhelmed at trying to start blogging again. It's not like I have a huge fan base. In fact, most of my friends have probably deleted me from their blogs. Almost a year without something new is pathetic. But I am going for it. So a few updates. :)

Tate started work at Arrow Ford in October, and he absolutely LOVES it! He is one of their top salesmen and was Rookie of the Month for October! This is an absolutely AWESOME answer to our long-prayed prayers. For many years, we have been praying that Tate would find something he enjoys doing and can excel at. I love seeing him come home from work excited, not drained, and excited to back the next day!

God plopped a new and awesome friend in my lap this last spring. I was totally not expecting anything like her, we are so opposite! But my new friend, whom I will not name (you're welcome, Keri Hoes), has guided me, walked with me through lots of my baggage and inspired me to start running. I ran my first 5k in August and will run my first 1/2 marathon on December 4th. So far I've lost 42 pounds, and have 18 more to go. This training process has taught me so much about myself, that I do have self control, that I do have discipline, that I can push through pain and that I can't lie to myself anymore about what I put into my mouth! I never thought I'd love running! Running is punishment in other sports! Aaahhh!!! :D

I'll update on the kiddos later. They are gnawing on my ankles...