Season of Thanks

The girls and I visited my Aunt Donna's church in Greenfield today. The sermon was about being thankful. I have always loved the month of November as it's the perfect time to reflect on the year and truly appreciate all that we have. So I've spent my day in that reflection, and would like to share a few things with you, in no particular order. I'm thankful for my family - and that truly does belong at the top of my list. I'm even thankful for waking up at 5:30 in the morning to Bailey and Josie arguing over who gets the most bathroom time or whose belt is whose, because that just means that they're healthy enough to fight. It does strangely warm my heart - I used to think that my girls just never fought because I was doing such a great job as a mom (Ha!). Only after Bailey fully recovered from her health struggles of the past 4 years did I begin to realize that she just didn't have the energy to fight and therefore no fun for Josie either. (I hope you're getting a little giggle out of this, because I certainly do. Of course it gets on my nerves on occasion - just like any mom would - but it still warms my heart.) Don't get me wrong - they don't fight all the time - I'm just trying to get the point across that life has calmed down enough for us lately that it's opened the door to normal sibling rivalry - and it's beautiful. I'm thankful for my best friends and for one particular tea parlor in Noblesville - The Ruby Pear. (Check it out!) I'm thankful for a year where only 2 nights were spent away from home and in the hospital. I'm thankful for our jobs. There are a lot of people out there losing theirs, and I'm just thankful for ours. I'm thankful for every single nurse and doctor at Riley. I'm thankful for Rissy's black eye and sore elbow - because injuries caused by falling down the stairs could have been much worse so I am, therefore, grateful for just a black eye and sore elbow.

I could go on and on and on. I wish you nothing but joy this Thanksgiving season. It's through the trying times that we see God's light. I'm thankful to God for the many lights that He has given our family. I'm very grateful to each and every one of you who has said a prayer for Bailey and our family over the years. God answers prayers and miracles do happen. Thank God!

Have a great Thanksgiving everybody! Good night.

Angie
P.S. Yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of Bailey's surgery. I don't believe there are even words to express gratitude for that.