Thanksgiving: Week 2

November 3: God, I thank you for my beautiful baby girl, who is 1 month old today!

I'm going to try to do a picture like this each month on her month birthday.  We'll see!

It's hard to believe I was in the hospital giving birth to her one month ago today.  She has gotten so much bigger and has developed so many new skills - holding her head up, chugging a full feeding in fifteen minutes flat, and staying awake!  We are so proud of her, and she has stolen our hearts for sure.

November 4: Thank you Lord for an extra hour of sleep!  It's truly amazing how one hour can affect someone who is sleep-deprived!

November 5: Thank you God for parents and in-laws who live near by.  Our recent experience at the NICU with Lucy would have been such a nightmare without them.  They are always willing to serve us, and often at a huge inconvenience to themselves.  Our children have no idea how good they have it with both sets of grandparents living near by!

November 6: I really hate politics.  It's not that I don't care about the issues - I do.  What I hate about politics is how divisive they are.  Have you read CS Lewis' The Screwtape Letters?  When I think of politics, I think it would have been a perfect avenue for Uncle Screwtape to recommend to his apprentice Wormwood.  (If you haven't read the book, Screwtape is a demon of high ranking who is advising his nephew on how best to keep his "Patient" from being an effective follower of Christ.)  It is such an easy, quick way to stir up contention among people who may otherwise coexist peacefully.  However, I am thankful to God for the fact that I have the freedom and the right to vote, both as a citizen and a woman.

November 7: I am so so so thankful for my job.  Yesterday marks two months of being off work.  I can't believe how much I miss it.  I work with such awesome people and I am missing them daily.  I love working with kids and my building truly knows how to care for kids.  I am so blessed to work where I do!  God, thank you for the blessing of my job.

November 8: Lord, thank you for insurance. This week I received the EOB for my delivery and hospital stay - more than $20K.  Can you believe that?  I had a c-section and spent four nights in the hospital.  Crazy.  I don't even want to know whatour daughter's 19-day stay in the NICU cost!

November 9: God, thank you for my brother.  He is the greatest and I love him so dearly.  I can't imagine my life without him and I'm so glad my kids will have each other to experience the joys of siblinghood.  I love you, Al!

Yeah...we need an updated picture...