Birthday Pictures

Long time...no blog post

I'm sorry it has taken me so long (again) to update! A lot has been going on with Thanksgiving, etc...

• We had a lovely Thanksgiving with Paul's parents here in Alabama. The kids really enjoyed having them here. It's amazing that as little as we get to see the Kelseys, the kids, even Levi, seem to pick right up where they left off. I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed when Levi didn't want them to leave!
  
• My grandmother is in the hospital in Jasper. She's had several health issues lately, including the shingles and walking pneumonia. Please pray that she'll be able to come back from whatever is causing her current problems. This was my first Thanksgiving with no grandparents around.
  
• Lila is GROWING!! I don't know what she weighs, but I know it's more! She is taking 6 ounces per feeding now! She is certainly more alert and is starting to realize when she's left alone. :-( She turned over yesterday for the first time- back to front. She has also learned to pull her pacifier out of her mouth, but of course hasn't figured out how to put it back in. This, along with the fact that she's eating two times a night again, means that I'm up and down more than I was. She will start on rice cereal after her next dr.'s visit (on December 12th), so maybe she'll sleep at night again then!! At least I'm hoping so!
  
• Addi will be turning 5 on Saturday. :-( I can't believe how big she is getting!!! We are having her birthday party here tomorrow night and I'll try to update with pictures afterwards.
  
• Jasmine is coming in the morning to watch the kids so I can go buy Addi's birthday present and pick up her cake. I don't know what I'd do without Jazz around!
  
• I still haven't found a Wii, which is basically Addi's only wish for Santa....All you shoppers out there give me a call if you run across one!!! In Christmas shopping news, I'm desperately behind!!! I'm going to the JCPenney outlet on Monday and hopefully will find some good deals! After that, it's online shopping for me to finish up...I don't want to be out and about at the last minute!

I guess that pretty much sums up this update.....I hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just a mere 2 days away, it brings to mind a song that we've sung thousands of times- Count Your Blessings. Although I can't name all my blessings "one by one" because there are too many, I would like to mention a few things that I am especially thankful for this year.

• I am truly thankful for my family. I have a loving husband and three healthy children. I am especially thankful this year for our dear Lila. She is the sweetest baby a mother could ever hope for. Just looking at her reminds me of how blessed my life is. Also, I'm thankful for my parents. They have always been there for me with love and encouraging words. I'm also thankful for my in-laws. They have always welcomed me as if I have always been a part of their family. For that, I am truly thankful. I am especially thankful on that note because they are spending Thanksgiving with us this year! They haven't been to Alabama since Levi was born, so this is truly a special Thanksgiving!
  
• I'm also thankful for my brothers and their wives. (I know this is still included in family, but my bullet was getting too long!). Although Josh and Daniel were quite annoying at times growing up, I now know what a true blessing they are. I'm also thankful that they both have Christian wives who love them. And I'm thankful for Hannah.
  
• I'm thankful for my friends. I don't know how people go through life without true friends. I am especially thankful for the other 4 members of the "fabulous five" as I have named us (Rachel, Katie, Pam, and Emily)....I love you guys!!
• This list is already getting overwhelming....I've started this list which could go on forever and I know I'm going to leave someone out!
  
• I'm also thankful for all my extended family....you know who you are!
  
• I'm also thankful for my material blessings. My warm bed and a home that I love.
  
• I'm thankful for the memories of Thanksgivings past. Even though I still physically have two of my grandparents, the grandparents of my childhood no longer exist. MaMa and PaPa Courington need your prayers. But I'm still thankful for all the happy memories I have of them.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family. Remember to count your blessings........we are all so blessed.