Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much in my life to be thankful for. I feel like every year I have more to be thankful for. Maybe it's because I'm maturing. Maybe it's because I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to be thankful. Maybe it's because there truly is more to be thankful for. Whatever the case, I'm overflowing. Not just today, but every day.

On this Thanksgiving, I'm especially thankful for:

• The baby girl growing in me. 
• Our 20-week ultrasound on Tuesday that showed that she is developing normally and is perfectly formed. 
• The wisdom and goodness and power of God in choosing to give us the gift of this baby, after we had spent years thinking our childbearing was over.
• The adoption of our three daughters
• The unbelievable growth, healing, and change in them over the last 18 months
• Our amazing team of doctors, therapists, specialists, and teachers who have poured themselves into our girls
• My dad and step-mom's purchase of a new home in which to enjoy their retirement years
• My gorgeous, perfect, amazing niece, Hazel, who was born when we were visiting in California this summer
• Our summer trip and the memories we made with our family and close friends
• The connections all five of my kids have with our family because of the time we spent with them this summer
• My bio mom four years in remission from her breast cancer this month!
• An amazing circle of friends who have loved us well through the roller coaster we've been on since bringing the girls home
• John and Lori, dear friends from church who have drawn us into their family and fill the grandparent roles in our kids' lives
• The perfect fit that Snapper's new school is for her this year
• Outstanding grades that show us she's in a place that is helping maximize her potential
• Wonderful managers who love us and are super supportive of our family
• Our team of ministry partners. We've lost quite a few due to the economy this year and need to rebuild our team. But many of those who are still with us have been with us for many, many years. How thankful we are for their faithfulness!
• My very best friend, Noel. She blesses me like no one else. Oh how I love her!
• My other "inner circle" friends, Carol and Karon. Like Noel, they've seen me at my worst and still love me.
• How many girls are so blessed to have not one, but three best friends? Gosh darn it, though, they all live far away!
• A church where the Word of God is fearlessly and boldly proclaimed. Where the people love each other and our community well. Where we are loved, accepted, and supported. Our family.
• Music. 
• Two sweet cats who adore me and brighten every day of my life
• Modern technology that allows me to be in close communication with my friends and family across the country
• Lovely neighbors
• The freedoms I enjoy as an American
• The loss of 70 pounds that have stubbornly clung since I had Snapper 11 years ago. Even being 20 weeks pregnant, I am wearing a smaller size pants than I have worn since I found out I was pregnant with Snapper!
• Perhaps this should have come first...my incredible husband. We've been married almost 13 years now, and I love him more than ever. Watching him step up and be a strong, loving daddy to our five kids...wow! Our three new girls are sweet girls, but their issues have been so intensely overwhelming that sometimes it is hard to love them well. Matt has risen to the challenge and has been exactly the daddy they need. Throughout the dreadful sickness this pregnancy has thrown on me, Matt has been my rock. Cooking. Cleaning, Caring for the kids. Doing laundry. Loving me. Serving me. Without question or complaint. And he does his normal job with excellence. You're a good man, Matthew. I love you so much.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!