happy thanksgiving

from our family...



to yours.

Day 24

today, on this thanksgiving eve... i am thankful for the focus our family has had on thanksgiving this year. it has been refreshing for us, given us new perspective, pushed us to give beyond ourselves, more than all of that, we are thankful that we can live our lives knowing that the creator of this world holds us in the palm of His hand....

Day 23

today i'm thankful for doctors. we took levi in today after 2+ weeks of battling a nasty cough\cold. my little man has bronchitis and the beginning stages of pneumonia... they gave him antibiotics, some drops for his nasty icky eyes, and a breathing treatment in the office. the dr. didn't feel that he responded partiucularly well to the breathing treatment with the risks that are associated with the medicine, so no breathing treatments at home.

i'm so thankful we took him in NOW before it got worse, and before the long holiday weekend...

Day 22

Today I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to listen to such great music last night from Spring Arbor University's Choirs, as well as Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church. Such a great way to start off this week of Thanksgiving. Reminding ourselves, that what we truly should be thankful for is what the Lord has done for us! What a blessing!

On a side note, Sometimes, I find it weird, standing in a circle of old music professors, and current people I work for, and think... when did I become part of this group? Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that I'm doing what I wanted to do, and am truly a part of the music circle o' Jackson. What a blessing to be doing what I love every single day!

Day 21

Today I am thankful for family.
Yesterday Mike's whole family was here, and we arranged as a Christmas present for Mike's parents to have a family picture done. We trudged out to a local Park late afternoon, met up with the photographer, who actually is the one who photographed our weddings, and we tromped around taking pics. We had a great time. John had his work cut out for him, there were 4 kids 2 and under. Levi was the crazy one. He wasn't in a bad mood, but he just doesn't hold still for anything. John said, all the pictures will look really nice, except that Levi will be waving his arms all around. :) That's okay. That's our kiddo, He's crazy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Afterwards, everyone came back to our house for dinner and birthday celebrations.

Good times!

Day 20

Today I am thankful for...

saturday mornings. :)

Day 19

Waking up to 28 degrees outside simply reminds me to be thankful for a warm safe home to wake up in, when so many go without....

Day 18

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

The words from that song have been streaming through my head for the past 12 hours.

"When the darkness closes in, Lord... still I say will say... Blessed be Your name!"

Last night, we heard the news that our dear friends had lost their precious sweet baby boy. Christa was 27 weeks pregnant. They have 2 older boys, who were both born earlier than that, fought hard and survived. They were so elated that they had made it past the earlier point, thinking that maybe this time, she would have a more normal pregnancy. This time, the Lord chose a different path, and little Wesley Daniel was born and died Nov. 16, a small fleeting time on this earth, but forever changing the hearts of his parents.

It's in these moments that I'm so thankful for knowing that our Savior loves us, that He does have a plan, even if we often don't understand. I know that He is pouring His love down on Matt and Christa, and although we don't understand a small life being taken from this world, we can truly Bless His name.

Would you lift them up in prayer as well?

Day 17

Today I am thankful for our good friends Emily and Adam. We've known Adam and Em since we were all music majors in college. They got married and moved away, but after a few years they ended up back in our home town, and we couldn't be happier. They are fantastic people, and Mike and I are incredibly blessed to call them friends. Adam and Mike can talk music and books for hours, and Em and I can talk just about anythign, but now days it's more wrangling kiddos together, but it's still fun... :) we love you guys!

Day 16

Today I am thankful for our Thursday night bible study group friends, the McClains, Bowmans, and Montagues. They are truly fantastic people, ones that I have grown to love immensely since we first decided to meet on that fateful thursday night 5 years ago. It doesn't even seem possible. Thanks friends, for being who you are, and making Thursday nights more enjoyable.

Day 15

Today I am thankful for our dear friends Russ and Murt Skinkle. I have known Russ and Murt for as long as I can remember. Murt is also a pianist, and was a tireless encourager to me as I worked towards making it my job. Also, after we got married, they opened up their home (and land) to us. Russ and Murt are big gardeners, and they are the ones who got us started into the crazy gardening world that we now are a part of. They encouraged us, gave us the space we needed to grow things. They are truly great friends of ours, and we count it a blessing to know them. They are such good stewards of what the Lord has given them, and in turn have given it back to other people. We love you both very much!

Day 14

today I am thankful that so many moons again when I said to my mom...

"I want to take piano lessons"

her and my dad found a way to make it happen

I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to grow and learn as a young musician,and even more so, allowed the opportunity to study music in college. what a blessing to be doing what I love... every.single.day.

Day 13

is thankful that we all slept in until 7:30.. that's pretty much miraculous if you know our kiddo! :)

Day 12

today i am thankful that mike works for an understanding family business that is 10 minutes from home. yesterday afternoon, i came home, walked to the back door and discovered my house key is missing. i frantically search everywhere i could think of, car, purse, diaper bag, ground etc.. after about a 10 minute search i called mike. it was not 3:25. i had students coming to the house at 4 for lessons. he drove home and let me in the house. i am especially thankful that it was beautiful outside and we could comfortably play while we waited.

Day 11

in honor of veterans day and the fact that he's my grandpa...

today i am thankful for my grandpa, Philip Wood, not only is he an incredible man, he also served our country with honor. love you grandpa!

Day 10

I'm thankful for my rockin' sister...

and not just because she leaves me random messages on my living rooms windows...

 

i love you sis!

Day 9

Today I am thankful for the warm sunny days we have been having. What a blessing in what is normally a very drab and dreary feeling month.

Day 8

Today I am thankful..

for a warm house, a quiet morning, and a hot cup of coffee to start my day...

Day 7

I know most people will argue with me, but I'm thankful for this..







On friday, (Nov 5) the first hint of winter arrived.. It was small, it was beautiful, and I loved every moment of it. Each time that the seasons change, I am reminded of the Lord's faithfulness to us, that He is steady and true, admist the chaos, admist the busyness of life... He is there... always.

Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness as the seasons change... and for snow... :)

Day 6

Today I am thankful...

for being able to go out to dinner kid free last night.

Thanks, Mom and Dad!