Need a GREAT Christmas gift???

Anyone who has read my blog for awhile, will remember me talking about my friend "The Snowman Lady." My friend Niki makes these AWESOME snowman kits. Really, there is everything you need for a snowman, except snow. And, the bags come with your family name (or whatever name you want on there) printed on the front. These make a great inexpensive family gift. I know that you will not be disappointed. PLUS, you would be supporting a wonderful lady and her family. :)



If you are interested in purchasing one of these darling kits, leave a comment, and I will make sure that Niki sees it. ;)

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Thanksgiving.

Every year, we get to together to eat Turkey. Every year, I try to remind myself of the things I am thankful for. Every year, I am convicted over how little Thanksgiving I offer all year long. This year, some friends have done a GREAT job of reminding me to be thankful. Plus, my New Year's resolution to remember the little joys of life, has really helped too! And, I must say: "A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart." ---Ok so really, Madame Blueberry said that, but it is good. lol.

So here are my top 10 things I am thankful for. Not in any certain order mind you. They are all great gifts.

10. That my children seem to be growing in their own personal walks with the Lord. This is my favorite part of being a mother. Abbie has learned lessons of forgiveness and perseverance this year. Isaac is learning lessons of obedience and service.

9. That Brian has a job. This time last year he was laid off. We love our new ministry, and love our "kids" aka teens. Really, they are a new part of family. The church is also a treasured welcomed addition!

8. That we have a beautiful home. This time last year, we were facing the loss of our house b/c of the economy and lack of job. It is a scary place to be in when you don't know if you will have a home at Christmas time. God provided abundantly when He sent us to the Miss Country Bumpkin. She is lovely and provides for all of our shelter needs.

7. That my belly is blossoming with the growth of a dearly loved daughter. He has turned my grief into Joy and extended beautiful Grace to me. For all the struggles of this pregnancy, I am still in awe how HE has worked a miracle.

6. That He keeps teaching me lessons of humbleness, patience, and endurance. I am grateful for a loving God who prepares us before AND as we walk. He knows what is coming, and prepares us for the journey ahead. I love that. And am incredibly thankful that He gives us this gift. Otherwise, we would be miserable not knowing how to handle our trials.

5. That God placed wonderful people in our lives. Each person placed, has a purpose that He designed. I love it when we can see what purpose they play. The support of family. The encouragement of friends. Seriously, isn't that a great gift?

4. That He gave me a great husband. I may not always like him. (Hey---being honest here.) But, he is such a good man. Brian endures my hormonal state and my lazy housekeeping skills. And he always is looking for the lessons that the Lord is trying to teach him. He is a great dad. And he loves others. I am proud that he stands by my side.

3. That God gives us simple little pleasures to lighten our loads. Some of my favorites this year: Toads in a little boys hand, White sheets hanging on the line, sunrises coming up over the corn, finding a $595 coat from Bloomingdales...for $10 bucks at the Goodwill, discovering that my daughter treasures Christmas like I do... These are all little things that I don't deserve.

2. That He offers salvation to me. I am seriously one not worthy girl. But, He still loved me enough to draw me unto Him. And really, although the instant I accepted His gift and repented, I was saved... I love that He still offers ways for me to draw even closer to Him. He still offers daily grace.

1. That He has brought me out of the valleys of life and set me onto a beautiful mountaintop. Air is fresh up here...and while the trials of the valley are still very easy to see, and my hands still hurt some from the climb...I can breathe. He knew this place was coming, while I was stuck on the ledge. He knew the summer of life would be here. This year, I am so thankful for the Mountain.

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Chicago!!!!!!!!!

We started out our Holiday season by going to Chicago this year! ("holiday season" is actually what I call the time from Nov 1st to Jan 1st lol... Officially when I start celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving!)

Abbie's 9th birthday was on the 8th, and all she wanted was to go to The American Girl Place. I have been wanting to go to Christmas at Macy's, Isaac was craving chocolate (go figure), and Brian, well he just wanted to be near BIG buildings. lol It really was a great little last trip before we add in our little girlie, who inevitably will make little trips like this harder for awhile.

The weather was 100% perfect, 63 degrees and sunny. Super, Wonderful time.

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Beautiful Grace.

3 years ago right now, we were going for testings to check on our pregnancy. We were anxiously waiting to hear back if all was ok. Life was a rollercoaster at that time. There were so many things going on that my mind struggle to stay in a Biblical frame of mind. A few days later, we found out that my numbers would not double properly. And a few weeks later, we discovered that the little baby we called "Sparkler" would not see this side of Heaven. And a few weeks after that, we would loose little Sparkler. Trying times.

Around that same time, my grandfather (who I was very close to) passed away. This was crushing to our family. Also, at that time, we were preparing to leave New Hope and we also were grieving friends moving away and such. A serious spot of pain was forming in my heart, and I didn't know how it would be healed.

Amazing that God provided all we needed to move through that time in our life. He lead us to a church that would help teach us how to deal with the hurts in our heart, in a proper way. He sent us books out of the blue that would reveal places that needed to grow within our walk with Him. He sent amazing little blessings. His grace revealed in teeny ways.

Since that time in our lives, we have been waiting for another child...always missing our children that were lost. We also were waiting for another ministry and preparing to serve Him more faithfully than we had before. And over those three years...He continued to supply
His grace to us. Gifts that we did not deserve.

And now, we are awaiting one more beautiful gift of Grace. Recently, we went to another ultrasound to take a peek at Baby Grace. Afterward, I honestly sat for awhile thinking about the past few years, and the journey to this point. I smiled at the thought that the Lord would give us this gift, even though I know who I am in my heart, and know that I do not deserve it. I also smiled at the thought that 3 years ago, we lost "Sparkler" and my Grandfather "Leonard Kelly" ...and now we will have a Grace Kelly. To remind us of our Lord's amazing grace not only in salvation...but also of His grace to carry us through the difficult times and deliver us to the high mountain top high where we can bask in His glory. And to remind us that He places just the right people in our lives to help develop us into who He desires us to be. I started falling in love with her name. And knew that this was it.

After seeing his little girl's face, Brian agreed. Her name was Grace.

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The Cemetery...

For years, I have been telling Brian that he needed to go to Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. He loves old structures...and we love History! I think there was something about going to a "cemetery" that made him raise his eyebrows.

Anyhow, we had a few hours to kill on Tuesday...and we were on the right side of town (technically the left...but...). So, I finally convinced him. Abbie had her Indiana history book with her, so she was tickled when she realized that many of the graves we were visiting...she could find in her book! We saw: James Whitcomb Riley, the entire Eli Lilly Family, President Harrison, Many Soldiers, and John Dillenger...to name a few.

Best of all, it was a perfect 67 degrees...sunny...and a light breeze. As we drove around (and got lost a few times) bright leaves floated into our van windows. We crunched the leaves as we walked...quite PERFECT!

Here are a few of our fave pictures:

The Gothic Chapel: AKA...where I might have Brian's funeral. lol

Abs and Isaac in the gardens....notice that she is carrying her History book with her.

Another of the Gothic Chapel...we kinda sorta liked it.

The inside of the Women's bathroom. Tell me how awesome THAT is!!!

Eli Lilly family site, this was one of our fave places within the cemetery.

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Baby Grace 22 weeks.

Little Gracie is 22 weeks (going on 23 now!)

She is as long as a piece of paper and weighs almost 1 lb. She gets the hiccups every day. A couple times a day. She loves to stand on my bladder with her head normally pushing against my diaphragm. Her favorite kicking time of the day is around 10pm. My little night owl.

Things are starting to look up a bit with the Remicade treatments, except for the fact that I seem to catch every little cold. Those are easier to deal with. Since she is a little on the little side...we will get to see her on ultrasound (3d and 4d!!!!!) in 2 weeks. Looking forward to that!

Cravings: ICE COLD MILK (can't have) and PECAN PIE (again, can't have! lol)

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October Musings....

A great start to a GREAT season!!!! Busy little week we have had. I will update more, tomorrow, but tonight, here are a few pictures. :)

Isaac's biggest accomplishment this month has been hitting his 75th word that he can read. Nothing toooooo impressive, but in his 5 year old mind, he has conquered the world. He can rattle off many of the short vowel words, which enables him to read some of the "Beginner Readers" books. Recently, he discovered the "Biscuit" books. I caught him reading to Lucy (our outdoor cat), and Lucy seemed to love it.

(Please ignore the AWESOME window there... Let's just say that Max likes it a bit. ;) )

Last weekend, we celebrated Brian's Granny's 75th Birthday. And, when in Richmond...YOU HAVE TO GET TIM HORTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I craved Raspberry Timbits for a whole week. Then, I get there and found that they only carry them BEFORE Noon. Utter disappointment.

But, we did get some awesome Apple Fritter TimBits and some yummy Mocha. And Isaac got a hot chocolate, which was promptly dumped on the floor. ;) lol



I have had a few rough weeks with being sick, and we have been well taken care of by our friends at church. We are always getting some kind of goodies. For some reason, food tastes SO much better when someone else cooks it! Abbie insisted I show this puppy dog and dinner that Miss Emmadell made for us.

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