The fam's here!!

Our aunt and uncle from New York arrived on Monday night! We're thankful they're not one of those people that are still sitting in the airport waiting to fly out!

We went out for breakfast with them yesterday (Jay hadn't gotten there yet. Sorry Uncle Jay!)

Lots more pics to come from tommorow's Christmas celebrations! :)

The Ice Took Over

We had a big ice storm on Thursday night and..... the ice took over. We lost 4 HUGE branches in our yard. We were totally fine all Friday morning but then at 12 we lost the 4th branch. It came crashing down, twisted the power line, and brought down the power box with it. How kind. So we just got power back this morning!!

I saw again a beautiful display of the body of Christ when we were immediately invited to spend the night at our friend's house. I feel so blessed and loved. People were so eager to take care of us and make sure we were comfortable. When I came home I just felt like sitting down and crying. When I walked into the house and could flip on lights again, feel the heat coming out of the vents, check my email, I realized just how incredibly blessed we are. It was such a good reminder to be thankful, that not everyone has life so easy. It's overwhelming. But I know that because of the past 24 hours, my Christmas week will be full of more thoughts of appreciation and thankfulness.

here's some pics from the weekend!

My Christmas Girl

Here's some new pics of my Christmas girl:

It is with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes that I post these. How crazy is that??!! It's so bittersweet. My heart leaps when that monthly email comes, yet it breaks when I see her beautiful face smiling at me. She's so beautiful and just takes my breath away. It's so sad to see her baby fat gone from her face and that "little girl" look blossoming. Mothers are always saddened when they see their "babies" becoming big kids but it is even sadder when you know these kids aren't with their families- they are growing up 1000's of miles away. And.... this is a really depressing post lol. So I'm going to stop!

Catch Up!

Whew it's been a long time since I've blogged!! I have been incredibly busy the past week and feel like I am just now getting to catch my breath!!

Here's some pics from the past week:

Holding newborn Ella Kate- a HUGE treat!! I LOVED holding this sweet baby!

The two cuties I babysat tonight.

Our annual gingerbread house! :)

A Wow Moment

Have you ever had one of those moments when you kind of sit back for a second and realize all that your life is??? Whenever I do have those realization moments that my life is SO incomprehensibly blessed, I have a loving family, I'm living in a country of plenty, my heart just towards thankfulness. I am moved to tears in those moments when I realize my sheer selfishness, my ungrateful heart toward the Father who has given me EVERYTHING!!! He has not left me needy and His love is more than I could ever ask for. Have you stopped recently to take in all that God has done in YOUR life??

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
Psalm 77:11-13

Thankful Thursday

It's time for another Thankful Thursday!! You might groan but I like thankful Thursdays!! :)

So here we go!

1. I have spent more time on the piano in the past 2 days than I've spent playing this past month. I decided tonight that the best way to describe it is that I've fallen in love with the piano again. I was slowly losing my motivation, but praise God I am not feeling that anymore. I was even practicing some potential songs tonight that I could sing and play for offertory maybe... if I don't chicken out.

2. I'm almost done with my first Spanish college class (yaay!) and i've completed 31% of my Chemistry course. I am counting down the days until that class is over with. That will be the lowpoint of my school year lol!!! I really dislike that subject. But the school year is going by fast and for that I am thankful!!

3. I am too tired to do anymore lol!!!

At Home

For the first time since we've moved, I finally felt like this was home. Why?? We got a piano!!! A REAL piano!! I've been playing on my keyboard for past year and a half since we've moved and I was fine. But it truly isn't the same as a real piano. So today the piano was delivered. I got home from work and played a couple of chords but was in a hurry so I didn't really take in all that had been given to me in this gift. After I finished my homework tonight, I sat down with my worship music and i felt at home. My hands glided across the keys (not plastic keys!!) as the beautiful songs of praise flowed from this instrument into our home. It was a sweet time of worship for me and I feel so thankful and humbled right now. Music is such a beautiful reflection of our Creator. As the harmonies flow I just think of our lives and how perfect God blends everything together.

I want to thank Mom for the time she spent lining up delivery services and tuning. Thank you SOOOO MUCH to the family who used to own this piano! You have no idea how thankful I am.

And... though you never thought you'd hear this.. drum roll please..

Mom and Dad,

thank you for pushing me on in piano. What a gift it has been to be able to play and serve at church with it. Thank you for encouraging me in those tough spots that I went through and wanted to quit.

Blessings,
Molly