.Day 23 of 7.

I kind of feel like this little penguin as we ready our home for a teenage boy.



I have been reminded of Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts several times lately, most recently today. Specifically I am reminding myself that thanksgiving always precedes the miracle.

Giving thanks right now for what God is going to do (and yes, still eating those 7 foods!).

.Thanksgiving Snapshots.

We had to stay home this Thanksgiving, as both Scotty and Cadi were sick, and Jamesy had an extremely drippy nose. (Today Scotty is finally fever free and acting more like himself. I am so thankful. He scared me. Cadi continues to run a fever on and off, but it seems as if she did not get the virus as severely as Scotty. My pinched nerve is almost gone.)



Jamesy wanted nothing to do with photographs yesterday - not even quick snapshots. Poor Cadi was feeling awful, and Scotty was just trying to be smiley and happy despite being sick



Although the photos are far from perfect this Thanksgiving - I never even really changed my camera settings - I just shot - I will cherish the photos from our day and remember our first ever Thanksgiving at home.

I have never roasted any kind of whole poultry. Jim does not care for it. On Thanksgiving he typically just eats the side dishes. On Wednesday morning, with Scotty still spiking a very high fever, we knew that we would be hunkered down at home. So Jim and I planned a menu -compromising as we both grew up with different foods on Thanksgiving. I was willing to forgo the turkey and bake a spiral ham, but Jim decided to let me try a turkey. He was brave!

I like poultry, but I am really squeamish about cooking it. When we first got married I would cook chicken breasts in my dishes, and then I would not be able to eat it because I had handled it. I would make a terrible farmer's wife! Well, yesterday was kind of like that, but I did manage to eat a bit. I cooked my turkey upside down after browsing the Internet for help. It made the breast meat really tender and moist. We liked it - even Jim.


Our ten pound fresh turkey.





My three turkeys.

I wanted one nice photo of the three of them in the outfits I had made. It was not to happen yesterday!




It was really nice to have a slow-paced day. We all snuggled on the couch and watched the whole Macy's Day Parade and ate my Mom's "num-nums" (my family's name for chex mix). Jim recorded it, so we started watching at 10 and fast forwarded the commercials. This worked great for the children.














We ate our Thanksgiving dinner early afternoon.





Turkey
Gravy
Make ahead mashed potatoes
Broccoli casserole
Sweet potato souffle'
Southern cornbread stuffing
Pear Salad
Wassail
Cheese cake for dessert
(Cinnamon pull apart pumpkin bread for breakfast)

Jamesy fell into a turkey coma at the table. He out-ate us all at his first Thanksgiving! We got such a kick out of watching him eat. {grin}



In the evening Jim and I taught Cadi to play Uno. We had so much fun! You can tell from these photos she still was not feeling well.







We enjoyed homemade (alcohol free) wassail all through the day. It made our home smell sooo cozy.



Jamesy kept peeking over the table at us as we played Uno.



We ended our evening with NY Cheesecake.

All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing, and very different Thanksgiving. I think we will look back on it with fond memories.

Last night I made stock from the turkey carcass, and today I am going to make a creamy turkey noodle soup. If it turns out yummy, I will try to remember to post the recipe here.

I have so much to be thankful for today and always.

I am not sure why God's grace has poured out on me in the form of this life I live. I am overflowing with thankfulness.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col. 2:6-7

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.Intentional Thankfulness.

Being intentional, this month, and noticing



counting



remembering



stilling



and thanking God for. it. all.

I have heard it said that God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Everything is grace. Everything demands my thanksgiving.


(Like all good ideas the Thankful Tree was shared.)

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.Counting my Blessings.

I undestand the state of the world as a result of the fall, perhaps better than I ever had. On a day when it is easy to forget I am choosing to remember, and I am being purposeful in counting my blessings.










These three children are near the top of my list.


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.A Little Child Will Lead Them.

He is quieter than both his big sister and his little brother. A bit shy, a bit reserved, and altogether sweet. He took his daddy leaving for Ethiopia very seriously, and he constantly talked about how Daddy was telling people about Jesus in Opia, Acrica. (Ethiopia, Africa) He was the one that came and snuggled under my warm covers each morning, pressing his chubby hands onto my cheek and breathing warm onto my face. He is tender and sensitive. He is funny and creative.

He is my Scotty.

By the age of two, Cadi was asking to pray at every meal and praying grandiose, two year old, prayers before bedtime. Scotty, at three, has been more reluctant. He is much more introverted and cautious and perhaps thoughtful and serious. He hesitates to pray, and we don't push. But while Jim was away, he began to request to be the one to pray for our meals, at family devotions, and at bedtime. I gladly let him, each and every time, thinking how cute he was and excited to see him pray.

One evening, toward the end of our time at home without Daddy, Scotty once again asked to pray before falling asleep. He was tucked under his camo comforter with his "Baxter Bear" lovingly snug against his side, and his hand gripped his beloved blankie. He asked to pray forcing the question out around the thumb stuck firmly in his little round mouth. I sat on the edge of his bed, and ran my fingers through his soft blond hair as he began. I watched how his eyes squinted closed, and his face twisted in concentration.

How sweet. I thought.

And then I began to listen, to really listen.

Thank you for Daddy, Mommy, Cadi, and Jamesy. For Grandpa and Grandma.

Thank you for Opia.

Thank you for my dinosaurs and tractors.

Thank you for my books.

Thank you for Jesus.

and on and on he went for nearly 5 minutes - listing everything in his world that was dear to him and thanking his Daddy in heaven for each gift. I felt tears warm my cheeks, as my heart bruised and grew a bit convicted. I realized, in that moment, that every prayer Scotty had been praying over the past few days were entirely prayers of thanksgiving.

I began to question myself, when was the last time that I sat at the throne and just gushed my thanksgiving and adoration to my Father? I could not honestly remember. Of course, I thank God for things, probably most of the time when I pray, I thank God for something. But devoting my entire prayer time to thanksgiving? This was not something I had done in far, far too long.

Scotty closed his prayer and wrapped his warm arms around my neck, then sank into his pillow, and put his thumb back into his mouth, unaware of the lesson he had just taught his mommy.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!

.Dear Anonymous.

Most of the time when one reads a blog addressing anonymous it is a bad thing, as anonymous commenters are notorious in the blogging world. Well, this time is different.

Dear Anonymous,
Today I awoke sick for the sixth day in a row. I was frustrated and grumpy and just wanted to feel better. Around mid morning I went to our little mailbox and pulled out a business letter envelope. I opened the envelope and while pulling out the contents I almost immediately forgot how lousy I was feeling. However, I will never forget what I found inside. Tucked into a folded typed letter were two money orders totaling $4000.00. That covers a very large portion of our next fees due in just a short time. The letter clearly stated that the person sending the money wants to remain anonymous and that the money is for our adoption, and we honor that.

I just want to thank you, Anonymous, for blessing us in such a huge way. My words will always fall short, and thank you will never be enough. Thank you for being the hands of Jesus to our family, and to the life of our little Ethiopian Prince. What you sacrificed on our behalf is nothing short of amazing. You have played such a huge part in allowing us to bring a special baby into our home. I pray that Jim and I will truly learn from your example and help other families bring children into their forever homes.

These past few weeks I have struggled with insecurities over finances for this adoption, but once again God has shown Himself faithful and has used you this time to do it. Thank you for being sensitive to His leading. Thank you for understanding how precious this life is to us. Your giving truly has eternal rewards, and we are eternally grateful.

Love, Tiffany


And to the Author and Illustrator, the Orchestrator and Creator of life - to the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. The One who is knitting our baby into a woman's womb right now, and who loves him the most. Thank you. Why do I ever doubt You? May Your name be praised, may all who watch our journey only see YOU. For this is not about our family, it's not about adoption, or orphans, or our baby boy on the other side of the world - this is for Your glory, for Your fame. This is for and about only You - God. I love you. I am so humbled.



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