I am thankful:
~ for a whirlwind week full of hard work and fun! Literally not one single day or evening free.
~ for being able to celebrate our Carson Grace turning 21. We know God has incredible plans for her life, and we can’t wait to see how He uses her.
~ for a wonderful full week of VBS. The big kids served with old and new friends, and the younger kids attended with old and new friends. We sang and played and worshipped and ate together, and it was an absolutely exhausting week packed with fun. So grateful for our wonderful church.
~ for lots of sweat equity out on the farm. Mowing, chain sawing, junk hauling, and briar clearing.
We work hard and get dirty and sweaty side by side with our kids, and it’s awesome to slowly see our vision come to life.
I’ve gotten wrapped up in some poison ivy, on both arms and my EYELID, so that meant a call in to the doctor for some high dose steroids, and I’m NOT GREAT at not scratching! Just part of the process, I guess. This weekend we added some essentials to make it feel really like home: popsicles, a stereo, and a coffee pot of course!
~ for a fun night at American Cancer Society’s Little Wranglers event. Everyone’s favorite was the petting zoo!
~ and for an incredible day back at Globe Life Field representing Gold Network ETX as guests of Derek Holland’s 60 Feet 6 Foundation at the Celebrity Softball Classic. We may not have known many of the “celebrities,” but the event was top notch.
We were greeted as VIPs, escorted onto the field through the players entrance, and Sawyer received a custom Sawyer the Warrior official team jersey.
The whole family enjoyed touring the dugouts and the field, running the bases, and meeting various athletes, actors, artists, and military veterans. We enjoyed an endless buffet in a private suite and met other pediatric cancer families. It was a truly unforgettable day.
~ for the sight of happy, dirty kids living their best lives.
Thanks for giving thanks with me.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” (Psalms 145:3-7, 21)
Sundaygratitude 
I have been getting your weekly updates in my gmail, which comes to my phone. Being me, I dislike typing a longer answer on my phone keypad, and then I don’t make time to come to the computer and comment. So HERE WE GO!! I am thrilled about all you are accomplishing on the farm/property. How great that there was already a roofed structure there, to kind of “set up shop.” The timing could not have been better, even though you had a particularly challenging week – end of school events for many children, signing the home contract, and MOVING!! At least school was out! One big reason your family is debt-free, after the sale of one gorgeous home and the purchase of property, is that you and Josh worked so hard for the past few years, updating and renovating SO MUCH of your home – doing all the work yourselves. You had a little help with stripping the last few ceiling beams, but that was about it, I think. The home you sold was SOOO much better than the same home when you bought it. And I realized that there was almost no place there to play, run, toss the football, etc. This new property and the home you design and build will have all of that, plus riding space, if a horse joins the family. I deeply sympathize with you on poison ivy!! I never had it on my eyelid, but a lot on hands and arms, etc. The itching is terrible! And some people can touch it and not have a reaction – AMAZING! The Globe Life Field trip for the Celebrity Softball Classic looks like a wonderful event for all your family, esp running the bases, standing on home plate, etc. Happy late Birthday to Carson Grace! I pray often for her and know that the Lord has good plans for her life, to use her gifts for God’s glory. All of your younger children are really looking grown-up now – boggles my mind. And I sure love Cooper David’s new haircut! I know that God will use you and your family in a mighty way in your “new” rental home and neighborhood. Love you forever.
LikeLiked by 1 person