1) God and His plans. I take a long time to remember there really isn't need to worry to stress (about nearly everything) but this last year has really, really, shown me God's sovereignty and His power to overcome. Why in the world do I worry???
2)Derrick. He takes GREAT, GREAT care of us, loves us, and is an AMAZING dad to Addilyn. He's patient even with my crankiness and works so very hard to allow Addilyn and I to be home together during the days.
3)Addilyn. She makes me remember what a wonderful maker we have each and every day. Every new thing she does is like a tiny little miracle. Even when those tiny little miracles equal constant questions and needing Mommy to talk to all day. ;)
4)Staying home. Seriously. Today we had a goal of being at Sam's by 8am so that I could get things for the Women's Retreat I'm helping plan and Derrick's the one with the Sam's card, so we all had to go. Holy cow. I'm SO THANKFUL we don't have to do that crazy rushing around to get everyone ready every morning. My relationship with Addilyn (and Derrick) is so much calmer and allows "Addi do it" in the schedule because we don't have to be many places at certain times. I get to see every new thing my child is doing for myself. I get to be the one to teach Addilyn things and see her little mind make sense of them.
5)Easy paci transition. I really had prepared myself for a week of misery. Everyone I had talked to said to expect at least 3 days or so of terrible sleeping times but, Addilyn cried the first time I put her down without a paci for 30 minutes. Other than that, she hasn't cried at all!!! Derrick and I miss it the most I think, because without it, Addilyn's waking up between 5 and 5:30 am. And, that my friends, is FAR too early. But, she's not cranky. Just wants to be awake and without a paci has a harder time falling back asleep. We'll get there...
6)The growing baby in my tummy! We are all SO excited for this new baby (Addilyn's slowly starting to understand it more and more, it's great!) and we're slowly starting to prepare our house to fit this new little miracle coming! Addilyn has big girl bedding and we're in the process of getting her big girl bed from my parents to us. We found out on March 1st if we're having a boy or a girl! I didn't expect to be quite so excited about this, but I really am!! With Addilyn we didn't find out and we're completely content with not knowing-this time it's be hard to wait this long! :)
7) Morning sickness (mostly) leaving for weeks 17 and 18. I went 2 weeks without throwing up much and started to get some energy back! Hopefully the return on morning sickness will only be to help celebrate week 19.
8)Youth Group. Those 6th graders can go from conversations on silly bands to deep Biblical questions in no time. It keeps me on my toes and gives me even more motivation to be a great student of the Bible. I'm also thankful that Addilyn is exposed to youth kids who love Jesus all the time. Those kids really love her and are fantastic with her. What great examples and role models she has to look up to!
9)Our Healthy family. Last week we all got a turn with a stomach bug. It was a great reminder to me how incredibly healthy we are. And, how blessed we are to live in a country that a 24 hour bug, is simply that. It doesn't make me fear of anything severe or wonder if my family would die while I try to help them become healthy. There are so many places that is a true and terrible concern. Like here or here.
10) Women's Retreat this weekend! I'm so excited for our church to have so many women excited to get to know God and each other better!! And, Addilyn waking up so early all week might leave me a little bit more excited than I would be otherwise... :)
