Thankful

I'm emotional this CHRISTmas season as I see God working in our lives.  No matter what we go through I can't help but think how blessed we are.  Two years ago we were going through the hardest time we've ever had to face.  We didn't know what the next second held for our family.  We didn't know if Bradley would ever get to meet his little brother who fought every minute to stay alive, so we waited a long time to tell him about Austin. There were many days that brought much anxiety that Austin may take a turn for the worse and never leave the hospital alive.  Everyday, we're feeling more and living more as we heal from that difficult time in our life.
We're enjoying the kids this CHRISTmas season.  We're very thankful to have a full mantle of stockings, children laughing and playing, and for all the other wonderful things this season brings when you have small children.  We're counting our blessings every minute of everyday.  We just feel such JOY over all of the little things we have to enjoy this season.  So, please be thankful for your blessings.  Be thankful for your healthy children.  Be thankful that your child may just have a cold or something easy to treat like Strep.  Be thankful that your arm is sore from holding your child all the time, becasue he/she is here for you to hold.  Be thankful for the sleepless nights caused by a child, because it won't last forever.  Be thankful that for a crying child.  Be thankful for the messes that you have to clean up caused by your children.  Be thankful for the diapers that must be changed.  Be thankful for the many meals you have to prepare every week.  Be thankful for all the simple things in life that you sometimes may find stressful.  Smile, because your smile may bring other to come and know Christ's love for us.  Don't complain, just be THANKFUL!

A meaningful song to remember as we prepare for this special season.  Just keep it simple, so you can appreciate the reason for the season! 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.