Giving Thanks and We Have a Winner!

True to my love for fall, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  If I could chose where I would spend this day every year, it would be in the heart of New England.  Of course, my family would be there too, and we would be stuffing our faces with pie.  Even though I'm not in my perfect fall setting, I'm still spending turkey day with my family.  And pie is heavily involved.

This year I am especially thankful for my son.  Oftentimes I ponder how I could possibly love someone else like I love him.  He is a sweet treat throughout my day.  Truthfully, motherhood is more difficult than I expected it to be.  Understanding what he needs seems impossible at times.  He is teaching me patience;  I still have a long ways to go.  I am thankful for his smiles and giggles.  Daily he is changing before me and at times my eyes fill with tears as I watch him reach new milestones.  I love that he breathes heavily as he quickly crawls across the floor.  He is taking baby steps along the furniture now that he has learn to pull himself up and I can barely imagine him walking towards me.  It even melts me when he crawls up to me, yanks on my pants or slobbers on my leg as he wails, "Pick me up, Mommy!" in not so many words.

Watching Jonathan become a father this year has been one of the greatest joys of my life.  His patience puts mine to shame.  His adoration for his son is noticed by people everywhere - the grocery store, restaurants, gas stations to name a few.  He is a faithful leader, provider, husband and friend to me.  Plus, he's cute!  I couldn't be more thankful for him.

For the first time in our married life together, I have had a place of "my own" to make a home for my little family.  I am thankful for my little place to decorate, cook in and clean.

God has blessed me in more ways than I have space to write here.  He has grown me in my faith, love for Jesus and dependence on Him.  We thank Him daily for the life He has given us, the family and friends we share it with, and the opportunity to serve Him with it!

As promised, a winner has been selected for these Christmas coasters.  I am so excited about decorating for Christmas, I just might start this evening.  If my turkey slumber doesn't set in before I get to it, that is.  Oh yeah, the winner.  I put my pint-sized assistant (or is he quart-sized now?) to work after he woke up from his nap......

 

I handed him a basket holding the names of all you lovely ladies....

.....Which he eventually narrowed down to one.....

And the winner is......

Hannah Collins! Yours is the first one he pulled out!  I'll message you soon to get your mailing address!  I hope you have a fantastic holiday season full of love, joy and peace!

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! 

~Abby