thanksgiving

Thanks to Lynn for challenging me to come up with a list of some of the things I am thankful for!  Of course I am nervous to do this, as I know that I will forget so many important things - but hey, I'll do my best!  Here goes...

1 - First and foremost, for our Heavenly Father, who has showered me with His AMAZING love, forgiveness, grace, joy, and peace!  He has blessed me incredibly, and I am sooo thankful!!!

2 - For INCREDIBLE family members, including the best grandpas and grandmas to Cayla in the entire world!  We could not imagine being without any one of you - from our siblings to our extended family members.  We are excited to see you all soon...

3 - For friends that have seen us through the thick and the thin!  From those we have known for 30 years to those we have just met over the past couple of years, we are thankful for you! 

4 - For jobs that we both LOVE!  For a job that has just told me that I will likely be going to China next week, and a job that brings me so much joy and excitement each day!  And for Jerod, a job in which he can enjoy influencing students everyday, and a coaching job that he is extremely thankful for!  We love using and sharing our passions in our jobs!  We are also thankful for basketball and a chance to kick the season off tomorrow night!  Cayla says, "Go Daddy's Team!"

5 - For a warm house and financial security!  In today's economy, we are so thankful for us both to still have jobs and a house - we are blessed!!!  For good health.  And for excess food and drink each day, as MANY go without every day and often go to bed hungry...

6 - For people that watch and influence Cayla everyday!  From daycare to grandmas, grandpas, and aunts to friends to AEA to people that are going ahead of us in this new world of Downs, and the list could go on and on...  Thank you!

7 - For a wonderful church family and a love and excitement to worship God each Sunday morning in a fabulous church!  We are thankful for each of the people there!

8 - For the plethora of donations and gifts for Cayla from so many people!  We have only bought her a few pieces of clothing, and the rest of the beautiful clothes have come from her older cousins and friends...  We already have boxes of clothing and shoes until she is into 3T clothing - WOW!  In addition, we have received so many toys, car seats, baby equipment, etc - we are truly blessed!

9 - Certainly not #9 in my mind, but I wanted to start strong and finish strong - for my INCREDIBLE husband and WONDERFUL marriage!  I could not imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone but Jer!  He is everything I could have hoped for in a husband - I love you, honey!!!

10 - And last but certainly not least - for Cayla Joy!  She is our precious angel, and we are so blessed to call her daughter!  We are thankful for her Downs - though some days are tough, we know that she is exactly as God made her to be...  We are thankful that while her friends are going through temper tantrums and getting into everything around the house, Cayla is learning to smile more and learning to sit up on her own and turn in circles:)  She has taught us so many things over this past year, and she has brought us so much JOY!  We had no idea how perfect her middle name would be for her!

Well... to sum it up, we have soooo much to be thankful for, and we thank our Heavenly Father each and everyday for His incredible blessings in our lives!

Thanks for letting us share, and we challenge you to do the same:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!