30 - Thankful Thursday #167

Write About 3 (+7) Things You're Grateful For Today!

Woohoo - grateful this is my last day of daily posting... not that I'll slow down too much, but a short break sounds lovely. =)

1.  I'm grateful for this fun experience with the Wilson fam and Mom at the Christmas Chute in Sapulpa... I'll do a full post on that later, but wanted to include it in this list (and in my 2023 Christmas card - yay)!

2.  Grateful for a strong connection with the Mini Miss K, and for the joy it brings me to see her strength and feisty spirit shining through - she knows what she wants and she asks for it... right now, that's redesigning her bedroom, and she's full of specific ideas, and I love that about her!

3.  Grateful (again) for Dad sharing his OSU tickets, and that he got three tickets this time... the Wilsons joined me for my fourth game this season... fun times!  We also ran into Paul and Stephanie while we were hanging out at our table inside for a bit. =)

4.  Grateful for our big family gatherings and for family photos!

5.  Speaking of, I'm grateful that we've made it a point to take group pics every Christmas Eve, particularly from 2014 forward.  This = Grandad and Babah with their great-grandkids in 2015.  They're both in heaven now, and Carter is no longer living with his siblings, and a million other things have changed since then, but my gratitude for this picture has only increased!

6.  I'm grateful for the life and legacy of Mr. Holmes, who passed away just before Thanksgiving.  He was the CHA Secondary Headmaster for several decades, a Godly man who lived with a lot of joy and kindness.  I've loved seeing stories from CHA alumni about the lives he impacted and changed. ❤  (Pic = him giving a devotional on the Boston senior trip.)

7.  I'm grateful for my circle of friends, and specifically for having a few solid guy friends in my life.  Their calming influence, challenging perspective, fun sense of humor, family leadership, and protective strength are all deeply valued and appreciated!

8.  Happy Christmas lights, and for Al and Frankie coming to put them up for me last night!!

9.  Asher Kenneth arrived super early yesterday morning, and I'm very thankful that the pregnancy, labor, and delivery all went smoothly.  It's such a deeply-felt gift after they endured some heartbreaking miscarriages and fertility struggles.  Here's JoBug delighted with her first grandchild! ❤

10.  JESUS - because obviously, I had to end this gratitude month on that note!  And bonus - it was a fun way to bookend this post with the Christmas Chute photos. lol  Genuinely, I am grateful for the big and small ways that Jesus shows up and answers prayers... I asked Him for clarity on something a couple days back, and He came through and gave me fresh insight about how to handle things, which in turn brought much-needed peace, and I'm grateful!

Gratitude month -- mission accomplished! =)

❤