A Smooch for Heavy

I have to share this cute Claire moment.  Just as I finished the previous post, I watched her approach Henry as he played in his bouncy seat.  She said, "I wanna give Heavy a smooch" (Heavy is her name for Henry for reasons unknown to us).  So she pulled the pacifier out of his mouth and leaned in for a kiss, but he started to fuss, so she put the pacifier back in his mouth and said, "Oh, I'm sorry Heavy.     Here ya go.  You ok?"  She patted his head and walked away.  I love my kids.

Here's a couple pictures from earlier this month of Claire holding "Heavy".

Is it just me or does Henry look worried? 

Claire on the other hand, doesn't have a care in the world. 

They are quite the duo.

{ Thankful }

Well, this post is a few days late, but regardless, I wanted to finish up last week's series on Thankful Thoughts.  So while we have so much more to be thankful for, here is our final { Thankful } post for the year.

Today, we are thankful for our home.

Here's a glimpse of our home as the kids must see it.

{ Thankful }

Today, we're thankful Joe's been fortunate enough to be in a career he finds both enjoyable and meaningful.

No, this isn't Joe standing by the school sign.  It's a Lincoln impersonator that visited the school - but you probably could have figured that out on your own.

  

We're also thankful for the four years Joe's worked at the Grand Rapids Press.  Even though he just works there when his school is on break, they've been good to him because they appreciate him and his work.  With all the changes they're making with Michigan newspapers, they actually wanted him full time, but he's happy at the school, and he's so close to finishing his Masters in Education, so he chose to say good-bye to the Press.  It's been a good run.  

I should also add that I'm grateful for my job.  And while the pay is terrible, it's totally worth it.  I'm still trying to figure out, though, who the boss around here really is! 

{ Thankful }

"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.  Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.  Use his words to teach and counsel each other.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."  Colossians 3:15-17

{ Thankful }

Today, we're thankful for the love of our family.

2 Children * 6 Parents * 6 Grandparents * 6 Brothers and Sisters *

3 Nieces, 1 Nephew and 1 Bun in the Oven * 13 Aunts and Uncles * 26 Cousins *

Our prayer today is to be a vessel of the love that is poured out on us,

so that we can, in turn, love others as we ought to.

{ Thankful }

Today, we're thankful for the gift of health and for the medical professionals that help us be healthy.

This year we think especially of Henry and all the people who have cared for him. 

This is a picture of Henry's bravery beads. 

Each bead represents a different test or procedure he underwent during his stay in the hospital.  A beautiful reminder of how much he has endured and how strong he has become. 

This afternoon we met with Dr. Uitvlugt, who once again looked at Henry's incision.  He's been watching it closely because the patch that holds his abdominal muscles together is beginning to poke its edge out of the hole that has formed in the center of the incision.  The good news we received today was that Dr. Uitvlugt feels Henry is ready to have his third, and hopefully final, surgery, which would be to remove the patch.  The surgery is set for December 27th.  While we hate for Henry to have yet another surgery, we're eager to move beyond it.  Just in time to start fresh with a new year!

{ Thankful }

Today, we're thankful for friendships that enrich our lives. 

In particular, we are grateful for "Uncle Pauly"

and the opportunity we have to visit with him this week. 

For those of you who don't know Paul, he is Joe's best buddy who now lives in the sunny state of California.  Speaking as a wife, I thank God my husband has such great friends who encourage him personally and spiritually.  Not to mention Claire, who absolutely adores him.  Can a 2 year old have a crush?  Seeing Claire fawn over Paul, I think there's a strong chance of it.   

Here's Joe and Paul raking leaves - well that's what they said they were doing.  It looks to me like they're having some sort of Strong Man Competition, which I'm pretty sure Claire came out the champion.