Thankful

Thankful.  That simple little 8-letter word is not near enough to describe the overwhelming gratefulness that is in my heart.  I am beyond thankful for so much in my life.

At the very top of my list is God's love for me.  As a mother, I am able to get a glimpse into what a sacrifice God made by sending his son to die on the cross for ME.  There isn't anyone on this earth that I would give up either of my children to save, but God did just that for me (and for you!).  I am grateful for his unfailing love and grace.  I am grateful that he loves me when I don't deserve it.  I am grateful that he cares about every aspect of my life.

I am thankful for my family.  Our beautiful little family of four.  My healthy babies.  I could not ask for more and could not be happier than where we are right now in life.  Wes, Tucker and Gracie are my world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am thankful for the rest of our family.  Our parents and siblings, niecies and nephews.  I am so thankful that Tucker and Gracie have cousins to grow up with and to make many memories with.  I am thankful that they are surrounded by so many family members that love them.

I am thankful for the amazing group of friends that Wes and I have, and their children.  I am thankful for their support and encouragement in our lives.

As the season of Thanksgiving comes to an end, it's nice to just take time to reflect on what all we are blessed with.  Sometimes these are things that we take for granted in our day to day lives.  The small things and the big things.

God,

Help us to be thankful not just in this season of Thanksgiving, but all year round.  Thankful for the small things and the big things.  Help us to not take for granted the blessings you have graciously provided us and place a desire in our hearts to use those blessings to spread the gospel and glorify you.

Father, Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross so that we can spend eternity with you.  Thank you for first loving us, even when we did not deserve it.  Thank you for swiftly forgiving us of our sins, and freeing us from any guilt.

Thank you.

Amen

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever."  1 Chronicles 16:34


Here are a few attempts at a family picture this Thanksgiving.  Getting two little ones to look at the camera simultaneously is near impossible!

Our Hearts are Forever Stretched



8 weeks old

































My Sweet, Sweet Gracie,

Wow how time flies!  You are 9 weeks and a day today!  (Your "updates" are coming soon!)  I cannot believe it has been that long ago that you entered our family, then again, I can't believe it has only been 9 weeks!  You have fit seamlessly into our family and have stretched our hearts beyond imaginable!  (Now, don't let that lead you to believe things have always been smooth sailing!  We have had our ups and downs, but every 'down' has been worth it by far!)  I confess that before you were born I wondered how I would ever love two babies....but when you came, you brought with you an ability to love more than I ever dreamed possible.  And love you we do! 

You have your Daddy wrapped all kinds of ways around that little finger of yours!  It makes me smile and tear up at the same time to picture the way he looks at you.  He would do absolutely anything and everything for you.  He would literally move heaven and earth to make you happy!  Man do I feel bad for your future boyfriends!  They are gonna have it R-O-U-G-H!  You are "Daddy's Little Girl" for sure.  

2 weeks old


However, you and I have a very special bond too.  Gracie, Mommy loves you to the moon and back times infinite!  I can't look at you without feeling an overwhelming love for you that I struggle to put into words.  My heart over flows with love for you.  I thank God a thousand times a day for stretching our family and our hearts by blessing us with you.  

6 weeks old

And that brother of yours has loved you from the day he laid eyes on you.  You are HIS Baby Gracie.  Any time someone besides Mommy or Daddy hold you, he immediately becomes concerned.  "Mommy, get her!" he will direct me.  "That's MY Baby Gracie!"  I have a feeling that protective instinct he holds for you will be with him always.  While your future boyfriends may have a rough way to go when it comes to your Daddy, I'm thinking the one they will really need to watch out for is that big brother of yours!  Every chance he gets, he lays a kiss on you, hugs you, holds you.  He has to watch me change every diaper.  If you start to fuss he'll say, "Where's her paci at, Mommy?" and start to shush you or sing to you.  He loves when your hand touches him.  "Mommy! Baby Gracie touches me!"  He is completely in love with his baby sister.  This makes Mommy's heart smile SO big!  

Tucker 24 1/2 months, Gracie 4 weeks



Tucker 25 months. Gracie 8 weeks

And just look at the way you look that big brother!  You adore him and love him right back.  When he starts talking, you stop and listen then start to look around the room for him.  I'll tell Tucker, "Gracie's looking for you!" and he will come running with a huge grin on his face!  He can always make you smile and when he does, he'll say, "Gracie say I funny!"   

My babies



In one of the letters I wrote Tucker, I remember saying, "Our lives are

forever changed, forever better."  Little did I know then what our life would be like once it was again forever changed.  

Gracie,

We love you more than words could ever convey!  You are our "Lil Momma" and you have turned this family of 3 into a family of 4 and we are forever grateful for that!

Mommy loves you!!!

XOXOXO,

Mommy

Tucker Meets His Baby Sister for the First Time

First Peek

Saying he was in love is an understatement!  It was so sweet to see how infactuated he was with her!

Of course, it helped that Gracie managed to get Tucker a blue semi-truck as a special "Big Brother" gift ;)

 He even came back for more the 2nd day :).  As soon as he walked in the room, he said, "Where's my Baby Gracie at?"

And what did Gracie think?  Well, she thought meeting her big brother was a a lot of work!

Welcome Baby Gracie!

Way WAY over-due.....

Anna Grace Keene

September 25th, 2011

9:54 pm

9 pounds, 1 ounce

20 1/2 inches

Absolutely perfect!