We ate...
And ate ...
And acted really cute at the table, showcasing our new skill (raising and waving arms when we say 'Ta-Da!'), and laughing if anyone even chuckled as if he had just heard the best joke...
Those who could muster up the energy (aka: not me) played volleyball. Benjamin and I sat on the swing for a while and watched...
And we also watched the Gibbs' adorable puppy, who occasionally came to nibble on Benjamin's toes. I don't blame her. Benjamin is so very edible!
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When we got home, Benjamin conked out, and so did I. I expected him to sleep longer, but he woke up after about an hour wanting to eat... and then realized he was still sleepy, so he crawled on top of me and laid his head down, and after I had rubbed his back for a while, he slept again. While it is very hard to breathe and sleep with a twenty pound baby laying on top of you, I also slept, and I loved all two hours of it. It is very rare that Benjamin will even stay still to cuddle with us, much less nap with us anymore. It brought back so many memories of his first few months after birth. I am so Thankful for moments like those.
We woke up sweaty and sweet, and ready to eat leftovers.
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Looking back over this past year ... I have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for my husband, who is ever helpful, who goes out of his way to help me out around the house and with dinner and with Benjamin. My husband, who does what he can to make things easy for me, who listens when I need someone to listen to, who holds me when I need someone to hold me after a long day of holding a baby (or sometimes babies). Who is my rock, my biggest fan, my loving spouse... I love you, Carl! Thank you, and I thank God for you!
I am thankful for being blessed with a child, the sweetest boy I could ever ask for, who amazes me daily with his curiosity and love for knowledge (and cookies!). I am thankful for the moments he seeks me out for comfort, for snuggles. I am thankful for the numerous kisses he showers upon me, even the sloppy ones. I'm even thankful for the four AM wakeup calls so I can snuggle my baby and help him go back to sleep (even if I don't feel so thankful at the time). I'm thankful for the messy floors, the dirty laundry, the lost socks and pacifiers. I'm thankful for all the moments I'm able to catch with my camera, and the moments that are much too sweet to interrupt with a camera.
I am thankful for my mother and father, and my brother. I am thankful for the support they have given me, the love and care they have shown me. I am thankful for they love they have for Benjamin. They have always been there and I love them more than they could ever know! I love you! Thank you!
I am thankful for one of the best friends I could ever imagine, my future Sister-in-Law, Melanie. She has been closer than a friend, closer than a sister. I love her so much and can't wait until she is part of our family! Thank you, Melanie, I love you!
I am thankful for my Kindred Spirit, Autumn, and her wonderful family, who have always loved my family, and have always been wonderful family to me! Thank you!
I am thankful for our best friends out here in middle Georgia, Chris and Kayla and Mariah. They have made us grow to love this area with their friendship! Thank you!
I am thankful for the congregation here in Fort Valley, for our friends in Middle Georgia, for our Preachers Family friends, for God's family! To the Gibbs, the Paces, The Duncans, The Johnsons, the Ruckers, The Burnettes, the Adams, and so many more - to many to even think of individually - Thank you!
I am thankful for my blogging friends! You all have been so encouraging to me during this journey as a young mother! Thank you!
Most of all, I am thankful for God, for His Son, for the Holy Spirit, for the Word. I am thankful for my salvation, which I do not deserve. I am thankful for His Church, His comfort, His love, His protection, His blessings!
I am so thankful.
I am so blessed.
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
- Psalm 100
