Giving Thanks

This Thanksgiving Eve, I have so much to be thankful for. After Ada's death last summer I hit a low point and it was hard to imagine feeling truly happy again. Of course I knew that I would with time, but it seemed so unattainable. Then last Thanksgiving Day I found out that we were expecting again. Having another baby could never replace the one you lost, but it does help you move forward with life. Eleanor has filled us with so much joy this past year in spite of our grief. For that I am thankful, among other things. Here are just a few of them:

• I am thankful for my husband. He is truly my partner in life and my best friend. This Thanksgiving marks 10 years since we first started getting to know each other.
• I am thankful for my family and their unconditional love.
• I am thankful for good friends who listen to me and make me laugh.
• I am thankful for my career. Although it is on hold at the moment, I was reminded this weekend of how much I enjoy teaching children another language. I am thankful that my job (well, when I return to work) is meaningful.
• I am thankful that my basic needs in life are met. I have a house, clothing, food, and access to clean drinking water. I take these items for granted while many people in the world struggle to have them.
• I am thankful that I am able to stay home with my beautiful baby. I wasn't totally sure if I wanted to stay home full time, but now I can't imagine life otherwise. I never thought my life could be quite this good.

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment below.

4 months

I'm one day late because of our trip.

I did manage to catch one of her smiling, but it was way off center. I thought this look of concern was pretty cute though!

San Diego

Eleanor on her first plane ride
Somewhere over Arizona

Right after our presentation at ACTFL

I got to have breakfast with Bree, another mom who lost her baby at 23 weeks. It was so great to finally meet someone who I have been talking with online for months!

Eleanor went on her first boat ride!

San Diego from the water

Eleanor admiring the sea lions

In downtown San Diego

Yard sale find!

This was my $1 yard sale find! (the carrier, not the baby...) It's the Ellaroo mei hip carrier and retails new for $79. I'm afraid I have a carrier/wrap/sling addiction. I own so many that it's rather embarrassing, but all of them are homemade (by me), hand me downs, or yard sale finds. We are having a yard sale of our own soon though, so I plan to sell most of them. Who knows, I might even make a little money from my sewing experiments.

This is my new favorite, now that Eleanor is outgrowing the pouch sling. For now she sits in it "froggy legged" style, but soon she'll be able to put her legs out to the side when it's more comfortable for her. We are flying to San Diego next week, so I'm really glad I found this now! She seems to really enjoy sitting in it.

Visiting friends & family

I already posted pictures of Eleanor with all of her grandparents, but here are a few more pictures from our trip.

This is Eleanor with Courtey Krueger, the pastor of our former church in SC. He did our premarital counseling with us and performed our wedding in this church. 5 years later he came down to FL to do Ada's memorial service. This past Sunday when we visited, it was All Saints' Sunday and the congregation was invited to light a candle in memory of a loved one, so of course Hunter and I lit candles for Ada. (Yes, this is a Baptist church!) Anyway, it's important to know all of this history in order to understand how special this picture is.

Eleanor with Stephanie and Aunt Pam

Eleanor with Heather, my childhood best friend

Eleanor and Kathy, another dear friend

Eleanor and Ashley - if we lived closer, I'm sure Ashley would be her future babysitter!

We went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a day.

Eleanor at her first waterfall, Looking Glass Falls in NC

Eleanor had her first llama encounter in NC! These are llama caddies and will soon be featured on Animal Planet. It's a very cool idea.

Grandparents

We just got back from visiting family for nearly a week, and Eleanor got to see all 4 of her grandparents.

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