{30 Days of Thanksgiving...Day 25-28}

Whew...almost there! What an eye opening challenge....

Day 25: I am thankful for Olive Garden; a welcome reprieve from hospital food.

After being in the hospital with Quentin's mom for several days, going to lunch with Matt & Mallorye was just what the doctor ordered up for the caretakers :) Just getting away for a few hours renewed our strength so that we could continue on...and the food was yummy!!

Day 26: I am thankful for sleep.

Ok, last night I got zero hours of sleep....ZERO! I was so tired and cranky, but Quentin let me sleep today while he got up and down with his mom. So ready for my own bed, but blessed beyond measure that I get to be here in this moment with Frances & Quentin.

Day 27: I am thankful for going home!!

After 5 days in the hospital at UAMS, Frances was released and we are headed back to Northeast Arkansas. She is doing great and I know once home, her recovery will just be that much quicker.

Day 28: I am thankful for the first snowfall.

Unusual for this area, but we got our first snowfall of the season. Typically, we don't see the white stuff until January or February, but God sent down a little delight for the senses today.

{30 Days of Thanksgiving ... Day 22-24}

Day 22: I am thankful for my ability to adapt.

Life continually throws curveballs my way, but God has blessed me with an ability to just "roll with the punches." I don't always initially respond well, but it doesn't take me long to get my bearings and figure out what I need to do and do it. I recognize that not all people adapt to challenges in that way, which is why I choose to be thankful for it.

Day 23: I am extremely thankful that my mother-in-law, Frances, made it through surgery with the best possible outcome.

Dr. Laryea did a fabulous job and although he said that he believes that we are dealing with cancer, after removing the colon mass, he was able to reattach and Frances did not have to have a colostomy...or a feeding tube. Both great outcomes! Let the healing begin :)

Day 24: I am thankful for a caring hospital staff at UAMS.

They have been wonderful to us and everyone has wished us a happy thanksgiving and are trying to make the fact that we're in the hospital over the holidays a little less gloomy.

{30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 16-21}

Trying my best to stay caught up with my daily list of thanks....

Day 16: I am thankful for worship rehearsal.

I'm a part of a really fun team of lead worshippers and although, we're veteran vocalists/musicians....a little practice is always in order AND we have a blast doing it.

Day 17: I am thankful for traveling mercies.

Frances had an appointment in Little Rock at the UAMS Cancer Research Center. It was just me and her today and we left Paragould at 6am....not to return until almost 8pm. It was a long day, but we made all of her appointments and left with a surgery date for next week.

Day 18: I am thankful for my mom.

I call my mom every morning on my way to work and usually 2 or 3 times during the day. Most of the time, I don't have anything to really talk to her about, but she never makes me feel like I'm bothering her. I can't imagine not talking to my mom...she's a great sounding board and without a doubt, my biggest fan in whatever endeavor I tackle.

Day 19: I am thankful for cleaning day.

Not exactly my favorite task, however, this week I enjoyed the time at home to just be domestic.

Day 20: I am thankful for my pastor.

Charles always preaches God's word with boldness and isn't afraid to step on toes. He definitely is annointed by God. He's also just a really down to earth guy and a great friend.

Day 21: I am thankful for distant relatives.

Frances' sisters from Tennessee traveled 12 hours today to be with her and with us during this next week, as she undergoes surgery. It's been 5 years since we've seen them and it really does my heart good to be able to spend some time with them and have them here to help support us during this difficult time. Family is everything.

Can you believe we're only 9 days away until December???

{Baby Aria Beth}

Whew...after a rough couple of weeks due to Laura's blood pressure being elevated, she was finally admitted Friday morning, November 11th for a C-Section to welcome Little Miss Aria.

Colby waiting to go back to the OR where they were getting Laura ready. I think he was a little anxious to meet his little girl.

Colby bringing Aria to meet the rest of the family. Laura did wonderful and delivered a healthy baby girl with her hubby by her side.

Grammy Liz and Nonna Paula seeing Aria for the first time...this is Liz's first grandbaby and emotions were on overload (I'm sure I'll be the same way in a few months)



YES! All these people are waiting to see Aria!

I adore this picture of Colby taking pictures of his baby girl with his mom, Liz, looking on.

Aria trying out her lungs....I don't think she was very happy about laying naked for the whole world to see....don't you just love all that hair!!!

Welcome to the World....
Aria Beth Henson
November 11, 2011 at 11:51am
8 pounds 4 ounces
20.4 inches long
Loved Beyond Measure!!!

{please note: Laura really was there...lol...I only got one picture of her, as she was heading to the OR, before I had to go back to work...and I'm pretty sure she'll be glad I didn't post it..lol}

{30 Days of Thanksgiving...Day 9-15}

Yes, I realize I am a week behind. I've been procrastinating, hoping to find time to upload pictures to go along with my blog posts, but I've given up on that idea in an effort to just get caught up. So...here it goes.....

Day 9: I am thankful for friends.

I have to say, I am very blessed to have so many friends and even a few very dear and best friends. Some, I have knows for over 20 years, some just a few short months. I have friends that I can call anytime of day or night and I know they will be there in a heartbeat to help me...friends I can laugh my socks off with...friends that I can be honest with...friends I don't have to name here, because they know who they are. Love you friend!!

Day 10: I am thankful for freedom.

It's so easy to take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy each day, but having a husband who has fought in two wars for that freedom, I have a deeper appreciation and understanding of how precious that gift is. I am blessed to live in a free country called America.

Day 11: I am thankful for a new baby to love.

Aria Beth Henson made her debut today weighing in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces. She looks just like her daddy, my cousin, Colby. Colby & Laura are going to be extraordinary parents and I can't wait until my granddaughter, Olivia joins the fun in February.

Day 12: I am thankful for one-on-one time with my daughter.

Mallorye and I don't get much time just the two of us, but this weekend is different. We are going to Hot Springs to help with the Mrs. Arkansas America Pageant and just hang out...catch up on all the girly talk we sometimes miss in the busyness of our lives.

Day 13: I am thankful for my small group.

Sometimes they frustrate me, but I love each of them so much and want only good things for them. Many of them are young and newly married and I so much want to help them not to make the mistakes that Quentin and I have made along the way. Many of them are wise above their years and the discussions we have are so encouraging...and thought provoking. Love these guys!

Day 14: I am thankful for conversation over dessert.

Tonight, I had a little girl time with my cousins wife, Pam. We haven't seen each other in probably close to 2 years and it was nice to catch up over a decadent dessert at Longhorn Steakhouse....just us...no kids...no husbands. Life is too short and rekindling this relationship felt right. I'm excited to continue what promises to be a great friendship.

Day 15: I am thankful for rain.

I don't particularly like rainy days, but it's necessary for cleansing and growth. It has rained for over 24 hours in NE Arkansas and I would love to complain about that...but I won't. Instead, I will thank God for cooler temperatures brought by the rain, the ducks that will soon have sufficient habitat to migrate to the south, and for my van being washed without me having to do it. All in the perspective.

{11/11/11 11:11am}

What was I doing at 11:11am today, 11/11/11???

Waiting for my cousin to welcome his baby girl into the world!

Colby waiting to join Laura in the OR to welcome their baby girl into the world.

Aria Beth was born at 11:51am and you'll have to wait until my next post to see pictures of her.....see how I roll...leave ya hangin'!

{Thirty Days of Thanksgiving...Day 7 & 8}

Day 7: I am thankful for basketball season.

I love this time of year! Even though Blake is the one on the court, it is definitely a family sport. We all enjoy going to his games and cheering him on. Tonight was the Red/Blue game and Blake shined, scoring 4 points in a 6 minute quarter...which included sinking both free throws. Bring on the season.....Go Rams! Go #24!

Day 8: I am thankful for the generosity of others.

Today, my Nicaragua trip is officially PAID IN FULL!! Praise the Lord!!!!! I was just about to send out support letters, but someone saw the need before I was able to mail them and finished off the little dab that I owed. All I have left now is some clothing needs for the trip and my spending money. God's got this!

I am loving voicing my thanksgiving over the blog....have you stopped to thank God for the blessings in your life?? Today is a great day to start.

{Thirty Days of Thanksgiving...Day 4-6}

Day 4: I am thankful for a flexible, godly place to work.

In today's economic times, just having a job is reason enough to give thanks, but I also work in an environment where K-Love is always playing, everyone has their Bible close at hand, there's a spirit of love, and they're flexible with things that come up with my family.

Day 5: I am thankful for modern medicine.

I have been in pain most of the day, but thankfully, God has provided wisdom for doctors to know how to treat various ailments and I get the benefit of that. One hundred years ago, I would have just had to tough it out and pray I didn't die from the pain...lol.

Day 6: I am thankful for my church.

It's not perfect, which is a good thing, because neither am I! We have a team of pastors that love the Lord and love the people entrusted to them. We don't always see eye-to-eye on everything, but I know they preach and teach God's word and they aren't afraid to step on toes.

{30 Days of Thanksgiving....Days 1-3)

....because I'm sometimes a procrastinator, and

....because sometimes I just like to enjoy being lazy in the afternoons, and

.....because sometimes my life is crazy hectic

......you're getting my first three thanksgiving days all at once,

...because that's how I roll :)

I love the idea of being thankful and like to believe that I seek to be intentionally full of gratitude on a daily basis, but there's something about November and the winter holidays that make us pause and really think about our lives and the things we have to be truly grateful for. So...I'm going to try to share one thing each day that I'm thankful for (and hopefully, I'll get good enough to actually put pictures with my posts!).

Day 1: I am thankful for God's unending mercy!

I'm not sure where I would be without it....a mess I'm sure. He loves me no matter what I've done, or what I've become...He patiently beckons me back to His arms and lovingly embraces me. Sure, there is discipline and growing pains, but not without love & mercy in the mix.

Day 2: I am thankful for my hubby!

Tonight he cooked dinner, which he does way more than I do. He doesn't complain (too much) when I let the laundry pile up or the house come undone. He loves me unconditionally. He works hard at his civilian job and serves our country sacrificially when duty calls. He sits by me on the 3rd row at church, even though he much prefers the back. We've had plenty of bumps along the way and we still have plenty to learn and areas to grow, but one thing is for sure, our love for one another is rock solid.

Day 3: I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mom!

My children, Mallorye and Blake, and my son-in-law, Matt, are my absolute delight. I can't imagine my life without them. They have made me laugh, made me cry, made me want to bang my head against the wall....they definitely have made life more exciting to live. Never a dull moment. Never! There are so many women who never get to experience motherhood and the joys & struggles that each day brings, but God chose to entrust me (of all people) to care for two, now three, other human beings. I'm not sure anyone has ever trusted me so much!

Stay tuned! Tomorrow brings Day 4 of Thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for today?