November 2016

November is such a great month for remembering all that we have to be thankful for. Read on for some highlights of things we are thankful for.

We are thankful for getting to celebrate Elijah's 9th birthday. He is such a smart, funny, compassionate, and still amazingly energetic kid. We are thankful for friends who came to celebrate with a round of mini-golf followed by donuts with whip cream. We are thankful for family who called to sing and wish him a very happy birthday. We are thankful for his continued health. Most of all we are thankful for his relationship with Christ!

We are thankful for doctors and modern medicine that have helped see us through over 5 weeks of varying sicknesses. We are so thankful for a God who heals and a compassionate Savior.

We are thankful for our church family who helped watch our kiddos so we could attend foster parent training.

We are thankful for the boys abilities and work ethic which showed through at their spelling bee and piano recital.

We are thankful for an opportunity to spend time with family and friends during a birthday party for Seth and Elijah in Russellville.

We are thankful for a group of women who bring us meals on Mondays, pray for us, and sometimes help out with the kiddos.

We are thankful for 8 months with Eden. We are thankful for her smiles, giggles, and snuggles.

We are thankful that Marie and Anna continue to add words to their vocabulary and that they are receiving continued therapy to help them improve in some areas they are struggling in.

We are thankful for an opportunity to take a break from school and work and spend time with family in Illinois. We are thankful for an abundance of love, food, and laughter. We are also thankful for the help we received with Thad while he was ill.

We are thankful for reliable transportation, low gas prices, and the ability to travel.

Most of all we are thankful for a Savior who loves us beyond comprehension and desires a relationship with us. What an awesome God we serve!!!

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October 2016

In the entire month of October, we only had one day on the calendar that wasn't filled up. The fall is always a crazy time of year for us and this month was no exception. I hope you enjoy reading about some of the many things we did!

The first weekend of the month we were blessed by a visit from the Andersons. It was a fun time and the weather was great for playing outside. From Nerf darts wars to playing in the fort under the trees, a good time was had by all!

The next weekend Grandpa and Grandma Rice came for a visit. They brought gorgeous cooler weather with them so we spent a good part of that weekend outside as well. We read stories, played cards, carved pumpkins, laughed and fellowshipped together. It was a wonderful time and left us eager to see them again in November for Thanksgiving.

This month the Lord blessed us, and specifically Marie, with a miracle. After getting her hearing retested to have her aids readjusted, we were told she no longer needs them! Two different doctors said it is truly a miracle as people with her type of hearing loss don't just "get better". Praise the Lord for his healing power and for the miracle of hearing for Marie!!!

The soccer season came to an end this month and the boys team ended up finishing 4th. It was a great season and a lot of fun for the boys to be on the same team.

We decided to take a fall trip to Silver Dollar City with some friends at the end of the month. The Lord blessed us yet again with awesome weather and a great day with friends.

We were also blessed by a sweet friend who took our family pictures. It is no small feat to try to get good pictures with 5 kids in the mix ages 6 months to 8 years. Several of the little ones proved particularly challenging resulting in some "real life" photos.

As the month wound to a close, Mommy and Daddy participated in a masquerade ball and we also attended our church's Fall Festival. Everyone had a great time dressing up and doing all the fun activities.

As we begin the Thanksgiving Season, we hope you too have much to be thankful for!

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