Lent - a Meditation on Thankfulness...

Well the Lenten season is upon us, and I probably wouldn't have posted once about it on our blog had I not read this post at Life in Grace.  I would have given up my Diet Coke (boy, do I feel silly!) and gone about the season thinking I knew what was going on.  But now, I've given up my Diet Coke still, but, vowed to spend more time this season with my Father and in His word and in Prayer (and hopefully making it a habit I enjoy!)

As I focus more on my Father and his Word and spending time with Him I know I will more clearly see the amazing things in my everyday life to be thankful for.  I will stop feeling sorry for myself that its dark all the time (can I try to be thankful for winter?!? hmmm...) and start showing my appreciation for the amazing gifts I overlook everyday.  I want to try to show here each day (in word and maybe picutres) what I was thankful for the day before. 

So starting at the beginning - yesterday was the start of Lent - Ash Wednesday.  And I didn't have to wait very long at all to be VERY VERY THANKFUL!   On Feb 17 at 3:35am - I became an AUNT for the first time!!  I am sooooo very thankful for a happy healthy baby boy - Andrew William - and for his beautiful, brave, healthy mama - my SIL Kelly. 

 

I've been pretty thankful for Kelly for a couple of years now.  She's amazing - smart, pretty, happy, funny, loving and wonderful.  She makes my brother happy (really happy) and I love her most for that.  But I love that I would have picked her myself to be my sister, and my friend, and I LOVE that she is part of our family.

 

 (at my wedding)

  

(at Kelly's shower with my mom)

And I'm very happy that she is now a proud mama - and thankful for my first nephew - and for making me an aunt.  I'm thankful for this bundle of joy and all the love and happiness and smiles he is going to bring to our family!

Introducing...Andrew William...

The World's Newest Buckeye's Fan...

 

Apple of his Daddy's eye...

 

and the baby that made my parents the very long awaited (and repeatedly pleaded for) 

"Grammy and Gramps!"

  

 Thank you God, our Father, for making my brother a Father.  For giving us all this wonderful gift of a child to love and for a growing family and for showing us Your love in very real ways.  Thank you God, for loving us.  Thank you for Andrew.

Amen.