Thankful Thursday

1. We had a really nice time at Hersheypark on Saturday with our three kids. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather!

2. The Steelers won on Sunday and amazingly still have a chance to make it to the post season.

3. The kids had a great time at the Happy Birthday party for Jesus at church on Sunday afternoon.

4. I enjoyed watching Nadia sing with the King's Kids choir on Sunday morning and Tuesday evening.

5. It was fun watching the kids enjoy opening their gifts on Tuesday. It was the first time that Oliver enjoyed the task of unwrapping gifts.

6. We enjoyed spending four hours with Paul's parents, grandmother, brother, and nephew on Christmas Day before driving to Maryland. We spent that evening with my parents and my brother, whom we hadn't seen for 18 months as he now lives in Brazil.

7. We enjoyed spending time with my sister (Wendy), her husband, and her four kids today. They arrived at our parents' house around midnight last night. Paul and I plus my dad and Drayton went bowling this afternoon with five kids (Nadia, Ian, Susie, Rachel, and Adam). Wendy and my mom stayed home with the two youngest (Oliver and Grace). I enjoyed playing a game of Boggle with my dad, Drayton, and Wendy this evening. Fun!

8. We received many wonderful presents from various family members. My favorite gift was a new lens for my camera from my parents.

9. Yesterday we learned that my sister (in Turkey) was considering coming to visit, and today we found out the eight of them will be arriving here on Saturday! We are all figuring out how to adjust our travel plans so that we can spend some time with them! What a surprise!!!

10. I am so thankful that the Lord humbled Himself and took on the form of a tiny helpless babe about 2,000 years ago. Happy birthday, Jesus!