A Week of Blessings!

We were so very blessed this past week to spend time with Jeremy's parents. They are missionaries in Zambia. Being in ministry presents certain challenges - one of the biggest is getting to be with family. With our family spread from Africa to Missouri to Colorado to California we have become great at traveling via plane and are thankful for things like Skype!

One of my prayers before Allison was ever born was asking God to help my children to know their family - even with many many miles between us. I can remember when I was pregnant with her praying and asking God, "Lord please don't ever let it seem when we visit that we start over with her learning who people are. Help her to be close to them even though we are far apart." God has been so gracious and we are so blessed. He has answered that prayer for me. I can say that Allie is so close to our family. She had not seen Jeremy's parents in over a year. When we got to the airport and I got to watch her run to Grammy and Papa wrapping her little arms around their necks, I was reminded how God is faithful and hears our prayers - how he desires to bless us and cares about all the details of our life!

We were so blessed this past week with so many blessings - - - I wanted to share them and recount them. This week I was continually reminded of how much God loves us and how he showers us with blessings. While we can't be together as much as we would like, he replaces those times we aren't together with amazing quality time together when he does allow us to be in one place. Precious memories were created. So here is my list of my week of blessing (and realize there is more than I can list - this is just a snapshot):

Friday

• Seeing Allie run up and wrap her arms around the neck of her Papa at the airport and hug her Grammy!
• Watching Grammy get to hold Ethan for the very first time and watching Ethan scrunch his nose and give his Papa a BIG smile for the first time in person!
• Getting to eat a Pazookie with Jeremy, Allie, Ethan, Grammy and Papa at BJ's
• Telling Jeremy's mom we were headed to the coast that very night
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Saturday

• A crazy but traditional Writebol "hike" - getting to see the light house at Point Reyes
• Playing games with Jeremy's parents
• Deciding what goodies to buy at the "general store" in Tomales
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Sunday

• Getting to sleep later than 7:00 a.m.
• A fun trip to Petaluma - enjoying awesome Mexican food at what will probably become a new favorite restaurant of mine - Mi Pueblo
• Game time with the family
• Grilled Pork Steak for dinner
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Monday

• Getting to celebrate the first birthday of my cute little guy, Ethan - with Grammy and Papa here!!!!!!!!
• Watching Allie make monkey bread with Grammy
• The sunshine at the coast - incredible!
• Having friends and family at Ethan's birthday party
• Watching Ethan eat his first very own cupcake!
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Tuesday

• Getting up and having Jeremy's mom here to help me with the kiddos
• Coming home and getting to go out to dinner with Jeremy's parents
• Frozen Yogurt time at Moxies
• Taking fun pictures of Allie with her Grammy and Papa
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Wednesday

• Coming home from work to surprise Jeremy's mom with a trip to Coldwater Creek Spa for our pedicures!
• Getting to just sit and visit with Jeremy's mom
• Walking through Ross looking at fun things iwth Jeremy's mom
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Thursday

• Going to San Francisco on a double date with Jeremy's parents: Sam Wo for dinner, walking around Chinatown finding amazing cheap things to buy, ice cream at Ghirardelli
• Having a sweet friend watch the kids for us so we could go to San Fran
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

Friday

• Working half-day
• Celebrating Jeremy's mom's birthday with dinner at home, games and fun gifts!!!!!
• Hearing Allie ask for Grammy to put her to bed and "lay with her for one minute." (This happened most every night!!!)
• Getting in bed that night and getting to say the words to Jeremy's parents, "See you in the morning!"

It was an amazing week - one we are truly thankful for!!!!!!! I loved - LOVED watching the kids every day play with their Grammy and Papa and fall more and more in love with them! Saturday was a hard day - sad that they had to leave. But - - - - - - - one thing I know - we can't wait until we are together again!!!!!! I am thankful for my husband's parents -- God blessed me beyond what I could ask or imagine! We are simply blessed!