Thankful

Payton, Karsyn, Evan, & Addisyn - Thanksgiving 2011

Yesterday, on my way to hang up some of Evan's clothes, I couldn't help but notice how bad the carpet in his bedroom needs to be replaced.  Really, the carpet in all of our bedrooms needs to be replaced.  I looked around his room and thought of all the things that I would like to do and of the things that I would like to change.  But as I was hanging his clothes up, clothes that now hang on adult sized hangers might I add, I felt this overwhelming since of gratitude in my heart. 

It wasn't all that long ago, that I would walk into his nursery and pull clothes out of his closet and wonder what he would look like.  Prior to being a mommy, I had always imagined myself as being a working mommy.  When Jason and I found out we were going to be parents for the first time, my feelings soon all changed. But wanting to be a stay at home mommy and being one are two very different things. 

While I was on maternity leave with Evan,  God worked out a way for me to work part time.  I worked a few hours in the afternoon at the bank, after Jason got off at work.  The need came along for me to work a few more hours, so one day a week, I worked a full day, while Grandma spent the day taking care of Evan and a few months later, Payton too.

A little over 5 years ago, Jason got a promotion at work and I was able to be a full time stay at home mommy.  His promotion meant that I didn't have to work any more, but it didn't mean any changes in our budget.  It wasn't too long after Jason's promotion that we were blessed again with Addisyn and then Karsyn.

I feel so blessed to be a stay at home mommy. Even so, there are some days when I forget that the sacrifice is worth the reward.  But yesterday, as I was hanging up Evan's clothes, it hit me.  As nice as it would be to have new carpet or a new house for that matter, I have been so blessed to be able to watch him as he wore his sweet baby boy layettes to clothes that are now to big for child sized hangers.  It's a great joy to watch Evan, Payton, Addisyn and Karsyn as they grow and to be able to spend my days taking care of them.  

Even if we have ugly carpet, I'm so very thankful to get to stay at home.  I'm grateful that God allowed a way and amazed at how He's provided for us.  I'm so thankful for Jason.  He works very hard for us and is such a good daddy.  I am also thankful to all of our family and friends.  You all are a blessing and we are thankful for your support, encouragement and love.  Happy Thanksgiving!