Giving Thanks

I have been such a slacker on Blogging and Facebook these last couple of weeks. But I have been out and about with my lil Hannah more. I have really been cherishing my time with her. We had a couple of park dates, which are great, one to get out of the house, two to talk with other mommies, and three for Hannah to socialize with other kids and build friendships of her own. It has been so much fun watching her interact with different kids, she really responds differently to each one.

Hannah and Drew

I love this little face!

Hannah and Sawyer

We went on a little date of our own to the RSM lake. Hannah just ran around on the grassy area and watched the ducks. I really am so thankful to God for blessing us with Hannah. She really makes my heart melt, and I cannot thank him enough for filling the missing piece in her that was Hannah shaped.

This was random from last Sunday in the truck. She was so happy, I couldn't help but take her picture.

I do wonder what she thinks when she plays. Like the other day, she pushed a toy around in her baby stroller, took it to her "car" (walker) and then pushed around the car, all while babbling in Hannah. I love it. And I am so very Thankful for God's timing in giving us Hannah. I am so very thankful that I get to work from home and be with her all day. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Gobble Gobble........

This year I hosted Thanksgiving. I should have remembered how much work it is and let someone else offer. But it did turn out really great. I am so very Thankful for the great time I did have with the family. The kids had a great time, we ate entirely too much food and I worried about if the house was clean enough... which nobody even seemed to notice. I am very Thankful for the family that I have. I was not able to be with my own family, but God gave me a great second family. Jacobs family really is a blessing to be around. I love that even when the kitchen flooded and the turkey was "undercooked, but really just cooked" there was no freak outs. It is so different from my family. There really is no stress, but me. I really don't want to be a stress bucket anymore either. And the one BIG thing that God was sharing with me this Thanksgiving was a small verse that is before one of my favorite Thanksgiving verses that I guess I have overlooked so many times before:

1 Thessalonians 5:14-17

And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be PATIENT with EVERYONE. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I especially know that God has given this to me because I think he was using my husband to strengthen me in this. Honey, I love you! And I love that our only family pic this year on Thanksgiving, You are eating Hannah's hair, she is crying and I never did my hair. I love my crazy life, it is truly a blend of challenge and fun.

All in all, I am going to try to spend more time counting my blessings, and being Thankful in everything, working on my patients. I love my God, my family.....everything else is just a bonus. I am so thankful that I don't need money to be happy. You cannot buy this moment of a tired little girl falling asleep like this in her bed today, kissing her toes.

Happy Birthday Hannah

And two became three.

One year ago, I started one of the best adventures of my life. I became a mother. After years of waiting for God's timing, And months of growing, and hours of labor and pushing. November 6, 2009 Hannah Grace Masciave was born. I can truly appreciate how wonderfully we are made. Even after being born, Hannah was not alive. She was not breathing when she was born. God truly breathed life into her, and she became alive. And has not stopped since. I am so thankful for her everyday, and cannot imagine life without her. She made me a Mom, and a better person. This seriously has been the fastest year of my life. It was also the best.... so far. I cannot wait to see how you grow in the next year. I love you so much.

I love you when you are sleeping, holding your blankie so tightly. I love you when you are taking all of the towels out of the closet because you are "helping" mommy. I love you when you are "reading" your books, and you talk in "hannah". I love you when you drop a toy and you Ut (Ut Oh). I love you when you push all the toys and laundry baskets to one side of the room. I love you when you walk as fast as you can to meet me on the other side of the room for a kiss. I love you when you need to comfort you. I love you every minute of the day, and even before I knew you. I thank God for entrusting me as your mommy and giving you to me.

Hannah had a great time at her party. She loved opening presents more than I thought she would. She had lots of help from Violet.
Papa Tim got her, her first bike. She loved it and was hamming it up for pictures. She has been pushing the bike around our house. I love it! It reminds me of my bike. I can't wait for her to ride it. She will be the Sky Princess.
Hannah wasn't a huge fan of my cake. But that is ok, less sugar and no tummy ache is ok in my book. I did enjoy making it for her, even with the first cake flipping over in the oven and burning my arm.....she is so worth it.
I am so thankful that the family was able to come out for the Birthday. It really means a lot to me that they would come so far to celebrate Hannah with us.

more pictures of the peoples we love.

she just loves books so much.

We decided to go to breakfast to celebrate as a family before the party. It was so perfect to have that hour of family time before the chaos began of setting up a party. Hannah really seemed to enjoy it too. She loves eating pancakes!

B.F.F.

Hannah and Karli will always be BFF. Even a state and six hours cannot separate them. I love that when they saw each other after two weeks apart, they started playing and smiling. They truly love one another. I am so thankful that at such an early age in this crazy world, they will have each other. To share the happy times and the tears. To encourage and sharpen.

I have often thought about the miscarriages that I have had. What was I suppose to learn, or why did I have them..... I can now appreciate that it might not have been just for me. But if I would have had Hannah 3 years ago, she would not such a great friend Karli, and I her mom Lauren. What a great season, appointed by God.

Happy First Birthday!

Psalm 23

This Priority challenge that I gave myself has been a little more difficult that I had thought. I have been doing well with less TV, but with the extra time on my hands it has been hard to get motivated. The time that I am investing with the Lord has definitely been great. I have been soaking up Psalm 23. I am taking it line by line, everyday. And also reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. I was drawn back to Psalm 23 when I was looking from guidance from the Lord on leading our Life Group. When we did our last leaders meeting, Dan and Peggy had encouraged us with this. So I thought it would be appropriate to start there, so I did. Later that week, I had gone to the Library in search of a new book to read. I don't think I have read anything other than Mommy material since I have had Hannah. This book had jumped out at me, and what is it on.... Psalm 23. I think God is trying to teach me something.

We had a great week all in all. We went out and Voted as a family. So special. Hannah even got a sticker!

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.

Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me,

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.