Happy Thanksgiving from our little acorn........

I know that the first few pictures were a little sad.............but even when G-baby is cranky, I still think he is the cutest ever. . .and I thought I would prove to you that, yes, he does cry sometimes............and I am very {thankful} that his crankiness is short-lived.......

I love his little acorn hat.........sent from a sweet friend, {E}, in Massachusetts......thank you, friend!

{Happy Thanksgiving}, friends..........

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev’ry promise is enough
For ev’ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev’ry thought is love.
For ev’ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.

{Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music}

an update on my {flockings} and the little elf who keeps me company..........

They are almost finished! Perhaps my favorite thing about them is that they were sewn together with thread from my Nanny's sewing box............mine has pale pink stitching, sweet hubby's has grass green stitching and G-baby's has turquoise stitching.............and the buttons are my Nanny's also. {And if you are confused as to why I am referring to my stockings as flockings, see the comments on the last post. Yes, I do have silly family members that I love very much!}

And here is the sweet little elf that has been keeping me company..........
my happy little elf...........
my serious little elf............
my little elf who likes to blow bubbles and stick out his tongue.........
my sweet little elf who can't help but smile and be so loved by mama............

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, giving thanks to the One who is gracious and good in all that He does. Oh, and if you need a yummy recipe for tomorrow's breakfast, this is an excellent one.........it's tradition for us!

My current project.......

anyone want to be daring and guess what I've been up to? I'll give you a hint......we needed one more of these this year because of this cute little guy. Oh, and another hint.........rhymes with tocking............

If this doesn't put you in the mood for Christmas........

then I don't think anything will.............

{friends} Made in Oregon, Part One

I am so thankful for encouragement. Thank you all for your prayers on our behalf for our encouragement and for the sale of our home in Virginia. On Wednesday, I was finally able to get together with one of my new friends here in Oregon, Aubrie. I say finally, because, we tried for a few weeks to get together and finally found a day and time that worked for both of us!

When I made my post about my new towels, I also mentioned that I talked to the BB&B employee about dog poop and that I was a bit worried that I was becoming one of those new moms who, when finally let out of the house, has no social clues. Aubrie left me the sweetest, funniest comment saying, "When we go get coffee we can also go buy you some tote bags! (You can also talk to an adult a bit, and we can talk about poop if you so desire.) I saw Hagens has tie-dye tote bags right now. :) Oh- and I would have asked for a bag too- no one carries a tote bag around big enough to fit four fluffy towels."

And so, Aubrie brought me a Starbucks chai and cranberry somethingoranother--I can't remember the exact name--but it was Christmas-on-a-plate. I saved a bite for Steve and he said it was the best thing he had ever tasted from Starbucks. Aubrie also brought over some really delicious chocolate chunk cookies. And I *might have* eaten one too many and realized it when Steve stopped by the almost empty container and said, "Do you think I could maybe have one of those?"

But I was so thankful for our visit--and we barely even talked about poop! I did, however, learn a lot about my new friend--her background, how she met her husband Dave, how she came to Grace and Truth, and how she came to Christ. I already knew that Aubrie was an awesome photographer, but she did give me a few tips for our next camera purchase as well.......

I also learned about Aubrie's generosity and kindness....the picture above is what she brought with her, in addition to the Starbucks goodness. She said it was a late baby shower gift.....and what a sweet gift it was. {Notice the tie-dye bag!} The bag was filled with thoughtful gifts for a new mommy..........such a sweet gift!

So, look out Oregon........here I come with my newly acquired tie-dyed, eco-friendly shopping bag! And thank you Aubrie for your sweet encouragement to me!

footed pajamas........or in other words, comfies.

Seriously, why do footed pajamas just not look as cute in our size? And no, babe, that was definitely not a request for a snuggie...........definitely not on my wish list! Maybe if I lived in Wisconsin I would run out at midnight--so nobody saw me--and get one.

Actually, no.

No. way.

Anywho, I know I am posting a ridiculous amount of pictures of my sweet G-baby........but Steve and I have lots and lots of family members that live far away that need their daily Graeme-dose-of-happiness.............who doesn't? So, thanks for bearing with the picture overload mama......

Update on 6 Gillis Road and us......

I would love to say that our house has sold. But it has not. I still believe in the sovereignty of God and I am positive that this is God's best.......but I have to admit, when I saw this picture this week, it did bring tears to my eyes and I dare say Steve's as well. We were in Target printing off a few pictures and this one unexpectedly popped up on the screen...............Our ways are not His and for that I am thankful......but Steve and I wouldn't mind you keeping us in prayer if you think of us.

Seeing this picture made me miss my home. Yes, we lived in the ghetto and yes I did not want to bring my brand new, sweet baby boy home to that neighborhood. . .but it was still home and it was ours. And our best buds lived 7 minutes away. And we could go over to each other's house in our pajamas and nobody cared. I cried on my way home after I dropped my friend Julie off at the airport a few weeks ago. It is hard to say goodbye to a friend as sweet and dear as Jules. It takes time to cultivate friendships that dear, and well, after having a baby, there is less time to cultivate such friendships, especially in new places with new faces.........

I bawled when I had to say goodbye to my sister and brother in law. It's hard to say goodbye to people that are that beautiful inside and out. People who love others selflessly and who bring a smile to your face at the mere mention of their name.

But how can I wake up each day and not be thankful and content when I am surrounded by this.........
And loved by my sweet, kind husband. And pursued by my Savior who loves me unconditionally. And surrounded by new friends here in Oregon.........more on that tomorrow...................