With Thanksgiving only a couple days away, I find myself thinking of all the wonderful things that I have to be thankful for. The sad thing is, is that I complain about those same things on almost a daily basis. I am so thankful for a beautiful home that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but I complain about all the chores that come along with it. I am so thankful for a vehicle that fits us all(for now at least..lol) and is completely paid off, but I complain about how the door gets stuck, and how many miles are on it, and so on. I am thankful that my husband works so hard so that we can have all the things we have and yet I complain when he has to work late. I am soooo thankful for my 4 beautiful boys, but I complain when they act like boys. lol. I am thankful for the ministry opportunities God has given me, but I complain about the time and energy that is required. My list could go on and on. For me, this Thanksgiving is not going to be just a day to be thankful, but a day to repent for my selfishness and my unthankfulness. It will be a day that I will ask God to help me reevaluate the blessings in my life.

update

So I know it's been forever since I last posted-sorry! It's been over 3 months since Brian returned, and it's just gone by way too fast. But we have enjoyed every minute of him being home, and as of right now, he won't be leaving again until next year. Brian has been attending a Bible college on Wednesday nights for the last couple of months and he has really been enjoying it. When he deploys next year, he will be able to continue taking classes via online.

I (Amber) am doing really well. When I'm not preparing meals and doing laundry(ohhh, the laundry!), I am either playing with the kids, quilting, or planning for the upcoming school year. We are starting school on September 2nd, and the kids are so excited! We love the summer, but the lack of a routine is just overwhelming sometimes with so many little ones. So, needless to say, I am really looking forward to our first day of school. I have everything ready, I just need to purchase a chalkboard, which I am finding impossible to find in stores-guess I'll just have to get one online and pay that shipping! Oh well =)

The boys are doing really well. Nathan's birthday is today, and I am in absolute denial that he is one now! Time goes by too fast for sure. Nathan is really close to walking, but just not there yet. He is still the happiest baby ever! Doesn't whine about anything. He's so precious =) Josiah is 2 and half, and is sucj a joy! He is just so silly, but he also knows how to push his brothers' buttons, and he does it every chance he can get. We're working with him on that. lol =) Samuel is 4 and a half, and he also brings so much joy to our family. He is always laughing or goofing off,which also gets him in trouble sometimes. =) He is really excited about starting Kindergarten this year. Jacob is 6 and I Brian and I are so loving this stage. He is so caring, and considerate and he brings so much peace to our home. He is starting first grade this year, but is already reading at a second grade level, so I may have to adjust some of his curriculum. He is also very excited for school to start back up.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. We'll post again soon. We love you all! Scroll down to the bottom to see more pics

My hero has returned!

Brian came home on May 7th and the boys and I are so excited to have him home! It is a little hard though knowing that Brian's friend, Tony Capra, should have been returning to his wife and 5 children also. He never made it home. He was killed working on an IED on April 9th. Brian and I bought tickets today(thanks mom!) to go visit Arlington where Tony's body was laid to rest. We will also be meeting his wife while we are there, which is going to be such an honor.

We are all doing well. Nathan loves Brian holding him. Samuel and Josiah fight over who gets to sit on Daddy's lap. =) Jacob is enjoying showing Brian all the things he has learned, and is loving the praise from his loving Daddy =)

I will be posting pics soon. I love you all
~Amber

one more week

The anticipation is growing and growing. My husband, whom I have not seen in almost 6 months, due to his deployment to Iraq, will be returning in one week. My heart is filled with joy, and I almost can not believe he will be here with us again. The boys miss him so badly, and I find myself having to be careful with talking about his return. They just don't understand time yet. I tell them only 3 more weeks, and they say, "but you said only one more". Well, I then have to explain to them that there is 4 weeks in a month so 3 weeks is actually less time then one month, and my middle two just look at me like I'm crazy. I give up. =)

I have this long to-do-list of things that I want to get done before my dear hubby arrives, but I find myself having to be reminded that although those things are important, the most important is being full of joy and peace when he returns. So I will be praying for the next week that God will help me to joyfully and peacefully accomplish these tasks. =)

Well, I have already stayed up way past a decent bed time already, so I better go get some rest. My days of staying up late and sleeping in late have been over a long time now. Having 4 small children, well, that just makes sleeping in close to impossible. And although that is true, I still have such a hard time getting to bed at a decent hour. And it's pretty pathetic when midnight is a decent hour to me! I'm hoping that that will change when Brian comes home. We'll see what kind of crazy schedule his body is on when he comes home =)