Attitude of Gratitude

Daddy & Noah with his "Turkey Hawk Hair" (Mohawk) for Thanksgiving

Uncle Brett, Cousin Maren, Great Grandpa, & Noah

Exploring & excited!

Dancing to the beat!

Mommy-to-be (my sister Kristen) with the Moms (Tache & Tami)

Aunt Wendy & Noah at Kristen's baby shower

Celebrating with Sushi

Batting it up on Wes' Birthday

To finish off my catching up on the past 4 months, I want to share some things that have been on my heart lately so if you're up for it - keep reading - I have been reminded this past month about how it's so easy to take people and things forgranted, to be selfish, to have a pity-party, to get frustrated...and to be ungrateful. Wes and I have talked a lot lately about how ungratefulness is such a subtle but nasty sin - similar to worry - you don't even realize that you're doing it until after you've already done it, or even worse, you are oblivious to it and don't even realize it at all. But ungratefulness is such a nasty sin because at the root of it, you are attacking God saying that He is not good enough, He does not know what is best, or that you're present desires are more important than the lesson that He wants to teach you and the character He wants to mold in you that will last forever. So, we have sought to grow in having an attitude of gratitude - to thank God for all the blessings and the hard times, to love the people in our lives and make the most of every moment that God gives us with them (for we don't know how many days it will be), to be more selfless, to put others' needs and desires before our own, to be patient and humble...and to be grateful whether times are easy or difficult. For God is good no matter what circumstances we may face! So often I catch my mind having a selfish thought or my emotions starting to become frustrated, and instead of letting my mind or emotions smolder, I am seeking to ask the Lord to help me find something to thank Him for instead. This little action has made a huge difference in my attitude towards God and others. Well, I hope that my heartfelt thoughts may spur you on in having an attitude of gratitude not only around this time of year but all year long. On a lighter note, guess who turned 30? :) We are thankful for the Lord blessing Wes with 30 years of life so far, and we had fun celebrating on our date night by going out for Sushi and swinging some bats at a batting cage. On a funny note, we had a coupon for buy 15 minutes and get 15 minutes free...and the lady ended up giving us an extra 15 minutes for free too - we think it was because we were a lot more entertaining than the coaches and players that were there practicing. :) We also celebrated Bun-in-the-oven Baby Schenk this month with a baby shower and look forward to his arrival in January. We truly are so thankful for the Lord blessing us with precious Noah this year! Lately, he is quite the explorer and dancer - he's got moves I've never seen! One of them I like to call the Diaper Dance...give him some base when he's on his tummy, and he gets his little diaper moving and grooving to the beat. Way too cute! :) He just had his 9 month appointment, and he's now at 17 lbs. 15 oz. and almost 27 inches (and back down to the 3rd% for height). Poor guy doesn't stand a chance with 2 shorties for parents.