Thankful List for December 2013

Thankful List for December:
-in the wake of this discussion in Aida's country (possibly ending intercountry adoption), we are trying to focus on current reality instead of future possibility and recounting all that He has done so far to move mountains for our girl.
-This beautiful letter (here)
-"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8
-travel date for the Grubens
-lovely "Pray for Aida" magnets made by our kids (Didn't get one and want one?? Leave a comment or send us a message!)

And a few random things that have nothing to do with adoption:
-Being able to help the Ostermann's in a tiny way by the painting party fundraiser (and all the people who helped make it happen)
-Shasta taking Tuck to Chuck e Cheese
-advent season
-the Jesse Tree
-beginning the advent wreath tradition and how much our kids enjoyed it ("it's Sunday... we get to light a new candle!!!!" "How many days until we light the Christ candle!?") and that it didn't matter at all that our candles weren't the right colors
-annual ornament painting party with our college girls
-ice/snow days and all the wonderful time we had together as a family
-the world ornaments the kids made for their teachers at church 
-sewing and sweet time with Melissa
-watching Libby's preschool Christmas program
-kids singing at church
-Melissa watching the kids for me
-Kristin Vander Pyl having us over for dinner while Ben was gone
-receiving Christmas cards!!!!
-Fantasy of lights with Tiller's
-play date and lunch generously provided by Meegan
-we survived while Ben was gone
-Christmas parties with friends
-Tucker's plan for our Christmas Eve singing hymns and how excited he was about it
-Christmas morning in our home- lighting the Christ candle, the Jesse Tree, monkey bread muffin making, and gift exchanging (despite sickness and lots of circumstances to distract/alter our plans it was still a sweet time of celebrating Jesus' birth with each other)
-safe travels to Georgia
-wonderful time with my family
-answers for Melissa
-the "Polar Plunge"
-safe travels late the 31st night to North Carolina to spend time with Bens"s family