Thankfulness

This has been an amazing year and we are thankful for so many people, things, and events!  This holiday week didn't exactly go as we had planned, but we had a wonderful time with family and friends.  We had a weekend in Tulsa planned with our Uncle Toby, Aunt Sylvia, and many friends we hadn't seen in a long time.  We got a call Wednesday however that changed our plans. My Great Grandpa, and Miles' Great-Great Grandpa, Guy Gresham passed away Wednesday, November 23rd, on his 96th birthday.  He had been battling cancer for many months and ultimately passed away from pneumonia. His wife, my Great-Grandmother, Kathleen Gresham was by his side for 77 years of marriage.  My Papa told us that up until his last breath Grandpa loved her and thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.  How Amazing.  I shed tears for her and our family for losing Grandpa, but was reminded this weekend that this life is not the end.  I am thankful for him and his faith and example he passed on to the Gresham family and so many others.

Miles was quite the world traveler and trooper this weekend.  We traveled to Clarksville Wednesday night and Miles made it the whole way without stopping!  Although we had not planned on having Thanksgiving in Clarksville, my parents put together a wonderful feast that we all walked away happy and rubbing our bellies!  We spent the cloudy, chilly day watching football, cooking, and playing with Miles. 

We got up bright and early Friday to make the trip to Heber Springs.  It wouldn't be Black Friday without a quick stop to Best Buy in Conway.  Yikes.  Although Miles did great, it was crowded and not the place for a baby (or mommies who don't like crowds!).  We made it to Heber just in time to watch the first quarter of the Razorback game.  I say this because this is the only quarter I wish we had watched.  It was an ugly loss to LSU.  On the bright side...Miles looked dapper as usual in his Razorback Red.  We visited until bedtime and Miles had his first night stay in a hotel.  Bryan and I were not upset to have an early bedtime and enjoy some rest.

The funeral was Saturday and Bryan took over Miles duty.  Miles slept through the service and woke just as we pulled in to the cemetary.  Unfortunately, it was rainy and cold so Bryan (in a suit) had a crying, hungry baby confined in the back of the car.  What a man. 

In addition to many family members, Miles also got to meet one of my best friends Amy Julian.  Her boys are just about the cutest things I have ever seen and it was fun to see them with Miles.  Amy texted me later that day and said Carter, her oldest, said 'I just love that baby!'   We are looking forward to spending more time with them over Christmas break!

So overall, it was a great holiday filled with Love.  And Love is what I am most thankful for this year.  I have seen and experienced it in so many ways: The love of my husband as we welcomed our first child, the love of my Grandpa for his bride of 77 years, the love of our parents as they became grandparents, love that I never fathomed I could have for my baby, and most importantly the love of our heavenly Father who continues to forgive and protect us.  Thank you to all of you who continue to love us and show us what it means to be loved.