Gift #360- Having a Sister!

Having a sister has been one of God's greatest gifts to me.  Having two has been more than I could have ever hoped for or imagined.  I am so happy that Macy has a sister of her own.

Gift #359- Avery Grace Elizabeth Thomas

September 14, 2013 7:29 am JST

8 pounds 14 ounces

21 inches long

Perfectly Perfect in Every Way

Baby girl arrived one day after her daddy arrived in Yokosuka.  We were hoping that she would come on September 13th (her Nana's birthday), and she did in a way-  it was still September 13th in Panama City!  It was 5:29 pm CST on September 13th in PC.  My family had gathered together at Luigi's to celebrate mom's birthday when Avery Grace did finally make her entrance into the world.  Her daddy delivered her and he did a very good job.  Of course he is a fighter pilot you know.   He likes to remind me of that from time to time.  :)  We had such a wonderful experience with the doctors and nurses and corpsman.  We couldn't have asked for better care.  We stayed in the hospital for just over 24 hours.  We were released shortly after our Celebration Lunch which included shrimp and lobster!  A typhoon was set to come through the very next day so the base shut down completely.  Because of the base closure, we were unable to take care of the details that would allow us to return home.  So we were given an extra day at the Storks Nest to get to know this new little Thomas and to spend the day together being lazy.  We enjoyed it very much!  We arrived home on Wednesday the 18th to pink balloons, a decorative clothes line complete with sweet baby clothes and wooden flowers hanging from our tree branches.  Macy and our very sweet neighbors had decorated.  It was such a happy return!  Avery Grace  brought presents for her brothers and sisters including a chillow for Macy who had been  begging for one all summer since we saw one on an infomercial in Okinawa!  We have been home for a week today.  Avery Grace is 11 days old.  She is fitting right in.  We said goodbye to Mimi and Papa this morning.  It was hard to see them go and I am not sure if we could ever thank them enough.  God has been so very good to us and my heart is overflowing with  thanksgiving.

Every good and perfect gift is from above.  James 1:17a

Gift #358- A Familiar Face

(A "selfy" of the two of us the day Hank arrived)

Hank arrived in Yokosuka! It was so nice to see his face after 11 long weeks apart.  

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Gift #357- Cinnabon!

Cinnabon is truly a gift from God.  Although I am not sure that having one within walking distance is.  If this little girl decides to hang on for too much longer, she is going to be a 10 pounder!  

Gift #356- Time to Mosey

 mo·sey  

/ˈmōzē/

Verb Walk or move in a leisurely manner.

 This evening, as I was out walking, I realized that I was mosey-ing.  The air was a little cool and there was a nice breeze.  I smiled when I realized what I was doing.  I can't remember the last time that I moseyed anywhere!  It is usually rush to the commissary, to practice, to get the towels folded, to get to the next thing on the to do list.  And, although I would trade the moseying for the crazy rush any day, I will do my best to appreciate this time of "walking or moving in a leisurely manner".  Knowing that the crazy rush of every day is about to get even more wonderfully crazy!

Gift #355- An Outing With Your Grandparents

Mimi, Papa, and the Thomas Kids at the Kintai Bridge. 

Gift #354- Homecomings!

As far as deployments go, this was a short one.  Only 10 weeks.  But it sure did seem long.  Hank sent this picture today.  He is on his way home!  If we didn't have these deployments, then we wouldn't get to have all of these happy reunions!  Homecomings are a gift!

Gift #353- 14 Years

14 years, 8 moves, 4+ kiddos, countless adventures, and you're still the one for me!  

Happy Anniversary Hank!

Gift #352- My Home Away From Home

I am here in Yokosuka- waiting!  I am staying at a little hotel right beside the hospital.  The accommodations are not 4 star by any stretch.  But, I am thankful nonetheless.  My shower is stainless steel and the water only runs for 30 seconds before you have to push a lever to have it run again.  The toilet seat is way too small so your legs rest on the bowl!  Yuck.  The TV is ginormous, but doesn't have a single channel.  A big family of ants show up every time I drop a crumb of banana bread.  And my view is of the hospital loading zone and the biohazard waste shed.  It sounds as though I am complaining, but I promise that I am not.  I actually find all of these things quite humorous and I want to remember every detail of my time here.  All of these things make for a much richer story to share with baby girl someday.  There are many good things about the room.  There is an ice machine in the lobby that makes ice like Sonic!  And with a little rearranging and a few small purchases, the room has even become a tiny bit cozy.  The absence of TV has drawn me to read my Bible a little more and wouldn't you know that the passages that the Lord has led me to each day have been about being still and about waiting patiently.  He always shows up doesn't He?  I miss the kids, and this silence can be so loud at times, but I will do my very best to embrace this time of waiting- knowing full well that I am not alone in the wait.  I have the ants to keep me company.  Just kidding! I have the promise of Joshua 1:9 and in that promise is where I will rest.  

Gift #351- Grilled Porkchops and Great Company

Gift #350- Making Happy Memories with Grandparents

Making Cookies with Mimi.

At the Skatepark with Papa

Triple Trouble