Last installment of my Thankful Wednesday for the month of November. I hope you guys have been able to reflect on what you are thankful for too this past month.
My home: I am so thankful that I have a roof over my head to keep the cold out and shelter me from the storms of nature and of life. I consider my house a shelter from the outside world. The world is a crazy place and whenever I return home I know that I am safe and can guard those inside by the things I watch and listen to. I try to keep our home filled with love and yummy smells from the kitchen.
Over the next few months with the cold weather I love the warmth our home feels from all of us cuddling under a blanket together, watching a movie and just enjoying these winter months spending good quality time together. Or sitting by the fireplace and feeling the warmth spread through the room. Something about winter just makes me think of more family time. (yes it is because of the holidays mostly but in general we just hang out more) It is too cold to go outside so we just spend all our time inside, together.
My trials: Yes I am crazy but I often find myself thinking about the hard things in life that I have faced. Going through them has sucked, sucked, sucked but on the flip side of the trial I know I have learned something. Throughout our marriage our trial has mostly been about having children. Since it took us 8 years, 3 fertility doctors, 54 shots in my belly and 2 IUI's to get Mason I would say that is a trial. We went through a lot as a couple through those 8 years. A lot of heartache, yelling, and just wanting to give up, but I knew we had to keep trying. Since having Mason, our trial, regarding this topic of having children, has been sustaining the pregnancies. We had 2 confirmed miscarriages, (I think 3 just never confirmed I was pregnant July of 2012. Didn't think it could happen.) Then with this one, I didn't want to believe it was true. The last miscarriage really put me through the ringer! It was hard. I lost my faith in God for a few hours. I was lost and angry. But I now believe that it was my 2x4 to the head to get me moving and stop moping. Cause after that miscarriage, I tried to stop feeling sorry for myself and started to exercise again. And look at me now, running, while 16 weeks pregnant, with our little miracle. (and yesterdays run was overall a faster pace in general than I have done in awhile. So getting better WHILE pregnant! WAHOO!!!) I feel very blessed for our little miracle and the trial I had to go through to get it.
Please don't think we don't have any other trials in our life right now, OH BOY DO WE EVER! But I know we have them for a reason. They will make us stronger, even when we feel like a weakling while going through them. But look back when you have crest over the hill of your trial and see what you learned, and went through and you will know, this is why I had it. You will learn a lot about yourself and what you need to do. It is pretty amazing actually. If you haven't read this poem Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson, check it out! One of my favs to read about going through trials. Again, sucks while going through a trial, believe me, but when you can see the flip side it is pretty amazing knowing that we are not the one in control. Big guy up top is!
QOTD: What are you thankful for the most this month?