a big thankful heart.

Well, I went through my punched-in-the-stomach phase and then my epic-failure phase, and now we're just plain excited.

Lily's overjoy at going home has rubbed off on all of us ("Tomorrow we're going home, WHOO-HOO!" she's said 20 times today), and Matt and I had a great "end of the summer" date night last night.  Having a chance to talk and dream and pray through the upcoming year, we are nothing but ready and filled with grateful hearts.

I thought about doing a thank-you list here, but even in my brain it is three pages long, so here's a shorter version.

You've taken us in, loved on our children, supported us, given of your time and gifts and energies, cooked for us, took us out to dinner, bought us vitamins and Parenthood, ice cream, clothes and toys and movies for our girls, prayed with us and for us, called, emailed, shown up for us, babysat for us, went out with us, let us talk, talked to us, driven, sacrificed for us and loved on us.

I'm betting at least something on that list applies to pretty much every single one of you reading.

Sometimes, it's really hard to ask when you need help, to receive gifts unmerited, to be loved on.  But as we shared with HIM at the start of this summer all the things we felt like we needed, He called so many of you to action, and being loved by Him and by You has been such a privilege and joy this summer.  

Thanking Him, deeply and sincerely, for you today.

Next post from the other side of our life!