We have so much to be thankful for this year and I thank God for all his saving grace.
We just returned today from our Thanksgiving holidays with all our family. We spent Thanksgiving day up in Toppenish with Dustin’s cousins. It was great as all the Crocketts and Rigdons were there. I think this is a first since we have been together that everyone has been able to make it. Great food and company. We have so much to be thankful for. Poor Caleb burned his hand on the wood stove but he seems to be healing quite nicely.
From Toppenish, we headed up to Spokane to be with Jamie’s parents and sisters. It was a long day as we got in late on Thanksgiving and got up REALLY early to hit the Black Friday sales. We celebrated with a big turkey dinner, very good. mmm… We ended Friday night visiting with Jamie’s parents and sister.
To skip around a little bit, we had an ultrasound last month that showed that the baby is strong and healthy. Prior to that, Dustin’s trip to Germany was more than just a meeting trip for work. He went there for a meeting but also we have the possible opportunity to spend 18 months over in Europe so he was aslo there to see what it was like there. We had to make a decision within a week and after much prayer, we decided we wanted to move forward as we feel that God is directing us to be there. This is not guarenteed and God could still shut this door, as we are waiting for approval from Dustin’s work, but at this point, we are proceeding our lives as if it is.
Some of you know of our decision, but we did not announce it very publicly because we wanted to tell Jamie’s family in person and we were not able to do so until this weekend. Although it will be difficult for my family if it does come to be, they were positive and seemingly supportive of our decision at this opportunity of a lifetime. We did try to sweeten the discussion by having the ultrasound tech place in a card (that has been sealed since last month’s ultrasound – mentioned above) the gender of the baby. We did not want to find out (and didn’t with the first two) but we knew my family really wanted to know and since we are planning to leave when the baby is aobut 3 months old, they could have that extra time knowing. [Just an FYI: IF we have more children, we will NOT be finding out the gender prior 🙂 ]
We are very excited. We are hoping to find out from Dustin’s work within a couple of months. We know that God is at work and we have peace knowing that whatever happens, it is what God has planned and we will be okay.
What am I thankful for this year? Well, as I started this post, I am thankful for God’s saving grace. I’m also thankful that He has a plan for our life, that is so much better than I may know, and His peace. I’m thankful for my wonderful husband and our beautiful children including our expanding family, our family and friends, and the amazing opportunity God has placed in front of us. I could continue on (as this is the condensed version) but it is late.
I hope your holiday was wonderful, Christ-filled, and safe.
Love Jamie
BTW… The results are that we are having a girl.
P.S. Thank you so much Heather for answering all our questions regarding this opportunity and for blogging your experience in Germany in such detail. You really helped us make an informed decision. We appreciate it and look forward to seeing you when you get back next month.
