Blessings overflowing

I look at this photo, and even though one of my sweet gifts is missing from this photo, my heart is overflowing with blessings. Just 2 years ago, on this day, we were still a family of 5. Clay and I were on a trip ALONE to New Orleans. It was perfect timing, it was the last really fun thing we have done together....(we are determined to plan something for our anniversary this year....get ready moms!). Leading up to our trip was months of frustration with our foster care training....we had finished everything but our homestudy in February, and we were just waiting, and waiting.....and finally decided to plan our last minute trip. We had no idea, while we were on this trip, our precious little boy was born, in the hospital, without a mother. (luckily, his dad was with him, and I will always be grateful to him for that). Ironically, his bio grandmother is Creole, from New Orleans, so that is part of our babies heritage. We think that is a neat.

Look at where our family has come in that time. Our family has grown, and my heart has grown. Sometimes, as I think about ALL my children, my heart just feels like it will explode. It isn't just the kids that will forever be mine, but all that have been in our home have touched my heart in a huge way. I think about them so often. It is an honor that we can still be in contact with A and H. They lived with us for just 4 months, but I feel like they are still part of our family.

That isn't all the blessings I see in this photo. The meal everyone is eating? My husband cooked that for us. He does a lot of the cooking and kitchen duties these days, and it is a big help. I know what a blessing that is to have a husband that will do that for me. How about the fact that he will let me keep 2 extra kids for the weekend, the last weekend before he starts a new job where he works every weekend? That put our home totaling 2 adults, 7 children, and a puppy. That's a lot.

I look at the photo on the wall and the shells on the table, and think of the wonderful family vacations we have taken to the beach. I am also reminded of how blessed we are to have our new home, it is truly a treasure to us, that we don't take for granted.

I was just wanted to blog tonight, and was looking through my photos for something to talk about, and this picture just struck me, as I looked at all those precious children, I am so blessed, and I thank God everyday for these blessings.