November 18

I do not remember the last time I slept so much. I took a nap on Saturday and today. Today, so many things to be thankful for!

1. Sick Caleb. I don't enjoy seeing my boy sick, but he was mommy's snuggly boy today. He wanted mommy all day, and I can't complain. It was a wonderful, restful day with my boy. I do hope he feels better tomorrow though:)

2. The boys visited their aunt for about 7 hours today. It was wonderful to have them gone. I am so glad that they are transitioning to their aunt's house. It is good for us to have that rest and to be the three of us.

3. My husband. I am so crazy in love with him. I am so glad that God has strengthened our marriage.

4. A good night with G. Last night was G came back to our house, he was mad to be here. Tonight, he did much better and we even had a good night with him.

5. A thank you. I could fill this blog with stories about how much the boys' mom hates me, the things she has said to me, the allegations she has made, etc. But tonight, she called G, and said, "Be sure to tell Jon and Kristin thank you for all the do for you." Really? Wow. Thanks Lord. I needed that extra blessing.

6. Rest. Today was very restful!

November 17-- An afternoon "off"

Our two foster sons will be transitioning (we hope) to living with their aunt. To begin this process, they will be staying with her 4-5 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday. During that time, they also have a visit from their mom, and the baby visits his dad.

I am so grateful to have had time off today. Last night was probably one of the hardest nights with G, and to know that today I had some time to be without him was especially helpful.

Jon, Caleb and I went to lunch at our favorite Chinese buffet, we went grocery shopping and all three of us took naps. HOW GLORIOUS!!! I couldn't believe how long I slept--almost three hours! I was so incredibly tired. And don't judge me if I do the exact same thing tomorrow:) Minus the buffet and grocery shopping.

I am grateful that the boys might get to live with their aunt. I am grateful that right now we have some reprieve. I am grateful for family time and a wonderful nap.

And I am grateful that my sister-in-law bottles her own wine, and then gives me a bottle:) 

And because I haven't posted photos in a while.......

November 16- All About Caleb

Every single day I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to be Caleb's mama. I don't take that role lightly, and pray that I would be a good steward of this life that God has given me. I tell Caleb every day that I am glad that I get to be his mommy and that he gets to be my son.

But this post is more than my love for Caleb.

This week was cause for a lot of celebration, even if in the midst of a busy week, we forgot:)

November 15 is our "Forever Family Day", the day a Calhoun County Judge signed the adoption papers and  said that Caleb was officially a Sausser.

This week is national adoption week. I am so grateful for people who are getting the word out about the need for adoption, and the call that God calls us to care for the orphaned. It is not an easy call, but man, do we see the face of God in these kids!

This week is also National Pre-mature birth day. I was born pre-maturely. Caleb was born 2 months early at   3 lbs and was in the hospital for 6 weeks. I am grateful for the advances that have been made in medicine so that these babies have the absolute best care.

I am thankful for adoption. I am thankful that Caleb's birth mom chose life. I am proud of her for making a hard decision to place Caleb in adoption. What a brave woman. I think about her often.

Today, I am thankful for adoption, and thankful for Caleb. I am so grateful that God has allowed us to be Caleb's parents. What a privilege and blessing!

November 15- A full night of sleep

Last night, I slept 6 hours. 6 hours ya'll!! So grateful for a full night of sleep. Way to go baby J.

Holding out for that tonight...though seeing it is 12:30, and my alarm will go off at 5:30, I am thinking that the 6 hours of sleep isn't happening:)

November 14- A Job I Love

Today and tomorrow I am meeting with 28 students for an hour each. That is a lot of people!! I am so grateful that I love my job. I can't believe that I get to get paid for investing in the lives of students. I love it!

Though I am extremely tired, I am loving the work that God is doing on campus!

November 13- That's what she said

All day I have been thinking about what I will post today. I can't just post a general, "I am thankful for my birthday. I am thankful I was born."

How about, I am incredibly thankful for the card that my dearest friend Krista sent?

Or, how about the remote car starter that my in-laws bought me? Or better yet, the date money that they sent?

Or, the gift that my grandma sent?

Or, the privilege it is to bear the burdens of college students. I feel honored that so many of them today trusted me with pain in their lives and shared some of the deep parts of their hearts.

Or, that starting on Saturday, both G and J will have extended parenting times on Saturday and Sunday. I am rejoicing that we will have some reprieve in our house. And a nap, definitely a nap. Just know that from 12-4 on Saturday, I will be scheduling NOTHING BUT naps for myself, Caleb and Jon. That's probably not true. Except when it will be.

Or, I could be really thankful for my new obsession: Once Upon a Child. THE BEST SECOND HAND KIDS STORE EVER. I bought clothes for G, Caleb, J and my niece Raegan. Hey, a girl has GOT to buy girl clothes.

Or, I could be grateful that my husband is letting me get some sweet photo shop actions for my birthday.

Or, I could be thankful that I FINALLY found a pair of boots that I have been looking for.

But the icing on the cake.....

A card from  my husband.

I fully intended a mushy, lovey dovey card, that was until I opened the envelope and saw the face of Michael Scott. I bet you can guess what happened when I opened the card. Yep, "That's what she said."

I laughed so hard. Seriously. I cried.

And then I read what he wrote, and it was indeed, sweet and meaningful, so I really cried.

This card had be crying double.

I am so thankful for the "That's what she said" card.

November 12- Sabbaths

Each week, I am grateful fro the discipline of Sabbath Keeping, but this week, especially. I did set my alarm this morning, only so G could get to school on time. I woke up at 7 instead of 5:30. I have a jammie/movie day planned with Caleb, and some extended time in prayer and journaling planned.

I am thankful that God created sabbaths. I am thankful that it is command from the Lord. I am thankful that as a student in InterVarsity I was encouraged to sabbath and now years later, I have established the discipline and can encourage students in the same way.

I am grateful that I am not a slave to work. I am grateful that I can trust God with a day off. I am grateful for the rest. Especially after this crazy Compelling Weekend.

Here's to sabbath keeping! If you are a Jesus follower, and don't take time to Sabbath, it is a great joy!!