Gratitude: Carrie...

After nap today, Aubrey Kate got a special treat. 

Popcorn.

Occasionally, I have a craving for some salt and so I'll make myself some very bland fat free popcorn.

It's delish.

(Again, please catch my sarcasm)

I can only eat so much before I reach my fill of brown paper bag tasting salty food that looks like popcorn.  

But I save the rest for Aubrey Kate.  She doesn't know the joy of buttered movie theatre popcorn.  So she thinks this stuff is awesome.  

Keeping her bar low in life.  That's my job.

Honestly, I love playing with her while she eats.  She sees all different shapes in the popcorn.  Sometimes its people, sometimes its animals, sometimes its vehicles like a plane or car.  She's a hoot.  

Most of the popcorn today were flowers.  Pink flower or blue flower.  This is four flowers together, Momma.  

I respond accordingly.  With lots of Ooos and Ahs and Of Course it is, baby!  

About half-way through her snack today, she shows me a bunch of "flowers" and says, "These are for Aunt Carrie, Momma."  

So sweet!  We talked for a few minutes about Aunt Carrie.  Where she lives, who she lives with, what she does, how much we know she loves flowers and that we will see her at Christmas.

But let me tell you a little bit about Aunt Carrie:  

She loves people...all people...so well.  

As a high school teacher, she gets to love on her students and fellow teachers.  I know her to be genuinely concerned for the students and not just the ones in her class.  She believers her job as their teacher is a calling and seeing how hard she works to be the best teacher she can, I would agree.  

Carrie's the mother of two precious little boys.  Her teacher nature comes through with them as well.  I am always amazed at the projects she does with them.  Baking and crafting and teaching.  The boys are such a joy and I know that comes from the joy their mother gives them.  I have no doubt my nephews will grow up to be amazing men because of the love Carrie gives to them.

Before Carrie was Aunt Carrie to Aubrey Kate and Rhys, she was my sister in law.  I adore the way she loves my brother.  She respects him, cares for him, laughs with him...exactly the way I would want my brother to be loved.  He's a pretty special guy and I am forever grateful my sister in law feels the same way.  

But the person Carrie loves most is Christ.  You need only look at her sweet face to know the true desire of her heart is to be in constant pursuit of His will, goodness and love.  She prays for those students, teachers and parents.  She prays for her boys.  She prays for her husband.  She teaches her children about God.  Helps them hide His word in their hearts.  She is a warrior for Christ and above all else, of that I am most thankful.

Aunt Carrie, you are so loved!  We pray for you every day and we are so very grateful God sent you to Adam and our family!

First meeting!  Miller was happy too.

Beach vacation

Christmas Eve snuggles

Our favorite thing...reading!