Women I am Thankful For

Philippians 1:3
"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."

There are many women I am thankful for today.  So I just want to mention a few and say thank you.

To the woman who gave birth to me:  thank you for choosing life in a time when being an unwed pregnant teen was kept silent.

To the woman who gave me "life":  thank you mom ... for taking a baby (3 in fact) that you didn't give birth to and making us your own. For making every birthday seem like the biggest deal ever. For making our house a home. For modeling what a Godly mom and woman looks like. For your sense of humor! For modeling prayer. For modeling great courage and strength in the end. I miss you.

To the woman who is another birth mom:  thank you for choosing life so that my family could raise Preston and Lillian.

To my SIL, Kari - thank you for being the amazing mom you are to Preston, Quinten, Deacon & Lillian. Thank you for allowing me to completely and un-ashamedly spoil and love them. Thank you for caring for dad ... you are modeling grace, God's love and caring for someone through difficult times.

To the women who have been my "other moms":  Patsy Kuhar & Sheron Gibbs. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your families, for nursing me through many surgeries (Sheron!), Sunday dinner with your family, your examples of selfless giving and service, and for your daughters who are my lifelong friends.

To some women who are dear friends:

Beth - for not killing me as a 17 year old freshman! For not being intimidated of who my family was and putting me in my place when needed, for discipling me and still being my friend 30 years later. By the way, the mattress out the window was Cheryl's idea.

Kim - for reaching out and "taking me on" ... for helping me survive our common office space : ) and encouraging me so well. For all the chats, coffee and being in the "circle of trust".

Lori W. - for allowing me into your family and letting me be an "aunt" to your kids. For being so excited every time you see me. For your love of life. For allowing a very unmusical person be your sound "man".  For being a dear friend and more recently, being my matchmaker.

Kirsten - for being my "sister, for being patient while I "figured you out" : ) , for walking through hard, hard times together, for your loyalty, sense of humor, encouragement, your example of complete and utter trust and faith in Jesus, for being "Jesus w/ skin on" when I needed it, for our mutual love of food and laughter and for being a forever friend.

Jessica - I've learned so much from you watching you be a mom. thanks for your raw honesty and vulnerability about being a wife and a mom. Thanks for letting me love your kids!

Becky & Brooke - for all the laughs, snarky times, serious conversations and friendships especially these past couple of years. Thanks for your examples of grace. You are lifelong friends!

There are others and I probably offended somebody : )  which is not my intention. I just wanted to say thank you to some women I love and one I miss.