Faith's Thankful List 2018

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In the past when Faith and I have done her annual Thankful List, I would write down the items as she told them to me. This year, I thought it would be fun for Faith to be sitting right next to me so I could show her how to do a blog post.

So here we are again giving thanks to the Lord for His abundant blessings, which is the whole point of Thanksgiving! 

One reason I like this tradition so well is because since Faith has a feeding tube, it's hard for her to get excited about turkey and all the other food that accompanies this special day. This year, Faith says she is especially THANKFUL for the following people and things in her life:

Good Friends 

Faith has made some wonderful friends at a faith-based homeschooling group she attends once a week called Inspire. 

This year, she invited the girls from her class to the park for her birthday. (It was near miraculous that we had a 60-degree day with no wind at the end of October!) She had such a wonderful time. As her parents, Rob and I are beyond grateful she has found some other kids to connect with and who love and appreciate her. There are 2 girls in particular who have become very special to her, and she enjoys hanging out with them.

Faith having fun with her friends on her birthday.
 Her New Pet 

For her birthday this year, Faith got a Betta fish that she named Raymond. He really is a good pet as she says good morning to him when she comes into the living room for breakfast, feeds him whenever she is getting a feeding, and says good night to him after she has read her good night story and is ready for bed. 

Raymond has even made a bubble nest in his fishbowl, which is a sign that he is happy and healthy. Even though he is just a fish, Raymond has already become very dear to us. 

Raymond and the bubble nest he made in his bowl
Wheel of Fortune 

This show continues to be one of Faith's all-time favorite things to watch. She has probably been watching it faithfully for years. Besides watching it, she loves playing it on the PlayStation. One thing that is really fun for her is making her own players, based on people she knows in real life. 

Her goal is always to win the million dollars, which we have managed to do a handful of times. Here is a photo I took of some characters that we made, which included her Uncle Brock, herself and her dad.

Faith loves making her own characters on the Play Station 2 version of WOF

Doing School at Home 

One of the toughest parts Faith had with going to school is battling her startle reflex all day long, coming home completely exhausted, and then having to do it all over again the next day. Even though I was hesitant about homeschooling, I know this was the right decision for her and us as a family.

One thing I love about it is that on nice days we can get her outside and take mini field trips, which is a great way for her to learn and get some fresh air. One of her new hobbies is collecting rocks, so it's fun to look for those with her. Homeschooling has its advantages in the winter, too so that she doesn't have to go outside in the frigid air, which is never fun in North Dakota.

Faith learning about trees out by her uncle's property on a nice fall day
Her Dad 

Faith loves her dad and I'm so grateful for the special and wonderful relationship that they have. Faith especially enjoys it when he reads her stories and makes up silly songs and dances to make her laugh. She likes that he takes good care of her and always prays with her, for her, and over her.

Faith's dad in one of his favorite spots celebrating Father's Day at Tim Hortons in Grand Forks

People in our Building - Faith has made some special friends with some of our neighbors (and their family members) in our building and she enjoys getting together with them on a regular basis, including once a month for a potluck and playing games.

Her Grandparents - Faith is blessed to have all four of her Grandparents in her life. Even though we don't see her Canadian grandparents nearly enough, they are only a phone call away! She also enjoys house sitting for her other grandparents and seeing them whenever she can.

Barnes & Noble - this has become one of Faith's favorite places to shop and hang out.

Our Van - Even though it has racked up the miles since getting it in 2011 and the ramp doesn't work as well as it used to, Faith is thankful for a way to get around town!

Doing activities with her mom - As I mentioned earlier, one of Faith's new hobbies is collecting rocks. For her birthday, she received a rock art kit so that she can paint and decorate her own rocks. I love finding these kinds of activities and enjoy doing them with her!
  
I am very grateful that despite some of the challenges Faith has faced this past year, she is always ready to provide encouragement to those around her. We are truly blessed!

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