Giving Thanks

We are so blessed. I was thinking that I ought to do a post on things I'm thankful for, what with the holiday coming up and all, and I could not believe how many blessings we have right now!

Blessing One: Kyle finding a job. Okay, lets be honest. This economy stinks. When Kyle and I got married, the kids that were graduating in his major were doing so with several job offers each. People who wanted to get their Master's would not even go to the career fairs, because they were always offered jobs too good to pass up. It was comforting to both of us. Then everything went down hill and such. Kyle had done projects for several different companies, and gone to several career fairs. No offers. He went and did a presentation at a huge engineering conference. Still nothing. We weren't too worried. He started applying for jobs. We were optimistic that something would come up soon. He got interviews, but no offers. It began to get frustrating. Isn't it amazing how the Lord looks out for you though? We had the opportunity to house sit over the summer, so Kyle didn't have to work fast food or something, cause we had some savings and didn't have to pay rent. Anyway, he got an internship at a new start-up company doing something he didn't have hardly any experience in. That ended up being a blessing too. It was something Kyle's really enjoyed learning, and has helped with some of my photography stuff. We were also able to earn some extra money. So, he was back on the job market. Then another little blessing, Kyle's parents let us live in their basement. Anyway, we were getting so frustrated. He was getting interviews, but no offers! Finally, about a week ago, Kyle had an offer from a place called The Grace Company. He's loving it (he just started, but still...) and we are so grateful for it!

Blessing Two: Little Miss Lucy. This little friend is seriously so darn cute! I know every parent thinks that their baby is the cutest, and we feel exactly the same way! Lucy has the cutest little personality! Even as I write this she is smearing crackers all over my arms (on purpose), trying to type on the keyboard and move the mouse around (I think she's seen mom and dad use the compy too much.), throwing everything within reach on the floor, and yelling at me every time I try to get her to play with her toys on the floor. And I'm loving it! Being a mom is definitely my calling in life. I'm enjoying almost every minute of it! I recently had a friend place her beautiful baby girl for adoption. I love reading her blog, and it has honestly made me look at motherhood differently. I know that she would love to have that little one with her, changing diapers, cleaning up toys, and all the other crazy things you have to do. I'm so very grateful that I have the opportunity to have my little one with me all day every day. Even when she's tired, grumpy, teething (yeah, just started last week. Yuck.), and just plain wearing me out. I love every time that she learns something new, reaches for her mom, screams in delight for her kitty, laughs at peek-a-boo. She is the best baby. Kyle and I have both found new meaning when the church and scriptures talk about joy in your posterity. She is a joy, and we're so grateful for her!

Lucy went ahead and typed a comment too:

i8xr

gnn o,mj9san nvvvvvvvvvvvvvv /'≈0000000

Little tiny friend.

Lucy with her kitty.

Opps. I had some licorice, Mom.

I'm so big!

Playing the baritone for Uncle Mark.

Pretty girl.

Lucy and Dad, having a rest.

Blessing Three: Our family. We're so grateful for our parents and siblings. Even though I'm pretty sure none of them ever read my blog, here are a few reasons why.

• Dad Stout: Thank you for always being interested and involved in what we're doing! Thanks for helping me learn the basics of lens and lighting. Thanks for hiring Kyle to do some work while he was still looking for a job.
• Mom Stout: Thank you for always being there to listen. You are always so willing to listen if we have a problem, and try to help us solve it. Also, thanks for loving Lucy so much! You really are the only one she still snuggles and kisses!
• Mark: Thank you for being willing to sacrifice 2 years of your life to serve the Lord and the church. Your incredible attitude, especially considering how hard it is to get someone to listen about the church there in Germany, is truly inspiring!
• Chelsey: Thanks for being so fun to be around. You are such a funny person, and I really enjoy messing around with you. Thanks for also being willing to take me and Lucy places, and letting me practice taking pictures with you.
• Megan: Thank you for being one of Lucy's biggest fans. She absolutely loves you, and it's so nice to know you're with her when you babysit. Also, thanks for working for me. It's saving me a heck of a lot of stress. You're fired. (:
• John: Thanks for being the funniest kid I know. You seriously crack me up every time I think about you. Thanks for always going out of your way to say hi to us, and give us a hug. We know you love us!

• Dad Johnson: Thanks for being that quiet stability in our home. Times have been a little bit tough around here lately, and you really have an incredible ability to calm the high-stress situations. Thanks for that example.
• Mom Johnson: Thank you for your willingness to serve. I'm amazed at how literally every thing you do is for someone else. Also, thank you for being my friend while we've lived with you. I think this experience of getting to know you better will be invaluable for the rest of our lives.
• Justin and Jessica: Thanks for being so fun. You guys are so funny, and we really love seeing you and your darling little Capri.
• Bryan: Thanks for being so accepting of me. You were the only one I didn't know when we got married and I was honestly a little nervous to meet you! Thanks for being so nice though! Also, thanks ever so for that DVD. I loved that concert, and can't wait to watch it!
• Kendra and Mikey: Kendra-thanks for being my friend. I don't do a ton with old friends, so I am so grateful for someone close by, that I see regularly, that I can visit with. You are one of my best friends at this point in time, and I love that are situations are so similar that we can be that way! It's so nice to have a friend in my sister-in-law. Mikey-thanks for helping Kyle out with some work while he was still looking. That was an unbelievable financial blessing to us. Also, thanks for being such a good friend.
• Paul: Thank you for being so kind to Lucy. You are seriously so cute with the babies, when you start dating a girl, you'll have to bring her here so that she can see you with them. She'll be in love. (:
• Travis: Thanks for being my buddy. I'm pretty sure I didn't hardly know you at all until we moved here, but you are so funny! Thanks for the good times. We'll have to do more Man VS. Food one of these days.
• Kali: Thanks for being so funny! You just make me laugh. You have such a funny, innocent personality. I absolutely love it.
• Kara: Thanks for being so darn awesome. You are so cute and stylish. I love hearing your fun high school stories! Don't stop telling me.
• Tevin: Thank you for being so great. You really are a good kid, and we love you so much.