Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)I think that along our journey on this earth, God sometimes throws in little blessings that accompany us all the way through. Perfect little packages tied up with swirly bows. Little things that seem to be coincidence, but of course, are not.
Is it coincidence that my younger cousin was born exactly 367 days after me, making our birthdays just 2 days apart?
Here we are back in 1973 (see calendar on wall behind me) celebrating!
We also have a dear Uncle Rex whose birthday is one day after Heather's, so as long as I can remember, we've shared a birthday cake at Granny's. Here we are circa 1990. Like the rugby shirt and acid washed jeans? hee hee.
I got to celebrate my birthday this year at my sister's house. Tom was out of town with basketball and my family made me feel very special this year complete with my favorite cholesterol-thickening dessert of Merritt's chocolate cake. Yum.
I had "the big one" last year, but this year it was Heather's turn. 
We surprised her with a party at Full Moon and a Shutterfly book of her last 40 years. Happy birthday, CUZ! I'm so glad God chose to give us this birthday coincidence. Wish I was as fun and nutty as you!! But thankful for you and the great blessing you bring to my life!
Blessing: Uncle Zach
When Uncle Zach comes to town, it is like the rare look at a groundhog as he comes out of his hole or a admiring a blue moon that rarely appears in the sky. We do not get to see Tom's youngest brother very often, but feel so blessed to enjoy his company when he does come to visit. He lives in New York and travels the world, in fact is heading to Rio on Christmas day. We hope he comes back to see us very soon!
Blessing: Basketball
In a stretch of a basketball season more brutal than any I can remember the last 10 years, we have lost 3, count em, THREE players for the season to ACL tears. Unheard of. We have lost 2 to broken wrists and 1 to a high ankle sprain. 1 player quit the team. Though we may get back a couple of these guys in a week or two, right now we are down to 5 scholarship players. That hurts, not only for us, but for these kids, who eat and sleep basketball. Regardless of what is SEEN, the God we serve who is UNSEEN, can do anything. And a couple Wednesdays ago, he did just that. With our "Mighty 7" - this was before we lost 2 other players - we defeated Missouri of the Big 12 in the Mabee Center with a last second shot. Scoreboard and ESPN play below. We're counting our blessings on this one, and praying for other unexpected miracles. Cause we need them right now.
Blessing: O Christmas Tree
Did I mention I love our Christmas tree this year? Oh, how I love it! It makes me so joyous. So beautiful and fragrant and the fact that it was all Tom's doing makes it that much more beautiful in my eyes. I'm trying to get the full effect of every pine needle.
