This is my TToT mission: Finding new thankful hearts! 
Why not reach out and compel others to share their own list of Thankfuls? Each week, as my beloved friend Lizzi calls us to heed the power in gratitude, I will carry the message outside of my blog. It will be my ongoing goal to encourage others to claim what is good and worthy of praise in their lives. I think Lizzi would be pleased with this goal. Yes, Lizzi?
I believe Phil 4:8 says it best:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
This week, I have a special guest sharing her precious list of Thankfuls. She is a light in my heart and my life! Kaeli is the daughter of my Pea. Pea, you say? Well, we are two peas in a pod. (I have the necklace to show it.) We have been connected in the most amazing ways two women can ever be. There is no one like her, no two like us. And today is Kaeli’s 12th birthday! After we went to dinner to celebrate this grand holiday, I asked her if she would be willing to share her special list of Thankfuls for my blog. She was delighted with the idea! And as you watch her, you too will see her light.
Happy Birthday Kaeli! Your list is beautiful, and most assuredly worthy of praise! Remind yourself of these things often, sweet love. And thank you Melissa, my one and only Pea~ for sharing your beautiful story and your treasured gem with us all.
Melissa’s beautiful story…
Twelve years ago, well, I guess twelve years and nine months ago, I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I was shocked, I had taken all the pills in the round pack…well, maybe I forgot two, perhaps three. But I digress.
Up until that moment I had not wanted any more kids, I had “single parented” my then 17 month old son. I was in love with him. How on earth was I to have room in my heart for another child? I panicked. I did not want to be pregnant again, what was I going to do?
My husband and I discussed the pregnancy. He promised to be more present in our marriage and family. Plus, he said, what if it was a girl?! A GIRL!! I hadn’t even thought of that! How was I going to do this?
I remained apprehensive during the beginning months, we started telling people, and I feigned happiness. No one knew the dread growing in my heart.
At 16 weeks I started bleeding, not spotting, but really bleeding. I had gone to the bathroom at a restaurant and filled the toilet. I knew I had just miscarried. I returned to the table where we dined with friends. I whispered to my husband what had just happened. Please, I begged, take me home. He looked at me and said, “Nothing we can do about it now, no since ruining dinner.” I was livid. I instantly became Mama Bear. How dare he! I went outside to call my mom and we talked until the perfect dinner party was over. We went home and I drove to her house. She held me and we cried. The doctor said to come in first thing on Monday morning for an ultrasound. It was the longest weekend ever. I kept telling my mom that I changed my mind! I wanted this baby, I didn’t mean it.
Monday morning rolled around and we headed to the doctor. I already knew what the results would be. My mom held my hand so tightly. Suddenly the room filled with the most amazing sound, a heartbeat! It was so strong and loud! I saw it there on the screen, beating! Mom and I let out a collective gasp and held each other, crying!
From that first scare to the eve of her turning twelve she has kept me ever on my toes. She is strong, and gorgeous. Her heart leads her whatever she does. She challenges me as her mother on a daily basis and makes me be a better person. I am excited for her next 12 years and many more. This girl is a force of nature, Look Out World!
Ohhhh this is the most ADORABLE idea Chris…beautiful. I love that you’re sharing this further into your real life, and Kaeli’s Ten were LOVELY.
Happy 12th Birthday and WAY TO GO on the super vlog debut 🙂
Omg, she is so adorable and I too had a scare at 21 weeks with Lily spotting and bleeding. And I must say thank god for me, as well, that all turned out ok in the end and my almost 4 year old also still is keeping me on my toes daily. Happy 12th Birthday to Kaeli!! 🙂
A beautiful list by a beautiful girl! Happy birthday!
Oh my gosh, Kaeli is great! Happy Birthday, Kaeli! I love your 10 things. And your mom’s story is just amazing. What a gift you are.
12 – so exciting!!
Your story made me sad, a little mad (I would have wanted to leave the party, too!!) and a lot happy!!!
What an absolute, fabulous doll))!!
I love her! She’s going to be an educator.
Keep up the positive attitude, Kaeli!
PS. Quality Friends. I LOVE THAT. I get that! xx
What a sweet girl! Happy Birthday, Kaeli! You did a great job with your list!
What an amazing story! I am so glad that you have your daughter’s face to look at and see the love of God manifested in your family. What a gift!
A wonderful way to start the week, thank you!
Ceil
I need to get my kiddos on this! Even if we just do it privately; it is so important to be in the mindset of thankfulness!!
What an amazing story! And what an amazing girl. I meant to ask… but didn’t want to pry.. but meant to ask about your husband wanting to stay at dinner when you thought you were going through something horrible and life-changing.
I heard your daughter mention a step-dad… soo.. just hoping you’re all happy! And a little brother!
Love that Cassidy made the list!
Yes, Tamara, the “husband” in the story (while her dad) is not the “husband/step dad” of today! Obviously, Step dad was #1 on the list!! A fact I have yet to let either of them live down! We are happy and blessed! I am glad she gets to see what a husband/father means and will expect it as she grows!! Thank you for the wonderful comment!
Happy birthday, Kaeli! Hold onto those quality friends – one or two are worth dozens of fair weather friends. Loved that you did this, Chris!
Oh where to start… smart, beautiful, well spoken, sweet, family oriented. What a lovely young woman – I can see why she’s special to you! Her list was just perfect. My favorite part is when she talks about having “quality friends”. Thank you so much for sharing this gem with us, Chris!
Yes, Jen, it has been a rough year for “quality”! I am not sure if that is the age or the world we live in! But, hopefully she can start to understand quality over quantity! Isn’t that the important one?!?
Melissa’s story, I think I’m going to cry! What a great way to celebrate Kaeli’s birthday! Always be THANKFUL. Always. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you both for sharing your heart. Melissa – your story hit me hard. Thank you for sharing so honestly. Happy birthday Kaeli! Love your list!
Thank you Stephanie. I spent quite a few years being very angry and resentful at my now ex-husband. But, now I find peace and forgiveness. I lost so many of her years to that, and now I just want to take each moment to the fullest extent! And, yes, she is amazing!!
So sweet! And an amazing story!! Makes me wanna get my daughter in the thankful groove!
Warms my heart that the parents made the top of her thankful list & she’s 12. Hope for the future!
What an amazing story!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
Happy birthday to an lovely young lady with a great outlook on life, already! Thank you for sharing this wonderful young person with us.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful….in every single way! Thank you so much for this lovely twist and the introduction to such a gorgeous young lady!
I love so much that you have a Pea! Welcome Melissa and Kaeli!
She’s the BEST Pea I could ever ask for Meredith!!!! 🙂 And her daughter? Oh. My. Heart. How. I. Adore. Her.
Thank you all for your wonderful comments!! I am new and unfamiliar with the “blog-o-sphere” so I hope you all see this comment!
Kaeli is an amazing and wonderful young lady with so much heart! I thank you each for your kind words to her. Rest assured she has read each comment as have I. Watching her read the kind things and encouragement you wrote brought a smile to my face, because it brought a smile to hers.
I apologize for my inability to write to each and every one of you as you took the time to write to me and my beautiful daughter. Your words will continue to uplift her as she returns to school this fall and pressures from the outside begin to take their toll.
Again, thank you from both of us!!
Melissa and Kaeli