so much to thank Him for

What a crazy month it has been. I feel like I haven't been able to catch up at home...or at work. Constantly feeling like I'm drowning, just trying to keep my head above water. Half of the time I feel like I'm literally losing my mind. Ok maybe I am losing my mind. Sigh. It's a constant struggle. Hence the reason the ol' blog here has been neglected. 

Now that Black Friday is over, I can breathe a little easier. I think. We still have so much to do this week and Cyber Monday sales begin tomorrow, yet I do want to try to document a few pics, especially since the holiday season has officially started. I've SO been looking forward to Cade's first Christmas season! We also have my sister's wedding in just THREE short weeks. (another reason life has been busier than ever) Hopefully I will take time for myself to breathe...and maybe write a new post while I'm at it...because after all, how can you truly enjoy this season if you don't stop to soak it all in? 

In attempt to catch up, let's start with last Wednesday night. Chad's dad puts on his annual "Big Cain's Turkey Bash" where they deep fry several turkeys and all our friends/family come over for a laid back night to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday. Cade was decked out in his camo, just like his daddy.

Notice his turkey on the ground. Chad is an avid turkey hunter. That is his favorite. 

So I guess Cade is starting early?

Cade and his "girlfriend" Blakely. Aunt Lisa's face in the background says it all. 

Blakely, Emerson, and Cade. They are 3 of the 5 that stay at Mrs. Kim's so they spend a LOT of time together and Cade loves them to pieces...even if it doesn't seem that way in this pic :) 

Thanksgiving morning, Chad went hunting so Cade and I made pancakes. Yes, my 9 month old had pancakes (no syrup). I believe he would eat anything, but I only gave him tiny pieces and he loved it. We watched Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade...

but Cade was more interested in helping me unload the dishwasher. I can't have the door down for two seconds without him crawling up on it! He's into everything.

Then he proceeded to take all the toys out of his bouncy seat, climb up in it, and bounce up and down.

Just documenting a typical day in the McClain household! I looked around and while I usually get so frustrated that our house constantly looks like a bomb went off, this particular morning I paused and said "Thank you Lord for this mess, for I know this mess was created by the healthy, vivacious, precious baby boy you have blessed us with!" 

That's what it's all about. Truly being thankful for every single blessing...yep, even a messy house. We're so quick to complain and Lord knows I have been a hot mess lately, but I never take one single moment with this sweet boy for granted. 

Words will never be able to describe how thankful we are for him.

We usually do Thanksgiving lunch with Chad's family but this year we switched it to dinner since his cousin JT was just getting back from a couple months of National Guard basic training. Glad to have him back! My mom had already planned to go over to my sister & Mack's future abode, so we missed out on that this year :(

Here's wild man on the way to Grandma Frieda and Papa Jack's!

He had his little "turkey" baby food dinner but was most impressed by his Mimi's sweet potato soufflé. Can you say obsessed? Just like his mama, that was his favorite. I also let him taste cranberry sauce and that's the only thing I've EVER seen this child spit out! Hilarious.

He was tired before he even chowed down.

I couldn't help but to think back to Thanksgiving last year. I sat at this same table with Chad's Uncle Brian to my left and my Papa Hall to my right. This Thanksgiving dinner, neither was there to sit with us at the table. Both have went on to heaven. Just in twelve short months, that's how much life can change...and that's why life is so so precious. It hasn't been an easy year yet as I got teary eyed, I also thought about how this year I sat next to our son and then I was reminded...no matter the circumstance, we have SO much to thank Him for! Thankful for the time we had with those loved ones, thankful for the memories, and thankful for the family we have now that continue to make this life worthwhile!

Like these precious little babies right here. Playing "peep eye", so sweet together.

To put things into perspective: Carter will be TWO in a few weeks and

 as you can see, Cade is already just about the same size! 

They are hilarious together and you can tell they are going to give the twins a run for their money. Also, Holly is set to have baby Hayden (their new cousin) this week and we are so excited! The twins are five and have always been their own little "tag team". We just thought they were a handful.

 Now we've got Carter, Cade and Hayden that are "stair steps" / all one year apart. 

I have a feeling that THEY are going to be the HANDFULS!

One of my all time favorite gospel songs is "So Much to Thank Him For". It played over and over in my head throughout this past week. Even when I stressed myself out way too much about Black Friday....and when I was so exhausted Saturday, I was just physically sick...I couldn't help but to hum these lyrics. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

WHEN I LOOK AROUND AND SEE
THE GOOD THINGS HE DOES FOR ME
I KNOW I’M UNWORTHY OF THEM ALL
BUT HIS BLESSINGS HE FREELY GIVES
I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THINK HIM FOR.
CHORUS :
AND I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR
SO MUCH TO PRAISE HIM FOR
WELL YOU SEE NOW HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME
AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT HE’S DONE
AND WHERE HE BROUGHT ME FROM
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR
VERSE 2 :
AND SOMETIMES WHILE ON THIS WAY
I KNEEL AND I STOP AND SAY
LORD THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR ME
AND ONE DAY I’LL REACH HEAVENS SHORE
OH PLEASE LET ME KNEEL ONCE MORE
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK YOU FOR
REPEAT CHORUS ONCE + TAG 1 & 2 :
TAG 1 & 2 :
AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT HE’S DONE
AND WHERE HE BROUGHT ME FROM
I’VE GOT SO MUCH TO THANK HIM FOR