The older I get the more I appreciate holidays.
When we were younger mom made us write down 3-5 things we were thankful for.
We HATED it. We just wrote the stuff down so we could get it over with and go back to our cell phones and video games.
My poor mom - what she was trying to do was important, and we were bratty teenagers about it. I am setting the precedent at age 0 with my kidders - no choice- write down the things you are thankful for, you will appreciate it later.
So, since I won't be with my mom this Thanksgiving eve - I will write my list here for her (and me)
Mom - Seriously I don't know where I would be without her. Yes, sometimes she makes me a little crazy, but I wouldn't change that for anything. She is the most caring person I know. She will give give give and do do do for anyone and everyone. Her heart is so big and it literally aches for those who do not know her Lord and Savior. The fact that she takes the time to ask her waitress if she could pray for her when she prays over her meal is so admirable (and very embarrassing for me - but I am a brat) She cares for everyone. My mom has been working hard for over a year to change her lifestyle and eating habits and has lost over 50 lbs. She looks great and I am so proud of her. Her quality of life is only getting better and better (and she gets hit on by young dudes when out - apparently she is smoking hot - awkward.) Whenever I am upset my mom is always there to listen and make me feel better. She is always the one I call when I am not feeling well. My mom is my biggest fan and strongest advocate. She will always fight for her babies. Don't mess with us, she turns into a crazed momma bear. I love my mom so much. I am so blessed to have her as my mom.
Mom - we need a current picture of us - :-D
Dad- I am for sure a daddy's girl. I always have been. I still enjoy annoying my dad by crawling in his lap and sitting there. Though it doesn't last long because it is uncomfortable for all parties. He loves it, I know he does :-D My dad is very talented in many ways. I am always amazed when I go home and see the progress he is making on the guitars he is building. He is doing 2 right now! At the same time! Rock star! My dad is an amazing writer and public speaker. I don't know how many times he took the red pens to my papers for me and his suggestions were always very helpful and insightful. I wish I could write like him. I don't know how he can stand in front of the church every Sunday and not wet his pants, I totally would be. I don't speak in public. My dad is always there to help me out when I need it. I don't know how many times I have called him to tell him there is something wrong with my car and he is quick to offer me his car, so I can continue my life as usual and he will get it fixed for me (and help me pay for it) He truly is a lifesaver. He is also very logical and always helps me see the rational side of whatever has me in tears right at this moment. I love watching Maryland and Redskin games with him. I miss going in my parents room every night before I went to bed - flopping on the bed (usually resulting in the mattress falling off the box spring) and bugging him for a few minutes before I go to sleep.
I truly have the best parents anyone could ask for. I am forever thankful for them. One day I hope I can repay them for EVERYTHING they do for me and have done for me.
Matt - I don't even know where to start. Matt makes me laugh every single day. He supports me in everything that I do and doesn't complain when he has to spend 2 hours alone on a Saturday so I can go run. He ran all over when I ran my half marathon so he could cheer me on. I just did that recently and I know how tiring it is. He makes sure we get our bills paid and on time - always reminding me when rent is due. He makes sure I take my medicines everyday because I am not capable of remembering to do it. Matt tolerates my obsession with all things food. He typically doesn't grumble when I force a new recipe on him. Matt is proud of me, and always tell me or shows me. He always talks up my baking/cake decorating skills to people (its a little embarrassing but I love it). Matt loves my family and enjoys spending time with them too. That is so important to me. Matt love me no matter what and that means the world to me. Since we started dating I gained weight, I lost weight, I gained weight and now working to lose it again. I never hear negative comments from him. He always tells me I am beautiful and I believe him. I could go on , but I am going to get grief for being mushy and embarrassing him as it is so I will just say that I am so lucky to have given the boy next door (in college dorms) a chance because I have found my best friend and the love of my life. Thank you for loving me. I am so thankful for everything that you do for me!
Matt doesn't like to make appearances on my blog - I sometimes consider his wishes.
Austin Lee- Yes, I am thankful for my brother. Of course there was a time in our lives when we weren't really friends and we certainly fought A LOT. I went away to college and things got a little better, then worse. My brother has gone through so much to get where he is today. There were a lot of dark demons working to get a hold of his life. Something clicked within him though and he really turned his life around ( I should probably add that I am thankful for his girlfriend Ariella, I think she had a lot to do with the click). A week from today he will be flying back to DC to the next place he is stationed. In MARYLAND! 50 mins from me! I am so so so excited. I can't wait to hang out and go places. I am going to make him sight see around DC. :-D I am thankful for his commitment to serve our country. Becoming a military family really opened my eyes to what so many families in America are going through. I am thankful for others like my brother who are serving our country and their families too!
Aubrey - My best friend moved away in 2006. It was one of the hardest days ever. But we talk and text everyday and it doesn't seem like anything has changed. I have only seen her a handful of times since she moved but every time it is like we just hung out yesterday. She is always there to listen to me when I need to vent. She was one of my biggest cheerleaders from afar while I was training for my half marathon. Her family is like my family and I miss them all very much. She just moved SC and I can't wait to go visit her there!! Having a best friend like that is a very big blessing in my life.
My Car- Oh my ghetto car. You are so embarrassing with the duct tape holding the window up. But you get me where I need to be and you are still kicking. I bought my first car July 2005 and I paid it off a few months ago. It has driven me up and down the road from college to home. It took me every weekend for 2 years an hour to DC to see my boyfriend. It made the drive from Maryland back to Virginia in blizzard conditions. It may be beat up and a bit ghetto, but that car had done me well and keeps me going. I am thankful for it, and for the fact that I can use that extra money for some other bills right now.
My apartment- Moving out on my own a year and a half ago was a very scary thing. We searched and searched for an apartment that was nice, affordable and wasn't a tiny box. We got so lucky with this apartment. Living so close to DC is so great but it is also expensive. So finding a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment at the price of a 1b/1bath was a steal. The kitchen... oh it makes me so happy. I love my little aparrtment. It is the perfect place to call home.
Job- I am one of the lucky ones that actually likes my job. Being a nanny could be a very difficult thing. You never know if the family is going to be as nice as they were at the interview. What if the kids are horrible. Will you get taken advantage of etc. But I got so lucky. I get to spend my days with the cutest little girls with great parents. The girls make me smile on a daily basis. It is so cool, and gratifying to watch them learn something new. It seems like they are learning new things every day and that is partly because of me! I have a second family with them!
Grandparents- Sometimes I take for granted the fact that I have all 4 of my grandparents. My grandparents are such wonderful and kind people and I really enjoy spending time with them. I know I need to spend even more time with them and soak in all of their love and memories. They are very special to me and I really hope they know that!
Friends- I have a lot of acquittance, but only a select handful (or couple handfuls) of people that I call true friends. People that I know would do anything for me, and me for them. I have really enjoyed being able to celebrate special things with my friends this year. Weddings, babies, engagements and so much more. I love my friends and I know that I couldn't live without them.
Writing this post has really made me reflect on everything in my life. I could keep going on and on but I will stop now. I am probably the happiest now that I have ever been and for that I am the most thankful!
I hope you have a great day with your friends and family. Eat some good food and take sweet food induced nap!
