Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thankful

This year is different.
Lots of change, lots of things that just aren't like previous years.  There is a small part of me that still clings to the traditional large family Thanksgiving where all the relatives show up and the house is filled with enough food to feed an entire small country. The rest of me just isn't up for it this year. So thankful we will be going out to eat this year with family!  I find that in the midst of all the turmoil this year that I am thankful for things that I have traditionally overlooked in previous years.
     I am thankful I have an amazingly supportive and loving family. They have truly surrounded and protected us this year, offered support, time, money and so much unconditional love.
     I am thankful for my wonderful friends. I have been overwhelmed this year and truly shown the character of those that I thought were my friends vs. those that ignore everything else to protect and love. I have a such a feeling of warmth inside and a peace that I am never alone in my life.
     I am thankful for my husband that supports, defends and protects every decision I have ever made and has never doubted. He loves me to my core and is my strength when I am weak. 
     I am thankful for my incredibly bright, loving, beautiful, caring and healthy children. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not in awe of something that they do.
     I am thankful for the lessons learned. I've learned a LOT!!! 
     I am thankful for my husband's job. Even though it stresses him out sometimes, I have been so thankful for the support all of his coworkers have shown our family. 
     I am thankful for faith. The faith that next year will be more settled, be much less eventful and bring resolve. 
      Last, I am thankful for the gift of time. I am thankful I have been blessed with this time with my children and family to do the things we didn't have time to do before. Thankful for the extra cuddle time at night and in the morning that I am not running around stressed out about getting it all done. Thankful for the daily time that I have never had with my children. I know I would have never taken this time on my own. Sometimes God has answers to questions you never thought you had.
Happy Thanksgiving.




Friday, November 19, 2010

Football Championship

To be very honest, I am one of those mom's who sit on the sidelines reads a book or magazine, texts everyone I know for an hour and tries to sneak in a little wine in a sippycup during football practice and games. I try to stay in the background as much as possible. I am aware that my child will not be playing pro ball. I wouldn't even want him to play college football. I am just happy that he likes to hang out with the boys and he learns team work and sportsmanship.

This year's team got beat a few times, so I never imagined they would actually make it ALL THE WAY to the CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! But their team had something that the other teams didn't. They had heart and drive. Those boys went out there and gave it their all and even though they got beat in the final game, it was a wonderful year for them and a great learning experience that even though you may be down.... you can always recover and get stronger and better. Lots of adults could learn from that. WAY TO GO COLE!!!






Sunday, November 7, 2010

Precious Time

Those of you that know our family well, know that this has been one of the most difficult times of our life. The transition from me working to me being at home, I wish I could say has been a smooth one, but unfortunately, it seems to have been a time of change and stress for everyone.  We are hoping for an end to the turmoil by the first of next year, but until then, we are trying daily to keep things as normal as possible and focus on the fun times and blessings in our life.

We had been planning our Disney Trip (Thanks mom and dad) for well over a year, and even through the worst crisis yet, we decided, we needed to go. We needed time as a family to regain strength, have fun and take some precious family time just for us!

We loaded up, nana and papaw took Shelby, Troy and I took Cole and 15+ hrs later we landed at Shades of Green on Disney Resort! It was wonderful and I know these are memories of our family being together that all of us will carry forever. 

After Disney, Nana and Papaw took both kiddos back with them, while Troy and I stayed for his conference and had some good husband/wife time for our 16th Anniversary.  Thanks again Nana and Papaw for this wonderful gift of time, love and support. I couldn't ask for better and more supportive and loving parents. 

All in all, it's good to be home! After Nana and Papaw drove off with our kiddos, Troy and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes and eventually left a day early to get back home to our precious loves. 

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip! 


Mickey at Shades of Green



Stitch is soooo my favorite!


Daddy and his Princess



How cute is he!!!!

She could hardly control her excitement!

My handsome man!


Happy Anniversary - 16 years and still completely in love.