With Thanksgiving just ONE week away I thought I would take
the time to list all I am thankful for. It has been one of the hardest yet rewarding
years. November is a time to be thankful, so here is a reason that I am thankful
for everyday of this month.
1. My two beautiful,
loving, crazy, energetic, passionate kids who are my heart
2. My amazing partner
and best friend, who still makes me laugh and who is my soul
3. Matt's parents and
my parents for taking rotating shifts to help out with Colin and Katherine
before, during, and after Colin's surgery
4. My brother and sister in law for all their help this
summer watching Katherine and visiting Colin in the hospital
5. A house full of laughter, love, and silliness
6. For many many family fun trips this year (New Braunfuls
(twice), Port Aransas, Lake Travis, Galveston, College Station for Aggie
Baseball, and Fort Worth)
7. 10 years of marriage and loving each other more and more
every year
8. All our friends
who came to visit in the hospital, sent care packages, cookies, games, and of
course their prayers
9. Colin's new found energy – It is amazing to see him run
and play and for the first time in his life, not get winded!
10. Katherine's heart of gold – she is more thoughtful and
loving than anyone I know
11. Beach, pool, tubing, and water-slide days
12. Matt and Jennifer fun trips to reconnect (Charleston,
Gruene, and College Station for the Aggie Football Game)
13. Two great schools that offer a wonderful learning environment
for both kids
14. Girl scouts – though it's hard work being the troop
leader, it is very rewarding and something that Katherine and I will always
share
15. Family - we have family all over that supports us
16. Hide and seek, craft time, story time, family movies
cuddled up in our bed, hiking, Wii battles, swing sets.. basically our everyday
family life with each other
17. Friends that are there not just in the fun times (tubing
down the river with you) but also in the darkest of times when you need it the
most, and that bring wine with them J
18. Colin's new found love of food – we struggled with
eating and weight gain for 4 years, hopefully we now have it behind us!
19. Karaoke machine – Love hearing the kids belt out all the
teeny bopper songs (Katherine – we are never ever getting back together… Colin –
this girl is on fire)
20. My job that has allowed me to grow in my career but is
also so support of the need for family/life balance
21. Girl time with Katherine and a 7 year old who is not too
old to fall asleep in my lap
22. Colin's loving and cuddly nature, his love of life and
excitement
23. My children are thoughtful and think of others – when
mentioning Christmas the other week, they got excited about making cookies and
taking them up to the hospital like we have done the last 3 years in a row.
Their first thought was not about toys but other people.
24. Texas Children's hospital – this place has given Colin
life, I am so thankful for all the doctors, nurses, child life advocates, and
staff
25. That Colin got to come back home – some kids don't have
the chance to ever come back home after major surgery. I am so thankful he is
still here with us.
26. Aggie Football – yes, you read that correctly. It has
been a great fun season and we love having friends over to watch the games. The
kids are big Aggie fans and love to sport their Aggie gear.
27. God's love and support and our amazing guardian angels watching us from
heaven.
28. Support from my heart family network
29. Bucees – Okay here me out on this one.. the kids love to
go there after school for a treat, we always make a stop on road trips when the
kids need to get out a stretch their legs. The smile on their face when we are
at the register getting an Icee is priceless.
And last by definitely not least:
30. My life. I am thankful to have the life I have. It is
not always easy, it has its ups and downs, but it is an amazing life with the
people I love. It may not be perfect but it is perfect for me. I have two
wonderful children and a husband I adore. We have a great support system of
family and friends. We are active and cherish what life has to offer. We cherish
each other and the time we spend together. This year has been a very emotional
one but it has made us stronger as a family. And for that I am truly thankful!
