From my valentine

What I woke up to. So sweet. Thank you, my husband! 

I love you so much... I know I'm not always good at showing it, but its always there. 

Questions on Gratitude

Lately, I've come across posts from other bloggers that I like and therefore want to copy.This is one of those posts. It's definitely one I need to do...especially today. I need to take the time to really think about what I am grateful for. I am always grateful, but I don't always take the time to really think about such things. 

1. Who do you appreciate? There are many people I appreciate, but my husband is at the very top of the list. He works so very hard at a job that isn't his dream, at a job that most days is just a pain, but he does it because he wants to support us. He's also very supportive, loving, and giving. He's a great husband! =)

2. How am I fortunate? I am fortunate because of the life I live. There are so many people, so many children who don't get food to eat, water to drink, or a roof over their head. I'm fortunate enough to get those things! I'm also fortunate to have a college degree. So many people can't afford it. I'm fortunate also because I know Christ. So many people don't. For that I am one of the most fortunate!

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? Clothes, my phone, a computer, a car, a bed to sleep on.

4. What abilities do I have that I am grateful for? I'm grateful that I have a compassionate heart. Sometimes its so easy for the world to judge other for who they are or blame them for their circumstances, but I try to see the bigger picture, I try to see their heart. I'm not always good at it, but my heart is full of compassion for many.

5. What about my surroundings (my home, neighborhood) am I thankful for? I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and a warm place to sleep. I'm thankful that we are in a safe place, but mostly I am thankful that I am with my husband and son. They surround me daily and without them I don't know what I'd do. I'm also thankful that God is all around me.

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? I want to say that I am grateful for my past, but sometimes thats hard. However, I know that theres a purpose in it, even if I never know what that is. Its a part of God's plan and its made me who I am today. 

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/ this month/this year that I am grateful for?

Today-- time to rest. Somedays I feel like I get none and it was nice to nap with my son lying on me.

Yesterday -- some good time with just my husband, son, and I. One of my favorite things is when we have time just us, time to just enjoy each other. 

This week-- thats its Thanksgiving tomorrow (and someone's birthday)! =)

This month -- that we've been able to take some steps towards healing for us and made some decisions that will be good for us!

This year -- we got married and had a baby...couldn't get any better than that!    

8. What opportunities have I had that I am thankful for? I am thankful that I have the chance to stay home with my son. Its definitely a blessing. I get to see him grow and thats something I wouldn't change for the world!

9. What have others done that I am thankful for? My husband works to support us. That is something I can never thank him enough for. His parents have given us a place to stay while we pay off some debt. A friend from church welcomes her home for play dates and listens to me. Theres so much that others have done for me! 

10. What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life (even if I don't know who those people are?) I know others pray for us. Maybe I don't know who or when, but it helps!

11. What relationships am I thankful for? I am thankful for the relationship I have with my husband. It may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. I am thankful for my relationship with my son. Its a special relationship and he will always have a special place in my heart. I love them very much. I am also thankful for the friendships I have -- some I've had for years and some more recent, but my friends, they are so important and have been there through some of the toughest times. I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will be there no matter what!

12. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about, I am grateful for? I am sure there is much. I think I take more for granted that I can even think of. At times, I think, I take most for granted. Maybe, its money, if I really think about it. I've mentioned debt before and I think, maybe, taking money for granted is what got us here. 

13. What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g. What have I learned? How have I grown?) I've learned what really matters - God and my family. Those things are the only things that really matter... if I only had those two things in my life, I'd not only be okay, but I'd be good. I've also learned that God's in control and I need to trust Him and lean on Him more.

14. What is different today then it was a year ago that I am thankful for? My heart is different. When my husband and I started dating I was emotionally a mess and after getting married and having him in my life thats changed a lot. He's helped to heal my heart. I'm so thankful for that! I am also thankful that my husband took it upon himself to bring my best friend from college and I back into one anothers' lives. I am thankful that she was willing to let me back in her life and that we were willing to forgive one another and open up to one another again. God is good. In all things He is good.

15. What insights have I gained that I am thankful for? I am thankful that I've learned that I can't change the way people act or the choices they've made. I can only be in-charge of me. Its nice to be able to let go of that and not carry the burden of other peoples' choices. 

Husband + son = heart swell

These are my boys. There are no two people whom I could possibly love more in this world.

When they are together... my love grows to an extent that I didn't even know existed. 

My favorite thing in the world is hearing them be together. I love when my husband goes in his room at night...when our little one is supposed to be sleeping and I hear them talking to each other. Of course, the little one doesn't talk much yet, but I hear him jabbering. I hear dada and giggles. 

Moments like those make my heart sore. Moments like those fill my heart with a joy, I didn't know, it could ever feel. 

When my husband tells me that he taught Braden how to say bear, it makes my heart happy to know that he's willing to teach our little one and that Braden wants to learn from his dada. It makes me smile when he tells me that he asked Braden if that was his bear and he patted it, as to say, "yes, this is my bear." And when he holds the bear in front of him and says, "are you going to sleep with your bear?" he grabs it and hugs it. It makes me happy that they have their own way of talking and having fun with one another.

Theres no greater joy to me, really. It makes me so happy that I could cry.

Because when I hear them talking... hear them playing...everything in my world seems so right and perfect. I couldn't ask for anything more. 

P.S. Theres an amazing giveaway going on over here featuring my new favorite etsy shop, Poor Pitiful Pearl. They have fabulous clothes that are refashioned. I am just dying over the clothes! So cute and unique! Check it out, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Written by Husband

I've been trying to think of ways for my blog to be different. I don't want every post to sound the same or be about the same thing. I came across the blog Mrs. T, Naturally and she is doing this great thing called blogging outside the box. Every week she is giving an idea on how we can do so. This past week's way to do was by having a loved one write a blog post about you. I, of course, had my husband do so. I was surprised to find what he wrote about -- the first time we'd ever met. It made me smile real big. Here you go!

The day I met her she had glow around her that caught me by surprise. Every word she spoke to me was heavenly and graced my ears with such beauty it made me feel as though my feet weren't touching the ground. I knew that there was obviously something special about this woman. I knew I had to get to know her more, the question though was: how do I make this night last? So first we went to the theatre and saw a movie that ended up not being the greatest. Something about people making clones of themselves to do all their work. Honestly though, the movie couldn't of mattered much to me though as I was so intrigued by this woman sitting next to me. Next we went out to dinner at Old Chicago. We exchanged shy glances and small talk, gently delving deeper into one another's lives. We found that we had much of the same remembrances of childhoods past and made a sort of connection in this which only harkened deeper conversation. There was obviously an affinity between the two of us, or better yet, chemistry if you will, that seemed to set the stage for what might be something more profound than what we actually knew was occurring. After dinner, I didn't want the night to end so I asked her if she was afraid of heights, which she politely grinned and said "no". So we headed to the airport where we flew over the city at night to get a birds eye view of things. It was quite romantic as I had someone sitting next to me that was so beautiful, all the while I was doing something that I was passionate about - flying.  After the night was over, I dropped her off at her car. As I shut the engine off, and opened my door to hopefully hug her goodnight, she was already in her car driving away... In the mere three seconds it took me to get out of the car she was gone - I was crushed. Never again did I expect to see her. I have to pinch myself, and count my blessings though every morning I wake up and get to see her lovely face, for she is now mine, and I hers.

P.S. If you want to know more about us go here.