Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a wonderful husband who will be coming home tomorrow.  He's been gone since Sunday and I'm grumpy, exhausted and ready for him to be back.  You really don't realize how difficult being a single parent is until you are in that situation.  This week has been extremely challenging with Neva...dreaming of monsters every night, not wanting to be dropped at daycare every morning, not wanting to go home with me every night...the list goes on and on and on.  I am grateful for the time that we got to spend together, although I had envisioned it quite differently in my head.  Such is life, I suppose.

I had asked my sweet husband to do a guest post awhile ago.  I had no idea how sweet it would be.  Today, I am also grateful for such kind, loving words from him...perhaps when I needed to hear them the most.  It melts my heart every single time I read it. 

Here you go...

Dear Neva,

Being my first blog post ever I thought I would chat with you about the most important thing you should be aware of.  I know, potentially very thought provoking and deep stuff….  Drumroll please…..

Your Mom’s unwavering and unconditional love for you!  

This blog, that your Mom has created, is hopefully something you will come to cherish for the rest of your life.  This is just one small example of how giving and thoughtful your Mom is.  She doesn’t take time for herself and is constantly ensuring that you are brought up in the best manner possible with the best opportunity to accomplish all the goals you will set for yourself later in life. 

I am sure you are, or will be, aware of the things mothers do that make them mothers. 

·        Preparing nourishing delicious food and often they eat it cold due to them tending to everyone’s needs

·        Reading bedtime books in the best motherly voice possible

·        Kissing little ones goodnight and reassuring them that they will greet them in the morning

·        Giving kisses to scraped knees to make everything feel better

·        Gently bathing little ones in the tub

·        Somehow brushing a child’s knotted head of hair without pulling one hair out

·        Giving hugs to help through a meltdown or tough day

All of those items above are fantastic and your Mom accomplishes them in an amazing and special way.  

What I want to make sure you know of are the things your Mom does that are not as easy see. 

·        Gave up personal comfort to bring you into the world in a way that we felt was the best way for you

·        Looks into your eyes with the warmth and care that cannot be described

·        Embraces your every hug, closes her eyes and soaks in the moment

·        Is filled with joy and admiration when you learn a new task

·        Prays for your overall well-being and safety

·        Constantly looks inward toward self-improvement to be the best Mom she can possible be

·        Relishes every moment she is with you and gives you her undivided attention

Every child should know that their mother loves them; you should also know that you have the best Mom in the world!  She will continue to do whatever she can for you. 

So next time you are in the middle of a terrible two meltdown, or later in life when you are having a teenage moment, know that your Mom’s love is unwavering.  She will love you no matter what happens and will be the best example of how to put someone else above your own needs. 

Daddy

Friday...again

I'm not so great at getting these up by Thursday.  Drat.  Story of my life, though...I've always been a procrastinator. But here I am anyways, getting it done. 

I'm thankful for humility.

That may sound odd to some, but I really feel that everyone needs a few humbling experiences in their life to keep them grounded.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a pretty great life.  But I've also had some extremely humbling experiences.  And most people I know are in a similar situation, but I know a few who aren't.  

I know you all know the type who walk around as if their s*** don't stink.  They've had very little negative life experience and everything seems to always go their way.  That's great and all and I would love to have everything I've ever wanted in life, but what does that teach you?

It teaches you that material goods are the most important things in life.  It teaches you that your appearance is more important than being happy.  It teaches you to always expect more from others and be judgmental or rude when your ridiculous standards aren't met.

Humility teaches us to love each other, to be empathetic or compassionate to those around you.  It teaches you to be grateful for things that you've worked hard for.  It teaches you to be thankful for the gifts that you are given, regardless of the monetary value of that gift. 

I don't want people to have to live ridiculously hard lives, but I don't want to watch people get whatever their little hearts desire either.  Everyone needs to be grounded, somehow, so that they can learn to appreciate what is truly important and to really be thankful.

Thankful Thursday...er, Friday

I've seen a lot of bloggers talking about doing "Thankful Thursday" for the month of November and thought I'd jump on the bandwagon.  However, our computer was having some issues last night, so it's just getting put up here today.

I go through phases in life where I find myself wanting.  Feeling like we don't have enough.  We're not keeping up with the Jones' so to speak.  But truth of the matter is, we're pretty damn lucky.

I'm thankful that we have a beautiful home and a roof over our heads.  It's not huge and it's not fancy, but it's ours.  And buying a house in the Roaring Fork Valley is no small feat, so I'm very proud of us for doing this, as well. 

I'm thankful we have a pantry and a refrigerator full of food.  There are many who are not so lucky.  Also?  My husband has an amazing garden which also supplies us with some amazing food for a good portion of the year. 

I'm thankful, also, that both of us having good jobs.  There are days when they don't seem so great, but truth is...they're pretty great.  Eric gets to play.  I get to help people.  During this difficult time, it's just amazing that we both still have our jobs and I am grateful for that.

I'm also thankful that while we are out working these jobs, we have someone amazing to take care of Neva.  She is lucky enough to get to spend the day with Becca, who she LOVES.  And play with friends, whom she also LOVES.

This is just a start...and these are in no particular order.  Stay tuned for more.  I know you're all on the edge of your seats.