Abundantly Blessed

I cannot even wrap my head around the fact that it is almost December.  This year has just flown by and I am barely able to catch my breath before the busyness of the holidays are about to be upon us. I just wanted to take a few minutes out to reflect on the blessings of our life.  We are so beyond blessed and even though there are some tough days that we face, we realize just how fortunate we are.  

We have the most amazing extended family...a family that challenges us to be better people, a family that supports us no matter what, a family that prays for us, sits with us at church, cries with us when times get tough, buys us donuts and cookies, and just loves us with an unconditional love.  Not to mention families that truly love each other and want to be around each other.  There isn't fighting, strife, jealousy or bitterness...but we fight daily for love and peace amongst us all.  It is such a blessing to have parents that go above and beyond for us, siblings that are truly our best friends and cousins that make everything so fun.  Sometimes I just don't understand how we hit the family jackpot but I am so grateful that we did.  

I am so thankful for Christian and I's jobs.  We have been so incredibly blessed with two great jobs that allow us to prosper, but to also invest time into our children.  I have the ability to move my work schedule around and work when it is convenient for us.  I have a job that I truly love and am passionate about and long to see the company grow and prosper.  Christian has a wonderful job that he enjoys and one that challenges him, but one that also allows him to minister to those in need.  I look forward to the day that Christian can travel and bless others with his gift of healing and knowledge of healthcare.  

I am so thankful for my precious children.  The only thing in life that I really ever wanted was to be a mom.  My three kids make it so easy to love being a mother.  They make it fun, messy, chaotic, stinky and sometimes frustrating but most of all they love me like crazy.  They each, in their own ways, enrich and enhance my life and I am savoring each and every moment with them.  Aubrey is such a sassy, smart and talented little girl.  She is so full of life and loves to be in the middle of all the action...she finds such joy and excitement in every aspect of life.  I tell her all the time how thankful I am that God gave me a little girl.  She is so my mini me and I see so much of myself in her.  When God gave me Weston, he knew I needed an easy middle child...one that would counter balance my two bookends.  Weston is the easiest, sweetest, smartest, most articulate little boy you will ever meet.  He is extremely attached to me and I love being his number #1. I tell him all the time that we are soul buddies...he is a homebody like me, loves to snuggle and take naps and enjoys the simple things in life.  My Baylor Jace is Mr. Happy.  You will not ever find him having a bad day...no matter what...he just embodies joy.  Baylor has thrown us every curve ball possible when it comes to his health and we still have a long road ahead of us with him, but his happiness is such a comfort to me.  I know that no matter what he faces, he will do it with a positive attitude...and with a fierce determination.  His abilities and skills never seem to stop advancing and I am so amazed by his growth.  

I am so thankful for Christian.  He works so hard and is so such a man full of integrity.  He loves me even when I am tough and that can be quite often.  He is hilarious and makes us all belly laugh.  He loves life and is up for anything...camping, traveling, games, activities...you name it and he is usually on board.  He is so smart and his ability to fix almost anything is one of my favorite things about him.  I am so thankful for how hard he works to support our family and provide us with more than we need. 

I am so thankful for my salvation.  I can't image walking through life without the security of knowing my Savior.  This life is so full of ups and downs and hard times, but having a solid rock to fall back on is such a comfort.  I am thankful for the chance to worship God in a wonderful church, surrounded by others who desire to serve God and for the opportunity to grow in my faith.  

I am so thankful for my girlfriends. We chat almost everyday and I love that they love me for me...including all my quirks.  We laugh and share stories about our crazy lives and just encourage one another.  I love that our friendship has spanned almost 15 years and growing stronger each day.  

I am so thankful for my life...I know sometimes social media or blogs can make it seem like life is always perfect and rosy, but I will be the first to admit life can be downright crushing at times.  Sometimes daily life can feel overwhelming but I am so thankful for family, friends and a Savior that I can count on to lift me up and keep me going.  This Thanksgiving, I hope and pray that I can take these blessings I have been given and somehow bless others.  May we as a family, always aim to find the good in life and be a light in this dark world.  I pray that we continue to lift up the name of Jesus and proclaim His goodness no matter what.  

Time for me to go put on my stretchy pants and head to dinner!  Thank you Lord, for blessing me so abundantly and graciously.

PS: I re-read what I wrote this time last year, just weeks after finding out Baylor had Cerebral Palsy...I just can't believe how far we have come in a year.  Baylor is proof that God is still in the miracle working business.

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