Perspective and Thankfulness

How do I feel about this upcoming Holiday season?? BLESSED!!!!! So very blessed.

Perspective -------
A few weeks ago, my entire family walked (the younger, more in shape crowd, Ran) in the Buddy's Race Against Cancer, a 3.2 mile trek. We have done this for many years now, some missing a year here and there. This year we all walked....... even Hunter. Well, Hunter was in the carrier on the front of me. It was soooooo stinkin cold, but we weren't the only ones cold. As the race began, it felt good, until the first little hill. But it still felt good.............. it felt good to know that my family is generally in good health, that we are free of cancer, and not facing that daily battle. Kathy helped me see that as I wanted to complain about walking. She pointed out that there were people facing uphill battles every second of every day. That is when I found the Perspective I needed. The rest of the race was good. I was completely tired from walking with an 11 pound kid on the front of me, but it was good. I am healthy and cancer free. So it was good. And bonus, I wasn't sore at all from the walk, just tired.

Thankfulness ----
For the new and old blessings in my life...... especially the 11 pound, eating, sleeping, pooping machine sitting in my lap right now chewing on his fist!! I could not be happier or more thankful to have him in my life. What an unexpected Blessing he is!!!! I cannot imagine my life without him. And he still reminds me at various hours of the night how much of a blessing he is by smiling and cooing at me.

For Jerry (and the girls)....... Jerry and I are closer than ever and I am embracing and loving every minute of our times spent together. It doesn't matter what we do, we have fun. Our real journey together began in September, our journey as parents to Hunter. As Jerry delivered Hunter and placed him in my arms, an umbreakable bond was formed.
I am enjoying the special times with the girls as well. They make me smile and cry all in one sentence. They are awesome Big Sisters to Hunter. I look forward to our future together.

For my family..... Lordy be, where would I be without my parents and sisters?????? They are such an amazing source of support, laughter, and tears. I was able to share Hunter's birth with them this year and I am thankful for that. It was probably the best moment of this year!!! (At least I think so anyway) My family has seen hard, crazy times, and pulled through. There is no doubt we have challenges ahead of us, but I know we will make it through, together. We always do.

For my friends ..... Everyone who reads this and even those who don't -- I am thankful for you. I am thankful for friendships that went astray and somehow found their way back to me...... you know who you are...... and for new friendships and old ones.

Right now, I feel like I have it all. Those of you that know my story, know that I have come a long way. I feel that way too. As much as that time sucked, I would do it again to find the happiness and joy and contentment I feel with my life today. Yeah, times can get tough, money scarce, tempers flare, and crankiness abounds........but at the end of the day I have more than I deserve to be Thankful for.............

Thank you to all of you who bring that joy to my life.

Chloe, Hunter, and Olivia one random morning.......