Be Thankful

This year we were able to spend Thanksgiving in Aurora at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mel's House. Our Thanksgiving is so much fun there, not only because we get to see everyone, but also because we spend it in a garage. This garage isn't just any garage though, it's HUGE, and also comes equipped with a built in heater. It's awesome. And gives more than enough room for everyone to be able to hang out in there together rather than having to spread out throughout an entire house. This was Beckahm's first Thanksgiving. He has no idea how much he's going to love this holiday and all of the good food that always comes with it! While he was sitting on Aunt Deb's lap she asked if he had started table food yet, we told her no and glanced over and there was B getting fed mashed potatoes with some sips of diet coke..haha..he wasn't a fan. We'll stick to the baby food for now.


Thanksgiving is such a great holiday to remember all of the small and simple things that we need to and should be thankful for. I wish that it didn't take a holiday to sometimes sit down and just be so grateful for so much, but I'll be the first to admit that life gets crazy and unfortunately it does take the holidays to get me into that mode sometimes. That is definitely one of my new year's resolutions. To give thanks in everything and always count all of our many blessings. I am so very grateful for my husband and the huge blessing he has been in my life. He has been a part of my life for the last 9 years (going on 10) and I honestly don't know where I'd be without him. He's the most kind, caring, loving guy I've ever met and I feel so lucky to be able to call him mine. He is always making me and Beckahm laugh. He is the greatest. I always knew he would be an amazing dad and he has more than exceeded my expectations in that area. I am grateful for our sweet little Beckahm and the person he has helped me to become. I didn't know such a great love existed. How I love this little boy.

Thanksgiving is usually a pretty hard holiday due to the fact that most times it lands on my moms birthday. I'm ready to be done having to celebrate the holidays without her. She is always thought of, but sometimes that's just not enough. I hate that she is having to miss so much of what is happening, the hardest part is knowing that it's hard for her too. I hope when she does get to come home that she'll tell her story. Her story about how SHE is a SURVIVOR. She deserves to be home with her family enjoying her life. It's hard knowing that so many people only know the 'hearsay' about her story, the most minute details were always left out. Which honestly is fine, it's fine because we DO  know, we always will, the past is the past and I can't wait to leave it there and have her home so we can throw big birthday and holiday celebrations for Grandma Cindy. I can't wait for her to finish her book about her amazing life story, a life story that is hands down going to have a happy ending. As hard as it is sometimes, I'm so thankful for the time that we've lost with each other. I'm thankful that the importance of family and spending time together has such a greater and deeper meaning for my family and I. I'm grateful because it helped shape who I am. It helped me become a better wife and mother, I know it did. It has helped to always remember to never take the small amount of precious time we have with each other for granted, ever. It helped me to always listen to all sides of a story and definitely not judge a book by it's cover (or a person by the story others tell). I'm so very grateful for my mom and all of the lessons she has helped me learn along the way. I'm grateful that she is able to be a role model for so many young girls that have ended up in bad situations. I'm grateful to know that her story is being told and is helping so many other people in the system. I'm grateful for all of the officers that are not just officers, but great friends with her and our family. I'm grateful for second chances. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have and can only hope that I will pass it on to my children and help mold them into being amazing, caring, non-judgmental people that love everyone. We love you mom and can't wait for the time when you are home to make us laugh, cook your amazing meals for us, and tell us story after story like you used to =). Beckahm loves hearing your voice, what an amazing day it will be when he gets to hear it in person and watch all of your funny expressions and laugh at your contagious laugh. Oh how grateful I will be. Here's to our last Thanksgiving/ Birthday we have to spend without you.

And of course a post wouldn't be a post without some pics of our little B. Happy Thanksgiving!