Thanksgiving

I decided that it was time to remind myself of all of my many blessings, and what a better time than Thanksgiving.

Like every year we spent Thanksgiving at my parent's house.  This year we were lucky enough to have my Aunt Karen, or Kay Kay as I call her, join us.  I'm not sure exactly, but I think the last time I saw her was in '06 when we got married.  I loved having her there with me and it was wonderful seeing her again this last week.  She drove all the way up here from Camarillo, CA by herself to be with us.

I can't remember a happier time in our family.  This year has been quite eventful for us.  First my baby sister graduated college after 5 years of hard work.  Watching her go through school has inspired me, made me proud and envious and the same time.  She chose an incredibly tough program and now has a degree in Architecture from U of O.  All the while she maintained a part time job, spent countless hours in studio and managed a ridiculously high GPA.  She is such a hard worker.  Everything she does is in an effort to perfect it.  Sometimes she gets frustrated when it can't be perfect or doesn't end up perfect but it makes her stronger and keeps her focused on her next task.  She has been so brave to move to a new city to be with the guy she loves.  She doesn't know many people, is uncomfortable and unsure.  She is still looking for a job after all of her hard work in school. She's going through a tough time, her resolve is being tested.  She is still chasing perfection.  I hope she can see this challenge as she's seen all of the rest, something that she will get through in time and to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Because like everything else, her hard work will pay off.  She is amazing.

Stacy continues to teach in a school where it seems no one cares more than she does.  It is hard for her (and all of us as bystanders) to watch and hear about kids who continue to fail due to lack of trying and lack of interest on the part of their parents.  It is a foreign idea to us.  How lucky that we grew up with parents and family that pushed us to succeed and picked us up when we didn't.  Stacy is such a passionate teacher, works such long hours each and every day in hopes that someone will care.  One day, I believe one of her past students will find her and explain to her how her leadership and love inspired them to do something better with their life.  How they did not end up a statistic, because of her.  She is amazing.

My other baby sister got married not even a month ago.  It was a day Tami has been thinking about and planning for awhile but in the end put together in a matter of a few short weeks.  The day was nothing less than magnificent.  She looked absolutely beautiful and her vision of her wedding day came to fruition.  The ballroom glowed and the details were elegant.  She thought of everything to make her day truly unique and special.  She should send pictures to magazines, we're talking that Martha Stewart B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.  At the end of the day, I gained a brother in law who is a wonderful man and will take great care of my sister.  He is so kind hearted and deserves nothing but the best of everything as well.  And.....he loves my kids.  And they love him.  Not only did Tami have a gorgeous wedding, she got a great guy.  She is amazing.

We welcomed our little baby boy into the world in August.  The time has gone so quickly and he is growing so fast.  It seems to be going faster than it did with Megan.  Maybe I just don't remember or maybe it's because I know he is our last little baby.  He is such pure joy.  His smile melts my heart and it's good he's not covered in chocolate because I would eat him up.  Megan is in love with him.  She is such a good big sister, always looking out for him, wanting to help and giving him her share of kisses.  I know that she will be his protector as they grow up together.

Every once in awhile I talk about Josh and it probably always sounds the same.  But that is about right, it is consistent, just as he is.  I could not imagine a better husband.  I can say in total honesty that I know he will love me for the rest of his life.  Really, how many people can say that?  I love him heart and soul and know he was the plan for me way before I ever knew it.  He was the guy I dreamed of before he had a name, before he had a face.  He is everything I never knew I always wanted. (I stole that line from a movie.)  He is a country boy at heart, can be a city boy when needed but ever a consistent husband, friend and father.  One thing I really admired of Josh when I first met him years and years ago was the depth of his character.  He wasn't "just" anything.  He was this and that and then some.  He doesn't have two dimensional beliefs, he can get along with anyone because he doesn't judge people.  He is our provider, works hard at a job that he doesn't necessarily love but knows it is the means to an end.  The roof over our head, the stuff that we have is all due to him.  But if we lost it all tomorrow, we would be okay.  We would have eachother and our beautiful babies.  He is amazing.

I have been blessed with not only two, but four parents who love us unconditionally.  Two by genetics and two by choice.  The song is definitely true about our step parents - "They didn't have to be."  Calling them step parents does them a disservice though because there should be nothing that separates them from being our parents.  They have all picked me up their full share of times and they probably aren't done yet.  Watching them with my children gave me a new perspective on them.  My relationships with them will be forever changed because I see them in a completely different light than I did as a child.  My family is blessed by them.  I will never be able to thank them enough for everything they do and everything they are.  They are amazing.

To all of you, I love you more than can ever be expressed.