All you need is LOVE!

I am thankful for my husband.  He accepts me for my good and my bad. He loves my bad habits, my mood swings, even the dinner I burned, and he loves me unconditionally. He asks for nothing in return except for my devotion.  On September 22 2012, in front of family, friends and God we made a promise to each other to always love each other.

 He is my workout buddy.  He is my pig-out-on-junk-food partner. He is my best friend.  He is my husband. We love watching sports together, and going on adventures.  I couldn't have created someone more perfect for me if I tried.  He was created for me and I was made for him.

We met at West Virginia University and both worked at Bent Willey’s Bar.  After he graduated West Virginia and moving back to NJ we took some time apart.  Of course we found our way back to each other.  We have been together for almost 9 years. He moved to Maryland and found a job and we bought a house.  Sometimes I don’t think I give him the credit he deserves for making this huge commitment, and taking a chance.  He moved away from family, friends and the home where he grew up, all to be with me.  I cannot wait to grow old together. To raise a family and to watch him be the great father I know he will be.  He already is a great partner and provider.  He wakes up every day and takes the bus an hour to and from work each way.  He makes a 2 hour commute just so we can save money, to have other nice things.  I know this has to be a daily strain to commute this way.  He has already been so selfless in his sacrifices he has made for our future.  Things like moving to Maryland and even “little” things like his commute to save money aren’t so little to me.  They are examples of his character.

  

He listens to my bad days at work.  He supports my dreams, even if they seem impossible to most.  Even when my dreams seem impossible to me, when I have self-doubt he reminds me that I can accomplish any dream, and he reminds me that most importantly he believes in me and will be there by my side. He is my support while I am managing to go to school and work full time. I confide in him all my thoughts, secrets, and aspirations.  He never judges me.  He never makes me feel ashamed of who I am or what I want to be.  He truly loves me unconditionally.  I thank God everyday for giving me this man to call my husband.  I don’t know how I could go through life without him.

When the world seems crazy and at times impossible I just take a deep breath and know I will get through whatever obstacle life throws at me because I have him by my side. 

A year of thanks

As the year comes to a close, I reflect back on just how much has happened this year and how fortunate I am. 

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family.  My parents, grandparents, wife and wonderful daughter.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how fortunate I am to have all of them in my life, and how happy I am to be a part of theirs.  My Grandmother on my father’s side celebrated her 90^th birthday this year and it is a blessing to have her in such good health.  My grandfather (he husband) again celebrated another milestone as he reached his 95^th birthday and also is in terrific health.  Both are still married, live together unassisted and take great care of each other.   I can only hope that my life is a fulfilling.  My grandfather is my idol and I cherish and respect the lifelong lessons that he has taught and bestowed upon me.

I am thankful for my parents, they are both amazing people and have made me who I am today.  Although I have been out of the nest for MANY years (25 to be exact), the beliefs and values that they instilled in me as a child still carry with me to his day.   I am forever grateful for their unconditional love and continues support in everything I have done and accomplished in my life.

I am thankful for my wife.  She keeps me on my toes and is still the one for me.  She has been the better half for a number of years and I hope and pray that our relationship will continue to grow and strengthen for years to come.

I am thankful for my amazing 3-year old daughter Samarra.  She is my reason.  Of all the challenges that life has brought before me, none is more rewarding than being the father to such an amazing little girl.  Every day I am blessed by her presence and the undying sense of purpose she brings to my life.  She is an inspiration to me and inspires me to continue to become a better person.  The love between and parent and their child is one that cannot be expressed in words alone and I am forever blessed to have her in my life.

Finally, I am thankful for the great men and women who serve our Nation in harm’s way.   They are the protectors of our freedom and the keepers of the American way of life.  The sacrifices that they knowingly and willingly have made to our Nation should inspire us all to ask what we can do for our country.   These brave young men and women are the reason we, as a Nation are who we are today.  Despite our many struggles and frustrations, America remains and will always be the greatest nation in the world.  Our strength is in our diversity and it is our strength through diversity that will carry us through peace, war, trials and tribulations for millennia to come.  

Thankful

There are many things that I am thankful for. Let me get this long list started. I'd have to say the first thing I am thankful for is being in school. I work in the restaurant industry and everyday at work it makes me appreciate that I am trying to move forward with my life. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to be in school and learn and grow and further my education. I've had my ups and downs with school but it's been very worth it.

I am also thankful for my job. As I said before, I get very tired of it but I'm thankful to just have a job. I'm thankful for my managers who help deal with my schedule and are very understanding. The hours I work are wonderful with the hours of homework and other things involved in my life. 

I am beyond thankful for my loving, caring and supporting family. My family has always been there for me since I can remember. My mother has always been feisty and was never afraid to say anything to anyone if I was mistreated. It's funny because we are both small and she has a big mouth. My father is the most laid-back man I have ever met. I'm a big time daddy's girl and I don't know what I'd do without him. He's always understood everything I've been through and he never judges. My sister and I are five years and one day apart. We've always been close and it amazes me how close we are. She's a lot like my mother. My sister has two little girls. Ava is five and Isabella is seven months old. They are both like my very own. I watch them a good bit and I couldn't imagine life without them. They are like my own children. I am pretty much obsessed with these two little girls. 

 My pets are another thing I'm thankful for. I have two cats. I use to have a dog named Rocky but he passed away over a month ago and I'm just thankful I had four wonderful years with him. He was like my own baby. My cats names are Chloe and Sophie. Chloe is eleven years old and Sophie is almost two years old. My pets are my family and I'm devastated when they are gone.
 
I have an amazing boyfriend who would do anything for me. We've have our ups and downs but it's amazing how someone can be so involved in your life. We met three years ago and I wouldn't change any of it. We've become stronger as a couple and are moving in together shortly. Marriage is not on the list any time soon. 

Throughout my life I've had people come and go whether it be them willing to leave or them taken from me. Everyone I've met has impacted my life in some kind of way and I'm very thankful for that. I have been very fortunate and sometimes I take it for granted but I try everyday to appreciate my life and the people in it.

The final days of this semester are fast approaching and gosh I'm really thankful for that!  I feel like it's been a race to the finish these last two weeks.   Working a "nearly" full-time job while taking 12-credit hours every semester since 2011, I must say I'm proud and thankful I have the determination to see it to the finish!

Whew -  I just put the finishing touches on my final project for SMITW; finished a paper for another COMM class and now I'm sitting here at 12:01 AM Monday morning typing this blog post.  All I can say is I'm not typically a procrastinator but it seems I cut it close this time.   Anyway, I'm thankful that I'm nearly done with everything and can hit the sack in a few minutes!

All kidding aside, I have much to be thankful for in my life.   I am so beyond grateful for my  supportive and loving parents who made their home my home so that I could take however much time I need to determine my path in life.   Moving away from home nearly 30 years ago, now I'm back, and it's a blessing to be able to spend time with them and cherish the moments.

Now that I am back home I also have the added benefit of being only 15 minutes away from my two younger sisters.   I'm grateful that I get to spend quality "sister" time going to the movies, shopping, baking, and just being silly.    My brother also lives nearby and I get to enjoy and spoil his one-year-old little boy. 

Little boys are wonderful!  I should know - I have three who have grown into amazing young men, and I'm so proud and thankful to be their mom!   They truly inspire me to keep going and challenging myself to new opportunities.

I'm grateful for the special moments and time spent with loved ones and not so much the materialistic things.  This I know because so suddenly life can be taken away from you in an instant.  I see this first thing with my job working in a funeral home.   It makes me really appreciate that it's people and love that we need not so much "things".

Of course I have an endless list of what I'm thankful for:   friends, relatives, co-workers, my job, but most importantly, I'm thankful for all that God has given me.    I may not have much materially, but I have all I need:  love, support, and the strength to keep going even when things get tough.   And with that, I'll finish this up and finally get to bed. 

http://quotesaday.com/inspirational-quotes/inspirational-quotes-10-pics/

Thankful

Being thankful for things are one thing. Being thankful for life is another. People have been taken out of my life way to early but I don't allow myself to be mad or bitter. I wake up now everyday for a thankfulness that today has been given to me. I think my life would be very empty without my wife and wonderful daughter. I am so thankful for them that it gives me joy everyday to be along for the journey with them. I can not look at the past because we already have to many stressors in life and when we begin to look forward to what the day has to bring us then things become clear and life seems so short. I try not to take things for granted but there are moments when I do. I try to love on people more, spend more time listening and not talking about myself. I also try to write something nice to someone outside my daily walk either once a week or every few weeks. It makes me feel more complete in my life.

I couldn't write anything greater than claiming the most important thing I am thankful for is my relationship with the Lord. I am grateful for the opportunity that He has given me when I have messed up so much. I talk to HIM wherever or whenever I get the chance. I always know He is listening to me and always has time to fill my heart with JOY. I am not sure I would be here today with out the relationship I have committed to in giving my heart to the person that gave it all for me! I hope in time that I can make my Father in Heaven proud of the way I live my life here on earth.

I am also thankful for the opportunity to go back to school. I was a middle of the pack guy when it came to grades and out of my graduating class in High School I was like 47 out of 84. I got out of school and finished a two year degree and thought that would be it for me. I lucked out in life by getting jobs here and there and held my last job as a HR Manager for a mining company for over 10 years and when the mines started shutting down I lost my job. Something that scared me but instead of beating myself up over it I decided to go back to school. I have taken over 51 hours through WVU and will graduate on Dec. 20 with carrying over those 51 hours a 3.6 plus G.P.A. My wife is a principal and has 2 MA degree and I was always so proud of her but I am thankful I went back because now I know I can do it. I am thankful for making the decision to finishing my BA degree through WVU because I have always been a fan of the school. I am not stopping here I am now applying for University of South Florida for my MA degree and I hope to start by the summer semester.

Being thankful comes with living. When you live for yourself it tends to be a void in your life. When you live with PURPOSE you are excited to start your journey of every day.

Thankful

As I think about what I am thankful for my mind wanders to the movie American Beauty as Kevin Spacey is on the ground as his life flashes by and he thinks about the happiness he had in his life. From the mundane to the extraordinary, I have so much to be thankful for and so much to be happy about in my life. 

 http://www.movpins.com/dHQwMTY5NTQ3/american-beauty-%281999%29/still-854098176

Let’s start with the extraordinary. I can give two dates that provide the most happiness and thankfulness I have had in my life. The first date is December 22, 2007. The day my wife and I were married. That day forever changed my life. It started to lead me to the realization that I am not so big after all.  I was not the center of the universe anymore because I had someone to share this extraordinary journey of life with. 

 The next day that made me fully realize where I stand in the universe was May 10, 2011. This was the day my son was born. This is the day that changed everything in my life. The only thing that mattered was him. I was thankful when I heard him cry out into this world and it made me see how beautiful life truly is. It was truly a day to be thankful for. 

I know that family, happiness and love are all things that someone should be thankful for because there are many who are without these things. Beyond this though, the mundane things, the little things that can brighten the day are the interesting things that I am thankful for. 

I am thankful that I can still put my headphones on and listen to music and just take time to relax. I am thankful that I can take the time to sit and enjoy an ice cold drink that is hard or soft. I am thankful that I have made it this far and I have made it far enough to see those two extraordinary things happen in my life. I am thankful that I am able to keep moving forward whenever it sometimes seems as though someone is tapping the brakes. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to continue my education and have the opportunity to work hard to provide for my family. 

The list of things I am thankful for could go on and on. Quite simply, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be thankful and the opportunity to live life with people that I love and who love me. There used to be a time that I did not take the time to actually think about what I was thankful for and it was during this time that I was truly not happy. Sometimes the extraordinary things that come into your life are the things that make the mundane things that much better. The extraordinary things make everything brighter, clearer, beautiful and sweeter. And for this, I am truly thankful and fortunate beyond all belief.

Thankful

I was a rebellion teenager, and like many rebellious teenagers, I HATED going to church.  My parents, however, made me go..week after week.  I sat and sulked through many sermons--just waiting for the day that I could be free from the nonsense!  Then in 1995, a new pastor came.  He was younger than the usual pastor, and he and his wife were different than any people I had met.  They loved deeply and freely, and gradually my heart softened towards them, the church, and God.   For the past 18 years, Mike and Chris Lenz have been my pastors, and I am thankful for them.  Their guidance and prayer and friendship has changed my life.  I know so many people who are churchless because of a wound inflicted from a pastor or ministry leader.  I read stories of pastors who turn away from God and abandon their churches.  I am so thankful that I have a pastor and his wife who are a couple who have stuck with it, lived with integrity, and opened their lives to me and to others.  When Pastor Mike and Chris came to our church they were the age I am now and had young children, and now they are grandparents themselves and grandparents to those of us who are now parenting young children.  I look to them as an example of a Godly marriage and practical parenting.   They probably have no idea how much they influenced my life for good and how thankful I am for them!!  They truly were a God-send to that rebellious, sullen teenager, and I hate to think what my life would have been like without them.

Thankful for My Life.

I know this is going to sound so cliched but I am thankful for my life. Period. My life has changed so drastically over the past year. In fact, I have more events happening in the upcoming months. Let's start from the beginning. At the end of last October, my husband and I packed up our lives in Pittsburgh and moved to Charlotte. He was offered a phenomenal job and there was no way he could pass it up. We were not even engaged or married at the time so that was difficult. I had to make a sacrifice with my academics for him. It was worth it. I am thankful for the opportunity he was given. 

A few weeks after we moved I was able to find a great job teaching preschool. It was very, very rewarding. We decided that going to Pittsburgh for the Christmas holidays was just out of the question last year. Instead, Doug and I decided to spend a few days in the mountains. He proposed to me on an overlook on Chimney Rock. I am thankful for the beautiful view I experienced and for the love of my life. 

After that exciting milestone in our lives, we settled into a life of normalcy in  the winter and early spring months. He had to travel a lot with his new job. I was busy working and taking online classes full time. As you read, we were busy, busy, busy! I am thankful were both employed full time and did not have to struggle.

We kept busy on the weekends. We were currently living in an apartment so our next big step was to find a house. We would drive around the Lake Wylie area all day Saturday and Sunday looking at houses and land for sale. It was a great bonding experience for the both us since we hardly saw each other during the week. In the middle of March we found a beautiful house on the lake. We both fell in love with it instantly. Two weeks after we saw it we put a bid in. With a little negotiating it was ours! We closed on it April 15th and moved in May 1st. I am thankful for having shelter and finding our dream house. 

We own a wake boat and we moved in right at the beginning of the season. We were in heaven. His traveling was cut down. Unfortunately, I was still working and going to school full time. I took both summer sessions in order to graduate this December. In the middle of all this we discovered I was pregnant in the middle of July. We were not really planning on a baby in our lives. We were just too busy. We weren't even trying to plan our wedding yet! I feel God decided that we were missing on that experience. Our little girl will be joining our lives about mid March. We are so excited! I am thankful for the angel growing inside of me. 

Doug and I got married this past December at the county courthouse. Nothing big. Just a couple of neighbors who stood in to be our witnesses. It was perfect. This experience again made me thankful for Doug. 

Even though my life did not go as I had planned, I am still thankful for every second of it!

What I am Thankful For!

I am thankful for so much! First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that I have both of my parents by my side whenever I need or want them there. They are the most wonderful, supportive, loving people a person could ask for. They have been behind me on this long journey in obtaining my bachelors. They have been behind me through thick and thin in all aspects of the words. Marriages, divorces, work, and of course, the already mentioned schooling, they have been there. My children, gosh I am so very thankful for them. They are the light of my life. It was a long road getting each and every one of them, but worth every second, every shot, and every overnight stay at the hospital. I would change nothing about me medically to have had a child any easier because I know the chances I had at not having a one of them and appreciate and love them so much more. I am so thankful for my husband. We have been through thick and thin with each other and have come out stronger because of it, I would be lost without him.

 I am thankful for life and good health. My family has been touched many times this year by death. The biggest lose we had was my stepfather. He had been a part of my life since I was a child. Losing him was hard but it also opens your eyes to what you have. I am thankful I have good memories of him, I am thankful that he is no longer suffering, I am thankful that all of my children got to know him, even if it was only a few short years of their life. Losing a loved one makes you thankful for so many things and these are just a few that this experience has made me thankful for.

Other things I am thankful for would include a roof over my head, a warm home to come home to each day, food in my refrigerator to feed my family. I am thankful for work, which can be difficult to find this day and time. I am thankful for my fur babies, all thirty some of them (yes most are farm animals, however I love them just the same). I am also thankful that my husband allows me to have so many and that deep down he loves them as much as I do. I am just thankful to be alive and able to enjoy this beautiful world around us!

What I am Thankful For

             First and foremost I’m thankful for my family; they are nice, fun, sweet, and amazing people that will do anything for anyone.  The one thing that I’m most thankful for is that I have a mother and father that love me unconditionally. First ill talk about my mom, she is the most thoughtful person in the world she will give to the needy, help our church sit up for any event that happens to be going on at that point in time. She never complains about anything, she always has a smile on her face. Lives each day to the fullest I’m so thankful to call her mom.  The words that pop into my head when i think of my dad is loyal, strong willed, reliable, and churchgoing. The reason I say he is all these things is because he is always reading the bible so he is very loyal to the lord. I have always looked up to my dad he goes to work, comes home and does house work and helps my mom. If you knew my dad you know that you can rely on him for pretty much anything. Never have I heard him say he couldn’t or he was too busy he has always come up with what you needed or he always made time for you if you needed the extra hand.  Hilarious, sarcasm, and caring all these describe my little brother always knows how to put a smile on my face. Never has anything negative to say towards or about anybody else I know that he always has my back and that is why I’m thankful for my 

family.                     

 

                Friends are some of the most precious people in life. Not just in my life but in everyone else as well. People  don’t realize how important friends are they are a vent when you need to vent  they are your shoulder to cry on when you need one  or just people to have fun with and not have to worry about what they think. Fun, outgoing, and years are all words that describe my friends especially my best friends. The five most outgoing ladies I know they always say hi to me and see how I’m feeling  no matter how busy they are or I am ,we always make time for each other . I know that they would do anything for me and I would do the same. There are a lot of years between all of us we have seen the best parts of each others lives and we have send the worst but that’s what friends do they stick together no matter what through thick and thin and never complain about it. We all like to go to church with all of our parents and spend time together as a big church family and I am beyond grateful and thankful for that.

            Last but certainly not least I’m thankful for my amazing husband. We have a different marriage than people that are in civilian world. I don’t get to see him as much I would like to but it’s for a very good reason it’s because he is in the military. Not only does he protect his family but he also protects everyone else in the United States, he loves everything about it I know he wouldn’t trade it for the world. This man I call my husband gives me encouragement to achieve my goals and helps me with whatever he can. I am definitely the luckiest girl in the world to have such great people in my life that are always there for me. It was so hard to choose just three things to write about but I had the opportunity to tell people about because this is America land of the free and home of the brave and I’m thankful that I live here.