Thankful Heart

Since it is the season of Thanksgiving I thought I would express my thankfulness. I have so much to be thankful for and I try very hard to never take any of it for granted. I will attempt to list the things I'm thankful for and give a brief commentary, but it could get long (just saying). First and foremost I am so thankful for my wonderful husband. I was unfortunate enough to experience some not so great marriages (2 as a matter of fact, sadly), but I honestly believe I had to go through those in order to find Tebo when I did and to be in the place I was in when we did finally meet and eventually get married. He has been such a blessing to me and not only did I have the honor of marrying my best friend and soul mate, but he blessed me a second time with three bonus children that I am so grateful to have in my life. They enrich my life in so many ways that it is so difficult to even put into words. Candi has blessed us with an amazing husband and we couldn't have asked for a better man for her. I'm also so grateful for my precious son. He has truly brought me so much joy than anything else in the world starting in May 25, 1988 to present and that joy has never been forgotten. That is joy my friends! I have so much pride for him and all he is doing as a Marine. I long for the day that he and I could have a date night again even if it's just once a year. I miss those. He has also blessed me with a precious bonus daughter. I can't think of a better partner for him. She has done an amazing job of supporting him while on deployment and I know that's not easy. I am so thankful for two sets of healthy parents. We have had our scares and they've had less than healthy moments, but that's what we get as we all mature, but for the most part they are healthy and happy and living life to the fullest. I am so blessed to have the best "bonus" family. Tebo's family has welcomed me into their family and it is as if I've always been there. We don't like "in-laws" so we use "bonus" and that's exactly what it feels like. They are precious and his mom is so much like my grandmother that I truly believe that had a lot to do with the Lord allowing me to meet Tebo. He gave me another Celeno (if that were ever possible) and I couldn't be more thankful for that. We are both blessed with great jobs and a great work environment and not everyone can say that these days. I appreciate the jobs we have and the home we live in, but more than that I am so thankful to have a loving family on all sides with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that feel like family. That alone makes us wealthy beyond words and that's all anyone can truly ever ask for. My prayer for our kids is perfectly said in a song by LeAnn Womack "I hope you Dance". I've told Chad and Tebo many times that I want that played at my funeral for all my kids (nieces and nephews included), because that's what I want for all of them. If you don't know the song you need to listen to it. As I welcome Thanksgiving (not my favorite holiday) I will be more conscious to make sure I let those in my life that I am thankful to have them and hug our kids a little more (those I can put my arms around) and hopefully get to talk to Chad and will hug Katie through the phone. Until you've had to spend holidays not seeing your kids or even hearing their voices it isn't as easy to understand that longing, but I know if I have confirmation he is safe and ok that will work for me until we welcome him home. I hope Katie feels my hugs in California as much and can't wait to hug all our kids that will be here Thursday. We always feel a little less complete when any of our kids are missing for one reason but they are always in my heart.