Thankful Thursday

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

How is it possible to feel like you are losing something that was never yours to begin with? That was the thought running through my mind as I woke up this morning. However, on this Thursday, November 11, 2010 I have so much more to be thankful for.

It is Veteran's Day and though my company does not observe this holiday, I still am thankful for all the men and women who fight for our country and our freedom. Living in San Diego, which is home to many military bases, I see daily the men and women who work tirelessly and put their lives on the line for us.

I am blessed with friends who are willing to share even the smallest things to make my life easier and less stressful. They open their home and make me feel welcome and part of the family. I can count on my friends to listen, lend a shoulder, make me laugh, etc.

On 11/11/11, I will have the privilege of standing next to my sister at her wedding in exactly one year as her Maid of Honor. She has created a beautiful and loving home and life with her fiance and I have enjoyed many trips to San Jose to visit her. I will also be Auntie for the 3rd time to their child (my bambino).

I am so so thankful to be an Aunt. I know I have been able to share a unique and special relationship with my niece and nephew. I have and always will feel like they are "mine" even though I did not give birth to them, I love them no less. I may not have children of my own, but the Lord put these two special children in my life for a reason and for that I will always be grateful.

I am blessed to have a sister (in law) who has been in my life for 17 years, but feels like she has been there my entire life. She shares her children with me and I can't thank her enough for that.

So I may feel like I am losing, but I am really already a winner!

Happiness

Happiness is never stopping to think if you are. ~Palmer Sondreal

My blog post today is about things that make me happy w/out having to think about it. I’m sticking with the Thankful theme for the month of November and hope to continue writing this month to remind myself all that I am blessed with.

Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord! ~Author Unknown

Every night as I close my eyes, I talk with the Lord. I turn all my worries over to Him. It gives me such peace to know that He will take these things off my mind so I can sleep soundly and start the next day anew. Our God is great!

While we try to teach our children all about life,Our children teach us what life is all about.~Angela Schwindt

I love my niece and nephew with all my heart and soul! They teach me something new every time I am with them. Last night I was able to spend time with them. I read books to my niece as I have done since she was born and for the 2nd time she read to me. Wow! What a proud and uplifting moment to know she CAN read and ENJOYS it as much as I do. It is so bittersweet to be reminded of how grown up she is becoming but to miss that dear precious baby she once was. And my nephew… To see his memory work and for him to remember our games we play, such as airplane. “up high, Ti Ti”, He says with the hugest smile. He giggles are music to my heart. I got to tuck them into bed last night and they both came back out to the living room and asked to be tucked in again. God, Thank You for these two precious beings in my life.

Babies are such a nice way to start people. ~Don Herrold

My bambino, you are growing in my little sister’s belly now. I wonder if you are going to be my niece or my nephew. I secretly wish for both and can’t make up my mind which you will be. I love you already! I can’t wait to begin to make memories with you as I do with Jordan and Brayden. I am already starting to think about your mommy’s baby shower and whether you will make your arrival as expected on June 5th or will you come early in May. Hang tight in there and know you are so loved by God!

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. ~Author Unknown

I am the type to have a few really great friends. I have friends that I can be completely honest with and know that they will not be hurt by my truthful words. I don’t believe in sugar coating anything. And I expect the same from them. I can laugh with them AND cry with them. Making memories only we share.

You can't wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Author Unknown

I absolutely love hugs! They can make any day brighter. Some of the best hugs I have received recently have been from new friends. There is nothing better than a warm hug! Hugs provide a great shoulder to lean on as well. I wasn’t raised in a ‘huggy’ family, but I make sure my niece and nephew are hugged at least a hundred times when I am with them. I want them to be able to accept and give hugs throughout their life because they can make all the difference in someone’s day.

I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom. ~Author Unknown

A Time to Be Thankful

This post was going to start with all the things I don't have and want, but I have changed my mind and have decided to remind myself of all the things I am Thankful for.

GOD

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The verse I live by. My God loves me and I can seek his counsel at any time. He fulfills my life & my heart like no other can. He has a plan for my life, which at times I tend to wonder about, but know that only He has my best intentions at heart. I am a daughter of the one and only Father. I am so thankful that I have God in my life! Do you know God? If you don’t, then He is a Best Friend and Father you should know.


Parents

My parents (who have been married for 40 years) and gave me life. They are my heroes! I look up to them and can only dream of finding a love like theirs. And watching them with their grandchildren fills my heart. They have taught me love, kindness, compassion, and humility. They have given me shelter, love, hugs, and a deep sense of what Family truly means. I am so thankful to have them both still alive and in my life.


Niece & Nephew

I am so thankful to be their Auntie (TaTa & TiTi)! If I never experience having children of my own, I will have known what it is like to be a surrogate to them. I enjoy taking in every moment and being present at all times with them. To see the world through their eyes is marvelous and amazing. Their perspective on life is innocent and refreshing. And their laughter is music to my ears! I have been so blessed to be active in their lives since they day they were each born. Celebrating Birthdays, Going to Disneyland, Sea World, Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Circus, Pumpkin Patches. And because of my niece I have begun to build my relationship with the Lord. I will never let her forget how much that means to me.


Bambino

Oh, Bambino – You aren’t even here yet and I love you already. Whether I have a niece or nephew I can’t wait to be your Auntie. I will teach you all I can and you can teach me Spanish.


I am also thankful for my brother and his wife Mandie (who is the best Sister-in-Law a girl could ever have), my little sister, my friends, and for having a job.

I am so blessed and need to remind myself of this when I have a "low"/"poor me" moment.

Thanks to all my blessings this November and always!

Happy Fall Y'all

Those two kids in this picture are getting so big. The boy just turned 3 last month and the girl just started 1st grade. Wow! Time flies... and I miss them all the time. I don't see them as often now that I have moved to North County. I get them next weekend though and I cannot wait.

I really need to write on here more so I can document the events in my life. Last weekend was my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary. We had a wonderful time with my whole family @ Disneyland.

I am planning our Housewarming party for this month. Work was crazy for Fiscal Year End and I am so happy that it is over and it is the "new" year. Been attending church on Wednesday evenings @ Maranatha Chapel. It is my time to not think about anything but the Lord. So happy that it is Fall and the weather is cooling off. Time to put up the Halloween decorations :-)

The Reserve

I am moving! August 27th! 4s Ranch here I come!

So lets back up a little shall we and reminisce about the last 5 months since I last posted.

* March - Jordan's birthday and she received the Fabulous Falcon Citizen of the Month for her class. I began my Real Estate Principles class online. A couple of trips to Sea World thrown in and it was a great month!

* April - the 5th - a day that changed my future forever. I underwent Gastric Bypass surgery and have since lost 62 pounds! It is one of the best things I have ever done for myself and my health and my future. I have so much energy and can keep up with the kids! I was off of work for 3 weeks and returned at the end of April. It was a long 7 month journey to get my authorization for surgery but worth every hurdle.

* May - a month of Birthdays... I turned 38 on Mother's Day. We went to the Padres Game this month and I completed both of my online classes with Straight A's. We took a trip to San Jose to watch my little sister graduate from Nursing School. I am so proud of the woman and nurse she has become. She became engaged in February to the love of her life. She will make a wonderful wife and mother one day.

* June - Jordan graduated from Kindergarten and became a 1st grader. She is growing up! She also danced/performed in the San Diego County Fair.

* July - Took a tour of my future apartment home on the 9th. Everything fell into place magically. Jordan danced one more time @ the Fair. Brayden finally began to talk. What a difference. I helped w/my sis-in-law in the nursery @ church during VBS week. Spent some time with sis-in-law's family from Arkansas & Missouri at the beach. Went to the San Diego Zoo with my brother, sis-in-law and the kids. And threw my sister's engagement party with the Bridesmaids. What a wonderful evening!

It is now August and my next two classes begin in a few weeks. I move in 24 days. So Christina approached me about moving in with her last month while her mom was in Sweden. We found a place that is perfect. We got a great move-in special. The community has a resort style pool, fitness center, and cooking classes. I can't wait to learn to cook :-) We have the best corner apt in the back of the community with a single car garage and a view of the sunset from the balcony every evening! All we needed was her mom's stamp of approval... which she provided last night. So it is official! I will soon be a resident of North County. Moving out of the east is going to be strange and exciting! Time to start packing those boxes! I am so blessed by the LORD and can't wait for this new adventure to begin!

Six

Jordan girl you are six today! You were born on March 11, 2004 @ about 9:35 am. I remember the night before you were born. Your daddy called @ 10:00 pm to let us know you were on your way into our world. I slept all night in my clothes (well, I tried to sleep). I got to the hospital @ 7:30 am and you still had not made your grand appearance. Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Lisa, Great Aunt Jackie and many others came to see you after you arrived. I stayed at the hospital all day and you captured my heart! I was so blessed to be between jobs and spend the 1st two weeks of your life @ your house every day helping mommy. The last 6 years have been the biggest blessing in my life. I love you with all my heart. You have gone from adoring Elmo and Barney to Princesses. You have learned so much at your kindergarten this year. You have the best sense of humor and make us all laugh. One of your favorite things to talk about are pranks. You just began ballet and told us that you next want to study karate. You are the best big sister to your little brother. He absolutely adores you. I love watching the two of you together as someday you will go your separate ways, but I wish you two to be so close as well. You love to draw and color. We are spending your birthday weekend camping and then you will have your 1st birthday party with all your kindergarten classmates. You have talked this party up as everyone has made a point to RSVP. They don't want to miss that Bounce House or as you put it "they just want to come see me." Jordan, I love you so much! You are the best niece ever!

June 04, 1970 - February 28, 2010

I write this post with a heavy heart. A man I once spent two years of my life with is gone. Lives shattered by a Drunk Driver while he was on duty protecting and serving. He service to a community doing a job he loved dearly. We dated before he became a Sheriff Deputy, but it was in his heart at that time to become an officer of the community. I saw him again @ School when he was accepted into the Sheriff Academy. He had attained his goal, his dream. I always knew he would be the best officer because of his pursuit to ensure other's safety before his own. He instilled goals in me to pursue to my education, be safe when driving, never drink and drive because as he told me " I do not want to be the officer that gets the call telling me you were involved in an accident." We did not end on a negative note. We just had different goals in life. His was to pursue his dream of becoming a Sheriff. Mine was not so certain at the time, but we had come to a crossroad and it was time to move on. I will never forget the time he was in my life. I know he was doing what he loved. He had his loving family on his side. He was a best friend to many. He will be so dearly missed, but never forgotten. He is with Jesus now and his parents. He looks down upon us and will forever be our guardian angel. I will never regret leaving that note on his car... RIP Cabby!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=376179572785

Things About 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you had never done before?

I was baptized on 11/08/2009.

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?

I don't make resolutions. I just try to work on making myself better.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Haylee and Ava were born.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No

5. What places have you visited?

Las Vegas, San Jose, Santa Cruz

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More patience, and more time with God

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched in your memory and why?

Sept 8th, Jordan's 1st day of Kindergarten.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?

I was awarded Employee of the Month for November 2009 @ work.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I was stung by a bee twice this summer while swimming. And I had pneumonia in December.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

A plane ticket to go to Lake Tahoe with my sister.

11. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, and activities w/the kids.

12. What do you wish you would have done less of?

Stress about money and the future.

13. What was your favorite TV program?

24, Criminal Minds, Real Housewives, Ghost Whisperer

14. What was the best book you read this year?

The Sisterhood Series by Fern Micheals and the Charlene Harris "True Blood" series

15. What was your favorite film of the year?

UP

16. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 38 and went to dinner @ Hooley's with my family.