Joy to the World

It’s 10:30 am, the Christmas music is playing Jim Brickman (my favorite!). Dylan is at school, Sydney is playing with her new monster play dough and the baby is sound asleep. I am at peace. This is a feeling that I regretfully do not get enough of these days. In this moment however, I am filled with so much JOY. I felt it was time to express it. To remember it always.

During this holiday season I have found myself overlooking all of the many blessing that I have in my life. I have to admit, I do more than my fair share of complaining. It needs to stop. I am working on it (and have been for several years…I may need some intervention soon J). So today, as I sit here in this moment, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and feel the need to say THANK YOU.

Thank you to the doctors, teachers, and therapists that work with my kids. You have incredibly hard jobs and I am so grateful to you for your service. I am so grateful to have you to help me in this child rearing process.

Thank you to my friends who put up with all my nervous tendencies, and insecurities. You make me smile when I am down. You give me breaks from reality when they are most needed. You are my Prozac! J

Thank you to my in-laws. We have been through our ups and downs just like any family does, and I can say, I love you more than I even knew I could. You are my family. You are my home. Thank you for loving me, and my family. Thank you for forgiving me and my MANY shortcomings. Thank you for your friendship. I may not be the most deserving of all of these blessings, but you have a way of making me feel like I am. Thank you!

Thank you to my family, for your love and guidance. To my parents for trying, for moving past, and for loving me and my kids. To my brother and sister who have played a large roll in my life to where I feel without them, I would be lost. I was so blessed to grow up with such wonderful people!

Thank you to my kids who continually push me and force me to be better. Thank you for you smiles, your hugs, your laughter and your love. Dylan: Thank you for your enthusiasm for life and learning, for your energy, for your drawings, and for your brilliant imagination. Sydney: Thank you for your love of singing and dancing, I mourn the day that you choose someone else as your dance partner. Macey: Thank you for your constant happiness. I will never tire of seeing that smile on your face, it truly is incredible! My life would be so empty without you three kids. Thank you for choosing me to me your mother. I am the luckiest lady alive! I love you!

A BIG thank you to my amazing husband. You are my confidant, my biggest fan, my everything. You are my man, (and since this is a public venue I will stop there). I love you babe! Thank you for being the most wonderful daddy and husband. Thank you for working so incredibly hard allowing me to stay home with our three babies, for never complaining about the daily frustrations, and for getting up with Dylan in the morning J. I don’t know how I ever deserved you but I must have done something right at some point (I guess tying you down and marrying you at 19 before you figured me out was the best decision EVER!).

Most of all, thank you to my Heavenly Father and Savior who have given me this life. Who have blessed me with all of you. Who have trusted me with these 3 beautiful children. Who continually answer my prayers and bless me with more than I deserve. Who have given me the gift of JOY.

Merry Christmas to you all. May we all celebrate the birth of our Savior and remember to give thanks for all that we have. We all have so much to be grateful for!