Blessed?

John 1:16

I know I've posted about this time and time again but it can't hurt to be repeated right? Last night, once again I realized just how blessed I am to have certain men in my life. For a few days there it seemed as if plans would have to be adjusted for New Hampshire (a trip I look forward to all year long and enjoy having Eric and the girls take part in), I wouldn't get to go home for my cousin's wedding and so on. One of my blessings is my hubby and how he knows how much I love spending time with my family. I couldn't ask for a better family and I am proud of where I came from. We always have a great time together no matter what the event. Shoot, that shows by even watching football in the Mayo Clinic ICU back in October. My hubby knew how much I wanted to go home and be with my family for my cousins wedding even though we'll get to see some of them just a week or so later in New Hampshire. He was able to adjust his schedule such that I could go home. Not only could I go home, but due to the way we were trying to get my ticket, I will be getting to go home for almost a week! That's unheard of... especially considering the kicker, I'm going alone! We had originally intended for the trip just to be from Wed-Sun, the Sunday being Father's Day where I wanted to spend breakfast with my dad and be home in time to spend dinner with Eric, the father of my kiddos and the girls. It would have been the best of both worlds for me, but it didn't work out that way. I think I'm more sad about missing Father's Day with Eric and the girls, but he seems to be okay with it. Of course, by Sunday of that week, he may be singing a different tune. I think it will be good for him and the girls to have the time together even though he gets a decent amount of time with them now. Half the time they'd rather hang with him than me anyway! What's up with that?? :) It's fun to hear all the questions Nichole and Emily will ask and listen to Eric try to explain things in their terms. It's fun to hear the girls say things like I got even just this morning "Mom, remember when we went to go pick up Daddy in South Carolina?" (Referring to the night we picked him up from his deployment). I have such peace knowing how much their love their daddy even at such young ages and how much he loves them. So much he even played in a "band" with them last weekend. His guitar was made of those sticks you can put together with blocks. Some treasure box find from Nichole, but anyway. There was Emily the drummer, Nichole the conductor (mind you both girls were decked out in their princess attire of course) and then there was dad, the guitar player. I had taken Aspen to the dog park and when I came home, I got a performance of Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise". I love to watch them all interact, most of the time ;) I digress. Anyway, point being, they all share such a great relationship.

Bringing me to another blessing, my dad. Life hasn't been a bowl of cherries the past few months between moving and some other things, but whenever I've called my dad, I've always been cheered up right away. I think his new lungs put a little extra "spitfire" in him too ;) But I love it, it's right up my alley! He's always told me to remember the blessings I have in life and the husband and daughters I get to share those things with, even if it's not always the circumstances I'm wanting to be in. I simply have to remember that at least I'm wherever I am making memories with Eric and the girls and those memories will last forever and will hopefully outweigh the not so great memories. He's taught me to thank Grandma Hornsby for my love of taking pictures and not let there be a limit on who, what, when or why I take pictures even if my pictures aren't artsy looking or cute. They're cute (or handsome if Eric is in them) b/c it's my family. He's taught me that some things will never change that no matter how hard you try, you can't change someone or BE someone you aren't. Not everyone views life the same as I do or as Eric and I may, that doesn't make them wrong, it's just a way of life. Unfortunately I think I am just old school in some of my lines of thinking and I can't change that. I take that back, I could, but I won't. My kids will say "yes ma'am" "no ma'am" etc. It's common courtesy. That's something my dad taught me and I feel is important. Bottom line to all this rambling is I am blessed. Would I like things in my life to be different at times? Yes. Would I like to be back with some AF friends right now and not have them hurting being in a new place and having to meet new friends too? Yes. (Random I know sorry just another one of my feelings right now.) Are my kids healthy and growing babies? Yes. By the way, if you can tell me where the last 4 years have flown to since that's how old my youngest is, please fill me in. Am I blessed? Yes.

I am ever so thankful for a great relationship with my husband both as a husband and father. One that I trust leaving our kids with him for almost a week and knowing that there is a 50/50 shot of them surviving ;) Ha, that's his line, not mine :) I love that he's "got my back" and even if he may not show it as outwardly as most, he hurts for me when I'm hurting and this is his way of helping me get through it, by making himself available so I can spend time with others that mean the world to me.

I am so thankful and blessed to be getting to spend this coming Father's Day with one of the greatest men I know, my dad. And I have Timothy to thank.

I love you both.

It wouldn't be a proper post without at least a "shout out" to my brother and FIL too. Two more men I'm blessed to have in my life. Without them, life wouldn't be the same either. Love you guys too!