Love is....

When you first start dating someone it's all butterflies and sweetness. When you first get married you have the honeymoon phase where you are just so excited to be in love and happily married to this person. Then come the kids and everything changes. 

This parenting thing changes so much. It isn't a bad thing, it just changes so much. You talk about this little life that you both created. You talk about what things they do every day, the new things they learn, the victories, tantrums, and everything in between. 

We once texted about how we missed each other and how we loved each other. While we still do that our texts now have some hilarity to them that they lacked before. Now we talk about pooping in the potty and the victory celebration that took place in the bathroom after such a big moment for Talent. We also talk about all of the silly things Talent says through the day. Some things we just can't help but laugh. 

I try to always remember those times when we dated. Those moments during our honeymoon phase. I try to make sure and remind my husband that even though we are now parents, he still gives me butterflies every time I see his beautiful face. We have a chalkboard door in our kitchen and I write sweet messages to him on it when I can. Today I wrote him a message letting him know he is loved and that I'm proud to have him as my husband and the Dad to our sweet boy. I have always tried to make sure he knows he is important to me. I never wanted him to feel like he took a backseat once I became a mom. I hope I always remember to do that.

30

When I came into this world, I was blessed with two of the most amazing grandparents that ever walked the face of this earth. I wasn't their first grandchild, but, I was their favorite. (At least in my mind!) 

My Mammaw and Pawpaw are two of the greatest people that you will ever meet. They are kind, loving, giving...this list could go on for days on end and never list all of their wonderful qualities. They are amazing people. 

When we were little my Mammaw kept us while our Momma worked. We went to the grocery store and had break with Pawpaw. We built tents using sheets and chairs. We had tea parties with fancy glasses. We played outside in the boat. We had our own bible school durin the summer. We always had a blast. 

Mammaw taught me early to love cooking. She's taught me how to make her famous chocolate cream pies & her stuffing. We have always had fun cooking together. 

My Pawpaw taught me to fish. I remember going with him out on the boat. It was (and still is) one of the most thrilling things ever. 

Through my life I've always looked at my grandparents as an example of what a marriage should be. They have been married for what seems like a lifetime. They love each other completely. They take care of each other. They are best friends. It's a love like no other. One everyone should strive for. 

My grandparents have also been a constant example of how to live a Christian life. They love Jesus with all they have. They would drop everything to be with someone that needed them. They are true examples of what it is to live a Godly life. 

I'm so thankful that I've been able to spend so much time with them growing up. I'm glad I have them here to spoil my child and let him see what amazing people they are. I'm thankful that God blessed my family with such wonderful leaders. I love them more than I could ever express. 

29

I get up each day with aches and pains. I have problems with my jaw and am in pain a lot of days. I have a problem with migraines. I also have something wrong with my foot that I'm too scared to get checked out. But honestly, I'm not too bad off. I complain about these petty little aches and pains and never stop to think about the people that have it so much worse than I do. 

A friend's wife is having surgery next week. She has breast cancer. He has applied for FMLA and his employer did something wrong with the paperwork so he isn't going to get paid for the time he has already used taking her to the doctor and chemo. I am praying his employer does the right thing. I am also praying for his wife as she goes through surgery. 

There is a girl in my hometown who is dying of cancer. She is younger than me. She's a very talented photographer. Her family has chosen to be very open about this process. I haven't been able to get her out of my mind. She's brave in a time most people would fall apart. She chose not to do chemo. She didn't have good odds if she was treated with chemo so she decided she would rather not go through with it. I pray for her family and for her that they can get some sort of peace. 

I am thankful that I am not seriously ill. And I'm also thankful that God has given me the ability to pray for these people. I hope that instead of focusing on so much of my petty stuff I can remember to be thankful for what I have. 

28

I am so thankful for time spent with family. Thanksgiving was a long day but such a great day. We spent lunch with my parents and grandparents. It is always a blessing to be with them. Talent was spoiled, of course. 

Thanksgiving evening we went to my inlaw's house for dinner. We stayed and watched a basketball game and a little football, the guys were switching back and forth. Talent played with everyone. It was a nice time. 

I'm thankful for the time spent with family. I'm thankful for traditions we have started and continued. We are truly blessed with the family we have. 

27

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I remember when I was growing up we would get up and my Mom would have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on every tv in the house. She would be cooking and we would be watching the parade. We had this tradition every year. It's something that my brother and I still do. We get up and turn on the parade.

This year, I get to continue this tradition with my own baby. We tried it last year but he was so sick that it just didn't work out very well. But, I'm hoping tomorrow he will be excited about it. Tonight when I tucked him in, I told him about the big balloons he would get to see. I also told him about the "big booms" (floats/cars) he would see on tv. He seemed excited. I hope he enjoys it.

To get him started on a new tradition of our own tonight, we watched a movie as a family tonight. Mom sent home "Planes" yesterday and we decided to watch it. It was fun watching a movie together as a family. Afterwards Seth and Talent played ball in the hallway and I made pies. It's been a fun night together as a family. We let Talent stay up later than usual, I let him read more books than normal, and we just had a laid back night. It was fun. I'm looking forward to more new traditions with my sweet little family.

I'm so thankful that we are able to start new traditions and continue old ones. Having time with my precious family is always a blessing. But nights like tonight that are so relaxed and fun are just the best. I'm thankful that I have what I have. I'm thankful that my little family can spend holidays together. I am truly blessed beyond what I deserve. I don't know what I ever did to deserve the things that God has blessed me with, but, I am eternally grateful.

Some of my favorite pictures from recent family time.