So Grateful!

I’m thankful!

Thankful for summer vacation, although it’s not much different than my normal days. But the fact that we can get away to go see family because we have a million excuses, weddings, graduations, reunions, etc.

I’m grateful that there are no rules in this blogging world. I can take time off whenever I want and just unplug from the internet and tv altogether and when I come back, no one is holding a grudge that I’ve been gone, just eagerly awaiting to hear what has been going on.

I am grateful for a home. Look at this nice place, while there are people on the otherside of the world living in shacks or even less than that. I don’t deserve what I’ve got, so may I continue to be grateful. (In case you're wondering, I covered over the address for internet sake)

I am grateful for Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods and Wild Oats. We are completely spoiled living in Boulder County where people are more conscious of allergies, intolerances and health.

I am grateful for gardeners. After visiting my mom’s place and watching Asher eat blackberries and raspberries and strawberries right of the vine, I was so grateful that there are people out there that still grow things. In fact I’m so inspired that I brought home two tomato plants, two bell pepper plants, two banana pepper plants, parsley, mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, garlic and some other herbs back from my mom’s place. I can’t wait to eat my own home-grown food and not have to buy it at the store! (here are some pics from my mom's green house, her new business is called Sue's Country Garden, I'll will be displaying more from her later)

Grandparents. Very very grateful for them. They are the most wonderful things. They love your child, take of them for you (maybe even better than you do at times) and your kids are so happy to be with them. Asher has really been enjoying spending time with his grandparents. Ps. He also adores his time with his uncles Ezra and Drew.

Soooo grateful for a husband that is gorgeous, gentle, respectful, provider, my best friend, selfless, caring, loving, passionate, spontaneous, funny, flexible, hard-working, spiritual, happy, content!!! We went to my ten year high school reunion this last weekend and I wouldn’t have gotten through it without him. I’m sure I looked so much cooler because I was with him. Everyone thought he was adorable and nice and to my surprise, they weren’t incredibly turned off that he was a pastor and I’m a stay at home mom!!! **pics coming soon**

Let me leave you with some pics of my big boy. 15 months old, walking and so independent!

The Little Things

The other day a friend asked me how my christmas vacation was, she said, tell me a hi-light and a low-light. Well, there were so many things that could be highlights because we were so blessed. We got to spend time with JOsh's fam and mine. Asher had so much fun with his grammy and poppy Luse, aunts and uncles,cousins, his grandma sue, great grandma joe and papa joe and Oren.

But in the midst of all this blessing, I was struck with some negative news and it had me thinking really deeply about what Christmas is all about and much more. I guess I'm a sensitive person because I felt kind of down at Christmas time because of some of these negative things. A family member was in the hospital, very frail and weak, another family member was in jail and one of Josh's family members was in the hospital also and has since passed away.

To top it all off, I had some of my family members talk to me about being worried about my dad's health. I have always been daddy's little girl, so it tears me up to hear others concerned about his health, makes me just worry more. To make the story short on my dad. He used to be this happy, content guy, who loved his family and sang all the time. Anything you would say, he could start singing a song with that line in it. His favorite was the beattles and he can sing you every line of every song. In fact, I could probably sing you every line of every song, because I've absorbed all the music he used to play into my brain. My favorite song he would sing? "Julie, Julie, Julie, do you love me?"

But when my parents got divorced in the ninth grade, things changed. When they went their separate ways and my dad became a batchelor living all alone, his spirit began to harden. He hasn't sang since. He suffers with heart disease currently, has had a couple surgeries to avoid heart attacks. I wish he would stop smoking, but I think the cigarette has become his most reliable friend. (A friend that will take his life in the end). He doesn't have much motivation to get better, to change things, or even to get checked out when he needs to get checked out. He will mutter something stuborn like "Well, I've got nothing to live for." Oh, but you do Dad! Me! And your beautiful little Asher! (pic of Dad and Asher coming soon!)

Maybe Asher will be the one to change my father, he has this power and I know he's caught my father's heart. So, drum roll please, the high-light of my whole vacation is something so simple you might not even get, but try with me for a second.

We visited my dad again as we were headed back through Lincoln, on our way back to Boulder. We ate at Schlotsky's, Josh's favorite. They were playing Beattles songs on the radio. My dad was holding Asher and I went to the bathroom. My dad started humming to the song, of course we both knew it, I was in the bathroom having flash backs to the last time I heard my dad sing along, almost 13 years ago. I come out of the bathroom, and without drawing any attention to himself, without thinking twice, my dad starts singing the song to Asher. BREAKTHROUGH!!!! This was a big deal, and my heart was filled with all good emotions, love, pride, joy, hope, everything! It's small, but it's just the beginning. Thank you God for the little things!