i am thankful

We have so much to be thankful for on this beautiful Thanksgiving day.

One year ago today we received the call that changed our lives. I remember we were cleaning the house and preparing to go Dustyn's brother's house for Thanksgiving. (It was the day before Thanksgiving last year) The phone rang and I saw that it was LDS Family Services. I thought, Hmm... I wonder what they need. We had just renewed all of our stuff in the prior months, maybe they were just catching up with us. I didn't think much of it and went on my way as Dustyn answered the phone. He greeted one of the workers in the office. Not our case worker. Weird. Why would he be calling us? As I heard bits and pieces of the conversation, I quickly ran to Dustyn's side and listened to the one-sided conversation. Is this real? Is there really a birth mother that wants to meet us? Clearly I was hearing this all wrong! This was the first contact that we had received through our agency. I couldn't believe that a birth mother wanted to meet US!

We were going to meet her in just 10 short days. 10 days. How was I going to make it those 10 days. I wanted to tell the world. I wanted to be excited, ecstatic actually. Those 10 days we were cautious. Nervous. Scared. But, I couldn't keep the excitement from coming. I was most definitely excited.

We went to Thanksgiving at Dustyn's brother's house. We didn't tell anyone. It was hard. So very hard. With all of the past experiences that we had gone through we couldn't bare to hurt our families again. We kept it in.

Those 10 days were some of the longest days in my entire life.

10 days.




We had no idea that in exactly four months, our handsome son Gage would be born.




Happy 8 months, my handsome baby boy!

We hope you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

In preparation . . .

(image courtesy of flickr)

1. Sweet potatoes? With or without marshmellows?
WITH! And lots of brown sugar and pecans!  Mmm....

2. Green Bean Casserole? Like it or hate it?
Depends....  if I make it, like it.  If it's your average green been casserole, not so much.

3. Turkey or Ham or Turkducken or Tofuturkey?
Only turkey.  I don't do ham.

4. Pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie?
Umm...  Banana or Coconut Cream.

5. Cool Whip or Real Whipped Cream?
Real for sure.  Who cares about calories this time of year.  Not to say that I shouldn't.

6. Do you watch the Macy's parade?
Uh-huh!

7. Do you take a nap after eating the feast?
Depends.  Mostly, no.  We have a lot of festivities and just enjoying everyones company.

8. Do you participate in Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving sales)?
Umm...  no.  It scares me.  We have considered it this year just because there are going to be some great sales.  But come on...  we really only have Wal-Mart around here.  And maybe K-Mart.

9. What are you most thankful for this year?
Adoption.

Thankful

I have been down in bed for a few days with a bad back.  It's been pretty bad and I am so ready for it to be over.  I don't think I can lay here for much longer.  

But I am very thankful for a husband that is taking care of me.  He has had to do everything for me.  And I mean pretty much everything.  Plus he has been cooking dinner, cleaning (at least I think, I haven't been able to get up and see all his accomplishments, but I heard him cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes) and he is even gone now making my copies of the Sunday Program for tomorrow.  I am super lucky to have him!!  I am not sure I would have made it through without him.  Yeah, I am pretty sure I wouldn't have.

But on a positive note, I was finally able to get up and go to the bathroom all by myself this evening.  That is a HUGE improvement from that past couple of days.  I think I am coming along slowly but surely.  I am hoping to be up and going by Tuesday.  That is a realist goal, isn't it?  I sure hope so!

Dustyn, I love you lots and I am so thankful for all the help that you have given me.  (Believe me, it hasn't been pretty!!)  Thanks for loving me anyways and for always being there for me.  You are a huge blessing in my life and I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to be your Eternal Companion.  You make even the worst times more than bearable.  I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope that ya'll have a great day filled with fun and food!!

Here are some things that I am thankful for!!

*My Husband! He is one of the coolest people I know!! He is so patient with me and always takes care of me! He is so understanding and loving! I love him!!

*Adoption! I am so excited to adopt and expand our little family. I am so thankful for the adoption program that provides us with the opportunity to raise a child in our home.

*The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love the peace that I feel knowing the principles of the Gospel. I love the support and love that being a member of the Church provides. I love knowing that we can be an eternal family. I love the joy that the Gospel brings me in my everyday life.

*My Family. I am thankful for the continued support that our families give us. The road of adoption has been a long, trying process, but through it all we know that we have the love and support that we need to get through it all. They are excited for us to adopt and we appreciate the support they continue to show.

*My Home. I love the feeling of being home. I love the the home that our house has become. I love the spirit that resides in our home. I love taking care of it and making it an enjoyable place to live.

*The Holidays! I love the holidays! I love that we can get together with our families on the Holidays. It's such a great time of year full of love and togetherness.

*Friends. I love all my friends. Old and new. I know when things don't go perfectly right... I can fall back on my friends. I can always find a friend that can relate in one way or another. That is what helps me get through the hard times.

*My Trials. I am thankful that I am able to go through trials and tribulations and come out of them a better person. I know my trials are what make me me and make me who I have become. I am truly blessed.

*My Hannah. I miss her and love her, but I am thankful that I was able to hold her in my arms for a short time here on Earth. I am thankful of the knowledge of knowing that if we are faithful and worthy, we will see and hold our baby again. She is truly a blessing in our lives. She keeps me going and reminds me what I need to be doing to better my life.

*My Job. I love spending time with all of the kids in all the different schools. I love all that they teach me. I like using my brain and learning new things. Things I have long forgotten!!

I know these are just the basics... but I really am thankful for the life that I have and the happiness that surrounds me. My life is completely different than I ever imagined it to be... but you know what... it's better. I would never change it for the world. I love all the things that make me ME!