Giving Thanks

There's a new baby in the family. YESSSS!!! And, might I just say...Aunt Sarah is CRAZILY, MADLY IN LOVE WITH HER!!! I can't believe I had already forgotten what it was like...and since my itty, bitty baby days are over, I'm trying to take it ALL in and enjoy every second with her. And, it's official - she gets to stay. ;). We took Dominic up to meet her yesterday, and she passed the "smell test"! More on that later with pics.

I'm not sure what your situation is on this gorgeous Thanksgiving day. Everyone has their own, unique life happenings going on. Some are following their yearly traditions with feasts, friends, and football. I know one man who is waking up under a gazebo in Sedgwick County Park, living one more day, homeless. Others are biting the bullet and tolerating their annoying siblings just to "be there" for their parents. Some are thinking of their loved ones while working to protect yours. Some are grieving a recent death. Some are sitting in a hospital room celebrating a new baby, and some are watching their child receive chemo treatments. Others are getting chemo, themselves, or just praying their parent lives another day.

I don't know where this Thanksgiving finds you. In my family, the air is pretty sensitive. This first holiday season without Grandma V is beyond words. Many of you are aware that Sam lost his job last Friday. One of those circumstances, alone, is enough to make me want to curl up in bed all day, and both of them together have been good for nothing except paying the company that makes my migraine meds. On top of that, there are always family issues - every holiday, someone is upset with someone else, making the "gathering" that much more tense. It's just one of those things that comes with a big family. But you know what? It's our Thanksgiving. And, regardless, we're all trudging through it -- together. The raw emotions, the sharp words, the broken hearts. We're all in this together.

I'm so glad that my favorite holiday goes way beyond the mashed potatoes & green bean casserole (which I never liked until last year). Don't get me wrong - I will have a plentiful helping of each. But, I'm so very grateful for how this holiday serves as a reminder to myself that there is always someone else suffering a LOT more than I am.

I'm grateful for the life partner that God saw fit to give me. Sam, I know this has been one of the most stressful weeks since we have been together. I hope you will take a nice, deep breath, and enjoy the day as we watch our little monkeys eat & play. We got this. ;)

I'm grateful for the miracles. I'm grateful for God's timing. In the midst of our sorrow, we have been given something to be SO EXCITED about - what an incredible gift!!!

I'm grateful for my family. Yes, we have squabbles. Yes, we have different opinions. Yes, we push each other's buttons. But, you know what? When life gets tough, we are ALWAYS here for each other. One hundred percent. No matter what.

I'm grateful for my extended family & friends...near and far. Yes, that includes YOU. You have shaped the person who I have become. Thank you.

I'm grateful for the biggest, loudest, happiest soul in Heaven right now who is cheering me on in this hard journey called life. My heart misses her so much that it literally hurts, but my soul rejoices knowing she will be in my great cloud of witnesses that welcomes me Home someday. Grandma ~ it won't be the same this year. I love you so, so very much. I will do my best on the orange salad. ;)

There are two people who have changed my life forever. Because of them, I will always strive to be better, stronger, and wiser. Maya Jane & Gabriel Wyatt...you will never fully grasp just how much you are loved and adored. Thank you "for giving me AAAAAAAAAALL the kisses!!!" I will always do my best to make your Thanksgivings special!!! xoxoxoxoxo

I'm grateful for the One who gives me life...my Provider, my Comforter, my Sustainer. I'm so thankful for His timing. I'm thankful that His foolishness is wiser than my wisdom.

From my heart to yours...

Happy Thanksgiving,
Sarah