un-con-ven-tion-al

If I had to chose 1 word to describe my life up until now...Unconventional. Next week is Thanksgiving, so I decided that I should need to count my blessings. Is my life perfect? No. Have I made mistakes? Yes. Would I change anything? Yes, who wouldn't? No. It's what has made me, well, ME! Take it or leave it right? So in honor of Thanksgiving, here are some things I have to be thankful for:

1. My fiance. He really is my rock, my best friend, my soul mate. I really don't know where I would be without him. He showed me that love was possible (other than my kids, because I love them, I already knew that much). I always used to think that people "faked" love. (I used to think: Who holds hands with there significant other? Not this girl, no way!) Now, I can't get enough of him. Ever. I cannot wait until April when I can call you my husband. I love you more than you'll ever know. More! (Bad pic of me...whoa.)

2. My kids. I have been a parent for 13 years. I don't remember what it was like without kids. I wouldn't trade them for the world either. I really would do anything for my kids. They amaze me. They make me laugh, smile even cry. Having kids is like having your heart beat on the outside. They are sponges, they are performers. They 3 very different kids. I have the Socialite, the Entertainer and well, we are still learning what J will be like but I'm guessing he'll be the Serious one (more like his Dad with his Mom's lack of patience). I can't wait to see what they will be like as adults. But not too soon! I want them to stay with me forever!

3. My friends. I really have some of the most supportive friends. Friends who have helped me move, let me cry, listened to my endless rants, talked me off the ledge, encouraged me when I needed to be encouraged. Friends who have made me smile, refilled my glass, made me dinner, helped clean my house. Friends who have been there when Family should have. Although we don't get to hang out as often as we would like or should, I love my friends dearly. They really are the family I wasn't born into.

4. My family.  I have an Aunt who is like a Mother to me. She has stepped in when other's have stepped out. I have Cousin's who are more like Sisters. The Sister's I didn't get (or know, who knows that's a whole new ball of wax folks!). Just thinking of them makes me laugh. Oh we need to get together ladies!

5. My soon to be In-Laws. I really geniunely love my fiance's family. All of them! They are a sincere, nice, loving, family. They are a very close knit group and I love that. They are all there for eachother. They have been nothing but supportive to our family. I just love them. From the Grandpa's to Grandma's, Aunt's to Uncle's, Brother's to Sister, to Cousins. I even love their pets.

Life is good. So many things to be thankful for.

I'm baaaaack.

So, it's been a while. Yeah, I suck. I get it. My friend Carolyn and I decided to start these at the same time. Her's is excellent, has a bizillion followers, etc. Mine? Well, mine sucks. I have 2. So here is my desperate attempt at Round 2 (ding, ding!)

I was trying to think of ideas for our family Christmas Card. I. Am. Running. Out. Of. Time. Thanksgiving is next week already? What happened to November? We bought a new camera in June (Father's Day present) so we should have a million pictures to choose from right? Wrong. Don't get me wrong, I took a million pictures, it just so happens that I have very few with all 3 kids in them. I do however have this. It's a gem.

This really does sum up our family. I think it's a keeper! "T" is thinking this whole idea is insane. "J" is just screaming, it was 1 second past his normal feeding time. "E" is just loving the leaves, has no care in the world really. I love my family. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like this photo.