Thankful for Aunt Lila

Who, you ask, is Aunt Lila?  In a nutshell, she is my mom's sister.  That doesn't do justice to who she REALLY is. 

Many moons ago, when we had just gotten out of the Marine Corp and my hubby started college, we moved in with Aunt Lila, as a convenience to us and company for her.  Here we are, two plus decades later, and we are all still together. 

When we gave her the option a decade ago to stay in her house she'd lived in for 40+ years or move with us to the "country", much to our surprise (and delight), she chose the country.  Who says old folks are set in their ways?

So, she has seen us through two births, two adoptions (which we couldn't have done without her); two dogs, three cats, six chickens, two hamsters, a gecko, and many fish {all of which she has fed when we have gone on vacation}. 

She has done PILES of laundry {we get so tired of hearing "is this yours" or "whose is this"}.  She has saved my arse many times when kids needed picked up from somewhere and I was at work and she has wiped many snotty noses, bandaged many a boo boo and wiped many tears away.

What she has done for us is immeasurable and I know I don't thank her ever nearly enough .  She has seen the good, the bad and the ugly and while sometimes its been difficult having a non-traditional family, we wouldn't have had it any other way.  Who needs privacy anyway?

We have been so blessed to share our lives with Aunt Lila and for that, we are so VERY thankful.

Keep Trying - Thankful for My Buddy Zeus

 I really am thankful for so much in my life; guess I just have problems putting thoughts to "paper and pen".

Today as I look at my big guy laying curled up in a ball (its a big ball), I am thankful for the last eleven years I've had him in my life.  Hopeful for another eleven...

Zeus has been with us through a lot of change and he's been a trooper.  We've moved him, we've brought two more kids into his life that have poked, prodded and pulled...he hasn't cared a bit.  As long as he can be with us, and get the occasional "cookie", he's happy!

I watch him age and its hard.  The things he used to do, swim and boat with us, run after the quadrunner in the snow while Bern pulled the kids...for HOURS, run off and explore with our other dog; how I long for him to be able to do those things, but his tired old legs just don't let him.  Now he sits and watches as these things go around him, and he's still happy. 

When I say my prayers at bedtime, I ask the Lord to give me just one more day with my guy.  Everyone should have a Zeusy in their lives at some point, I'd just like to keep mine forever.

Thankful for My Hubby

The Hunter and Gatherer

The Provider and Daddy

My Lover and Sparring Partner

He's my guy and after almost 28 years of "sick and sin"

He's a keeper!

 {a tender moment so rarely captured on film}

My Savior

Today I am stating the obvious. 


I am so very thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  While I am not the most eloquent writer, and I don't wear my faith on my sleeve, I can tell you with complete honesty that I am a child of God.  Every day is a work in progress for me, but I know at the end of it, He is there for me, rooting me on, believing in me, forgiving me.  How Great is our God? 

You KNOW this is how He looks, right?


"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... For I am the LORD, your God." Isaiah 43:1-3 (New International Version)

Thankful

Someone, somewhere, thought it would be good to post in November reasons I am thankful {thanks Barb}.  I really REALLY need to do this; to heal, to remember and to just plain have a little fun in the midst of my drowning...in my own sorrows. 

My life, its such a blessing.  The Lord has been sooo very good to me, even when I haven't been so good. sigh*

So, like Barb, I will try to post something everyday that I am thankful for...

Today {and every day} I am thankful for my family.

Goofy as they may be, they keep me going...