I am thankful

Though never worthy, I am blessed. I am blessed that I can't even count or name all the blessings in my life. But I can try, as this day also signifies the last Thusday, the last Thanksgiving, the last week as a family of 2. Awfully reflective, if you can imagine.

I'm thankful for traveling the country:
-for sinking my feet in sandy beaches on both coasts and on the most beautiful island I've ever seen
-for the chance to explore the mountains of Canada
-the coolness of the Alaskan rain forest
-eating delicious food in Savannah
-writing my son's name in the sand of South Carolina
-being rocked to sleep by the Pacific Ocean
-napping on my grandparent's couch

I'm thankful for my family:
-with whom I travel the country with
-with whom we can call up for last-minute dinners
-that pick me up from the airport
-that go to concerts with me
-that believe in God and attend church each week with us
-that listen and hug and cry when I'm in pain
-that buy us amazing things to support our growing family

I'm thankful for my friends:
-that listen to us drag on and on about our frustrations and still stick around for more
-that spend hours in my favorite coffee shop talking about life
-that bond over similar experiences
-that believe in me
-that share in hope
-that pray for me when I can't pray anymore
-that make me laugh until I cry
-that throw showers meant for someone far more deserving than I really am
-that love us as close to unconditionally as possible

I'm thankful for my husband. My wonderful, caring husband:
-for listening to me talk football and not think I'm stupid
-for rubbing my head when I have migraines
-for not calling me a hypochondriac
-who holds my hand each week when I give myself a shot
-that runs to the store for Kleenex and milk and toilet paper
-that tells me I look beautiful before church on Sundays
-that takes me to get donuts even though he can't eat them
-who tucks me into bed every night, whether we're angry or not
-who cries with me in good times and in bad
-who writes beautiful essays about our readiness as parents
-who surprises me with a nursery
-who buys a dream vacuum in a vacuum emergency
-who takes care of our bills so I don't have to worry
-who jumped head first into our journey to find our baby
-who prays for our baby, our family, and our troops overseas

I'm thankful for a brave young woman:
-who tried for love and didn't get it
-found herself a new love instead
-who knew that her new love needed more
-who knew SHE needed more
-who trusted in an amazing adoption agency
-and fell in love with two strangers
-who chose life for her love instead of an easy way out
-who suffers physically and emotionally in school each day for the one she loves
-who will go through unbearable pain to give her child life
-who will go on to accomplish her dreams
-and who will watch from afar as two strangers accomplish their dream
-who will watch her heart grow and grow and live and learn and love all from the outside
-who is trusting us to make this happen

I'm thankful for a little heartbeat that isn't even in the world yet:
-for staying strong
-for growing up healthily
-who will soon learn to trust two strangers
-who will one day meet his creator and understand the love she has for him

I'm thankful that next Thanksgiving we'll be a family of 3 dropping in on the rest of our growing families.

I'm thankful that I have trust in my God who provides far more than I deserve, who takes care of me, who trusts me to handle as much as I can handle.

I'm very, very thankful today. Still a little nervous, but thankful we've come this far and that hope will live on...no matter what happens.

Happy Thanksgiving!