Overstuffed with daily bread

{pinterest}

I am horrible at keeping up on things, and so I didn't post all the things I was thankful for like I had planned on doing at the beginning of November. But I have just so many things to be thankful for that I figured I'd list them out in one post and maybe, just maybe, that could make up for it.

In addition to all the others I have listed, here are a few more things I'm thankful for:

1. Old friends - They know your dirt and still love you.

2. New friends - They are learning dirt and lovingly help you grow.

3. My job - puts a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back.

4. My home - a safe haven of love and creativity.

5. Cooking skills and food - Thank God for blessing me with cooking skills because I seriously can whip up some tasty and healthy food.

6. My boss - She is patient and easy going.

7. Wine - I really am thankful for it. Wine warms the heart and reddens the nose.

8. Laughter - It cures a multitude of ills.

9. Forgiveness - I'd be lost without it.

10. Love - most important of all and most thankful for. 

And this is how we spent our Thanksgiving - snuggling and reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for. Every good and perfect gift is from above.

“[Thanksgiving] I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—”  ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Thankful for my Bestie

I have been extremely blessed by the friendship of my bestie and "soulmate...of friends," Janellie.

So today, I'm thankful for:

Miss Janelle.

Miss Janelle is one of those friends that is more like family. A sister from another mother, if you will. She is also a mentor, confidant, adviser, personal comedian, life coach, etcetera, etcetera. 

We are one and the same. Well, that's not true, when you get her going she sounds a lot more like Eddie Murphy than me, but boy, is it glorious when she does. Ya see, if my writing changes when I start talking about this girl. I start using words like "glorious" and "etcetera, etcetera." She brings out the ridiculous, the real, and the best in me. 

We found each other at a very low point in our lives, both needing love, acceptance and strength. It is my personal belief that God placed her in my life for that purpose, which she continues to serve. She is another strong woman I dearly love. On a public level, her strength roars, and she is a beauty to behold. But in the quiet, raw moments, her strength really shines. She is one of God's really awesome blessings that I just know He must be so proud of. I'm sure that when He looks at her, He thinks "Dang, I did good on that one. Some of my best work."

This woman is a lot of things to me, but most of all, she is a blessing from God.

I love you, J.

Cousin Love

I love all my cousins dearly, but this little lady is not only one of my best friends, but she is also delivering her third child today. So, today I'm thankful for:

Cousin.

Cousin {as we affectionately call one another} was my first best friend I ever had, and we have been best friends ever since. From building forts (and locking her in them along with my other cousins) to picnics to inappropriate mullet haircuts to weddings, we have been there for one another. 

While I say this about pretty much all the women in my life, Cousin truly is one of the strongest women I know. She is a wonderful Cousin, wife, mother and Christian. She is extremely patient, forgiving, loving, wise, trustworthy and compassionate towards her family and others. She is a wonderful example to me of a wife and mother. I can only hope to be as patient and loving of a mother as she is one day. AND, she is funny to boot. Love this girl and her growing family that will become a family of 5 today!

The "Cousin" pose.

The In-Loves

In-Loves = Double the love, my friends. Unless they're scary in-loves and then its not so lovely. Fortunately, the Lord has my back and blessed me with a fabulous mother and father-in-loves. 

So today, I'm very VERY thankful for:

My In-Loves.

Where to begin with how thankful I am for these two folks? They are two of the best parents I know, next to my parents of course ;) HA! But they are extremely loving, supportive and strong for their family. They have created two of the strongest and kindest people I know, The Hubs and Abbs. I write like a dork, but I'm serious. I often ask them how they created such strong, independent (and stubborn) children, and they say "Oh ya know." But I think it was all by example. My father-in-love has a huge heart and would literally give the shirt off his back if I asked for it. And my mother-in-love is, well, a stud. She is extremely kind, hilarious, loving, giving and doesn't care what others think. She is a strong woman and fierce with love. 

If I ever need directions, I call the FIL. I know he'll always answer his phone and he'll always get on it right away. And if I get a text, it most likely is from MIL with some ridiculous photo or text that just makes me laugh and smile. They get me, and I get them. It works.

When I look at the both of them, I see strength. I'm not going to go into detail, except to say that they could have really failed at being parents and it would be understandable. But they rose above it by the skin of their teeth and put their family first. They are fighters, and I like that about them. I know that I have a lot to learn and take away from their example when I'm a mom, and I am so thankful that I have them to look up to. 

Love you In-Loves!

Abbi-dabbi-doo

I never had a sister, but always wanted one. And I finally got one the day I got married. 

Today, I am thankful for:

Miss Abbs.

I am very thankful and proud to call Abbi my sister-in-love. Not only because she is my sister-in-love, but because she is a wonderful example of strength, perseverance and love to me.

Abbi is my Hub's little sister, and she is the epitome of "kid sister" in the most positive, loving way. She adores, supports and loves her brother. She looks up to and respects him, and is his biggest fan, supporter and will beat you down if you do anything to hurt or upset him. Not that I know from personal experience, but you just get the hint by her actions and words towards him. Ain't nobody gonna mess around with him when she's around. And now that I'm in the family, she'll take you down if you mess with me too. And vice versa. I mean, fo realz. Just look at this picture of us. You're scared aren't you?

This girl got some serious strength and heart. When she is passionate about something, she goes for it with all her might. She loves and pursues life with abandonment. And while she acts all tough and whatnot, she has one of the biggest hearts I know. She isn't afraid of or judgmental of anyone. She embraces others with love and her sweet laughter. I've seen it first hand, and I am humbled by her spirit. 

She is hand-picked by God to be my sister-in-love. She has shown me much love, grace, strength and forgiveness, and I know that she only has more to show and give.

I love you, Miss Abbs. And while I know you are feeling awkward reading this (because she claims to "hate mushy stuff), I want you to know, it's all true. You are strong. You are kind. And you are important :)

And I love you.

Thankful for my Chimichangas

Today, I am so thankful for my two little Chimichangas:

Buddy & Peeps!

Aka my nephew and niece. I love these two little rascals. They are seriously the most adorable, well-mannered and awesome chillens you will ever meet. AND they speak English and Spanish, and they are only 5 and 4 years old. Hey, I'm their Tia (aunt), ok! An auntie can brag :)

Buddy and Peeps (their nicknames) bring so much happiness, joy, laughter and love to my life. I love being a Tia to these two lovey doveys. They give me oodles and oodles of hugs and kisses. They also think I'm awesome and make me feel pretty cool for an oldie. 

I also love watching these to accept my Hubs into their lives. They LOOOOOOVE Uncle Blake, and think he is just the coolest thing since sliced bread. Peeps is his biggest fan and side kick when he is around, and Buddy wants to grow up and be big and strong like Uncle Blake. Make my heart melt!

But what I love most about these two is that they remind me about God's love for us. Their child-like faith is so sweet and inspiring. They approach everything with trust and love, and are quick to forgive and give you a hug. They are the sweetest glimpses and reminders of God's love for me and you. Unconditional.

I'm over-the-moon blessed by their love and sweet souls, and I can't imagine life without them in it.

Thank you for your love, Buddy and Peeps. I pray that you will always embrace life with vigor, joy and laughter, love and forgive others unconditionally, and trust in God and learn to walk with Him throughout life's journey. 

God bless my sweet Buddy and Peeps.

My Sister-in-Love

A few years ago, God blessed me with a sister...in love. My brother's wife, Elsa, is truly a blessing to this family, which is why, I am thankful for my sister-in-love today.

Elsa.

I never would have thought there would be a woman out there who could tame my broseph. But along came Elsa. She has brought so much joy, love and happiness to my brother's life. AND, she is the mother to my favorite niece and nephew - Maya and Miguel. She is a wonderful example of a mother to me. She is playful, kind, patient, loving and nurturing to her family. She also is a great nester. She loves to cook, rearrange her furniture (multiple times a day!) and make her home peaceful and cozy for all who enter. 

If she is the hostess, she serves everyone till they are done with seconds, and THEN she might sit down and have a bite to eat, but that's doubtful. And don't even think about trying to clean her dishes. NO! You are the guest at her house, and guests do NOT do dishes. Unless she is the guest at your house, and then she cleans your house till it is spotless. She definitely has God's command of a "servant-like attitude" and "the first shall be the last" down, and of course, a smile and cheerful laugh to go along with it. 

My sister-in-love blesses my family's lives with her joyful spirit and serving heart. And I'm very thankful to call her my sister...in-love.