She did it!

Remember when you were young, and dating someone, and people always said to you, "Remember, you not only marry the person, you marry their family as well!"  I remember hearing that often.  And probably didn't go out with some people a second or third time because of that fact :).  However, I have to say that when I met Jim, and then his family, I didn't think I would have a problem.  And, for the most part, I've been right!  (Well, there's still the little issue of my mother-in-law feeding my children Little Debbies for breakfast, which they still remember and hope she does whenever they see her at breakfast!)

Other than that, I have been so blessed.  Jim's family is so awesome. Over the years, we have had some really high highs (weddings, babies, etc.) and we have also had our share of sadness....but we have always come through with flying colors and probably a little better off because of it.

The past 2 years have been a little harder than most, as Jim's mom, Linda, has experienced some health problems.  If I remember correctly, it all started with a little hitch in her hip that she wanted to get fixed.  Well, one thing led to another, and she ended up getting her heart worked on, her thyroid worked on, her hip fixed (finally!) and, probably the scariest part, discovered breast cancer when all of that was over.

She has been through chemo (and actually has several more months of the "easier" kind (if there is such a thing)) and radiation.  A week ago, we celebrated her graduation from chemo with a lunch out.  Her daughter Jenny, sister in law Jean, sister Connie, a couple of other friends and I went to lunch to celebrate this momentous occasion.  As I sat at that lunch and looked around the table, it was an extraordinary moment to me.  She was sitting amidst people she had been around most of her life, celebrating her life!  There were balloons and flowers and of course a little wine to celebrate with.

I really wanted to write today about this remarkable woman who has raised such a great family (and a husband, too!) and is loved by so many.  So often we center ourselves around the painful part of cancer (many times, it's our only option), but today we celebrate a woman who faced her trial head on, rarely complaining and looking radiantly beautiful through the experience.

If I could have seen in the future when I was dating Jim into this beautiful family he is a part of, I would have thanked people for the lovely warning to be welcomed among them.  Linda, the trooper who fought her way through, and the rest who were all there with her every step of the way.

Hugs to you, Linda!

Attitude of Gratitude November 7

Today's gratitude probably should have come earlier, but other things worked better on the days I was thankful for them.  Because the #1 thing I am thankful for in my life is the love of my life, Jim.  My husband, my partner in crime, our kids' dad, provider for our family.....the list could go on.

We've had some really high highs (the births of our children come to mind :) -- and some really low lows (a few scary days after the twins' birth, the death of my parents) -- and he has been the voice of reason through it all.  He's been there to hold my hand, give me a hug, or just let me cry -- he's been my rock.

I have never in my life met someone so calm and level-headed.  God certainly knew what he was doing -- much better than I, when we met and fell in love.  I could never have dreamt that I could fall even more in love with him than the day we were married.

But, I have.  And he is there, day in and day out.....when I have crazy ideas and dreams......he either goes along with them, or calmly explains to me why I might want to reconsider.  Even when I know I am right :) -- he there to steer me in the right direction.

I'm sure our opposite personalities have made more than a few chuckle -- I'm a little more outgoing than him :) -- but we really are a great team!

I would never lead you to believe that we have been perfect, but I'm not sure who is.  But I DO know that I couldn't be happier with anyone else in this world -- (even Tom Cruise has proven to have had major faults!  LOL) -- and I'm thankful that God had a plan, and we chose to follow it.

In joining your lives may God grant you both...
Love... to afford each other a special quality of time together.
Joy...in the accomplishments of one another.
Understanding...that your interests and desires
will not always be the same.
Friendship...based on mutual trust.
Courage...to speak of a misunderstanding
and to work on a solution
before the setting of the sun.
Compassion...to comfort each other in pain and sorrow.
Foresight...to realize rainbows follow rainy days.
Imagination...to keep with you part of the child you used to be.
Mirth...from your sense of humor.
Awareness...to live each day with the knowledge
that there is no promise of tomorrow.
May God bless you and keep you
in the Palm of His hand.