4 Months of Joy

Today's topic is a no brainer. Hands down this blog was easy as pie to choose. Today is Mr. Caleb's 4 month birthday and there is no doubt that I am incredibly thankful for him.

In these 4 extremely quick months he has brought more joy to my life than I could ever imagine and has taught me so much. To think that a little bitty guy like he is could teach me more about life and myself than I have learned throughout college is a crazy, but true, thought.

A girl couldn't ask for a better family.

I don't need to bore you all with how I could watch him for hours as he discovers more and more every day. If I could I would rock him to sleep every night and always read bedtime stories to him. Unfortunately, I know the day will come when I am not cool and he will be a "big boy" and he will no longer "need" his momma. So, until that dreaded day comes I am enjoying every moment, even if it includes the occasional 4:30 wake up call, I am soaking it all up and am thankful for absolutely every moment with my little boo boo.

Thanks for everything little guy, you will never know how much I love you and how grateful and blessed I am to have you in my life.

Domo Arigato Mr. Daddio

I know, I know, it's pretty cliche to write a blog about my mom and then about my dad, but it's true I am thankful for them both so very much and honestly could not have asked for a better set of parents (another cliche I know, but would I lie to you? I think not).

Hugging Dad before leaving our reception

 While Mom has always been my best friend, I am also very much a Daddy's girl. Dad has always been very busy with work but  never once that I can remember did he miss out on important things in his children's lives.

He was my date to the daddy/daughter square dance with Girl Scouts all those years ago, my number one fan at my boring swim meets and always my coach in softball. I would say for a CFO who works harder than anyone I know he deserves extra points for putting in all of this time that most dads miss out on.

Fighting back the tears as he walks me down the aisle

Sure there have been times I haven't always seen eye to eye with my dad (some of these times were even brought on by his involvement with my extracurricular- cough, cough- softball- cough, cough) but we always seem to get past our differences.

Now watching him as a "Papa J" is even cooler. He can't wait to teach Caleb how to fish (NEWSFLASH Dad, you may want to learn how to fish first :) ) and I know he will wear out all of the same jokes that my Grandpa Ehrhart told me, and I can't wait. I know he will be just as great of a Papa as he is my Daddy, and even though I'm a mom now, it's always comforting to know I'll always be his brown eyed girl.

And the thanks continue

So, since I am a mom, I am obviously lame, right? At least that's what the kid in the car commercials has me believing. So to go along with my lameness I am now a lame tv show watcher, and on the top of my lame mom tv show list that I watch is Dr. Phil.

Yesterday's topic was "Mommy  Confessions" and it reminded me of something I was already thankful of, but it just showed me how thankful I truly should be for this special person- my mom.

Mom & me at the Paula Deen event a couple

 

of years ago

Mom has always been my best friend, so this should really come as no surprise as anyone who knows me that I am dedicating one of my thankful posts to her.

Yesterday's Dr. Phil was just an eye opener though. He had some horrendous mothers on the show and there seemed to be a common theme among them- they each had horrible mothers as well.

So, not only am I grateful for the wonderful mother I have, but as a mother now myself I am even more grateful because I hope that I can use her as a role model and be just as wonderful of a mother to Caleb and any future little ones.

But, why, you may ask, is my momma so wonderful? I couldn't ever express is words all of the great qualities of Mom, but I can tell you that she listens to everything, no matter the time, no matter the topic and no matter what she is doing. She is always there for you, even if you are on a far away island and it's the wee hours of the morning for her, she is going to listen and do her best to help whatever the situation.

She is a great role model as far as a faithful and loving wife goes as well. She is also one of the strongest Christian women I know and always seems to be serving someone is some manner- even if it's just keeping sweet little Annabelle. Hey, no one said that grandparents are required to give up their lives and watch the grandkids. Sure they may enjoy being with the little ones, but trust me it's a big sacrifice.

She's a whole lot more, but basically she's my mom and I am so thankful for that!

Helpful Husband

Daniel and his mini me. Love these boys!

Today, I am going to get a little sappy on you.

Today's topic I am thankful for is my husband.
Seriously, I know that Daniel and I have been together for nearly 9 years, but I have never loved him as much as I have these past 4 months since Caleb was born, and I thought I loved him all that I could love anyone before the little dude was born.
Daniel is a wonderful father, husband and friend and all of this was so clearly shown last week when I was sick.

I don't know if most of you know this or not, but mommas don't get sick days. We don't get a break-- it doesn't matter how sick we are.

Well, last week I was the sickest I have been, other than the Swine Flu, in years, and this even rivaled the Swine Flu. Monday night it hit and my temperature skyrocketed to 102. I was getting violently ill and could barely hold myself up to walk.

My sweet husband stepped in and took charge. He rushed me to the doctor, got me checked out and sent home. Then he went to Walgreens (all the while he had called in help for the baby so I was baby free) and got my medicine and a Sprite that I had requested. He then proceeded to stay home from work the next day and a half all to dote on me. He even came in and checked on me while I was sleeping because I was so dead to the world. I did not even know this until he made a comment about it in passing and I thought, that is the sweetest thing ever.

None of this may sound big to you, but ask your moms if you dads ever stayed home from work to take care of her and the kids. I am doubting that answer is no. Most dads don't have the time or think that moms are superheroes and can always handle it all.

Well, I definitely couldn't have handled a 3 month old for those 3 days and I am so grateful to have had my sweet husband there for the rescue.

This is just one of the many things, but to me this just exemplified his loving spirit the best.

So, thanks hubby, today and everyday I am going to celebrate being thankful for you in my life.

Thankful to be

No, seriously, after the week we've had I am just thankful to be. Plain and simple. That's all-- thankful to be.

Had the flu last week. Check. Terrible car accident over the weekend. Check check. Child fell from his swing and landed on the hardwood floor. Check, check, check.

Then, today when I was silly enough to think everything was going to be turned around for the better because my in-laws were letting us borrow a car while Mrs. Dreher was out of town, that car breaks down and we have to have it towed to the same car lot my car is sitting at currently. Which, may I add, is probably smelly as all get out by now because it has been raining since Sunday night and since my car doors don't close now my car is drenched and dude's insurance WILL NOT CALL US BACK!

OK, I need to take a second and "Woosa" as they say in "Bad Boys II" because this is a thankful post and I am getting a bit frustrated. Anyway, throughout all of this mess I am still trying to be thankful and know that God blesses though all.

I am thankful that I was able to go to the doctor last week to get some medicine to help alleviate some of the nausea. Thankful that we are all OK after the car accident, and that, fingers crossed, the dude's insurance is going to pay for my car to get fixed. Thankful that Caleb was OK after his fall and that I am able to be home with him, because gracious me, we all know I'd be a mess  a bigger mess if these things happened while I wasn't here. And finally I am thankful that I have a blog to vent about everything on and maybe, just maybe, the occasional reader to read and enjoy my venting.