November First, Two-thousand and Twelve.

And so it begins, the anticipation for Thanksgiving. The anticipation for Wyatt's 3rd birthday, Paislee's first birthday and of COURSE Christmas.
I don't think I could be more excited!
This is my favorite time of year, and also the hardest time of year for me. It's a strange thing. I don't get it, but I am putting all of my effort into being excited and hoping that I can ignore the depression that seems to hit me this time every year.
We went trick or treating last night. We have taken Wyatt to a local trick or treat event the past two years but this year he got to go out on the town hehe. His father, grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt and his cousins and of course myself and his little sister all went walking around the town of Griswold. The weather was fantastic and the kids had so much fun. Wyatt doesn't do too well around large crowds, but other than wanting to play on the John Deere tractor he saw working in someone's yard, he did pretty well with minimal melt downs.
We then went to Damyn & Dacee's {ty's brother and his wife} for dinner with everyone. The kids got a chance to play some more. Wyatt really loves his cousins SO much and of course Paislee had fun trying to keep up with all of them.
It did my heart so much good to be with all of them and experience this big first for my kiddos. I also realized that as parents we don't do all of this stuff cos we WANT to necessarily but we do it for our children. For the memories that they {and we} will carry for the rest of our lives.
It's hard to pull myself outta my own world sometimes. I get so wrapped up with my business, trying to keep everyone happy... taking care of my kids and trying as hard as I can to make sure they've got everything they need, physically, emotionally... educationally, spiritually. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best yet I feel like I fall short and I beat myself up. So today begins my path of thankfulness. Every day even if it's just a few words, I'll blog about something I'm thankful for.
Today it's my children and family. With everything I've been through in my life, if I've done nothing else great... I KNOW that my children are a gift to this Earth. They are wonderful, smart, caring, funny and adorable. I gave the world these children and I'm thankful that the good Lord trusted these children to my husband and I and I will never let a day go by that I don't thank God for bringing my life to the place it is right now.
There are a lot of things I wish for... a relationship with my father. A healthier relationship with my mother. But God has seen the vacancy for those things in my heart and has given me my husband and his incredible family. For that I am SO SO SO thankful. My sister in law and I started out rocky but today I'm so thankful to have her and consider her my sister. That's it. No "my husband's brother's wife.." their kids are my nieces and nephew. I love all of Tyler's family so much and am so thankful that no matter what has gone on.. or how I have messed up. They've forgiven me and never ever ever have I had to question their love for my children or myself. I am blessed.
So as I wrap this up, I leave you with a couple of Halloween images of my children and my nieces and nephew. God bless, namaste and take care.
xoxo
Mandi