After 6 months...

I feel like my last few blogs have been me complaining of all the ciaos that seems to be finding it's way into my life. I really do have a lot to be thankful for but some reason at this moment I can't seem to focus on those things. I've always said, I can do a 6 month deployment without a problem. I discovered this during the last one. It was after the 6 month mark that I seem to really wear thin and lose my mind. The same seems to be true this time. I know I just need a few weeks to gather myself but in the mean time I hate that I keep complaining. I really feel bad for my kids because I know my patience's is thin with them and though I tried to not take it out on them it seems they are pushing my buttons more than ever.

So I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the good things in my life. All the blessings God has given our family are not taken for granted and I have so much to thank God for yet sometimes I forget to say thanks. First and foremost, God has kept Aaron safe, not just for almost 7 months while in Iraq but for almost 31 months in Iraq. He has had more close calls than I care to think about and God has been there to bring him through each time. I can't thank God enough for those things. If he wasn't so closely guarded during those first 12 months I would have never been so blessed to have him brought into my life. Which brings me to another great blessing, the fact that I actually went with Karey to visit Ashley (I did not want to go with her that weekend) and I met the man of my dreams. And not only did I meet him but we both knew within one weekend that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. There really was no separating us from the moment we met. And then we have two amazing boys who are completely healthy and smart. One may be a little accident pron lately but nothing to life threatening!

Aaron and I both have good dependable jobs. We have a roof over our heads and vehicles to get us around. We have food on our table. We both have amazing families who would bend over backwards to help us in any way we needed them to.

And most importantly, God has saved both of our souls. Is there really anything else that we need? Sure we all face things in our life but those "things" only make us who we are. What we make of those "things" and how we deal and let them affect us only make us better or worse. I choose to let them make me better. We have moments where we feel like life is crashing down around us but it is at those moments when we need to slow down, look around at all the amazing things surrounding us...because usually it's all the little things that we forget to focus on. All the little things that we take for granted and forget to thank God for. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of this fast paced life that we forget the most important things are not money or personal belongings, but a sunny day, another wake up, another chance to be with those we love the most.

I heard someone say the other day that they felt like this world was Hell and we could only go up from here. That comment has really stuck with me because I can't disagree with it more. Maybe it's my religious upbringing but I don't compare this life to Hell at all. In fact I love my life and I enjoy living it. I look forward to living to be an old lady with Aaron in a rocking chair by my side while we watch our grandchildren and great-grandchildren run around and play in our yard. I find my life here on Earth pretty rewarding and I love every minute of it. I look forward to everyday I have with my husband and my kids and I wouldn't trade one moment of my life. God's blessings are so very appreciated and I want God to know just how thankful I am for every little thing in my life. Thank you God for the amazing life you have blessed me with! I truly have way more than I deserve!!!