Thankful series part 3

I am thankful for Luke and Amy (and their two boys).

Luke is John's brother and Amy is his wife.

We aren't the closest, but I do love them and am thankful to call them family. Amy and Luke are 5 years older than John which makes them 7 years older than me. Because John and I married young- the age difference played a bit of a factor. I was young and naive and had A LOT of growing up to do. But now that we are getting older and wiser...I think they are starting to consider me an equal. :)

I am thankful for Luke because he is the complete opposite of John. They butt heads and see things differently. BUT I think that can be a good thing. They help run the family business and its important to challenge ideas and gain new perspectives. Having opposite views helps to insure all bases are covered. Luke is the quintessential big brother always having to be the leader and in charge and John is the typical little brother always trying to gain his brother's respect. But deep down they are family and love each other. They have common goals and interests.  Working with family is tricky- but they are getting it done! I also like Luke because in some ways we are similar. He will probably flip his lid when (or if) he reads this. Probably thinking I'm off my rocker. But one way we are similar is that we are both quiet and have spouses that like to talk. Our lack of eagerness to talk to everyone may come off as a bit rude and in my case, bitchy. But that's not the case.... I see it as our spouses talk enough for the both of us!;) Luke is also crazy smart, a little adventurous and has some pretty sweet hair!

I am thankful for Amy. She is the closest thing I have to a 'sister'. She is someone I can talk to, conspire with and vent to about family matters. Some aspects of our childhood are similar...so having someone who understands family drama and nuttiness is nice. We aren't super close, but I think there is an understanding there that we are family and we are in this together. We have similar views and hopes that our kids stay close and the importance of family. I am grateful she is always there to support and jump on board with my plans for birthdays, surprises and holidays.

I am thankful for Luke and Amy. We are in the same boat and the waters are going to get rough...and together I think we can make it through!

Thankful series part 2

I am thankful for my grandparents!

I was extremely blessed growing up - I had alot of grandparents! I had a great grandma, great grandpa, a grandma and a grandpa on my dad's side, a grandma on my mom's side and several grandpas...she was married a few times! :)

Grandpa Schneider- my mom's biological father

Grandpa Yunk- my mom's step dad who adopted her

Grandpa White- my gma's 4th husband and the one I knew most of my childhood

My great grandma...you can read more about her here and here

My grandma and her husband are now my only grandparents. They married when I was 16...so I don't refer to him as grandpa- I call him by his name, Gordie. But he is a grandpa to me and definitely to my children.

I love Gordie and am thankful for him for a number of reasons. I admire his take on life. He has very simple views and isn't afraid to share them. He is 'old school' in good way. He dresses up for dinner, has manners of yester year that are rarely seen today, and he adores my grandma. He is willing to help anyone he can. He is a walking talking breathing farm boy from the 1950s..just aged a bit. I love his old fashionedness and views on life. He is a character and we are so lucky to have him in our family. My fondest memory of him is when I found out I was pregnant. I was in highschool and he was newly married to my grandma. With his views and not knowing me- it would have been really easy for him to chastise me, write me off and pass judgement. But he didn't. He joked a bit, smiled and said worse things have happened. And when the twins came (and the others) he loved them as if they were his own family. He accepted our family and all its craziness and has never judged us. He's a really good guy!

His wife, my grandma is the sweetest soul you will ever meet. Her smile is warm and she is gracious and kind. She writes the sweetest notes and thank yous. I don't think I've ever seen her lose her temper or yell at us...and that's saying alot- as kids we were good at getting into trouble. She has wonderful taste in decor and clothes and could out shop even the most experienced shoppers. I am thankful to have my grandma in my life because she takes on life with such grace. She walks into a room, smiles and takes it all in. She doesn't have to be the loudest story teller or the center of attention. She is content with just experiencing the moment. She also doesn't waste her time feeling angry, hurt or upset. She focuses on the good. She is always praising and doesn't criticize or condescend. She doesn't spread hurtful gossip or tear people down. She doesn't judge. She only acknowledges the good in people and in life.  It's something that is hard to explain. She just has this way about her that amazes me. She has so many attributes that amaze me and that I hope to exemplify.

Love you bunches, Grandma and Gordie! More than you'll ever know! 

Thankful series part 1

I decided over the weekend to make my Thankful post from Friday into a week long series. I wanted to elaborate and share a few stories. That and the post from Friday doesn't really do anyone justice.

So for Part 1 of this series...

I am thankful for my brothers; Jared Lee and Trevor Howard

My brothers walked me down the aisle when I married John. Well kind of ... there really wasn't an aisle because we were married outside, but they led me to John and gave me away. Our parents divorced when we were really young. We don't really remember our parents being together. It was always just us and mom. But more importantly it was just us. Mom worked long hours to support three kids by herself.

We've had our ups and downs. Good times and bad. And we fought...alot. But we always had each other's backs. Always.

I remember when John asked Jared if it would be ok to date me (John was friends with my older brother for a few years before he met me) and Jared said yes as long John was good to me.

We didn't have an easy childhood. Divorce, abuse, poverty- it was all there. But never once would you hear us say we had a horrible childhood. Our mom did the best she could with what she had. She loved us. And that was enough. That and having someone there with you. I was lucky enough to have two someones.

 I am so thankful for Jared and Trevor. So thankful they are on this journey with me. We will forever be bonded together. And even as adults we have our ups and downs. Good times and bad. And ya...we still fight. But just like when we were younger...if not more so now...we have each other's backs. Forever and always.

Thankful

In this month of Thanksgiving, I just want to publicly (well kind of) say how thankful I am for my family. All of them. My mom, my brothers, John, my children, Jeff and Nancy, the grandparents, Luke, Amy and the boys.

The thing about family is- no matter what they are family. It's a special category of friendship and love. It isn't always unicorns and rainbows- trust me! In fact some of these people annoy me on a daily basis. I get frustrated with them. I don't understand them or their choices. And I get hurt by their comments and actions. But I still love them. And I would do anything and everything for them.

So I'm putting it out there on the world wide web ...so that it is forever on record- That I'm thankful for each and everyone of you! The good times far outnumber the bad and I am so thankful to have you in my life!