Thankful

I know it's not Thanksgiving or anything yet, but the fall weather has got me thinking along the lines of gratitude nonetheless (it's a once a year thing, people). I love this picture of our little family. Partially because it was taken at the Pumpkin Walk- and I love the Pumpkin Walk, but mostly just because I just love every picture of us together. Because we are together.

I am so, so thankful that Heavenly Father placed Derek in my path- on a silver platter, really. I didn't have the best track record of picking "goodies" (some were, but not most- and especially not most at that time), and I may not have found him otherwise. We both feel really strongly that Someone Bigger was in charge, and we're both very grateful for the intervention. So I got Derek. And he was and is the best thing that ever happened to me. He makes me want to be a better person; he lets me be a stupid person and then climb back up because he still thinks I'm that better person, and the people we are becoming together are who we ideally hope to be someday. I love him. More than life.

And then there's James. Who could imagine the love that engulfs a person when they have a child? Maybe it's not the same with everyone, but it certainly happened with me. I loved him from the second I saw him. We're the same in so many ways, but instead of hating him for it- I learn to love myself more. Hard to explain. I'm incredibly smitten by this little guy, and I'm so, so thankful he joined our family. I thought the "honeymoon stage" would pass by us once he had reached his "terrible twos," but I still find myself overcome with emotion just looking at him... pride, joy, humor, adoration, love. He is a sweet little boy and a genuinely good person. It's strange that someone so small can be so big, but he really is. I think we'll learn a lot from this little guy. I just hope I'll be able to teach him something valuable in return.

This new baby is it's own story, and as she is not pictured (and, you know, not here) I will not go into that yet. But I love her already, and that's kind of a big deal. February could not come soon enough!

My family is my everything. I like them. I love them. I need them. I am so, so thankful that these wonderful people are in my life. Whatever else happens in life, we have each other. It's a good way to live.