Why I am so very thankful

Yes, this post is a few days late but as they say, better late than never. Can I get an amen?

One year ago right about now, I can remember attending a Grateful Tea at my church. The Grateful Tea is an annual event where the women get together for fancy sandwiches, scones, etc and we share what we are most thankful for. Every year I cry while listening to what people are thankful for. One year a girl shared how she was thankful for ovarian cancer (at the age of 19) because of what it taught her about God, herself, friendships, and life in general. I think I actually sobbed while listening to her.

Last year I was in the beginning of my dark blue days and was having a hard time finding anything to be thankful for. I was racking my brain trying to find one thing I was grateful for, that's how sad I was. I listened as some women expressed gratitude for the new life growing inside of them or the children they already had, and that was really hard for me to listen to. In fact, I wanted to get up and leave it was so hard. What a difference a year makes. Now I am 4 weeks away from my own little miracle and I couldn't be more thankful. I recognize there are some friends that will probably read this that are struggling with infertility and I just want to encourage you to not give up hope, even though it probably feels like that is a whole lot easier than anything else right now. And really try to focus on all the things you have to be thankful for, because it's so easy to get so caught up in your struggle with not being able to get pregnant and to lose sight of all the good that surrounds you. Trust me, I know.

And so I'm thankful that God heard my desperate cries (and pleading, demanding, and threats) and He has blessed me with "Pat", whom I can't wait to meet.

And I'm thankful for this guy, who worked on his new closet all day Saturday and didn't stop til he finished it (and it looks great!!). What an amazing husband I have been blessed with.

And I'm oh so thankful for this group of people: a sister and cousin who flew 3500 miles to surprise me at Pat's shower; 2 of the best friends a girl could ever hope for who planned one of the best days of my life; and the support staff made up of Christian and Greg.  

And if I had a picture of every family member and friend who encourages me, challenges me, entertains me, prays for me, listens to me, and loves me for ALL my flaws, I would include photos of all of you.

I am truly blessed and truly grateful.