Christmas Time

Alright, I'm back. It's been a while since writing. I've thought about it many times the past few months but I have not had much time to sit down and write. But here I go :) Life is amazing right now. I'm engaged to the most amazing man I could ever ask for. I could not be happier than I am right now. I am joining a family that have been nothing short of amazing. I love spending time with Blake and his parents and friends and family. He also fits right into my family. I could not ask for a better man to marry. Last night, my family had our annual family mass. We did a little activity with some yarn. Father Ross started out by saying to someone why he was grateful for him/her. Then the next person did the same and so on and so on. That activity got me thinking about what I am grateful for this holiday season. I have so many things in my life that I am grateful for. I just want to share them with you all.

• I am grateful for my parents who have put up with me and helped me through everything. I could not ask for a better set of parents.
  
• I am grateful for Blake. Without him, I'd be nothing. He is the most amazing and patient person I have ever met. If it weren't for his patience, we would not be where we are. We have been through so much together, which have made us stronger friends. I love him with all my heart and cannot wait to be with him for the rest of my life.
  
• I am grateful for such amazing brothers. Jay, Kevin and Greg are so incredibly strong and have shown me that I can do anything and overcome anything if I put my mind and heart into it.
  
• I am grateful for an extended family who have helped turn me into the person I am today.
  
• I am grateful for Blake's family, my new family. They have welcomed me with open arms and have shown me so much love.
• I am grateful for such amazing friends that love me no matter what! They are always there for me and help me with anything.
  
• I am grateful for all of my past experiences. We all need good and bad experiences to show us how to live, what we want or don't want, and make us who we are today. Without these experiences, life would be boring and who wants a boring life?
• I am grateful for the job that I have. While I would like something more and different, I am grateful to have a job in this economy. I love the hugs and kisses that I get from those kids every day. They teach me patience and love and I am so grateful for them.
• I'm grateful for our military men and women that serve our country. I believe that without them doing their jobs, we would not have a country like we do. They risk so much for people that they don't even know. The people that are willing to do that are so incredibly selfless and that is truly amazing.

I am so grateful for many more things but these are just a few. So Christmas is in just a few days and it's the first Christmas that Blake and I get to spend together as a couple. I cannot wait. I love Christmas because it's a time for family and now I have two incredibly amazing families that I love deeply and want to share this time with. Blake and I will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my family, then Christmas day with his mom and step dad and then the next saturday with his dad and grandma. It makes things crazy having so many places to go but it's going to be great! I cannot wait. I just wish Greg and Lisa and Tayson were coming in but we get to see them in less than a year when they come in for the wedding!!! :) Blake and I are planning our wedding too! We are getting married on October 2, 2010. It's not too far away but knowing each other for three years, we didn't think we could wait too much longer. :) Blake just bought a house for us to live in!! It's gorgeous and I absolutely love it! He picked it out and placed a bid before I even saw it! I was not worried because I trust his judgement. I knew that if he loved this house so much that it must really be awesome and it is! It's three bed rooms, two baths. It's in Glasgow which means I am moving down there. It's going to be hard being away from my family, but Blake's is down there so we will be close to one family. Plus I feel much more at home down there. I love it. I cannot wait to start the next phase in our life. I just hope October comes quickly!!!! :)
This is Blake and I at dinner after we got engaged!! :)