Feeling a little mushy ...

A friend of mine recently experienced a tragedy involving her family and it is her request that I am honoring. I have been thinking for some time ... I wonder if the people I love really know how much I love them? Do they know the things I cherish most about them? So here goes ...
My husband is pretty much the greatest man to ever live, that didn't have divine blood running through his veins ;) He works hard. He is a fantastic husband and rock star Daddy! He is my best friend and pretty much my favorite person in the whole world! He loves sacrificially and deeply. He would give me anything I asked for. He has taught me what it really means to love. Our marriage is a testament to the grace of God and I am so thankful. He is an amazing man of God, a heart of pure gold! What more could you ask for? Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt if he were independently wealthy, but hey its only money :)

My Mom is probably the single most influential person in my life. She is the voice in my head, pushing me to do more, to be better ... there are times I wish I could silence that ;) But she is the reason I am who I am. I have always felt her love and adoration. She really thinks that I can do ANYTHING, consequently so do I. She is the standard that I measure myself by. My Mom was a marine, a single mom, a construction worker, etc ... everything she has every done has been hard, but she did it. From her I learned perseverance, strength, integrity, and love.

My Dad and I have had our fair share of falling outs, but at the end of the day I love him to death. My Dad is fun. He makes me laugh, really laugh. He is a born leader. A career marine, he has never shied away from a problem. He taught me how to deal with conflict, constructively. He has always believed in me. He taught me respect, sincerity, compassion, and humility.

My best friends, Carter and Jenny. We are as different as night and day, but God brought us together. Carter is classy, savvy and one of the most respectable people I know. She loves God with all of heart and she is one of my greatest encouragements. She is wise beyond her years and I am blessed to have her in my life. Jenny inspires me. We don't always agree, but I am blessed by her faith and her perseverance. She is loyal and fiercely protective of the things she holds dear. She challenges me and love her for it!

My playgroup girls ... God knows I love those girls! We share a special bond because of our children, but it has grown much beyond that. They are my safe place, I can vent, laugh, cry, celebrate, whatever and know that they will love me through it all. Once a little monkey, always a little monkey! You girls keep me sane ;)

I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute also to my amazing mother-in-law! I had always heard horror stories about in-laws, but I have been pleasantly surprised. Nana is the best. We disagree on practically everything, from politics to parenting, but she is the most respectful person ever. She leaves me room to make my own choices and my own mistakes and I love her for that. On the important things we share a common bond, we love our family! She has taught me maturity and grace.

Well, that's all this Mommy has time for. I love you all and wish I could call you all by name. Merry Christmas, please celebrate His birth!