A dozen years of thanks
Monday, October 13, 2008
This weekend was the usual whirlwind of thankfulness as we celebrated with our family!
Friday night we drove out to my parents place in the booming town of Sweets Corner. We enjoyed way too much food and played some games and had a blast. The girls enjoyed what will probably be the last crop of lollipops from Grandma's lollipop garden this season. Saturday I was at a wedding all day - what a great day! Sunday we headed to another big town to visit my one set of in-laws - the town of Clifford. Holidays at the farm are always crazy as Mark's side of the family is huge (he's one of 11 siblings) and there are cousins and nieces and nephews and siblings everywhere. The kids had a blast in the barn swinging from the rope swing and playing in the hay and climbing in the tree fort as well. Today the four of us went to Webster's Falls for a hike. I have never seen it so packed - wow!! But the colours could not have been more amazing and the weather perfect. I'm so glad we went as it was breath taking. Then this afternoon-evening my other set of in-laws came over along with Mark's brother and his fiancee. We introduced them to the Wii - what a riot!! We also celebrated Christmas as my in-laws will be heading south (Florida) for the winter in just a couple weeks.
Whew! I'm bushed!
But one thing stood out for me.
Mark's brother Paul is celebrating his engagement to the lovely Simone. And this got me thinking about our own wedding, engagement, etc. and how much has changed in the nearly twelve years since we said "I do".
Since we got married twelve years ago...
-we were the first to get married out of all our siblings. Today we have one sister-in-law, four brother-in-laws and another sister-in-law to be that has been added to our families.
-at our wedding there were no nieces or nephews yet. Today we have 16 nieces and nephews - as well as our own two girls! (If you're counting - that is a total of 22 people between kids and inlaws that have been added to our family that we did not even know when we were married!)
-Mark has earned another degree and found a profession he loves (nursing)
-I have started a business that I love and am passionate about - and have even been able to win some awards for doing what I love.
-we have moved 4 times - not including two short stints with my parents in between moves
-we have visited 7 countries and lots of places in between... and are always dreaming of where to go next.
-we still do not own a dishwasher and do not have cable TV.
-we still love Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit
-we still have our list of things we want to do before we die... we pull out occasionally and add to and edit. We love to dream.
-our close friends at our wedding - Pernell, Margie, Monica... are still our good friends today.
-I still am not Martha Stewart or domestic - Mark is so much better than I am in those areas!
-we still love each other like crazy.
So, after reflecting on the last dozen years I'm feeling especially thankful. Not because it's all been a piece of cake - in a dozen years I've experienced much heart ache, loss and sadness also. But as I reflect I see how it has changed and shaped me into who I am today. I see how though circumstances change - I still have the adorable guy I met at the bus stop 15 years ago by my side. I'm thankful for the people in my life - the ones who have been with me through it all - and the ones I have gladly added to my life in more recent years.
Life is such a gift. A glorious gift. I hope that today - on Thanksgiving - and always you will "celebrate life and love".
Krista
Friday night we drove out to my parents place in the booming town of Sweets Corner. We enjoyed way too much food and played some games and had a blast. The girls enjoyed what will probably be the last crop of lollipops from Grandma's lollipop garden this season. Saturday I was at a wedding all day - what a great day! Sunday we headed to another big town to visit my one set of in-laws - the town of Clifford. Holidays at the farm are always crazy as Mark's side of the family is huge (he's one of 11 siblings) and there are cousins and nieces and nephews and siblings everywhere. The kids had a blast in the barn swinging from the rope swing and playing in the hay and climbing in the tree fort as well. Today the four of us went to Webster's Falls for a hike. I have never seen it so packed - wow!! But the colours could not have been more amazing and the weather perfect. I'm so glad we went as it was breath taking. Then this afternoon-evening my other set of in-laws came over along with Mark's brother and his fiancee. We introduced them to the Wii - what a riot!! We also celebrated Christmas as my in-laws will be heading south (Florida) for the winter in just a couple weeks.
Whew! I'm bushed!
But one thing stood out for me.
Mark's brother Paul is celebrating his engagement to the lovely Simone. And this got me thinking about our own wedding, engagement, etc. and how much has changed in the nearly twelve years since we said "I do".
Since we got married twelve years ago...
-we were the first to get married out of all our siblings. Today we have one sister-in-law, four brother-in-laws and another sister-in-law to be that has been added to our families.
-at our wedding there were no nieces or nephews yet. Today we have 16 nieces and nephews - as well as our own two girls! (If you're counting - that is a total of 22 people between kids and inlaws that have been added to our family that we did not even know when we were married!)
-Mark has earned another degree and found a profession he loves (nursing)
-I have started a business that I love and am passionate about - and have even been able to win some awards for doing what I love.
-we have moved 4 times - not including two short stints with my parents in between moves
-we have visited 7 countries and lots of places in between... and are always dreaming of where to go next.
-we still do not own a dishwasher and do not have cable TV.
-we still love Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit
-we still have our list of things we want to do before we die... we pull out occasionally and add to and edit. We love to dream.
-our close friends at our wedding - Pernell, Margie, Monica... are still our good friends today.
-I still am not Martha Stewart or domestic - Mark is so much better than I am in those areas!
-we still love each other like crazy.
So, after reflecting on the last dozen years I'm feeling especially thankful. Not because it's all been a piece of cake - in a dozen years I've experienced much heart ache, loss and sadness also. But as I reflect I see how it has changed and shaped me into who I am today. I see how though circumstances change - I still have the adorable guy I met at the bus stop 15 years ago by my side. I'm thankful for the people in my life - the ones who have been with me through it all - and the ones I have gladly added to my life in more recent years.
Life is such a gift. A glorious gift. I hope that today - on Thanksgiving - and always you will "celebrate life and love".
Krista
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