Today, September 27, 2010 marks the one-year anniversary of the phone call that kicked off the single worst, hardest year of mine and Andy’s lives. A year that was filled with the stress of money, the possibility of losing our home, putting family additions on hold, death of very close family members and a chronically sick child. To call the year “hard” would be making a vast understatement. However, instead of reflecting on the last year in a negative way and dwelling on the why’s and what if’s, I thought I’d take a minute to reflect on the blessings in my life and be thankful for them…it is after all, Rule #2.

I am blessed with an amazing husband and a happy marriage. This year we celebrated our 5th anniversary and in his anniversary card I wrote this: “When life becomes a little too much for me to handle I think God must either hate me or He’s got some sick sense of humor. Then you come up next to me and squeeze my hand and I realize neither of those things are true because if they were, God would not have given me you.” This may sound so cheese-ball, but you guys? It is so true. I am so blessed to have him next to me as my best friend and partner in life.  He works so hard for our family and wants nothing more than our happiness and well being. His selflessness never ceases to amaze me. In the face of adversity, a lot of marriages may falter, ours on the contrary has thrived and we are just as happy if not happier today than we were 1 year and 1 day ago.

I am blessed with a sweet, thoughtful, happy kid. Even through her 2 (or 3, I lost count) bouts of pneumonia, RSV, croup and the flu, my sweet little monster was never unhappy. Don’t get me wrong, we have our share of battles, she is 2 after all. But all in all, I couldn’t have a better kid. She dishes out hugs and loves like a drill sergeant dishes out commands. She has a great sense of humor. She says please and thank you. She’s potty trained. She knows cool toddler tricks and doesn’t mind sharing them: Who’s the monster. Chuckie Rylee. Singing the ABC’s. Counting to 15. Her laugh is contagious. She gives me lots of content for this here blog. 

In a time where it seems like a job is hard to come by, Andy and I are both blessed to have good jobs. Putting food on the table. A roof over our heads. Gas in our cars. I feel like this is self explanatory.

I am blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing family. I happen to think my family is the cat’s jammies…drama and all. My dad, my mom, her husband, my brother and my 3 sisters. I find myself happiest when I am surrounded by these people (just not necessarily all at the same time, haha).

We are blessed with a reliable vehicle. While the circumstances surrounding us getting our new car really suck, Grandma and Grandpa Rice leaving us their 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with only 6,000 miles on it gives us such peace of mind. There is absolutely no way we would be able to afford a car payment right now, so us having a nearly brand new car that is safe and reliable for Rylee means the world. Grandma Rice was always thinking of others; right up until the very last minute.

I am blessed with great friends. I consider my 2 older sisters to be two of my very best friends. I also have a friend that I have known just as long as I have known my sisters. My life? Would not be complete without any of them.

I know there are many other blessings in my life. Too many to list but I figured this is a good place to start. What do you consider to be blessings in your life? Do you take the time to be thankful for them?