Blessed

It's so easy to forget how blessed you are...

 "Blessed". It's a word that is tossed around all of the time. I looked up the official definition and here is what it said:

bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune

Not that I needed a definition to tell me what that word means, but it most certainly reaffirmed what I already knew. I am absolutely, 150%, without a doubt…blessed. I’m blessed in a way that is somewhat annoying. I’m annoyingly blessed.

Fantastic husband…check. Beautiful, healthy child…check. A job (a good one at that)…check. Love. And not just love, but true, inconvenient, take your breath away kind-of love…check. Beautiful home…check. Family…check. Money in the bank…check.

As I sit here and make this list, I have to wonder…how do I ever find anything to complain about?

There isn’t enough blog space to list all of the blessings in my life, but these are a few. Who are your blessings?

Louis "Lou" Carter. If you looked up the term "Unconditional Love" in the dictionary, Lou's face should be there. He's happy to see me when I wake up in the morning and he can't wait to snuggle with me when I go to bed. He doesn't care if I'm having a bad hair day or decide not to wear a lick of makeup. He loves me no matter what and HE is a blessing.

Travis "TC" Carter. He is the hardest working person I know. Even if he has zero appoitnments to go to, he's up and at 'em every morning at 6:30. Showered, dressed and sitting at his computer. Being the best is never good enough and he always strives to be better. He changed diapers, cleans up dog poop, loads the dishwasher, does laundry...he's amazing and he's mine. HE is a blessing.

Whitney "Whit" Coffey. This little firecracker came into my life in 2007 when I was pregnant with Pressley. I love her filterless honesty, strength and beauty (inside and out). Did I mention the fact that she's an

 amaze-balls mommy as well? True story. She is what a true friend is meant to be...accepting of what you are, flaws and all. SHE is a blessing.

                                    

Stana "Tana" Edwards (and if I had a picture of her husband Doug, I would have included him as well). This woman had done more for Travis and I than I can ever put into words. They are both self-less, giving people with two of the biggest hearts I have ever known. They love me and my family like we are blood. I jokingly call her my "work mom" but she is so much more. SHE is a blessing.

Pressley "Punky" Carter. Where do I even begin with this one? She changed my life...for the better. I swear my heart grew 10x larger the day she was born. I mean, look at that smile. How can you look at her and not feel better? She is strong-willed, stubborn, sweet, tender hearted and caring. The world better watch out for this one because she's coming out swinging...and I wouldn't have it any other way :) Every dream I have ever had for my life came true the moment she entered the world and SHE is a blessing.

Tony "B" Balasandiran. My brother from another mother. My best friend. My angel.

I feel as though many people might find our friendship strange but they don’t know. They don’t know all of the late-night talks we’ve had. All of the phone calls we’ve logged, usually sharing exciting news or asking for advice. The laughs we’ve shared are countless. I hope they never end. And if I could, there are so many moments with him that I would go back and re-live because they were that fantastic. While he is small, his heart is big. The heart of a king. I hope there never comes a day where our memories stop being made because HE is a blessing.

Valerie "Val" Futrell. Do you see these two girls? Picture us in 7th grade history class. (So sorry Mr. Yokum) That's where this friendship began. 18 years we've been causing a ruckus wherever we go :) Ask anyone and they'll tell you that we're total opposites. She's quiet and reserved and I...am not.

I hardly ever get to see her beautiful face these days but when I do my heart is happy. Valerie is home to me. She knows everything about me. The good, the bad, the ugly. She knows it all and keeps it safe. She is my oldest friend and by far, and the most cherished. I love her to the moon and back and SHE is a blessing.

Lori "Mom" Brumley,  John Brumley and Loni Leever...my family. I saved the most important for last. Everything I am, I owe to this woman and my dad. They raised me to think of others first (which I hope I do. I try at least), to respect myself, to treat everyone as I would want to be treated and to always have an open mind. I wouldn't have ANY of these blessings without them. So, in a way, they are the biggest blessing of all. My life growing up wasn't perfect. Far from it. But they made it the best it could be and they taught me to be a good, self-respecting person along the way. And Loni...sweet, quiet littel Loni. I tortured her as a child so the fact that she even still speaks to me is a miracle. She is good in all the ways that a person can be good. I wish I had more of her in me. She is patient, loving, forgiving, understanding and beautiful and THEY are all a blessing.