Grateful

       Everyone is posting all over Facebook everyday one thing they are thankful for, well that is wonderful. I just don't feel like posting something new on my Facebook status everyday, so I decided I would do one large post right on my blog with everything that I am grateful for, and a little bit of an explanation why. If you read all of these, kudos to you. These things come in no particular order, just something that crossed my mind throughout the day that I thought, I am so lucky to have this.

1. The opportunity I have that the state assists me medically, and temporary food assistance.
          When I found out I was pregnant, my dad announced he was retiring and told me to get my teeth cleaned and everything else because I was going to be losing my insurance. Imagine the immediate stress I felt considering I had not told my parents the big news yet. Luckily with how bad we have struggled financially over the last year, I qualified for state medicaid and I think the lord everyday, because there is no way I could have afforded this pregnancy as I have been high risk the entire time and have to take more medications than what I consider a normal pregnancy would consist of. Also, I don't get embarrassed to say I am currently taking food stamps, a lot of people judge and think of that person is just manipulating the system blahblahblah. Let me tell you cynical people something as you judge me, this nice phone I have that I struggle to pay the bill for every month (but I am in a contract with so I have too.) I bought with my own money over a year ago when I was working for the state making a lot more money with benefits and everything than I am now. That car you see me driving, I am late on the payment every month and can barely afford to keep it as well but I have to have some way to get around. I literally have monthly bills that are higher than my income right now. So stuff it, you never know someones circumstances until you fall into a hardship of your own, don't be so quick to judge. In any event, I am especially grateful for state assistance.

2. My Parents, especially my Daddy.
       Do I still call my Dad Daddy? You bet, and anyone that knows me and my father can tell you that we have a very good relationship. I have always been a huge Daddy's girl and I have no shame in saying that. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mom just as much as my Dad, but this post is going to be mainly about the great man my father really is. He has always been supportive, he doesn't like or approve of a lot of the things I do, and he jokes about it and gives me crap about it all the time. But when I need something, I know I can go to my Dad. Over the last few months with our financial struggle, even though he has been retired he has given us a great deal of money so that we have been able to stay barely afloat. Even though many times I try and refuse to go to my Dad for help, he may not think that, I try take care of it on my own in the end when all else fails, I know my Dad is always there to help. Let me tell you a little story about how amazing my dad is, I went to my parents house on 11/2 and I was in mid conversation with my dad he was standing in the front room looking outside watching our elderly neighbor across the street. This man was trying to use a hand saw to cut down a tree in his front yard on his hands and knees. My dad turned around and said, "I gotta go help Bro.R, he's going to hurt himself." He then proceeded to walk to the garage, grab his tools and went across the street to help him. This is the kind of guy my dad is, he is always helping neighbors with their chores and taking care of their houses just as much as he is his own.

3. Sundays- FOOTBALL
    Most people would say they are grateful for Sunday's because of religious purposes. Well Sunday is football day in my house, all day long. As we are not very religious, we don't attend church meetings or anything. Although we do await Sunday like it is a holiday every week. Sunday is the only day that my husband has fully off of work, and lately I have been lucky enough to have it off as well. This is a huge bonding time for us as a couple and I look forward to the entire season when its off season. I just love football.

4.Technology
   Seriously, need I say more? I can't even imagine what life would have been like for us as a generation if we didn't have our cell phones, iPods, laptops, computers, & internet. Life has become so convenient, it could be considered a bad thing. Anyway, I am happy to have all of these resources to help make my life a little bit easier. Especially the shopping online. ;)

5. My Husband
   We may fight like crazy, especially right now because I am one grumpy pregnant lady, but he is there and when things get tough, I know he stands up to take care of us. For example, he is not currently on our lease because of an eviction, but obviously we live together. I may have fibbed and told the land lord when she found out this month, that he doesn't live with us. So I don't get an eviction on my name as well, Nick has stepped up and isn't staying here every night. As much as we both hate it, I know he's doing it because its the best thing for us right now. Not to mention how hard he is trying to get another better job to support us so I don't have to work as hard.

6. Friends
     I have incredible friends, that go above and beyond to take care of me. Especially throughout my pregnancy. Chelsey went to my birthing classes with me because Nick couldn't. Heaven help her, I know she is scarred for life because of those videos. They spoil me and my little girl already. They come over to help me with my dinky little nursery crafts and a lot of them have found big items for me to use with Aria that we cannot afford right now. My best friends are always there when I call or text them having a rough day. Always checking in on me. It's nice to have them, because without them I would have gone crazy months ago. I have a past with depression and I have struggled significantly throughout my pregnancy with it without saying anything to my doctor, family, or friends. I am just now starting on medication because it needs to be addressed early before I have my baby and get post-pardom depression.

7. Christmas Lights
   Don't take this the wrong way, I am seeing a lot of Christmas lights up already, and it brings such a warm comforting feeling, at least to me. But for heavens sake, put them away. ITS NOT CHRISTMAS YET! Let's celebrate Turkey day, I have been craving that meal for almost 2 months now. *mouth watering*

8.Utah
Utah scenery, the canyons and everything. I drive up there when I am upset and just need to breathe, I have always loved getting away up there. I am especially grateful for the beautiful sunsets that paint across the sky every night.

9.My daughter
  I haven't even met her face to face yet, but I am so lucky that she choose me to be the person to carry her into this world and love her endlessly forever. I gripe about being pregnant a lot, but every time she is moving a lot I lift up my shirt a little and just watch my belly. I always have my hands on there because nothing brings more comfort than to feel a human being inside you that you created. Its incredible.

10. My Doggy
I might sound like a freak, but I am really worried about having Aria. Leo is my partner in crime and he is pretty aggressive at times. I love him, he's my first real pet! I just hope that we can get him comfortable and loving with this baby soon, because I fear I will have to get rid of him and I don't even want to think about that. :(

11.Veterens
Like most every American, I am thankful for all of those people who have fought, or are fighting for my freedom daily. I am almost disgusted with myself to think about what they go through overseas to protect my liberties, while I drive to Panda Express and my biggest worry is that they are going to be out of fresh Orange chicken and Chow mein so I will have to wait a few extra minutes. Everything they do for our country is heroic & every single one of them deserves a medal.

12. My job
I just started a new job. It is stay at home, and it is awesome. They have been more than accommodating to my crazy pregnancy schedule and when I requested to get more hours they gladly said yes. I like being about to stay at home and work, its nice!

13. My in-laws
    Not everyone knows this, but I have only met Nick's parents once. They are so wonderful too. I haven't met anyone else in his family, but on Sunday (11/23) I get to meet the whole shebang, and I couldn't be more excited! I can only hope that his whole family is a fraction as caring and supportive as his mom. She is such a great lady and I appreciate all the support she gives to me!

14. Retail Employees
   I don't think they get enough credit, but as black friday approaches I feel bad that they are going to be working not only on Thanksgiving, but the next day, which is the worst day of the year, most likely, all day long. Because I have been a retail employee and had to work these long shifts, I can feel the anguish and disgust they feel towards everyone. Just know people working on black friday, I appreciate you working on a shit day so that I (which I never really do) and my family members can go shopping for great deals!

15. Other Moms
   Friends of mine, or even women I don't know all that well, that are moms. Pretty much anyone that I know that is a mother. I can relate to them and I feel comfortable asking most of them any questions I am having about my pregnancy, or any doubts. Especially not that I am rapidly approaching labor. Gosh I can't believe I am so close, only a couple weeks out!

16. A warm bed
   I know not everyone has the luxury to jump into a nice comfy bed at night, or even during the day. OR in my case, whenever the freak I want. I curl myself up right into the covers and could just lay my whole life away.

17.Google
    I take such bad advantage of it, I ask it everything in the world. I cannot imagine how people survived without asking the stupid questions I google daily.

18. School
   Even though I am not currently enrolled, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to continue my education when not everyone gets to do that.

19. Christmas Treats
  I may not be able to indulge in them like I want too because of my current diabetes situation, but I do have a small taste every so often and it is no where near satisfying. This is one of my favorite parts of the season and it really stinks not being able to participate.

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