Reasons to be thankful

November is traditionally the time to count your blessings and share with the ones you love the things that you are thankful. So here goes...

* I am thankful that I have the most wonderful man in my life... he is understanding, patient, loving, caring, and even a bit goofy... he understands me and knows when to give me a hug and reassurances and when to just let me vent... He even tolerates my crazy, random, OCD tendencies!

* I am thankful for my adorable puppy Kodi, who is growing like a weed!!! She is so much fun and such a happy dog!!! I can't imagine our lives without her!

* I am thankful for my family, my blood family, my extended-adoptive family, and Ian's family. I have never felt so loved before in my life. Ian's family has accepted me and made me feel like one of the clan, something that I haven't felt by a significant other's family in a long time. My blood family can be dramatic at times... but they are my family and I love them. My adoptive family (and you know who you are) love me for who I am and for that I am thankful.

* I am thankful for my grandmother, although no longer with us in life, she is still with us in spirit. I made her fried chicken the other night and it turned out wonderful!!! I didn't even cry as I made my grandma's famous fried chicken.

* My friends. I have the craziest and most diverse group of friends... and I love them all!

I know that I have left a lot of people and things off this list that I am thankful for, however, those things are no less important to me than the things that are listed.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Blessed

I feel so blessed... here it is nearing the end of July and what am I doing at almost 9:00 am... I am still laying in bed relaxing with no intentions of getting up anytime real soon!

In all seriousness, I feel blessed because of the people that are in my life. I have been laying here for the past hour looking at my friends profiles on myspace and reading blogs and comments, as well as reading the blogs of my friends on here. I love being able to look at the pictures of the kids and everyone that are posted. It makes me realize that I am truly blessed... I have the best friends a person could ask for!

I am blessed because I am not only part of the Barnes family... I am part of the Blakemore extended family... part of the lives of such wonderful people that support me unconditionally. I am loved by so many people that don't have to love me! And they love me because they want to!!!! I know this sounds sooo corny and cheesy, but it makes me feel blessed.

So to my other family and my friends that read this blog, THANK YOU for blessing me and touching my life in all the ways that you do!