A Day To Be Thankful

I decided this would be the perfect day to start my blog.  Thanksgiving has me feeling a variety of emotions.  The most important thing I am feeling is just being extremely thankful for all that I have!  I have a wonderful family and some pretty amazing friends.  They have been there for me no matter what!  They have never judged me, never given up on me, and the most important, they have never ever turned their backs on me.  I mean, after all I have made some pretty stupid choices, but then again who doesn't.  They have given me so many tools, advice, and love that I have no choice but to succeed.  I know for a fact that if it wasn't for them, I would not be where I am today.  They deserve more "thank you" than I could ever possibly give them!
My best and most important accomplishment is my daughter.  Arleigh Kyle is my inspiration for everything that I do.  Most people have the angel on one shoulder, and the devil on the other.  I believe that I do not have either of those.  I have my Arleigh.  I am always thinking how my choices will effect her.  I am no longer my own person.  I live solely to care for her, to make sure she is happy, and to ensure that she has the best possible life that I can give her.  After all, she is the most important and enjoyable job that I have ever had!  When I am having a bad day all I have to do is imagine my little Bug's smiling face or her laugh, and I immediately become so grateful for the precious gift that God has given me, that everything else seems so insignificant.  I will never be able to tell her how much I love her, as there on not enough words.  I look at her everyday and think about how lucky I am.  Sometimes, I get angry and wonder how someone could just walk away and ultimately want nothing to do with her.  She is so amazing! Arleigh learns something new every day!  I don't understand how someone can live with themselves knowing all that they are missing.  I do know however, that she will never feel like she is not loved.  She has so many people around her that love her beyond words. 
Another thing that I am thankful for is the amazing job that God has blessed me with.  I work with some of the greatest people that anyone could ask for!   They are fun, caring, and most of all understanding!  They don't look down on me or pass judgement on me for being a single mom, like most people in this world do.  They embrace it.  I know that I can turn to them for advice, tell them what crazy thing Arleigh has done recently, or just vent to them about the worries I have regarding being a single parent.  They sincerely want to see me succeed.  I couldn't ask for better people to work with.  They are truly a blessing!
Today does bring some sorrow.  My grandmother (Grammy as I liked to call her) has been gone since May 2009.  I feel a deep sadness when I think about her and Alreigh not getting to enjoy one another.  She was such a strong, amazing, and generous woman.  I look at her as one of my greatest role models.  I know that she looks in on us everyday, and that I can talk to her when I need an ear.  It still doesn't make the pain of her absence any easier.  I would much rather have her here with Arleigh and I.  I miss her every single day, and I hope that I can pass on all of what she taught me to my daughter. 
I believe deep down in my heart that Arleigh and I will do amazing things together.  After all, we need each other more than I think either of us realizes.  I am so excited to see what God has in His plan for the two of us.  I am sure there will be fun times, sad times, and trying times.  One thing is for sure though, we will be in it together!  I hope that you will join the ride, after all it should be pretty entertaining just hanging with A Mommy & Her Bug!


Happy Thanksgiving All!

Mommy & Bug