I have been thinking back on my twenties and feel overwhelmingly BLESSED! My twenties were the years of great adventure!! Lots of traveling and major life events:
Spain, New Zealand, moving to the south!, getting married, Alaska, moving to Virginia, medical school, HAVING A BABY!, YoungLives, Mexico, learning how to be a parent, Guatemala, moving to Michigan, second baby, residency.
I have also been filled with thoughts of all the support and encouragement I have received throughout, well my whole life, but especially my twenties.
Lindy - I would never have gone to Spain without your encouragement, connections and advice. I was terrified to go but was inspired by all your travels and adventures. My time in Spain was life changing and was just the start of many more travels!! I also have to give you credit for helping me find the best husband in the world!! How do I even begin to thank you for that!
Dad - remember when you "moved me to hell"? haha :) You have driven thousands and thousands of miles to help make my dreams come true and to allow me to stay close and connected to my family even though I live far away. Not to mention all the airline miles you have happily let me enjoy instead of being able to use them yourself for fun travel. I can see how you never know in what way you will be called to support and give to our children (even your adult children) and you and mom have never hesitated to do so for me. You guys have been an incredible example of how to put your children and family first!
Mom and Laurie - still to this day I am in awe at how little I had to do for my wedding. Which in my book was the best wedding ever!! Just last night someone came over and was sharing all that he and his fiance have been doing to make their wedding happen. And once again I was made aware of all I didn't have to do. What a blessing!! Thank you again for all the hard work, lack of sleep, time, money and energy you gave to make that one day the best day of my life! And Dad, thanks for footin' the bill! :) That was just the start (of my married life) of all the financial support our parents and family have given us.
So many people tried to prepare Adam and I for how hard medical school was going to be. Hard on our marriage, relationships, finances, etc. However, when I look back on those four years I see how, yes, we had to make sacrifices but the reality is that it was one of the best times in our lives. That is true because of the support, flexibility and understanding of our families. I am not trying to be cheesy, I am being very honest!! We have been able to do so much that others are not because of your generosity. We have still enjoyed lots of fun family times and vacations.
Dave and Libby, you have often traveled so far to be with us and usually its only for a weekend. Quite the drive for such a short amount of time!! You have even been known to jump in your car at a moments notice, drive through wind, rain, snow, ice and truck after endless annoying truck to be with us at a time of need. It always means so much to us and demonstrates even further how you love and care for us.
Kristi - from the day I found out I was pregnant (with Rylie) you have gone out of your way to show your excitement and love for my girls. From the giant gift basket with flowers that showed up on my door step just a couple hours after I told you, to the countless outfits, gifts and toys you regularly mail them. At one point Rylie was receiving a package almost weekly!! You have done an unbelievable job of making Jackson and Rylie have such a special friendship and you are an incredible example to me of how to be a good mother. Thank you for always sharing in my joys and excitement (milestones hit, silly parenting moments, toddler jokes and sayings) and encouraging me when the parenting challenges arise.
Libby - I was looking back through pictures the other day and came across our baby shower. What an unbelievable party! Seriously, I was blown away by how many people you included! You have always been so excited and quick to do whatever it takes to make your kids feel loved and taken care of. On that note, I have always felt like I am just as much a part of your family as your own kids! You have supported and encouraged me in my endeavors just as much as you have Adam and his. Watching Rylie for a week as a baby so I could go to YoungLives camp, taking care of Rylie in Guatemala so I could feel worth while on the mission trip, driving ridiculous amounts hours to help us move and make all our transitions.
Mom - every move I have made since the day I moved out on my own for the first time you have gone out of your way to help me clean, decorate, organize, etc. to help my place feel like a home. Even when it was just a dumpy little apartment. Who knew you would have to do it over and over and over. :) At every challenge and hardship along the way, whether big or small, you have been a listening ear, a spiritual guide and general encourager to me. You have helped me write club talks, talked me through difficult conversations, boosted my confidence, advised me on new discipline techniques, and always figured out a way to get me to Colorado (or Mexico or Florida) so you can spoil and love on my kiddos and me. I am so thankful to have such a loving and supportive mom that was and continues to be a phenomenal example of loyalty and devotion to God and to your family.
I know there are so many more people and things that I could write about but for the sake of actually posting this (since I started writing it weeks ago) I am going to stop there. But I hope I will always be reminded of ways people have cared for me and helped me along my journey and thank God specifically for it.
Alright, back to my thirties. I have a few goals and desires for my thirties. Mainly, I want to be a more DISCIPLINED person. Exercise, time with God and prayer, breaking bad habits, etc. I am assuming that with somethings, like waking up in the morning, I will no longer have a choice of being disciplined or not as my girls will begin school, start having schedules of their own and hit new life phases throughout my thirties. Yikes! I need to just live fully in the day and be thankful for what I have today!
I am also looking forward to seeing some of my passions and desires I have always had actually happen during my thirties. I am approaching life with a "the-time-is-now" mentality. Some of these hopes and goals are once again going to require lots of support and encouragement from loved ones but I am excited that I can confidently say I know you all will be there for me. You always have!
I LOVE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS GOD HAS GIVEN ME!!!
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