Thanksgiving

We just returned from a whirlwind trip to and from my dad's place in Arkansas. I will catch you up on that a bit later- life has been a bit fast and hectic lately and there is MUCH to catch up on but I think it's important to take some time ((in honor of Thanksgiving)) to let you know what I am thankful for.....

1. Georgia- whoa. Obviously this gal was going to top my list. I could go on and on....So I will. (It's MY blog after all) She is my all. She isn't my "second question" to things- she is my first question. She's at this really awesome age that I'm really super proud of. Let me premise the following with "for the most part..." she can hold her own. She likes barbies AND power rangers, she can go to "fancy" restaurants, she can talk to adults, she is well behaved, she is smart, she is funny, she has an incredible personality, she has manners. I pray she has all this when I'm not around ;) In all seriousness- I can't explain it. Maybe you know- maybe you don't. I know- I love her.

2. Family- I am so blessed. What person on this earth has a family like mine??!!? Y'all my mom has been my best friend for ages. she still comes over at least once a week for a "girls night slumber party" aka "Melanie gets to wake up early to run!" I decide to throw a dinner party and guess what? My mom and grandmother show up to provide most everything. My grandmother picks up Georgia at least once a week from school when I have to work. We all know I work with my father. My siblings are the people that I could go to with ANYTHING. We all lead very different lives but at the end of the day Laura, Michael and I are "Mabry's" and not much else matters. I'm pretty lucky.... as much as they drive me crazy- I wouldn't trade them for the world. My mom is my role model for "how to be a mom" it's the one area in life I never think I fail in- therefore I can say (as always Mom...) she didn't fail. My daughter has pretty much been cared for by family her entire life. The thing is...I still have family that feels like that don't get enough of her. How lucky is she? What kid has grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. that are all biting at the bit to get their hands on them? Georgia. That's who. We are blessed. We have family. They ADORE us. We ADORE them. There are times when I "think" I'm lonely....it's because I'm choosing that. I know one phone call and my Memaw will be here in 10 minutes. My mom will be here in 30 minutes. It doesn't matter what I'm doing or what they are doing. Whose family does that? Mine does. I'm SOOOO going off on a tangent here but for real- they are there. They alway have been. They always will be. I think that's why I know I will always be "okay"- at the end of the day I KNOW I have people. People that care- SO much. If I ever fall apart ( and I have) they will be there, as they have in the past, to pick me back up and help me put the pieces back together. So I'm thankful for them. I'm thankful for all the times they have pieced me back together and I'm thankful for this past year when they have stepped back (I know guys.....it's been hard) and let me find my own way. They have let me put myself together. Thank you- it means more to me than you will ever know. You guys did a good job- y'all raised some pretty amazing kids and we are passing it on.

3. Friends- I love my "chosen" family. There are days that I don't think I could make it without them. The groups messages, trips, dinners, nights, dance parties, vacations, staycations, dinner parties, galas, wine stakes. You guys know who you who you are- y'all get the text messages when I'm in a disaster....basically because you answer ;) I hope that I am half a friend to all of you as you have been to me. You guys are always there- just like family. I've realized over the past few years what true friends are....the people that have known me almost my entire life (and for some reason still hang around?!?!) and the people I know now as an adult that will be a part of my life forever. Once again- when I fall apart y'all are minutes away...texts away. Thank you guys for being there- and always with our abbreviations ;)

4. When I was a little girl I would wish on stars- I would constantly wish the same thing. I know- you aren't suppose to tell because it won't come true. Maybe it's okay now that it has? "I want to be happy" Every. Single. Time. Oh....did I wish that! Over and over and over and over again. Whole heartedly! Somewhere along the way I've realized how happy I am. I use to look for it in others....then I realized how happy I can be with just myself. I am really, really happy. I love my life right now. My heart is overflowing with blessings- I have family, friends, an amazing daughter, a fantastic job. I am happy. I am so, SO blessed. I just sit back and think sometimes that people shouldn't be so lucky- Georgia and I kinda have it all. My friends adore her as much as my family does....we are thankful. We are blessed. I am thankful. We are happy. My wish came true.

To wrap this up I'm thankful for the opportunity to live life. It's short. It's sweet. I am reminded all too often that sometimes tomorrow does not come. I'm thankful for every moment.

As long as it sparkles...

Everything will be okay.

*Christmas Pictures*

At this time of year I'm always reminded of Christmas Pictures. If there is one thing I've let slide in life the past few years it's photos....I was a photo MANIAC. Georgia was at the photographer every single MONTH to capture her growth for her entire first year of life. Along with that we had Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, 4th of July, Family Pictures, etc. you name it, we did it. Professionally. Come over some time- I've got folders on top of folders of glossy 5x7's and 8x10's of this child's life. For the 1st few years at least...

When she was 2 1/2 I finally asked for a really good camera for Christmas with the stay at home mom dream of snapping brilliant shots of my girl and expanding into photographing my family and then starting up my own little photog business!!!! Isn't that what every girl who receives her first Canon Rebel dreams of?!? Ha! Well....Let's just say I have enjoyed the photo's I've snapped of Georgia. The Rebel was stolen a few years back when my apartment was broken into to (you remember-http://www.thebedrefamily.blogspot.com/2010/12/youre-mean-onemr-grinch.html) and I, of course, took the chance for an upgrade- why not?! Thanks robbers for the D60 I guess...

So here's the thing- Georgia and I have not had pics taken professionally in a LONG time. The one time professional photo addict has disappeared. Say it isn't so! She has dance pics, Santa pics, School pics... No big photo shoots. I've talked to a good photographer friends about scheduling a shoot and it IS in the works.

What got me thinking about all of this was the cover photo on this blog of G and I. That picture and that photo shoot is one of my favorites of all time. The thing is- it was AWFUL. Georgia was sick- Like miserable- hacking cough. It was hot, I was sweaty. Arguments ensued. Y'all- it was anything but picturesque. Meltdowns in the vineyard- and not just from the 18 month old....I walked away from that photo shoot thinking to myself "There is NO WAY I will have any pictures that will come out from this"

Isn't that life? In the midst of complete chaos you think everything is scrapped. Then you look back and and right in the middle of all that "chaos" there were these precious moments that were captured and now are held dear for a lifetime.

Life isn't always "picture perfect" but I sure hope I always remember and smile at the stories behind them. The stories are what make the pictures real. ;)

Another "Dear Georgia"....

My Dear Daughter,
Two nights ago I set my alarm for 5am with the intention of waking of to work out and I thought twice. I thought "Gosh- I've been waking up super early to work out a lot lately and we have been so rushed WHAT IF I woke up early and spent that time with you instead?" So I did. I woke up early, I woke you up a little early we left early and had breakfast out at Starbucks. I even took it a step further- I threw my phone in my purse while we were there...gasp. We chatted and ate (a yogurt and Red Eye for me, oatmeal and a donut for you).

Last night I had the same thought- wake up and work out. My alarm went off at 5am. I hit snooze. My second alarm went off at 6am. I hit snooze again. At 6:05 completely out of the ordinary I heard my door open and you walked into my room, "Good Morning!" I said, "Come snuggle with me". "Mommy, I just couldn't sleep." I told you that was perfectly fine it was about time to wake up but we could snuggle for a few minutes. "I miss snuggling with you." you said. Luckiest Mommy in the world.

We ended up scrapping breakfast at home for the second day in a row. I gave in this morning and you  order the cinnamon roll- then I taught you the best way eat it....from the inside out (right? It's gooier in the middle)

Thanks for making me a "morning person" the past two mornings. I told you tonight as I put you to bed that you are my world, and you are. We read (once again) "Oh The Places You'll Go" at bed time:

Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
.....
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

I tear up reading this to you as I recall reading it to you the first time before Kindergarten (when I really lost it and started sobbing.) You've got it all Georgia- way more than I ever had. More so- you've got me behind you every single step of the way. I sure hope you look up to me. If you do- I sure hope you realize your potential in life far exceeds anything even I can imagine. YOU are amazing. No doubts about it.

Love you more,
Mommy

It is what you believe it is...

Time to make the impossible a reality...

I plan on making this better than I ever imagined.

Stay tuned- things are about to be pretty amazing.

I've Succeeded...

In cloning myself.

Carry on.

**Edit**

I just showed this picture to Georgia 

"Who is that? That looks like me."

I told her who it was. 

"Whoa...I didn't know you had Fangs"

as she points to my bangs....

A really good perspective...

A really good read...
http://sethadamsmith.com/2013/11/02/marriage-isnt-for-you/