Thankful: Day 21

Today I am thankful for our car! It fits us for now, and it is paid off. We made a mistake of buying it new and not always paying on time, but it is a good reliable vehicle. Mostly we are thankful it is ours free and clear!

Thankful: Day 20

Today I am thankful for my stepmother, Chris! When my dad started dating her I thought she was a little weird, and I was not even sure if I liked her (she gave me my first detention). Then I saw that my dad was happy so that was all that mattered, it would not be so bad. After they married I fought her with everything I had, she was changing my world, and I was not ready for that. I thought I am 16 and I am done being raised who are you to try and change me, but she dug in her heels even more than mine. We butted heads, we cried, we probably even yelled some. She did things that made me mad, sad, and even things I thought were crazy (some I still do). I am so grateful for all she did for me! Words cannot express how thankful I am for this woman who married a man she loved and put up with his head strong stubborn daughter. She just loved me and did not understand. She kept trying to pull me in and I pushed away. God gave me a precious precious gift when He gave her to me. I know I was not easy to love, and I am so glad she decided to do it anyway. She stepped in and filled a void. She knew she could never take the place of my mother, but she knew she could fill the empty hole in my heart. I do not deserve her love, but I am so glad she chose to love me despite myself. She has done so much for me, and I am who I am today partly because of her. Now I enjoy our "mother-daughter" talks, and I enjoy her enjoying my children. I love you Chris!

Chris with Ray-J (2months)

Chris with Emma (4 months)

Chris with Ray-J and Emma at the beach this past August 

With Cathy Belle (2 days old)

My dad and Chris on a cruise (world travelers)

Thankful: Day 19

Today I am thankful for my sister Annie! She also is my step-sister. She is 9 years younger than me, which made her 7 when our parents married. She was so much fun! I always wanted a baby sister, and fortunately this one came potty trained! She would let me dress her up and play with her hair. I enjoyed her so much! I am sad I did not get to spend more time with her. She grew up while I was at college. Now she is just months shy of getting her bachelors degree early (I am a little proud), and she will continue on to get her Masters. She is super smart, and a world traveler. I look forward to the times we get to spend together. I love you Annie!

Aunt Annie (16) and Ray-J (2 months old)

Annie just sitting on a pyramid (world traveler)

Thankful: Day 18

Today I am thankful for my brother Kyle! He also came into my life when my dad married my stepmom. He was sometimes my normalcy in the world wind that I was feeling of adding siblings after 16 years of basically being an only child. He was so much fun, and he and I fought the least. He was my "cool" sibling, and even though I picked on him it was only because I thought he was great! I love you Kyle!

Uncle Kyle and Ray-J (2 months old)

Kyle and his beautiful wife Jessica

Thankful: Day17

Today I am thankful for my sister Stephanie! She is my step-sister. She came into my life 14 years ago when my dad started dating her mom. She is 2 years younger than me, and when I was little I used to beg and pray for a sister 2 years younger than me. God answered my prayers! We have had hard time and we have fought, most of it boiled down to me learning to have siblings and her learning to not be the oldest anymore. I am so thankful for the friendship we have developed over the years. I love you Stephy!

Steph with her husband Aaron

Aunt Stephy with baby Emma (about a week or two old)

Thankful: Day 16

Today I am thankful for my brother Todd! He is also my half-brother (Bryan's full brother). We have known of each other since I was very little, but due to circumstances we did not meet until 2006. We have been making up for lost time, and is feel as if I have known him my life. He is a great big brother, and we enjoy talking on the phone. We are looking forward to spending some time together around Christmas. I love you Todd!

Todd and his beautiful wife Tina

My handsome nephews Christopher and Brandon

Again biased I know, but my nephews are good looking! :)

Thankful: Day15

Today I am thankful for my brother Bryan! He is my half-brother from my father's first marriage. He came into my life when I was 5 and he was 18. I have loved having him as an older brother, and we enjoyed picking on each other over the years. Now we get to enjoy each other's children! I love you Bryan!

Bryan and his beautiful wife Amy

My niece Ashlynn with Ray-J and Emma

My niece Kaitlynn and Cathy Belle

I know I am a little biased, but I think his two girls are gorgeous! :)