Truth: there has been too much going on in the last month to even explain.
Theme of this blog: being gracious and grateful for the things we have.
I could make a list of things I'm thankful for, but that would be so cliche and I would leave something really important out like oxygen... You know what they say about waking up with only the things you thanked God for the day before...
Ugh rambling... Anyway. You know how when it rains, it pours? Life has been doing that to my family for about a year now. Through the thick and thin of this past year, however, one thing remains evident: My family is my rock. They never cease to amaze me with their ability to drop whatever they are doing to be with each other. Probably one of the things I'm most thankful for is that my family is a very strong Catholic family. Making our faith a priority has been a source of comfort through some of the difficult times that we have been through in this last year. Let me tell you a little about my family and then you will understand why my family is so important to me. 
Aren't they pretty?!? Okay, my mom and dad: I don't even know where to begin. They are such an amazing team/couple/partners in crime. They are such level-headed people who seem to always know how to rise to the occasion. Their decisions and choices have never been made with anything but love for each other and for their kids. My mom has always supported my dad in his career, moving 8 times with 6 young children, while my dad went ahead to the next city to begin working. She had been a stay-at-home mom our whole lives and we are truly the nurturing and loving adults we are because of her. My dad has always been driven, motivated and extremely ambitious. He has helped each of us kids pick a career that we not only love, but will be able to grow in and succeed in. He seems to always know what the next step will be, and gives the best advice ever.
Carolyn: probably the most talented person in my family. She is the ultimate entertainer, from signing to dancing to doing movie star impressions. She is very devoted to her career in social media, and has a very sweet dog by the name of Hershey.. Also know as Hershel, Hersh, and dad's grandchild. Carolyn is a lot like my dad, very matter-of-fact but also had an extremely compassionate and loving side. She recently helped one of my friends from my childhood get s job :) She is so smart and funny and is a fabulous pedicure companion... Ps cdawg, can we go get one soon?
Aileen: powerhouse, fitness queen, independent, intelligent, etc. Girlfriend has got it goin' on! Aileen is a lawyer and works with families who are going through divorces, child support cases, abuse and neglect cases, and so forth. We find ourselves lost in our jobs sometimes because it is difficult sometimes working with amazing families and kids on such a sad occasion. Aileen has a big heart and a lot of passion for what she does. She is so loyal to her family and friends, almost to a fault but its admirable.
Maureen (and her husband Ryan): Barbie and Ken right?! Maureen and Ryan are both accountants and have been married for almost two years. When I look at them, I see two people who love each other More than they love their ownselves. They are a very selfless couple, inviting their siblings over for dinners, meeting up downtown, or whatever the occasion is. However, they also make sure to take time to do things on their own. They are an extremely active and healthy couple... They always have hummus and veggies!!!!
Heffe and Anissa: another lovely couple :) I actually got to live with Anissa this year.. We recently moved out and I'm going through withdrawal. Heffe is a lot like my dad.. Go-getter, independent, driven, motivated, smart, funny and the list goes on... Anissa is a teacher like me, and we have so much in common in terms of how much time we over-devote to our job, how much we care about our kids, and getting excited about fun new lessons we plan!! Heffe and Anissa just got engaged last October and we couldn't be happier... She was always meant to be a Kent ;)
Laura: my other half, my better half, my best friend and my CHIZZARD!!!! You don't know what a CHIZZARD is?!?! Good, we don't know each other well enough to explain that at this point in time, blog world! Laura is also a teacher. We vent, bounce ideas off each other, celebrate good things, give each other advice, take trips together over spring break and summer, and try to visit each other as much as possible, despite the distance between us. I actually look up to Laura a lot; she is very mature, calm, and sensible.
So what inspires this rant about my family? As I was driving home this morning from planning out the volleyball season at school (I coach 8th grade) I had the windows down, it was 72 and sunny, music blaring, and I drove across a beautiful body of water, and all of the sudden, I realized how happy I am. I can't complain about a single thing in my life. That is one of the most peaceful moments I have had In a long time :)
Happy Thursday!
