I’m guilty.

I mentioned in a recent post that CJ and I are having communication issues, and just general martial-funk issues.  I’m guilty.  It’s not all him.  As easy as it can be to blame the other … I know I’m guilty.

I’ve stopped trying.  I feel myself stepping back and closing off.  Sometimes it’s easier that way isn’t it?  Than to face the problem and get to the bottom of it?

Every morning I find myself praying to be a better wife … a beacon of God’s way for our family … for my husband.  But each day I find myself failing.

This weekend {away in Chicago} was good for CJ and I.  We needed it.  Desperately.

We held hands … a lot.

When I got frustrated … I quieted my voice.

I thanked him for each meal he bought.  For spending the weekend with me.

What struck me most though … he bought me a special gift.  And I was happy.  And thankful.  And thoughtful of the fact, that most times I’m thankless.

Do we thank our husbands when they buy us a meal?  When they hold our hands.  Or hold a door open?  Or even let you on the elevator first.

Most times I don’t.  Most times I forget.  Take for granted … after all it’s what a husband is suppose to do, isn’t it?

I posted almost a year ago {here, here and here} about the most wonderful surprise birthday party ever that CJ threw for me.  He took over year to plan it.  I was in awe.  I was in love.  I thought I would never forget the feeling of thankfulness I had.  I pretty much thought he’d banked brownie points til death.

I was wrong.  I forgot those feelings of thankfulness … so quickly, I’m ashamed of myself.

And why is it I can get all happy and thankful as soon as I get something my way again?

That’s not the woman I want to be, nor is it what I want to model to my children.  Not to mention what God wants from me … or my husband.

I wanted to post this video as a very important reminder to myself … how blessed I am.  How thankful I am.  How I have much to be thankful for.  Even in times of riding waves of sorrow or sickness … I want to be able to give thanks without having to think twice about it.

What am I unwrapping for you today?  My prayer for you is the simple gift of thanks.  In all we do, in all we have … in all we don’t have.  Everyday … in every circumstance … may we be thankful.

One of the things Curt had arranged in Mexico was a petting zoo.  That would be a mobile petting zoo.  The animals came to the house, all in one small car, complete with the animal trainers, animals, equipment and someone’s family.  Quite the operation!

The kids {and let’s admit it, the adults too} throughly enjoyed handling these animals.  How often do you get to cuddle with an iguana?  :)

We left the day after Christmas for Cancun. My sister’s boys came with us (Brett, almost 19; Justin, 15; and Sean, 14) and my mom and dad.

The weather wasn’t super great, but we were happy to miss the blizzard and freezing temperatures here!

I loved having the boys along and their cousins sure did too. But boy am I in for some trouble as these girls get older. I’m thinking God starts to prepare you for that next stage in your child-rearing years? At least praying He does …

The little girls get up so early, that we need to go to bed early. The boys get up so late, that they go to bed so late! A whole new world for me.

I think it’s safe to say Wynter is officially a swimmer, she was all over the place keeping up with everyone. Piper loved surfing the big waves … she’d get pounded and come up smiling!

Thanks everyone for a great time! Click here to see our photo album.