Today I am thankful to be an Aggie...

I still remember it like it was yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night with knots in my stomach and I had no idea why. I figured it was nothing so I went back to sleep. My alarm went off that morning and I woke up to the most devastating news, Aggie Bonfire had collapsed and at least 8 were dead and others were still on the stack. I couldn't breathe, I just thought it had to be wrong and I was in a nightmare, but it happened. When the dust settled, we had lost 12 amazing Aggies. I had thought about going to A&M but it wasn't my dream school at the time, little did I know God had a different plan in mind. I thought I was for sure going to that other school in Austin with friends from high school. But on this day everything changed. My family and I met my sister down in College Station for the memorial service being held the night Bonfire was supposed to burn. I didn't really want to go, because deep down in my heart I knew what was about to happen. We stepped on that field and my life changed forever. I had someone come and light the candle I was holding and it ignited my fire for A&M. My heart had never been so heavy in all my life, as it was that night. I felt like I knew each of those 12 Aggies that had died on the stack that day. I felt a part of this Aggie family and that I had just lost 12 brothers and sisters. It didn't take 5 mins after my candle had been lit that I turned to my mom, with tears streaming down my face not being able to say a word and all she said was "I know." She knew at that moment I was going to be an Aggie, she felt it, my sister felt it, and my dad felt it. We got home after that night and I researched how to graduate from high school early so that I could begin my journey as a Aggie. Texas A&M University means the world to me. I know even if this tragedy had never happened I would have ended up there because my heart and soul was always an Aggie, and nothing could have changed that. There is so much more I could say about this special university, but today I am going to just be thankful that I can call myself an Aggie, and that I will forever be a part of this Aggie Family. "There is a spirit can ne'er be told, it's the Spirit of Aggieland."

To the 12 that were lost-you will always be in my heart. Your spirit will live on.

Today I am thankful for...

My family and my friends. I did not get on this weekend so this will be a 2 part post.

First I am very thankful for my family. They have put up with me for 27 years and it has not always been easy. My sister and I have had an up and down relationship but what siblings don't. She really did not like me at all when my mom brought me home from the hospital, she even tried to sell me at a garage sale! Today we are the best of friends. We have gone through many things together and she has forgiven me so many times I can't even count high enough. I have a close relationship with my brother now. It was hard to not have him around very much growing up, but he is making up for that now. He has such a sweet spirit about him, and is so loving and forgiving of everyone. I love hanging out with him because he is always making me laugh. My other sister is such a strong woman. She is a great mother to her 3 children, and even though I am sure it is tiresome she still finds the energy. My mom and I are a lot closer than we have ever been, and I am very thankful for that. I have started to see that our relationship is ok, even if it is not like her's and Lea's. I am not Lea, and I am different and that is what makes our relationship special. I could not ask for a better dad. He always had my back no matter what. I have taken him for granted many times, yet he is still always there. He means more to me than I could ever show him. I am so thankful for him and his unconditional love he shows me. I have done some very hurtful things to my family and for that I am sorry. I turned my back on them thinking I didn't need them, when in all honesty I needed them more than ever. When I finally came out of my funk, they took me back with open arms. It has been a long journey back but they are my family and I love them dearly.


My friends, what can I say about them. I have some of the greatest friends in the world. I can't even begin to name each of you that have had an impact on my life. Just know that I thank God for each of you everyday. I have friends that I can go months without speaking to, but the moment we are on the phone it is like nothing changed. When I am hurting they are there, when I have a joy to share, they are there, when times get tough, they pick me up. So many great things to share about each of you, I just don't have the time. I may not speak to you every day or every week, but know that I think of each of you daily, and I am so thankful that you are in my life.

Being Thankful...

How could this not make you smile!

I saw this idea on facebook (thanks Amber) and thought how great it would be to do...so until Thanksgiving I am going to post daily what I am thankful for. I may even extend this longer, we will have to see.

So today I am thankful for...My sweet husband.

Matt-thank you so much for loving me the way you do. You put up with all my crap, my A&M obsession, my wonderful dog Scout, and more. You have giving selflessly to me over the past few years and continue to surprise me everyday. My life was completed the day that I met you. You gave up everything you always knew to move to a big city to be with me. Leaving behind a life that you had always dreamed of, and for that I thank you. You have shown tremendous support for me during my darkest hours. You fought for me even when I stopped fighting for myself. You have put up with fatty bobatty (AKA Scout) even though he annoys the heck out of you. You even wear maroon, when K-State is not playing! I think I have even caught you wear an A&M shirt just for the heck of it :) You love me despite my flaws, and when I am mean or rude to you. You forgive me easier than anyone because you love me. There is so many great things to say about you and why I am so thankful but despite all I have said, I am so thankful for you because you saved me.

Our song is exactly how I feel about you. A few of my favorite lyrics from Wade Bowen's "Who I Am."

"Now that your in my life Baby I know exactly who I am...I love you oh so very much, love you more than words can say, and I don't know how or why but I love you more every day."

Thank you again for fighting for me when I said we could never date because I was moving back to Texas. Thank you for seeing in me more than I could ever see in myself. Thank you for making me smile and laugh when I feel like I can't. And thank you for loving me unconditionally. I love you!

This picture was sent to me with a caption saying...What has 2 thumbs and loves you move than anything in the world??? THIS GUY! :)

Sent from my iPhoneA beautiful sunrise in the hill country. It was a great weekend,
thanks to the Riley's hospitality. More pictures to come.