We watched the movie the Burning Man last night (which I highly recommend if you need to be slapped back into the reality of our mortality) and I jotted down some notes before going to sleep that consisted of things like this:
Be more patient, be more calm, Elyas is only 4-cut him some slack, stop and be present during daily rituals...you get the idea.
I woke up this morning and felt this sense of peace all around me. I felt extreme gratitude for this amazing husband of mine and these 2 sweet, energetic, tender-hearted boys we've created.
I thought about the past year and all I have to be thankful for...so many things. To have finally figured out Isaac's hearing loss and treat it correctly. To be able to stay home and give my family a home-cooked meal most nights. To have amazing girlfriends who make me laugh, smile, and feel life. To have a husband who loves me EXACTLY as I am. To have family somewhat close by. To have a friend who will come over and do nothing with me when I call her in need (you know who you are). To still have a zest for life despite being sometimes tired and stressed from the job of parenting. And most of all, to still be the same Andrea I've always been.
So many people get careers, get married, have kids, try to climb the ladder, get involved with the politics around them, and become someone they are not. I can honestly say that is not happening to me and it is not happening to my husband. We are the same. Deep down we are still the same couple who met 12 and 1/2 years ago while we worked at a restaurant and were struggling to pay the bills as we both paid for college. We will never forget where we came from and will always love one another in a deep, unconditional way due to us both feeling so strongly about not losing ourselves.
I love this man with all my heart and he loves me with all his heart. We are still the same. Yep. It feels fabulous. I hope I get to spend many years with him but if something ever happened to me I know I am living each moment of my life exactly as I choose to live it and will never have any regrets.
Now off to relish this moment. The backyard is calling my name.
