Thankfulness is...

From the book, "Hero Tales"

My parents' divorce made my marriage stronger

I was young when my parents separated, probably around 7 years old.  When I was about 13, they divorced.  Those were very hard years for our family, and the years after were hard too.  I stayed with my mom, my brother ended up going with my dad.

I think our family went through what would be considered "normal" with a split family... We harbored feelings of hurt and anger, had our outbursts, spent weekends NOT with our other parent like we were supposed to, etc.  But in the end, we found our normalcy and we survived.

My parents made a point to get along with each other, especially as time passed and we got older.  As I started getting to an age where I was thinking about marriage, they both made it a point to talk to me about the importance of working at a marriage, of making things work, of letting God lead and being sure HE was the center of the marriage.  They talked about the importance of talking in the hard times, of validating feelings, of sharing how you feel rather than placing blame. They should know, after all...

When Gary and I got married, mom and dad talked to me again.  I have no doubt dad talked to Gary about it too, when Gary went and asked for his blessing and permission to propose. And at our wedding dad walked me down the aisle, then sat next to my mom, and then walked with her arm in arm out of the church when the wedding was over.  When we had birthday parties or family BBQs, we could invite both of my parents without feeling awkward or having to choose between one or the other.

Even after getting married, my dad talked to me often about things, wanting to spare Gary, myself and our kids what he, my mom, my brother and I went through.

Their concern in sharing with me where they went wrong, their encouragement and words of advice, and above all, to rely on God to see us through the good times and the bad has made my marriage stronger, and my love and respect for them even more abundant.  AND, I have no doubt my marriage is stronger because I heeded their words, took their advice, and put them into practice.

If you're willing to take the step to get married, be willing to fight for it! Remember your vows and stay true to the words you spoke: For better AND for worse, for richer AND for poorer, in sickness AND in health... 

I sure miss my dad's words of encouragement, but I can still hear his voice and see his tears (some of pride, some of regret), and am reminded that even though I can't hear them in person anymore, they're always in my memories.  Thank you mom, thank you dad. And thank you God, for giving me the best parents a girl could ask for.  Our life may not always seem picture perfect, but it works for us, we are so blessed and I am so thankful!

Pamper Yourself $100 gift card giveaway event!!

It's time for the Pamper Yourself $100 Gift Card Giveaway Event!

We mamas work hard each and every day, give of ourselves and go without so often.  Well, it's time one of us (ok, not me, but YOU mamas) won something for yourself! Hosted by Children Teaching Mama and The Freebie Junkie, along with 25 amazing blogs for the event.

So what's up for grabs? 

One Lucky Winner Will Receive:

(1) $50 Amazon.com Gift Code

(1) $25 Ulta Gift Card

(1) Buca Di Beppo Gift Card

Entering is easy!

Just use the Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway will run from 12:01AM EST, Friday, March 2nd until Friday, March 23rd at 11:59pm EST! Plenty of time to get all of those entries. Don't forget to come back each day for an extra entry by tweeting about the giveaway event!

Win $30 PayPal Cash in the Social Meida Boost Giveaway!

What, more cash up for grabs?! YES! $30 to your PayPal account!
This giveaway starts Thursday 03/01 at 12:01 am EST and runs until Monday 03/05 at 11:59 pm EST.  Then, come back next Thursday for another PayPal giveaway!
Entering is easy, just fill out the form below! Don't forget to come back for your daily tweet entry! Must have a valid PayPal email to receive prize.

Wordless Wednesday- Blooms like fire

Taken this past Sunday. Arizona weather is amazing!

For more WW visit Woven by Words, Go Graham Go and the WW HQ.

Have you entered my giveaways?! Got some CASH up for grabs!!

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