AND I THINK TO MYSELF...

...what a wonderful world. and it really is. 

something I have done since I was a little girl was write 'thank you' cards. a practice that was first enforced, later encouraged by my mom. it is now something that I enjoy doing immensely. I think taking the time to write it down and ponder it allows the gratitude to weigh a little more. anyway, I'd like to take a few moments and boast about a few of the people who I am so grateful for. I have the best people in my life.

in the hopes of visiting loved ones, attending doctor's appointments, and experiencing some cooler weather, I left our caribbean oasis and visited some much loved friends and family members. people who made the last 22 hours traveling, hunting down missing luggage, and sleeping in baggage claim of the houston airport more bearable. 

001. my mom has a knack for talking reason into me when no one else can. perhaps it's her patience and motherly love that make this possible. and these traits did not fail her this time, either. when I was in hysterics because they'd cancelled my flight and lost my bags in the middle of the night, she was understanding and forgiving and helped me pick myself up and go fix it. as only a mother can.

002. speaking of mothers, my mother-in-law is to be thanked as well. she is always so thoughtful and kind and optimistic. with the impending 22 hours looming over me, she lifted my spirits and did all she could to make the crazy long trip more bearable. { she also sent me home with lots of canadian treats for the husband so that he did not feel so neglected; it was so cute to watch him open all of it; I wish she could have been there }.

003. the night before I left, I visited a friend in mitch's hometown who invited me over for dinner. as I left, she handed me some muffins and said they were for my trip. there is no way she could have known this at the time, but those muffins were all I had to eat for dinner that night and the next morning as everywhere else was closed. how inspired and thoughtful was that? talk about woman's intuition.

004. my husband was so happy and cute when he picked me up. he met me in the airport with a diet coke in hand and took my heavy duffel bag { yes, even he said it was heavy }. he took me home, let me have a much needed shower, took me out for dinner, and then gave me a 20-minute massage before I passed out. he is so amazing. I am so happy to be home with him.

005. last but most definitely not least! that night in the houston airport, I stayed up all night trying to figure out my baggage situation. as did my dad. who called every person who could possibly help throughout the night. as I heard it, he didn't get to sleep till 5am that next morning. and with great effort, he finally got those bags to the obscure caribbean island we live on late that night. he is so amazing. I'm pretty sure I'm his favorite child ;)

isn't it obvious? I have some really awesome people in my life. it only seems fitting to write a post about thanks. about being grateful. about looking to see little prayers answered before you even realized you needed whatever it was you received. this world, this life, is truly wonderful. there are just times when you look back and think, 'it is so amazing to be me, isn't it?'

love, arielle