A Well Deserved Thank You

Kynlee and I have been back in Dallas for three full days now. My room got real small real fast and a lot of our stuff isn't even here yet! It's good to be back though and Kynlee is actually doing really well. I was worried because my family helped out so much when I needed to go hop in the shower, cook some food, or whatever. I knew it would be time for Kynlee to maybe just have to "cry it out" a little bit when I had dinner on the stove or was in the middle of something, and I knew she wouldn't like that too much. She is doing great though, getting so much more independent and growing so fast. I don't even have to put her to sleep anymore, just leave her with a blanket and shut the door and she'll play until she falls asleep :)



She loves those bells!

 Anyways as good as it is to be back and moving on with life, I miss my family very much. They have been so incredible throughout everything and I wanted to say a thank you for all they have done. I am so lucky to have the people I do in my life to support me, guide me, stand by me, advise me, pray with me, and so much more. Last spring I was scared and ashamed and I had no idea what was going to happen. I knew only that my actions had resulted in a consequence that I would have to face and deal with. And now look...that "consequence" is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me...but I would never have gotten to this point without my family. They stood by me proudly through it all and for that I am so incredibly thankful.

You know my whole life I was raised in a Christian household. I was taught right from wrong. I was taught what choices I should make and how I should live a "good life". That is all well and good and I plan to teach my children these things as well. Some parents stop teaching there, however, and when adversity happens, when mistakes are made....guilt and shame are placed on the children who will inevitably fall short of a perfect life. But luckily for me my parents understood and taught me the rest of the story. That no one is perfect, that everyone falls, and that God is the essence of grace and mercy.

At the church here in Dallas, the pastor said that you really find out if a person understands the gospel when they stumble and fall in their lives. Because those who do not will run away and hide from God, trying to make up for their shortcomings with good works. This will never suffice because no one is good enough on their own. But the person who truly understand the gospel realizes that when you mess up it is the absolute best time to run to Him...because that is the only way you can get back up on your feet. I am so blessed to have parents who taught me that. Of all the things they've done for me (and that would be a lot) instilling that in me was the best by far. I pray that I am able to do the same for Kynlee. Of course I will hope and pray that she stumbles far less than I have in life...but if and when she does I hope that she knows that she can never do anything to lose my love..and she can never do anything that God wouldn't forgive in a second.

Some way, somehow I will pay my family back for all they have done. (Free chiropractic visits anyone lol???) But I hope y'all know how grateful I am for everything. To my parents for way too much to list, but staying at your house with a baby for four months certainly would top that list lol! To "Unkie J" for being a wonderful uncle...and for sharing his bathroom. :) To Aunt Lala for making the longgg trips to come see Kynlee whenever she can. And to all other family (and friends who I consider family), who I'm not about to try to name names because I would definitely forget someone, for all your gifts, kind words, support, and everything else. I also want to thank Sean's fam for being so open and accepting of me in such a short amount of time, and so wonderful with Kynlee. I love you all! :) This is sounding like an acceptance speech lol sorry!! :/

I will not write many blogs this serious, it makes me a bit uncomfortable to do so, but I felt like this one needed to be done. I've been too blessed by too many people to not try to say thank you anyway I can!!!To end on a lighter note...I somehow managed to forget the funniest part of my last blog about Kynlee's church incident. I'm not sure if y'all know this but my dad is one of those "can't watch anything gross while I'm eating" type people. One of those "but what about bacteriaaaaa" type people. One of those "I don't do poop" type people. I think y'all see where I'm going with this. Don't get me wrong...He is amazing with Kynlee (they even have a "Papa is amazing" song!) but when a diaper is filled or spit up comes he quickly hands her back. And that's ok...because she's my baby and I think that's my job (and Sean's of course...but he can make up some diapers later haha) to clean up after her. If you recall the church story though...mom and I made a quick exit to get Kynlee cleaned up, which left only one person to clean up the mess she had made in church...in front of everyone. And if that one person wouldn't have been Dad hahahaha...his face when we came back was too funny. He definitely took one for the team there! Thanks Papa!