Week 26

Happy Thanksgiving Sweet Child!

In honor of your 26th week and Thanksgiving, here are 26 things for which I am thankful!

I am thankful for-
1. Your Daddy
He is by far the most considerate, patient, loving, kind and talented person I know. He will be the best father to you!
2. You
We both have prayed that we would be blessed with you and can't wait for you to be here!
3. Our Home
We have a beautiful home. We have lived there for almost three years. We hope that you will enjoy it as much as we have and that there will be no place like it.
4. Reba Crain Abbott
This is my mama's mama! She was the most fascinating woman. She was a nurse, an orator, a scholar and a true Southern lady. She taught me so much about being a woman. Not just a woman but a real lady. She taught me the importance of education and a passion for learning.  She taught me manners, how to be polite and how to be graceful in any situation. She showed me the beauty of classical music, movies and theater. I could sit and listen to her talk to hours. She battled Alzheimer's for many years and went to be with our Lord on November 12th 2009. The same day your daddy proposed to me. It was a bitter sweet day but I know she was there and gave us her blessing.
5. Jack & Andrea Abbott
This is my mama's daddy and his wife of 24 years. Great Grandfather is a die hard Texas A&M fan and would love very much if you attended that college! They live in a fabulous area called King's Country in Scoggins, TX. It is a wilderness wonderland! Can't wait to take you there!
6. Jana Abbott Morris
This is your Gmama! My mommy. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is a great mommy. I sure do wish we could spend more time together. She is a mommy of all trades! She has done it all! When I was younger she would take me to work with her. She worked as a chef and I learned how to be a prep cook (might be why I love to cook so much today)! I loved being in the kitchen with her. It was like a watching a magician. I also used to love watching her care for plants (another thing I love to do to this day)! We would travel to different stores and she would tell me all about the different kinds of plants and what they needed! It was so cool! She could always make me smile too. Sometimes when she would make me breakfast, she would pretend to be Julia Child and she would say, "Today we are making Spam & eggs!" in her voice. She is more than excited about your arrival. You will be her first grandchild.
7. Melissa, Jason & Jackson Amick
This is your Gmama's oldest sister and her family. Your cousin Jackson is a super fast speed skater! Maybe he'll teach you how to as well someday. Your aunt Melissa is a ton of fun! She is so full of energy. You will love to be around her! Some day ask her about the story of when I was born! "I'm an aunt! I'm an aunt"!
8. Don Abbott
My mommy's brother. Your uncle Don is hilarious! He will easily keep you entertained! He's full of crazy stories and has one of the best laughs you will ever hear!
9. Christi, Kent, Savannah & Cooper Tracy
This is my mommy's youngest sister and her family. As a child I identified with her the most. She is only seven years older than me and I would sit in her room and listen to her albums and look at her yearbooks and stuff! I will always love the Tommy & Grease soundtracks because of her! Your cousin Savannah is about to graduate from high school and will be going to Texas Tech University! Go Red Raiders! Your cousin Cooper is a freshman in high school right now and he loves golf. Uncle Don says he's a natural quarterback though so maybe he'll be a football player someday.
10. Your Granddad-Bobby Morris
That's my daddy. He is Superman! He raised me all on his own when I was little. He is a little unconventional but the best! Always there for me! He was even "room mom" when I was in the 5th grade. He is a master upholsterer and can recover anything. It's very cool! He's also a brilliant bass player. He can be a little rough around the edges at times but as honest and loving as they get!
11. Tina Morris
This is my other mommy. I know that sounds odd but she's been a part of our family for so long that if feels like she's my second mommy. Of all the things she taught me, I'd say how to be a mommy was the biggest. She took great care of me, Mykell & Katrina with such ease! She showed me some valuable lessons from cooking & cleaning to being caring & patient. She is thrilled to be welcoming a little girl to her list of grandchildren!
12. Mykell, Shanan & Lyric Morris and Meredith Solomon
That's my little brother and his family. You will love your uncle Mykell! He is the sweetest! He lives in Houston, TX with his (soon to be) wife Shanan, their son Lyric & her daughter Meredith. Lyric is almost 4 years old and as of right now he's the youngest cousin you have. Your uncle is an incredible percussionist! Definitely one of the best you will ever hear! Shanan and I have been the best of friends for a long time! Way before she met Mykell. She's a terrific lady and I'm so thankful for our friendship. I've had the privilege to be a part of her and Meredith's life ever since she was born. Meredith is lovely! She's super smart and will be going to Texas State University next year! Love her!!
13. Katrina, Greg, Lawrence & Baby Huggins
That's my little sister and her family. I like to call her Little Bit! She was just about the cutest baby/kid in the world! (She still is) I'm so very proud of her. She has grown up to be quite the perfect little momma! She works so hard and still finds time to be a loving, caring mommy. Lawrence is your cousin and we all call him Pee Wee. He is probably the most energetic kid I've ever met! They are expecting their second child in June! Yay! We all hope it's a girl! Girls rule!
14. Bill & Marylou Morris
That's my daddy's daddy and my "Maw Maw" (aka Granny). We miss our Granny so very much. She was a very wise woman! A firecracker! One of the best cooks ever! She could bake like no body's business! Grandad is a kind and gentle man! He gives the best hugs in the world and has the greatest smile!
15. Tonya Bolen
She is my daddy's youngest sister. She was my favorite aunt! (Not that all my aunts aren't the greatest but I spent the most time with her.) She is no longer with us but not a day goes by that I don't think about her! She had a true love of life and family. I can still hear her laugh and it always makes me smile.
16. Max, Dru & Jon Bolen
Three of the greatest cousins ever but they always felt more like brothers to me! They are Tonya's boys. Max is a talented artist. Dru is currently studying to be a master financier. Jon Jon is a poker dealer near Denver, CO!
17. Mark & Holly Morris and Josh, Alli & Miles Key
This is my daddy's youngest brother and his family. My uncle Mark is a drummer too! He and Holly have always been an inspirational relationship to me. I admire their love for each other. My cousin Josh and his wife Alli are too just the cutest couple. Wait till you meet their son Miles! Talk about a cutie!
18. Joyce Fenley
My daddy's mommy. This is my MiMi. She is the most elegant lady. She gave me my sense of style. Always lavished me with the latest fashions. She knows how to do a serious make-over. I used to love playing "fashion show" at her house!
19. Tobie Cheek & Leslie Cheek
This is my daddy's brother & sister. They have both always been very creative! (This runs through our family like wildfire!) Uncle Tobie designs big trade show booths that are very elaborate!
20. Carol & Dave Newby and Shelly & Allen Elder and Erik, Penny & Natalie Reynolds
This is my daddy's oldest sister and her family. (Yes, your granddad has five siblings!) My aunt Carol (Deen Deen) also taught me a lot about style & class! Her oldest Erik (again another talented drummer) is married to the oh so beautiful Penny! Their daughter is Natalie, talk about stylish! You're the first girl to be born since her so hopefully she can show you the ropes on how she does it! Shelly & I were like two peas on a pod when we were growing up. We are only 2 months apart and often were dressed in the same outfits but in different colors! Kind of seems corney now but we loved it then. She and I have a very unique bond. One that is hard to explain but I have a feeling you will know exactly what that is like with your cousin that is on the way! Her son Allen was the first of the "new cousins" and has set the bar high for the rest of you! He's a great kid. Well I say kid but he's almost 16 years old! I just can't wait for you to meet all of them!
21. Rick, Morgan & Brittany Minick
Also my daddy's brother. I think your uncle Ricky is very wise! Another one I could sit and talk to for hours (we don't get to near enough). He has two children Morgan & Brittany. Although I never get to see them, I love them more than they will ever know!
22. The Miller Family
I've already told you a lot about your daddy's mom, dad, sister, brother in law & niece but there is also Bob & Karen Miller. They are your daddy's daddy's brother & sister in law. They live in Ft. Meyers, FL and you  better believe we'll be visiting them as much as possible! They live in paradise and they are so much fun! Your uncle Bob will keep you laughing for hours! Their daughter is Jenny Machovina and she has twins! Justin & Libby. They all live in Fairfax, VA. Every other year will all travel to Outer Banks, NC for a week long vacation! It is the best, most fun week ever!! We'll play in the pool, play games, puzzles, search for shells on the beach and surf the waves!
23. The Winship Family
There's a lot of them! This is your daddy's mommy's side of the family. She has two brothers. Chuck & Bruce. Bruce lives in Rochester, NY. He loves outdoor sports of all kinds, like skiing and biking. Your uncle Chuck is a maple syrup farmer in Sugar Bush Hollow, NY! Neat huh?! Can't wait for him to be able to to show you how it's done! He has two children John & Dori. I will go into more details about them later, I promise!
24. Our Friends
Boy oh boy do we have a ton of great friends! We have been very blessed! This is a long, long list and we love them all very much. I'll be able to tell you more about them later as well!
25. Our Furry Children
Your furry siblings. Roxie is the oldest. She is our grumpy, needy, sweet kitty! She'll be five next year and I'm pretty sure you'll love to pull her tail! Let's see how well she'll tolerate it! Stella is your puppy dog! She'll be two next year. We're hoping that once she gets over being super jealous that she is no longer the baby in the family, she will be your #1 fan and protector!
26. Our Life
As you can see we are extremely blessed in every single way! We have each other. We have you. We have a beautiful home, great jobs, a loving large creative abundant family, an endless list of incredible friends that will love you without a doubt as much as we do!

LOVE...is the most important word here! It's all you need baby girl!  
Love-
Unconditionally
Endlessly
Selflessly
Cheerfully
and you will see it returned ten fold!

You are loved,
Mommy & Daddy