GTD...Isn't it about time?

I have been in my female "mode" lately and not feeling all that grateful for what I have and my husband, well not as grateful as I should be anyway:) so here goes, the cure is writing down gratitude and reading it over and over again!

After planning a WILD camping/hiking trip with my husband's dad for this Thursday, Robert got "the look" and an earful from me about how "UN- FUN" that sounded. I didn't understand why he would want to roadside camp( no toilet to speak of) and hike for hours on end...miles and miles( 5 miles YAY...10..YIKES!) I was perfectly fine with him going by himself and enjoying his time with his dad. Did he have to take the kids?

Along comes COMPROMISE...Jaydn and Kole will be going along with Caleb and Elijah( our nephews):) Happy mom Happy boys = HAPPY MEN:)

They will have so much fun with Uncle and grandpa, I know it!

There is a part of little ole me that wished I desired to do these kind of adventures and jumped at the chance to do them with my family:) No toilet, no sleeping mattress, hike all day..should sound fun right? Not so much for this MOM here:), sadly.

I have come to the conclusion ( with help from dear friends) that It is okay for Robert to go and do these adventures without me. I will go on the BIG camping trips, have a huge smile, put in the effort and create big, fun memories for my babies that way! The roadside will have to wait to have me visit it until I am translated:)

When I am less focused on what I want and what is best for others involved the compromise is always better than the original plan!

I am grateful for the ability to adapt and see the bigger picture. To see the needs of others( not always considered on my behalf). I am grateful for the adventure seeking, crazy.." gotta see what is on that next peak" part of my husband's personality! We ground each other and lift each other up:) It is sweet! I am grateful that Robert doesn't just sit around doing nothing of consequence in his life. He makes a mark in this world. How many places will be able to show evidence that his feet have walked their ground? Robert DOES not sit back and wait for life to happen to him, EVER! He takes the bull by the horns and goes out and makes his life, and our children's lives, the adventure they should be. He is the main reason why our children don't play on the Internet/computer, videos games...and recently no TV...only a movie now and then:) They find their lives enriched with things like hiking, fishing, camping, biking, READING( that comes from me), exploring, building, playing sports, playing games, WORKING HARD...ect.

In order to give your children these types of opportunities to develop their characters without relying on technology to keep them " at bay"...you must be of the personality type to not shutter at how hard it may be to get yourself and 4 kids ready to hike, camp, fish, snowboard, bike, surf...whatever it may be. You must be able to sacrifice comfort, be patient, able to coax a smaller child up a very hard mountain without incident( that is you losing your patience and carrying them up yourself or heading back down). You must be willing to not shower for days, eat simple food, use "outdoor facilities" . You must be willing to WORK!

Above all else, I am VERY grateful my husband works! He works hard, which gives him the luxury of playing hard..ha ha, not a luxury to me but it is to him..nonetheless:) I am grateful Robert has the tools necessary to provide for our family, and provide well! I feel so safe knowing he is a hard working, well educated man that can survive literally in any situation!

If the "end of the world" rolled around and there was utter pandemonium everywhere, I and my children would be taken care of because of the man Robert is. He is a good man with good perspective, and a good connection with nature, a love of the outdoors, a patience unsurpassed by anyone I know. He can build anything, fix anything, hunt anything, accomplish just about anything! Nothing daunts him. .. and the words " lazy" or "BORED"...NOT in his vocabulary! Neither is " I can't".

Yes..I am grateful! Grateful I married this unbelievable man that ( as I have said before, makes me want to pull my own hair out strand by strand sometimes:) has made a life for our family that is unique and unlike that of many in this society! We are very blessed to have him in all his weirdness! I do not have riches , and never will, but I am rich! The life he has provided has laid the foundation for our children to succeed in ways I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams. They are independent, kind, helpful, smart, polite, respectful hard working kids. There is something, indeed, to be GRATEFUL for!

Man... did I say I am rich or what?

Who do I thank for this gift?

GOD