Community

Last night when I was laying in bed wishing I could sleep I was thinking about the people that I am surrounded with. 

For starters my amazing family. Both my own and my in-laws. They have always shown me nothing but unconditional love and really encouraged me to be whoever I am and want to be. They cry with me when I'm sad and jump for joy in my happiness's.

Then the family that I have created. I have a husband that not only would do anything for me, he does. We joke about it, but I really am positive nobody loves each other as much and in the same way, as we do.Our children are the product of how much we love eachother. People have asked me if I sometimes feel crazy for adding more children to the already young and active household we have. And although I'm nervous with keeping up pace, it really is a product of the love Trevor and I have together. Creating something so amazing with the one you love the most is literally the most beautiful thing in the world. If I thought I could handle it, we would do it forever. Our kids make me happy and fulfilled every single day. They help me be a better person and remind me of what is important.

All of my friends in my life. I don't know if I attribute this to having a bad memory, but I seriously don't remember having one single friend, my entire life, that hasn't been amazing. Everybody has been so wonderful in their own way and taught me so much. From the boys that chased me around preschool to the friendships I've made as an early wife and so forth. 

And then there's my current community. We have lived here for 3 years. I have not met one bad apple. This town is rich with people with amazing qualities, wisdom, and heart. The older generations have lived an amazing life and continue to share their infinite wisdom whilst being so humble and sincerely kind. They have saved me in so many ways. From never ending smiles, waves, hugs, and the inspired non-scheduled visit or meal. I love them all. And then my peers. Thanks to some newer subdivisions and houses in the area, this town has blossomed with bright and growing young families. I absolutely love to be surrounded by such amazing examples. These families are the apidimy of what I am striving to create within my own household. The women are strong, happy, and loving. They keep up their household chores with grace while maintaining gardens and preparing their children to know how to work and sustain themselves in the future. They know the importance of taking care of themselves. They exercise and eat healthy. They form bonds while training for marathons and triathlons, exchanging recipes, or chit chatting to make their emotions remain level through pregnancy. They support their husbands and children beautifully while keeping their own sense of identity strong. The men are definitely not less notable. They remind me so much of my own husband, it reminds me that we all have it right. They work hard to support their families, but NEVER skip a beat for quality time with their children or wife. They always tell their wife she is beautiful and hold her hand while all their kids are jumping on him. They do dishes, and yard work, without asking. They play a dual role in the raising of their children and maintaing their household. They are friendly and caring and willing to offer a hand to anybody and everybody that needs it. The children are surrounded by a community to raise them. Everybody knows each other and only shares 'gossip' when it is in a loving way to help one another or to spread word of good news of a friend. The kids are well disciplined and obviously very happy running free in a safe and loving town. They are not just a community that has become my friends, they are my family. We are all sharing in this trying life and lift each other up whenever needed.

A few days ago my sweet brother came up for the day to help me with the kids since they all had the flu and I was recovering from passing a kidney stone. He happily :) assisted me at the grocery store. When we went to pay there was this sweet little girl in front of us very carefully choosing a treat after a successful shopping trip. I joked with her young fit grandma that it is a very hard decision to choose such a reward. As I was putting my food up to pay, the woman asked me if she could buy my boys a treat. I was tickled that this stranger would do such a thing. I said that we would sure appreciate it. The cashier asked her if she knew me and she simply said, "No, I don't know her. But I had three boys myself." They all got down to pick a treat. I turned around and looked at my brother, trying so hard not to cry. This meant more than she knew in a time that a small candy meant the world. As I was holding back tears my brother said to me, "Man, you must have some good karma." And I just thought, 

"No, it's not me. This town and community has created some amazing karma for itself."