So in one not-so-succinct post - Here are the 28 things I am thankful for. Dont read if you dont want to get teary-eyed (consider yourself warned) 1. The guy that gave me my dreams, kids and a law degree, even though it takes away from what he wants. Hes my harshest critic and my biggest fan all rolled into one - which is exactly what I need. I could not be what I am without you Mike Swenson! 2-3. My rowdy little two - Watching Jack & Nik every day is a sight! I never thought I would be lucky enough to have one of you, and having two is EXTRODINARY. You two are my world. 4. My mother, who after being gone over 20 years still reminds me everyday of how much like her I am. She blazed a path before me, and now I am following it, and shes next to me even when she isnt. 5-7. For Janelle Lehmann, Jonathan A. Lehmann and Lynn Lehmann - We grew together, suffered loss together, fought like worst enemies and made up like best friends. We came through it better than anyone ever expected because we do it together even though we are apart. 8-9. Graham and Mia. Mom smiles every day to know that she goes on with you like she does in my two. 10. Donna Adams. I just cant even fathom how I would be even alive without you. You saved me at my darkest hours. We have cried together, argued, and laughed hysterically at each other, all in the span of 20 minutes. Like I said last week - I got the next 20! 11. Sandra Voelker. For never judging me, for never telling me off, and for telling me that my dreams mattered. We can not talk for months, and I know who I can turn to in an instant. It means the world to me! 12. Shawna Freeborn Lehmann and Gabriela Monsalve - For loving my brothers and not completely running from a family that cant have dinner without three fights and a small fire. 13-more than 36, but Ill say 25. The Swedish Family Swenson for being surprised by a girl you never met that suddenly showed up pregnant with your uncle/brother and there we be. You all have always welcomed me warmly into the fold, picked me up when I was down, and made me feel like I was one of you. I am eternally grateful, even for Ed. 26. My guy friends. Especially Josh Kroll, for always letting me be one of the guys, even though I was a girl. For knowing I am crazy, exuberant, over-the-top and somewhat out there, but always saving me from myself (especially when Liquor Lyles was involved). 27. Failure. It takes a lot of failure to succeed, and I have had a BUNCH of it. But I have learned that it makes me cherish things more, drives me, and ties me to the people that have gone through it with me. I am thankful for every failure, and everything that I learn from it. 28. My coworkers - past & present - Juli Sauer, Andrew Rausch, Dawn Rausch, Lisa Beth Lentinih Laura Elwood, Elizabeth Robillard, Kristen Finney and a certain guy who will remain unmentioned (cause it would make him teary AGAIN) - For the those of you that went through the fire with me, I appreciate the days when we went down to Caribou so I didnt explode. For those of you now - I appreciate everything you do to save me from myself. Just like family, we were thrown together by circumstance, but friends by choice, and I cant tell you what the words of encouragement mean(t) to me on a daily basis. And for those of you that are not specifically mentioned - You know I love you, very, very much!
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 16:31:02 +0000