Everything is bigger in Texas!

Simon and I are back in Iowa (and have been since Friday).  It was a fantastic trip, filled with a lot of great learning, fun times with some school mates and a little emotion.  It's no secret that we're trying to make the most of memories with Simon now.  I figured that Simon and I taking a picture with Margaret Fitzgerald might be something I would like for my office someday.  Most of you are probably saying "Margaret who?"  For a lack of a better way to describe her, Margaret Fitzgerald is arguably the most successful nurse practitioner, the NP of all NPs I suppose.  She's built a huge company focused on the continued learning of nurse practitioners.  I don't usually get "star struck" but I thought a photo-op of Simon with her might be kind of fun.  So, I asked her to take a picture with me.  I felt a little like a screaming teenage girl at a Justin Beiber concert by asking so I felt the need to justify myself with a little of Simon's story...so I did...and I cried a little.  If you know me, you know I don't cry.  I don't wear my heart on my sleeve.  My husband has rarely seen me cry.  I felt like a complete goof, but I do suppose I can at least use pregnancy hormones in my defense.  Here's Simon and Margaret, with his blubbering mother as well.

And to play catch-up, as I knew I would, here are my days of being thankful.

6: I'm thankful for a 20" pizza (everything is bigger in Texas, right?).  Instead of going out this night, the girls and I ordered a pizza in.  We sat around said mammoth pizza and shared some pretty great conversation in the privacy of room 712.  There were some laughs, some near cries, some gasps...a little of everything that likely wouldn't have been talked about had we been in the confines of a booth at a local restaurant.  Part of it was a conversation I'll cherish for a very long time, near strangers sharing in mutual anguish but in the beauty of a memory. 

7: I'm thankful for the promise of new life.  I found out in the last week that someone I consider a dear friend is expecting a baby.  As soon as I found out, I sent a little prayer to God to protect the sweet, new little babe growing inside of her, a sweet little babe that is going to change her and her husband's lives forever. 

8: I'm thankful for being homesick.  After 3 days of being away, I was ready to come home.  Being homesick clearly means I have a home to be sick for, which some people don't have.

9: I'm thankful for Sharon, our former nanny.  She's an excellent gal, and more than just a sitter to us.  She's grown over the last 9+ years to become part of our family, not just a former babysitter.

10: I'm thankful for Hickory Park.  The sweet deliciousness of Hickory Park, especially when it's delivered by someone else.  Peggy and Joel (Ryan's parents) delivered us HP Sunday night, along with Tanner.  A pretty good package I must say.  Did I also mention that's where Ryan and I had our first date?  I'm pretty sure that makes it taste even better. 

11: I'm thankful for my freedom, those who have served to protect it, those who have died to protect it and the families who have endured much pain to let their loved ones serve.  I don't think America can ever thank our service men and women enough for what they do for our country.