Thankful.

Being this is the month (and even more specifically the week) of thankfulness, naturally, it's been on my mind a lot lately about what I am grateful for this year.

The answer may be a little cliche, but it's these guys.

Seven and a half years ago, David and I were driving back home from our wedding and I remember looking over at him and saying "you're officially my family now!"  After six and a half years of being boyfriend/girlfriend or fiancee, there was just something special about saying "we're officially family."

I am always grateful for my extended family.  We are blessed with a large extended family and there are many of them that we are pretty close to and even get to see on a daily basis, but these days I see just how much "my" family means to me. 

For years I dreamed of having my own family.  I know it's probably not the thing to admit, but I never really had a job or career that I dreamed about.  Even when I was in college working towards a degree, my dreams always were about my future husband and kids.  I've just honestly only really seen myself as a wife and mom. 

And now, these guys are mine. 

I'm so thankful I get to be his wife and their mom. 
I'm so thankful I get to wake up and say goodnight to them everyday and night.
I'm so thankful I get to be the one to feed them, wash their dirty clothes, pick up their messes day end and day out.
I'm so thankful I am the one to kiss their tears and give them words of encouragement.
I'm so thankful I am the one he chooses to come home to every night and chooses to love.
I'm so thankful for every time I hear the word "mom" and for the smiles I get when they see me walk into the room. 

Believe me when I say these three can drive me more batty than anyone else and everyday is far from perfect, but I love them like no other. 

These guys are my world, my dreams come true, and I'm so thankful I get to call them mine.

*All pictures courtesy of Kelsey Nichols Photography*