Prayers asked. Prayers answered.

As I sat at the dinner table yesterday and looked at the magnificent feast I had created, it reminded me of a few things.  And yes.......I would consider them blessings.

I think back to when the boys were little and I was a single mom living in my mobile home that my parents so graciously provided for me.  I would lay there at night and just pray my little heart out that I would win the lottery or some giant windfall would happen my way.  I didn't know how I was going to pay a babysitter, buy food, pay rent, make car payments, and all the other necessary things that were needed to get by in life.

And no I never did win that windfall......but instead I've been paid many times over throughout my life.

Thank God I had such wonderful people in my life that made sure I was going to make it.  My parents, my father-in-law, my sister and her family, and my coworkers.  I have to even thank my mother-in-law, who was already gone, but still provided me with the example of how I needed to work hard to be a good mother.

I was not laying at home waiting for the government or some charity to take care of me.  I was working my butt off every single day doing the best I could on the little that I made.  Thankfully, I had help from my family.  I used to think that if I worked hard, was a good daughter and sister, and most importantly a good mother......that it would all come back ten-fold to me in the future.  Sometimes, I felt so emotionally exhausted and tired because I didn't have a "husband/father" to help me with raising the kids.  I had to deal with every single school issue, every illness, every disciplinary problem, EVERYTHING.  But you know what?  I also got to deal with every hug and kiss, every birthday, every "I love you", celebrate every wonderous achievement, and every crazy moment that we had together.  And I didn't have to share them with anyone.

It's funny how those requests to God don't always seem to come when you first ask for them.

My blessings all came later.......

After 10 years of being a single mom who devoted her entire life to making sure her kids had the best life possible.......I met someone who would change my life.

After that.....my life has been nothing but blessing filled.

Sure there is a lot of crap we have to deal with along the way.  But I feel now that I have reaped the rewards of all those prayers.  All those nights I laid there and cried not knowing how I was going to make it. 

I have two kids who I still would do anything for and still try to make their lives adventure filled (as much as I can).  And I have a husband/partner/best friend who makes me laugh and has opened my eyes to what adventure really is.  

I'm sorry for the boy's father that didn't get to have the wonderful opportunity that I had to raise them.  I'm sorry for the boy's father that doesn't know them and will never know them the way I do.  But you know what?  That's not my problem.......that's his.

I've worked hard to be where I am today and I am going to enjoy every single solitary good or bad moment of it.

Thank you so much for all my blessings.