30 Days of Thanks - Day 22

We're going to mix up the format today and throw in a little high quality art. You ready? Better be.

Ok, let's face it, when your parents split up and eventually start dating other people, there is potential that things could not go smoothly during the transition. I hadn't given a lot of thought to this when my dad started dating, but I would be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind. "What if she's horrible?! What if she hates bunnies and flowers?! What if she doesn't like us?! What if she hates Christmas?! What IF she's a Justin Bieber fan!?!?! Oh the horror!" Ok, so it wasn't quite that dramatic but still the "what if's" did go through my mind at one point.

In all seriousness....

Well he's kind of a big deal to Jaime and I. We love him so very much and he rates right up there at the very top of our list of awesome. And of course, because we love him so very much, we want him to be all kinds of mega happy.

And so now we get to 30 Days of Thanks, Day 22. I am so very thankful for:

She is wonderful for so many reasons, but let me tell you a few of the things that make the top of my list:

1. She makes my dad happy. Like I said before, we want him to be all kinds of mega happy. Mission accomplished. Boo ya!
2. Let's just say that in recently divorced or separated families, there is "stuff" that comes with it. Patty handles difficult or what could be awkward situations with class and grace. Hence her angelic presence above. :D
3. She takes an interest in things and people (read: US!) that are important to my dad. :)
4. Being at a place in my life where I'm having babies of my own and still trying to get the hang of this whole motherhood thing, Patty has been fantastic. She's been great at offering support and advice. And when Owen was born, she came out with my dad and spent an entire week taking care of all of us. As I had just given birth, was running on very little sleep, and also had bronchitis that week - her help was AMAZING!
5. She is kind and caring and considerate. Don't just brush over this one. As an adult I've realized that these traits aren't always a "given" and when you have people in your life that possess them, you hang on to them and try to give just as much back in return.

So just to recap: