November, The Month of Thanks

First off! EquinPilot is having a super awesome Giveaway from RW!

Okay, back to November!

I have written this post over and over in my head and I felt like it was definitely going to be a tear-jerker. We'll see what happens though since I kept putting it off due to the pet-sitting insanity. I survived though! I even spent some time with my family to top it off. I have to say, probably the one of the best Thanksgivings I have ever had.

In truth, I think it's because I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Obviously a lot has to do with this girl and her painted unicorn.

Wendy has absolutely been an incredible friend and partner throughout the year and I can't wait until next year. I am so so so thankful for her and every experience we have been able to have together.

Right there with Wendy, I have Kate and Lauren. I have never had such an amazing support group or cheerleading squad in my entire life. They are my grounding ties and also the reason I know that Brantley and I can do anything and everything we could set our minds to. They have been with me through basically the beginning. The beginning of the "new" me. And I wouldn't be that person without them.

I'm also thankful for new friends and the group from WGHA. I'm also really thank you for Grasa who I feel like should've been in my life a long long long time ago. But it's never too late and I'm glad she's here now. You know when you just connect with someone and next thing you know you both are singing "No Scrubs" in a crowd of people and then say, "Friendship Level Achievement Unlocked" ... loudly... And then be lucky enough you are both horse crazy? I'm set for life.

My best friend and my hero.

I'm thankful for my boys. These boys are the reason I'm still alive and mean everything to me. I honestly don't know if I would've made it as far as I have in my life without them. Mikhail is a Junior in college working as a research student and skipping ahead into his PhD program, all expenses paid. Mason just began his Freshman year and is a straight A student in all of his classes. Did I mention their both Engineers in the making? They are my mentors and the two people I look up to the most because they're amazing and two of the most invested kids I know in their generation. I am so lucky to have both of them.

My Mom. I know we don't always see eye-to-eye and we have definitely have had our ups and downs, but she's my Mom. She's always taught me to be optimistic. To look at the stars. To be a star, when I have the chance of course, and sometimes you just belong in the spotlight. Because of her I can basically fiddle with any instrument I pick up and can sing my heart out when I really want to (in the right key too). I know it's hard for her to relate sometimes because my passion is different from hers, but it's how passionate we are that makes us so alike. I know that no matter how differently we see things, we can always find a middle ground or just call each other "cunts", have a laugh, and try again tomorrow. For a long time it was just the two of us and watching her be so strong working days and nights just to make sure I had a smile on my face and some mac 'n cheese to eat was inspiring. 

Being a single mom is tough and she made it look easy.

... with jazz hands.

My Dad. I don't even know how to talk about my Dad without writing a book. My parents were divorced before I even understood what that could medan. And honestly, I didn't know what it really meant until my Mom remarried when I was 8. When I realized what "divorced" meant and he wasn't around as much as he had been, it hit me really hard. Basically to the point our relationship fell apart and I got really lost in my teen years (like most of us horse girls do). When Lucky came around he wasn't crazy about the idea because I was 14 and he thought that it'd just be a wave that'd go away (he admitted later in my life that he was wrong). But when I needed him the most, he was there.

When Lucky got hurt, this man did everything he could to give my boy every chance possible. He made the decision to try to save him because I couldn't. And when I lost him and went off the deep end, Dad was there every night making sure I was okay or waiting by the phone just in case. He sat with me more nights than I remember while I cried myself to sleep. He pushed me to go to the barn and keep at it, and that's probably why Brantley came along he kept quiet that he wanted me to have another horse, "just not that one." Which I found out like a year ago... I think he gets it now that it's not just a phase and has definitely become a bit more supportive. There are things I do with my life I know he's not crazy about, but I know that if I do fail, he'll be there. And the best is when I succeed and can laugh and "I told you I'd do it." And he has that look like he knew I could the whole time.

Alright, I saved the best for last. Someone who doesn't get a lot of credit and it's definitely due. See that guy to the right holding up my brother Mason? In the light blue polo? Yeah, that guy. That's Michael. He's my Other Dad. I won't call him the "S" word because there's just so much stigmatism that goes with that. He's nothing like one of those. He stepped into my life when I was 8 and I could tell right of the bat he was a rookie. But he liked my Mom and helped me pierce my Barbie's ears (yes I had a Barbie) with thumbtacks (totally Maddy style). Yes we fought, yes sometimes things got out of hand, and I definitely screamed "You're not my father" a few thousand times. But honestly? He was much more than a father. He has a completely different outlook than both Mom and Dad and is probably the glue that sticks those two personalities together in my own personality. Kind of like the bacon on BLT. A lettuce and tomato sandwich is just not the same without bacon.

When I don't know where to go or who to turn to in those family moments, I know he's there. He took on a lot of responsibility when he signed up for this situation and because of him I have my boys and a happier Mom. And I love how much he loves my Dad. I love his sense of humor and he has never made me feel out of place. He's been a strong and steady hand the majority of my life and I don't think I'd be the woman I am today without him.

And other than my boys (who obviously I'm thankful for), I'm thankful for you!

You read my stories and my rants and flip through the pictures I post on here and Instagram (and some of you on Facebook). You help me up when I'm down and celebrate my accomplishments. I'm so lucky to have this community to share stories and lessons with. Thank you for making me... Me!

So I'll leave you with this question.

What are you thankful for? Other than horses of course.