I would like to say that I have a good excuse for not writing for the last....I don't even know how many weeks....We will pretend that I was devastated because of Blake and Miranda's sudden split recently after my last post....But that's really not the reason. I pretty much am just terrible at creating a habit. 

Life is funny sometimes....(Isn't that in about a million different country songs?) It's funny because as well as we think we know ourselves, there seems to always be someone who knows us just as well, if not better. I'm learning that in my own life. I seem to be so sure of something, and then someone in my family, (Usually my fiance or my grandma) tells me that I'm wrong and then proceeds to tell me why and even though I hear what they're telling me, I always seem to go against council and learn the hard way. Luckily for me, I'm surrounded by people who love me, regardless of my stupid decisions.

That brings me to the topic of this post......Still not doing this weekly like I should be. I'm sorry!!(Assuming anyone is even reading this.) I was listening to a playlist on apple music recently, the title for the playlist escapes me, but most of the songs were about, for simple explanation, gratitude. Gratitude is a simple thing. I've figured out that most often in my own life, I don't seem to show enough gratitude. I have learned that I tend to just ASSUME certain things. This is a TERRIBLE habit. It follows me everywhere. I have set a personal goal for myself to make sure that whether it be to my fiance, my friends, my son, or my boss, I am consistently showing gratitude. I feel that too often in the world gratitude is all too often forgotten. I haven't set up much of an "action plan" so to speak, but I have started to just start with the "little:" things. I want to be able to end every meal and tell my fiance "thank you" when I know she worked hard to make such a wonderful meal for our family. I want to be able to tell my son "thank you" for giving me an opportunity to share life lessons with him and share memories with him. I want to be able to tell my boss "thank you" for allowing me to work and earn a paycheck which allows me to put food on my table to feed my family with and keep a roof over our heads.

Back to my fiance.....I know I talk about her a lot. I kinda love her a lot ;) She is INCREDIBLE. I honestly have no idea where I would be or what I would do without her. She is an angel. She always puts my needs before her own. She is an incredible mother to our son and she is always working so hard in and out of the house. That sounds to me like a lot to be grateful for.

Now what does this have to do with country music? HA! That's exactly the point....This post is about my gratitude for country music. At 4 years old, I was singing Elvis music. Soon after, I was singing Tim McGraw and George Strait and those are the very two men who I got to see at my very first concert. Country music has always been a major part of my life. My family...or most of it anyways, loves country music. It just feels good. You can listen to songs like "Sweet Southern Comfort" or "Amarillo By Morning" and you just can't help but be in a good mood. Country music can rattle your soul. Listen to "He Stopped Loving Her Today" or "The Ride" and tell me it doesn't evoke some emotion. There is a song for every mood and every occasion. And for me, it was a love for singing country music that has always had a tight grip on me. It's that love of singing country music that led me to choir and choir is what led me to the love of my life. I really could tie country music to any aspect of my life.

I'd bet anyone reading this can instantly relate a country song to a memory. I can do it with MANY songs. Be grateful for the music we are blessed with. Be grateful for those who share their gifts with us. For those of you who share the love of making music with me, be grateful we have that gift. Share that gratitude with the other people in your life.