Grayson James and Aggieville...

He's here!  Actually, he's been here since December 4th, but I haven't had a chance to blog.  My cousin Hannah has blessed our family with a beautiful baby boy. He is the very first grandson on both sides and we are in LOVE!  I was so lucky this little guy was born a little bit early!  I was home for Chad's graduation and I got to see him.  Words really can't describe how it felt when I got the call he was finally here.  Or the feeling of holding him for the first time.  It truly is a miracle.  There is no better way to describe it.  Welcome to the world Grayson James Heinz.  You are so loved!

My brother, Chad.

My cousin, Zach

The very best Christmas gift

I have a picture of me with the little one, but it's on my I-phone and I haven't quite got that figured out yet...  I get to see him tomorrow, so I'll be sure to post more!

Later that weekend, I went to Manhattan to see my brother Chad graduate from K-State.  He graduated with a degree in Construction Science and has a JOB!!  Whoo hoo!  He reminded me what a great place K-State was and how much fun he had when he was there.  We had so much fun hanging out at his house: aka "The Casa".  Chad went to Porters just for me.  My mom says I skipped to aggieville I was so excited.  Maybe I did and maybe I didn't...

More pictures of the awesomeness to come.  One things for sure... I really miss Manhattan.  I miss aggieville, the Pi Phi house, football games... all of it.

Way to go Chad and Hannah!  Couldn't be more proud!  Hey Zach - you and I need to get with it.  The youngin's are starting to pass us by.... :)

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.  I know that might sound really silly, but there is really no other way to describe it.  I am thankful.

I am thankful for my loving parents who are always there for me no matter what.

I am thankful for my brother, Chad.  He is graduating college this December and I couldn't be more honored to be his big sister.

I am thankful that I have an extended family that has always been my biggest fans and closest allies.

I am thankful for the newest addition to the Pederson clan.  Baby Heinz.  I am not going to lie... I cried buckets when I drove away from this beautiful mama, but I know that I will get to see the whole Heinz family soon.

I am thankful for my in-laws.  Isn't there a better word for them?  These people have been loving me and supporting me since I was 18.  You'd think they could be called something other than In-Laws...

I am thankful for my friends that talk me through every decision and stand by me when I make the wrong one.

And last but not least, I am thankful for my husband.  I am thankful that I know he will love me forever.  What else is there when you have that?

So, sorry for the cheesy post, but I need to remind myself of everything I am thankful for.  It is so easy to get bogged down with what sucks.  Traffic is terrible, my students aren't learning to divide fast enough, there is so much laundry to do, another assignment is due tomorrow... and the list goes on.  I realized when I got home from our Thanksgiving trip that I could be sad about leaving, or I could be thankful for the time we had together.  I guess you know which one I chose :).

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Christmas is just around the corner!