Let’s just start this by saying, I know I’ve been MIA recently.

Ok, my version of MIA is really just scaling my Facebook, Twitter, and blog posting to normal people levels. So you may not have noticed. But to me, I feel like I’ve horribly neglected you.

And I’m sorry.

I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but the Bylsma/Mathews world has been a little nutty these past few weeks. And my free time has mostly been dedicated to getting things back on track. Or calling back east to see how that track is doing.  Or coming home from work and immediately falling asleep on my amazing new couch, which must have come with some kind of tranquilizer built in because I can NOT stay awake once my butt hits the cushions. Seriosuly.  Brad is asleep on it right now.  After a full night’s worth of sleep.

We call it the sleepy couch.

But the other night brad and I were looking through our wedding pictures and I came across this beautiful and fantastic family I have.  Check them out.

And that’s only family related by blood!

Aside from deciding it is absolutely time to post some wedding pictures, I realized how very thankful I am for so much in my life.

I am thankful to have a supportive and loving family who helps out in every way they can and people who might as well be family who I love and can count on just as much as the real thing.

I am thankful to have a job that pays me well enough to pay the bills and still have a little left over for some real fun.

I am thankful for a wonderful husband and a really freaking cute dog who make our little apartment wonderful to come home to. And I’m thankful that on my hardest nights that husband of mine just sits me down at the kitchen table and feeds me, and so much of the stress of the world melts away. I am forever grateful that I have a wonderful man to walk through this world with who listens and communicates and understands and loves me. And he does my dishes a lot of the time, too…

I am thankful for a mother who is my best friend and I’m even thankful for the technology that lets me check in with her from so far away just to make sure life isn’t driving her crazy these past few weeks. I am thankful for all of the Skype visits we have where I sign off feeling like I almost just had a glass of wine in person with her. Almost.

(I am still waiting for teleporting technology. Because I’d really love to actually have a glass of wine with her. Come on, inventors. Invent that next, ok?)

I am thankful for a strong and caring father who amongst so many other things, taught me all I know about taking care of my finances. And I am thankful that I somewhat followed the advice. I am also so grateful that he and my mom have each other. It is so evident in the last month or so that a strong marriage is teamwork. When one person stumbles, the other reaches out and picks them up. 36 years of marriage next month. They are my inspiration.

I am also thankful for all of the adventures up ahead. For music and job opportunities and for the fantastic people I have in my life right now. Brad and I have surrounded ourselves with good vibes and great people, and nothing else in the world is more helpful than that in hard times.

Oh, and for learning how to become an aunt! If this isn’t the most exciting adventure yet, I don’t know what could be!

Life is slowly getting back on track and I have a lot to write about in the upcoming weeks. So I apologize for going MIA for a bit, but sometimes life just gets in the way. And I’m pretty lucky to have a surprisingly fantastic life.

See you all very soon!