What Are You Thankful For?

By Fawn Weaver on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A yellow baby room sits empty in a corner of our home.  We began designing it while in the process of adopting a child being born to a mom with three children already, the youngest just a few months old, and no means to take care of them.  

We decided to adopt after some time of trying to conceive on our own and had been successfully matched with a birth mom.  But as is the case with most looking to adopt, the first try was a bust and we decided not to try again.  At least not at this time.

We recognize we waited until we were older in years to begin working on children (in spite of a nudging from my doc to get started several years earlier).  But we were thoroughly enjoying our marriage and weren’t quite ready for the change that occurs when parenthood is on the horizon.  So we waited.  Possibly too long…only time will tell.

But as I look at the empty Jazmine-colored room with plush carpet we chose so our child could comfortably play on the ground with mommy and daddy, a room with one rocking chair, one reading chair and a space for the crib that leans against a wall in the garage unassembled, all I can think of is gratefulness and thankfulness.

When Keith and I married 8 years ago, I was ready to have a baby right away.  But he wanted us to wait at least a year or two to get settled into marriage and to learn as much about each other as we possibly could.  He wanted us to be able to focus on each other, travel a bit, and just have “us” time before we expanded our family.  At first I was reluctant, then I relented, and then I fully embraced the new plan.

I embraced it so much, I forgot to think about it for years.  We began living our life to the fullest and enjoying our marriage beyond a place I never knew possible.  Around our 6th year of marriage, we decided to give it a whirl and work on conceiving a child.

Two years later, the baby room remains empty and I continue to be one of the happiest people I’ve ever known.  I have no void in my life.  I do not feel as though anything is missing.  I can say, with all honesty and transparency, if we got pregnant tomorrow I’d be over-the-moon excited.  But if we never have a child, I’ll still be the happiest wife on the block.

So this week, as I am thinking about all I am grateful for in my life, at the very top of the list must be the joy that overflows inside of me trusting God knows my life plan far better than I do and He knows why our family remains “just the two of us” (I love that song).

I am thankful beyond word or measure for a husband who accepts me flaws and all, loves me more than any person I’ve ever known, and inspires me daily to be the best Fawn I can be.  I am thankful that without a word spoken, and with just the touch of his hand, I can feel how much I am loved.

This week, I stand in awe of this life I live and am thankful for every breath I’m granted.

Rather than blogging each day this week, as I usually would, I’d prefer to hear from you.  What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving week?  What are you grateful for in your life? Leave your comments here and rather than people reading my words all week, they’ll read yours.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.  Until Monday…make it a great week!

Fawn

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Fawn Weaver

Founder at Happy Wives Club
Fawn Weaver is the USA Today® and New York Times® bestselling author of Happy Wives Club: One Woman's Worldwide Search for the Secrets of a Great Marriage, adopting the same name as the Club she founded in 2010. The Happy Wives Club community has grown to include more than 900,000 women in over 110 countries around the world. When she’s not blogging or working on her next project, she's happily doting over her husband of nearly eleven years, Keith.

 

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  • Fawn Weaver

    The nursery may remain empty but my heart is overflowing. I love this life and every moment of it is a blessing. Looking forward to hearing from you all week about what you are thankful for in your life.

  • http://www.creatinghomejournal.com Jamie

    What an incredible testimony of love! I love your story of finding contentment and so much more inside of your marriage. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Jamie, for stopping by and taking the time to comment! It is greatly appreciated. Wishing you and your family a fantastic Thanksgiving, as well.

  • Christy Joy

    I thankful for family and friends–The older I get, the more I understand the power of relationship. Moreover, I'm do grateful I married a man that values relationship just as much as me. I love you Mr. Meeks! You're my turkey this thanksgiving:-))

  • Fawn Weaver

    Ditto, Christy Joy! That's too funny…he's your turkey this Thanksgiving. Are you sure he wouldn't rather be a ham :) .

  • http://www.lemondroppie.com Ginny Marie

    Being happy in your marriage needs to come first and foremost! Otherwise adding children to a marriage is a recipe for disaster. I'm glad you are happy!

    This week I am so thankful for so many things, it's almost too much to list! But most of all, I'm thankful for my family and for all the blessings God has given me.

  • http://www.happywivesclub.com/fawn-weaver/ Fawn

    Thanks, Ginny, for posting what you are thankful for! I'll be keeping these comments open all week and they'll become the actual post beginning Wednesday and talking us into the weekend so thanks for stopping by and telling us what you are thankful for this holiday.

  • http://www.crazycreativemag.blogspot.com Hannah

    I really enjoyed reading this. So many times, women who struggle with infertility become obsessed with being a mother. I would think that would be really hard on a marital relationship! What God has given should always be enough. There are so many children who need love right here and now…it doesn't take much searching to find a child in need of some love. You don't have to own a child to show love and be a blessing. I think it's a wonderful thing for you and your husband to want children out of unselfish motives!

    My family is my greatest blessing. I'm thankful every day…even when the house is dirty, even when we're tired and cranky. It's such a blessing to have a marriage that is mutually loving, have children who love and show kindness, and to have extended family that wants to be a part of our lives. It doesn't get better than that!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Hannah, I agree, it doesn't get any better than that! Thank you for your note and thank you for stopping by!

  • Paige

    Loved your post! This year I am thankful for my family. My husband & I have been together for a little over eleven years and just last year we welcomed our son into our lives. We waited to have children so we could build a strong foundation for our family and like you ran into a few bumps in the road. We tried for almost five years and after my last surgery decided to adopt. Well I believe as soon as we said the words, I became pregnant! We had a great pregnancy & declined all prenatal testing & put God in charge of the situation. We now have a wonderful healthy HAPPY family. I have learned to just accept what comes our way and take it one day at a time.

  • Fawn Weaver

    Paige, I love hearing stories like yours. We have no doubt our lives are moving along just as they are supposed to and we have no desire change anything. What will be will be and we're just excited about the here and now. Sounds like you are the same. Congrats, Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you so much for stopping by!

  • http://myraysofsunshine.com Faith – My Rays of Sunshine

    Thank you for sharing, Fawn. Having a husband who loves you and supports you through the tears and heartaches makes a world of difference. I'm so sorry for your struggle. You are an awesome Auntie and maybe God has something in the planning for you and your husband!

    I am so thankful for my beautiful, healthy children. I can't imagine my life without them. My children have brought a beautiful zest into my life. Their smiles, laughter and love makes my heart smile. And, I'm very thankful for my husband who is a wonderful Daddy to our babies and friend to me.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Faith! It is absolutely a blessing to have a husband who supports me 100% and believes as I do that what is meant to be is will be — and will be in our best interest. I've not shed a tear over this or even felt sad. I feel so fortunate to enjoy the life I live. No complaints whatsoever. And thanks so much for stopping by and sharing what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving :) .

  • http://www.befreckledwithlove.blogspot.com Jenny

    Fawn,
    Thank you for stopping by my blogsite and commenting!! It is very appreciated! I know what you mean about the cake…lol….but if you ever want one, let me know…any size.

    Blessings….
    Jenny

  • http://joyintheweeds.com Joy

    I am very much thankful for my boys. I do not come from a completely "stable" household myself and to be honest, I always wondered if I would be a good mommy. My first attempt at pregnancy resulted in my first child. I got pregnant immediately! Huge blessing! BUT, he was born 15 weeks early and we didn't know if he'd survive let alone be "normal". He did and he is very much a typical 14 year old boy and on the AB honor roll! My second attempt at pregnancy was a bust! I ended up having to go through fertility treatments and after a year got my twins. *Side note – twins are very common in my family and I had been saying since I was a very little girl that I was going to have twin boys, one blonde and one brunette! My third attempt, well………it wasn't an attempt at all, but resulted in my only full term baby! Each of them have been a blessing in their own ways and I truly believe God made it a little hard for me each time so I would remember the importance of those blessings.
    So, I am thankful for them and for my husband (and God!) for giving them to me and supporting me through all my crazy's! He knows what we need and provides in His due time in His own way.

  • Fawn Weaver

    Joy- One of the things I love most about this Club is everyone is so honest and transparent. It must be refreshing for other wives to see they can drop their guards. What a blessing. Thanks for sharing your story and what you are most thankful for this holiday week!

    Jenny- Thanks! I'll definitely keep up with your site :) .

  • Amanda

    I'm thankful for my relationship with Christ and my family. I had no issues getting pregnant but had no idea that both of my children would have special needs. I always thought I didn't have the patience, strength, dedication, etc. to take care of a special needs child. As it turns out I don't need any of those attributes because I have God by my side. I am so thankful that my life is full of love and joy!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Amanda, I'm sure you know the daunting statistics for marriages when there are special needs children involved. My husband sits on the board of the Exceptional Children's Foundation and if I remember correctly, something like 90% of marriages don't survive special needs children being born into it. I'm always so honored to meet those who have figured out a way to make it work. Kudos to you and your husband! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

  • http://thebusybeeskness.blogspot.com Julia Barrus

    I am thankful for my family as well. They lift me up when I'm down and support me when I have no strength left to carry myself forward. I am so lucky!

  • http://www.happywivesclub.com/fawn-weaver/ Fawn

    Thanks, Julia, for stopping by! The fact that you know you're lucky, I'm guessing, is a huge part of what makes your life so great :) .

  • Jes

    I am most grateful for a loving Father in Heaven, who knows my needs and gives me exactly what I need, trials an all! I'm thankful for my Savior, who died to make this life continue after death. I'm grateful that I can be with my amazing husband forever, not just in this life. I am so thankful for him, he does so much for me! I'm grateful for my sweet children, even when they are crazy. I'm thankful to have a roof over my head and food to eat. So many more things too…

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Jess, for stopping by and sharing with us what you are most grateful for this Thanksgiving week!

  • http://everydayeo.blogspot.com janene

    I am thankful for my family, for good health, and for this awakening of my spirit and heart to choose joy to give happy, to be the person God has called me to be. I am thankful that I have grown from a fearful experience and that I am realizing my value and worth in the Father's eyes. Very thankful this Thanksgiving for life. My life. This life he has paved for me. Very Thankful!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Janene, for stopping by and sharing what you are most thankful for at this time. It's nice to meet you!

  • http://www.moretobe.com Lisa

    What a beautiful testimony of being settled in your own skin, right where God has placed your life. Thanks so much for sharing!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thank you, Lisa, for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I am so blessed and fortunate. And do not take that for granted :) . I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving with your family.

  • http://inhighheelsanddogtags.blogspot.com/ Altair

    Very inspiring post. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing what you have and being contented and happy with it.

    On this day I’d like to thank God for everything that he gave me and for everything he didn’t.I’m thankful for all the challenges that I went through this year, I grew up because of them. I’m not the same little girl I was before and the harshness of life has tempered my soul to acquire the qualities of metal, hard but malleable. I now know that I should strive even harder to achieve what I want in this world. But this time, I’ll be able to face it with the knowledge that life won’t just open a path for me, I have to make my own and often adjust my stride just to move forward.

    I love my family and I’m thankful that my grandparents, dad, mom and sisters cared for me and cherished me the way they did. They’re the reason that I became who I am today. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made, they’re the family that I’m not related to by blood and they’re the reason why my world continues to be interesting and a lot less boring. I’m thankful that I met my husband, fell in love and then tied him down forever and ever. He stands by me and I do the same for him. We live a slightly complicated life but he’s the source of my motivation to become better and I’m happy that I found someone who inspires me to be selfless.

    Finally, I’m thankful that I got into blogging. I know that this will become a new chapter of my life and I plan to make it interesting and fulfilling. I’m happy that I found a venue to share my experience and hopefully be able to help those who are going through the same thing. The thought that I might be able to help even one person with my posts is what keeps me going.

    I look forward in meeting and being friends with everyone here. Happy Thanksgiving

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Altair, and welcome! We're happy you're joining the Club. If you haven't had a chance to join the forums in our Community, please join the discussion (or start a new one): http://www.happywivesclub.com/community.

  • http://www.moniquezackery.blogspot.com Monique

    Fawn, what a precious post! I love reading about a happy wife. I'm a happy wife too. My hubby and I have been together for 8 years and no babies yet. We would love kids too but we are also very content in our home with our little doggie. So whatever God wants is fine. I'm thankful for people like you who are open about the joys of marriage. Keep spreading the joy! P.S. thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blogspot.

  • Fawn Weaver

    Thanks, Monique, for stopping by and encouraging us and sharing what you're thankful for today :) .

  • http://www.fitmomsfitkidsclub.com Annett@FitMomsFitKidsClub

    Great post Fawn. You are truly one of the happiest women I know! What a blessing your testimony is. You are so right God has a plan that's best for both of you.
    I too am thankful for my family. Even though we've had our down in the pit lows (because of our own sins), God has lifted us up higher than I could have ever imagined! What a blessing our marriage is. He restored, revived, and gave our marriage the breath of life like only he could. I am thankful for that this day, and will be for the rest of my life!

  • Fawn Weaver

    Annett, Thank you! And that is so awesome! I can't wait for you to guest post for me on being happy at your 15th anniversary (hint, hint :) ).