Lucky dog, lucky dog…

…I’m a lucky dog.

I feel pretty darn lucky this year.  I’ve got a roof over my head, a wife that loves me and an amazing little boy.  I guess I couldn’t ask for much more without getting smacked upside the head for being too greedy.  I have a great relationship with my parents compared with others in my family.  I have the best father-in-law I could ever ask for.  He’s a little bit whipped by the ex-wife from hell and we all get frustrated because we must always play second fiddle to her, but he’s an awesome guy.  It’s been a year of changes for Diana and me, and after it’s all said and done, I must say that I love her more each day.  She completes me and I can’t imagine my life without her.  I’d probably be off traveling the world, taking photographs and holing up in Oregon alone.  Can’t say that appeals so much to me anymore…at least not without Diana by my side.  Sure, she’s not the biggest fan of backpacking or the neatest of people (ya know that show “Clean Sweep” on TLC, uh huh, pretty darn close), but she’s the love of my life.  I can’t even relate to my DINK life anymore.  Caring for Ryan is the most difficult and challenging job I have ever loved.  When he grins from ear to ear when he sees his daddy and giggles when he gets tickled, it’s all worth it.  The sleep deprivation, the lack of sex (3 times in all of 2004 – Diana and I discussed this issue in a silly way last night after an exhausting day – we should have a sex average of at least once a quarter because anything less would be just sad, so we need one more session before the end of the year to reach 4 times.  I’m looking forward to that *grin*), little time for ourselves and the slight weight gain, is all worth it to get that little smile.  This kid is pretty lucky.  He’s got two parents who absolutely adore him.  In the past week, he’s taken it upon himself to sleep through the night…going on 5 nights in a row.  What a difference this makes!  We’re hosting Christmas at our house and it may end up being just Diana’s dad.  That would be OK.  We’re lucky that we get to spend so much time with him.  Diana’s mom passed away 18 years ago and W has been grieving ever since.  He adored Diana’s mom and the holidays are a sad time for W.  I can’t imagine the pain he must feel.  I’m lucky…for now.  When I get home, I’m going to give Diana and Ryan the biggest bear hugs because I’m the luckiest dog in the world.