Thankful

I'm thankful. This year has been a bittersweet one in so many ways, but I am thankful nonetheless. It has become an intentional effort, but I have so much to be thankful for that it's not difficult.  I'm thankful for everything my Dad taught me. I am thankful that he loved me with all of his being, and now that he's gone, I'm thankful that his love is enough. I'm thankful for his legacy.  I'm thankful for this kick boxing champ swimming laps in my belly, and for his amazing daddy. There was a period of time, earlier this year, in fact, that I doubted that there would ever be a little human sharing my body. Here we are, though, 22 weeks strong. 

I'm thankful for the faithfulness of our God. I have learned a lot about my faith this year. As wavering as my faith may be at times, we serve a Lord who is steadfast. 

I am thankful for my husband who is, and has been my biggest blessing for the last 13 years. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Thankful (Round 3)

New to the party? Here is Round 1, and here is Round 2!    Job interviews Friends getting new jobs New coffee mugs Devotionals being reminded of childlike faith   Favorite sweaters that still fit after five years of wearing and washing Mothers who are willing to give up sweaters for children. Chili cook-offs and not spilling any on said sweater My sweet daddy and his ability to take life as it comes. New appliances in my childhood home   Care boxes from best friends  Hot chocolate dates on our deck Sweet property managers at our apartment A short commute Older and wiser Godly co-workers    Family Time to spend with family Being able to take food to the less fortunate My inlaws who love me like I'm one of their own People who return calls   eBates Great Pinterest finds that become great Christmas gifts Lists My sweet husband who tries to do better daily Great friends and Friendsgiving!     My daddy calling me to tell me Cats is on Nashville Public Television Spending Friday night singing along with NPT Having a washer and dryer in our apartment New shoes Netflix
Tylenol Cold and Sinus Dishwashers My sweet husband who will stay up until 1am watching Dexter with me.
  Dinner nights with Jackson's best man, Byron, that turn into going to the movies at 10:30 Beautiful sunsets  

Thanksgiving is STILL on Thursday

No, this is not a rant about wanting to move Thanksgiving to another day of the week.... It is a tiny rant about how underobserved (is that a word?) Thanksgiving is.   It has come to my attention.... more so this year than ever before.... that Thanksgiving is like a speedbump on the way to Christmas.  It's like Thanksgiving is here to slow people down before we hit the "Christmas Rush"... but... It's almost like those big wide speedbumps that you really don't have to slow down for.  It makes me sad.   Thanksgiving is the bees' knees in my opinion. Why? Friends and Family. Food. Football.   But it's more than that. It's a time to be thankful, to really stop (I mean like brick wall, not speed bump) and enjoy the things we all have.  It's not a time to put up our trees and lights and presents. There's a reason the "Christmas Switch" is not flipped on the radio until the day after Thanksgiving.  Because we're not there yet.  Because we don't need to plow through one holiday to get to the big one. Because it's not all about presents and decorations and who gets what.   It's about just being. Being still. Being thankful. Being in the presence of those we love. Just. Being.   I understand that would require a massive slowing down of our lives for a millisecond.  I understand that's not something our culture is familiar with.  In the everyday hustle to get to work, through work, home, through dinner, etc. we make it a habit to rush. We rush to get to Friday, we rush through our weekends, and we look up and we're turning our Calendars to December before we realize we've left March eight months ago.   I challenge you to take a breath and just revel in the beauty that is this holiday.  Don't worry about Christmas.  It's still coming at the same speed it always has, and I promise you, it will still get here.   Tiny note because I feel bad: I love seeing all of your beautiful trees! I promise, I do! I'm not condemning anyone for going ahead and getting their Christmas stuff up! In my home, we don't; in your home, you do! both are just as  great!

Our 1st Annual Friendsgiving

Over the weekend, we had our first annual Friendsgiving with our best friends in Murfreesboro! We had so much amazing food! I made this maccaroni and cheese and it was so stinkin good . We spent hours watching Hunger Games and playing Scattergories.  Hilarious times were had by all. 

Thankful (Round 2)

If you missed Round 1, you can catch up here   The husband giving me his side of the bed because I was already comfy His cookie baking skills Sharing life with our church family My mother in law taking off a whole day to go to Christmas Village with me Birthdays, and husbands willing to put gifts together at 9pm

    Gorgeous fall trees Christmas ornament sales Slow days at work that can be used for online shopping Being able to afford (and share) one really awesome Christmas gift between Jackson and I Apartment maintenance   Dinner with best friends Fingernail polish Little sisters who are wiser than they think, but still need their big sister's wisdom My Planner The sweetest blog friends   White out Vacation days Thanksgiving crafts Thick socks Ibuprofen
Job interviews Being able to sleep in and snuggle My Dad's big heart Friends who believe in you  Bobby pins 
Scarves The comfiest couch in the world that happens to reside in our living room A washer and dryer My crafting abilities, and my creativity My husband who pushes me to be my best
Family heirlooms and antiques  A close knit church community Target Coats when it is too cold Friends that share the deepest and darkest.    

Thankful (Round 1)

Each day last week, I've challenged myself to find five things I'm thankful for! I highly recommend doing so - it brings a silver lining to a rough day! :)  So does taking pictures with a dog. Preferrably your dog, but any dog will do. ;)

    My sweet husband who works overtime A job that lets him work overtime A new car that is dependable  My dad's humor and kindness A small home with not too much to clean   Being able to stay on Mom's insurance so we can save Jackson's benefits being affordable and really great A kitchen I get to make a mess in when I cook My bed and a full night's rest The covenant of marriage and what it means to us   The defrost setting  Quality, face to face time with people. Friends who agree that playing hide and seek in a dark church is the bomb coffee Sweaters   Netflix binges Vacation days for my birthday and the whole week of Christmas A husband who tries Space heaters Naps   A boss who is human and understands life Pinterest Our brother and sister-in-law coming home for Christmas Getting to see my sister here and there when she's home from college The blessing of being able to go to college   My embroidery machine that allows me to add some change to our pockets Checklists Glasses for days when I don't want to wear makeup

Umbrellas My sweet Nana who loves anyone and everyone   A photographer who is willing to do our bridals almost 10 months later! ;) Boomer A husband who helps me clean the hard things 10+ year friendships Old pictures of Jackson and I