Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Things I'm Thankful For:

I just finished reading my husband's blog, and in it he included some things he was thankful for. Well I thought, in light of tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I'll share with you all a few things I'm thankful for as well.

1. Faithfulness: The Lord has been so faithful to Chris and I. From the day we were married, we've always looked to Him for direction, and as long as we've been faithful in the small areas of our lives, He's been more than faithful in all the big areas. It's amazing how just by placing our trust in Him, everything just always seems to fall into place. Thank You Lord for reminding us daily, that our lives are in Your hands, and that You'll always meet our needs.

2. Health: With all the sickness that's attacked some of our family and friends in the past year, I can't help but be thankful to God for his protection over me and my family. Yeah, we've had little colds here and there, (mostly Chris), but for the most part, He's kept us healthy and strong. Especially our little guy Jace. With as many germs as he comes in contact with, it's amazing to me that he's only been sick once since he was born. Each and every day I pray over him and his health, and God has been faithful every step of the way. Thank you Lord for your hand of protection over me and my family.

3. Family: Being home for Thanksgiving has been a real blessing. It's always great for Chris and I to get to see our parents and our brother, sisters, and so forth. But even moreso, I'm so thankful to have a loving husband and an adorable son. From the time Chris and I started dating, I always knew I could turn to him for love, protection, and honesty. He's my best friend and an amazing companion. I am so glad that the Lord brought us together. I truly am a very lucky lady!
Jace, well I could write a book on how he's changed my life! Not only has he shown me that I can love in a way I never thought possible, but he's made me a more loving, patient, and kind person. Seeing the joy in his eyes always lights up my day, and every day I get off work, I'm always looking forward to picking him up and getting a big hug from my little man! He's such a charmer, and he's definitely won me over!... and he knows it! I love that little guy so much. Thank you Lord for giving me the privilage of being a mom!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget to take a moment to be thankful for all God has given you. =)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Why I love vacations:

So right now I'm sitting with my feet up, reclined on the couch, Jace is upstairs snoozing, and there's nothing in the air but peace and quiet. No dinner to cook, no house to clean, no work to do, just simply sit here and do nothing! I love it! In fact, this morning I slept in..... actually almost every morning I've slept in =) and it's been wonderful!
Now being on vacation, isn't necessarily always this relaxing for us, especially when we decide to spend it here in Indy where all of our family live. If we're not careful, instead of relaxing, we can spend the entire visit driving from one person's house to the next. It's such an easy mistake to make, and we've made it many times before. All of our families live here, and of coarse, they all want to see Jace - who wouldn't! So knowing that, we planned ahead. This time home, we made it appoint to spend one night all to ourselves, and that night was last night. In fact, we didn't even bring Jace. We left him with Nina (grandma) for the night, and Chris and I hopped in the car and escaped all the hustle and bustle of being home for the holidays. It was great! We went out for dinner at this nice place called, "Rick's Boatyard and Cafe" where we had the most amazing goat cheese and french bread for an appetizer. And then for our main coarse, Chris selected these yummy pork chops and I chose the pan seared Tilapia and Shrimp. It was DE-LISHOUS!! =) Afterward, we spent some time together at our hotel and then decided to cheat on our diet and go out for late night hot fudge "sippable sundaes" from Steak n' Shake! Those were pretty good too! Then we relaxed, watched a late night movie and snoozed off into wonderful, un-interrupted sleep! It was awesome! The only downside is that we didn't plan to stay for two nights instead of one =)
So for the rest of our stay here, I don't think we'll be doing much, but that's okay. I think I like vacations better that way.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I'm such a kid!

So we just started our "Secret Santa" at work this week between all of us office ladies and the kid in me is so excited. I don't know what's more fun. Walking in the office to find a neatly, wrapped gift with MY name on it, or placing one somewhere for someone else, and them having no clue it's from me! I know I'm 24, but really I'm 100% kid at heart - just ask my husband!
It's funny. Yesterday I needed some pretty, red ribbon for my special gift, and the only place I could think of having any was in the attic with all the rest of our Christmas decorations. So of coarse, I didn't see this as an obstacle. No this was an opportunity to get the Christmas tree down and all of the wonderful stuff that goes along with it. Excited I ran to Chris and said, "OOoo. I need to get ribbon, but it's with all the Christmas stuff.... wanna help me take down the tree?!" He looked at me with a sheepish smile and said, "Are you serious? It's not even Thanksgiving. Babe, if we get that tree down, you're going to put it up in the next couple of days, even though, you know we're going to be super busy before we go vacation. Somehow you'll find a way and put it up. You're so impulsive." I replied, "YUP! So can you help me?!!" ha ha ha. Needless to say, my wonderful hubby gave into my pleas, and now our Christmas tree is patiently awaiting me to take it out of the box and dress it all up! Who knows. Maybe I'll surprise Chris and not even bother with it at all. We'll see because just thinking about it makes me get the warm and fuzzies!

Monday, November 17, 2008

4 days and counting!!!

It's almost time! Yes, I can't wait! In four days, (Thursday afternoon to be exact) we're flying home to Indy to visit family, and we're so excited. Being away from family makes you miss them so much, but it's also nice because you appreciate the time when you do see them so much more. I can think of a million reason's I love going home for the holidays, but here are just a few:

1. Mom's cooking - Hello?!! Yes, that's who I get my interest in food from, and if anyone can throw down, it's my mom! For thanksgiving she's making a roast, as oppose to the traditional turkey, and I can't wait! yum!!!

2. Turkey! Yeah, mom's not making turkey, but Chris's dad is! That's the benefit of having several families to visit - more food =)

3. Jace - Everyone is busting at the seems to see Jace. They can hardly wait, and neither can we. It will be so great to see Jace love on his grandparents, especially since he loves giving hugs right now =)

4. Memories - Even though I wasn't born in Indy, I spent all of middle school and high school there and needless to say, I have many wonderful memories there. I love going back and feeling like I'm back in my old home town.

5. Shopping - The day after Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days to spend with my mom. We hit the stores running at around 5 am.... SO FUN! I can't wait!

6. Friends and Family - My dad, mom, brothers, in laws, nieces, nephews, all of them. I can't wait to see them and give them all a big hug and a kiss!

7. Thanksgiving - it's one of my favorite holidays and so far Chris and I have been lucky enough to always be home to spend it with family.

8. The cold - Even though I'm enjoying the mild weather here in OK, it will be nice to get out into the crisp air and be reminded of what winter really feels like.

9. Date Night! - The nice thing about going home, is everyone wants to see Jace, which is great. It gives Chris and I the perfect opportunity to go out just the two of us... and that doesn't happen often! =)

10. Christmas Tree - Yes I'm like a kid at heart when it comes to putting up the Christmas Tree - I can hardly wait. And I know, once we get back to OK, it's officially time to put it up!!! So the sooner we leave, the sooner we get to come back, and I get to put up the tree!! =) ... Even though I already threw Christmas lights up all over our house and yard! lol

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Saturday Nerves

it's funny. it's saturday night, i'm winding down, reflecting on what i did for the day, and what i'll be doing tomorrow, and suddenly it hits..... again. my saturday night nerves, or maybe i should say, my sunday morning nerves =)
i don't know why or when it will ever go away, but for whatever reason, every saturday night on the weekends i'm scheduled to lead worship in church, i get the jitters. i hate it. i'm such a dork. i've been singing since i was like 7. in fact, i think i could even prove it if i had to. somewhere, in an old dusty box, my mom has a vhs of me singing. i was the star of david in our christmas play about the birth of jesus. it was my big debut, me singing the lord's prayer, which might i add, that was when sandi patti was cool, so um yeah, shouldn't i be bigger than jitters by now? =)
sometimes, even though the nerves have my stomach all in knots, i think it's a good thing. mostly because as long as i'm nervous, i'm always praying! mostly saying, "dear god, please don't let me screw this up!" ha ha ha, but it's good. i'm relying on him with everything i have, and i'm sure that's probably right where he wants me. so there. i just taught myself something. i'm not a total dork, i'm just learning to rely on God. okay so maybe it's not so bad after all =)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Random Thoughts

- Why is everyone sick? My husband, my son, my babysitter, my friends, me..... we're all sick or are just getting over being sick. I wonder what it is with this time of year that makes everyone so "under the weather"?? I don't know, but I hope it passes soon!

-Tomorrow is my day off and I can't wait! I'm exhausted. Wednesday's tend to do that though. Thursdays.... well those days are wonderful =) Maybe I'll even get in a nap!

- The healthy eating is still going pretty good. Chris is doing especially well. 4 months and still going strong. I'm so proud of him. Great job Babe!

- New recipe, DE-LISH! Paula Dean's pumpkin bars! I know, not so healthy, but SO good! mmmm!

- Bought my first pair of skinny jeans the other week, and I finally brought myself to wear them the other day. At first, I have to say, I was a little nervous. I was afraid that maybe I would look like a dork, but after getting several compliments from some of my girlfriends, I think this skinny jeans thing might be better than I thought!

- Thanksgiving is so close, and for us, vacation is only 9 days away! I miss my family in Indy alot so I can't wait to go home! Not to mention my mom's cooking is amazing and I'm really looking forward to a yummy Thanksgiving lunch!.... and Dinner!

- Jace gives hugs now - It's definitely my new favorite thing. I squat down near the floor, spread open my arms and say, "JACE!", and every time he runs right at me, squeezes my shoulders, lays his cute little head on my arms and says, "Ahhhh". IT'S TOO CUTE!!!

- Oklahoma weather is really different. It's mid November and I'm still only wearing a sweater! I could get used to this!

- I just got my hair cut, well trimmed and I love it. Now that I've had my hair semi-short for a little while, I'm not sure when I'll grow my hair out again. Short is much easier!

- Christmas is already almost here! Crazy! I'm already thinking about lights, trees, shopping, but more importantly I've been trying to think of what I want. Hm? Maybe some new cookware? I'll have to think on this one.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Taking a Moment

These past few weeks have flown by, pretty much slipping right through my fingers. Every day seems to be shorter than the last! - well today is Saturday, and I pretty much decided when I woke up this morning, that I was going to slow things down for a change! =)
The plan: relax! Right now I'm sitting in my slippers and watching my favorite T.V. station, Food Network of coarse =). Jace is peacefully sleeping and should be asleep for probably the next hour - nice! Chris is at the gym working out which means one thing.... I get the T.V. (he he)
Times like these are nice, no not just because I get the T.V.! But because it gives me time to breathe and clear my head. So many days go by where I'm just like a little energizer bunny, going and going. Unfortunately, half the time I'm so busy getting things done, I don't even stop to enjoy what I'm doing. So today, I've decided to just relax and enjoy the slow pace.
It's so easy when you're busy to go through life, and not realize how many great things you've been given. Well right now, I have to say, I'm a pretty lucky lady. When I actually take a moment to think about my life right now, there's not much to complain about. I have an amazing, loving and patient husband, a beautiful, happy and healthy baby boy, and a job I love. God has been so good to me and our family. I just hope I can take more moments like this to thank him for it.