I'm Thankful!

There are so many things to be thankful for. The one thing I am most thankful for, and you will hear me say it all the time, is my salvation. I am so very thankful that God sent His Son to die for my sins, and your sins too. Not only was Christ sent here to die, but He was sent here to be human. GOD in the FLESH! Christ came as a BABY!!! He ahd to learn to walk and talk just like you and me! He grew up as perfect God surrounded by imperfection. BUT, the imperfect were us! He was completely rejected by those He created...those He loved! All so He could die for people who hate him! Not everyone hated Him...He definitely has His followers and I am proud to be one. I love being called His child. I'm not perfect, but thats the point. He came by GRACE (getting something we don't deserve) so that I (and you) can live eternally with Him...not separated from Him. I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He provided a provision for our imperfection! PRAISE HIM!

I am also very thankful for my family! They are believers. They are sinners. They are imperfect. I LOVE THEM! I'm sure we irritate each other...but I can't imagine life without them! They are beautiful, wonderful people! Over at "Chatting At The Sky" she is asking us to share a picture of our Thanksgiving that celebrates the small and the sacred. So, here is my picture:

The reason I chose this one is because my brothers are crazy fun! They are silly and make family time hilarious!!! We don't go around the room and talk about what we are thankful for, but we do make each other laugh until our stomachs hurt. Like this year, one my sisters-in-law (Kim) is pregnant and Jeff, my brother (but not her husband) made all of us laugh and she was literally in pain because she was laughing so hard. So here are my brothers being incredibly silly...and that 3rd guy (in the brown plaid shirt)? He's my HUSBAND! I'm 31 and just got married in Octobert. He is an answer to long time praying! He is God's perfect person for ME! This year, I am thankful that I am a wife!!! I refuse to say that I am thankful that I am "not alone" because there are many things to be thankful for as a single...but I am thankful for Ken! I am thankful that I am a wife. I am thankful that I have a husband. I am thankful that in God's perfect timing, He brought me someone perfect for me! I am thankful I was single and had my own life for awhile. I am thankful that I was single for so long so that I could appreciate the little things in marraige. I am thankful that Ken is apart of our family! I am thankful to have someone that is MINE sitting across from me at the dinner table! God is so very good! I am have so very much to be thankful for. So I know this picture isn't portrait-worthy, but it speaks so very loud to me because I have a partner in life...the man of my dreams...that I get to come home to daily, that I get to fall in love with more every single day....that I get to sit across that dinner table from....that I get to celebrate holidays with....that I get to celebrate everyday of my life with! Thank you, Lord God, Thank you!!!!

Happy December!!!!

Today is December 1st! I am excited to be caught up to some degree on blogging. I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas and everything that goes with it!

But today, I am just posting my most favorite picture! It makes me laugh everytime I look at it! This is Finley...you all hear about her all the time...but she can now wear pig-tails, or as her mom calls them "Shrek-Tails" because she kinda looks like Shrek!!!! But its still Super Cute!

October 2009

Well, the BIGGEST EVENT will of course have its own post. But here is October in a nutshell! On our wedding day, my sweet niece, Raley, got baptized! And, what made it more special is that my Uncle Steve was able to baptize her. Raley goes to summer camp with Steve and my Aunt Julie every summer and they waited for Steve to be in town for the wedding so he could do it! I'm thankful Michelle was at the house for the baptism because I didn't get to see it...I was having my hair fixed for the wedding, so thank you Michelle! What a day to celebrate what God does!!!! Not only did I get to celebrate the blessing and covenant of marriage...and starting a new family, but we were all able to celebrate the amazing gift of God's grace....His salvation he offers through faith in Christ alone. And Raley has made that decision and her being baptized is her way of making that testimony of her faith public! Praise the LORD!!!! I love seeing and knowing that my family will live with Christ (and me) for eternity! That is better than any wedding! My parents were gracious enough to pick us up from the airport after our honeymoon...and we went to dinner...and took our last few pictures before heading to Stillwater....and back to reality and work. After the wedding and honeymoon, we came back to Tulsa for a day to hit the Tulsa State Fair! Its may FAVORITE fall activity!!! Usually our entire family goes and its a crazy fun day....this year it was just my mom and dad with Ken and me. We still had a great time....even though it was FREEZING!!! We ate (and shared) LOTS and LOTS of food!!! Looked at trucks, all the vendors, and the OSU Vet Med birthing center (my favorite...I love seeing all the baby lambs and piglets!). This night we also picked up the dogs after their stay-cation with my parents during the honeymoon. Ruger was so ready to be home that jumped in the driver's seat!!!We celebrated Finley's first birthday in style!!! She was definitely stylin' with her cupcake onezie, super cute leggings, and TUTU! She had a blast with all the family and friends that were there...but most of all she LOVED the cake and ice cream! And check out Ken and I's homemade gift we got her....Her own "helicopter" decked out with a TUTU of course!!!! And she LOVED it!!! If you remember from this post, she has already taken a ride with Kenny in a helicopter...so we thought she needed her own..."Finley Aviation"! And, all the weekends in between wedding stuff....there was COWBOY FOOTBALL! I don't actually have pictures...but Homecoming was a success against Mizzou. I was a party pooper with homecoming this year....just not into the cold and crowds. But I loved seeing everyone's pictures and I don't think I will miss it next year. Its a fantastic tradition! I think my favorite part is a tradition that was kind of created by mistake. My friends, Jenn and Daniel, come here every year for homecoming and they have stayed with me the last 2-3 years. I just love it!!! This year, Ken and I don't have an established guest room....but we do have a house that no one is living in. So, Jenn and Daniel and Bob and Kristin took up residency at my old house. I just love being able to see them every year! Jenn---We WILL have a room for you and your little family at homecoming next year!!!!

30 Days of Thankfulness

Ok...Here I am finishing up my 30 Days of Thankfulness! I got really behind when the holidays came around! I can't wait to post all of the Thanksgiving festivities and all my fall decorations!!!

November 20th - Today I am thankful that its Friday! Its my last Friday to work in November!!!! YAY!!!

November 21st - Today I am thankful for a lazy day and an understanding husband. Today is Saturday and I really did nothing!!! It was wonderful!!! When Ken got home I apologized for not really doing anything....and he just looked at me and said that it was OK because we all need days like that! I just love him!!! He is wonderful!!!!

November 22nd - Today I am thankful for Ken! He is my best friend and I love having him to go through life with...to experience the good and bad, the fun and not-so-fun times, to travel with and to come home to! I am so thanful that God gave me my husband!

November 23rd - Today I am thankful my nephew, Spencer, came to spend the night! And that I was able to visit with my brother, Mark. Mark brought Spencer up tonight because he has been DYING to go hunting with Ken. They got here around 9pm. Mark and I just visited and went to Walmart for some hunting gear for Spence! Ken and Spencer immediately started talking everything hunting! It was really fun!

November 24th - Today I am SO thankful that Ken and Spencer got their deer! They suited up early this morning, I made them breakfast and they were out the door! Not 10 minutes later, I hear a gun shot!!!!! Ken had shot an 11 point buck!!!!! Spencer's first hunt and it was over in 10 minutes!!! The rest of the day was full of cleaning and taking the buck to the processor! They had a great day! I am so thankful that Spence had a great first hunting experience! I am so thankful that Ken got his buck for the season!!!

Today I am also thankful for date night with my parents!!! We double dated with my parents tonight...taking my dad to Cheesecake Factory for his birthday and then to see "The Blindside". It was GREAT!!! Amazing movie!!! I will be a Michael Ohre fan for LIFE! :)

November 25th - Today I am thankful for our Thanksgiving celebration with my family! Today is actually the day before Thanksgiving, but my family was gracious enough to have our Thanksgiving a day early so that Ken and I could be there. We had a great time of food, fellowship and fun! I made breakfast for Ken, mom, dad and I before everyone else got there. It was YUM! I used my ebelskiver pancake skillet and had apples in the middle of them...with CARAMEL SYRUP!!! It was great!!! Everyone came over at 1pm and we all had lunch together....all 16 of us! The rest of the day we visited! It was a great day!

November 26th - Today I am thankful for being able to spend our first Thanksgiving together!!! Ken had to work today and I was able to go to work with him! I was really nice to hang out. It was a pretty quite day, but I loved being with him!

November 27th - Today I am thankful for my best friend...my GIRL best friend! I got up early and met Michelle in Oklahoma City for a little shopping. Now we aren't the crazy Black Friday shoppers....we just wanted to hang out. We went and had breakfast at IHOP and then got makeovers at Dillards at the MAC counter! WONDERFUL!!!! After a little fun shopping, we had lunch at The Olive Garden. I didn't get much...a few little presents, but thats about it. We had a really good day....and it was wonderful to see Miss Finley and Devin too! They are really some of my most favorite people!!!

November 28th - Today I am thankful for my parents! They came to Stillwater to watch the Bedlam game. The game was horrible!!! However, it was fun to have mom and dad here. I made a brunch meal of Paula Deen's Steak and Eggs Casserole and Cheese Beer Soup with Rolls. It was all yummy! Ken even got to come home for lunch and spend some time with us. After the game we did a little shopping too. Frazier came to our house for the first time. He has stayed with me before, but this was his first time to come to Ken and I's house. Ruger and him had the best time!!!

November 29th - Today I am thankful for just a normal day. I was able to sleep in a little and then cleaned the kitchen and started some laundry. I met Ken for lunch and went to Walmart. I had a full day of watching Season One of Ally McBeal (my Christmas present from Michelle...LOVE IT!!!!)!! And then I made dinner for Ken and I . It was just a wonderful, normal day! I am so thankful to have days that don't really have anything going on...but they are still great days!

November 30th - Today I am thankful for Cyber Monday!!!! This day is WAY better than Black Friday!!! I can sit in front of the TV and order things online!!!! I got stocking and Christmas decor from Pottery Barn...all personalization was FREE and all shipping was FREE!!! I wish I had taken more advantage of it....you better believe that I will be all over it next year!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy November!!!!! Advent starts tomorrow!!!! :)

September 2009

I actually have quite a few non-wedding happenings this month. :)

Ken and I also had a fun day off in Ponca City. After our pre-marrital counseling, we made a very spur of the moment trip there for dinner and it turned into a great evening. I had been hearing a lot about this mexican food place , Enrique's, in the airport (of all places) in Ponca. REALLY??? A small town airport has a great restaurant??? YES THEY DO!!!! Oh my, do they ever!!!! Worth the drive, I promise! The fun thing is you can drive OR you can just fly your plane in...land right outside the restaurant's back door and just stop in to eat. Their flour AND corn tortillas are homemade....AND they use their homemade corn tortillas to make their HOMEMADE TORTILLA CHIPS!!! All our food really was fantastic! As we were leaving, to army helicopters (I can't remember the actualy name of them, but Ken doesn't read my blog...so I think its ok) landed right outside....of course, the guys were coming in for dinner! We took lots of pictures! From there, we took a little tour of Ponca and I "guided" Ken to the Marlin Mansion. I had been there for a wedding this summer and its really neat. We got there and just walked around and took pictures. It really was a great day! I like it!!! COWBOY BASKETBALL!!!! I know, football hadn't even started....but the eve of our first football game was the basketball banquet! It was GREAT! My friend from work, Steph, and I went to Gallagher for dinner and intro of the 2009-'10 team. We had a great time...and I got my picture with fellow Jenks-Alum, Nick Sadorkis! And then the following day....OSU upset Georgia! It was so fun!!! The Georgia fans were great and classy and just nice to be around! Mason and Raley came with mom and dad and we made a day of it! There was actually a home football game EVERY weekend in September. The only other game I got pictures was the last game when Spencer came!
I took a trip to OKC to meet with Michelle and her aunt for some wedding stuff. I pulled out my camera with the NEW lense (my birthday present from Ken) and took pictures of Finley. She is growing SO fast and I just love watching her change. In seperate posts, I will blog about my bachelorette party and the church shower I had.

And lastly, on Sept. 30th...the day I was heading to Tulsa for the wedding...Michelle met me in Stillwater, her SUV loaded to the BRIM with wedding stuff. The funnest part of the day was watching Finley while she had a hair appointment. Kenny and I had so much fun with her!!! We danced and played with dogs and ate....and the bestest part of all is Kenny gave her a "helicopter" ride!!! Finley's helicopter was the laundry basket...but I CANNOT express how much fun she had!!!!
Finley playing with the dogs:

Finley sharing cheese with Uncle Kenny:Finley with Aunt Beth:Finley "flying" in the helicopter:

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 18th - Today I am thankful for time I get with my husband!

Today is Wednesday and usually I am off work all day. This week, however, I had to work to make up for some holiday time that I will use next week for Thanksgiving. I only had to work half a day, but it made me appreciate, even more, my days I have off with Ken. I already love my wednesdays off, but having to work made me remember HOW VERY MUCH I love my Wednesdays off!!! Having the half day with him just wasn't the same. I am thankful that I am able to work 80% so we can spend a day together! I am thankful that God provided for us in this way since our "weekends" are different! I am thankful that Ken and I LOVE spending time together! I am thankful that we are best friends!

November 19th - Today I am thankful for good times at work and for OSU Football!

Today was our annual Thanksgiving lunch at work. Thanksgiving is so fun because we have a different theme every year. This year we each had to sign up for a different country and bring a food from that country. I had Greece and made homemade Baklava! YUM!!!! I had never made it before and was surprised at how good it is. I may be making this for Christmas! But, its fun to see what everyone brings...and its fun to get all of us together outside of "work". We have so many talented cooks and its fun to share a meal together. I am thankful for such a good place to work. I am thankful for getting a long with the people I spend most of my week with.

Today was also a special sports day...OSU moved their game against Colorado to TODAY instead of Saturday. Town was PACKED when I left work at 5pm. And the game was definitely an experience!!! They had the Army's Black Daggers parachute from a plane onto the field!!!! It was senior night!!!! And thre was a representation (IN UNIFORM) of every branch of the military at half time!!!! WOW!!!! It was pretty cool! Our game, was not so cool...it was a little too "exciting", maybe stressful is a better word, for OSU fans. Last week, Zach Robinson (our QB) got hurt and they didn't play him last night. We had to use our two back-up QB's and they were lacking. Thankfully we still pulled out a "W", but it was a LONG game!!!! My dad brought two of my nephews with him, so that was fun. I am thankful for season tickets to football! I am thankful for OSU...my alma mater! I am thankful for the Cowboys pulling out a tough win! I am thankful that my family was there to experience it with me. I am thankful that it was the last home game of the season (I'm ready for my Saturday's to be free again)! :) I am thankful for our military and that they were represented last night! I am thankful God gives us entertainment here on this earth!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 16th - Today I am thankful for having friends at work!

I love my girlfriends at work! Its so nice to have people I ENJOY seeing on a daily basis...it truly is a blessing! We are getting ready for our monthly girls night for December and I hope its going to be really fun!!! We are drawing names and doing an ornament exchange!!!! I am so thankful that God has provided girls at work that I can build relationships with. I am thankful for the work friendships because it makes the days go by much faster. I am thankful for these girls and our friendships we have outside of work. I am thankful for Kari, Kacey, Rachel, Maddison, Stephanie, and Tia (I know...Tia doesn't technically work with us anymore....but I still count her!).

November 17th - Today I am thankful for my dad!

I know that its only 9am and I have the whole day to pick from all the day's events...but I don't need them!!!! Today is my dad's birthday and I am so very thankful for him!!! When I was little I didn't think that God would let any daddy die until he walked his daughter down the aisle....well, now I need to come up with something else! ;) I am so thankful that he was here to walk me down the aisle. I am so thankful that he is actuall part of my everyday life. I am thankful that he is a believer and taught be to trust my Lord and Saviour! I am thankful that he loves me! I am thankful that we get to celebrate his life! I love you dad!