Give Thanks

Well, these past few days have been crazy. I went out of town this past weekend and also had a MAJOR paper due. On top of all that, I got sick Monday and yesterday, so today I am trying to play catch up before we leave for THANKSGIVING!! I am feeling very overwhelmed and to be honest, have had a pretty rough past couple of days. I called my mom to whine and she reminded me to think about what I am thankful for. Even though the things that had taken me away from blogging the past couple of days were very important, I have def missed getting to write about what I am thankful for. I am still very behind and have a LOT of more things to write about, but atleast I am getting a little caught up. I just want to encourage everyone who is busy, or had a rough couple of days like me, to still think about those things which we are thankful for in the midst of those days. Hopefully I will get back on track soon, but my packing has GOT to get done!

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for my papa! My papa has always been very special to me as well. He was always teaching us things as we were growing up. One of my favorite "lessons" was to be friendly to everyone. My pap and I would go on walks or be riding together and he would wave at everyone that we would pass. I would ask "who is that?" Pap: "I don't know, just bein friendly" I could never understand why he was so friendly to so many people but now I know. He was always teaching us to save our money. Pap is never without a coin jar full of coins. I am thankful that he was around to teach me those things. I am thankful that he showed me how to be kind, to save my money, to work hard, to take care of the things that the Lord has given us and above all, to always be polite. So many of the things that he has taught me, I am now trying to teach my kids. I think that is so special. Thanks papa for all the lessons, hugs, and walks. I love you.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for Greg and Dara. (Ebu and Pak) Greg and Dara have been like another mom and dad to me. I am so very thankful for them both. They both have the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever met. I had both my pre-prom dinners at their house as well as my dinner following my wedding. They have seen me play sports, sing in church, get ready for special events, and cry on occastion. They have always been the best encouragers and such a great example of God's love towards others. They are the founders of the Non-profit organization that my family is involved in: Grace of Giving. It was because of that ministry that I had one of my fondest memories as far as a trip goes. It is incredible to think back to the first time that they entered my families lives. We were still living on Ave M in Clifton I think. Fast forward some years and my family is living in their house while they are in Singapore! I am also thankful that they are now a part of my kids lives. They are Samuels GodParents and both my kids are their adopted grandkids :) I am thankful that I know I can always ask their advice and it will be Godly and wise advice. I am thankful that they are my parents best friends and support and love them. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to learn from them in church and about their travels all over the world. I am thankful for their kids and grandkids and the friends that they are to us as well. Greg and Dara, I love you both so much. I am so thankful that you are a part of our family. I somehow miss you more knowing you are on the other side of the world. I can't wait to hug your necks again soon. I have learned that time really does fly...

We love you!

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

Grandmother with Riley when she was born.
Grandmother with Sam when he was born.

Me and G'ma.

Today I am thankful for my grandmother. (G'ma, diva G'ma, Grandmother next door) I am named after my Grandmother and that is so special to me. I think it is neat how we are so much alike as well. My grandmother has always been a special person to me. We lived next door to her for a few years and those were very special times to me. I feel so lucky that she has been able to be at my wedding, and to see both of her Great Grandchildren. She has taught me how to serve others (we practiced this many a times while visiting her mother at the nursing home) how to be self sufficient (we had to put away our own toys and clean up our own messes at her house) how to sew (this is a recent thing that I can't wait to blog about!) and so many other things. I have fond memories of watching her put on jewelry from her jewelry tray and putting on her bright pink lip stick. Grandmother, I love you so much and I am so very thankful for you.

What are you thankful for today?

Give Thanks

I am thankful for Music. I love music so much and it has become so important to me everyday. I am thankful that we can worship through music. I am thankful that music can pick us up, or calm us down. I am thankful for Frank Sinatra on long hard days when I need to relax. I am thankful for Third Day when I want to sing praises. I am thankful for old hymns when I am washing my dishes, and I am thankful for nursery rhymes when I am singing to my kids. I am thankful for the fact that I can hear music. I am thankful that I can get online and listen to music with the click of a button or that I can pop in a cd while driving to have some company. I sure do love listening to music especially this time of year. I love christmas caroling and listening to familiar tunes while I decorate for the holidays.

What are you thankful for today?

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still thankful.... just REALLY busy. I have been gone all weekend but have got to get some homework done. So I guess that means that I will be doing some "Give Thanks" catch up soon. I have a LOT of things I am thankful for and things that I can not wait to blog about.

Give Thanks

*Warning: there are LOTS of pictures...

I am thankful for Ryne. It is interesting to relive emotions as you look through pictures from the past. In the big scheme of life Ryne and I have not been married very long, but then I reflect back on how many things we have accomplished together and worked through together in these past few years and I am amazed.

I am SO thankful that Ryne and I are getting to learn about the roller coaster of life together. He is truly my very best friend. I am thankful that he has wisdom. I am thankful that he is a great listener and that he encourages me to be a better listener. I am thankful that he works so hard! Our schedules are very full right now and he always pushes himself to the edge to get things done. I am thankful that he will do laundry and wash dishes. I am thankful that he will hold me while I cry. I am thankful that he has such a fun loving, happy spirit. I am thankful that he is honest. I am thankful that we can play games together, go on walks together, and talk about movies together. I am thankful that he is a great father! I am thankful that he has this time to be with our kids at this age. If life would have taken different turns, I am not sure that he would have gotten to be with our kids as much. I am thankful that he encourages me and pushes me when I need a push.

These past few days have been rough. It always is around the end of the semester. (added stress can do that to relationships ya know) However, I am thankful that no matter how our days and evenings go, we do not let the sun set on our anger. I am thankful that when we have days where neither one of us seems to be getting through, that at the end of the day we hold each other and say "we're goin to be ok, Always and Forever, I love you" Somehow hearing him say that to me while I am in his warm embrace means the world to me. I am thankful that we are slowly but surely getting to know each other more intimatly. I am proud of the man that Ryne is and I am so proud to be his wife.

Ryne, I am so thankful for you. You mean the world to me and I love you.

What are you thankful for today?

P.S. On a very side, shooting rabbits type of side, note: I really dislike my hair style right now... any particular styly you like from some of the pictures. Some other advice... I need a change...

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for my sisters. There are so many things that I could write about it is almost unfair to put it all into one post but I am going to try...

My sisters are on my mind every single day. Today I have especially been thinking about Hannah because she is 19 today! It is so crazy to think that in just a couple of years the Leah will be 20! I guess I will break it down by sister:

Sarah: My only big sister. Sarah is such a hard worker. Not only did she finish a double major degree in less than 4 years and work a full time job while putting herself through school, she is fixing to finish up getting her masters! Sarah imresses me because she seems to be such a quick learner. She would pick up some yarn and try out knitting and would have and afghan before to long. She wanted to cheer after never doing so before and made the squad. She worked at a bakery and then later made my wedding cake! One random tidbit that I love about Sarah is her writing. I have always envied that talent. I remember a paper that she had written about about a unborn baby whose mother was at an abortion clinic. The paper grasped a point of view that had never been as real to me until then. I am thankful for her and all of her talents. Sarah, I love you.

Hannah: Her and I are the middle children. Sarah and Leah will never know what that is like. I guess it is fitting that in so many ways we are one in the same. Hannah is my basketball buddy (Leah can be at times :) What I love about Hannah is that she gives everything that she has to whatever it is that she is doing. Hannah loves hard, cries hard, hugs hard, and is hard core about her love for Jesus. Hannah is wise beyond her yeas too. It is funny because I guess I thought of myself that way that I never really saw those traits in Hannah until I was out of the house. She is insightful and very intelligent. One random tidbit that I love about Hannah is how sensitive she is. Hannah is always teaching me about compassion and what it truly means to hurt for someone who is hurting and rejoice with those that are rejoicing. I am thankful that she loves us all so much that she puts herself in harms way to protect us. Hannah, I love you

Leah, my baby sister. She has always been the peacemaker. Leah, in my opinion, has the best sense of humor of us all. She knows how to make us smile and laugh, it is part of how she brings peace. Leah gives some of the sweetest advice and some of the best hugs. Everything about Leah radiates love. She has a sweet spirit, caring words, a heart that delights in the Lord. One random tidbit about Leah is that she has an amazing voice. I remember the first time that I came home from college and Leah and Hannah sang a duet at church. Leah sang a solo. It was probably the most angelic thing I had ever heard. I never knew she could sing like that, she hadn't ever done that before. I cried because her singing was such a true reflection of who she is. She doesn't mind letting others take the spotlight, she would rather not herself. She encourages others that they can do it, while supporting quietly on the sidelines. Then, when she decides to step onto the stage it is breathtaking and everyone can see what I have had the privelege to see all her life. Leah, I love you.

I am thankful that I have sisters. I am thankful that we have so many memories together. I am thankful we can laugh with and at each other. I am thankful that despite many fights, we always make up. I am thankful for the sisters that God chose for me. He did a good job.

I love you all so much and not many people can say there sisters are some of there best friends. Like all friendships and relationships in general, we have our ups and our downs. But it is because of the bond of blood that we have that helps remind me that we are a special kind of love. Jane Austen puts in well in her 1814 Mansfield Park

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in the power, which no subsequent connections can supply..."

Give Thanks

Today I am pulling double duty again. I was so exhausted yesterday, I choose early bedtime over blogging so here is double the thanks...



Today I am thankful for a table. I am not just thankful for, a table. Yes it is pretty. I love how everyone can have different tables. Some have stories behind them, some are old, some are new, some are round, some square...... but I am thankful for what the table stands for. Growing up, eating meals as a family was a normal occurance. I didn't realize that it wasn't for other families. I am thankful that we sat around the table, prayed as a family, and then all talked, around the table, as a family.
Now that I am a parent I am realizing that eating around the table most of the time is harder than it might appear. Sometimes the couch just looks so much more comfy after a long hard day. I never realized how our television would be such a magnet away from our table, and our family time. Sometimes when Ryne and I eat lunch together that is the only time we will get to talk all day. That time is precious.
I am thankful that I have many memories from around the table conversations. We talked about plenty of school activities, boys, friends, events, frustrations, questions and so much more around our table. Around the table is where we started one of my VERY favorite family traditions. At birthday meals, we would go around and say encouraging things to the birthday girl (once a year, boy) We would say how much we loved them, why they are so special, list encouraging things, talk about a favorite memory with that person. I just LOVE it.
I hope that now I can start to give those same positive feelings to my kids about eating together as a family because I know that I am very thankful for that.

What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for different people. I am thankful that we all have different minds, thoughts and ideas. I have really been thinking a lot about this lately and to be honest, couldn't decide how thankful I really was about that. Different minds also means different opinions, diferent views, different personalities. However, I decided that I am more thankful for some of the positive things that differences bring me. I am thankful that people are craftier than me. I love Canton and I am glad that other people's minds think up some of the fun things that I see there. I am glad that other opinions broaden up my horizons and give me an opportunity to search deeper into my own opinions. I am thankful that other brains are math and number brains because my mind is SO not that. I am thankful for the thoughts and ideas that I have. I am thankful that there are people in the world that write, act, sing, play, dance, calculate, and so many other things. I am especially glad that the more I meet other people, the more that I get to see that in other people. I think it is pretty neat that I serve a God who could make us so perfectly unique, even in our minds. I am thankful for that...

What are you thankful for today?

A Big Girl Bed

Why is Riley so excited?

Because yesterday she got her "Big Girl" bed!!

This is her waiting on Preacher to come and get her bed out.


YEAH! We're ready!


She loved playing in the trailer!

I even helped put the bed together

Everything was in. Just waiting for the mattress.

Making sure it will hold her weight ha!

On the bed for the first time

"Thanks Preacher" Riley said after immediately jumping on the bed

This was so funny. She has never done that before just then

Honey, Preacher and Riley

This is a reenactment of Riley's nap yesterday

So far this has been the only problem....

My dad drove all night (literally) Friday night so that he could deliver some furniture including Riley's new "Big Girl" bed! The visit was far to short, not even a visit really at all. Nevertheless, I was so excited to get to see him (my mom was already here) and for us to get Riley's new bed. She has done GREAT! I know, it has only been one night and we will have to see how tonight goes, but so far so good. She hasn't even gotten out of the bed when she wakes up. This morning she laid there and cried until I came and got her down even though she can do it herself. Leah even let us have her comforter! Thanks Aunt Leah! It has worked out perfectly! Even the bed in the room has worked out great. We moved some things around, added a new dresser, and took out a book shelve and voila! The only funny thing is that poor Sam can't see me when I open up the door so he will bounce up and down in the bed trying to see over the headboard but all you see is the tip top of his cute little head. I put it like that so they wouldn't play as much while they are supposed to be sleeping and it has been really good so far.

Thanks dad for bringing it to us. I don't know how you loaded that all by yourself. You are a man of many talents. (and you backed the trailer up perfectly, on the first try :) I love you and miss you so much. Riley is loving her bed so thanks!