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!!!! :)

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!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 14th - Today I am thankful that my parents came to visit.

Today was actually a pretty crazy day...but it was nice to visit with my parents. They came in town to go to the OSU Basketball game...the first REAL game, even though it was still non-conference. We got there about 15 minutes to tip-off...but when we got up to the arena, the clock showed we still had 50 minutes. A little confused, we asked one of the event staff what was happening. Turned out, the officials weren't there yet. We got our seats and some drinks and popcorn to share. When the clock was at 27 minutes, it stopped...so we assumed the refs were there. WRONG! They announced that the refs were still not there and tip-off was still at least and hour away. Mom and dad were heading back to Tulsa to be at Mason's last game of the year, so they needed to be gone by 4pm....tip-off wasn't going to be until at least 3pm....so we left. We left our seats, our drinks and popcorn, our paid parking, and my "un-used" ticket. CRAZY! Apparently, the officials were never notified of the time change of the game. Anyway---we left there and met Kenny out on the road as were walking to our car. He said he would give us a ride :-/ ...dad got in the front and mom and I in back....until mom realized that she was literally in a cage! There were bars in front of her and on the door window...and no handle to get out!!! She started getting chlosterphobic FAST! Kenny got her out and we just walked to the care. :) We then went out for mexican food!!! YUM! They also helped me pick out paint colors and played with the dogs. I am thankful that my parents live close enough to come visit anytime! I am thankful that they enjoy going to athletic events! I am thankful that they enjoy coming to see us!

I also just want to say that I am so excited that both the Cowboy teams (basketball and football) won their games! And Mason, my nephew, won his game too!!!! I am really excited and thankful for that!!!! It was his last game before he plays "real" football for Union. My brother has been Mason's coach for a long time and now he has to let Mason go play for the big, school coaches. I can't wait to see how God uses Mason with Football...he is such a GREAT athlete!!!!!

November 15th - Today I am thankful for our wedding pictures!

We got our wedding pictures in the mail on Saturday. I opened the disc today and downloaded them to my computer. I LOVE THEM!!!! I made myself stop looking at them when I got the website on my email last week...I was getting too nit-picky with them, so I decided I needed to take a break from them. I think I was getting frustrated b/c I wanted to them to capture EVERY SINGLE emotion I was feeling. I know...thats ridiculous! However, I looked at them today and LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!! I can't wait for us to pick out what we want to hang! I am so thankful for our talented photographers (Sarah is contracted by Storybook when she photographs weddings)! I am so thankful for Storybook Wedding Photography! I am so thankful that Ken and our wedding party were so patient with my desire for A LOT of pictures! I am so thankful that we captured so many wonderful details of our wedding day! I am so thankful for my husband!!!! I am so thankful for God's perfect timing and our marraige!

Here are a few pictures:

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 12th - Today I am thankful for God's blessings!

Ken received his Advanced Certification today. Now, I don't know exactly what that means, but he is really excited about it and I know that he can now have any position within the police department. Its the highest certification he can get!!! PLUS, he has finished over half of his Bachelor's Degree....he only has 49 hours left!!!! I am so very proud of him!!!! I am so thankful that Ken has a drive to better himself! I am so thankful that he wants to continue in education to provide for our family! I am so thankful that he enjoys what he's doing! I am so thankful for him being in my life!

November 13th - Today I am thankful for Michelle and Finley coming to see me!!!

This morning, I called Michelle to see what her plans were for the day because I was really missing her. Fortunately, she didn't have plans until the evening...and it didn't hurt that she needed to do a little Stillwater shopping....so she and Finley packed up and met me for lunch!!!! I loved it! Finley is changing so much and I just love seeing her! We met at Mexico Joe's, which is a place that she and I used to eat about once a week when she lived with me. Finley enjoyed chips, tortillas, and even a little pineapple. :) I am so thankful for my best friend! I am so thankful that she came to spend time with me! I am so thankful for her life!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 10th - Today I'm thankful for COWBOY BASKETBALL and a date night with my hubby!

After work, I came home and made dinner. I was excited that the basketball game was late in the evening so we could eat at home. After dinner, we headed up to Gallagher-Iba Arena for the game!!! We had a great time visiting with my friend Trish and enjoyed some popcorn and twizzlers and a diet dr. pepper. I just LOVE basketball season!!! And I just love love love OSU Basketball!!!!! :) I am thankful for Cowboy Basketball! I am thankful that I am able to go to the games. I am thankful that Ken got to go with me to the game. I am thankful for our date night!

November 11th - Today I am thankful for Ken and I's day off together.

Wednesdays are the only day that Ken and I have the same day-off. I love that we get to spend the whole day together. Lately we have been trying to do things to the house, but it usually doesn't work out that way. We end up just being lazy and enjoying each other. Today was really good. We slept in until about 9:15...actually we HAD to get up and get going because we had to be at the "old" house at 10am for someone to get a couch I sold....then we had breakfast at Perkins Family Restraunt. It was YUMMY! After breakfast, we were exhausted...came back home and we both napped on the couch. Watched a little TV. Took a walk in the woods. Went to Atwoods. Had dinner at Palaminos. Back at home and watching some TV before bed. Its a been a really good day. I am thankful that we Ken and I get a day off together. I am thankful that we can spend a nice relaxing day together. I am so thankful that we are best friends. I am so thankful that we love spending our time together. I am so thankful that we enjoy the same type of entertainment. I am so thankful for my husband!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 9th - Today I am thankful for my short day at work.

I know, its pretty sad....but today the electricity went out at work between 9:45am and 10:30am. I was over in the Student Union running some errands and when I got back to UHS, the lights were off....and they remained off the rest of the day. A co-worker and I went to an orientation for transfer students around 11:30 and got back around 1pm to find it still dark. I left around 2pm for the day. It was nice to come home and see Ken...and then I went about running errands. I'm thankful that I got a little surprise today. I am thankful that I had some daylight to run errands. I am thankful that I didn't have to cram my errands into my lunch break. I am thankful for then unexpected break!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 6th - Today I'm thankful for our neighbors.

Tonight we went to a suprise birthday party for one of our neighbors, Bobby. We met at a restaurant and just had a great time with everyone! It was so nice to visit and get to know everyone a little better. As we were leaving, Shannon (who lives across the street from us), made sure I had her phone number. She wanted me to know that if I need anything at anytime, especially when Ken is working, that I am welcome to call or come over. I am so thankful that we have neighbors that we love. I'm so thankful that we not only have great neighbors, but new friends. I am so thankful that our new friends are so caring and loving. I am so thankful that we have people to look after our home or us if anything might happen. I am so thankful God provided us with such a great place to live!

November 7th - Today I am thankful that our garage sale was worth it!

I'm not a huge garage sale fan because its a lot of work to get everything organized and priced and set up. Usually, I just like to give things to Salvation Army....and I've learned Ken is the same way. However, the girls at work had set a date for one and Ken & I had a lot of big things to get rid of, so we joined in on the fun. :) We had it at my house since its for sale and no one is living there. I couldn't have done it without my friend, Rachel! She was there ready to go at 6:30am and helped me set up and worked the people and even showed my house!!!! haha! We actually ended up showing the house about 5 times....HOPEFULLY we will get some leads from that. Anyway---Kari and Kacey came a little later to help. It was really a fun girls' day! I ended up making $230 in 5 hours. I'm really excited because I am planning to use some of the money for the Beth Moore/Kay Arthur/Pricilla Shirer Conference coming up soon!!! I am so thankful that the garage sale was productive. I am so thankful that I was able to make some money. I am so thankful that we were able to get rid of things we didn't need. I am so thankful that we had a vacant house/garage to have the sale. I am so thankful that we were able to show the house some too. I am thankful that God allowed me to have some extra money for the conference coming up!

November 8th - Today I am thankful our pastor and his wife!

Last Sunday, I posted about Ken and I's "date night" to church and then Louie's. Tonight, we did the same thing....but this time we had a triple-date! Our pastor & his wife (JB and Jean) and their daughter & her boyfriend came with us. It was so fun! We had such a good time visiting and getting to know them better outside of church. And...I might have asked him some theological questions while we were there....I just can't help it! I love talking about it!!! I am so thankful we have a pastor that wants to get to know us. I am so thankful that JB and Jean love us (and the congregation). I am so thankful that they are personable. I am so thankful that JB is always there to help us understand the Bible. I am so thankful that he desires to truly know exactly what the Word says and to teach it correctly. I am so thankful that he gives THE clear gospel message! We just love him and completely blessed that God has allowed us to be at Countryside!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 5th - I am thankful for girls' night!

Some of us girls that work together have girls' night once a month. We have all worked together...in the same building....but its hard to actually spend real time together. So this was, and is, our solution. Tonight we met at Tia's and she made some yummy Taco Soup, and the rest of us brought desserts! We had so much fun just talking and eating!!! Two things girls LOVE to do!!! :)

I'm really excited because next month we are having it at OUR NEW HOUSE!!!! And its CHRISTMAS!!!! We are going to do an ornament exchange and have breakfast for dinner. It will be super fun!!!

I am thankful that God has given me good girlfriends. I am thankful that I have girls to bond with and share life with. I am thankful that God always provides for me. I am thankful that we have fun entertainment and good times!

30 Days of Thankfulness

November 3rd - Today I am thankful for Lacie Habekott.

Now, I understand the 3rd is our 1 month anniversary...and I fully intended to have that as what I was thankful for, but our evening got even better. Our friend from church, Lacie, came over to visit with us about what she is doing and the path God has her on right now. She is a full-time staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ in their Military Ministry. She will be working at the U.S. Naval Base in Colorado Springs, CO doing evangelism and christian leadership (check out her webpage here). I am so thankful that she is taking a stand for Christ in an area that most people don't think about. I am thankful that she cares so much about the men and women that fight for our country. I am so very thankful to see how God has used circumstances in her life to use her for His ministry! I am so thankful that she is enjoying her single-life and giving her time to ministry! I am so thankful that she is excited about what God is doing! I am so thankful for what God is doing!!!! It was so great to meet with her! We are excited to support her through this ministry!!! We are excited to stand in the Throne Room with her....PACK THE PLACE, Lacie!!!!
(And, also, I just have say that we ate the top of our wedding cake...1 month anniversary...and it was AMAZING!!!! So thankful for Ms. Laura's!!!)

November 4th - Today I am thankful for my husband.

Ken and I had plans to work on the house, which our usual plan for our Wednesdays off. However, as we were starting to plan our day I got really frustrated. I am so tired of our house looking cramped and cluttered with random, not matching furniture! I'm tired of it not looking put together and pretty. And, honestly I know we've only been in it TOGETHER for about a month, but I am tired of working on it. Every room has to be re-done and some days its really over-whelming. To make matters worse, I've been sick for about 3 weeks. Its ridiculous!!! I got sick and took a couple days off work to get over it. It wasn't an infection, but I was on sudafed and ended up getting Ken sick too. I then went back to work for a week, but that weekend I felt worse! This past Monday, I went to see the dr and it had turned into an infection and I've been on antibiotics for the last 3 days. With all of that said....today, I didn't think much of being sick because I am READY TO BE OVER IT! With everything we had to do, I sat down and was exhausted...and Ken told me to lay down and nap. I didn't want to...I feel guilty...I want to cry....I'm just frustrated....I'll be ok!!! The next the I know, I'm asleep for a good 2.5 hours. He keeps working and doing things around the house...all while I'm sleeping! I have to say that when I woke up, I felt a million times better (and was able to actually get some things done)! I wasn't as cold or tired or cranky anymore. I am so thankful that I have a husband who loves me! I am so thankful that I have a husband who cares about me feeling better! I am so thankful that I have a husband who is selfless! I am so thankful that I have a husband who loves me despite my attitude! I am so thankful that I have a husband who is willing to take care of our house and me! I am so thankful that he loves me!

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 2 - Today I am thankful for antibiotics!

I just can't seem to kick this cold!!! I was sick a few weeks ago and took off work two days because of it. After that and a weekend of rest, I thought I was ok. I was back at work all last week...but just never felt like myself. Saturday night was when I really noticed it. I was exhausted and had trouble breathing (normally) while I was sleeping. So today, I decided I would go see a doctor at work. Thankfully, I was able to get some good medicine!!! LOVE Z-PACKS!!!!! I only have to take it three days! Its wonderful! I can't wait to feel better!!!! For good!!!!

30 Days of Thankfulness

Last year, I started a "tradition" of blogging 30 Days of Thankfulness. It was really neat to see what little things I saw in each day that I was thankful for. I think we all take forgranted of the little day-in and day-out blessings God gives us on a daily basis....a child's laugh, a phone call from a parent, the changing colors of leaves, etc. So, I've decided to do it again this year....and its a fun tradition for the month of Thanksgiving!

November 1st ~
Today I am so thankful that Ken and I were able to go to church together and have our weekly Sunday Night Date to Louie's after church.

We try to go every week, but due to the wedding and honeymoon and just trying to work out living together we haven't been in a while. We have a little tradition to go to church and then eat at Louie's afterward, and tonight we got to do that again. Ken is also training a new guy at work and they usually get off late....so we didn't know if we could even go tonight. It really is one of my favorite things to do: go to church as a family.

Ken just got his schedule for 2010 and we are really excited about it. Its a little different from this year....but the BEST part is we are going to be able to go to church Sunday mornings together!!!! Praise the Lord!!!