Sunday Thanks: Your Prayers

This Sunday, I need to ask you a favor, and I'm thanking you in advance for doing so. It is appropriate that today is Mother's Day, as the favor is for my (almost) mother-in-law. She is having triple bypass surgery early tomorrow morning. James and I will be joining family at the hospital to see her off to surgery and wait for her to come out. We are confident that she will do well, but it is a major surgery and one that needs lots of prayers! Of course I will keep you posted in return for your prayers and good thoughts.

Have a beautiful Sunday and Mother's Day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sunday Thanks: Wedding Music

We have had the great pleasure of working with our church's wonderful music director in putting together the music for our wedding ceremony. James had a particular song that he really wanted to use for the procession. It is not a church song--in fact, it is from a movie (are you surprised!?).

We gave the music to our director a few weeks ago and today she played it for us. It sounds absolutely beautiful, and it made me so excited to know that I will be walking down the aisle to a song that means so much to James!

Source: diy.weddingbee.com via Ritianne on Pinterest

So, today I am obviously feeling thankful for our patient music director who has been so committed to  ensuring that our wedding ceremony is perfect! We both feel that, as long as our ceremony is exactly what we want, the rest of the day can go any way, good or bad, and we won't care.

Sunday Thanks: Mom

I woke up this morning at the tail end of a horrible dream.

 I was at my parents' house visiting my mom and some friends. It was Saturday morning and it was time for me to get packed up to head home. There were people everywhere. When I finally got the bathroom cleared out so that I could take a shower, I realized that there was no shower curtain. I wrapped a towel around myself and went out into the hallway to find my mom. It was getting later and later, and soon I would have to be leaving. I only had time for a quick shower, but I couldn't even do that! As I called for my mom, I saw everyone but her. I began to get stressed. I shouted for her, but no answer. She could not be found. And then I woke up, tears in my eyes and a shout caught in my throat.

I have these dreams once in a while. I have since I was a kid. If I am stressed or worried, I have a dream about losing my mom. Sometimes I just can't find her, other times she has died. We've analyzed these dreams over the years and, without fail, I have them when there is a lot on my mind and life feels out of control. They are scary, and they always remind me of what a mess I will be when I really do lose my mom.

Tonight we went to a Mass in memory of my friend's father who passed away suddenly in January. At the time, it was really upsetting. We went to the funeral and did our best to support my friend at that moment, but I fear that maybe we have not done enough. When I think about losing my mom or dad, I really don't know how I will go on. I am afraid of the wreck I will be and I'm afraid that I won't be able to pull myself together. Losing my mom is by far my biggest fear in life. I'm actually starting to get choked up just writing about it.

But, instead of getting upset, I am going to be thankful today. I am going to be thankful that I really have the most amazing mom and dad ever. I know everyone says that, but I really truly have been blessed with my parents. My dad is a pretty classic dad, and he's great. Our relationship has gotten better and better with time. And my mom....I have a hard time putting that woman into words. She is my rock. I have often told James that he's my "favorite," but he's tied with Mom. Besides James, she is the most important person in my world. I absolutely adore her and I know there is no way I would be who I am if she didn't raise me. She has literally saved my life and blessed me in immeasurable ways.

Today is Sunday; the Lord's day. And so, I thank you, Lord, for my mom and for my dad. Please continue to keep them safe and bless us with many years of love and joy with them. And let us not take for granted the gift of each other and the blessing of healthy and happy lives. Amen.

30+26=Best Year Ever

Today, James and I turned 30 and 26. Happy birthday to us:) Last night we celebrated with friends and family by hosting an E.T.-themed party, because E.T. turned 30 this year too! And that's the party my boy asked for, so that's what he got! I'll let some pictures and captions tell the tale...

A "Happy Birthday" banner with E.T. movie still pictures

 Only the most well-known scene of the movie...in cake form! Made by yours truly.

      

What do you notice about these cake pops? They are the color of Reese's Pieces--E.T.'s favorite candy! Thank you to my sister, Kaitlin for making this deliciousness:)

 We are blessed that so many of our out of town friends came to celebrate with us. My oldest friend, Becky and her boyfriend Brandon

 My sister, Kaitlin and her boyfriend, Rob

 The life of the party--Alexa darling!

 Birthday girl and birthday boy

 

James and his cake...Hilda (James' grandma and master cake-maker) will be so proud!

 Murd, showing off a prize from the "Present Game" (more on that in another post)

 Brandon's prize, an Alien Egg--very E.T.-esque

 James won TWICE! I guess it was his lucky day

 

 Beautiful sissy and me after a successful party!

Cuddles was wiped out from a night of partying, but she got her snuggle on with Kait before she had to go home.

A big THANK YOU to all of our friends and family who made our birthday weekend so special!!! We are loved beyond belief and we are so blessed to have friends who make the time to celebrate with us. 

Today we took a good walk (although I don't think I walked off the 5 cake pops I ate today), and then I took a much-needed nap. James watched some of his new movies this afternoon, and we ended the day with dinner at a local steak house with complimentary dessert (like I needed it!) because the waitress thought it was so cool that we share a birthday! We think it's pretty cool, too :)

Oh, and this post is also serving as my Sunday Thanks--I'm sure you can figure out everything I am feeling thankful for today!

Sunday Thanks: New Toys

I haven't done a "Sunday Thanks" in so long, and yesterday I had such good intentions of writing one! But then James had to go and buy me a new toy and I got completely distracted!

That new toy...a digital camera, baby! Not to say that I didn't have one before, but I had been wishing for a new one for a while. James told me about a week ago that he had decided a new camera would be my wedding present, but that he wanted to get it for me soon so that I would have it for all of the fun wedding events and activities that will be happening over the course of the next several months.

So, I am now the proud owner of a new Nikon CoolPix S9100. It is pretty snazzy and can do lots of fun things that I haven't even discovered yet!

I leave you with a pretty picture of the candles on my coffee table, in sepia:)

Sunday Thanks: Weekends Like This

This weekend was reserved for all things festive! We kicked it off right by making popcorn and cranberry garlands for our tree.

 James is our official popcorn popper!

 Lots of garland!

 Cuddles helped too!

Then, on Saturday, we picked out our very first tree!

 This is it!

 What a man!

 Waiting for a tree stand--the one we originally bought was too small.

The Holy Family ornaments (Joseph got a little cut off..whoops!)

 Pretty garland and ornaments.

 Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

Nothing compares to spending weekends like this with the man I love!

12 Questions about Thankfulness

1. Who do I appreciate? My parents. My siblings. James. Cuddles. My friends. My church community, both here and in my hometown.

2. How am I fortunate? My family has been so healthy! I hear about so many families dealing with illness, and I have to thank God that He has protected the people that I love most. 

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? My home. My computer. My car.

4. What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for? I am a good communicator, which has helped me to sustain wonderful friendships and relationships with my family and my boyfriend.

5. What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for? I am so thankful for the diversity that Albany offers. I love that we live in a neighborhood that we can walk in and easily get to food, shopping, and our friends. I love that our home speaks to both of our interests and feels comfortable and welcoming to our friends and family.

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? I am grateful for my education and everything that has brought me to where I am today in my career. I was in a very serious relationship before James, and I am thankful for all that the relationship taught me by it not working out--I believe it's prepared me to be the better girlfriend that I am now.

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for? Today I will finish a paper that will let me relax for the rest of the week and enjoy my family for Thanksgiving.

8. What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for? I really feel that I can be whoever I want to be because of the support of my family and friends. Fortunately, I have been raised with many opportunities and that has just continued as I've grown into my own person.

9. What have others in my life done that I am thankful for? I am most thankful to anyone who has loved me and guided me and encouraged me. I wouldn't be who I am without those three things.

10. What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life (even if I don't know who those people are)? My parents have sacrificed for me and all of my siblings so that we could have everything we want in life. Individuals throughout history have fought for equal rights and freedom for everyone, which I am most definitely benefiting from. Jesus came here to Earth so that I might have an example by which to live my life, and He died so that we might know God's love for us. 

11. What relationships am I thankful for? The relationships I have with my family and friends go without saying. But I am so very thankful for the relationship I have with James. He loves me in a way that no one has ever loved me before and the respect he has for me is amazing. He makes me feel safe, confident and happy every day--I can't be thankful enough for that!

12. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for? I take money for granted all the time. I am certainly thankful for it, but I don't think that I think about just how grateful I should be for it enough.

I took these prompts from Ashley at The Shine Project. Thank you for making me think about all of the things I am thankful for this week!

Sunday Thanks: ___________

I've been feeling pretty melancholy lately--I sort of feel like a stranger in my own life. I think a lot of that comes from the constant motion that I am in and the constant learning that my brain is working so hard to streamline and make use of. I don't feel that I have a definitive role in life--being a student will do that to you--and I really just want to know where I'll be and what I'll be doing (and to have that be consistent for more than a school year's length of time!).

I hate to say that I'm not feeling thankful today, but I guess I'm just still working on getting out of my rut and feeling happy. Maybe I shouldn't equate thankfulness with happiness, but when I'm not feeling happy, it's easy to forget what I'm thankful for. Of course as I sit here I know that I am thankful for many things and people, so don't think I'm here on my end of cyber-world feeling too depressed. It's been a down week--we all have them, and I'm not going to only write about the good things in life; that would be really annoying (and fake) of me!

So, let's cut to the chase. I'd appreciate it today if you told me what YOU are thankful for. I'm hoping your thankfulness will rub off on me in the hope that, as I start another week, this one goes a little better than the last.

If you haven't figured out how to leave a comment here (Mom, I still have to show you how!), or you don't want to, feel free to email me your thoughts!

Thanks friends!!

Sunday Thanks: New Life

I spent this weekend in Connecticut with my family and some friends. Saturday began with my friend's baby shower--she is due in December and I can't wait to meet her little love:) The shower was really nice and I got to see some old colleagues from my teaching position in CT. I spent the rest of Saturday afternoon at my parents' house with James, my brother, my sister-in-law and Gabriel! In two short weeks since I first met him, he has already filled out so much, and I had so much more time to love him up. It was also James' first time meeting him, and I loved watching James fall in love with this sweet babe. Today I am thankful for all of this new life around me and the promise of a brighter future. Here are some of my favorite new pictures of Gabey Baby--the new life in my life.

Sunday Thanks: Honesty

I'm a big fan of honesty, and I pride myself on being a pretty honest person. Today, James reminded me of how simple honesty can be and how it plays such a big role in our relationship and our ability to stay consistently in love and best friends.

I was washing the dishes and I started thinking about baby names. Now, James and I talk about baby names all the time, and we (and by we I mean James) have already picked out the names of our first baby boy and first baby girl. But, I was thinking about other names today and one of the ones I like was Decklan. I shouted from the kitchen, "What do you think of the name Decklan?"

"Nope," came his response.

"Why not? I sort of like it."

"What's there to like?"

That's my James.

It sounds like a simple story, but to me it's a great way to sum up the way that we interact with each other and the comfort we feel in being honest with each other. I can tell you for a fact that if a past boyfriend had said that to me I would not have been happy. But with James, eh, I know he's just telling me the truth. We don't sugarcoat anything just to make the other person feel happy. We are honest with each other so that we are deeply satisfied, knowing that the other always has our back and our infinite happiness in mind.

And you know what, upon further thought, I don't really like the name Decklan that much anyway...and James probably knew that too.

Source: dominicwilcox.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Sunday Thanks: My Nephew

Many months ago, I announced that my brother and his wife were expecting a baby. Well, he has arrived! Making his appearance yesterday, a bit early (which I had a feeling would be the case), we are happy to welcome this little man into our lives and our hearts.

I am amazed that he even exists! It's sort of a surreal feeling to know that someone I have known my entire life and love so dearly is now a daddy! And what an amazing dad my brother will be. And don't even get me started on my beautiful sister-in-law! From the sounds of it, she has been amazing these past few days which does not surprise me in the slightest. She is going to be an amazing mommy. I can't wait to meet my nephew later this week--I'm counting the minutes. Gabe, you are a blessing and we are so happy you're here!

Sunday Thanks: Brave Souls

I had the great privilege of seeing "The Help" on Saturday night. Wow. What a story. I cannot begin to tell you how moved I was by the courage of the women portrayed. I don't know if the book (which came before the movie, of course) is based on any true events, but even if it isn't one can be sure that the stories are not far from the truth, and there have been people throughout history who have stood up for what is right even when they stand against great odds.

As we drove home from the theater, I said to James that I hope I would be willing to do what Skeeter, a young white woman who disagrees with the way black maids are being treated, does by reaching out to the black maids in her community to tell their stories. But, I honestly don't know if I would. Aibileen and Minny are just as brave as they tell their stories, knowing that the result, during that time in history in the deep south, be their imprisonment or death.

Without those brave enough to cross racial lines, question "the way things are," and demand something better, we might still be living in a country of segregation and unequal rights. I'm not suggesting that all is well--there is certainly more to be done--but brave souls like those portrayed in "The Help" are the reason that so much has changed, and they are the inspiration to continue to look for ways that we can continue to increase equality for all people.

Sunday Thanks: Civil Rights

Today our priest reminded us of the importance of respect, equality and civil rights. I've been thinking about it all day, and I'm thankful today for all of the rights that we have. This being said, I think we still have a long way to go as a nation and a world, but I'm feeling thankful that we're not where we were 50 years ago and hopeful that my children will live in a time of equal rights and opportunities for all individuals.

Source: google.com.au via Emma on Pinterest

Sunday Thanks: Everything I Have

Sunday Thanks: Dad

I'm getting out another "Sunday Thanks" late...it seems like I had more time during the school year than I've had during the summer! But, I didn't want to miss this edition because who I'm thankful for this week is really important: my Dad.

 

I was having a rough week last week and, when in doubt, I call my parents to vent and seek advice. I have to admit, most of the time when I make a call home for tough stuff, I am seeking my mom, but when I called last week, she wasn't around and, considering I called in tears, my dad couldn't just take a message. However, he made me feel so much better and it was nice to have his comforting words for a change.

My dad has always been someone I look up to, and I'm sure quite a few of my personality traits come from him. We've never really had the "daddy and his little girl" relationship--that dynamic came much more naturally to my sister and him. I used to resent that; I wanted to be his little girl, his princess. But as I've gotten older, I've realized that that sort of relationship wouldn't have been authentic--I'm not that type and he wasn't going to push me into that role.

I don't want to speak for my dad, but I think it was probably difficult for him to figure me out when I was younger. I was moody and hard-headed and sometimes just plain mean. I've always wanted to be my own person and prove that I am strong and smart. I wasn't sure that my dad understood that, but in the past several years I've watched him and I grow in our own ways and our relationship has blossomed into one of mutual respect and friendship. I don't just love my dad because he's my dad, I like him because he's a smart, funny, charming guy who I enjoy spending time with.

My dad was there for me this week in a way that I haven't always allowed him to be, and it felt really good to share some of my struggles with him and get his feedback. I love him so much and I am so very thankful for him every day!

Sunday Thanks: Creative Outlets

I've been feeling a little stifled creatively lately. Not that I'm an overly creative person, but I enjoy opportunities to work with my hands and make something that I am proud of. So, this Sunday I am thankful for opportunities for creativity--creative outlets.

James and I went to Lowes yesterday with the purpose of grabbing a bag of potting soil so that I could re-pot some of my plants. When we got there, however, I couldn't stop looking at the amazing selection of succulents! They had so many different types and sizes--I decided to go ahead and get a few to put together in a little succulent garden. I even had a dish in mind that belonged to my Grandma and somehow ended up in my possession. I don't think the bowl has any huge significance, but I have held onto it because of where it came from. I don't know what my Grandma used it for--probably for serving food--but I hadn't found any good use for it yet. Until now...

 Something this lovely obviously belongs on the back of my toilet...I like that it makes my bathroom feel a little bit exotic.

 What's better than succulents? Succulents that flower!

I stole rocks from the garden outside my apartment building for drainage and decorative purposes. Pretty proud of that creative thinking!

After putting together my little bowl garden, I had leftovers. What to do? Put them in a green glass goblet (say that three times fast), of course...

 New home: kitchen windowsill

I've had this goblet for a long time, and never found much use for it either, but held onto it out of my love for green (or any color) glass.

And so, my friends, today I am thankful for opportunities to express myself creatively. I had a lot of fun planting, and now I get to enjoy my creations every day!

Sunday Thanks: Summer Nights

Last night, for the second weekend in a row, James and I went to the drive-in to see a movie. I have to say, I think it is starting to be one of my favorite places. 

We had a true "summer night" complete with picnic dinner and a blanket on the grass. We decided to live it up with some snacks and good old KFC. 

 We enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we chatted and munched and watched the kids playing games in the field before the movie started.

 Yuuuummmm...look at that chicken!!

 Here I go, digging into deliciousness....

I love this guy, and today I am thankful for all of the summer nights that we have ahead of us to enjoy!

Sunday Thanks: Dress Barn

Whoops, I'm a little late on this week's edition of Sunday Thanks. This wonderful three-day weekend has me all confused, as I am so used to winding down my weekend with these posts.

But getting back to what I am thankful for this week--yes, it's a store. I feel compelled to write about it, though, because Dress Barn is one of those stores that never lets me down. I remember as a kid thinking that Dress Barn was for old ladies. My mom shopped there occasionally, and she's not old, but at the time she seemed a lot older than me! So, I had this thing against Dress Barn and vowed I would never shop there. Fast forward about 10 years and I find myself in need of a dress for a college event. "Go to Dress Barn," says Mom. Dress Barn! Are you crazy! But, being a good daughter, I listen to my Momma. Needless to say, I walked out the next day with two dresses for less than $100. Beat that, Macy's! Since then I have purchased pretty much every "event dress" that I need from Dress Barn, and even some shirts and shoes.

Why am I so thankful for Dress Barn this weekend? Well, I found out yesterday that a wedding I am attending in July is a little more fancy than I thought it was going to be. I have a go-to dress (from Dress Barn) that I figured I would wear, but I recently wore it to an event that all of the same people from the wedding will be at. This normally wouldn't bother me, except I got a ton of compliments on my dress (which always happens when I wear a DB dress), so it could be remembered. Besides, who doesn't love an excuse to buy a new dress!? At any rate, my friend and I went shopping yesterday and I figured I would pop into Dress Barn to see if anything caught my eye. Thirty minutes later, I'm walking out with this dress:

 via

Bam! Like I said, Dress Barn never lets me down! I feel amazing in this dress! It is simple with a little fun. Classy, but still young and fresh. And, at originally $60 (which is not a bad price in my book), I got it for 30% off!

 This is the acclaimed "go-to dress"...I absolutely love how I feel in it.

 I got this dress a few months ago and will be wearing it to a wedding on Friday and a shower on Saturday--love multi-purpose dresses! (Ignore the wrinkles..my closet is a little stuffed)

Today I am thankful for great prices, great dresses, and the comfort of knowing that when I'm in a jam I can pretty much always count on Dress Barn.