Friend Making Monday: Thanksgiving

Just thought I'd participate in this...

1. Turkey or Ham? Turkey...yummy! My mom and dad always make it and it is best smothered in gravy with cranberry sauce.
2. Favorite side dish. My Tia Yaya's potato salad. Also love Kendra's asparagus wrapped in bacon.
3. Favorite dessert. My mini cheesecakes of course!!!!
4. Black Friday: Are you going or not? Yep...want to check out the deals with all the crazies out there!
5. If so, what's on the top of your list? Have not seen the ads yet but know that Kendra is going for the computer that is 298 at Walmart. I'd really like to try and find a deal on an SLR camera :)
6. Going out of town or staying close to home? Out of town...up to Cathey's Valley and Bear Valley to be exact.
7. Hosting or helping? Helping...no desire to ever host it.
8. Name one family tradition at Thanksgiving. My own little tradition is to have the Macy's Day Parade on the TV while I fix some awesome desserts! I run back and forth between the TV and the oven!
9. What do you do after dinner? We go for a walk behind my parents property. Usually have to walk with the cows, kids, and dogs. And dodge cousins who are more interested in being pranksters (cow pie throwing..yep)
10. What are you most thankful for this year? Most importantly, that I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior. Also my health, my family, friends, church, and job!

My New Coat

Here is my new coat! It is very cute and I am so excited to have it :)

It was a steal of a deal...let me just tell you. The coat was 60% off the original price and then I was able to use a coupon for a 2 day sale and got an extra 15.00 off. So...this 200.00 coat cost me only 65.00!!

Can I just say now that I think 200.00 for a coat is WAY TOO MUCH!!!! I would never, never, never pay that much for a coat. It's note even 100% wool so I don't think that it is worth that much!

But 65.00?!....I'd say, "yes..thank you, I'll take it" :)



All righty...have a great day people...me and my coat are going to go and hope for cold weather soon so that I can wear it!

*What's the big deal with all this warm weather lately??? I don't think that I ever recall a end of November being warm enough to be out in short sleeves!

34 Things That I Am Thankful For....

Today is my 34th birthday!

I can't believe that I am near my mid 30's. Where has the time gone?
I feel like it was just yesterday that I was celebrating the accomplishment of getting my license. Then it was the excitement of graduating high school and the start of college life.
College graduation came much later than I had planned for my life, but was in perfect time with God's blueprint. The start of my career came shortly after, followed by the addition of new family and nephews and a niece..and that is where I've been ever since.

There are some things that I thought I'd have as a part of my life by this birthday like a husband and children but that is not to be. I don't know why God's plan for my life has not included a husband and a child but I've come to understand that His plans are not my plans and His will is not always what my heart desires.

But no matter what, He is ALWAYS faithful and just. And He desires good for me.

This is a hard, hard, lesson.

I don't get it....I want to accept it, but that is a work in progress.

So today, on my 34th birthday, I choose to celebrate the wonderful things and ways that God has blessed my life and focus on His amazing work in me and through me.

To Him be all glory!!!!!

What I am thankful for in 34 little ways:

1. My blessed life in Christ
2. My family
3. Cole, Evan, Isaac, and Kensley
4. My incredible friends
5. My awesome church (Big Valley Grace in Modesto :))
6. My car that weekly gets me to my amazing church
7. My health (especially in light of expose to H1N1 recently)
8. My career
9. My co-workers who've become friends
10. My curly hair
11. Products that actually work in my curly hair!
12. My cats
13. My home
14. My love for all things sweet tasting :)
15. My freedom
16. My fuzzy robe
17. My turbie twist
18. My monkey slippers
19. Netflix!
20. My dentist (seriously...he is a blessing to me because I've been in need of so much work)
21. My students
22. My love of books and the resources to attain them....
23. My comfy bed and down blanket
24. My travel coffee mug...little things warm the heart in the coldness of winter.
25. Chai tea latte at Starbucks
26. Starbucks itself!
27. God's protection over me
28. My new budget (working on the thankful aspect here!...it will come in full soon!)
29. True unconditional love
30. Music that blesses my soul
31. Words from the mouth of a child who was never expected to speak
32. Resources enough to keep me fed, clothed, and sheltered each and every day
33. The difficult things that enter the landscape of my life...because they lead me to the arms of my Savior.
34. ANOTHER YEAR OF LIFE...MAY I LIVE IT ABUNDANTLY!