One of the best Thanksgivings I have ever had...

This past week was a rough one. I started my new job and worked late nearly every night. However, I enjoyed every bit of it. I am so very excited to be in this new position. I feel that God has blessed me with this opportunity and I appreciate it.

I was SO ready for Wednesday evening. I got off work and Ryan and I went to my parents' house. My little brother came in from Tulsa and we had a very relaxing evening with good food and conversation. The next morning Ryan and I woke up and went to my work around 10:30. Epworth made Thanksgiving Dinner for our local firestation. We packed up the food and delivered it to our local heroes.

We went back to my parents' house so I could make deviled eggs and then headed out to Ryan's grandparents' house in OKC.

We were greeted by family and the wonderful aroma of a Thanksgiving feast. We were able to catch up with Ryan's Uncle Terry and Aunt Tona, who drove all the way from Colorado to be here. The Thanksgiving feast was AMAZING. Smoked turkey, baked turkey, mashed potatoes. green bean casserole, dressing, rolls, and sweet potatoes were on the menu. Oh, and don't forget the 5 different kinds of pies they offered! I normally don't eat sweets, but I just HAD to try the cherry pie that Ryan's mom made..... it was FANTASTIC! After the meal we all hung out and watched football, and half of us took a nap (hehe).

We took lots of pics and then Ryan and I headed out to my parents' house for Round Two.

We arrived at my parents' around 5:30. We had deviled eggs, turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes. green beans, corn, dressing, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and a 7 layer salad. WAY too much food, but soo good!

Aftwards I took a nap and we had some good family time at the house.

Later, Ryan and I went home and continued to play Rock Band til late in the morning. :)


Such a blessed Thanksgiving. We are both so very lucky for our amazing family and friends and of course, each other! Ryan will be leaving next year to fulfill his duty as a soldier and this was the PERFECT Thanksgiving to have before he leaves. :) Love to all!

What Really Matters

I have had lots of time this weekend to think and I have really just tried to give all my problems and hardships to God. And the funny thing is I use the word "hardships." In all honesty, when looking at the fact that Jesus died on the cross for OUR sins... I really don't have "hardships." Sure, I have problems and issues, just as everyone else faces in life. However, it is not fair to call it suffering or hardships... it is what it is. The trials of life. Things we cannot control. (i am a control freak so that is NOT easy for me)

After thinking a lot this weekend I am really trying to change my outlook on things. Yes, my life has changed for the better in the last year and a half. I have changed as a person. Really accepting my faults and owning up to my mistakes..... finding out what i want and need in life... finding my place in life. However, I am still a work in progress. We all are. And I am trying to just accept that and take life for what it is: an amazing chance to give love and receive love for as long as i live. Make a difference in people's lives. Whether its friends, family, random people, or residents from work.

It is a lot easier said than done, but I really want to live life to the fullest. Life really is too short. I have one chance to enjoy what and who I have in my life and to be the best person I can be.

I used to be a big pessmist. Anyone who knows me can testify to that. Things were always negative, things were always "woe is me." BUT I have overcome so many obstacles in life. And I know there are many more challenges to face and I am ready for that.

Happiness does not just "happen". You have to work for it and really want it.

This may have been the cheesiest blog post I have ever written but it is what I feel, and it is what is in my heart. I have so many blessings to be thankful for. Dwelling on the negative does not help anyone.

So I leave you all with this: Tell everyone person that you care about just HOW important they are to you. NOW. Every day. Every minute. As much as you can. You only have once chance on this earth. Make it worthwhile and enjoy it and everyone and everything in it.

Life is amazing. We make life what it is. We choose how we behave and how we react to situations.

We are all a work in progress. Being willing to work on yourself is what makes the difference.

I am not an expert on life my any means, I am just living it. LOVE to all my friends and family out there! :)

It's gonna be a long week.....

I began training my replacement today at work. She is catching on really fast so that makes it easier. I still have a lot to train her on. Also, she is only taking over part of my job responsibilities. The other duties are going to another coworker so I will have to train him as well. I only stayed after an hour today but I have a feeling I will be getting more overtime throughout the week. It is tough trying to plan events for the future (so my replacement wont be too overwhelmed) while training my replacement, and also trying to get my office more organized. I am so ready to be in my new office in the marketing department and to dig in to my new job! But, I have a long week ahead of me.

I had a great weekend though. My friend Ryane came over Friday evening to watch movies. I have known her since 4th grade and love her like a sister. Saturday I took my dad to lunch and then went to dinner with Allison, my sister-in-law, for her birthday later that evening. I got to meet a lot of her friends and eat some good pizza at Upper Crust. After dinner I met up with Ryan once again to celebrate her birthday. So many November birthdays! :)

Sunday I cleaned and got some work done. Then my daddy came over and Ryan came home from drill. I cooked dinner for them and enjoyed the company of my dad! I don't get to see my parents that often now that I am married so I truly cherish the time we do get to spend together.

Wish me luck with the crazy week ahead! Hopefully I will make it to Friday!

November is here!

It is getting a bit colder and I absolutely love it! Time to break out my warm bathrobe, fuzzy slippers, winter boots, and cute winter coats. LOVE this time of year!

The last week has been one of the craziest weeks. I applied for a position that came open at my current place of work, and I was offered the job on Tuesday! I am officially the Marketing Coordinator/Move-In Coordinator. I get to help the marketing team with all of their events and publications and what not. The other part of my job will be focusing on our new move-ins. I will help them pick out what they want for their new home and make sure everything is perfect for them.

I am super excited about this new opportunity. This is a chance for me to grow and venture into a new area of this field. Ryan, my family and friends have been so supportive of me and I appreciate that. It is not always easy changing things up and I am blessed to have their support.

Ryan is out of town this weekend for a 3-day drill. I have lots planned this weekend. I plan to be productive and spend some quality time with my girl Ryane, my dad, and Allison for her birthday.

Hope everyone had a great week! :) I will leave you with some pics from last weekend. We watched the OU game with this Miskovsky's and later had a game night.

Halloween Weekend 2010

Our Halloween Weekend was a great one!

Saturday Ryan had to work from 7-7 so I spent some time with his mom at a family reunion. I got to meet more members of his large family and saw some familiar faces from our wedding and the 2009 reunion. It is hard to believe that last time I was at the reunion Ryan and I had only been dating for 5 months!

After the reunion I searched for a few more accessories to complete Ryan's costume. After he got out of work we headed to Norman for our friend Tinisha's Halloween Party. There we celebrated one of my favorite holidays with Tay, Daphne, Josh, Chelsea, Joey and Kari. It was a lot of fun and our costumes were great!
Sunday I decided I was going to dress up one last time for Halloween. We had a few people over to hang out and play catchphrase. Even Zoe got in her costume! Okay, she was forced into her costume but she looked so cute!