November 23

November 23rd: I am thankful for all of my amazing friends I have in life. They love me for who I am, forgive me when I am wrong, support me when things get tough, and embrace me when I am down. They put up with me even when I annoy the hell out of them. :) I am very lucky for the wonderful people in my life.

November 22

I am thankful for my SWEET, PRECIOUS little nieces, Ava Grace and Ella Cole - AND the fact that they now live in Oklahoma! They are so full of energy and laughter, and just too cute to not gush over them every time they are in my sight. Love the sweet little girls!

(If I would have brought my camera with me last night to our family dinner I would have pics of the cute little girls to post!)

November 21: I am thankful for forgiveness. It truly is a beautiful thing. I am thankful that people can forgive me for mistakes I have made, and I am also thankful that I can forgive others for mistakes they have made. We are all human, we are all flawed.

"Forgiveness is the economy of the heart... forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.
Hannah More

November 20

I am thankful for music. The beat, the melody, lyrics, the meaning... everything about it.

November 19

I am thankful for my Papa and Granny that are coming in from Kentucky tomorrow. I have not see them since my wedding over a year ago. They are such amazing people and I cannot wait to spend time with them! Oh how i miss being little and spending weeks at their house in KY. Everything was so much simpler back then. :)

November 18th

I am thankful for every breath of life I get to breathe. So sad for all those affected by the loss of OSU's coaches.......

Isn't this the truth?!?

I am thankful for brothers, Michael and Matthew. My relationships with my brothers have changed throughout the years. We've been really close at times, and not so close at times. But really all that matters is that they are my family. I love them both dearly. I miss the days of playing Super Nintendo together and watching old movies like Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. :) Ahhh the goold old days.....

Angel Tree Donations

The JC Penney Angel Tree program is a great way to give back to the community. Help out a special individual in need this Christmas!

http://angel.jcpenney.com/angeltree/

November 16th

I am thankful for my education. I am blessed that my parents put me through my undergrad and that I could afford grad school on my own. I love the field I work in and I wouldn't be where I am at now without my degrees. My education helped lead to a wonderful job where I am motivated and can afford food, clothing and shelter. Very, very thankful.

November 15th

November 15th: I am thankful for the Kamermayer/Clayton family. I married into such a wonderful family and I am so lucky and blessed for that. I have been welcomed into the immediate as well as extended family with open arms ever since I met them. Couldn't ask for anything better! AND my family loves them as well! Its nice to be able to be together for cookouts and special events with both families, even AFTER the wedding. :)

November 14th

I am thankful for acceptance. Obviously there are people in this world who have a long way to go, but hopefully everyone will be there one day. I am thankful for people who can accept different races, different beliefs, and different lifestyles. I am very thankful for people who accept others for who they are, despite their flaws. So grateful for those who accept me for who I am, flaws and all. :)

November 12 and 13

November 12th and 13th: I am thankful for the roof over my head. Always seems to be taken for granted, but I am truly thankful for my home. So many people out there do not have shelter, food, clean clothing. Breaks my heart.

November 11th

Today I am thankful for all of our wonderful veterans.

November 10th

November 10th: I am thankful for my amazing father. I don't know what I would have done without my daddy these past 28 years. I admire everything about him - his humor, compassion, motivation, and love for his family. He worked so hard througout the years to provide for us, yet was always there at school/sporting functions supporting us kids every chance he had. A coworker of his once told me that every time he would mention his kids he would tear up a bit because he was so proud of us. My dad may have a rough exterior that scared the CRAP outta my ex boyfriends... but underneath he is one of the most kind and sensitive men out there. He is a man's man, a family man, and such a wonderful husband to my mama. I just hope he knows how much I appreciate him and all he has done for me throughout the years.

November 9th: I am thankful for my husband, Ryan Kamermayer. He is the most thoughtful and caring person I have ever met. Always selfless, always thinking of others. He loves me for who I am and doesn't judge me (or anyone else for that matter). I am so lucky that God blessed me with such an amazing partner. Love my soldier! :) And I have to mention this: The other day he wrote a sweet little note on my facebook.... just a few words of encouragement. Turns out those sweet words were just a piece of his vows to me on our wedding day. :) They were:
"I will go where you go and support you. I will always be that house on the rock you can always lean on in times of need, and I will always protect you. I will laugh with you and when you are down I will always lift you up"

Recap of Ryan's Leave

The 15 days that Ryan was here recently went by fast. Of course, the circumstances that he was coming home to were very sad. Losing his grandfather was extremely hard for him. Grandpa Clayton was a huge influence in Ryan's life. The service was beautiful and we know he is up in Heaven, now serving as a guardian angel to his surviving family members.

Over the two weeks that Ryan had here he was able to be with family and friends and even him and I got to spend a lot of special time together. Our trip to Beavers Bend near Broken Bow was amazing. The Lago Vista Bed and Breakfast was amazing and it was nice to get away for a few days. We enjoyed spending time with our friends at Fright Fest, brunch, game nights, and other casual situations of just "hanging out". We had a special early Thanksgiving for Ryan at my parents' house and the whole family was there. :) Before he left to go back we celebrated his mom's birthday and ended the trip with another family dinner. Taking him to the airport wasn't easy, but I seem to have a much more positive outlook for the next 5-6 months he is gone. I think spending two weeks with Ryan recharged our relationship and gave me a sense of peace going into these next few months.

I will leave you with some pictures from his trip back home: