I have been inspired by everyone's daily blog or Facebook posts about what they're thankful for. It's so refreshing to see all the blessings in each other's lives. I wanted in on the action, but I didn't want to overwhelm myself with a post everyday. I decided to do one post every week that I will have been working on each day with my daily thanks in the spirit of Thanksgiving!

Day 1: Thursday, Nov. 1
On the first day of this 30-day challenge, I begin with the highest, most important blessing of all: the love of Jesus and his forgiveness. Without him, I am nothing; I have nothing. With him, I have life and all the other blessings I will mention over the course of this month!

Day 2: Friday, Nov. 2
Today I give thanks for my husband! As a girl, I always wondered who my Prince Charming would be: what he looked like, what he was doing then, where he lived, what his voice sounded like, everything. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect fit than Alex. He is my best friend. SO thankful to share this life with him/

Day 3: Saturday, Nov. 3
On Game Day, I am thankful I'm a Gator girl! Now I know I'm biased, but there's nothing like a game in The Swamp. Very thankful that I spent nearly 6 years over the course of my two degrees in Gainesville and for the awesome education I received. The Gator Nation is everywhere!

Day 4: Sunday., Nov. 4
Today I'm thankful for my church and the friendships we have made there. I am so glad we quickly found a church in Greenville and that it's is the place we have made our church home, where we got married, where we've made deep friendships, and where our kids will be baptized one day. I love everything about First Pres!

Day 5: Monday, Nov. 5
Even on a Monday as I begrudgingly pull myself out of bed, I am thankful for my job. I love what I do and who I work with. After having a job for 2.5 years that was tough in so many ways, I am even more thankful for my current position that has been an answer to prayer.

Day 6: Tuesday, Nov. 6
Today I am thankful to live in a country where we have the freedom to vote. No matter how small we may think our voice is (or how confusing and seemingly messed up the system is), we have the opportunity to cast our ballot and make our voice heard.

The "I voted" sticker: this week's hottest accessory

Day 7: Wednesday, Nov. 7
Today I give thanks for my Mom. She has been my rock and my biggest cheerleader my entire life. Not only did she bring me into this world (before the era of the epidural), she has been there through everything: losing my first tooth, dance recitals, cheerleading tryouts, shopping for prom dresses and then eventually my wedding dress. I am so blessed to have such a great mother and friend.

Wedded Bliss Wednesday: Expectations of Marriage

It's Wedded Bliss Wednesday again! Today the questions are all about what I expected marriage to be (before I was married, that is!). Join in and link up!


CHILDHOOD EXPECTATIONS OF MARRIAGE!

1. When you were a child what did you imagine YOUR Prince Charming to be like?
When I was really little, I thought my Prince would be a lot like my dad: outdoorsy, rugged and a farmer! But I knew he would have dark hair (no real reason, just what I always pictured in my head!). 
 

2. Does you husband match your prediction as a child?
Alex is not what I would call "rugged" or very much "outdoorsy", and he definitely ain't no farmer! :) But he is one hotttt brunette.

3. What about when you were a teenager and knew it all about love, does your relationship match that scenario you had during those rebel years? 
 Yes and no. I wasn't terribly rebellious as a teenager, but my taste in men sure did change between dating my high school boyfriends and when I started dating Alex. I did think I knew it all about love in some ways, though. Isn't it hilarious to think that you will marry some boy you think is cute in 9th grade?? I mean, I know some people marry their high school sweethearts, but I think the vast majority of us THANK GOD for unanswered prayers (to quote Mr. Garth Brooks), know what I'm sayin'?
 

4. What love movie would you best match your relationship to? Why?
Definitely Pretty Woman...HA! Kidding. 
Hmmmm....I have never thought about this. Honestly, it's probably because I've never seen a movie where I thought, 'That is so US!'. Once we started dating, we never once broke up. There was no rekindling of love or chance happening to bring us back together or cutesy way we met. It's just been us, together, from the beginning. To tell you the truth, a movie about our love story would be pretty predictable without any curveballs or twists. Just the way I like it!

When I was in Florida week before last for my reunion, I got to meet my best friend Lesley's brand-new sweet baby girl, Avery Anne, for the first time. It was the highlight of the weekend, reunion and all, for sure!

Love her! And she loves me too - look at that smile!

When I first laid eyes on her, I burst into tears. {I know, what a sap.} Seeing that tiny baby made it real that my best friend is a mommy. That baby isn't just any baby - she is the offspring of my best friend since 8th grade and her awesome hubby. A miracle.

Jazz hands! She's going to be a dancer!

Even at the age of 10 days, she was swift enough to steal my heart. I loved her instantly. 

Avery is just too precious. I only wish I lived closer so I could cuddle her more often! I look forward to being her "Aunt" and spoiling her. Love that little girl.

Lesley and I toasting to motherhood (her first drink in 10+ months!)

Get your vote on

{I write this as I stand in a 200+ person line}
Make sure you vote today, regardless of crappy weather, long lines, other commitments or time constraints. The Presidential election only comes around every 4 years. There is nothing more important than exercising your right as an American!

This election will affect generations to come, for better or worse, so please make your voice heard no matter how small you think it may be.

May you rock your vote and may we all get on with our lives sans-political ads starting tomorrow!

That is all. Happy Election Day!

Friday's Letters

Whoop - it's Friday! This week has seemed long to me at times, and has seemed to fly at times, making it a confusing one. Do you ever have weeks like that? Nonetheless, I am excited it's Friday! We have some plans with friends we haven't hung with in a while, so I'm pumped about that. Happy (almost) weekend!

Linking up today with Ashley for Friday's Letters!

Dear husband: you rocked your first month on the job and shattered your own goals as well as your boss's goals for you. Well done, love! So proud of you. Dear Lesley: I miss you and baby Avery SO MUCH! I wish I could see you both everyday. Dear Lindsey: you will find him. Promise. Dear punk trick-or-treaters: thank for leaving your candy wrappers in my flower pot! Your parents should be ashamed. Dear November: I think you're one of  my favorite months, because you have Thanksgiving, the weather is consistently cool, and you officially usher in the Christmas season (when appropriate - after TG!). Dear Gators: last weekend sucked, boys. But I have to say - we're doing better than I expected this year! Now let's win out! :) Dear followers: thanks, really - you don't know how excited I get when I see that I have a new follower! Thanks so much for reading!

Have a very lovely Friday!

Am I the only one who is in slight disbelief that Halloween and October 2012 have come and gone?

We had a very simple Halloween this year. Nothing special or crazy, not even any costumes (unless you count the bunny ears I threw on during my office's trick-or-treating for kids on Monday - yes, the same ones Ellie is wearing in this pic!).

We made a last-minute decision Tuesday night to carve one of the pumpkins that has been decorating the front stoop. But hey - we had a jack-o-lantern, candy, and the weather was cold. What more can you possibly want for Halloween?

I was disappointed that we didn't get nearly as many trick-or-treaters as we did last year. Weird, considering there are dozens more houses in the neighborhood this year than there were in 2011 (we live in a new construction phase of a neighborhood).  But whatevs - more candy for meeeeeee!

I still enjoyed getting to see all the kiddos dressed up in their costumes. My fave ? Probably the tiny Katniss that showed up with her hair in a braid and what I think was an actual, functioning (read: can hurt you) bow. Bad-a** for a 4th grader. (Side note: do 4th graders read the Hunger Games??? Because that shi cray. Can't say I would let my kid read that. But that's neither here nor there).





My pups got into the action, too. Penny has a smorgasbord of Halloween costumes to choose from, and we went with the lady bug this year. Ellie doesn't do clothing. So I just stuck those bunny ears on her for a hot second before she took them off.  Penny really got into her role as the Official Trick-or-Treater Greeter, while Ellie had a seizure with every knock.




The main thing here is that now that Halloween is over, we are going to be hit in the face every single day for the next two months with Christmas music, decorations and ads. While I love Christmas, it makes me sad that it's so commercialized and the true reason for the season is masked. Plus, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and nowadays it's like it doesn't even exist! In the 21st century, Thanksgiving is basically baby Christmas: a trial run for holiday baking, a mid-way point for decorating your house, and the signal that if you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet, you're a failure. Such a travesty.

Okay, I'll get off my soap box now.

Suffice it all to say: let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas. (Oh wait - I think Target beat me to that a few weeks ago with their "It's gonna be BIG" ad. I give up!!).

It's OK!

Well well well...here we are in November already! Riddle me this: where has 2012 gone? Yikes!

Linking up again with Neely for It's OK Thursday!

It's ok...

• that I probably ate more candy than I handed out last night
• that instead of cooking dinner last night, I decided Chick-Fil-A was the better idea because I had the October calendar coupon that was expiring
• to only buy Halloween candy that you like to eat...which is good since I have so much left over!
• to be irritated with the builder of our neighborhood (which is still under construction) that they decided to make the exteriors of the three houses directly across the street from us almost the exact same color schemes. They're totally different floorplans, but it irks me. You have hundreds of color combos to choose from!!
• to really really feel like I am behind on my Christmas shopping now that Halloween is over
• to love Christmas but not want to be slapped in the face with Christmas ads, music, and decorations quite yet...let's celebrate Thanksgiving first, people!
• to be excited for "Fall back" this weekend and the extra hour of sleep, but to dread the early darkness each evening. Soooo depressing.