40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 18

Today, I am thankful for after Christmas sales! I went to Gift Junkie today, one of my favorite little boutiques that is conveniently located at the front of our neighborhood. I bought only two small Christmas things there, because their beautiful, trendy things are a little pricey for me. But, when I got the email this morning that all of their Christmas stuff was 50%, I knew I was in for a treat!

I got all of these beautiful items for only $21! The little heels were just too cute! They had many, many more things, but I am going to wait and see if they go just a little bit more one sale before I treat myself again : )

This corn plant was given by my coworkers to my family for my Nana's funeral. I have started decorating it for each season. It's silly, but it makes me think of my Nana. I treated myself to the little red and green pick earlier this season, and got the poka dotted one today! I love it with both of them!

I feel like it completes our little hall area.

Love them!

Hope you find some great after Christmas deals this week!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 17

Today I am thankful for our families. Both of them!
As our first married Christmas approaches, I have been very concerned and worried about the logistics of it all. Traveling here, having Christmas Eve here, Christmas day activities...not hurting any one's feelings by missing an event that is important to them...making everyone comfortable on "their" Christmas...the list is pretty much endless.

But, as the day approaches, I am so thankful that we have all of these loved ones to coordinate! There are so many people that do not have a Christmas celebration, or family to spend this special day with. It is so easy to let all the little things get to you and worry you - but wow, we are lucky. We have so many people that want to celebrate Christmas with us in their own special ways. We are so loved and so very fortunate to be so surrounded with love.

And, I think we have it all worked out!

Last weekend we celebrated with my extended family. Edaddy, Emommy and Aunt Cindy (my mom's parents and sister) traveled all the way from Alabama to watch my little sister graduate. Pappa (my Dad's Dad) also joined us, making the occasion so much more special. We celebrated Christmas that weekend as well, and even though it was the weekend before, it really did feel like Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, my parents and sister are coming from Dallas to Houston to celebrate with Pappa and his sisters and their children. Since it is Jeff's parents' Christmas this year, we will miss that celebration and attend Christmas Eve Service at the church that his Sister will be married in this Spring. Everyone in my family has been very understanding of this, and for that I am also thankful. I am very excited to attend Christmas Eve Services - I've never been before! That just wasn't something that we did with our family, we were usually traveling across the country to visit our Grandparents, so we didn't spend too many Christmas' at home while I was growing up. I can't wait to celebrate in a church.

On Christmas, we are going to do a Christmas brunch with my family and sister (they are staying with us). We will open our presents that morning, and spend that time together. That afternoon, we will head over to Jeff's parents' house, and have a Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. What a wonderful day filled with family and love!

On Saturday, we are working on getting everyone together to have dinner together. My parents are not in town very often, so I think it would be nice for both families to get to spend some time together, especially after the pressure of the holiday is over. I'm really excited to spend time with both of our families!

What are your Christmas plans? Is it hard for you to see everyone that you would like to see on Christmas?

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 16

Today, I am thankful for my sister. She graduated from UNT this weekend! I am so thankful that she is doing so great - we could not be more proud of her! She also already has a job - they hired her on the spot!!! She is going to be teaching math at NCTC, a local community college. She has grown up to be such a beautiful, successful young woman and I am so proud that she is my sister.

I love you Val!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 15

Today Jeff and I are thankful for the same thing - great neighbors.
We are so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful, fun people.
We had our Christmas party last night, a progressive party themed "An American Christmas". Each couple drew a state, and served food and drinks that represented that state. We had an amazing night!
We visited Utah, Arkansas, West Virginia, New York, South Carolina, Mississippi, Montana...and one other state that I can't seem to remember right now. We had Long Island Iced Tea, New York Cheesecake, Arkansas Avalanche, Fried Okra, Deer Sausage, Carolina Sweet Tea, Sliders, Mountain Dew on Acid (that was a new one for me!), Mississippi Mud Pie, Sangria, Kahlua Cake, Corn Chowder, Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches, Mudslides, Pulled Pork Sandwiches...and more! Needless to say, we are full and sleepy today : )
I hope everyone has neighbors as wonderful as ours!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 14

Today, I am thankful for cold nights. Usually here in Houston, it's hot, and Jeff and I sleep on totally opposite sides of the bed. But, when it's cold, every time I wake up we are all close and snuggly. I love it! I have to soak it up, because it's not cold here for very long.

Jeff is thankful for sleep today. I think this has something to do with the fact that I asked him what he was thankful for as we were falling asleep in the before mentioned cold bed. He really does love sleep though - he would sleep all day if he didn't have honey-do chores.

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 13

Today I am thankful for Bandit, our Pomeranian. He is 6 years old, and definitely our child! He brings so much joy to our lives and I feel so lucky that God blessed me with such an amazing doggie! He truly brings joy to our lives each and every day.

Jeff is thankful for Christmas, he is so excited!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 12

Today, I am thankful that my grandparents will be able to travel to Texas for my Sister's graduation! My Emommy is not in great health, and they were waiting to get clearance from her doctor to travel - and they did! This way we will get to have Christmas with them and it will mean the world to my sister.

Jeff is thankful for Charlie Brown Christmas. As I type, we are watching the Grinch. We love these classic Christmas movies, they warm my heart and remind me of what Christmas was like as a child.

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 11

Today I am so thankful for my husband. He is amazing.
He is in Cancun this week - weekend, and not having him here really makes me appreciate him:)
It just makes you realize how wonderful it is to be married and to always have him here.
I'm a lucky girl!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 10

Okay, so I am terrible at my 40 days of thankfulness. Oops. I'm trying, I promise!

Today I am thankful for my parents. They are such amazing people that have taught me so many life lessons. Not only do I respect and admire them, but they are my dearest friends as well. We just got home yesterday and I miss them already!

Today, Jeff is thankful for Cyber Monday. He found a great deal on a new TV for our bedroom today online. We can't wait to put it up!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 9

Today I am thankful for new experiences.

Jeff and I went to the Texans game last night, and had such a great time, even though we lost. We are trying to do new things and experiences to keep things fun - and I am enjoying it!

Jeff is thankful for Monday Night Football : )

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 8

I'm back in town and back on track with my Thankfulness.

Today I am thankful for unpredictability.

Jeff and I had a great day today. We went to Hobby Lobby to pick out our wrapping paper for our Christmas gifts. I am usually a little obsessive about our wrapping paper. I love Christmas to have a theme. This year, I chose red and white damask. I already picked out the paper from some that my Mom found at Hobby Lobby last year, ordered gift tags, and bought my ribbon for bows. I just hadn't bought the paper yet. Well, Hobby Lobby does not have the paper this year. They have it in green, and black and white, but not the red that I had my heart set on. I was disappointed, it is time to start Christmas stuff, but I had to regroup. Jeff picked up some red paper with white reindeer silhouettes, and said, "I really like this". He NEVER has an opinion about these things! The paper wasn't too bad, and I figured that if I stuck with the red, it would be okay. After I said, "Sure, that's nice, let's get that one", and started to walk off, he picked up another roll of red paper, this one covered in cartoon snowmen and little snowflakes. "I REALLY like this one" - Jeff. I inwardly cringe and almost tell him to put it back - I HATE Christmas paper with cartoon figures on it. The reindeer were a stretch for me, but there was no way I was going to have my floor covered with cartoon snowman paper. Then, Jeff said, I like this, I'm really glad I came. How unpredictable. Who knew that he would be happy that I dragged him to Hobby Lobby, that he would choose wrapping paper, and that he would be happy that he came!

So, long story short, I am so happy for his unpredictability today!

40 Days of Thankfulness

I know I've skipped a few days...but I'm trying to keep on track :) I will be out of town starting tomorrow until Friday, so we will pick back up on our thankfulness when I get home. I am headed to New Orleans and Mississippi for a new project. I rarely get to travel for work, so I am so excited! Anyway....

Today I am thankful for my job. It is very stressful at times, but I really do love it. I am very lucky to work for great people in a fun atmosphere.

Jeff is thankful that he got his final deal for the month, so he met his quota! Yey! That is a huge relief for him.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 6

Today, I am thankful for my husband. We are not perfect, but he has been the perfect husband this weekend. When I got home from work last night, he had half of the bathroom painted, which is something I really wanted done, but was dreading spending the whole weekend doing. Today, he detailed the Tahoe, and took me to the Honda dealership, and helped me pick out an Accord. This is the first new car I have ever had. He was so worried about me liking it and being happy and comfortable with our decision, that it just made me love him even more. It's funny, since we have been married, sometimes he just does things that make me love him just a little bit more sometimes :)

Today, Jeff is thankful for his credit score, it came in handy on our car purchase today!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 5

Today Jeff and I are both thankful for our home. There are so many people that do not have a place to call home, and we have a wonderful house that we love. Granted, there are many things we are dying to do to it...hardwood floors, painting, granite countertops, bathroom upgrades...but - I am so happy that we have it.

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 4

Today we are so thankful for the troops that serve our country and fight for our freedom and our rights.

Today always reminds me of one of my favorite moments with my Daddy. We were in Hawaii, on our last Daddy daughter trip before I got married. We were at a Japanese Steak House, where they cook at the table. We were sitting with 3 other people, all under 25, that were stationed in Hawaii. They were having their last dinner before they were deployed the next morning. We enjoyed their company so much, and had a wonderful time. They told us about what a splurge this was for them, and how hard it was to get enough money together just to fly home to see their families while they were on leave. When dinner was almost over, Daddy leaned over to me and said, "Do you think we should buy their dinner?" When they asked for the check, we were already getting up to leave, and I will never forget the look on the young girls face when she looked at Daddy and said, "Oh, Sir, thank you so much!" He said, it's the least we could do, thank you for what you do! I respect my Daddy so much, but in this moment, I was swelling with pride and thankfulness that he was MY Daddy.

I always try to make a point to shake soldiers hands when I see them out and about, and I hope that I can follow Daddy's example and do things to show them how thankful I am as an American and how grateful I am for their sacrifice.

Happy Veterans Day!

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 3

Today, I am thankful for feeling safe - in my country and in my home. Jeff is thankful for being alive. This was brought about by starting our "Thankful" conversation after watching a news story about those that were injured in the Fort Hood shooting. I cannot express how sorry I am for those that are injured and the families that lost a loved one.

40 Days of Thankfulness - Day 2

Sorry I forgot to post this yesterday :)

Yesterday I was thankful for kind and welcoming people. I went to a baby shower and a bridal shower this weekend, and I really didn't know anyone well at either (other than the ladies of honor). Everyone was so sweet and welcoming - and I had such a nice time at both. It is always awkward to go to an event where you are a little uncomfortable because you don't know anyone very well, and I am so thankful for others that go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

Jeff's Thankfulness on day 2 is for our Lord and his Grace.

40 Days of Thankfulness

40 Days of Thankfulness
I recently came across an exercise that I think will be very beneficial for Jeff and myself. It is so easy to get caught up in the details of everyday life, and forget to be thankful for all the amazing gifts that God provides for us. I am going to post something that I am thankful for each day. Some days will probably be more generic and frivolous than others, but I'm going to give it a try!

Day 1
Today I am thankful for TJMAXX. I spent about 20 minutes there, and managed to get a really cute shirt and finish the baby shower basket that I was working on. Jeff is thankful that he has a job : )


This fabric and pattern isn't something that I would usually buy, but I am really glad that I did. It was only $12.99!

Here is the baby shower basket that I finished for Kenny and Heidi, I found the basket in the home section of TJMAXX for $4!