Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! 

This is a monumental Thanksgiving for Landon and I because it is the first time we are not celebrating with any family members. Because our family all came to visit us a few weeks ago, they are obviously not coming back, and due to a lack of vacation time and expensive flights, we decided not to travel this year.

I am a little saddened that I am not sitting around the table and enjoying good food and great company with my family, especially since my older sister, who I haven't seen in a year, is in Nashville with her kids. Plus, my Mema makes the best Thanksgiving feast you've ever had in your life. No, really. It's the best. I definitely wish I could be with them.

So, you ask, what are we doing today for Thanksgiving? Well, while everyone is stuffing their face with turkey, Landon and I are taking a less traditional route. We decided to buy some nice, juicy steaks, asparagus and potatoes and have a complete steak dinner. Plus, we plan to hit up a few Thanksgiving Day sales. I figure if the stores are going to have them, someone needs to go shop them!

But don't worry. On Friday, we are celebrating the traditional way with our friends the Johnsons, for whom we are very grateful. I'm providing the green beans and turnip greens, which are always a staple at my family's Thanksgiving (though they won't be fresh from the garden). And, since I'm not a pumpkin pie fan, I decided to try out this Praline Pumpkin Dessert.

Source: flickr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Also, I should mention, we had a few offers from some very gracious people who invited us over to join their family celebrations today, which we were very grateful for, but decided to stick with our unconventional plans and enjoy each other's company instead.

Regardless of the celebration, I have many things to be thankful for this year, including:

• A God who loves and provides for me more than I deserve
• A husband who is my best friend and is still the person I want to spend every day with after nearly seven years of marriage
• Parents who love me so much and continue to offer me guidance, even though I am grown
• In-laws who love me like their own daughter
• Sisters with whom I can laugh and cry
• Friends who care about me and brighten my day (I won't list you all ... you know who you are!)
• A roof over my head, which also happens to be a beautiful house
• A pantry and fridge full of food
• Good jobs that allow us to provide for our family
• A job that I love and enjoy getting up for everyday
• Coworkers who are like family
• A church where Landon and I can serve
• A church family who loves and supports us
• My health
• And the list could go on ...

What are you giving thanks for this year? Perhaps it's been a difficult year for you, but I challenge you to take the time and write out what you are most thankful for this year. I guarantee you will discover many things for which to be grateful.

Leprechaun Visits & Green Things

Happy St. Patrick's Day! This is always one of those holidays that sneaks up on me. I usually don't remember it's upon us until I've already left the house without green on ,and pray that I don't run into that one person who pinches really hard. But, good news, this year I remembered so I am wearing green today.

This is not really a holiday I celebrate, but I do have one fond memory of it ... and it happens to be from kindergarten. I know, strange, but I'll never forget walking into Ms. Moorehead's classroom on Feb. 17 to see that a "leprechaun" had visited our classroom. Not only had he visited, but he had left green footprints all over the classroom. He even decided to walk on the toilet seat in the bathroom. As a kindergartner, this was hilarious. So, for any of you teachers out there, you might want to ask a "leprechaun" to drop by next year, because your students will forever remember it!

In addition, since today's all about green, I thought I'd show you something green I bought this past weekend.

Now, to most of you, this is probably not a big deal, but I tend to have a history with plants. I just can't keep them alive. My "mema" once gave me a plant that she said, "You can't kill this." I promise, it didn't take more than a month and it was gone. Actually, I think I've killed every plant I've ever owned. The problem is that I forget to water. It's so easy, yet so hard! So, I'm determined to keep this one alive! Actually, I might plant it in the backyard, where the sprinklers can make sure it gets water everyday. Then, it is sure to stay alive! Now, I think I may have to try growing some tomatoes next to go with all my fresh basil ...