Miscellany Monday

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We sure did!  We got to stay home and all of our family drove to see us! :)

It's been a while since I participated in Miscellany Monday, so here it goes:

I did this about a week ago.  It's been over 6 years since I've had my hair this short.  I wasn't quite convinced that I wanted to go short, but I knew that I wanted something drastically different.  I am glad that I went short...and I can wear it straight or curly. :)

Thursday, we hosted Thanksgiving for Tyler's side of the family.  It was low-key and somewhat non-traditional.  We didn't eat turkey.  I did love getting out my China and setting the table.  (I will be excited when we do purchase a formal dining room table and chairs.)

It has been a tradition for me to make the pumpkin pie.  It started when I was young, and I have enjoyed doing it.  This year was the first year that I had ever made the crust from scratch.  I was pretty proud of how it turned out. :)

The last three years, Tyler and I have gone Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving evening.  It is such a fun, thrilling time.  This year, many of the things on my list were for our new home.  We had such a good time, got what we came for, and were home by 8 pm! :)

Tyler had the first present under the tree.  However, it was my birthday present. :)

This year, our birthdays fell really close to Thanksgiving.  Tyler's is the 29th, and mine and my brother's is the 30th.  So my family came up for the weekend to celebrate.  My mom made each of us a t-shirt quilt!! :)  

One of the most special things was when my Dad and brothers came carrying in my childhood piano.  I originally had said that we had a room in our house that would be perfect for a piano.  However, my mom had put up a fight.  My Granny purchased this piano for me when I was in 1st or 2nd grade.  I was really surprised when they brought it in my house!  I am honored to have it here, and I'm really excited about re-teaching myself how to play (I haven't played since high school).  

Our first Christmas in our new home!  I was so excited to buy a "big" tree this year!  I said I wouldn't until we bought a house....and here we are.  I have plenty of lights on it. :)

Linking up with Carissa today!

**Come back this week for a sneak peek into our new home!**

{Thanks}Living and a Birthday List

It's Friday.

It's my brother's birthday.

It's my birthday.

My husband comes home from his business trip.
Today is going to be a great day!

It's also the end of the month.
That means I get to share with you what I've been thankful for this month.
However, I'm going to do it a bit differently.
On instagram, I shared each day in picture what I was thankful for.
Now you get to see it! :)

Starting at the top, from left to right:
1.  My goofy husband.  He's the absolute best!
2.  Food delivery.  I didn't get the chance to have food delivered growing up!
3.  To be able to have some down time to create.
4.  My 2nd amendment right...my husband taught me well. :)
5.  My husband's servant heart...coming home to clean dishes put away, dirty dishes put in the dishwasher, supper being made, and the laundry sorted...all without being asked!
6.  The hearts of people that gather in a home of our new friends.  I'm so thankful for our small group.
7.  My legs...and the ability to walk.
8.  #SheReadsTruth and the community of women who've participated.  I've met some incredible ladies through Bible reading together.
9.  My husband's job!
10.  A book that challenges me to become a follower of Christ rather than being a fan.
11.  My beautiful mother.  She's one of my best friends.  I'm so thankful for her example as a Godly woman, wife, and mother.
12.  That I have the financial resources to pay for gas, when many don't.  It's something I take for granted most days.
13.  A little pick-me-up when I need it.
14.  Prayer warriors.
15.  A creative outlet, and a tiny bit more income.
16.  My daddy.  He's the bestest one in the whole entire world.  Don't even try to compete with that!
17.  My "littlest" brother who's one of the most caring people in the world.
18.  My warm, comfy bed.
19.  The apartment we live in.  It continues to prove that this is where God wanted us.
20.  My job...God's plan is always best.
21.  A man who takes time first thing in the morning to read the Word of God.  This is what I would call the sexiest thing he does.  There's nothing that melts my heart more than seeing him spending time with his Father.
22.  Family time.
23.  Prayers being answered.  My dad was well enough to make the 4.5 hour trip up for Thanksgiving.  He doesn't have pain in his shoulder or collar bone anymore, and he made it through his surgery without any complications!  (This is what I'm most thankful for this month...God has been incredibly good to us.)  The Lord hears his children and answers their plea!
24.  Friends who send happy mail via the USPS {aka Snail Mail...yes, people!  It still exists}! 
25.  Beautiful artwork in the sky so I can be reminded who's the Author and Illustrator of life.
26.  Preparations for this special season...I'm happy to be spending it in our new home.
27.  Time to rest...especially when needed most!
28.  Receiving a "granddaughter" birthday card in the mail from my husband's grandparents.  It warms my heart to know I'm accepted as one of their grandkids! :)
29.  Preparing a box full of goodies to give to a family God has laid on my heart.
30.  My big, goofy, teddy bear brother.  He gives great hugs! Today's his birthday.  Did I mention that? :)

Finding things in each day that I'm thankful for has been a huge blessing to me this month.  It has made me reflect on the littlest things in my life and realize that they are all a gift from God.
What are you thankful for?


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I also get to share with you what I've been working on for over a month now.

My birthday list.

It's not just any list though.

It's my "25 Before 25 List."

That's right...

This is a list full of things I hope to accomplish in the next 365 days.

Here it is:

1. Itemize our tax deductions.
2. Send a handwritten note to 48 different people.
3. Go to the Muny to see a show.
4. Become better at apologizing.
5. Print a wedding canvas or a big picture.
6. Go to a St. Louis Blues game.
7. Have friends over to our home.
8. Make (or at least start) a quilt.
9. Be financially free from our parents.
10. Memorize 25 Bible verses and be able to recite all of them.
11. Make 25 crockpot meals that are yummy enough to put on our meal rotation.
12. Go camping with my husband.  In a tent.
13. Take a trip on the Amtrak.
14. Participate in Girls Trip 2013.
15. Sew something just for me.
16. Sell 100 items on etsy.
17. Participate in 25 random acts of kindness.
18. Start and finish a whole spool of floss.
19. Keep a running birthday/Christmas list all year 'round.
20. Start saving for a house...in an account.
21. Keep a journal (either written or photos) of what I'm thankful for, for the entire year.
22. Find a ministry at our church to serve in.
23. Enjoy one night a month with my husband and no gadgets.
24. Find some sort of "consistency" in my etsy business.
25. Fall even more in love with Jesus.

I'm a little nerdy, I know.

Some of these things are "hopefuls," and if they happen, then I will be totally excited (such as itemizing my deductions)...I do have an accounting degree.

Other things you may think are funny, but they are actual goals (such as finishing a whole spool of floss.  I always start a new one after I go to the dentist...and never finish the other one).  Have you finished one?

I hope to have a goal and a loose plan of what will be going in my shop.

Other things are just things that I want to do, something that will challenge me, or something that is a goal of the future.
And what a way to welcome the big 2-5 in with a list full of completed aspirations!
Oh, and don't let it fool you...today, I turn 24. :)

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22 years ago, I received the best birthday present ever.
A baby brother.
Growing up, we absolutely hated the fact that we had to share a birthday.
(Maybe he hated it more than me.)
But ask me now and I'll tell you, that baby brother has grown into a wonderful, Christ-like  person.
He's still ornery, but I know that he would do anything for me.
He'd be there for me.
And he'll always cheer me up with his witty remarks.
Happy birthday, Ben.
This is YOUR day, not just mine.
I love you!

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

Happy birthday, Love!

I'm so thankful God brought you into my life four years ago.

I am excited to see Him working in your life.  

You have grown so much since I met you, and I am excited to see the plans play out that He has for you.

Thank you for being my best friend.

Thank you for making me laugh.

Thank you for loving me for me.

Thank you for loving Jesus first.
Most of all, thank you for choosing me to do life with you.

Happy 23rd!  Here's to oh, so many more!!

I love you!

P.S.  Hurry home!  I miss you!

Happy Birthday, Daddy! {Picture Overload}

I always thought it was so cool that mine and my Dad's birthdays were two weeks apart.
They always fell on the same day of the week.
His is today {Friday}, so mine will be on Friday.
I discovered this early on in life...and was so fascinated.

Weird, I know.

My dad is so special to me.
I just have to share my favorite pictures of him.
I printed these off and they are sitting in my office at work.
To you, it won't mean anything.
To me, it means the absolute world.

This picture looks like we were caught mid-sentence.  But what you don't know is what he said to me that day.  He turned to me and said, "Don't worry if 'Your mother and I' turns into something longer."  I never picked up on what he was saying until we got down the aisle.  I absolutely love the fact that our photographer captured these special moments.

Here's the rest of the story.  Instead of giving me away with a simple, "Your mother and I," I got an entire poem written especially for me.  I had absolutely no idea.  That's the best part.  I keep a copy of that poem framed...and I hope to one day hang it in our house, in a more permanent spot.

My dad is selfless.

He is not one to do something for himself.

In fact, just yesterday he had surgery.

He was trying to convince my mom that she needed to go to her Bible study instead of sitting at the hospital with him.

I must say, he was a nut for even thinking that she would do that. :)

My dad loves Jesus more than my momma.

I'm so thankful for that.

I don't just know that about him.

I see it in their marriage.

When I was in high school, I hung out with 3 guys from my church.

They might not have had the best home life, but they were funny

and fun to hang out with.

After Sunday night church each week, we'd go to get some supper.

They would come with us, and I remember my dad paying for their food

most of the time.

He didn't care how much he spent on them.

He just knew that they were not getting themselves into trouble.

He was doing what Jesus would do.

After all, our money isn't ours.

My dad is constantly thinking about others in the church.

He's thinking about what he can do to help out.

He's thinking about who he can encourage.

He's thinking about who might need an extra buck or two.

My dad cares so much about his kids.

At different times in our lives {when we got older},

he's sat down to have conversations and to help

steer us in the right direction.

He would give us advice, but never

told us what we should do.

He never pushed his beliefs on us,

but taught us truth.

He has always supported us no matter what

we decided to do.

Dad's brother {my uncle} washing his feet at his ordination service when he was ordained as an elder of our church.

The elders praying for him at his ordination service.

Ben and Dad on the Thanksgiving 2010 ski trip to Keystone.

With my parents at my college graduation.

Random family photo circa 2007.

My dad is a goof! :)

Thanksgiving ski trip 2010.

At the zoo this past summer when they came to visit us!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I love you so much!!
I'm so blessed to be your daughter.

Thanks for always being a man of integrity and someone I can look up to!