Thanksgiving

I've never been one to tell the world daily on Facebook what I'm thankful for in November but I will write a blog about it...
I am beyond thankful for 2012 but I'm also thankful that it's almost over.  This year has been full of surprises, transition, unknown, pain and inconvenience.  However, it's also been incredibly full of life, giving and an abundance amount of love.

First, I am thankful for my relationship with my Jesus.  Without that, my life would have felt much harder this past year.  He has kept me calm and given me strength, knowing it's all worth it in the end.

I am thankful for...
Jarrod - There really isn't words to express what this man has done for our family this year.  He works harder than anyone I know.  I am thankful for his job and all that he has accomplished in the work place but my thankfulness goes far beyond that.  This year he has worked his tail off selling our old house himself, being a landlord, writing the contracts, watching every detail on our new house, writing all the checks to the contractors, controlling our personal finances, helping lead our small group, making phone calls for me ;), helping with the kids, getting up at night with E or Z, being Social Graces accountant, and even cooking dinner some nights.  Bestest husband ever.  Love love my bearded man.

Zeda - She is my source of laughter and also anxiety.  That girl has stretched me this year, however, she also brings me more joy than I can express.  She's too smart for her own good and her independence and strong will will make her an amazing woman one of these days.  I am beyond thankful for the time I spend with her and the daughter she is.  I love Zeda to the moon and back.

Ezra - Our little surprise.  I never imagined I would have a boy or a boy 3 weeks early.  However, he is the sweetest, most cuddliest things in this world.  I hold him and kiss him all day long.  I have a little guilt that his life has yet to be normal so truly, I never put him down.  He is a mama's boy and I love it.  Did I mention how cute he is? Seriously. Adorable.  I have a crazy love for my E man.

Our parents - The giving is never ending with these two couples for that we are very thankful.  The help, the love, and the support is more than we could ever ask for.

The Murrays - My sister's family has for sure made our 2012 much much easier.  They've given their home, their spaces, their time, their patience,  and so on and so on.
My sister was there to take me to the hospital and helped me labor with Ezra.  They helped us move (into their basement) in 100 degree weather.  They have let us live in their basement since July 5.  They let us use their extra garage as storage space.  They've helped handle all the fighting between our kids and Matt has tolerated me in general. Ha.  The thankfulness is overflowing with the countless amount of meals, love, support, labor, and patience they have given us this year.

My business partner Megan and Social Graces - I am thankful for the opportunity to have a job and to be able to quit working at the church.  I am thankful that I have a partner to be there when life's surprises happen.  Ie: Ezra coming the morning of an event and breaking my hand during a wedding.  I'm am so thankful that she picked up the slack this year with events and the blog while my life has been in constant change and instability.  I am thankful for her friendship and that God continues to heal her from her pain in 2012 and at the end of 2011.  I think we both are thankful this year is closing and have high hopes for 2013 from both a personal and professional stands.  Love you Meg, you truly are my best friend.  2013 is ours, let's own it!

Our new home - I've waited a long time for this.  This November marks 3 years since we've bought the lot.  We've been planning and planning this home and now we are just a few weeks away from completion.  I can't describe the feeling but I can tell you it's a good one.  I'm also thankful for our builder who has made the process a smooth one.  We've enjoy it and cannot wait to make it our home.  It's time.

Our friends and family - Thank you for the countless lunch dates, encouraging messages, babysitting, support, trips, fellowship, drinks, baby clothes.  Really, we have the best friends and family out there.

Finally, I am thankful for the endless amounts of answered prayer this year.  I don't understand sometimes why things happen the way they do or why the trials have to be so daunting but when you know that God is listening the feeling is amazing.  Two prayers that I'm especially thankful for is 1) my friend Danielle who I've been praying for years to become pregnant is finally 14 weeks along.  Huge, huge blessing and we continue to pray for her little one.  2) Brandon.  It's been awhile since I've posted an update but he is doing fantastic.  He still has a long road ahead but he's gaining weight, getting out and even driving.  His life is a true miracle and we continue to pray for him as well.

Alright, enough with the sappy stuff.  I love you all and I'm excited to eat turkey and go shopping today.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Jarrod's birthday

Let the birthday celebrating begin.  We started off the festivities tonight with Jarrod's family.  Pizza House and chocolate cake at our place.  So fun, my hubby is 29.  We are celebrating big this weekend.  More updates/pictures later.

A weekend of celebration!

This past weekend was a little busy.  I didn't get to see Jarrod much but when I did see him we had a good time.  Oh, our nice camera bit the dust, so...I don't have any pictures from the weekend.  The one above is from my phone of sweet Zeda before church.

Here is the order of celebrations from the weekend.
1. Friday is when our 417 hit the news stands.  Click here to see what Meg had to say.
2. Meg and I ran a Social Graces wedding rehearsal together.
3. Later Friday night, Jarrod and I went out to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.  We had a giftcard to Harunos which we loved and a giftcard to Mudhouse for dessert and coffee.  Then on our way home we stopped for a redbox since Z was with Jarrod's parents all night.  It was a good night, he let me pick the redbox and we spent a total of $4.38. :).
4. Saturday, Meg and I put in a full day at the wedding.  It was a Social Graces wedding but still a girl we were both close to in high school.  It was a beautiful wedding and a huge celebration.
5. Sunday morning my wonderful husband made a few pies with me (so we could spend a little time together) because I had 3 showers that day.  2 weddings and a baby.
6.Kylie and Devin's wedding shower. We went to church, dropped Zeda off at her class and I went straight to setting up for the shower.  We used her wedding colors as part of the decor.  I made a fabric banner and used fresh flowers.  Once things were decorated and church was over we headed home so Jarrod could put Z down and I could grab my pies and head out for my next shower.
7. Cheri and Adam's wedding shower.  Once I got there, I helped finish the decoration, set the pies up and then we celebrated our little Cher bear.
8. Christy's baby shower.  After Cheri's shower, we went to the new crepe place downtown called The Aviary Cafe.  It is so lovely inside, Meg and I got there first and decided every Social Graces meeting should be there. :)  Christy is due Aug 2 with a her sweet baby girl.  I am so excited to see this baby.  Christy looks GREAT, she looks about 4 months pregnant with a tiny little bump.  She has definitely handle pregnancy well.

What a busy but super fun weekend.  I can't wait for more celebrations!

Vacation Part 11: Swimming with sharks

If we ever go somewhere with water, I'll be sure to know that Jarrod will dive.  He loves it and I support that.  I just wont go along.  Ha. This was the first time I got to ride in the boat with him.  I didn't realize I'd be the ONLY one in the boat while they were down there but I was.  The guy left me a loaf of bread the feed the fish so I could be entertained.  When I started to feed the fish I had the attention of many birds.  I started to get freaked out so I stopped but then the birds all lined up and waited for me to feed them. So, why not?  Those birds had me laughing so hard that I felt a bit stupid all by myself.  They were hilarious lining up then catching the bread as I threw it.  Sounds stupid I know, but really, you would laugh too.  While I was playing with the birds, Jarrod was playing with these guys.  Do you see those sharks?  Yeah, I was pretty sure I was coming home alone.  The guy told us he'd never seen a shark bit in the 20 years he'd taken people to this spot.  My response, "There's a first for everything."  Luckily my husband made it out alive and was able to see some pretty cool stuff.

Vacation Part 9: Getting Fancy

I lOVE to dress up, I guess it's the inner child in me but I jump at the chance whenever I can.  You don't have to dress up this much on a cruise but I do and poor Jarrod has to too.  So fun.

Joplin

Jarrod and I have spent many weekend in Joplin due to the fact that his Aunt and Uncle live in a big beautiful house there with a pool.  Luckily they are just fine and so is their house.  Sunday night was crazy in Joplin and it just breaks my heart.  I am so very thankful that our family is safe but pray for all the other families that are suffering.  There are so many ways to help, please find someway that your efforts could be in use.
Convoy of Hope or the Red Cross are two great ways.  Also, if you live in Springfield, there are many many places around town that are good drop off spots for clothing, toiletries, and food.  Also, please please pray.  This will be a long process of healing and clean-up.

Photo found here

Yummy Pizza

After I brought my CSA home I made this delicious thing with some of the veggies I got and using a crust recipe from the cookbook my mom got me. It was great. Zeda and Jarrod loved it.

I realized three pictures is a little much, but it really was that good.

Almost...

It's three minutes until midnight and I almost have all my items marked off. I'm starting my list for tomorrow. My goal: to make our vacation work and worry free. I'm giving Jarrod COMPLETE attention.

Trip to LA

We are heading out tonight for LA. Originally, this trip to LA was to visit friends but all our plans have fallen through, or maybe the reality is no one wants to hang out with us. Either way, we got cheap flights, a free place to stay and a free car to drive. Not bad, uh? So Jarrod and I are calling this our 4 year anniversary trip. :)
Below are pictures of all our other anniversary trips.

1st Year - Branson, MO


2nd Year - St. Louis, MO

3rd Year - Back to Branson. We had a one month old and I wasn't about to leave her.

This year, she's staying with the grandparents and we are going to stay out sooo late! I can't wait!

Update: MyfitnessPal

If you remember a couple post back about MyFitnessPal, I'd like to post an update. No, the picture below is not what I currently look like but it is my goal and the picture is my inspiration. This is Spring Break 2005. Ha. Look at Jarrod's hair. :) I'm pretty sure I will never be that dark again, I have a new fear of tanning. However, I'd like everything else to possible go that direction...like my abs. :)
Update: I've lost 10 pounds with 5 remaining. This has been way easier than I thought. Why didn't I start this...say, 6 months ago?

Branson Adventures

For Jarrod's birthday I got him a ride on the Zip-line. We took a Sunday afternoon and had a little fun together in Branson while Mimi and Papa watched Z baby. It was really fun and not scary at all. We rode 5 zip-lines and 3 bridges. It's definitely worth the money.