thankful thursday (link up)

fence, brick, rock. almost there.

1. Our soon-to-be house. I've listed this one a lot, but with every week, I become more thankful for it. We're set to close later this week, and I simply can not wait. We had the chance to walk through the house on Wednesday afternoon/evening, and I simply can not believe it is going to be our house. I feel so unworthy of such a large space, but I also feel so blessed to have the opportunity to call this house my home.

We went to walk through the house last night and had an inspector come out as well. Not everything is done but it is getting there.

When we left around 6pm, people were still hard at work. I made sure to thank everyone I could for working so hard. There is something so humbling about seeing people do so much for you.

2. Gospel Centered Community. We have been a part of the same community group for almost four years now. Tuesday night, we talked about simplicity and what simplicity means for the church and for our own walk's with God. I needed the message and the reminder. With all the moving and buying and house stuff, it is easy to get lost and focus only the material possessions. Tuesday night reminded me to focus on what matters to God and not the things of the world.

I struggle with that a lot. It's gotten better over the years, but by no means am I perfect. Building this new house has excited me for many reasons - including the opportunity to shop for furniture. Tuesday reminded me of the blessing the house is and what we need to do with it and it's not just shopping.

nana and i at our rehearsal dinner 2008

3. My Nana. I called her on Monday evening as I was driving to work at the group home and wished her a belated Happy Thanksgiving. I have so many wonderful memories with her - like eating Popeye's Chicken while sitting on her couch and watching movies on the weekends I would stay with her.

When we talked on Monday, she told me how proud she was of me and how wonderful of a life I was building. I so needed to hear that. She always says something profound and something that reminds me to look at the whole picture and enjoy where I am.

4. My Dad. My parents live in Texas, so they have not seen the house yet except for in pictures. And yet, my dad has been a huge part of this process. He has given me tips and pointers on what to do, and I've done every single thing.

I called him last night when I left the house, and he told me that my husband and I were doing everything right with buying this house. That affirmation helped quench any lingering fears or doubts I have about buying the house. This is the right decision for us, but it is a huge purchase. Huge purchases are a little daunting.

I am also excited to see him soon. My parents are officially coming to visit us in our new house.

5. December. It sounds silly to be so excited for a month, but I simply can't wait. There is so much to be excited for. Those things include: moving into our house, decorating for Christmas, taking some much needed time off work, my parents coming to visit, hosting Christmas at our house, having a New Year's Eve party at our house, losing at least 10 pounds over the course of the month, living in our house, and looking at Christmas lights.

thankful thursday (link up)

1. The Holidays. I have not always been the biggest fan of the holiday season, but this year, I am (finally!). Maybe it is because we will soon be in our own house and hosting Christmas. Or maybe I've just finally grown up and re-recognized the wonder that is the holiday season. I can not wait to hang the stockings I bought or decorate a Christmas tree or hang the wreath I made (and make a few more!).

2. My very own kitchen. It's not done in these pictures, but it should be close to done in real life now. Imagine black appliances and granite countertops with a travertine backsplash. I'm so ready to be able to cook in my own kitchen. I'm scouring pinterest for wonderful holiday recipes. I have Christmas and New Years to plan for! Last night I even dreamed about what I would cook in the oven and what I would make in the Crock Pot.
3. My family. My parents live in Texas, so I don't see them nearly as often as I would like. But they are always just a phone call away. Yesterday, my mom gave me tips about what red wine to pair with Thanksgiving Day dinner. My Nana also lives in Texas, but she is forever a source of inspiration for me. I know that if I ever need anything I can and will call her.  I am also thankful for my aunt, my uncle, and my cousins who are sprinkled across the west side of the country. And my grandparents who live in Florida during the winter months and then Michigan during the summer months. I have learned so much from every member of my family, and I wish more than anything that I could see them more often.
4. Our almost finished house. I have listed this before but have to mention it again. It is mind blowing that the house being built is where we will soon call home. It isn't our ultimate dream house... I mean - we can't afford the mansion I want just yet (maybe ever). But it is going to have space to grow, room to entertain, and will provide a place for others to come and stay and be entertained. And it is in a safe area. While I was there visiting Tuesday night, I saw families walking dogs and riding bikes. I met neighbors. And I fell even more in love with where we will call home.

5. Our two dogs. They drive me crazy with how they wake up every morning at 6am. And how they jump off and on and off and on the bed to make sure I am up too. They are stubborn, spoiled and do not like to listen. They sit on the couch and sleep in bed with us and think our house is really their house that they rent out to us. But they are ours and they make our family complete. They cuddle with me when I am sick and lick my face because they are so happy to see me. And they love me on my worst days and make me want to be a better person.
6. New clothes. There is just something about wearing a new outfit that brightens my day. And there is something about shopping that reminds me of how far I have come and how excited I am to continue my journey. I don't think material possessions are the ultimate. I know they aren't. But little presents for myself are so nice.
7. Casual date nights with my husband. I love getting dressed up and going out, but sometimes a quick dinner out (last night for pho) and then a movie at home are even better. Especially since we can then go to bed early.. like the old married couple we are.
8. Four day weekends. I know some of this weekend will be busy. We have a family dinner this afternoon and then visiting friends afterwards. But it's still four days away from the daily grind. I am planning on crafting, watching lots of Rules of Engagement on Netflix and not worrying about anything work related (determined not to check my work email at all this weekend). It's going to be glorious.

thankful thursday (link up)

1. Manicures and pedicures. There's just something about looking down at my hands and seeing pretty polish that makes me happy. Same goes for my toes - even if they are covered up by socks and running shoes. At least I know there's pretty polish on my toenails.


after mary poppins!

2. Weekly (more like daily) text messages from our new home sales consultant. On Tuesday, she told me they would start texturing the walls, and on Wednesday, she told me that the tile, doors, and paint were delivered. Tiling of the house begins Thursday and all the doors to our house are officially locked. We are in the home stretch! (I also appreciate our realtor who is doing everything she can to move things along as well. We are blessed with all the help we have.)

3. Fancy date nights. We enjoyed an amazing dinner out last weekend followed by a live production of Mary Poppins. My feet were killing me after wearing cute shoes, but it was so worth it.

4. Name Your Own Price on Priceline.com. We got an amazing deal on a swanky hotel in downtown Oklahoma City for Saturday night, and we plan on enjoying the night away! I'm so excited for a mini-getaway. It will be our last one before closing on our house. We'll go out to dinner, watch the OKC Barons, and maybe have a few drinks. And also sleep in a bed without two dogs. Sunday morning we can enjoy a delicious breakfast out and then return to real life.

5. Emails, comments, facebook messages, etc. It means so much to me to get comments on posts I've written and emails from readers. Over the past week, I have been blown away by the number of people who have contacted me. It's reminded me of why I currently blog and why I continue to want to blog. It's also helped to inspire me to keep moving forward with weight loss and writing. I needed that extra inspiration and push.


my first homemad mesh ribbon wreath

6. Christmas decorations. I bought four stockings last weekend (one for me, one for my husband and two for our dogs) and a stocking holder. I have plans to make a stop by Hobby Lobby this weekend and look for more decorations and to get more materials to make wreaths. I'm ready for Thanksgiving to be over and for us to be moved into the house so I can decorate (almost) every square foot of it!

7. My in-laws. They have been incredibly gracious and loving with allowing us to live in their house. My father-in-law scraped ice off my car earlier this week, and it melts my heart to hear them talk to our dogs. It is obvious just how much they love them.. almost as much as we do though I think our dogs are becoming more partial to them. It might have to do with all the extra treats they get! I'm also excited that my sister-in-law shares me love of country music, Taylor Swift, and Twilight.

8. The weather. It's been chilly and sometimes freezing in the mornings, but this week, the sky has been clear at the end of the day and the temperatures have been sticking around in the 60s which is wonderful for fall. It also is great weather to build a house - which is exactly what we need and want!

9. And finally... I didn't gain any weight last week. Very thankful for that and very determined to lose weight over the next week!

thankful thursday (link-up)

1. The chance to work where I do. Since graduating from college, I've worked in the social services field. And I loved it - most of the time. Right now I am working for a not-for-profit full-time and as a social worker part-time. It's busy, but I really truly love what I do. I am able to see - on an almost daily basis - the impact I am making. And that means so much to me.

just waiting for stone!

2. Our almost finished house. It's taking longer than I would like (I'm not the most patient person; could you tell?), but I know we are going to love it when all is said and done. And it will be worth the wait. Decorating it, hosting the holidays at our house, spending nights in on the couch, having friends over for cook-outs, getting to sit on the back porch and be able to enjoy it and not worry about what our crazy neighbors are up to... It's going to be wonderful!

3. The right to choose. In every way possible. My political beliefs are ones I tend to remain somewhat quiet about. There's no sense, in my mind, to completely discuss them as I have the right to feel, think, and believe what I want. Just as everyone else has the same right.

4. New shoes. Between working out a lot, losing weight, and all this plantar fasciitis nonsense, I needed new shoes. My husband and I headed to Dick's Grand Opening on Sunday and I picked out a pair of neon pink shoes. They are lightweight and comfortable.

go okc barons!

5. Time with friends. It used to be that I considered myself an introvert. I needed time just to myself. It was how I got refreshed. These days I tend to get bored if I spend too much time at home and want to be out with friends. (Once we have our house, I will be content with being at home with friends.) We have a great group of people, and I am so glad we're able to go out and do fun things with them. Like go to hockey games and musicals. Or take part of the citizenship test. And eat lots of ice cream and/or frozen yogurt. Pretty much everything we could do with them, we do, and it makes my heart full and my soul refreshed.

6. My husband. We have our own problems, of course... What married couple doesn't? But he is truly my biggest supporter. We've been working on becoming better friends, and I am so glad for that. He makes me laugh a lot, and I've had a few times I've made him laugh or at least have gotten credit for being somewhat funny. I know that, no matter what happens (like my spending a bit too much money on my hair or calling him in a panic when I think my car is stolen [it wasn't; I forgot where I parked]), he will always be there.