The 4th of December

I am kind of in a funk today.  I am watching Giada's Family Christmas, and it is making me feel all mushy inside.  So far she has made Strifuli- honey cookies, as well as Polenta- two of my most favorite family dishes! I just love how food can remind you of family and people you love.

Speaking of people you love, for those of you who don't know, I spent the week before Thanksgiving out in Colorado Springs.  I got to spend such great quality time with family.  Today I am super thankful for three blessings.  Three incredible children who since the day I met each of them, they have been one of the biggest joys of my life.  I honestly don't think that I could love them any more.

Brayden is now 6 and is such the first child.  He is the leader yet loves to have that one on one time without the others around.  Davis who is 5 is of course not ours by natural birth, but couldn't fit better into our family.  He is a sweet spirit who loves pretty much everyone who he comes in contact with.  And of course sweet 4 year old Grace.  She reminds me a little bit of a Sour Patch Kid-- haha.  She is sassy and sweet and everyone loves her. The girl knows just what she wants and will fight hard for her cause.  I just love that about her.

I can't wait to see them in about 13 'dark naps' as Gracie calls them... and to be able to spend Christmas with those lovies.

The 3rd!!!

Carly is asking for a few shallow things thrown in... so today she is getting her wish!

I have to be honest with you.  The last week has been so rough.  The weather is getting cooler, which I am so not complaining about.  We don't have a heater (not that my sweet hubs would let me use it anyhow) and so each morning, as I roll over to turn off my alarm, I am stunned by the frigid air that haunts my body.  Nothing in me wants to get out of the nice warm blankets.  Well I shouldn't say nothing...

There is one thing.  One thing that has kept me going all week.  And today, at the end of this work week, I am incredibly thankful that my darling boss blessed us with the a Keuring and the Green Mountain Holiday Coffee.

This week I have had all of the tasty flavors, and if you ever read this blog- the two of you who do, would know that I love the Gingerbread coffee with the Italian Sweet Cream creamer.  OMG.  It is delish! 

So I raise my glass of Holiday Blend and toast you today.  Praise God that in about 4 short hours I am celebrating the weekend!

12.2

October, November, and December are my absolute favorite months.  There are many reasons why, but one thing that I am truly grateful for is that I live close to my sweet parents. 

In 2003, when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life; where I wanted to move; where I wanted to work- I knew that it had to be pretty darn close to my family.  I knew that they would be moving to Orlando within the next couple of years, so SW Florida seemed like a pretty darn good place for me.

We only live 3 hours from them, so Slim and I get to be with them pretty much whenever we want.  It is fantastic.  The truth is that we don't even have to be doing anything special- many times the entire day will go by, and I won't even get out of my pajamas and robe.

Jan and Bernie McElheny are constant reminders of God's grace and love.  They truly adore their children.  They want the best for us, and even though sometimes we don't do things just as they would, they support and pray regardless.

So on this second day of December, I am twice as thanful for these two lovebirds.  (almost like two turtledoves :) )

Roses in December...

Life is hard, isn't it? Times are different for my family... different than they have ever been. I am not going to go into details, but I decided to move on from the stress and discontent, and look to gratefulness.

For the next 25 days, I am going to blog each day about something that I am grateful for this December. There will be no particular order to this- each I am equally thankful to have

"God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December."
James Matthew Barrie

So today is December 1-

Have you met my husband? Slim Gillian is the craziest yet most amazing person that I have ever known. I have had countless people tell me that they wouldn't have put us together in a million years and to be honest I have even thought the same thing myself.
I work a desk job and wear professional clothes. He has piercings on his face, is covered in tattoos, and plays in a rock band. Things like this just simply don't usually make a good match. But our God has a great sense of humor, and knows just what we need. Slim calms me when I stress and helps me to loosen up a bit. I help him stay focused and try to keep him organized.

Through these last rough few months, Slim has been so constant and encouraging. His love and support has been overwhelming and amazing, and I know that I wouldn't be the same person without him.

I love you, babe- Thank you for all you are to me and to so many. I am so blessed to walk this journey alongside you!

Melinda and Amir

In a few short hours, I will board a plane to Chicago to celebrate the wedding of my cousin, Melinda.  Melinda (or Mindy, or Majinja- depending on who you are speaking to) was more than a cousin to my brothers and me... Because she was an only child, she got to come for weeks at a time during the summer.  We would stay up late chatting, play in the pool all day, make bracelets, watch movies, and just hang out! Those summers with Melinda are some of the best memories from when we were kids. Check out our great hairstyles!!!

One thing that I adore about Melinda, is her love for family. She always makes time to spend with us. She treats my parents like they are hers, and she loves my niece and nephews probably as much as I do! Melinda is going to make an incredible wife because she understands the commitment that it takes to make marriages work.

As anyone who is married knows, sometimes things are tough. Life is not always fair and selfishness cannot be an option. Love is about give and take; it is about trust and communication; it is about putting your spouse before your own interests.

I love you Melinda, and I love you Amir. Cheers to a lifetime of happiness, joy, and laughter! (and a bunch of cute kids along the way)

My dear friend!

Have you ever had a friend that seems to make life just that much better?  That one friend who knows just what to say when you are having an awful day.  The person you call when everything else in this world seems to be crumbling... that is Carly for me.

God knows our every need and He provided the best girl friend that I could have ever needed.  Even though she lives 14 hours away, and we only get to see each other about every 4 months, our relationship will stand the test of time.

Today is her birthday, and even though I know she wishes that she was turning 23, the maturity and growth that has happened over these last 9 years, she wouldn't trade for anything.

She finds out today what her second little love with be- boy or girl... actually probably right as I am typing this.  No matter girl or boy, that sweet child will be blessed to call you mom, Kevin: dad, and Libby: sissy!

I love you, Car, and I am so thankful for you!

30th Birthday Wishlist

I know my birthday is still 3 months away, but I have been thinking about the things that I might like to have when that day comes...

I have never owned a pair of actual Chuck Taylors, so since I am turning the big 30, I figured now was the time.  I can't wait to rock these suckers.... What color do u think I should get?

Tom's shoes have been one of those things that I have loved for a really long time, but have yet to purchase.  If for some reason that you have been living under a rock and don't know about Tom's... they are an awesome humanitarian effort to provide shoes for children who need them.  It is their one for one program.  I adore what they are doing, and have wanted to be a part of it, but in the past I haven't been able to because of my crazy feet.  Why are they crazy you might ask... if you are asking, then you have yet to see them ;).  Anyhow... these would work, and feel free to purchase them here.  I wear an 8.5/9...

As you know, I have been working on a getting myself a habit.  I decided that I am going to start sewing.  My mom of course is a great seamstress, and I would really like to learn too!  I would like the above machine, because the reviews say that it is easy for beginners, but it is also a good quality machine!

That is all I have for now... if you have any suggestions for me, please let me know!!!!