Christmas 2010 Re-cap:

Christmas Eve we had dinner over at my mom's for the annual Strickland Chili dinner. It was nice to see family and hang out for a bit!
We decided, early on the day, we were going to just spend the night with Josh's family. We normally do Christmas morning at his parents' house and then make our way over to my family's house later on in the afternoon.
It was after midnight before we left my moms and we arrived to Josh's parents house about 1am. I was tired, but the adults were still up and putting Christmas stuff together. We helped out a bit before falling asleep on the couch close to 3am. The last 4 years (Our 1st Christmas was spent in the Mountains) we have done Christmas morning at his moms. It was always enjoyable because he has younger siblings and a niece, so seeing kids still get so excited about Christmas makes it fun to wake up early and open presents. Josh's family also does "Santa" gifts. Which I never heard of (My mom didn't really do Santa with us growing up). Santa has his presents that are all laid out by the fire place that are unwrapped, and then all the wrapped presents are from mommy & daddy and everyone else. Another thing they do "different" is they sort everyone's gifts and start from the youngest to oldest, who opens up all their gifts individually. I guess this s so everyone could see what that person got. It was so strange for me the first time I did this. It was nice though, but it does take a long time! His mom always make breakfast for everyone and then we enjoy a family lunch later on!
We went to my mom's house later on in the day and I was excited this year, because my nephew is 3 and finally understands Christmas and how to open presents! lol!I was excited to see his face light up with each present he opened.
My mom always lays the gifts out and they fill the living room floor (and sometimes they will consume part of another room). Unlike Josh's family, we dive in them all at once. It's crazy, but fun! One thing our families do alike is there are always TONS of presents. Our parents go way overboard every Christmas!! It nice to enjoy each family and their own traditions. Makes me excited for when we have kids and start out own traditions.
We loaded everything up around 10 and headed home. I was exhausted! We also decided to open our presents from each other when we got home, so we still had that to do...then sleep!
So needless to say our Christmas was wonderful and we were very blessed! I'm sad that it's over, but looking forward to the New Year that is coming!
I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you will have a cheerful New Years!

My Christmas present is starting early...Josh has been working the last few days on Our Christmas present, a driveway! It is starting to take shape and looks real good! We thought we were going to have to wait until after the New Year to pour the concrete, but it looks like the concrete company we are using isn't to booked, so they may be able to come a few days after Christmas, yay! I am so excited! I never thought I would be so excited about a driveway, things sure do change when you get married (like when you get a new vacuum).



I decided to do some Christmas baking the other day (which carried on to the next) for our neighbors Christmas presents. I made my special Santa's Surprise Cookies and tried a new recipe for Peppermint fudge. They turned out nicely and are wrapped and ready to give away.
The last few days I have been "stuck" home with Laryngitis, and thankfully work saw it pointless to bring me in since I had no voice and could not talk to anyone, so they covered my shifts for this week. Basically got a whole week off, awesome! Although it hasn't been fun not having a voice (and I really mean, no voice I could barely whisper) it has been so nice being home. I got to spend the day yesterday with my mom and sisters and we finished up some last minute Christmas and stocking stuffer shopping, then caught a movie at the theater!

I'm so excited for Christmas! Today I will finish wrapping the gifts Josh went out and got last night for the fellas in our family...Tomorrow night is our annual Family Christmas Eve party my mom throws ever year.

Christmas morning will be spent at Josh's families house and then we will head over to my family's house for the rest of the evening.

It's a full weekend, but I am hoping it doesn't go by too fast, please!!

Christmas is almost here!

Is Christmas really only 6 days away? Part of me is real excited, and the other is kind of sad. I'm excited to spend time with family, enjoy each other and watch my nephews excitement when he tears into his gifts! I'm sad to watch the Christmas tree come down and its aroma leave our house, the lights come down and no longer light our house up at night. I just LOVE Christmas! I guess I have 6 days to enjoy it a little more (or a little longer, because we won't be taken this stuff down until after the New Year).
I have accomplished almost all my shopping. I have to get Josh's step dad something else (We got him a few small items) and then pick up my brother in laws gift (thankfully we already know what we are getting him, just got to go get it. Oh, I just did remember I have to get my sister something else. oops! I have tomorrow off, so I guess I will finish shopping for these people!

Last night I stayed up until the wee hours of the night wrapping presents. I didn't want to do it too early, because I am a little afraid the dogs are going to get into them, thinking they are chew toys. Thankfully, they haven't broken any ornaments, however, I did find one on the ground I think they were chewing on, but it wasn't broken. Let's just hope the presents stay nice and wrapped. I still have about half to wrap and put under the tree!
Oh, and my dilemma about my last Christmas blog was solved, about my husband's gift (thanks to all who gave m ideas). I ended up just getting real serious and told him I needed to know what he wanted...haha, it finally worked! I always would ask him, but he would always reply, "don't get me anything." I think this time he could tell I was a little stressed, so he gave me some great ideas. I have gotten everything, kind of went over budget, oh well!


Our Christmas Tree
The Fire Place
Christmas table
Christmas Village
New Addition: Rudolph

5 Years ago

2005: I woke up early and headed over the Gin Creek with my family. The hair dresser and my friends were there waiting for me in a little log cabin. It was overcast and most likely going to rain, but I didn't care. My girlfriends and I talked, laughed and relaxed in the Jacuzzi. We were pampered with snacks and such. It was time to start getting ready. I slipped a sparkly white dress on and a veil over my head. The photographer came and was ready to take some photo's of the day I would never forget. I sent over a friend of mine with a gift to the man I was soon going to spend the rest of my life with: a small ring. My parents had given me this ring when I was 13,a commitment of purity. I was ready to give it the man I had promised this to. Soon after I was given the same gift. His sign of commitment and purity.
The anticipation was rising. I was as ready as I could be. My mother had left to go be seated, my girl friends left to go walk down the aisle before me. For just a moment it was just me on the little cabin porch. It was raining, but I didn't even notice. A little white carriage pulled up, with my daddy in it. I got in and we were taking to the wedding site. There was a long aisle and everyone had white umbrella's and the music was playing. My dad took my hand and we walked down the aisle for the last time as a single girl. As soon as I saw him I felt the peace of God all over again. There is was in a white tux, he took my hand when my father kissed me on the cheek. The ceremony was beautiful. We cried and laughed and cried some more. Everything and everyone was a blur except the man I was staring into. The moment was coming...MY FIRST KISS! Not only my first kiss, but the first kiss we would share! The preacher said those sweet little words "You may kiss your bride" and sweetness filled my lips. It happened so quick I'm sure, but when he took me in his arms and put his lips to mine it felt like a lifetime :)

We walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, walking down the aisle of our new life together and the journey of a lifetime!

Present: 5 years ago I married my best friend and we started a new life that little did we know would bring us lots of bumps, trials, joy and laughters ,disapointment and love. These last 5 years have been, wow, I don't think I even have the words for them.
I am so amazed at where we are now in our life, not exactly what I pictured, but I couldn't be more blessed! Marriage is WORK, and if you don't think so, then you 1.aren't married or 2. aren't working at it :) I have to say the hard work over the last 5 years have paid off! We still aren't a "perfect" married couple, and I know we never will be. We will always have to work at our marriage, but it's sooo much more natural. My love for this man is so deep, I can honestly say I love him more than I ever have in my life. I am content in his love, and know that I am his Princess!
I am so excited about the next 5, 10, 15, 20+ years together with this man. He is so remarkable and our marriage is so unique.
Thank you Lord for blessing our marriage. For showing us what real love is!
To my husband, thank you for loving me and treating me like your princess.
I love you more than flowers love the rain.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

5

This week...

....I have a big week; thankfully not with work. I have a performance tonight with the studio I am teaching with and then another performance on Thursday. The studio I am teaching with doesn't follow the tradition of the Nutcracker every year, thank God, because I can only watch so many nutty, nutcracker dances :)We are doing a ballet called "I'll be Home for Christmas." She wrote the story herself, about a family that is awaiting the return of their brother (son) from war. He comes home just in time for Christmas, it's really cute and is based in the same year of the story," Little Woman." I have two dances, but she also asked me to do a guest artist piece, but wanted it to fit around the theme. I am doing the song "I'll be home for Christmas" by Josh Groban. I kind of created my own little story (since my piece isn't in the story) about a woman waiting on her man to come home for Christmas, but in the end you realize he actually isn't coming home. Sad, I know! But, I secretly dedicate it to all the families who won't have their soldiers home for Christmas this year, or maybe ever again. The song is so beautiful and no how sad, so I figured it would be to morbid..haha! I just like to dance about emotional pieces I guess...

Anywho, So that is my week full of prep performance, and performances, and I love every minute of it!
Thankfully my work load has been somewhat light, so I have time do to all the dance stuff I need to do!

This week I also kind of got conned into watching Josh's friends kid. I now conned is kind of harsh, but his friend has a 4 year old boy that lives in the Bahamas and he is staying with him over Christmas, of course he still has to work and didn't really make any plans to have someone watch his little boy. Josh asked me if I had anything to do before I left to go later in the afternoon for dance, and once I told him no, he sort of gave me the will you watch...." So that is what I mean by "conned." haha! Oh well, good thing I like kids.
I will write more later.. "My" little boy for the day has arrived. haha!

ideas please...

I am about 80% done with my Christmas shopping (yay!). Last year at this time I was only about 50% done. Sometimes I envy people who have small families, because I have sooo many people to shop for, and well, the hubby doesn't really like to shop, so it's on me. My family alone I have 6 people (plus 2 little ones. Josh's family has 7 people, plus we have a few friends we buy for and the grandparents we get a little something for. That is about 20 people we buy Christmas presents for. YIKES! I try and budget what I spend on each person (and make it fair), but it does get hard. The time it takes to buy everyone something is a lot, plus I don't like buying people stuff they aren't going to like, so I try to search for the best gift that suites the person. Yeah, I like to make it hard on myself apparently.
Josh and I had decided not to do gifts this year, because we are going to be putting a driveway in and finishing the landscape (that's our present). Well the other night we were talking and I suggested us at least getting some stuff to fill our stockings with, then he comes out with, "well, we can still do gifts, let's just set a budget." So, that makes 20 people plus my husband to shop for, ahhhh!! My husband is easy to shop for, except everything he wants is over $200. Since we set a small budget for each other this year, I seriously have no clue what to get him. So, I am writing here and now, IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS, I will take some!!!! Even just some ideas on what you are doing for you husband, sons, whatever.
This is the first year I seriously can't come up with anything (except a few things) that don't cost way out of our budget. Last year he got a PS3, yeah that was a lot!

So, I'm open to any ideas.
Besides him I only have about 4 out of those 21 to shop for, and we have 17 days until Christmas.

That time of year again!

Is it December already? Time sure does fly when you get older, haha!
I'm going to jump back into November for a bit: Our Thanksgiving was great. We had our traditional girls "Wine Wednesday" at my mom's on Wednesday. I think this is our 4 year doing this! We always get new wine glasses and enjoy a nice lunch, wine and cooking!
We actually made plans to leave (like last year) on Thanksgiving day for our annual girls shopping trip! We had family Thanksgiving at my mom's on Wednesday night and then left Thursday afternoon after all the other family things. I love Thanksgiving! My mom made every Holiday extremely special for us girls, but something about Thanksgiving and Christmas is always the best! I remember watching the Parade's on television and getting ready for family to come over. This year I actually got to sit in bed and watch a little bit of the parade and it definitely made me remember doing that when I was a kid.
Our girls shopping trip took place in Orlando once again! They seriously have the best shopping! Last year we decided to do our Black Friday shopping in Orlando, we were really scared on how crazy it was going to be, but it ended up being the greatest thing ever! It makes sense too: the city has like 5 Wal-Mart's, targets and every other store you would want to go to. We didn't have to wait in lines at all. We decided to go ahead and go this year. It was just as fun as always. The traffic was a little worse than we remembered from last year, but the stores weren't packed and we found some GREAT deals! I think I got 50% of my Christmas shopping done there.
We also decided to go see a dinner show. We had wanted to do it last year, but wasn't sure what the best deals were. This year we just decided to do it. We went to the Arabian Nights. Overall it was pretty good.
I hated to have to come back, but I came home to my house decorated in Christmas lights (Thanks to my amazing husband).
So now that I am back to reality, it has been busy, busy! Work has kept me, well working, a lot. The holidays are the biggest time for the portrait industry . Thankfully these next few weeks they don' t have me scheduled as much. This week I have two Christmas dance performances I am in. It's a busy time of the year for us, but I LOVE everything about Christmas time. To make it better, the weather has been amazing, it definitely feels like Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

#7. Is Thankful my job let me off work this week to go out of town. (This is one of our biggest time of the years, so I'm thankful for that).

#6. I'm thankful I was able to finish school and earn a degree (Thank you Great Grandpa and Grandma). I know not many people are fortunate enough to go to school, or even able to finish. As much as it did take discipline and hard work for me, I am thankful I was provided the funds to go from my grandparents. Without them it would of been extremely hard.

#5. I'm Thankful for my nieces and Nephew. Seriously they are the best little things ever. They remind me of the joys of being a kid and the fullness of life they have and bring!

#4. I'm thankful for the many different ways I can stay connected with distant friends and family. Through telephone and the internet. I am thankful I have those things so I can stay connected with those who live a long way away.
#3. I'm thankful for those who have dedicated themselves and even sacrifice their lives and fight to protect our country. Words can't even express my gratitude. Thank you!
#2. Of course everyone knew this was coming, and I thought I would save it for the last few: I am Thankful for my husband. He isn't perfect, but who is? I'm so very thankful for the man he is: Hard working and loving. He is most definitely my best friend and I wouldn't want to share this life next to anyone else. I'm thankful Lord that you gave me such a wonderful man to call my husband.

It's NUMBER 1!!!!I'm thankful for this day. For another day I get to live and ENJOY life! I have to constantly remind myself that I am to be ALIVE and well. I need to live life to the fullest because we are never promised another day! Thank you Lord for ALL you have given me and blessed me with. For everyday you have given me and will give me I will praise your name and give thanks!

To everyone: Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

#11. I am thankful both my husband and I have a job. At this time we all know it's extremely hard for people to find jobs, or even keep a job. People are being laid off every day, because of our economy. I'm grateful we both have good jobs they pay good! Josh has been working with a friend of his in Valdosta that he met several years ago. They are always up to something new and them have Josh working with them. It has been wonderful, because in the construction business (down here in south Georgia) you may not work for a month and then the next have so many people call you at once, but you can't get to them all. These guys have kept Josh busy every day and said they will have him busy for a long while longer. Thank you Lord for providing work for us!
#10. I' thankful I have a husband who will let me go all out decorating for Christmas! He isn't that big of a holiday person, but he knows how much I LOOOOVEEEE Christmas! Last night I was decorating and he helped me out as much as I needed. He even said he would put of the Christmas lights on the house the weekend..yay!
#9. I'm thankful my husband and I still go on date nights!
#8. Thank you Lord for keeping me, my husband and my family safe and healthy.

catching up...

#12. I'm thankful for girl time! I don't get it a lot, but every once in awhile, some good friends of mine will opt on driving over here and going out for some good girl time (BIG shout out to Kristen, your the best!).

#11. I am SUPER thankful that in 3 days I will be on VACATION!!! It's our annual girls trip and I am super excited! Tons of shopping and fun! I am thankful I get to go on a good bit a vacation time. Thanks to my mom, Josh's parents inviting us and the few times Josh will take me away :)
#10. Thank you Lord for Coffee! I never drank coffee unless I was treating myself to a Starbucks Frapp. In the winter time I would drink some hot coffee, but usually stuck to the hot chocolate. Well, it must come with age, because now I seriously can't go without!!! It's like my highlight of the morning. I guess I can also thank my Keureg for that too (instant coffee in a minute). I don't even think it's so much the caffeine that I'm addicted too, just more of the relaxation of sitting and drinking something warm and yummy.

#9. I'm thankful I still get to do what I love: Teach Dance! When I graduated I knew I was going to continue to dance, but it would be awhile before my own studio would come into play. Thankfully I had some doors open and I am still able to teach and dance! It is one of my favorite days of the week and it goes by so fast! I love working with girls who love to learn and are inspired by you. I get so excited for them when they learn something new or move away they never have. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and hopefully soon it will become my career to do nothing but teach inspiring dancers!

Thanksgiving 14 and 13

#14. Thank you Lord for cold weather. I love the cool crisp air! Actually, my favorite time of year is between fall and spring time; a little mix of cool and hot air, but I am also in love with winter time! I think it's the little bit of the northern roots in me. It's something about being bundled up and enjoying the outside, making hot coffee and sitting by a fire is my favorite thing to do! Living in the south, we don't get to enjoy it more than about 3-4 months, until the heat starts creeping back in. I do enjoy warm summer days, where you can lay out by the pool or beach and enjoy a cool drink, but it doesn't take too long before you are hot and sticky, and you really can't escape the heat (not with my husband who in the summer keeps the AC at 78 degrees). At least you can run from the cold, by bundling up! So, thank you Lord for these cold days, because you know we don't get them much down here :)
#13. I can't really go without Thanking God for always providing for us. I've never had to worry about going without the necessities, God has always supplied us with ALL we needed and much more! I am thankful my faith is strong enough to know that God will never let His children go without, and I am a firm believer in that. Thank you Lord for the food on my dinner plate, the clothes on my back and the roof over my head. You have given me more than enough!

16 & 15

# 16. I'm thankful for HOT water! If I had an addiction, it would be for taking hot baths! Seriously it makes everything better. Okay, maybe not everything, but it does help and make me happy! My husband knows one way to make me feel better is by lighting a few candles and making a bath. I thank God that the way of bathing in a tub carried on from way back when.

#15. I'm Thankful that we have made it to almost five years of marriage. It's been wonderful, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I just wonder how we still are here and haven't killed each other yet! I am thankful of where we are in our marriage now! We couldn't have done it without God and of course hard work and dedication from each other. I'm not going to go into all the mushy gushy stuff, but we have come a long ways from when we first got married. We both are more content in our marriage and I have a real good feeling the next five years will be even more wonderful!

A little behind...

I'm pretty far behind on my blog post for 25 days of Thanksgiving. So here's a few more!

#18. I'm thankful that at this time in our life we live so close to our families. I couldn't imagine not being able to share every birthday, holiday's or just getting together randomly. I guess some people don't have that choice. Josh and I have talked about moving, and I'm sure things (money) would be better in some other cities, but it just wouldn't be worth it to be so far from family. I'm not sure what God has in store for us, maybe one day we will be farther, or one our family members will move, but for now I am just thankful we are all so close and can enjoy life together :)

Happy Birthday Rebekah

#17 . I'm thankful I married such a handy man! If he wasn't, well we would be broke, or just without! Not to pick on anyone who would rather pay someone to do it, by all means if you have the funds do so! There are many things I wish we could just pay someone else to do, so we don't have to worry about it, but it the long run we save a lot more money and you have a sense of accomplishment after it's done. Josh and I both are pretty handy, and if we think we can do it ourselves for cheaper, we probably will! It amazes me how much my husband knows. He can probably do anything you ask (except crochet, haha..long story). It's nice to have a smart handy man at home and not have to deal with a middle man.

#16. I'm thankful for my new car! We decided to make a few changes with our vehicles, just because of the upcoming changes that will take place soon (with Josh's schooling and such). I guess I can't drive the big truck around forever. We sold my VW a few years back, and was planning to get me a new vehicle (I was eyeing the Lexus SUVs'). The plan was I would drive the truck around until we decided what to do with getting me a new vehicle . Well a "little while" did turn into a long while. I love driving that big thing around, for the most part (always a few negatives about it). We finally made some decisions on what to do, and one was to cut back as much as we can ( like I said a lot of this has to do with Josh going back to school). As much as I wanted and SUV, the price and the gas it would take wasn't really in our budget, remember we are trying to cut back. I'm not a big car person, but I did some research and looked into some cars I would be interested in if we could get a good deal. After awhile searching, and after selling Josh's big red diesel, we found a car in Tampa! We got a great deal, and I'm happy with it! It will do for a few years until Josh gets out of school and starts making the big bucks, haha! I'm just playing! It was rewarding to hear from my husband that he was thankful I wasn't demanding and wanted the most expensive car on the block like most woman would. He said he definitely would buy it all for me if he could, and someday soon he will!
I've only driven it around one day (Josh had a few things he wanted to do to it), but I'm liking it, and just how easy it is to drive, park, etc! So, thank you Lord for good cars and great deals!


Some pictures of the outside of my new ride!

It's a lot lower than I'm use too

Be back in awhile to write more!

Thankful # 19

#19. I'm thankful that God is a forgiving, merciful, loving God! The last few months have been somewhat of a dry time for me. A few months ago I was doing really good about reading and spending time with God, but when I started working it seemed like my time became so sparse that I didn't sit and take time out to read, pray, etc. We haven't been going to church every Sunday, and I don't by any means feel "bad" about it. I have learned that we are the church and you can't expect to go to church to get fed all the time, you have to be able to do it yourself, and by no means does going to Church make you a Christian. I do enjoy going to church, but it to be honest it only happens if I know Josh and I both have had time to rest, because sometimes we can make it a chore. I have been completely content with my alone time with God, but the last few months (like I said) have been hard and I have slacked in that. I can definitely tell the difference in my attitude. I thank God that his mercies are new every morning. I have decided to get back in my routine, not just because I NEED too, but because I looong too, and even more my Heavenly Father longs for it! It takes discipline, and sometimes I will think to myself "I could sit down for a little bit and read, or go do the dishes that reaaaalllly need to be done." It doesn't take more than a second to really listen to my heart, my spirit man to decide which I'd rather do. I talk with God all day, pray for people when I hear or feel like I need to, and I love just praising God, but just like any one longs for that alone time to talk to each other I know how important it is. Isn't that when you learn the most about someone, when you just sit and talk one on one?
I'm thankful that I can restart my daily quite time. I don't have to start all over, but instead pick up where I left off!

# 20

#20. I'm thankful for great neighbors. Growing up we never had neighbors, and when we did I was little, but our neighbors were great ( we lived in what I like to call a church subdivision, haha! All our church friends lived in the same neighborhood). When I was about 7 years old we moved to Boston, before my parents bought 25 acres out in the middle of nowhere. We had 1 neighbor we knew, and they lived about a 1/2 a mile from us. When Josh and I got married we moved into an apartment and didn't really meet anyone new. People move in and out of apartments, so you never really get to meet good friends.
I was a little worried about moving into a "neighborhood." I've heard too many stories about horrible neighbors. When we bought the house it didn't take long before we had a few families introduce themselves. It was nice to know they were both nice families, but I still was nervous something would go wrong and they wouldn't like us, or vice versa... We've only really meet about 5 families who live really close to us. The family across the street are a sweet older couple, who have a few sons who live right up the road, and then one who lives with them. They have been more than amazing! I almost feel like family. (These are the Hawaiian natives I talked about a few posts ago). Their sons help Josh and I with so much and really watch out for us. If Josh is gone for the night on work one of them will always call or come by and make sure I'm ok. We've had dinners together and boy can they tell you story after story. Our other neighbors are (to the right of us). Have a sweet little family. They are a family I want Josh and I to be like. They have two little boys and they are always outside doing family activities (throwing football or baseball, working outside), I love it! The guy actually came over the other day and volunteered on a Sunday to help Josh smooth all the dirt out. It was so sweet and greatly appreciated!
We just met another of our "neighbors" about a month ago. They are so funny and remind us of another couple we know. We are hoping to get to know them more. I feel safe knowing we are around good people.
So, I guess my fears of "horror neighbors" isn't a panic anymore! Thank you God!

Boys and Tractors!

The right side of our land is a lot lower than the rest of the land, and we have a creek that runs on the side of it. When it rains (a lot) sometime the creek overflows which causes the land to turn into a mini lake, Not good! When we first bought the land we talked about building it up one day, and also putting in our driveway. We can't really do any landscaping in the front until we did this, because we were going to have to dig out the existing "driveway" that was there. The guy Josh works with has a dirt company and he was able to give Josh a really good deal. We decided to go ahead and do it, as a part of our Christmas present for each other. So, they brought the dirt in this last week and Josh rented a tractor to spread it all out. He was excited because he loves "toys"! Since yesterday he's been spreading the dirt around and our neighbor even came over with his smaller tractor to help. Looks like we will be able to get the dirt all done my today! Then we will have to plant the new grass, hopefully by spring the new grass will be grown and ready for landscaping! Not sure when we will pour the driveway, but the first step was to get the old dug out. Josh really wants to do it soon, we just have to get prices now for that. I'm excited to see it all finished and then the front yard be complete!
Besides that...I'm working on going through and pricing things we've had set out of several months now to have a yard sale. We had a storage that had so much stuff in it. Some where things we had when we first got married and they wouldn't fit in our place. The other stuff was Josh's dads stuff he had in storage. When we got our new house we decided to get rid of our storage and we went through what we wanted to keep and things we didn't. I figured we could re-box it all and when we had the time we could make a few bucks off of our crap! Haha! So, I decided we needed to go ahead and have a Yard Sale. Make a few extra bucks before Christmas! I have to price it all now, because I'm not sure when I will have another free day to go through it all, before next Saturday.



My man loves Tractors!
The front part of the land. There is too much to get it all in one shot
The drive way all dug out. It still has to be leveled

Thankful # 21

# 21. I'm thankful for great in laws! There are A LOT of families out there who don't get along real well with there in laws. I love my in laws. They are a lot like my family in so many ways, so it makes it real easy to be with them, and hang out. They are so sweet and definitely treat me as a part of the family. I'm never nervous about being around them, and they are real open and I love that! I pray my relationship will continue to grow with each one of them. I feel comfortable talking with his mom about things and I really long for a deeper relationship with her, and I know with time it will come. I definitely thank God for in laws like them :)

#22

#22. I'm thankful for the Mom that I have. My mother and I have a really good relationship (all of us girls have a great relationship with her). We've had our spats and probably share of fights and mean words, but we are always quick to forgive and make up. I'm glad I can be open with my mom and not afraid to tell her what I think or feel. My mom goes over and beyond for us girls. Everything she does is for us. She is our best friend! She will spend her last dime on something for you if she knows it will bring a smile to our face; she definitely knows how to spoil us girls. She knows how to make a bad situation good and she can handle any situation you aren't sure of. She is our biggest fan in life! I could go on and on...
I'm so thankful I have her as my mother and one my best friends :)

Number 23

Yeah, I know I'm three days behind (I warned you I would be)

#23. This may seem kind of strange to some of you, but (if you are married) have you ever been told right before you got married "Marriage if great, but it's definitely different than being single." I was told that a lot before I got married, but quite didn't understand it until after I got married. Marriage is great, but definitely has different pluses and minuses to being single. haha! I get the same thing when people tell me about having kids. Even though we haven't had any children yet, I think I kind of understand it a little more. I'm sure having kids is great, and no one would trade it for anything, but it's definitely different than having no kids. So here is goes, number 23: I'm Thankful for the, almost, 5 years I've had with my husband without any kids. (everyone gasping now!). About 6 months after we got married I thought about having kids, we both really wanted them, but knew we were in no place financially to have them. We decided on a time frame, of course not keeping God in a box, but a time we would start to try. I can't say it hasn't been hard, seeing all my friends getting pregnant, but to be completely honest I could not imagine having to raise a kid with all we had been going through over the last 5 years. I think our relationship has grown so much and we have learned a lot about each other. When we do have kids, I believe, it will be a lot easier. We won't be learning how to live together and learning how to be parents at the same time. People have their opinions about us and our decision, but I really thank God for the time we have had, just me and my Joshy :) We have been able to do things, most other couples with kids can't do, not everything we planned on, but a lot! We also know God is in control, when we did get the news we were going to have a little one last May, it was great and we were both thrilled! Now that its changed it has allowed us rethink something's and make sure we have done and grown as much as we think we can, before bringing a little Nealey into this world! I am excited for that day, again, to share the news with my family and friends, but until then I'm going to be thankful and enjoy my time with just my hubby and me!
Will write more later on :)

25 days of Thanksgiving

I love this time of year. When the Holidays come around. For me spiritually it almost gives me a boost! It's a reminder of the bigger things in my life as well as the most important things.
I always write down things I'm thankful for, and Praise God for the blessings He has given me. I think this year I will share some of them with you, and what better time to do so than the month of November with Thanksgiving less than 25 days away. I know I won't be able to blog every day, so I may have to catch up on the times I do blog. Here you go:

# 25. Today, I am thankful for this beautiful home I have. This house may not be a mansion, but it's perfect for my husband and I. As much as I would love to have a BIG house, it isn't anything I need right now. I think we take for granted the little things, and think we deserve the big things. I'm learning to be thankful for what I have now and not desire for the bigger and better, because one thing that will always be true is " there will always be bigger and better". This little house God provided for us is exactly what we need for now. Until God blesses us with something else, I will be thankful just to have a warm cozy place to call my home.

# 24. I'm thankful for my 2 sisters. They seriously are my best friends and I know they always will be. I'm thankful we are as close as we are, and even though we have had our fights and disagreements we are always there for each other. We tell each other the truth, we are each other's 100% fans and supporters, we are quick to give our opinion but even quicker to forgive. Although we enjoy having some personal friend time here and there, we know we have more fun just being together during our girl gathering. They are usually the first to know secrets or "news". We have a pack, that no one else can cross. Not many people have this and I'm thankful I do!

Weekend

It's late and I can't sleep. It probably didn't help that I slept in this morning. I'm use to a pretty strict routine, and even on my days off Josh is up for work and I can't sleep in when he isn't in the bed, but this morning was the first time in a long while we both got to sleep in, and we definitely took advantage of that. Now I am awake, and I can't sleep...so, I decided to pour myself a little glass of wine and blog a little. Maybe that will help.
This weekend was a very nice weekend. Josh and I got some much needed time. Friday I worked all day, and had hopes to go out to eat (we haven't had a night out in a long while), but something's came up that just made it late to go out. So, Josh suggested we order take out and just have a night at home. We got Buffalo Wild Wing and I was craving a good margarita, so after a run to the liquor store for some mix and picked up our dinner we just chilled at home. Saturday we both worked late again...I saw our neighbor while we were working who invited us to come check out their Corn Maze. I asked Josh about it and he said we could go. When I got home he said we would go get a bite to eat and then go check out the maze. We wanted to watch the GA game, so we decided to find a place that had the game playing. Well, there was only two places we knew of that would have it 1. being Locos and 2. Buffalo Wild wings...We checked out Locos, but they were so packed, so we decided to just go to Buffalo Wild wings, again..haha! We enjoyed the game and headed to the Corn Maze. Our neighbor got us in for free which was nice. We had never been to a corn maze before, we didn't even know what you were suppose to do. Little did we know it was suppose to be "scary". Besides a few kids who did jump out at us, it wasn't really scary, but it was fun and the weather was so nice. It was like taking a stroll, but in a corn field..haha!
Today, was nice to have us both at home on a Sunday. I tried my best to not "work" to much and just enjoy doing nothing. Like I said we slept in, then I did some house work, grocery shopped, etc. We heard of a dog park in Valdosta that is gated and has some optical courses for the dogs, so we decided it would be fun to take the pups. We waited until it got cooler and loaded the dogs up and headed over. I guess a lot of people had the same idea because it was packed. I was nervous, because there was so many people and dogs, I wasn't sure how our dogs would react. Sabian is such a strange dog when it comes to strangers. He may jump on you and lick you to death or he becomes real protective and growls. Oakley is pretty sweet with anyone and everyone. They aren't around other dogs at all, so they were really excited when we first drove up. We let Oakley run around without a leash, but we decided for the first time to keep Sabian leashed and close by. I'm sure people thought we were mean, but little do they know they actually have a HUGE yard to run around in, where I am sure most of those dogs don't have (hints why they were at the dog park). We really just wanted to see if they would like the run around the optical courses, but they were more interested in the many other dogs. We got to see a wide variety of dogs. There was everything from a little dachshunds, labs, collies, great danes and even a few Siberian huskies.
It was fun, and the pups were wore out by the time we got back. Not sure if we will make a trip out there anytime soon, but who knows.
Tomorrow, Josh goes back to work :( but, at least I have one more day until I return to the work week. I had a great weekend and Josh and I got some good time in with each other this weekend! I'm finally getting tired. Sorry, if there are grammatical errors, I'm to sleepy to re-read this and check. Night!

Playing fetch

Pumpkin Party!

For the last two years Josh and I have carved pumpkins around this time. We don't celebrate Halloween or anything, but it just gives us something fun to do! As a kid us girls never did anything Halloween related, except we may of gone to our church's fall festival that had games and such, but we never carved pumpkins or dressed up. I knew my sisters had never carved a pumpkin, so I decided to invite my family over to carve pumpkins and eat dinner. Any excuse to have everyone together, right!
So, I told everyone to bring your own pumpkin and be over Saturday night.
Friday us girls decided to go to a church pumpkin patch to pick up some pumpkins and of course take some pictures. We did this last year and had a fun watching London run around, this time we had the girls!

London picking a pumpkin (or three)

Raina, London, Samantha
Raina & Samanth
The girls (and London)
Aunt Patti & London

Here are some pictures of the actual Pumpkin Carving Party:

Uncle Josh closed his eyes

Me and my lil' sis!
Me and my man
Rebekahs pumpkin

Reads: Vogue & has a shoe

Four of the pumpkins
Georgia vs. Gators Londons Iron Man Pumpkin that

uncle Josh helped him create

We all had a blast and hopefully we can do this every year. I am hoping to expand it and when all our little kids are running around make it more fun including hay rides and stuff. It would be another fun family tradition :)

Welcome to Hawaii!

No we aren't going to Hawaii, but we did get to experience a little Hawaii cultural this weekend.
Our neighbors are Hawaiian, they don't look very Hawaiian ( they are light skinned and have light hair), but I guess they just aren't Portuguese. Our neighbors are older couple and they have one son who lives with them and then two who live just up the road from us. They are such a wonderful family and have been so very kind to Josh and I. They all grew up in Hawaii and then moved to California and then somehow moved here to Georgia ( long story). We have had dinner over there several times and they have so many stories about Hawaii and their cultural, it's amazing!
One of their sons got married today (he had been married before and his wife had died of breast cancer). His fiancé is very native (Portuguese I guess) and is such a sweet heart. With them both being older they wanted a real low key wedding, and wanted to have it at their families house (which is right across the street from us. Of course it was filled with some Hawaiian tradition. That included the big Pig dinner! They had asked Josh if he wanted to be involved and of course he jumped to it!
So, yesterday he and some of the guys went and chopped down some huge banana trees. They buried a pit. The pig supposedly has to cook for about 12 hours, so they had planned to bury it at about 4am, Sunday morning, so it would be really by 4p.m.
We ate dinner of there last night and then Josh went back over there to get ready to bury the pig at about 2 am.(I went to bed). The process from what I am told was, you have a big hole that has burning wood, you fill the pig with hot river rocks and then wrap the pig in some wire stuff, banana leaves are put on top of the pig, then the pig is wrapped several times with some material (something special not sure) and then put in the ground, then more wet banana leaves are put on the pig, it is then covered with more material so no dirt can get on the pig, then the dirt covers it all. You have to watch the whole pretty much all night to make sure no steam comes of the whole. It's pretty neat! Josh stayed up with several of the guys until about 6am and then came home. Once again, I was still sleeping. We got up this morning and decided to go over and help decorate and be of any other assistant.
We got to meet a lot of new people (from Hawaii) and another couple that lives close to us that we haven't had the chance to meet yet. Over all it was a really nice night. Here I am back early writing, Josh is still over there enjoying some male time and some beers..haha! I was so tired, so I came home and took a nap.
I'm thankful for some really awesome neighbors. They are such a sweet family and their whole family really looks out for us "newbie's." They say the Hawaiian cultural really embraces family, they treat everyone like family even if you just met. They definitely have treated us like we have known them forever!

Fall is here!

Today, I only had to work a half day, so I spent the rest of my day doing the much needed house work! So, I turned on some country tunes and got to work! I still have tons of laundry to fold. However, I have gottena lot done. Probably going to take a break and go to the gym.
Fall is finally here and the weather has made me sooo happy! So, today I also did some decorating!

Fall wreath a made last fall
Still need to get a few things for the front porch.

I saw these little pilgrim people a few days ago and just had to get them. It's kind of a long story, but my mom use to have a pair like these and my sister and I use to play with them every fall when she would decorate. It kind of brought back childhood memories. We played with them so much we broke them several times, I think we super glued their heads back on several times.

Fall Flower arrangement!

My mom gave me that vase she found in her attick, so I went to walmart and spend a few bucks on some paint and just painted the tin vase, instead of spending money on a new one to match the house and fall colors.

Fall table

I'm really excited for Christmas! I have tons I want to do to the house! I just wish all this decor didn't cost so much money, or I would go ALL out! I guess that's why you buy a little each year and it eventually adds up!

free concert anyone?

Last Thursday Josh went out of town for 5 nights to do some work with a construction crew (about 4 guys). They are doing a huge remodeling job. Like most wives I don't like it when he leaves, but I also don't like staying home alone. I use to stay home a lot when Josh was gone for weeks on end for his football camps, but this was one of the first times in our new home that I had to stay several nights without him. I would just pack up and stay with my mom, but I have two big pups that make it hard to leave. They have to be let out during the day and brought back in at night. Thankfully my sister stayed with me the first night (she had school in Valdosta early the next morning, so any chance she gets to stay with me she enjoys it). Friday when I was leaving for work my sister called me and said her friend just told her that Gavin Degraw was playing a free concert on the vsu lawn that night. At first I was a little skeptical, but my sister did some researching and sure enough he was going to be there!

I didn't get of work until 7, but as soon as I got off I drove over there to find my sister on the front row!
If you aren't sure who Gavin DeGraw is his song "I don't want to be" was the theme song for "One Tree Hill."
Here are a few pictures I took:

I was really impressed with his concert. The man definitely has some awesome vocal chords and piano skills! The concert was really great & it made it a plus because it was free!

birthday doggy turns 1!

Saturday, Oakley our lab, turned 1 years old! Right before I left work I picked up some ingredients to make a doggie cake (we did the same thing for Sabians birthday). Josh and I made it together and then let both the boys have half the cake.
We went back and forth all Saturday night about going to the beach the next day and taking the pups with us. Sabian has been to the beach with us once when he was a puppy, but we didn't let him get in the water because it was night time and we didn't want to have to clean him up. Finally after changing our mind several times we decided it would be best to just enjoy a day at home. The money we would spend alone in gas (we only have two trucks that both take guzzle gas) would be too much. So, we decided we are going to wait until we get a smaller vehicle and wait for it to cool down some more.
Sunday, we slept in and then Josh started on a project (the man's got to always be doing something). I did a few chores, but really just enjoyed my first Sunday off in a few weeks. We watched some football (Packers won!) and then ran to Lowes together to pick up a new glass door (burglary proof, seriously)! I also got to pick up a few new plants! We came home and then took Oakley to Pet Smart to get him something for his birthday (pet smart sent us a birthday coupon). It was really funny, because Oakley hasn't been out much and he was so excited, especially when other dogs came around, but we got lots of compliments (yeah, we know he's pretty). We decided to get him this big bone. If you read my other blogs about Oakley he is a bone crazy dog. He always has to have bone to chew on and he carries it around like a blanket (or pacifier). So, what would be better than a HUGE bone for him to have! Plus we have been through toy after toy and it only take a few days before it's chewed up and destroyed into little bitty pieces.
Of course Josh was eager to put the new door up, so I ran to the grocery store to pick up some groceries for the week. The rest of the day went by pretty quick. Grilled some Turkey Bratts and watched the Manning Bowl! It was a nice Sunday!
Here's some pictures of the Birthday boy! bets





Oakley when he was little puppy!

His Peanut Butter Birthday cake, with bacon bits (sounds yum huh?!)

Right when I went to put the cake on the plate it was so moist it fell apart, that's why its so crazy looking, haha!

Josh trying to restrain them from eating

it so I can get a picture.

Go at it boys!
Josh was making bets on who would finish first.

Oakley's present

Oakley loves his bone

Sabian trying it out