Thanksgiving Recap

The night before Thanksgiving, one of my rodeo pals, Stephenie, invited me to do Thanksgiving with her family. It was a lot of fun to be around a family much like my own. We ended the night laughing watching a video of a comedian with the entire family. They sent me home with a plate of desserts that I honestly worked on for almost an entire week :) Thanks to the Ruby family for asking me to join ya'll!

Me and Stephenie

You know I can't pass up a good photo op :)

This Thanksgiving was a little different than most of my others. This is my fifth Thanksgiving in Texas and each year I have many options of what to do, and I am so appreciative that others would include me in their family for this special time. 2006- Thanksgiving with the Jernigans, 2007- Thanksgiving with the Smiths (they put me to work on Thanksgiving), 2008 & 2009- Thanksgiving with the Jenkins (Not a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but instead Tamales, and Chili!!!) This year since the Jenkins have moved to Singapore we had a major dilemma on our hands as of what to do...

After much deliberation me and some of my single gal friends without family in the city decided we would have our own Thanksgiving. After all, why couldn't we start our own tradition!?! We stayed with the Jenkins' family tradition of a non-traditional Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. We split up the menu and all brought something. Gemma and I love hosting and now that we moved out of the city we don't get to do that very often so we had them over here for Thanksgiving. Rachael was in charge of appetizers. Lisa and I split main course she made her family's famous Green Chile Stew and I made a turkey chili. Tracy made fruit enchiladas for dessert they were amazing! After our meal we watched The Holiday by my Christmas Tree that Tracy and I had gotten earlier in the day. It was such a relaxing day and I hope that we can continue this tradition. Here are some fun pics of the day!

Don't you just love my pumpkin turkey? We tried to decide on a name for him, but one never stuck.

Rachael, Lisa, Tracy, and Me (Check out Gemma at my knee)

The gals hanging out in the kitchen, did I mention I love to entertain :)

Gemma and her good friend Lisa! (She is my good friend too!)

Happy Thanksgiving

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." Psalms 95:2

Happy Thanksgiving! Isn't it sort of sad that as a culture being thankful is the focus only one day a year, the fourth Thursday in November?!? There are so many things that I am thankful for it is hard to articulate it all. But here are just a few...

Family - I love that even though they are not a car ride away I love that we talk often and can support each other from afar. My family knows how to make me laugh and cheer me up when I need it the most. Thanks for your love that you show me each and every day.

Great Friends- What a blessing a true friend is... I have been blessed with great friends that the Lord has used to bring me to Him, to challenge me in faith and for me to challenge and bring to Him. I am so thankful for the friends here in Houston that have really made this place somewhere I enjoy and love. For the friends from home that I continue to keep in touch with that show me even though our lives are at different points it does not mean that our friendship has to change. Also, for my friends from college that have shown me it is possible to keep in touch no matter where life may take you.

Faith in the Lord- No matter where life takes me I know that my God is in control and that He will guide me and direct me in His ways. It has been an interesting year and I have had to learn to go with the flow in many areas of my life. What a comfort it is to know that even when things happen differently than we would have hoped, God is sovereign. God knows exactly what will happen and knowing that He loves me should only comfort me as I walk through life with God by my side.

Body of Christ- I am so thankful for the Body of Christ! Since I have been in Houston I have been surrounded by some amazing people that are seeking the Lord in all that they do. It has been such a blessing to be around people who are like-minded. This year I have joined a growth group at the church I go to and it has been such a blessing to be involved in a small group with people from different times in their life. All of us come with different experiences and gifts and that helps us encourage, serve, and learn from each other. This is what the body of Christ is about and I am so blessed to really see this in action.

Health- I so often take for granted the fact that I have been blessed with good health. I am able to lead an active lifestyle and there are so many that I see on a daily basis that cannot. I love my job and that I can make a difference in the lifestyles of others.

At the moment I am not very thankful for my computer because it won't let me upload pictures from the memory card. More to come on Thanksgiving festivities later.

The Loves of my Life

Living in Houston my time with my family in NC and VA is few and far between. This last trip I got to spend some great time with my family including my nephews. Mackenzi, my sister's son, is 10, and Aiden, my brother's son, is almost 5. They are so much fun and I really had a blast getting to spend time with each of them. It is never a dull moment when I am there that is for sure.

Me and Aiden watching my older brother, Jae, coach high school football. As you can tell we are watching really hard...

Mackenzi playing football. He looks so grown-up :(

Aiden and I at Mackenzi's game

Mackenzi and I after his game. It was my first time to go to any of his games.

Love IHOP at Halloween. You can decorate your own Pancake. How fun!

I bought us all new Carolina shirts. Mackenzi is a Carolina fan, and we try our best to get Aiden to be a Carolina fan as well. His mom and dad are Virginia Tech fans, some people just can't help it, I guess.

Being silly

Camping in NC

October 18-21

While I was home for the wedding I had planned a trip with my Dad in the mountains of NC. Camping with no plans other than to eat at some of the 100 places to eat in 100 counties from Our State magazine. Which I regret to say didn't happen at all. We tried to stop at the one in Carrboro and it was no longer there. Looks like if more people saw it as a top 100 place to eat it would still be open :(

My little brother, Peyton, joined us for our trip as well. We stayed at one of the parks we visited growing up, Julian Price Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We spent time in West Jefferson, Valle Crucis, Boone, Blowing Rock, and travelled the Parkway. It was great to be outside for a few days marveling at the beauty of our God's creation including the fall colors! Check out some of my favorite pictures...

Our Campsite

Check out the Barn Art

Loved this one in the midst of all the Christmas Trees Linn Cove Viaduct

Linnville Falls

Grandfather Mountain

Great Spot for alone time with the Lord at Price Lake

Me, Peyton, and Dad - after camping for 3 days

Julie & Richard are married!

One of my dearest friends, Julie, got married yesterday! I first met Julie in 2005, spring of our senior year of college. She was from NC State and I from Carolina were preparing to go to East Asia. Little did I know when I first met her that this friendship would continue for the rest of our lives. Our friendship grew during our time in E.A. as we learned a language and culture we were both unfamiliar with. Julie and I were roommates on many of our travels all over Thailand and even Tibet. Here are a few pictures from that time during our life...

The beginning of a great friendship at Blue Ridge - Julie is front on far right

Being silly - Julie is in pink

One of my faves - this is framed!

Christmas 2005 -Julie, Me, and Summer

Qiezi!

Base Camp of Everest - July 2006

Check out Everest behind us :)

I was priviledged to be in Julie's wedding on October 16th in Raleigh! Here are a few pictures of the wedding festivities...

Us with the Crocodile Hunter at the NC State Fair

Bridesmaids

Quick shot after the ceremony - Cassandra, Julie, Summer, and I

Julie & Richard with her parents

At the reception...

Julie & Richard,

I wish you the best in your life together. I pray that the Lord will be the basis of your relationship and life together. May "The LORD bless you , and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD life up His countenance on you, And give you His peace." Numbers 6:26-26

AMEN!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your special day!

Birthday Week in Pictures

Here's to 27 being better than 26! I'd say it looks like I'm off to a good start...

BODYPUMP certification

Dinner with Friends on the actual day!

Carrie Underwood & Billy Currington concert with Lara!

Pasadena Rodeo to see Rodney Atkins, Tracy Lawrence, and Joe Nichols

Attempting to dress Gemma up in a Bat Costume with Lisa

Dinner and two-stepping!