Turkey Day

Thanksgiving turned out to be a good day. It was the first major holiday Paul and I celebrated together as a married couple and we had a good time. I was a little skeptical on how things would turn out. First, it was just going to be the two of us and I wasn't sure if it would really feel like a holiday. However, it definitely felt like Thanksgiving and all our family called us. Second, I was nervous because it was the first time I had ever cooked a turkey, but it turned out great! Paul kept describing it as being moist...he said he hadn't had a turkey that moist before. Score one for me :) Haha! We also had mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, and a giant cookie cake with cream cheese frosting. While we ate, we went through the entire alphabet and named something we were thankful for that started with each letter (I had A, Paul had B, and so on). After we were all fat and happy, we took a quick nap, and then woke up and watched Home Alone to kick off the Christmas season. That movie is such a classic...it'll never get old to me. The movie really got me in the mood for Christmas, so Paul and I pulled out the few Christmas decorations we have and placed them around the apartment. Now I can't wait for Christmas!!! Anyway, there's a quick description of our day. Enjoy the few pictures we took.

Basting my first turkey the night before Thanksgiving...

Carving the turkey (I wasn't exactly sure how to do this, but it worked)...

Our Thanksgiving meal...

T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G

My mother-in-law, Jayne, posted a blog in which she told of a tradition her mother had on Thanksgiving. She would have the grandchildren (which obviously includes Paul) do various things like write a play or design a costume. One task they were given was to take the word "Thanksgiving" and think of a something they were grateful for that started with each letter of the word. Jayne made here list on her blog and invited everyone to follow suit....so here's my list:

T-Telephone. This is something I truly began to appreciate when I first moved 2 states away to college and I again appreciate it living 1 state away from my family. It's wonderful that I can just pick up the phone and hear the voice of my parents, my siblings, my friends, etc. It's such a blessing to be able to keep in touch so easily.

H-Homes. A home is a place you can go to escape the craziness of the world and feel peace. It's a place where you can be with the people you love most. My favorite thing about home is that you can have more than one. I believe that "home" is any place where you can experience what I mentioned above. I have a home here in Atlanta with my wonderful husband, but I also have a home at my parents' house back in Myrtle Beach, and a home at Jayne's in Camden.

A-Art. While I am not an artist, I do enjoy art. It's on every wall of my home, whether it's a painting done my someone or pictures I or others have taken. Art brings things to life. And I am in awe of anyone who can draw more than an ugly stick figure (which is about all I can do). Art is a talent that shouldn't be hidden, but to share with the world.

N-Nutrients. Who isn't grateful for this? It helps our bodies stay healthy and active. I am appreciative of those who studied nutrition so that we know what is good and bad for us. Although I am thankful for nutrients, I am also grateful for brownies, cakes, and cookies...why can't those be nutritious? Haha :)

K-Kisses. Kisses are a treasure. It is a way of showing love to someone, so they should never be given out to just anyone. I love receiving kisses from my family, especially from my nieces and nephews. Kisses are sweet and always make me feel happy and warm inside (sorry for the cheesy cliche, but it's true). I especially love kisses from my husband. Everytime he kisses me, even if it's just a quick peck, I know he truly loves me and will do anything for me.

S-Sight. I truly appreciate being able to see the beautiful world around me. I love to the beautiful color and life popping up in Spring. I love to see the sun shining brightly in Summer. I love to see the colorful leaves dancing down from the sky in Autumn and even though Winter is not my favortie season nor do I especially love snow, it is a beautiful thing when you can wake up in the morning and see the white blanket covering the ground...the world seems so still and pure. I also love the radiant sunsets we can experience every night. When I see all of this, I know to show gratitude to my Heavenly Father for giving us such a magical place to live.

G-Grandparents. These are the most wonderful people around and mine are very dear to my heart...they brought me my wonderful parents! Granparents bring so much joy into the lives of their grandchildren, I know mine have. They are there to spoil, love, but also to teach. I have learned many lessons from all four of my grandparents that I will forever treasure in my heart.

I-Intelligence. The intelligence of man is amazing. Look at all the things we have come up with now. There is so much techonology around us. We should never take that for granted, but we should also never abuse it...use it for the development of good.

V-Vida. That's Spanish for "life." I am so grateful to have the opportunity to come here and live on this earth. It gives me the opportunity to grow from all the experiences I have had and will have. It gives me the chance to prove myself worthy to live with my Father in Heaven and gives me the opportunity to be like Him.

I-Irregularity. I am grateful that we are all different. What a boring world this would be if we were all the same. Even though I'm not big on change, I am thankful for the irregularity of life. It brings challenges, but it also brings a chance to become a stronger person.

N-November. It's the month my mom, my sister, my husband, my sister-in-law, and one of my nephew's were all born. This month has brought me people who are dear to my heart. But I'm especially grateful for this month because it brings us the Thanksgiving holiday. It makes us stop and reflect on the many blessings we have in this life, which are innumerable if we really take the time to think about it. It's a month that begins the holiday season of being with family and those we love. And there is nothing I love more than being with my family.

G-Green. This is my favorite color because it is a sign of life. I love when winter turns to spring and I see all the various shades of green popping out all over the place. It makes me feel refreshed and re-engergized...it makes me feel alive.

Whew! That took longer to do than I expected, but it was really fun. I am thankful to have a wondeful family, I am thankful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and I am grateful to know that life does not end when we die...it continues on in the eternities. I hope everyone will take the time to really sit back and reflect on the many blessings they have. As the hymn says: "Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God hath done." I hope everyone enjoys Thanksgiving tomorrow!!!

Love is in the air

This was a great weekend. Paul and I went to Columbia, SC this weekend to go to a wedding at the temple. We left Atlanta at 4:00 on Friday, which was a big mistake. For those who don't know, rush hour traffic in Atl starts around this time and you are going insanely slow on the interstate. It took us an hour to drive 30 miles! Ridiculous! Well, after that hour, we were able to drive on without any problems. We stayed with Matt and Heather that night, and then got up the next morning to go to Stephen and Naomi's sealing. I was so happy that we were able to be there for them. It was also a neat experience because it was the first sealing I had been to in the temple other than my own. Stephen and Naomi looked extremely happy, so of course I'm happy for them :)

After that, we met up with Jayne (Paul's mom) for lunch. We ate at Applebee's and we had a good time chatting. It has been 3 months since we've seen her! Time flies by...it seems like she was just here visiting us in Atlanta. I need to be more conscience of the time, especially when it comes to mothers. After lunch, we went back to Matt and Heather's. We played a card game and ate barbeque for dinner with them. Then we headed back to the big A.T.L.

It was a quick weekend, but it was great to see friends and family that we haven't seen in a while. And going to a wedding has been making me reminisce back to my own wedding and what a wonderful experience it was.

Paul's B-day

Yesterday was Paul's birthday. To celebrate, we went out to lunch at Chili's, which is Paul's favorite restaurant. Afterwards, he had appointments with some of his clients and didn't get home until about 8:30 that night. When he got home, I had a funfetti cake made for him. That's his favorite kind of cake and he was really excited about it because he has been wanting this kind of cake for at least a year now for different occassions, but no one has made it for him yet...until now. He opened his presents from me and all the cards he received in the mail so far from family. We had a pretty good night and the cake was yummy (if I may say so myself). I want to give a "shout out" to my wonderful hubby....I'm so glad that you came into this world. You are the love of my life and enjoy every moment I spend with you :)

Another Little One :)

I received a call from my oldest brother, Matt a couple of days ago...he and Heather are going to have a baby!!! I'm so happy for them! I just love babies :) Heather is due is June. So I'll be having another little neice or nephew. I've posted a picture of Matt and Heather on their wedding day 2 years ago.

Oh, and my sister-in-law, Carrie, is due with her fourth child (a boy) in February (for those of you that didn't already know that she was pregnant). Paul and I will have lots of new babies on both sides of the family. I can't wait to meet them all and find out what their personalities will be like. Anyway, I just wanted the world to know this wonderful news.

New Nephew!

My sister had her first baby boy yesterday! His name is Liam Victor. I am so upset that I couldn't be there when he was born. When Tiffany had her first baby, I was at the hospital ALL day long. My mom emailed me a few pictures and he is adorable. I can't wait to see him in a few weeks. The picture I posted is of Liam and Ginnie (please note her adorable "big sister" shirt). I can't wait to see him in a few weeks.

Anyway...I still don't know much about all this blog stuff, but I'm slowly getting there. Be patient with me!

We're new to this...

Okay, so I've decided to give in and create a blog for us. I totally don't know what I'm doing and am trying to figure it all out...so please be patient while we figure out how to make our blog look interesting. Anyway...my sister, Tiff, is going to have her baby boy today! I am awainting the call anytime now. I'm so sad that I can't be there with her :( But I am happy for them :) Anyway, that's all for now. I just wanted to put the first blog up. I may be asking some of you for help later. We love you guys!