Thankful - Day 28 - 30

Well it's December 3rd & I am finished with November Thankful "series" haha Series makes it sound like I am a writer & I clearly am NOT one!

I TRIED so hard to do this November thankful thingy, but I dropped the ball several times.  O well, better than nothing!

Day 28 - I was so tired from work that I never made it back into my office to type that night what I was thankful for!  So a little recap....WINE & JUNK TV.  Yes I am thankful for the oddest things, but wine & junk TV have gotten me through some crazy long work days the last few months :)

Day 29 - (1 month until my birthday I might add)  This day I am SO THANKFUL for my SIL Cassie.  (her birthday is 12/29 & her sweet baby's due date as well) So yes, I could share my birthday with my new niece as well as my SIL :)  I don't mind!!!!! The more the merrier!  Cassie always listens to my craziness & is there for me when need be :)  I love spending time with her & thank her all the time for sharing her adorable little B with me too :)  One time during wedding planning I remember I was SO mad/upset about who knows what and was at my parent's house & Cassie just gave me a BIG hug & said it would be ok :)  I stopped crying & hugged her back!  That is what sisters are for!  Thank you Cassie for everything you do for Ryan and I.  We love you!!!!!

Day 30 - last day of November!  Drum roll please..............MY MOM!  I wrote about my mom before, but why not do it again?!?!?  I was able to get home to my parent's house before they did & made dinner for everyone Friday night :)  It was yummy & I loved eating at home with my mom, dad, brother, SIL & nephew.  My mom commented on how much of a mess I make when I cook - the GREAT thing about this particular night was my MOM CLEANED UP AFTER DINNER!  Thank goodness :)  My mom & I talk on the phone, text or email EVERY DAY!  I am so thankful & blessed.  My mom gets on my nerves sometimes. ha I try not to yell at her or be annoyed with her, but sometimes I am! ha Over the years I have learned SOOOOOOOOOO much about our relationship.  It's funny when you get older your mom isn't so dumb after all... I am turning into my mother every.single.day!  I am ok with it.  She is FABULOUS!  If I am 1/2 the mother she is I would be grateful.  I am thankful for my dad too!!!!!!!  Seriously I have never met a more caring, giving, loving, & SUPPORTIVE person.  Mom you rock!!!! Thank you for ALL that you do for Ryan and I :)  WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK! Plus infinity!  Infinity plus one. 

Well there you have it!  Until next November!!!! I hope I continue to blog!  I am not making any promises though! 

Well I would love to blog about my weekend, but not right now.  I am headed out the door to run errands!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 21-28

Well here I am......posting a week's worth of thankfulness.  I am not sure that is a correct sentence.  I don't care!

What a FABULOUS Thanksgiving holiday/long weekend Ryan and I had.  We are beyond Thankful for our families :) 

Here goes a supppperrrr long post!

Day 21- I am Thankful for.....Ryan's truck.  Although it now sounds like an airplane thanks to his new exhaust he just HAD to have :)  I am thankful we can take long road trips & be safe & pack 1/2 our house into it.  You know since we were gone for 4 days we needed to pack; hunting gear (deer & duck hunting), clothes, boots, food, pillow, blanket, computers, & ourselves.  You name it, we pack it.  haha :)  I could win an award for over packing, but that is a whole other post!  I dont even want to imagine when we have kids.  We will just have to pack a whole trailer!!!! ha

Day 22 - THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!  I am SO thankful that we got to spend the day with Ryan's family!  We had so much fun on Thanksgiving!  We shot guns, enjoyed being outside, looked at all the Black Friday ads, & just spent quality time together :) o yea and ate AMAZING food!!!!!!!!!

Family Fun on Thanksgiving! 

Day 23 - aka Black Friday.  (Well I didn't technically do any shopping ON Black Friday.  Since all my "Black Friday" shopping was done Thanksgiving night :)  Lets call it Grey Thursday.  I was home & in bed by midnight Thanksgiving night so I just slept in on Black Friday)   Since my hubby & AMAZING MIL (more on her later) had to sleep after working all night, I turned into super crafter - Emily :)  I was able to borrow a cricut from Ryan's cousin & I was in heaven :)  Once my fabulous hubby rose from his looonngg nap - he FINALLY talked me into going deer hunting with him.  We had already talked about it, but Friday afternoon was the final straw & sure enough I found myself sitting in a deer stand freezing.  It was so windy & cold.  As much as I dislike hunting, my time in the deer stand with my husband was not all that bad. HA

The picture below cracks me up.  I am FREEZING & Ryan is mad bc we didnt see any deer bc I was moving too much, too noisey & ready to leave :)

 Freezing!

 BEAUTIFUL sunset leaving the woods.  Love spending time at Ryan's land.

We finished the night with a home cooked meal by Ryan's mom & his sister & her family came over to eat :) 

Day 24 - I am SOOOOO thankful for Ryan's Family.  I am VERY VERY VERY lucky to have amazing in-laws.  From the minute I met his mom & dad I knew Ryan was a keeper :) (they even liked me although I was sweating from being so nervous to meet them OR maybe it was just hot that day) ha  His family is SO welcoming, loving & supportive.   Ryan's mom & dad treat me so great.  I feel so comfortable around them & make myself at home when visiting.  I seriously could go on and on.  I love spending time with his sister as well :)  I wish we lived closer to each other - we would spend even more time together!!! O yea and those 3 kiddos she has - ummm I am obsessed!!!! We love spoiling them rotten & playing!!!! Let's just say I am a crazy Aunt to all my nephews & niece!!! haha Ryan's mom & dad are just awesome, HARDWORKING, amazing in-laws :)  THANK YOU guys for loving me so much!!!!!!!  Heather & Brian & kiddos - WE LOVE YOU GUYS TOO!!! MISS YOU ALL.  Come visit soon :)

Day 25 - I am so thankful for.......the State of Missouri (random I know).  But I am SO thankful we can drive all over Missouri & spend time with both of our families.  While we ate breakfast with Ryan's mom & dad....we were able to eat a late lunch with my mom, dad, brother, SIL & nephew :)  By the time we left the great state of Missouri we had a Christmas tree tied down in the back of Ryan's truck & we were headed back to Arkansas!!!!!  

Day 26 - I am soooo thankful for.......FRIENDS!  Ok maybe I should make this day its own post (but I can't do that bc then I would be out of order & that would bother me) LOL  I am so thankful for friends near & far!!!! From Dallas to St. Louis to Fayetteville to Bentonville to Kansas City to Nixa to Clarksville to Wichita.  (ok so that School House Rock song popped into my head about the cities or states) too bad I am a horrible singer & I cant remember the lyrics.  But do you know what I am talking about?!?! Anywho - back to friends!  THANK YOU girls & guys for being my friend.  I know I should call more, text more, email more or send mail, but please know I am so THANKFUL for our friendships :)

Day 27 - Thankful for........Christmas Decorations!  I know its still November, but I absolutely LOVE that our house is decorated for Christmas.  Our tree is up.  Our stockings are hung. Wreath is hung on our front door.  And we just need to put up our outside lights :)  Have you ever shopped for 4 1/2 hours for outside Christmas lights?!?!? We did on Monday night.  I guess our whole town likes LED Warm White Lights!  Who knew?!?! O wait - we knew bc EVERY store was out of them :)  What a lovely shopping experience with the hubby!

Day 28 - YAY I am finally caught back up :) And tired of typing!  I will be back later tonight.

Thank you for reading!  All 5 of you :)  Have a great rest of the week! 

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 20

Well dang - I am totally slacking, I keep forgetting to post on the actually day :)

(Tuesday 11/20/12) Thankful - Day 20.......POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  I am so thankful I am a positive person. haha I am not typing this to brag about myself, but I am SO thankful that I am not negative, debbie downer, & focuses on the bad. (I am not perfect & sometimes I have those moments).  I love helping others, smiling all the time & seeing the good instead of the bad.  Just yesterday while shopping at Walmart I let an elderly man go ahead of me; he winked, smiled & said "have a nice day"  So many people are SO rushed, grumpy & annoyed with the world.  Sometimes I am too, but for the most part I am just thankful I can do the things I am doing :) 

SOOOOO much negativity is in the news, online, posts on facebook, & so on.......I just hope people realize how lucky we are.  I think it takes more energy & effort to be angry, hateful & negative than smiling, positive & greatful :) 

Slow down.  Help others.  Be thankful.  Smile more.  Think positive.  Love others.

Safe travels & Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Love,
Emily

*Days 21-25 I bet will come after the weekend :)  Not sure you can type a blog post from a deer stand. LOL 

Thankful - Day 19

I really need to get my act together.  I am slacking!  Yesterday went by too fast & I just forgot to post :(

11/19/12 - I am SO thankful for........Thanksgiving "Break"  Ooooo to be in college or school & have a whole week off :)  But I will take my 4 day weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have said it before, but I will say it again, I LOVE the weekends :) haha

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

*this is Little B from last Thanksgiving* :)

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 18

I didn't feel like posting last night so here I am this morning :)

Sunday's - I am SO thankful for......phone dates with my friends Dawn & Calc :)  Although Dawn & I played phone tag last night, almost every Sunday we chit chat about our week & weekends & just laugh & laugh.  Last night I talked to Calc for a long time as usual for our Sunday chat session.  These 2 girls are amazing!!!!!  And even though living far away stinks sometimes, I am very thankful for phone convos. :)  MISS YOU GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These two fabulous friends have been there for me through thick & thin :)  We have a crazy, fabulous bond that I am thankful for.  I met these sweet girls in college & thank God for putting them in my life all the time!!!!!  We have sooooo many awesome memories from college & beyond with each other. 

I LOVE YOU FRIENDS!!!!!

Thank you for listening, making me laugh, standing next to me on my wedding day, & being fabulous friends!!!!

I seriously could write for days about how much I love these two girls!!!

Have a great week!!!! YAY for a 3 day work week :)  Whoooppp Whoooppp!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 17

Wowzers - I am tired!  Ryan and I were up EARLY today!  Like 7 & 8am early :)  That's what happens when you go to bed at 7:30pm & 9:30pm! haha Yes that's right - Ryan was snoring on the couch at 7:30pm last night. 

So today we worked our butts off.  We cleaned the house.  Did loads of laundry.  Accomplished some major yard work.  Ryan washed his truck.  We visited the recycle center twice to get rid of our million leaves, dead flowers & a lot of sticks.  It feels SO good to walk into a super clean house & drive up to a beautiful lawn & flower beds :)  Job well done!  haha

I am thankful for today.........HARD WORK!  There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel & quit, but we didn't.  We worked together & got so much accomplished today.  I love our house, but Ryan and I make it a home.  We take pride it keeping it clean & mowing straight lines in our yard :) hahah

Happy Saturday!!!!

I can not believe Thanksgiving is Thursday - JUST crazy!

I really wanted to do some Christmas shopping today but I think the couch is calling my name.  I did almost face plant it by tripping over the hose & then when I was mowing our backyard down the hill I twisted my ankle (but I am ok) haha Yard work is dangerous :)

I even rearranged our living room furniture to make room for our Christmas tree next weekend :)  SO EXCITED to decorate!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 16

Hellooooo weekend :)
Today I am thankful for........a LAZY LAZY LAZY night at HOOOMMMEE!  Yes that's right.  Ryan and I are home on a weekend & we have zero plans!  Yes zero!!!! Well besides doing yard work, doing a deep cleaning of our house, putting up Halloween decorations & relaxing :)  I am soooo excited to be home for a weekend, bc I know the next month is going to be crazy.

I can hear my hubby snoring on the couch already too!  We are an exciting bunch tonight!

Have a great weekend!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 15

I was too busy eating Andy's Pumpkin Pie concrete last night to post I guess :) haha

Day 15 - I am beyond thankful for......FaceTime on our iPad!!!!!!!!!! I FaceTime my mom & dad or my brother, SIL & nephew multiple times a week :)  Little B (who is 3) calls me on his own sometimes!  He just misses his Aunt Emmy and needs to talk to me! ha It's so great bc I get to talk to my family that lives in the STL too :) 

Last night when I talked to my mom & dad I was able to explain & show them my newest craft project :)  They took the measurements & saw what I needed.  Seriously love FaceTime!!!!!!!!!  Then little B called & showed me his new Thanksgiving shirt, tell me how much he misses me, & put on his 2T Halloween costume that is too small - cutest little cheeseburger I have ever seen! 

Now.....if only Apple would get their butt's in gear and invent FaceTime with multiple people at once :) 

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a draining week.  SO excited for the weekend.

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 14

oopss I forgot to post yesterday. 

Day 14 - I am SOOOOOO thankful for..........contacts/glasses.  I can see so much better wearing contacts! ha Close friends & family know about my horrible vision.  When I was 4 I had to wear a patch to correct my lazy eye/I was cross eyed.  I am thankfully my mom & dad made me wear it, even though I would take it off & hide it in the mailbox when I was playing outside :)  I even have my Kindergarten school picture with my lovely patch on :)  The teacher forgot to make me take it off on picture day!  Oooo the memories.  But I am SO thankful I can see better! 

Have a fabulous day!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 13

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!

I know I posted this morning, but I wanted to do Day 13 later tonight bc I knew Ryan and I would celebrate his birthday.  I use the word celebrate loosely.  Ryan didn't get home until after 7pm, we ate dinner & now he is watching TV because he is exhausted.  These loonnnggg work days are just draining. 

Today I am THANKFUL for........COOKING!  Yes you heard it.....Cooking!!!!  I have learned A LOT since my days of 1) enchiladas 2) noodles with red sauce 3) peas 4) grilled cheese 5) cereal & 6) sandwiches.

I love to grocery shop!!!!  I love looking at recipes (some I try, some I don't).  I love browsing Pinterest for ideas (I have had a few successful Pinterest meals actually) :) YAY ME!  I really like to cook during the week.  I text Ryan almost everyday saying this "ETA" haha I REALLY REALLY need to work on my timing/making sure everything is done at the SAME time.  haha Many meals some things are hot & others I cooked too soon & are cold by the time Ryan gets home!  I only cook Monday - Thursday night :)  HA  I REFUSE to cook on Friday nights whenever we are home.  If we are traveling (which is like every weekend lately) we grab something on the road or if we are home we ALWAYS go out!  Just a rule I made years ago! ha And then Saturday & Sunday is never planned. 

Man I ramble and ramble......this post has a point I promise :) 

Another problem I have is USING-TOO-MANY-DISHES!  I think tonight I used 20 things just for a meal for 2!!! ha Working on this.  I HATE DOING THE DISHES!!!!!!

And I make the BIGGEST mess cooking.  See picture below.  I had flour everywhere!!!!

I ATTEMPTED my mother in law's AMAZING fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/ gravy & it was just ok.  It wasn't terrible, but it was not EVEN CLOSE to Ryan's  moms :( 

Then it was time for cake :)  Yes I made this double layer cake this afternoon after work.  It was SO good if I must say so myself.  I don't like German Chocolate cake normally but I still ate a piece! ha I was singing to Ryan - it was amazing singing (NOT)! ha  

Making a wish (I was wishing that someone would come do ALL my dishes & clean my HORRIFIC mess I had just made)  *dont worry Mom - all the dishes are DONE & my kitchen is clean*

So that is a glimpse into my love of cooking :)  I can't wait to try and make all of my Grandma's Christmas Cookies in a few weekends!!!!! I got all of my Grandma's cookie recipes for a wedding gift & I am beyond excited to try & make them.  They will turn out terrible, but I don't even care. (my Grandma was a phenomenal baker & cook)  Hello she did help open Lombardo's years ago :)

Now off to do laundry while my hubby enjoys the last few hours of his birthday.

*this was part of his bday card from me* "And then, of course, tomorrow...I go back to being Queen" :) hahaha

Have a great rest of the week!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 12

I missed yesterday....what a day!!!!  I think it was good I just skipped or who knows what I would have typed. haha

Day 12 - I am thankful for guys weekends & girls weekends.  Ryan just got home from 4 days of hunting with all his buddies.  They had a great weekend & I think he actually missed me a little bit :) ha I was SO excited to see him when he got home late last night.  Being married is FABULOUS, but being a part is good too.  I think it is great for our relationship to spend time a part every once in a while.  I love me a girls weekend & he loves man weekends with friends hunting!!!!!!

I haven't seen any pictures from his hunting weekend yet so this is just a pictureless post.  SORRY!

Love
Emily

Thankful - Day 9, 10, & 11

What a GREAT weekend!!!! 

I spent the weekend at my parents.  I don't like that sentence.  I spent the weekend at home.  Well that doesn't really work either.  How about I spent the weekend where I used to live for 18 years?!?!? I went back to my hometown?!?!  Well yuck I don't like any of those sentences.  I SPENT THE WEEKEND WITH MY FAMILY.  How about that? :)

Day 9 - I met my mom, SIL & little B in Branson & then we headed to Silver Dollar City to see all the Christmas lights.  We ended up at the kid rides the majority of the night :)  Little B & I rode the swings, a roller coaster, the elephant ride, & a pirate ship ride.  My mom rode the teacups with little B.  We had the BEST time!!!!  It was SOOOO hot so I really wasn't that excited about seeing millions of Christmas lights & a million other people in the holiday cheer. ha So maybe my brother & dad were right.......DON'T go to Silver Dollar City until after Thanksgiving. HAHAHAH We had a great time!!! What I am THANKFUL for on this day:  Little B looked over at me while we were on the roller coaster & said "I am having so much fun"  MELT-MY-HEART!  O the world through a 3 year olds eyes :)  LOVE MY NEPHEW!!!!!!  LOVE MY SIL!!!!!!! LOVE MY MOM!!!!!

Day 10 - I am thankful for my brother.  Yes you read that right.  My brother.  Growing up he was SO MEAN TO ME!  But today I am so thankful for it.  I have grown to be one tough cookie bc of him.  He is SOOOOOOOOOO hardworking!  On this day we did yard work at my parent's house & spent almost the entire day together.  He fixed my battery in my car.  We had a free throw contest & I WON!  I made more 3's in basketball than he did!  We played outside for hours because it was just gorgeous.  LOVE Fall weather!  We used to play basketball in my parent's driveway when we were little & we still had fun 20 years later.  Ahhh the memories :) 

Day 11 -  Today is my brother's 30th birthday!!! Happy Birthday Adam!  Happy Veteran's Day!!!!!!!  Today I am thankful for FAMILY weekends at "home".  I LOVE my family.  We celebrated my brother's birthday with lunch & cake.  Little B, my mom & I played hide & seek for the longest time this morning - it was seriously the funniest thing I have ever done.  Brennen spent Friday & Saturday night at Grandpa & Maw Maw's house.  I got to sleep on a futon bc little B got the comfy bed & I didn't even care.  My back cares, but I didnt care!  I ate a yummy homemade dinner last night AND breakfast this morning.  :)  Living away from family is hard.   The time we spend together is always VALUABLE time together.  We make every minute count.  Thank you for a fun weekend family :)  LOVE YOU!

Have a great week!

Love,

Emily 

Thankful - Day 8

It's almost the weekend :)

Today I am thankful for our house.  I am so thankful to have a roof over my head. Heat in the winter.  AC in the summer.  I am SUPER crazy about conserving electricity though....hahah Touch the thermostat & you get yelled at :) lol

My thoughts & prayers are to all of those in the NE affected by another storm & still don't have power. 

Have a FABULOUS weekend!!!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 7

Happy Hump Day friends & family!!!

Today I am thankful for my health.  I thank God everyday for it.  I know it could be gone in a snap of a finger. 

I pray for all who are fighting horrible cancer & illnesses every.single.day!

As I finished working today I looked out my window & saw the beautiful sun beaming down on my gorgeous tree in the front yard & I know so many stare out of a hospital window or nursing home windows.  I don't take my life for granted.

I could eat better.  Work out more.  Drink less.  Diet better. Lose weight. But who's perfect?!?!? ha Not me :)


Have a fabulous Wednesday night. 

LOVE,
Emily

Thankful - Day 6

Election Day 2012 - 11/6/12

Today I am thankful for............my right to vote.  I was VERY proud today after I voted.  I am so thankful for this right.  God bless the USA!

As I was driving home from voting I had the radio turned up, my windows down & just smiled from ear to ear. 

See.......I had to take a picture of myself right when I got home of how proud I was :) 

*I hate self portraits by the way - but today was an exception*

Love,

Emily





Thankful - Day 5

Today I am thankful for......my job!  Yes Mondays normally are NO fun.  I mean no fun as in really busy from the time I clock in to the time I clock out & some people make me angry! haha I really do like my job.  Some days more than others :)  But I am so thankful for the opportunity.  I am very very very grateful for liking what I do. 

I am just thankful that I can "complain" about Mondays.  :) 

I am loving this November Thankful "game."  I might just keep going wayyyyy pass November!

Go vote tomorrow!!!!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 3 & 4

O I am on a roll now! ha

I have to combine Day 3 & 4 since yesterday I was busy. (aka Tailgating & cheering on the Hogs)

Day 3 - I am SO thankful for our "Arkansas Friends"  Moving is never easy, but when you move & meet awesome people - that makes your move much easier.  We are so thankful to have met so many great friends down here in Arkansas :)  THANK YOU friends for being so fun, fabulous & there for us :)

This was our crazy crew yesterday at the Razorback football game.  *not all of our "Arkansas friends" are in this picture I might add* So many more are fabulous, fun & there for us :)

We had so much fun on a PERFECT Fall day!  The added bonus - Melina & Matthew got to join in on our craziness!

Day 4 - Thankful for Cabela's.  My husband's only kind of shopping.

Really where else can you find women sitting in chairs on their iPhones while their husbands/man are shopping for hours.  Today Ryan and I went to Cabela's after eating lunch with some of that crazy crew in the picture above.  I walked to my normal spot (women's clothing) to see if they have the NorthFace coat I want for Christmas - and again they don't!  So then from there I WONDER to the kids section to see what I can buy for my nephews & niece (YES every time I am out shopping I somehow shop for them MORE than me) o well part of being a fabulous Aunt :) hahah Then when I don't find anything there I WONDER around trying to find Ryan - when that doesn't happen I WONDER around to the front of the store where there are CHAIRS & then when those are taken I WONDER around the toys section (again to see what I can buy my niece & nephews) - THEN I found a food sample table - and NOT even being hungry since I just ate lunch I try a few samples - STILL no sign of Ryan - so I WONDER back to the front to see if maybe a lady was lucky & her husband was finished shopping has gotten up, still ALL taken - so I text Ryan - no answer.  Call Ryan - no answer.  Still WONDERING around to see what possibly I could buy.  (NOTHING).  FINALLY I spot Ryan - he says "I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU FOREVER"  Ummmmm please.  Yea right!!!  Then why didn't he CALL or TEXT ME.?!?!?! We proceed to check out & while I thought he would have bought the whole store (since he was missing from me for a LONG time) we pay the nice lady $25 for the random things we bought. 

Seriously - what else is more fun to a couple on a Sunday afternoon.........

THANKFUL for another beautiful day.

Have a GREAT week!

Love,

Emily 

p.s. I totally googled whether is was"wondering" or :"wandering" got mixed answers so please don't judge me for misspelled words.....

Thankful - Day 2

WHAT?!?!?!? Two days in a row :)  Shocked myself!!!

*these are in NO particular order* (clearly who picks fun/football over my parents that brought me into this world?!??!)  Another day mom another day :)

Day 2:  I am THANKFUL for Friday afternoons when I clock out from work & its the weekend.  :)  It is my favorite part of the week.  My least favorite is Sunday night.  Don't get me wrong - I love my job but I really love the weekends :)

I am thankful for this weekend especially because MY BESTIE & HER HUBBY ARE HEADED TO ARKANSAS.  Totally a last minute plan, like 2 hours ago plan, but I love how flexible we all are when free football tickets are involved :) haha

I can not wait to see Melina & Matthew & spend time with so many FRIENDS this weekend!!!!!!!!

Being 30 weeks pregnant is not going to stop my bestie from "Calling The Hogs!!!" Woo Pig.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!

Love,
Emily

Thankful - Day 1

Hey Friends & Family!

Happy November 1st.  How in the world is it November already?!?!? Crazy!  Hope everyone had a great Halloween.  We did!  We got to hand out candy.  Meet some of our neighbors & have friends over. 

Anywho, I keep seeing people all over facebook post what they are THANKFUL for in the month of November.  You are suppose to do it everyday in the month of November.  Well.......I thought it would be fun to post here on this little ol blog.  Which for me to post EVERYDAY for a month is just comical to me, but hey its worth a shot!!!! :)  

Day 1 - I am thankful for Ryan.  My hubby. 

I think he thinks this blog is weird so I wont go into much detail, but really lets me honest - whoever can put up with me is a Saint :) haha Kidding!  We have been together for over 7 years.  Which still blows my mind.  He could use a little work in the dishes, laundry & chore department, BUT honestly we work as a team really well.  No marriage is perfect.  Clearly not ours.  But I feel with my whole heart when you work as a team - you rock!!!  And I think we rock!!!! ha

I have never met a more hardworking person in my life next to me - ha jokes people jokes!  He works so unbelievable hard at his job & I am so proud of him.

SO THANKFUL FOR RYAN!

Day 1 complete.  Lets put a bet on what day I return......tomorrow or 5 months from now!

(well I can guarantee you I wont post on Saturday because we will be cheering on our Hogs Football team) 

Have a fabulous Friday & GREAT weekend!

Love
Emily

6 months

Today we are celebrating our "6 months" as being married!  Where has the time gone?!?!  We ate take out Chinese food & now watching TV.  GO CARDS!!!! 

O hi - are you confused why I just posted?!?!?! Me too!  The last time you read about me was in JUNE!  Seriously JUNE!  What in the world.  I am a MAJORRRRRR slacker, but I have good reason I suppose.  That is what I keep telling myself anyway.   Our life is ridiculously busy. 

I love a good list.  So here goes a recap of the last 3 1/2 months!

* Spent time with family
* Spent time with friends
* Went to every home Razorback football game
* Drove miles & miles on the weekends
* Ryan has hunted
* Emily has been yelled at for shopping too much
* Emily got to take little B to the zoo
* Went to wedding(s) Yes multiple weddings :)  4 to be exact!
* Helped throw fabulous baby showers for my bestie - Melina & cousin - Karrie
* Celebrated family birthdays
* Hosted many dinner parties
* Hosted several friends for the weekend at our house

O yea - and BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!! :)  We moved in the HOTTEST part of the year.  July in Arkansas during the worst drought in history......that's the way we roll.  Our family & friends are ROCK STARS & we cant say thank you enough for helping us :)

I will add a few pictures to keep your attention!




Celebrated my adorable nephew's 3rd birthday!



At a luau in Maui - honeymoon 2012

On our way to go snorkeling in Maui

Hogs vs Rutgers 9/22/12

Hogs vs Kentucky game. 10/13/12

Since I clearly suck at posting on a regular basis on here.  I guess I will just mention our FABULOUS honeymoon since I don't see myself doing a post just for that.  Just being real! ha  It was the best 7 days of my life.  I can't wait to go back.  It was a perfect trip even though there were issues getting there (due to horrible storms) but we made it & stayed calm & enjoyed every second of our trip even if it had detours.  Good detours I might add, because we got to see Pearl Harbor which was not on our original plan.  It was unbelievable.

The USS Missouri behind us at Pearl Harbor

Ok so that is the quickest and non-detailed post ever.  But hey - I am trying here.  I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to do better, but it's just hard for me right now.  Stay tuned.  Might see me more often!

But in the meantime - GO VISIT THIS BLOG... 
http://edit-kc.blogspot.com/ my best friend Melina, her sister & mom write there everyday & it is GREAT.  You can buy clothes, jewelry, scarves & other fabulous items from them.  I have a brand new purse & necklace thanks to my fashionable friend.  I loved getting to shop from Edit. You will thank me later - this is a GREAT blog :)

While on fashion - I wore colored skinny jeans for the first time last Friday - purple to be exact & when Ryan got home from work he made SOOOOO much fun of them.  I thought I looked really cute with my leopard flats & a black top. :)  What does he know?!?!?!

I may or may not have gone to a cute little donut shop in town on Friday after the dentist too.  Oooppsss! 

Rambling has ended.  Until next time.

Love,
Emily

Our Big Day - 4/14/12

Happy Wednesday!  (turned out to be a super long post)

Better late than never - I want to talk about our big wedding day!!!!! We just celebrated our 2 month anniversary :)  Yes we are dorks and went out for cheap Mexican food last week (6/14/12) ha  It was a fun date night. 

Here goes...

We had our rehearsal at the church on Friday & it was pretty chaotic, but not as bad as I had anticipated, I mean you can never be that organized for something you have never done in your life before!  Our priest took the lead & we just followed.  After rehearsal we went to a bar/restaurant that Ryan and I LOVED in college & still do today.  It was so fun to have all our closest friends together & our amazing families all in one place :)  It was nothing fancy, but that is not who Ryan and I are (more on that later).  We had a GREAT time eating, drinking & sharing stories.  

Once we said our good-byes at the rehearsal dinner we headed out on the town :)  The girls & I stopped to have a boogie bowl one last time as a single girl - sure why not was my thinking!  Then we jetted across the street to the piano bar to meet the guys for one last drink before Ryan and I said our good-byes until the big day :) 

I was so thankful Melina, Ashley, Dawn & Calc all spent the night with me in the hotel suite.  I demanded to sleep by myself, bc I knew I would not sleep good & sure enough I tossed & turned all night......o well. 

We woke up bright & early, 7am to be exact.  I jumped on the bed to wake Ashley up bc I was so excited!!! She didn't think that was the best way to be woken up :) haha

We met everyone at salon to get our hair & make-up done @ 8am.  It was starting to rain, but I didn't even care if it rained on my wedding day to be honest.  (brings good luck right?!?!) It rained the whole time we were in the salon & then right when we left it stopped :)  Turned out to be a beautiful day.

When I was getting ready is when for the first time ever during our engagement I was getting nervous.  Like really nervous.  Like almost pass out nervous! ha I had to take my dress on and off 3 different times! ha I sat by an open window all by myself trying to calm myself down.  I wasn't nervous about getting married, I was nervous for everyone to be watching me walk down the aisle & when we were on the alter :)  You see, you dream about walking down the aisle your WHOLE life & then BAM - you take your shoes off 3 seconds before the doors open & then trip on your dress!!!!! Laughs were heard instead of tears as I walked down the aisle! haha Only me! BUT good news I did not pass out :)  I was SO close though!!!

Our wedding ceremony was beautiful, just perfect for Ryan and I.  The love & support we had on that day was just unbelievable!!! Standing on the alter & seeing SOOOO many people that love us was overwhelming.  We are so very blessed & appreciate of all our friends & family.  We are so thankful for all that came & shared our big day with us :) From near & far!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We hopped on a bus and drove around Springtown for a couple of hours & took pictures.  We even stopped at Ryan's old fraternity house were our LOVE began :)  It was surreal to be there in my wedding dress where it all began almost 7 years ago!!! Special moment for us!

The reception was SOOOOO fun!  We danced & drank & danced some more!  We were sweaty messes by the end of the night :) The food was awesome.  The speeches were funny.   Our guests seemed to have a great time.  We got to see so many people that traveled in for our big day.  So great! 

Our day was perfect.  It was perfect for RYAN & I.  It was just what we wanted for US! We are so thankful we had so much help from family & they did so much to help make our day perfect!  Thank you a million times over!

Whether you have plastic solo cups or glass.  Fine china or plastic plates.  Budget or no budget. Florist or no florist.  Band or DJ. Grooms cake or no grooms cake.  Open bar or cash bar. You get the point......we made our wedding about RYAN AND EMILY.  We didn't care if people would judge (we know EVERYONE judges weddings) guilty myself, but I have a whole new perspective since I have been in the same shoes of many brides :)  We didn't care if people made fun of our decisions.  We didn't care what others had done in the past.  We didn't care if our wedding was the laughing stock of Springfield.  We didn't care what the "Jones" did for their wedding.  We CARED about what would make us happy :)  We were completely successful.  We had the BEST time TOGETHER!  We followed our hearts & stayed true to us & loved every single minute of it!!!!!! We are so blessed our parents were so generous & loving - can't even thank them enough!!!!!!!!!!  We even had a table without a centerpiece bc I - Emily the bride - miscounted & you know what - that table of people had an AWESOME night.  I didn't even care they didn't get to look at my beautiful flowers or wine corks in a vase with branches sticking out :)  hahah THANK GOD I am not a wedding planner! hahah I would be fired after the first hire!

On a serious note - I love you Ryan (not that you even read this blog) & can't even wait for all the wonderful memories we are going to make as husband & wife :)

Here is to the next chapter in our life TOGETHER! 

Love,
Emily

Before the big day!

Hello friends & family.  What a crazy month or so it has been!!!! I had high hopes to blog about our awesome wedding & honeymoon "soon" after, but life has been at full speed and is just now slowing down! (for now) ahhhh

***(for my memory I am going to document in detail)***

Ryan and I headed to my parent's house Friday 4/6/12 with a truck full of wedding stuff and were SO excited to get the wedding fun started!  We had planned to celebrate Easter weekend with my family & then we got the very sad news that Ryan's grandpa had passed away Saturday 4/7/12.  He lived a long, great life & was 96.  Ryan and I are very adaptable & our plans changed & we did what we had to do.  We were very lucky to to spend Easter mass with my mom & Ryan's mom before we headed out of town.  So thankful for that!!! 

- Easter 2012 -

After church we were headed to Nebraska for 3 days.  12 hours there & 12 hours back it was a quick trip & under sad circumstances, but it was great to see Ryan's family we don't get to see often. 

Wednesday 4/11/12 Ryan and I went and got our marriage license in Springfield.  As we were walking up the steps to the old courthouse Ryan said "Well I guess I am going to jail for the rest of my life" hahah funny guy!  Then as we were walking to the door we needed to go to.....Ryan proceeded to keep walking (like he was running away) again...funny guy! ha 

Thursday 4/12/12 didn't start off so well - I think I cried & yelled at my mom!  (sorry Mom) but then it was time to get pampered.  My mom, Ryan's mom, his sister, niece & I met to get manis/pedis.  They took FOREVER but it was nice to relax for a bit.  Thursday night my whole family went out to the campsite & had dinner with Ryan's whole family.  It was fun to get everyone together.

Thursday night when we got back to my parent's house my mom gave me a diamond necklace that I will cherish forever!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! The diamond was one of my grandma's who passed away when I was in 6th grade.  My grandma was the most amazing person I know.  She made a huge impact on my life & I miss her everyday. 

Friday morning 4/13/12 I think I cried & yelled at my mom again (sorry again Mom).  Stress is not good for me! haha  We had a bridal luncheon planned & I was SOOOO excited for my bridesmaids, moms & flower girl to spend some time together before all the craziness started :) 

After lunch we headed to the church to start making the girl's bouquets.  (Budget friendly wedding = put family & friends to work) ha THANK YOU everyone for all your help!!!  They turned out great!!!!

My aunt & uncle were so kind & took me to get my dress & take back to the church :)

Then it was rehearsal at the church and then the rehearsal dinner :)  That will be in another post! 

Our engagement flew by.  Preparing for the big day flew by.  Planning/buying/coordinating everything took hours and hours, but the day itself flew by.  I LOVED everything about our wedding & planning, but kind of glad it's over! HA I can't even say "THANK YOU" enough to all of our friends & family for all their hard work, love, support & generosity for Ryan and I.  SO BLESSED & THANKFUL!!!!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Today is my FIL Birthday!  Happy Birthday Randy!!!!!

Ryan has pink eye :(

Yesterday I didn't move from the couch ALL day!  It was amazing!!!! But today I felt so guilty & was finally productive cleaning the house & doing laundry :)

Have a great week!!!!!

Love,
Emily

Paris Shower

Well I promised I would be back soon.......does 20 days count as "soon" haha

Life has been ridiculously busy to say the least.  Our days fly by, our nights go too fast & our weekends seem like seconds.  We are having a blast & enjoying every second of it, but man it's exhausting.  I know I will miss the planning, but I am soooo ready for it to just GET here already :)  I am not the most patient person you will ever meet! ha

Back to WEDDING FUN - Ryan's family threw me a sweet sweet shower in his hometown.  I was SO nervous it was going to snow when we originally planned to have it on 2/18/12, but it was a gorgeous winter day!  Ryan and I picked up my mom that Friday night & headed north for the weekend.  It was my mom's first time going to Paris and it was so fun taking her there.  We gave her a grand tour on Saturday morning :) 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my mom & Ryan's family (well my whole family for that matter) get along so well.  Ryan's parents were so welcoming to her & I & we really appreciated their hospitality & yummy food :)

 My mom, me, & Ryan's mom :)

This was the BEST punch I have ever had & look how ADORABLE these glasses are with sprinkles :)

 The awesome hostesses!  Thank you for everything!!!

We were so spoiled.  Thank you everyone for everything!  SO generous & thoughtful.  We totally don't deserve it. 

I am LOVING LOVING LOVING this weather.  We have had the windows open & fans on for a few days now.  Heeellloooo spring!

I have even mowed the yard already.....Ughhh

16 days until the BIG wedding weekend :)  SO SO SO SO SO excited!

Have a great rest of the week & weekend.

Love,
Emily

Sprinkled with LOVE

First off - I want to thank my awesome friends & family for ALL you have done, your love, your support & thoughtfulness during Ryan & I's engagement!!!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Well.....37 days have passed since my last post.  BOO to me :(

O well.  A LOT has happened! 

First post of Wedding FUN!!!!!

My AMAZING friends threw me a shower in Nixa 2/11/12.  It was FABULOUS!!!! They did not miss a detail.  I have talented friends!  It was SO great to spend time with family & friends near & far.  Dont you just love weddings & babies - brings people together.  :)

Melina, Ashley & I at Ashley's shower 2/11/12

My friends have WAY more pictures.  I need to get those from them.

My aunt, cousin, & future MIL traveled in and I LOVED having them all there :)  

37 days until the big day!!! I am BEYOND excited, ready & nervous.  My mom calls me every night with our RSVP update.  I love it & secretively jealous she gets all the mail :) (you know me and my love for mail)

Speaking of mail - I went to the post office today to buy more stamps & I had a fabulous conversation with an older man about the weather.  It's the small things in life that make me smile :)  I loved that he was friendly, I loved that he was probably sending mail to a child or grandchild, I love that people still talk to on another these days, & I just loved his nice heart to have a conversation with me.  I miss my grandparents terribly and when older people talk to me in public it reminds me SO much of them.  I don't hesitate to talk to them one bit :)  Especially at the post office, bc my grandma & grandpa sent me mail weekly :)  God works in great ways!

Ryan is traveling this week - gasp - not time to travel again already. Grrrr  *Remember the 13 weeks in a row travel last year* I don't think I can handle that AGAIN.  ha  Although in 38 days we will be on the BEACH of Hawaii - YIPPPEEEEEEEEEE.  So excited!

Have a great weekend!

I will be back SOON to talk about my Paris shower & bachelorette party.  PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE.

Love,
Emily

74 days...

There are 74 days until the big wedding day :)  I still can't believe it will be OUR wedding.  Ryan and I have attended 30 weddings (give or take) over the last several years and they are always so fun to go to and see friends/family and celebrate the bride & groom getting married, but it's just hard for me to realize it's finally OUR turn to have a wedding :)

I have been thinking A LOT lately.  I think my brain and heart are at full speed.  I am NOTHING like I expected myself to be as a "planing bride" (well maybe a few things, but nothing what I imaged myself to be) Does that make sense?  I get a count down email every day and today it said "74 days until the wedding" I am EXCITED, NERVOUS, ANXIOUS, EXCITED, NERVOUS, & HAPPY for the wedding day, but I just can't focus on that ONE DAY for some reason.  Yes I have cried.  Yes I have worried.  Yes I have debated on colors, decorations, flowers, invitations, etc.  Yes I have woken up in the middle of the night worrying about "the day".  But I don't find myself dwelling on that ONE DAY details all too often, because I am focused on the DAYS-AFTER-THE-BIG-DAY :)  I know the wedding day will be fabulous bc we have the BEST family & friends on this planet.  That is why my head & heart are in full swing of focusing on Ryan and I's life after the big day. :)  We want to enjoy our life TOGETHER.  Live life to the fullest TOGETHER.  Spend as much time with our family & friends as possible TOGETHER.  Explore TOGETHER.  Take adventures TOGETHER.  Dream big TOGETHER.  Love TOGETHER. Smile TOGETHER. Laugh TOGETHER. Be silly TOGETHER.  That is what a "wedding day" symbolizes to me - joining two people & families TOGETHER and enjoying life after the big day.   I am not sure this post really flows or makes sense to others, but I just wanted to write down how I have been feeling lately.  Ryan and I are very blessed and do NOT take for granted our very supportive family & friends and really appreciate ALL the hard work others are doing for us for that big day & beyond!!! :)  I just don't want the true meaning of marriage to get overshadowed by flowers, colors, $$$$, or centerpieces. :) 

See I can't even talk wedding for a whole post......

Better late than never right?!?! :)  I FaceTimed with my mom, brother, SIL & Brennen on my birthday so they could sing happy birthday to me and watch me blow out the candles on the YUMMY cake Ryan made me :)  Ha LOVE MY FAMILY!

My parents have been working their butts off remodeling their house :)  LOOKS AWESOME!!!! I went home a few weekends ago & it looks so good.  Should be finished very soon :)  Little Brennen has been an OUTSTANDING helper :) Honestly he has, WAY more than I have :)  He is RIGHT next to my dad the whole time helping him! ha It's too cute. 

Grandpa's little helper :)  He has his tools ready!

Carrying his very own tool box, with his new tool set he got for Christmas from AJ & UF :)

I know not many people read this blog, but it's a great way for me to remember life right now!  I will laugh at myself in a few months :)

Have a great day & week!

Love,
Emily

Far too long

This post is LOOOONNNNGGGG over due!  I am so mad at myself for not updating frequently, but what can ya do.  11/20/11 was far too long ago to dwell on it (my last post) HA.  To be honest, I think about blogging on this silly thing all the time, because I know years from now I am going to want the memories of my life, but finding the time to sit down and type at the computer OUTSIDE of work is just not fun right now.  I sit at my office computer for 9 striaght hours a day and the LAST thing I want to do at night is be on my computer, so I have neglected this poor little blog :(  O well!!!  I am enjoying life and LOVE spending as much time with our friends & family as possible :) 

Ok quick recap (for my own sake & family) - so pretty much the only people reading this!
* I spent Thanksgiving with my family & Ryan headed north to spend time with his family & HUNT.
* December flew by SOOOO fast.  We loved spending time with both of our families at Christmas!  Ryan surprised me and took me to the Nutcracker :)  I loved it - he hated it.  At intermission he said "what the heck did we just watch" lol
* I celebrated my 27th birthday
* We had fun ringing in the new year with friends back in MO
* We got to spend a weekend with Ryan's parents :)  We were wedding planning machines last weekend.  It was so fun to show them the church, reception venue & where we are having our rehearsal dinner!  (they even got to see me in my dress) :) :) :)

Wedding World:  93 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?!?!?! How did that happend?!?!?! Ryan and I all along did not want a long engagement at all, but seriously this has FLOWN by.  Like CRAZY fast flown by!  I am kind of sad & excited all at the same time.  

We are pretty much done planning, just trying to figure out the logistics of everything is what is getting a tad stressful.  I know it will ALL WORK OUT & be FABULOUS, but still a little stressful.

Work has been SUPER SUPER SUPER busy (it could not have come at a worse time) HA.  Kidding aside I am thankful to be so busy, it makes the days FLY by!  But in return I am so tired & crabby at night I dont want to be productive!  Or maybe its just the cold weather?!?! Either way I need to get my butt in gear and finish some final things up for the big day!

I know I have left out a ton, but trying to recap a month in a half in one post will just turn even more boring than it already is.  Although my mom will love reading my ramblings I will stop!

I hope to post more often, but we shall see where that goes :) ha

Have a great day!

Love,
Emily