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