No. 8: Thankful

This Thanksgiving, I find myself more than ever realizing how much I truly have to be thankful for. Life is busy and often we forget all the little things we have to be grateful for. This year its even the simplest things that I am thankful for. For starters, family, especially my healthy, loving, always providing parents. Living at home with them for the stint of time that remains until marriage has reminded me once again, just how lucky I am to have such wonderful parents. They are a blessing and the best team to have on your side.

I am also thankful for love. Thankful to have Zach by my side. Thankful that in 5 months, we will begin building a home together and taking those first steps as husband and wife together. I cannot explain how thankful I am to have him and to know that I have him to share all those treasured future events with. I am thankful for 6 years of pure joy and can't wait for many more. I am also thankful for the wonderful family that I will be becoming apart of, well "officially" becoming apart of. Although I already consider them all mine, I am glad to be officially apart of the clan. (I even get my own stocking!)

I am thankful for warm loving friendships, new and old. I am glad that even with my closest friends 75+ miles away that I can still have weekly conversations that keep me in tact. I am thankful for the blessings in their lives and hope God continues to bless them with wonderful opportunities. I am thankful for new friends, for a work family I could have never imagined being so wonderful.

Simply put, I am thankful. I am thankful for all of the blessings that the Lord has so graciously given me. I am thankful for His continuous lessons. I am thankful for His grace. I am thankful for His enduring love. I am thankful.

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 106:1

No. 7: Simply Put

I stumbled upon a quote from a song today and found it to be simply put, well wonderful. It made me smile and think of how lucky I am.

She said what she wants is a man to be faithful
A true heart somebody willin’ and able
To stay by her side through thick and thin
A tender touch every now and then

She’s not hung up on fairy tales
Or some dream at the bottom of a wishin’ well
Fancy cars or diamond rings
What she wants most are the little things
-Brooks & Dunn

I must admit, I enjoy something "special" every now and then. A surprise, something as simple as a random I love you text message will do the trick. However, what I love most of all about being with Zach is how simple it all is. Its a no fuss relationship yet still exciting and thrilling. The fact that we can have fun while studying/watching football together makes it all worth while.

Approximately 7 months to go until the wedding day! Zach's mom asked me the other day what I was looking forward to the most and to be honest it is simply to be in the same city again. To be able to come home watch Reba or Grey's Anatomy reruns on the couch. To just be with each other for more than 30% of the time. I will be happy to just have time, simple moments to share together.

Sometimes, its the simple things that make you the happiest. And its the simple things that make you realize how lucky and happy you truly are.

Typical Sunday... Football and Studying, somethings never change.

No. 6: To Do Lists

I have a problem. I like love to make to-do lists. Needless to say I love even more checking things off those to do lists. With wedding planning, my to-do list is every growing. But I am proud to report as of the first of October, things are really starting to come together... proof, well it lies in the list.

1. Book Venue
2. Book Florist
3. Book Photographer
4. Find Wedding Dress
5. Pick out Bridesmaid dresses
6. Invitations
7. Turn in Passport Application -Procrastination is key on this :)
8. Book Caterer
9. Book DJ/Band (Almost)
10. Honeymoon
11. Book Cake Baker (Appointment Made)
....and so on.

So look-y there we are getting there! Believe it or not had we stuck to our original date we would be getting married in a week. Knowing now where we are, I am so glad God led us to push the date back. Since we are still in separate cities, that might not have worked out so well.

But we are getting there. Things are falling into place and life couldn't be better.

So there, now everyone is up to-date on my to do list love habits. And that one actually has made progress!

With love.