Saturday, November 22, 2008

Corn on the Cob????



This is my contribution to our first Thanksgiving. I'm no Natalie, but I tried :-)!!!



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thankful

So...this is a little early, but I will be out of town on Thanksgiving.

I am so incredibly thankful for many things in my life and I love Thanksgiving!!! We have this tradition (probably like most families) to go around the table before we eat and tell what we are thankful for...I always get nervous and want to keep it simple and quick so I usually use the typical, "I'm thankful for my family and friends." I am definitely thankful for my family and friends, but such a common answer really doesn't reflect all that I am truly thankful for, so think of this as my detailed "right before the BIG meal" answer.

What am I thankful for???

1. Jeff- I am so thankful that God chose me to be your wife. You love me unconditionally and support me in all I do. You work so hard to provide for me and never complain. You encourage me to stay in the Word and pray for me daily. Thank you for being the best husband a girl could ask for :-)

2. Mom- I am so thankful that God gave me a mother that has also become my best friend! By example you have shown me what it means to be a Godly wife and mother. You have sacrificed many things in your life to make sure I had everything I could need or want. You are the first person I call when I'm excited with good news, or the shoulder I can cry on when things get tough. I love you so much!

3. Dad- I am blessed with a father that has worked countless hours and then some to provide for me. You went with out things you needed/wanted so I could play on certain sports teams, have nice clothes, a car when I turned 16, attend the college I wanted, and gave me the wedding of my dreams. I never remember hearing you complain or letting it interfere with you being my BIGGEST fan! You can make me smile on my worst day and I love you so much!

4. Chad- I am so thankful you are my brother! I wouldn't want to grow up with anyone else. Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life! You can always make me laugh and I love listening to your view on things....you never hold back!

5. Kristina- I am so blessed to have you as my best friend! You have been by my side since elementary school. I am so thankful we chose the same college! Playing volleyball with you for 10 years and being your roommate for four has left me with some of the best memories of my life! You have been the bright spot in my day and one of my greatest supporters for as long as I can remember! Thank you Marge!

6. Rick and Jan- I am so thankful to have you in my life! You have made me feel loved and welcomed from the day I met you! I am so glad I married someone who was raised in a a strong Christian home. I have so much fun during the time we spend together and I look forward to sharing many years and memories with you!

7. Mandy and Brad- It is so fun having a brother and sister-in-law that I don't just consider family, but great friends!!! You are both so fun to be around and I am excited about our future as a family! You are both the type that if Jeff and I ever needed anything, it would probably be done before we even asked! Thank you for loving me!

8. Grandma (Joanna) Yates- I am so blessed to have such a fun Grandma! I love how you are always on-the-go and ready to try new things. If the saying "you're only as old as you think you are" is true, then grandma, I think you're younger than me! I am also very thankful that God has given you a companion to keep you company and have fun with! I love you!

9. Grandma Opal and Grandpa Lloyd- I love spending time with you both! Grandpa, I think you have been the funniest most entertaining person in my life...you are so funny! And if you can't already tell ALL of your grandkids love you so much! Grandma, you are an amazing cook and Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without all your good food! I have always loved coming up to St. Louis to visit you! I love you!

10. Grandma Tootie and Leola- I am so thankful to have gained you as Grandmas this year! You are both so sweet and loving! Tootie, your Monday night dinners are delicious and I am so excited about Disney World! Leola, over the past six months you have sent Jeff and I some of the sweetest cards and I have loved getting to see you at the weddings!!! Thank you!

11. Stanley and Shannon, Steve and Melissa, and Lisa and David (my aunts and uncles)- They say it takes a village to raise a child....you have been my village! Thank you for all the prayers, birthday gifts, cards, phone calls, cheering at my games, and loving me! It means more than you'll ever know!

12. Jami, Mandy, Matt, Luke, Erin, Ben, Courtney, and Kayla (my cousins)- I had so much fun growing up with you!!! Even though I never lived near any of you, we still managed to be very close! You have been my partners in crime, children, students, (while playing), etc. We have SO many good memories and its been fun watching everyone "grow up." Love you all!

13. Jeff's Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Spouses (you know who you are)- Again, I am so thankful to have been married into such a WONDERFUL family! You all have been more than kind to me! From modeling for Jellybeans as a little girl to asking for advice when planning my wedding you have shown me so much love and kindness! Thank you for having us over for dinner, movie/ game nights, etc. You have all treated me like I've always been a part of the family! Thank you!! Oh, and all the little kids are great too!

14. High Street- I couldn't have been raised in a better church. I have had so many loving Sunday School teachers, Counselors, Pastors, and "fellow members." When I walk in the doors on Sunday mornings it feels like home and the smiling faces in the hall are a reflection of God's presence. Thank you if you are one of those faces!


I'm sure as soon as I post this I will remember someone else....
Chances are if you read this....I'm Thankful for you too!!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Mr. and Mrs. Matt Beasley





We had such a fun weekend in Minnesota celebrating my cousin Matt's wedding!!! It is MUCH cooler up there! Welcome to the family Lindsay!

Mall of America





Thursday, November 6, 2008

Road Trip


We finally made it....
Drove to St. Louis last night, woke up at 4:30 AM, climbed into a bed on my grandparents RV, and arrived at Minneapolis, MN around 2:30pm.

Aside from flying, riding in an RV may very well be the best way to travel! My grandparents just got a new one with all the bells and whistles!!!


1. We traveled about 9 hours COMFORTABLY with 11, yes 11, of my family members.
2. We had a cozy bed to sleep in the majority of the way there.
3. There was a microwave and refrigerator on board, and tons of snacks.
4. Bunk beds with personal flip-down DVD players.
5. A table to eat at and couch to lounge on.
6. A 27inch flat screen playing movies throughout the trip.
7. Bathroom
8. Enough room to walk around and stretch.

Tomorrow we are going to the Mall of America and my cousin Matt gets married on Saturday....pictures to follow!




Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I voted....



Today I voted in a presidential election for the second time....that's all :-)


I'm a little nervous about the outcome?!?!

Monday, November 3, 2008

THANK YOU!

Thank you Rick and Jan for such a fun weekend!!!!
A list (in no particular order) of things I did...

1. Trick or Treating with the Burch kids a.k.a. Alice in Wonderland, The Queen of Hearts, The Mad Hatter, and The "I'm late" Bunny....so cute!
2. Roast, mashed potatoes, corn, orange salad, and delicious salad with spooky blueberry cheesecake for dessert...YU-HUM!
3.Relaxing
4. Really good pancakes and fried apples for breakfast.
5. Shopping
6. Good BBQ lunch
7. Helicopter rides....Ollie was in heaven at the airport :-)
8. Great church service
9. PFChangs
10. Watching Jeff FLIPOUT about the Longhorns game....so funny (not funny that they lost though)
11. Spending time with great family and friends!
12. Laughing
13. Planning and then unplanning a New Years Party.
14. Eating candy
15. Sleeping in
16. Watching the Cowboys lose AGAIN :-(
17. Playing with the Burch kids
18. FUN FUN FUN!!!!!


Older Posts