Days of Thanks - discontinued!

So my commitment to keep my blog up with my days of thanks on Facebook did NOT pan out. While I do have a LOT to be thankful for right now, lots of spare time is not one of those things. I couldn't keep up with finding pictures and writing a paragraph for everything I listed. I do want to hit a few of the highlights, though.

These girls - what can I even say? Best. Friends. Imaginable. Shannon has been my best friend for something crazy like 23 years - from first grade until today. Kim was right beside me during that God-awful time called junior high. Darien, who I met in my mom's friend's kitchen, and I have been friends since middle school and are still besties today. Cortney was a fellow FCA camper, and we became best friends even though we rarely saw one another - losing her was one of the worst things I've been through, especially since I couldn't be there during her last days or funeral. And Ashley is my newest best friend - a recent but super important addition to my life.

Shannon & I in Vegas!

Kim & me... 8th grade!

D & I ready for some Cards baseball!

Cortney and I at the World's Biggest Ball of Twine

Ashley & I in St Louis

Wrapping this into a big highlight - my family. I think I mentioned my parents, grandparents, cousins, and a general "family time" during the days of thanks. I also happen to have some pretty amazing aunts and uncles. I do not believe that blood determines family - I technically have step and half cousins exclusively, but I don't (and more importantly, they don't) view us as anything but "family." Those ties are unbreakable - even with widely varying beliefs on everything from politics to the environment to sports. 

Last highlight - these people. John-Nathan-Leslie, aka the Perkins crew... my years at MNU were shared with them around the corner round table at Perkins, with pitchers of water constantly needing refilled, the three of us talking about literally everything. And the Soul Sistas - Leslie, Tammi, Tarra, Jessi, and Amber - the first real "group" of girlfriends I ever had - I can't imagine college without them. When I randomly have major regrets about going to MNU (hello, student loans!) I just remember these two groups of friends, along with some others, and can't be anything but blessed that I ended up there. 

(Sorry Jess and Am... I couldn't dig up a pic of all of us. :-/) 

30 Days of Thanks (3&4)

Day 3: for family time!

I do not get to see my "Newton family" enough - and they are some of my very favorites. I got to go there over the weekend and my little (okay - she's almost 22 so not really "little" anymore!) cousin Shelby took pictures of the kids (and some of me) for Christmas and Raegan's birthday. My aunt helped out with those and it was sooo nice to spend the day with the two of them! Then the kiddos and I went to eat at my fave Newton restaurant, Charlie's (which was not so great... breakfast there is only good at breakfast time apparently!), with them and my cousin Janie and her soon-to-be-hubby Danny. AND the day ended with a trip to my grandparents' house to see them before we headed home!
I didn't get to "grow up" with Janie and Shelby, and Janie's brother Brandon, like I did with my cousins who live around Chanute. But somehow, we are just as close - even though we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like.
I can't find a picture with Shelby, except for one where we're all four behind a table at her baby shower. :)

Day 4: for my sister, Joni!

We have alternatively loved and hated each other - but she's the only person who knows almost exactly what my entire life has been like. Through everything growing up, we were always together. Now, we're pretty good friends - we spend a lot of time together, talk almost daily... she knows almost everything about me and doesn't judge or get too pissed at me. We have the type of relationship that a normal "friendship" probably wouldn't survive because we yell, scream, say mean things, ignore each other - then the next day are back to normal. I truly believe the bond between sisters is one of the most powerful in the world - I can say whatever I want to her, but I will hurt you if you try to do the same. :)

30 Days of Thanks (1&2)

Since I couldn't figure out what direction to take this blog - I decided to go along with the 30 Days of Thanks posts that I've been doing on Facebook. I'm going to expand on my short status updates each day. Playing catch up today to be prepared for tomorrow.

Day 1: for the Big Man upstairs, who is the giver of everything else I'm thankful for.

I don't consider myself to be particularly "religious" - but definitely believe that God is the creator of everything and the giver of all good things. It's a struggle sometimes to stay in relationship with Him - but I always try to give Him thanks for the good things, as well as the lessons He teaches.

Day 2: for two beautiful, healthy children and their hilarious personalities. With them around, life will never be boring
                           

                        

Seriously - these two keep me on my toes. Raegan is saying the craziest stuff - her imagination is in full swing (she just told a Diego toy that she'd find Dora and then kissed him!) and cracks me up every day. Jaxson is just all over the place. He's starting to say a few words - Bubba and Mama mostly. His voice is so cute. Love them so much!