Thanksgiving -- a holiday or an attitude?

The Halloween decorations are on sale or out of site, and the Christmas wreaths, lights, and tunes are emerging around every corner, that must mean it's .... Thanksgiving??

I must ask, why does my favorite holiday always get so overlooked? Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. For me it's the awesome food my great family cooks up, and the amazing fellowship that lasts a whole day long (and if we're lucky all weekend.) I'm especially excited this year as it's been over a month since I saw my family last, and I miss them bunches.

All in all, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving with big traditions and large feast gatherings, or small intimate moments of simply maybe just 'a day off,' what is Thanksgiving to you, truly? For most people it's another holiday, another day off work (or for some an extra paid day OF work), another greeting to tell passing friends, coworkers, or just strangers. But is it JUST a holiday?

This year, God has given me an overwhelming abundance of things to be thankful for, and I find myself more in a season of Thanksgiving, rather than a calendar Thanksgiving season. From a perfect wedding day, and a very enjoyable and relaxing overseas honeymoon; to milk, eggs, and bread in our frig, and money in our pocket to pay rent and gas for the next month. God has been gracious to me as I've embarked on a new journey called married life. Also, having found out so soon that we we're pregnant God has been blessing us with peace, hope, and teaching us how to have a whole new faith in Him.

So I challenge each of you as you approach the upcoming Thanksgiving day, as we "finish out" this Thanksgiving season, to remain in a season of Thanksgiving. Take time in your busy lives and find moments to ponder and give thanks, to the God who has blessed us beyond measure, to the friends who have stood by us in the thick and thin of our journeys through life, and just to be in a spirit and attitude of Thanksgiving!

God bless you all,
~Stephanie

A catch-me-up on what's gone down...

Hi All,

I would like to start blogging more often, but no promises. lol I know how those always turn out. But just a quick catch me up on what's been shaking in my neck of the world here's a general summary.

September-- we got married. Wow! Honeymooned in Ireland. Amazing! (for pics see my Facebook.) Visited home for a dear young friend's funeral. Hard. Back home attempting to pay bills and unpack boxes. Woofa! Then I decided I needed to find a job, although staying at home is simply amazing!

October-- job searched. Applied at Cold Stone. Had an interview. Had a second interview. They decided even before interviewing any other applicants that I was right for the job so they hired me. I now work as the day time lead. All by myself I go in, make the ice cream & waffle cones/bowls, and open up shop then wait on customers and clean and prep things for the afternoon shifts. It keeps me hopping for sure and I enjoy it, but I do miss decorating cakes!

This weekend we're going "home" for our friends' last bon-fire and then we'll be spending the weekend with my family. Yay!!! I'm excited. Josh has a mudding event Saturday morning. Never actually been to one, so we'll see how it goes. And Micah and Abby will be performing in the musical Honk's parents' performance Saturday evening. I'm so excited to see them. Sometime after church and lunch on Sunday we'll head back and say hello to another work week. lol

That's about all the time I have for now. Hope you enjoyed the quick catch up.

Steph

P.S. Uncle Jeff..... what would you say to being a great-uncle?

This one is for Jeff...

It is September 2009 at last, and in three days I will be committing my life to the husband of my dreams. I praise God for our pasts who have made us into who we are. I praise Him for our story, how and when we met. I praise our Father for the beautiful pure engagement we have had. And I praise our God for being with us every step of the way as we take the steps of unity in marriage.

I will miss those who I've known and who have known me as I've grown up into the woman I am today. But it is not a goodbye completely. I simply am taking on a new adventure, and am blessed to have a "home" to always come back to. I am somewhat sad to leave my close family, but I know that our times together here on out will be only sweeter. And the time with my new husband will be more blessed as I grow to know him more and cling to him in my times of loneliness.

Like a bed of roses that this life is, may my viewfinder only capture the buds and blossoms so as to remember only the blessings and joys of my life ahead. The thorns are there, and they will prick me as I make my rosy memories, but it's what I choose to shoot that will be remembered. May my camera be always pointed in the Right direction.

Thanks to God, my family, and my friends for helping me become the woman of faith that I am today.

(And thanks Jeff for being my faithful reader. I hope to post more after I get "settled." haha)

Happy New Year!!!

Can you believe it? 2009 is here already! I'm personally uber excited knowing that this is the year I will finally be getting married to the man I've been praying for since I was old enough to be dreaming about my husband.

The past year has flown by for me but I've taken the time to enjoy more of the special moments in it, and so grateful that I have. Life will continue to fly by, and time will never cease to slow down or stop, we must simply make the effort to take what time we have and make it meaninful else we miss all that passes us by in our hustle.

Babies were born, engagements were made, and relationships continue to grow. Life is good, God is faithful, and blessings are showered upon us.

I know I may not post as often as I'd like, but it is one of my goals this year to keep up to date just a little bit more via Xanga and Facebook throughout this year.

Here are a few pictures of me and my fiance. Relaxed engagement pictures I guess you could call them.

Great picture. Tall tree. Funny story. Great memories.

And this one would've been so much cuter had the sun not been so direct. A few clouds woulda been perfect. Oh well. =D

We both had a lovely Christmas season with much family, lots of food, fun games, much laughter, and Peace that only comes from above. Christ is truly the reason our season was so blessed!

God Bless you all~
Stephanie

Attention Everyone!!!

I'm ENGAGED!!!!!!

More on that, later.