I Am Thankful

Today I just want to reflect on everything that I am thankful for. I think sometimes we all forget that we have alot to be thankful for and sometimes it helps to be reminded.

• I am thankful first and foremost for God always providing for me and my family's needs no matter how big or small! I have learned alot this year to not worry about the small stuff (or the big stuff for that matter) and to just let God have it and He'll take care of it! Not always in my timing but in His perfect timing!
• A husband that will give me the world and tries to whenever possible. He is a very hard worker. He works alot of long hours, but he always makes sure we have everything we need and most things that I want ;) even if sometimes he doesn't understand why I want (aka need) them!
• Parent's that are some of my very best friends! I would truly be lost without them! They have always been there (and always will be) cheering me on and without them I would not be where I am today.
• My sister and brother that I would do anything for! Kim & I may not always see eye to eye on everything but we always have eachother's back! She brought a wonderful brother in law & the most adorable nephew into my life! I am proud of her and the person she has become! I am thankful for my lil bubba, because I know that no matter what he will always be there. We have been through alot with him, but it has all worked out for the best. He always keeps us on our toes and is the proudest uncle to our sweet nephew! I am thankful that he's here this Thanksgiving and not in California!
• My adorable, oh so sweet (well most of the time...hehe!) nephew! He makes me life and smile no matter what! He has taught me to see the world through his eyes. I love how he says Kel Kel and I love you and he can always make me laugh! I love how excited he gest when he sees me! I love that he would live outside if his momma would let him and that he's 100% boy! I love that he will still let us hold him (well sometimes) and that he is always willing to give the sweetest hugs!
• For my grandparent's...these two mean more to me than they'll ever know! I would definitely not be here without them today! They have helped me get through school and have always believed in me. If I've ever needed anything (or still do) they are never more than a phone call away.
• I am thankful that in just a few short weeks I will be getting my degree, something that will be an asset to me all of my life and will allow me to do something that I absolutely love and can't imagine myself doing anything else!
• I am thankful for a wonderful student teaching experience! This is something that I have prayed for, for a very long time! I have been blessed to have had 2 very WONDERFUL mentor teachers!
• I am thankful that my best friend (who I've had since I was 6) was finally able to move back home in September! She is a wonderful mother to a beautiful baby girl and has always been such a wonderful friend to me!
• I am thankful for the wonderful teaching job that God has in store for me, at just the right place that He picked out for me!

I have so much to be thankful for and I'm sure I've forgotten something or someone, so if I have please forgive me! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and get to spend alot of time with your family. We will spend it at Kim's where there will be good food and lots of family!

One Year Ago Today!!

One year ago today my baby brother started his journey of Marine bootcamp! A year ago was by far one of the HARDEST times in my life. It was SO hard to see my brother load up on a bus and know that we wouldn't see him for another 3 months. He missed his 19th birthday, my sister's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's at home and it just kept feeling surreal. I remember getting that first letter from him and you would have thought that Christmas came early that day and in fact it did! I really do believe that everything happens for a reason and all I can say is I will always support my baby brother in whatever he decides to do and love him just the same! I was the 1st person to get to him the day we got to see him and boy that was a great feeling!

Lil Bubba,

First and foremost I am so proud of the man you have become! You left here last year my carefree, 18 year old baby brother and came back a man! It was the BEST feeling in the whole wide world to be able to finally see you and then to be the first person to hug you in San Diego! I love you so much and will always love and support you no matter what! You know that no matter what I will always be on your side! I pray that you find all you want in life and that you see that you really do deserve to have all the best that life has to offer! I love you and no matter what am so glad that you're home!

Love,

Your Big Sis

Happy 2nd Birthday Aaron!

Happy 2nd Birthday to the most adorable nephew in the whole wide world even if it is a day early!

I can't believe my sweet nephew is no longer a baby but a full blown toddler who makes me laugh constantly! 2 years ago today little did we know that at 9;30 that night our lives would forever change when Guy called and said they "might" be staying at the hospital...well that was good enough for us and before they could say no we were all there waiting on my sweet nephew to be born! At 2:37 on October 2nd by sweet Aaron Baron made his way into this world and changed all of our lives forever!

Aaron,

I know you can't read this (but someday you will be able to) but I want you to know that being your aunt is one of the greatest jobs I could ever have hoped for and I can't imagine life without you! I love that you call me Kel Kel now and that you are so excited to see me all the time! I love how you would live outside if your momma would let you, I love how you say I love you and most of all I love you more than you'll ever be able to imagine! Your 1st birthday picture is sitting in my living room and I can't believe that you are 2 already! You are so sweet (well most of the time!) and are so much fun to be around! Uncle Brian and I love you very much! We can't wait to see you Sunday and celebrate your birthday with you! Don't worry you know whatever you want your Aunt Kel Kel will get you!

A very proud aunt & uncle!

This picture makes me laugh so much!

Our sweet Aaron Baron

1st Birthday!

Can't believe you're 2 already! Ilove you more than you'll ever know!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Time sure does fly when you're having fun!! This has been a busy year for Brian and I and the summer was no different!! I can hardly believe that August is nearly over and before we know it we will be getting ready for Aaron's 2nd birthday and the holidays!!

I really can't remember what I last blogged about, but here's what we've been up to lately:

• My lil bubba came home for good on August 7th! It was very fun to be able to surprise everyone with him being home! He called me early that morning and told me that he was flying home (he has already been given his final papers, but was going to have to wait for 3 days before the Marines could process a bus ticket for him) so he got a flight out of San Diego and was on his way home! A friend picked him up at the airport and I met them that afternoon. I took him to the bank to see Kim and she immediately started crying! It had been 5 months since we last saw him! Then we were able to surprise my moma nd Granny and that was fun! I wasn't with them when they went to surprise dad, but I heard that was great too!
• We went to see George Strait on August 8th (yes Lil Bubba made it home just in time) and it was AWESOME! By far the best concert I have EVER been too! I definitely hope we get to see him again soon!
• My last day at the bank was on August 12th...boy what a weird feeling! It was a great job while I have been in college and I had been there for 5 years so it was bittersweet to leave! My lil bubba took my place their and has been there a week now! He has big shoes to fill! ;)
• Brian and I have recently taken up bike riding...and we really like it! We don't get to ride nearly as much as we'd like (or I'd like because I don't know that Brian likes it as much as I) but it's something fun and free to do!
• We hope to get our wedding pictures back this weekend! I can't wait to see them printed rather than on a CD!
• I started student teaching this week and I LOVE IT! It really makes me want my own class so bad! Just a few more months and I'll officially be SHSU alumni!
• Brian is busy working away and when I say busy I mean BUSY! I am so thankful and so blessed to have a husband that works SO hard and provides a great life for us! He works like crazy so that I can finish going to school and I'm so blessed!
• Aaron is as cute as ever and I think he gets cuter everytime I see him! I can hardly believe that my sweet nephew is no longer a baby and will definitely be every bit of 2 in October! I do have a bone to pick with him though, because he says Matt Matt (or yells Matt) when he wants to talk to Uncle Matt but will hardly ever say Kel and he hasn't seen Matt in 5 months! That is one boy that sure does love his Uncle Brian lately!
• We are loving our house still and hope to get some projects accomplished eventually. We need to get our guest room together and I'd like to organize our office better, we'd also like to put in some more and new flower beds. I wonder if Brian will put Christmas lights on our house?! Somehow I doubt it so I won't hold my breath!
• Oh yeah and last but certainly not least my best friend since childhood, Julie will be home sometime in the next month or so for good! I can't wait to see her and her sweet baby girl Olivia all the time! :)

Well I'd better go...I need to find something for dinner since Brian informed me that he didn't get a lunch break and he's starving! I'll try to do better at blogging.

Shopping Anyone?!

Have you already completed your back to school shopping for your kiddos?! Do you have birthday's coming up, or for all my friends out there who are moving into a new house, please check out a website that a friend of mine has just launched. What is it you ask?! Well it's called Linden Tree Boutique of course! For all of my teacher friends out there she has GREAT new Wild About Teaching shirts that are ADORABLE & I plan to order one soon! For my friends out there that have kids, nieces/nephews, in daycare she has great ways lable sippy cups and my sister swears by these labels! If you don't see something here that you'd like please contact Lindsay and I'm sure she can help you come up with something that will meet your needs and she is constantly updating her website so please check it out at www.lindentreeboutique.com

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

Salsa Chicken

I definitely can't take credit for this recipe, but I do thank my friend Ashley for passing it along. I am sure she won't mind me passing it along to all of you, so here goes. If I can make this ANYONE can make this!

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the 98% fat free kind, and you can't tell the difference)
1 packet of taco seasoning (I use the low sodium one)
1 cup of salsaplace
chicken breasts on the bottom of crockpot, sprinkle taco packet on top, add mushroom soup and salsa. cook on low for 6-8 hours. THAT'S IT!!!
Ashley added that she usually serves it over rice, which is what I did and it was delish!

We tried this on Tuesday night and it was DELISH! This will definitely be something I cook again.

Happy 3 Years!!

Happy 3 year anniversary to my sister & Guy! I can't believe it's been three years since you guys tied the knot! I think that was the hottest July day ever...the rain didn't help...but you guys had an awesome wedding and have come along way in three years!! I love you both and hope you have a great day!!