Shopping in Lawrence

The day after Thanksgiving Kenny and his Dad had planned to go out riding their motorcycles and Cecilia and I were going to hit the town shopping!

Well, the weather was kind of slushy rainy cold so the boys had to call off the riding. But Kenny, being a sweetie son and hubby said he'd accompany us on our shopping trip :)

It was Kenny's Mom's birthday so we had a fun day shopping all over Lawrence. There are all kinds of different shops all along "main street". Antique stores and food shops and neat little restaurants. We popped in and out and just enjoyed the day. Kenny and I bought her lunch and we had some tasty Barbeque!

After we left these "main street" shops we went to a place called World Market... SO COOL!! They have things from all over the world. Decorations and accessories and furniture! Wow oh wow!

It was starting to snow as we were finishing up shopping. We got home just at dark and Kenny's dad had Chili and Baked Potatoes all warm and waiting for us!

Our Thanksgiving!

Well, Kenny and I had a fabulously fun and thankful Thanksgiving. My wonderful boss gave me Thursday AND Friday off and let me leave on Wednesday at 4:00. Kenny had dropped me off at work that morning so he just loaded up our bags and picked me up at 4:00 and we were on our way.

It's about a four hour drive up to Topeka. Plenty of time to talk and laugh and enjoy time with my Hubby! We're always reading together. Right now we're reading "A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity", an autobiography of Bill O'Reilly. It is actually quite interesting and makes me laugh out loud. So, I (not being the driver) read several chapters out loud for us ;)
We got to Kenny's Mom and Dad's house about 8:30 and they had Taco Villa (Kenny's favorite) burritos and chips and queso waiting for us! Yummy!

Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, we woke up bright and early and I tried my best to help Cecilia with cooking and cleaning and all the prep work she was doing. Then Kenny and I drove into Topeka to pick up Kenny's Nana. She is so sweet and always so excited to see us. I just love her!

We got back to Kenny's Mom and Dad's just in time to meet up with Uncle Gary and Aunt Linda who were dropping off his Grandma. They are all such sweet people!

Well, we had a glorious lunch/dinner Mashed potatoes, biscuits, a whole big turkey and Kenny and I even got to break the wishbone! We both pulled with all our might blasting the top right off. I think we both won (or lost) lol! It didn't technically pull in two *laughs*
Later that evening Kenny's brother Jeff, his wife Jessica and Alex and Olivia all came over and we had a good time playing Wii. I'm not very good, but it was fun! Then all the adults sat down for a nice game of dominoes, chickens foot. We were battling it out and Jessica and I were neck-in-neck right down to the last hand where I pulled off victory! (I think that's the first time I've EVER beaten Kenny!)

We were so thankful for fun times with family!

Give Thanks!

Well, I'm about to head off for my first Thanksgiving with my Husband! We're venturing up to Kansas to see Kenny's family and spend our holiday with them.

There are so many many things that I am thankful for this year.

• God, of course, for His never ending love for me.
• Kenny, our marriage and the start of a wonderful life together.
• My family for their love and constant support in everything that I do.
• Kenny's family and their love and patience towards us for being far away.
• My many friends (who feel like family)!
• And the everyday moments where I can only sigh in awe of ALL of God's blessings, thank you Lord!

I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and really takes time to remember all the things that they are thankful for.

Doe a deer...me and my "dear"

Lol, I hope I'm not the only one goofy enough to "get" that headline. I know Dad will laugh if no one else *grins*

Kenny and I had SUCH a fun weekend at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge! We got up early on Saturday morning and drove a little over an hour to the park. As soon as we got there, the first place we saw was Mt. Scott so of course we drove to the top and got a spectacular 360 degree view of the entire place!

It was a little breezy and about fifty-eight to sixty degrees, but we had layers on and once you got out and moving around the weather was just about perfect. :)

We drove around the whole refuge stopping at all the little turn off's and lakes and scenic places. It was really beautiful. The leaves had all changed to their fall colors, and we were plesantly surprised at ALL the wildlife that was out this time of year!
There were a bunch of really neat hiking trails that we of course had to check out! A couple of them went up into the mountains and over rivers, then a few others went winding through the woods on flat ground with just a dirt trail to guide you. I just knew we were going to be lost in the woods and be on one of those "survivors" tv shows ;) ....there was NO CHANCE we weren't going to survive. I was practicing my LOUD whistle just in case I had to alert someone of our location, lol. But, my fabulous trail guide husband kept us perfectly on course at all times!

Kenny is such a great photographer. He really got a chance to practice this weekend! We were about to give up hope on seeing anything other than ducks and geese when we rounded a corner and came face to face with a huge longhorn! It was so cool, just grazing right beside a trail.

I sometimes wonder what animals do all day, I mean...they don't have "jobs" and they don't go on vacation or play sports or watch tv....hmmmm, I wonder.... ;)
There were sweet little praire dogs running about...back and forth between their dens. They were precious but kind of fraidy-cats. They were munching on grass and seeds and would keep glancing up to see how close Kenny and I were getting and once we got within a certain distance they would stand up on their back feet and start chirping the alarm *laughing* SO adorable. Some of them were stretching in the sun and snugging up together!!! Awww!
We also saw three beautiful deers and got to pull over and get just close enough not to scare them and take some great pictures. They were so peaceful and content. Kenny was really hoping to see some buffalo and just as we were leaving the park to head to our hotel for the night he spotted THREE young buffalo tramping around and butting heads out in a field! It was amazing! You could hear them grunting and growling...so surreal! It's is so different from seeing them at a zoo or something.
We left the refuge and went to stay the night at Holiday Inn in Lawton. This hotel was fabulous! I highly recommend it if anyone goes out to Lawton. There were free Otis Spunkmeyer cookies in the lobby the moment we got there to check in. The lady at the front desk actually encouraged me to bag some up to take to our room because they "go fast" ;)

Our room was HUGE, truly one of the biggest hotel rooms I've ever seen! Kenny and I also got to enjoy the hot tub downstairs all by ourselves. I think most of the hotel guests must have not thought about bringing their swim suits in November. There was a gorgeous fireplace outside right by the hot tub that provided such a sweet ambiance. It felt SOoo relaxing after a long day of hiking.

Sunday morning we checked out and went back to the wildlife refuge just to enjoy a little more before heading home. I am so thankful for the time Kenny and I get to spend together. Just being around him makes me fall in love all over again. I appreciate all the sweet little reminders of why I love him, like the way he ALWAYS opens my car door for me even when we're in the middle of the wilderness, or the way he hikes downhill ahead of me and stops to take my hand and help me down the rocks or across streams, or picking up an empty pop can to throw away for someone who had just left it there. Awwww, I love that boy!

Well, it was a fun weekend adventure in the heart of God's awesome creation that I will never forget!

Camping in the living room!

Well, we had a glorious five month anniversary celebration. We rented a cute little cartoon movie, Kung Fu Panda, and ordered Chilis to go. I ordered their new chicken tacos which turned out to be fabulous! We moved our mattress into the living room and Kenny got a wonderful fire roaring and we just had so much fun "camping" in the living room! We stayed out there Friday and Saturday nights and had wonderful fires going both evenings. We were ever so thankful for all those tree limbs we cut down and had ready and waiting for us to have a fire with ;)

Saturday Kenny and I had another soccer game. It was such a close game this time. The final score was 7 to 8....we just lost by one point. I brought my throat spray with me just in case I had a coughing fit *grins* I did use it several times, but since I was out sick last week I was really wanting to play this week. It's fun to feel like part of the team and just run around and be active!

On Sunday Kenny and I went out to lunch with Dad and Mom and Lori at IHOP. I LOVE spending time with them we just can't stop talking and laughing. Then when we got home we cleaned ALL the leaves off the lawn again. It really is a never ending job. I raked them out of the flower beds and Kenny was sucking them up with the lawn mower and we made a pretty awesome team! The weather was just gorgeous. Minimal wind and seventy four degrees!!! In NOVEMBER!! Can you believe it!? We're planning a trip to Lawton next weekend to go hiking around in the Wichita Mountains and see the wildlife refuge. I sure hope the weather is just as beautiful.

Five Months!

Hooray! Today Kenny and I celebrate five months of wedded bliss :D

I'm excited because in celebration we're going to order Chilis to go and have a big cozy fire in the fireplace and rent a movie and snuggle up and camp out in the living room! I can't wait! What a nice relaxing weekend treat!

Sick

Sniff, sniff....unfortunately I've been sick for about five days now. Nothing serious, just stuffy head, coughing, achey, sinusy, yucky stuff. It certainly makes work a lot more difficult when I can't seem to concentrate on much of anything. :(
I probably should have just gone to the doctor but it seems like by the time I decide it's really time to go see a doctor I'm just about better anyway. I've been taking Dayquil and Nyquil and just trying to get by until I'm better. I've been pumping Kenny full of vitamins and orange juice and making sure we're both washing our hands extra often just because I REALLY don't want him to get sick too.

I even had to miss the indoor soccer game on Saturday. I felt really bad leaving only four girls to try to field the whole game. Well, I'll be better next week and hopefully be able to play a lot!

Engagement Anniversary!

One year ago today....Kenny asked me to marry him!

Kenny's proposal was super sweet and so special! He asked me to come and take some pictures of his middle school basketball team (that he coaches) because they just got their uniforms and their first game was coming up soon...So I drove down to his school on Friday right after work.

They had just finished practice and went back in the locker room to put on their new jerseys. I was getting my camera ready. Then they got all lined up on the bleachers and started pulling out a banner.

I assumed it would say "Roosevelt Titans"....Well I was reading, through my camera, and it said...Will you marry me?

WOW!! I was so excited I started shaking and was so close to tears and Kenny walked forward and got down on one knee and said the sweetest things and asked me to marry him.

Needless to say I said YES YES YES!!! I Will! :)

It was a dream come true! :)

He had already asked both of my parents, I don't know how or when he slipped that in, but I'm so glad he did. He's THE perfect man for me and the answer to my prayers!

I Voted!

YES! I voted today! I saw this verse on a friends site today and thought it was very applicable!

PSALM 22:27-28
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the LORD'S and He rules over the nations.

I have been very mindful and prayerful about this election, more so than any other before. Maybe because I'm becoming a "grown up" *grins*, but I'm really going to have to just turn this one over to God. I know He is always faithfully taking care of me :)

November already!?!

I can't believe this year has flown by so fast! It shouldn't be past July yet! ;) I'm going to have to try even harder to savor EVERY moment!

Kenny and I had FIFTY sweet little trick-or-treaters on Friday night. I was pleasantly surprised at their manners and cheer. Almost every single one said "thank you" and "Happy Halloween" and such. It was so sweet! I stopped by the grocery store on my way home from work and saw two little babies (twins), about ten months old, who were dressed up like soft yellow ducks! Awwww!

We had a really nice weekend, aren't the weekends always nice though ;) Dad came over on Saturday morning and used his backpack blower to blow up all the millions of leaves and sticks and acorns from the previous weekend's adventure of tree trimming. Kenny and I bagged up TWENTY FIVE big black bags full! The yard looked so pretty! I love it when it is all crisp and green and tidy! It only lasted about eight hours, but it was clean long enough to sew grass seeds and make me smile wide as a turkey ;) Here are some before and after pictures...

We had another indoor soccer game at 4:00 on Saturday. I played a BUNCH more this time! All different positions, defense, forward, midfield (whew, that's the hardest! running all over the place) it was so fun, I'm really getting competitive about it now. I can't wait to play again next Saturday! I will just be jumping for joy if I ever score a goal!!

Sunday morning at Crossings we got to hear the head pastor Marty Grubbs preach. The sermon was about Mercy and I really liked the way he explained things out. Justice is getting what you deserve, Mercy is NOT getting what you deserve and Grace is getting what you DON'T deserve. *Thank you Lord for your loving grace! Thank you for sending your son to die for my sins so that I can be in relationship with you FOREVER!

Then Sunday evening Kenny and I went for a stroll down by the lake to watch the sun set. I love just walking and talking with my hubby! I love the conversations that we have and how we never run out of things to talk about!