Thanksgiving 2007

Rhett and I spent our first Thanksgiving with the Richins this year. Every year we've spent time with my side of the family and Welene decided to protest this year. I'm glad she did, because it was a lot of fun. I cooked a turkey and with everything else that people brought, it turned out fabulous. This is a family picture we took for our Christmas cards this year. We decided to do a Hawaiian theme to commemorate our family trip to Hawaii.

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for my family and friends...those who continually love and support me. I'm especially grateful for Rhett and his patience and love. He truly is the perfect man for me and I'm grateful that I've been blessed to have found him and have him in my life. And although I don't enjoy working 40 hours a week, I'm grateful to have a job that helps pay the bills. The economy is so rocky right now that none of us seem to know when we might not be able to do just that. I'm also very thankful to my parents who have taught me everything that I am. They've taught me how to love, responsibility, a love of learning, and the gospel. They are a great example to me and I hope that I have a chance to raise kids some day with as much love as they did. Thank you!

7 Things You Might Not Know About Me:

Okay, I was tagged to do this days ago, but I just couldn't think of seven things. I've thought of a couple so far and I'm hoping by the time I'm done writing those, something else will come to me. For those of you who haven't done this yet...you are now tagged!

1) I LOVE genetics. I think it's the most amazing thing in the world. A lot of scientists believe the whole "big bang" theory, but with how complicated the human body is...there's just no way. And our DNA and how the body works to function every day is just a testament to me that there is a supreme being. If I could have any job in the world, I'd probably want to be in a lab somewhere finding cures to diseases and finding out for myself just how the human body and mind works.

2) I love eating vegetables. I don't know if that's weird or not...but I do. If I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life (veggies, fruit, meat, dessert, etc.), I would choose to eat my veggies!

3) I love being creative. I think it's because I'm stuck behind a computer all day long and when I get home I need an outlet. I enjoy scrapbooking, quilting, phototgraphy, card making...just about anything that's creative.

4) I enjoy riding four-wheelers, sand-rails, and off-road trucks. Not only to be a passenger, but actually drive myself. There's such an exhilerating feeling when your back wheels are sliding and you're flying in to a turn!

5) I think that Hawaii most resembles what I picture Heaven to be like. I've never seen anything more beautiful.

6) I HATE to dust! Of all the chores that need to be done that is the one I just don't do. I would much rather scrub a toilet than dust!

7) I love music! I have music playing just about every waking moment. I bring CD's to work and listen all day to whatever I'm in the mood for. When I take a shower, I crank the music. When I'm doing laundry, I crank the music. And I love all genres...country, hip hop, rock, easy listening. I have my favorites, but there's something beautiful about it all.

Yay! I can't believe I actually thought of 7 things! Now it's your turn!

Pictures from Phoenix

I'm not really quite sure how to arrange all of this yet...but I wanted to post a few pictures from my trip to Phoenix this weekend. The bottom is of Erin and Keiya. The top picture is of the Estes family: Hollie, Jared, Addison, and baby Urban. The middle picture is of Ms. Addison Rose. Thanks so much for letting me stay with you, Erin, and thanks for having us over for dinner Hollie and family. I love you all very much!

Phabulous Phoenix

I had the pleasure this weekend to visit Phoenix, Arizona where my long-time friend Erin and my cousin Hollie live. It was so good to see them both. I hadn't seen Hollie in a couple of years and I think the only time I've ever seen her husband, Jared, was at their wedding. They recently had a new addition to their family, and it was so much fun to see them all. Once I figure out how to use this thing I'll post pictures. Their little girl is adorable and their new little boy is just precious. We spent a few hours eating and talking and catching up. I love Hollie. It was so good to see her and her family.

Erin and I have been friends since the 7th grade and since we've been "adults" we haven't spent a lot of time together. We'll get together when we happen to be in San Marcos at the same time, but that's usually only for an hour or two once a year. So to spend three full days with her and her too-cute-for-words daughter was a real treat. We spent a lot of time talking and shopping and trying to tackle some of life's challenges. We didn't solve the world's problems or anything, but it was sure nice to have someone to talk to and to try and be there for a friend. As crazy as it sounds, sometimes I forget how important friends are. I feel like my life is good, but ordinary. My job doesn't really change, I don't have kids, my marriage is "normal"...I feel like I don't always have a lot to talk about. And that often prevents me from calling up friends, because I don't always feel like I have a whole lot to say. But I love my friends and I realized this weekend that I need to keep in touch better. Even if I don't have a lot going on, I like to hear everything that's going on in my friends' lives. And if I can help out even a smidgeon of a bit...I want to.

Anyways...hopefully this works. This is my first attempt at posting something to my blog...so wish me luck!