5 years

5 years ago (yesterday) we got married.

It seems unbelievable to me that it has been 5 years already.  Where does time go?

I always thought that getting married so close to Christmas was risky and there have been years where we haven't been able to celebrate as much as we'd like because of all the activities that comes along with the Holidays.  This year the last few weeks have been crazy and not with fun Holiday Cheer.  Let's just say that 2011 is a welcome change and I'm praying for good news to accompany the new year!  So celebrating our anniversary in the middle of all the unpleasant craziness this year has been a REALLY bright light to look forward to, not that I don't always look forward to it but it was a day where there was no bad news that day and we were able to celebrate in a small way and I spent it with my love, MK.

Life

Sometimes life gets in the ways.

Sometimes life throws you curve balls.

Sometimes life makes you stop and think.

(My sweet Dadad, who passed last Tuesday at the age of 93)

In the last week I've experienced all of those feelings and tons more that I don't even know how to put into words.  Specifically, I feel that the curve balls have been beaning me right in the forehead.  

In all the curve balls, and life getting in the way I have become more and more thankful for my family and the wonderful, sweet friends that God has blessed me with.  I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that Matt and I have felt.

Here are a few pictures of why we feel blessed.

Cousins.  My cousins can make me so happy even at the graveside of my Dadad.

Friends.  My Freiji is the sweetest and makes me happy everyday.

(sorry Meg the roomie pic was NOT acceptable - but you make me happy everyday too).

Family History.  I like that this is where we come from.

- lp

Target

I don't usually participate in Black Friday shopping.  I find the crowds make me angry more than anything.

 

This Target commercial makes me laugh so hard EVERY time I see it!

Hope it brightens your day!

 

Target 2-Day Sale Commercial

- lp

Blessed

With recent events that have happened in our life I've come to appreciate how blessed we truly are when it comes to friends and family (both local and far away).

I don't think it's too often that MK and I need some help or have some needs where need to call on friends and family but this week we have had some obstacles.  How do I know that we're blessed?  That without asking we have friends who have gone out of their way and called to check on us and family members who have bent over backwards to make sure we had the easiest time as possible.  

There are even those friends who don't know what is really going on with us (which by the way is nothing too crazy, just some minor health issues being taken care of and part of journey, that at some point I'll share) and have just reached out or sent sweet encouraging messages.

It's all appreciated and I am confident it's all because of the love and common bond we share in God.  It's a great feeling.

Also, MK has been a great nurse! I've been a little out of it and basically in bed and he has done all that he can to make me more comfortable.  And he indulged my decorating fetish with a nice purchase.  Although...last night he might have hit his breaking point...case in point...he threatened me with drool.   I'll leave it at that.  He is a good hubby.

In other news, it's not hard to spend time in bed when there are little ones like this to keep you company.

- lp

I Voted

I Voted.

Did you vote?

A few weeks ago MK suggested that we partake in early voting. I thought about it and decided no I did not want to vote early.  Here were my reasons:

1. As an American I have been blessed by God to have a government that allows me to have a say in who runs this great country.

2. Also as an American Woman I have the privilege to go to the polls to vote without fear of being discriminated against or harmed.  I remember when the first time I saw Iraqi voting taking place and women were able to go to the polls and vote, the pictures of it moved me.  If these brave women could decide to walk to the polls and vote and hold up their ink stained fingers then I could take the time on Election Day to go to my polls and vote.  Also there are many women in this world that today still do not have the rights that I have, so I felt like for their sakes I wanted to go to the polls and vote on the appointed Election Day.

3. I believe that it is my duty and Christian woman to participate in the these elections in order to help our country turn around from it's current wordly state.  Now I am not saying that all the candidates that we have are righteous, in fact sometimes I feel like I'm voting for the lesser of two evils.  But since our country is set up to elect our officials I should participate and have a say.

Now let me just remind everyone that I am not a political analyst, activist, or expert.  Nor am I overly informed about political issues.  But I do try to learn enough to make a good decision.  

I hope that if you feel like you should vote that you did vote (no matter who or what you voted for).  It's your way to have a voice in what is being done in this country.  I understand others exercising their right not to vote, if you don't know what or who you're voting for then it's probably best not to vote, or if you don't feel like it is your duty to vote you're entitled to that opinion as well.

- patriot lp