Much To Be Thankful For..

One of my favorite weekends of the year has come and gone.  

*sigh*

However, the best part about this weekend (and one of the reasons it's my favorite) is because really....  it's just the beginning!  We now have an entire Christmas season to look forward to.  I can't wait!

We had a perfect Thanksgiving .....

Our fun began on Thursday at my parent's home.  

We had a delicious dinner and day of family time.  This year, we had the honor of having Papa George (Troy's dad) at our dinner ...

As always, everything was set so beautifully for the holiday...

The meal that I dream about 364 days of the year, did not disappoint :)

Mom's FAMOUS homemade pumpkin pie.  She bakes pecans into the crust and tops it with..... ??... with goodness.

I was only able to capture half of this feast on camera.  I couldn't get the other side of the kitchen because of everyone filling their plates...

I took photos of everyone eating and Troy and I died laughing when we looked back at them.  Believe it or not....this one with my brother acting silly, is the better one.....the  others were even worse!  You can't see Kandice or Mom (they are at the other end) but the ones with everyone pictured were just too silly to post :)

We'd still like to know what Troy is doing....  planning his attack....praying silently over his food again..  ??   :)

After dinner, we left the boys home to play video games.....

...and Mom, Kandice, Christy and I loaded up and went to Lights Under Louisville...

Last year, Troy and I went to Lights Under Louisville on Christmas Eve and there wasn't a soul there.  We drove right in with no wait.  The same thing happened for us girls on Thanksgiving!  No wait at all.  I highly recommend going on Thanksgiving night.  It was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, and with no lines.....  wonderful!  We played/sang Christmas music on the way there and enjoyed time together.  It may just be a new tradition.

Do you have Black Friday shopping traditions?  In college, Troy and I would brave the crowds every Black Friday.  A couple of times we even drove to Nashville for the day to visit Opry Mills for Black Friday shopping.  Crowds were actually "fun" and all part of it back then.

But now it seems the older I get, the less patient I become with the crowds.  I can't concentrate on what I need when there are hoards of people.  I do however, love to hear about other people planning their shopping route, standing in lines at midnight, running from one store to the next, and then ending with breakfast somewhere.  I think it's a fun tradition to have with friends or family.

The only Black Friday shopping I did was a late night run to the mall (after the crowds were gone) with Jen.  We closed down the Disney Store, which was right up my alley.

On Saturday the boys went shooting.....

And then Troy and I headed to our second Thanksgiving :)

We all said that Troy's Mom out did her self this year.  It was all SO good.  I dread the day that I have to cook a Thanksgiving day meal for my momma's.....  not because I don't want to do it....  but because I will never measure up to the way these women prepare a meal.

If I had to pick just one.... I would say that Mom's (Troy's mom) specialty, is her Pecan Pie.  It is out of this world and Troy's very favorite.  He and Sarah practically fought over who was taking home the leftovers :)

I was on the phone with Troy's Mom this morning and she was saying how wonderful she thinks it is that we are all so close and enjoy being together.  I couldn't agree more!  I think it's more rare than we realize.  We have much to be thankful for....  close families being at the top of the list.

Well that just about sums up our weekend.  I think the ONLY thing missing from our Thanksgiving  this year was my brother in law, Brian.  Troy's brother is a few years ahead of him in medicine and did all of his training outside of Louisville.  He did medical school at UK/Lexington...residency in South Carolina.... his fellowship in New York..... and is now an Attending in Montana.  I couldn't be more proud of him, but miss him being here with us.  He usually comes home the week of Thanksgiving and just us siblings (Eric, Brian, Troy and myself) go for Mexican food the night before Thanksgiving ......and just catch up on life.  I missed him and that time together this past Wednesday.

I hope you and your family had a memorable Thanksgiving.  

Have a great week! 

Love,

Kristin

Just Checking In...

Nothing special to share tonight....  just checking in really :)

My camera has been in the closest for several weeks.  We've been so busy that I haven't taken the time to get it out and carry with us.

But I thought I would unload some of my Iphone photos from the past week...


We finally said goodbye to my Ford Focus.....

And hello to our Chevy Equinox.....

We had put off this purchase (and a new car payment!  Eek!) for long enough.  We always seem to find other things we'd rather spend money on.  Troy and I have always owned clunkers.  When I say clunkers...  I mean clunkers.  My poor little Focus had just about all it could take.  The air conditioning had went out... the heat was gone...  the trunk could only be closed and latched by the Hulk....  if left in a rain storm, the passenger side floor board held a small pond. :)

Clunkers I tell ya.

But clunker or not....they served their purpose...  got us through college...  through the newlywed stage....through med school.  It was nice not having to make a car payment during those phases of life.  Saying goodbye to my Focus was bittersweet.

A big thank you to my Father-in-law, Papa George who was the BIGGEST help in finding our new (well, new to us!), car.  We would be lost without him, and are so thankful for all he does for us.

Continuing on with the past couple of weeks of Iphone photos...

Christy celebrated a birthday.  We had brunch at The Cheesecake Factory followed by dessert and gifts at my parent's house..

Troy had a CRAZY weekend of call.....

Yes....there are times when physicians diagnose and treat their patients while sitting in their flannel pajamas  :)

And then there are times when they are paged at 3am and have to rush to the hospital as quickly as possible.

Troy had plenty of both this weekend.  

Sad news folks....saaaaaad news....   my maternity leave is O-V-E-R.

Wait...  I men Jen's maternity leave.  

Jen and I exercised almost all the way through her pregnancy.  When Penelope was born, she obviously went on a 6 week break.

For some reason, I evidently thought I was entitled to maternity leave as well, because I've waited.... quite patiently I might add....  on the sofa...  for her maternity leave to end.

I couldn't possibly exercise without her.  

I didn't want her to feel left out.

I'm a good friend like that.

;)

Jen and I started back to our exercising routine last week and everything was going well until she asked me to go hiking.  I told her I was not hiking the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  It was turkey time, and there was nothing festive about hiking.  I told her I'd participate in a pumpkin pie bake off, we could decorate Christmas trees, plan our Thanksgiving Day outfit...  but hiking... the week of Thanksgiving...  I was not.

Besides....  I only participate in organized physical activity when I get a number to wear on my shirt.  There was nothing official (or festive......did I mention that?) about this hike.

Guess who made me a number?

And guess who went hiking?

As much as I griped and fussed about going....  it ended up to be the perfect day for a fall hike through Bernheim Forest.   I think the thing I loved best about the hike, is just the fact that Jen would absolutely NOT have me staying home.  As much as it drove me crazy at the time.....  because really all I wanted to do that day was lay around and watch holiday themed Lifetime movies....  I LOVE the fact that she wanted me there.  I take it as a HUGE blessing that I have friends that want to spend time with me.

And while we're on the subject of exercise... we began the "Couch to 5K" program tonight. 

Before Jen's.....  okay our...  maternity leave, we were doing great at the walking/jogging combination.  Hopefully this program will have us back on track in no time! 

So I've been counting down for weeks.....

Thanksgiving is my VERY favorite day of the year.  People are always shocked to hear that...they ask,  "how can Christmas not be your favorite day?"  The only way I know how to describe it, is that for me....  Thanksgiving is like the opening ceremonies.... the opening number.... the kick off celebration, and the start of the countdown to Christmas.  

It's just such a fun day.  The smell of mom's cooking.... the Macy's Day Parade on in the back ground...  the Black Friday sale adds strung out in front of us....  sneaking a bite of whatever Mom is working on.....  hearing Matthew ask again how much longer before we eat....  hearing Troy ask again how much longer before he can change the channel to "something better,".....Dad insisting that something is burning on the stove...  Kandice begging not to be in charge of making sure that something doesn't burn on the stove....an elegantly decorated table with candlelight.....Dad's Thanksgiving prayer (which even as grown adults, Kandice and I still smack one another under the table during) ......saying what we're thankful for....and ending with the most delicious meal you've ever had! 

 It's just a sweet day.  A day with my family....a day to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  It's also the first day of the Christmas season for us....  and again.....my favorite day of the year.

I am extra excited about this year's Thanksgiving because for the first time ever, my momma's are doing their meals on different days.  Troy's mom decided to have her Thanksgiving on Saturday, and I am thrilled.  We normally have to rush to squeeze in time with two families on one day....  and squeeze in two meals.  It makes it tough.  I am ecstatic to be able to spend as much time as we'd like with each family this year.  And now we get two Thanksgiving Days!  I spoke with my Mother-in-law last night, and she is preparing the turkey a special way.... per my request.  She is so good to me... she would serve Chinese food if I asked her to.  She also read me her list of desserts that she's serving.....  it's a mile long...  I am so excited.....   but I may have to go hiking again.

And speaking of cooking......  I went across to my Mom's today and she has already began.  She will cook for four days (if that gives you any idea of the feast she prepares.  It's unbelievable!) and will have everything perfected by Thursday.

I have no idea what is in the yellow bowl... believe me, I tried to peak, but she had it sealed like crazy... wonder why??  And there appears to maybe be dough rising in the Tupperware container.

Yes folks....  everything seems to be in working order for my favorite day!

And if I don't "see you" before hand.... a Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!  Thank you SO much to all of you for reading my blog..... leaving sweet comments.... and for just being my friend.  I am more thankful than you'll ever know.

Love,

Kristin

Election Day!

                              

                                                            Happy Election Day Friends!

I hope that you not only voted- but felt the same sense of pride that I did when doing so!

Walking into a voting poll gives me goosebumps.  Someday, I would like to volunteer at one of the polls.  Seeing elderly people stand up from a wheelchair to cast a vote...  seeing people in construction clothing or medical scrubs and knowing they were on their lunch break.... hearing a Mother say that she can now prove that a baby stroller along with several children can all fit into a voting booth.... it is a true example of the American spirit.  One day- I'd love to volunteer and soak it all up.

Did you wear your red, white and blue today?? 

Troy will tell you that I find an excuse to work fashion into any event....  but hey...  it's America's day...  and fun to show your pride!

We have a car in the repair shop, so I made a deal with Jen..... if I could ride with her to vote (we vote at the same place), I would sit in the car with the kids when she voted, and then we'd switch. : )  

We ended up making an afternoon out of it and did lunch and talked about the election.  Jen and I cancelled out one another's vote.... ;-) .... but it was still fun to vote together and see Nate get into it as well.

Jen took Nate in with her to vote (love his red white and blue!) and let him help fill in the circle next to their Presidential candidate.  I thought that was neat....

I've loved all of the images regarding the election this year...  from fashion (my child would have to wear the outfit below!!!), to political themed cupcakes and even some of the funny jokes.  It's a time when though we're very divided,  we still unite as a country in celebration of electing our new President.

I had a friend say this morning that she was still very torn on the election and was running out of time to decide.

To be honest....  I thought that was pretty neat.

Troy works with a couple from Venezuela  who recently took time away from work (they are both physicians) to fly across the country so that they could be present for election day in their home country.

Troy asked them why in the world they would spend so much time, energy, and money to cast just two votes.  She explained to him that one of the two individuals running was a dictator and would destroy the country if he won the election.  She said she would do anything to help prevent him from winning.....to help save their country, where their families still reside.  It was that serious.   We worried about them while they were gone.  She told Troy that if the dictator won the election, she feared that war would irrupt within their country over night.

So when my friend told me this morning that she was still torn...  I thought of how blessed we are to not have to fear such things that Troy's coworker did.

I know I know.....  some of you probably feel that one of these two men will ruin, destroy and take down our country.  And I understand that to an extent.  But can you imagine going to bed tonight knowing that a proven dictator...... who would strip us all of our rights, our safety, our normal......had just won the rights to our country?  Can you imagine having to fly across the world to be with your family in the event that war would irrupt tomorrow....  over the election?

To be torn in your decision....  to know that if you couldn't make it to the poll today, you would still be safe tomorrow.  It's a blessing that we take for granted.

Though these two men vary drastically in their plans and decisions for our country....  I believe they both still want good things for our country (or what they believe are good things)....   

....and that in itself is why we as Americans can feel safe to carry on with life tonight.  Yes, we will watch the election, we will keep our fingers crossed that our man wins.....  and we may even cry, worry,  or be angered if the result is not in our favor.

But we know that we carry on tomorrow with the same American spirit that we began with today.  

Don't misunderstand....  this is most definitely not a cop out...... or a "mickey mouse" way of looking at things. Troy and I stayed up way too late last night confirming that our final voting decision was the right one.  We compared issues, plans, and beliefs of these two candidates.  We know and understand it's importance..... and how it will most likely affect us more than ever during this next term.  So bringing positive attention to both candidates is not my way of saying "it doesn't matter"....  or  "it will be fine either way.."   Most definitely not.

But knowing that no matter which man wins....  which party prevails...  that my family will still be safe, still be free, and still have what most countries refer to as the American Dream..... Troy's coworker, Sylvia has shown me .... is a blessing.

I pray for our country tonight.....  that nor Obama or Romney's plan be done....but His plan.

And I pray for their families.... who either way, will have a trying post election time ahead of them.

I did this post mainly for our memories.  It's not every day that you vote a new President into office, and I wanted to save a few images from the 2012 election.  But also to remind myself that even though Troy and I feel that a certain candidate has a better plan....  we as Americans are privileged to even have the right to place a vote and share that feeling.

And because I'm claiming that voting, sharing our thoughts and beliefs on the election, etc., is all a privileged ...  I feel it would be a cop-out to not share who received our votes.

Due to issues regarding health care, taxes (and a couple of more personal issues), we confidently cast our vote for Mitt Romney.  With so many members of our family being in health care, we feel strongly about some of the changes that could/could not occur in the future regarding this matter.  Redistribution of taxes is another issue we considered in voting.

And if you voted for Obama today....though we are not a fan....it warms my heart just the same!  I love that you pulled for someone, believed in someone and embraced what makes our country so wonderful!

The last time I checked- Obama was favored to win!  Either way- I'm still proud to live under the direction of either one of them.

Enjoy all of the election coverage this evening!  

Love,

Kristin