Thankfulness...

Josh and I had a really good Thanksgiving in Tennessee! We were able to see lots of family and spend some much needed quality time with Josh's parents! However, it was all just a little bit too short and we are really excited about going back in a few weeks for Christmas when we will have more time to spend with all the people we love!

In the spirit of being thankful I wanted to take this opportunity to write down some of the many things I am thankful for in my life right now:

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, who's selfless, patient, loving spirit makes me a better person everyday. I am so thankful for the close to four years we have had together. I wish I was able to express to you how much I truly love you! You have blessed my life more than you will ever know.

I am thankful for my precious little puppy who makes me smile when I'm sad and makes me laugh when I'm mad.

I am thankful for the amazing family I have! My parents, who have always loved me unconditionally. Thank you for supporting me and praying for me all these years! My brother, I am so thankful for your willingness to be my friend through thick and thin. I love you! My grandparents, thank you for continuing to teach me what
true love really looks like. For my aunts and uncles and cousins, I
feel so blessed to have you in my life. And of course for my new
extended family, Jerry and Rebecca, thank you for loving me like your own daughter and making me feel welcome from day one, no questions asked! And Ashley, my extended sister, thank you for giving me a second chance. I love getting to share life with you.

I am thankful for all the friends who have come in and out of my life over the years, who have taught me how to love, communicate, change and grow. And for the one who has stuck with me through and through, Kathryn, I love you so much and can't imagine what my life would have been like had you not been a part of it! I miss you!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to grow up not only knowing God, but developing a deep and intimate relationship with Him. I am so grateful for all the sacrifices He has made for me to live the way I do today. I am also thankful for His willingness to never give up on me and for trusting me with awesome responsibility of sharing His love with others.

This is a small list and I could go on and on. It is nice to stop for a moment and remind myself, even though I may not have exactly what I want in this moment in life, I am so incredibly blessed and should always look for reason to give thanks.

Mom and Dad's Pasadena Visit

The past few weeks have flown by!! Mom and dad came to stay with us for week which was so fun! While Josh and I went to work and school during the day Mom and dad got to hang out with Shiloh...lets just say they became really good friends, lots of walks, treats and kisses!

We ate a lot of really good food, both at home and out on the town (thanks mom for the homemade lasagna!) and made some fun memories here in Pasadena! We went and saw Wicked at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood Thursday night which was soooo good! If you haven't seen it yet it's a must! Saturday we went to Universal Studios for the day. Even though it was mid November we were able to wear shorts and t-shirts! Gotta love LA!

(Aren't they cute?!)

Unfortunately, due to the fires that took place in our area the Pasadena Marathon had to be cancelled due to poor air quality. We are hopeful that the race will be rescheduled! We shall see!

We are taking off for Tennessee on Tuesday, our first red eye flight, going home to be with the Strahan's for Thanksgiving! Shiloh will be joining us on our trip and will meet his "uncle" Matti Jo, Josh's parents Australian shepherd puppy! I am sure there will be lots of fun stories to share from their encounters together. Stay tuned to see!

We are so looking forward to going home, sharing the holiday with family, and feeling some cold weather for a change!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Life is good

It's been awhile since my last post. Time is starting to get away from me. I can't believe it is already the holiday season.

Here is a snapshot of Halloween 2008 with the Strahans and the Isaacsons doing some pumpkin carvin'.

As I sit here tonight anticipating the arrival of my parents for their week long visit with us I am truly content. It is amazing to have been here only a few months and yet to feel so at home. God has surrounded us with so many wonderful people who we can call friends. I am able to sit here tonight and say for the first time in long while that I am not worried about what the future holds for Josh and I but instead am simply excited for all that our future has in store. I am happily content with where God has me at this moment and look forward to each new day. What a truly blessed life I live.

Josh and I excitedly welcome our new "niece", Ella Grace Chamblee, into the world and send congrats to her proud parents Ryan and Amy. We look forward to meeting you Ella Grace.

We also excitedly anticipate the arrival of our new niece/nephew in June of next year to Graham and Ashley, who we know will be such awesome and super fun parents. We can't wait to make memories with you and your little one that will last for years and years to come. We love you!

Pics and stories to come of the adventures had with Mom and Dad's visit to Pasadena!