So much to be thankful for...

The past two weeks have flown by and now I actually have a moment to catch my breath this evening before I tackle my next overwhelming to do list. I went to visit my friend Kim in TX 2 weekends ago and it was non-stop but a lot of fun. I helped pick out paint colors and flooring for the renavation of her clinic and we did a little shopping along with going the play "Guys and Dolls" which was extraordinary! Then back home to take care of my two and spend an entire week working on editing two photography sessions which are finally done. yipee! My in-laws joined us Thursday morning and we had a quiet mid afternoon dinner. I really enjoyed having them here, I just had hoped for even a few more people to share the day with. Aaron and I were both looking for extra guest this year...we checked with the squadron, church, friends, and even Morgan's school to see if there was anyone who needed a place for Thanksgiving without any luck...so next year I plan on starting a couple more weeks in advance to find some extra dinner guest to share the day with!!! Moving on, my mother-in-law and I did decide to go do the whole 6am shopping on Friday morning...and since I'd never been, I figured it was about time!! We had a ball! It was a little crowded but everyone was really nice and polite at Target and it was definitely worth it just to see at least 200 people lined up in front of Target. I did buy a small little point and shoot camera to carry in my purse (to capture the little moments) in case I don't have my pro camera with me, so Morgan and I have had fun taking pictures of this, that, and the other! Morgan is thrilled with taking pictures, so maybe there'll be a little shutterbug in the family. It's nice to see that she might have an interest in something that I love! Aaron's been sick the past 3 days, so he's been really low key. Hopefully it won't get passed around the family again. Well, I finally booked the tickets to go home to GA in December for my Mom's wedding. It's the first time that we've been able to go home in almost 2years which is definitely too long to be away. It's probably going to be a trip with some interesting dynamics, but it's good to be going home as a family. I think that about catches up on the past couple of weeks. Oh yes, God blessed us with another car 3 weeks ago that fit into our budget. It's a 97 Honda Accord, champagne in color with a sunroof (which Morgan adores). It's been very well taken care of by the previous owner and we are so incredibly thankful to have another car to drive. God has really taken care of all of the details and issues that have gone along with my accident. Oh, and just in case you might be wondering!....this car's name is Noelle! (Yes, we name all of our vehicle, and no there's not any reason for concern!) To all of our friends and family, we are so incredibly thankful for you and for what a blessing you are in our lives. We miss all of you that we're away from, and so grateful to be near the ones that we are.

Farewell to Grace, but oh how amazing is God's Grace.

This is Grace, she's been my car for a little over 8 years. She's the first car that I've ever owned. I was 21 and in desparate need for a car and had very little to work with financially. I received a small loan from my bank and off I went looking for a car. After a couple weeks of looking around and doing some research, Aaron and I (we were dating at the time) decided to take a trip down to Jacksonville, Fl and see what we could find there. This car was the last on our list to check out and it turned out to be the one that was for me. She was beautiful, in excellent condition inside and out and drove like a dream! I was ecstatic. God in his timing had provided a car that was just right for me! I know you're not supposed to get attached to things and I completely understand that. But I think since this was my first real car I did get a little attached to her, maybe it's not so much the car itself but the memories and history of my life that took place in her. The many trips to the beach, the multiple hours that Aaron and I spent talking in the car, dates, going down to Pensacola, Fl and picking up my best friend from college for the weekend and blaring Bon Jovi as we left the school campus. Visiting Aaron while he was in different training sessions, Road trips here and there and everywhere, Countless hours of praying and thinking while driving, Riding home from our wedding night, Driving to Savannah, Ga for our honeymoon, Multiple moves across country, Bringing Morgan home from the hospital, Picking up friends and family from the airport, Driving to and from the airport when we flew home, Picking Aaron up from TDY's, Taking Morgan to school on the first day, and the list can go on and on. Memories are an incredible part of our lives, and there were obviously a lot that took place in my car. Well three weeks ago... I was driving to pick up Morgan from school, it was pouring rain and I was taking my typical route on the dirt/gravel road. Now I have driven on dirt roads since I started driving so they're not anything new to me. I was going under the speed limit when I hit a huge mud slick and before I could gain complete control I skidded into gravel, completely lost control of the car, hit a ditch and flipped the car upside down. Sooo, I find my self upside down (thank goodness for seatbelts and guardian angels) and I'm thinking this is so not happening, I've got to pick up Morgan from school!!! And of course Aaron is deployed at the time. Unbelievably I walked away from the wreck without a scratch. God provided a complete stranger to take me to pick up Morgan from school and bring me back home and my friend Amy helped me with taking care of all the tedious things that go with an accident. (Thank-you so much Amy) Obviously I was stunned at the situation and it wasn't until seeing my car Grace at the impound that I really began to realize how seriously injured I could have been. And I am so thankful that Morgan was not with me. God's grace and protection are marvelous beyond words. I'm so grateful to Him for still being alive and in one piece. I will miss my little grey car, but I have the memories, and most of all God's wonderful grace!

My little stinker

So this year Morgan decided not to be a princess, or a fairy, or a cat, or anything frilly, but a Skunk. Once she made her decision she stuck with it and nothing would do but a skunk costume. I think she made quite a cute one at that, and of course I love the saying on the backside-so true!

I love fall...and so does Morgan

Thanks to a friends advice...I have finally found a place here that works beautifully for pictures. We had a lot of fun being outside this afternoon. These are just a few shots from the afternoon.