Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!  It's an odd feeling: waking up and not smelling a turkey being cooked, no early Christmas music being played by my mom in the kitchen, the smell of coffee being brewed by my dad because he stayed up really late prepping the turkey and other casseroles with my mom.  Just quiet, here (oh, and the sound of Scuttle whining downstairs to be let out of her kennel).  It's also an odd feeling not having Matt here.   But, don't you worry, I will partake in the eating of turkeys tonight!  My friend, Lauri, is having a Thanksgiving dinner at her house with family and friends, so, I'm excited for that (and so is Baby Jelly!). 

I'd like to list a few things I am especially thankful for this year:

- the new love of my life: Baby Kelly (little Baby Jelly Belly Kelly!)

- a so-far healthy baby

-a comfortable pregnancy (minus the two icky weeks)

-my loving and supportive husband/best friend

- my wonderful family who constantly shows me love and support

- my old, lifelong friends who I love and miss dearly

- my new friends and friends to come who are proving to be wonderful people

- my two doggies who show unconditional love and cuteness

- the roof over my head

-the food in my kitchen and belly

- my freedom

- my california king bed

- getting a chance to live abroad and experience a new culture

- being the person I have grown up to be

- hot showers

- the technology to text/email/facetime family and friend back home

- the fact that my hubby has his own computer while deployed which means I can email him daily

- mine and my family's health

These are just a few of an endless list of things I am thankful for every day. While there are things to complain about on a daily basis (luke warm showers, dog poop, missing friends and husband, rain) it's important to remember and appreciate both the big and small important things in life: the things that give you a reason for living and waking up each morning with a smile on your face.  I hope all my friends and family get to spend a nice long weekend with each other's loved ones filled with laughter, craziness, nostalgia, and new memories.  Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

2-Night Homecoming

Matt and I were lucky enough to have one night together where we could celebrate our one year wedding anniversary!  It really was perfect. I made his favorite: my cheesy chicken enchiladas (or are they burritos since I add refried beans and rice?).  He got home from work, the enchiladas were hot and melty, he took the dogs out while I set the table and placed his favorite beer on his spot (and my version of a beer...a bottle of cream soda!) and we enjoyed an actual meal at the dining room table. We talked about how ship life was and what all he did at the ports and how Hong Kong Disney was.

After dinner, we opened up our wine and love letter box! Matt opened the bottle of wine labeled "7 Daughters" (a sign?!) and poured us a glass (yes, people, I had WINE..a small glass! It's bad luck not to toast with our anni wine!). We sat on the comfy couch and each opened the letter the other one wrote a few nights before our wedding day. I have to say...Matt is a wonderful writer. To read such love and devotion being poured onto paper is something I will cherish forever. We didn't write personal vows for our wedding day and I'm glad we didn't. I honestly can't even tell you what was said up there at the alter. But here, we can sit and soak in all the promises and love and encouragement (and read it over and over). I got teary, that's for sure! I am now going to read his letter to me every time I feel lonely and sad! When he gets home we will write new letters and place them in the box for next year. I am so happy we went with this special tradition. (ps: it's never too late to start this!).

After letters and our glass of wine, he surprised me with a beautiful diamond heart necklace he bought when he was in Malaysia (as well as a little surprise for Baby K but that's a surprise for everyone else for later). He truly is the most thoughtful, loving man and I am so thankful for him.  Cheers to an endless number of anniversaries! xoxo