I'm Thankful For

I'd be super thankful if my boss would let me leave right now, but it doesn't look like he's going to. I'm currently done with everything I needed to do today and am answering the phones. That is, if they were actually ringing, which they aren't. Oh well, I will kill time with this.

This year I am thankful for:

My Loving Husband
He's just as sweet and lovable as he ever was, maybe more. We've been married for a couple days shy of two and half years now, and I can't imagine life without him. It's amazing how nicely we've fallen into our roles as husband and wife. I love him and everything he does for me.

Our House
We've been in our house a year and half, and it's really truely become our home. Milo and Maggie, dinners around the table, new drapes, wicker chairs on the porch, evenings spent watching TV, all of this is home to me. I love it!

Our Church
This year, we finally buckled down and found a church home. We began attending Peace United Methodist during Lent, and it has been a great fit. We've been getting involved, meeting new people, and worshipping God ever since. Those who don't go to church, just don't get the feeling that church can give you; it's just one more thing that has made this year great.

Family
My family has been through a lot this year. My Grandma Hickey passed away in January, which was extremely hard, but it has made me realize just that much more how important family is to me. I've been able to visit with family during our vacation to North Carolina and get to know some of "the cousins" better. I've also started chatting more with my dad and Uncle Darryl on Skype. I was also able to meet more of Justin's family this year as well. He also lost a grandparent, and although the circumstances were not great, we got to visit with his family. I finally met his cousin and her little boy when we hosted them for a few days. I love how marriage has helped my family grow!

Tiffany and Jonas
I am so thankful for these great friends that they get a specail entry in this blog. I visited them in Chicago in March and was able to see their new home. I was also priviledged enough to be a part of their wedding in August. It was such a wonderful day, especially since two people that mean so much to me were married. Tiffany is a great friend, and although our relationship is different now that she is in Chicago, we are still close. I'm proud to be her "economist friend, " and I love talking about "my friends in Chicago."

Friends
I am also thankful for all my friends in general. Sarah J., Erin, James, Sarah P., Catey, Angel, Jaime, Jen, and Derek. You are all super great to me and super fun to have around. God has put some really great people in my life.

My Job
I am thankful for my job, not only because of this economy, but because of what it allows me to do. I am able to be home every evening and weekend with my husband. I was also introduced to accounting as it's applied to a business which has gotten me interesting in being a CPA. It's funny how you think you're killing time, but it leads you to the path that God has set out for you. " 'For I know tha plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' " Jeremiah 29:11

I know I'm forgetting a ton of great things. My life right now is just wonderful. Of course there are tough things that I endure, but the good makes them bearable. Happy Thanksgiving!

Return to Normalcy

Ah, life is back to normal. No one has died, no one is staying at my house, my calendar is not full of obligations. I sill have a lot of things coming up, it being the holidays and all, but I just don't feel so scheduled as I have lately.

For all the complaining I did, I really did enjoy having Jusitn's cousin Chrissy and her son JJ at our house. She and I were Facebook friends, and pretty close ones at that, but had never met in person. Knowing how close her and Justin were, I figured she and I would get along, but my expectations were more than exceded. She and I got along very well and it felt as if I were reuiniting with her just as the rest of Justin's family was.

And don't even get me started on JJ! He is totally at my favorite age, 16 months. He is starting to talk a little and mimics everything you do. Couple that with an awesome personality and you have the cutest kid ever! He is very easy going and friendly. It didn't take long for him to warm up to both Justin and me. By the time we had walked down to baggage claim at the airport, we were best buds. He really took to Justin while he was here, and that was just the greatest thing to see.

Chrissy's husband has interviewed for a job in Defiance, OH. If he gets it, it would bring them a little closer to us than Arizona. Not right across town or anything, but at least a visit once a month kind of distance. I really hope he gets the job. First, he needs a new job. Second, it sounds like an awesome position. And third, we can have more family around.

Currently, Justin and I are settling into our roles as small group leaders for our youth group. My group had a really good session this last week, and Justin says his went well also. Justin is driving/chaperoning a trip on Sunday to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. I will be in Stow for a family thing, but even if I wasn't I don't think I'd be interested in going. Put me down for the Intelligent Design Museum trip LOL. But I think it's great that we are getting involved and giving back. I really feel like I'm imparting some of my older wisdom to the young minds of today. Just this last week, a girl from my group who hadn't been able to attend yet this year came. The other girls introduced me and Laney as the leaders and the girl gets all excited and says, "I have cool leaders this year." Not nice to the other adults, but still made me feel pretty with it and hip.

This weekend is the annual Allen Family get together (used to be Christmas party, but then was held in October, now is done sometime in the fall). Justin isn't going because he has Modern Warfare 2 to play, plus the Iowa game. I'm bummed I will miss the game, but the Allen family thing is pretty important to me. The older I get the more I realize how rare it is to be close to extended family the way we are. I think it's partly due to the fact that when the Allens moved to Ohio, they moved together and stuck together as outsiders in a new place. Couple that with the southern tradition of family and the Scots-Irish clan mentalitly and you've got a closeness with second cousins and third cousins once removed that most can't fully understand. I hope the traditions stay in place, and I realize that my generation is the generation that can make of break it. So I go. I forgo the Iowa game and schlep myself up to Stow. I never regret it, but sometimes I have to remind myself why I do it.