November 17-26--Family

Hey folks...I'm sorry I missed the last 9 days of posting. We were in Idaho visiting our amazing family, and were having so much fun! 

For this reason, I am simply putting a bit post today.  I am thankful for every single member of our family, both sides.  You are all amazing!!

Yesterday, we lost Trevor's Granddaddy Pete Gregory. He was so wonderful.  I was able to meet him on 3 occasions (more than we thought I would be able to).  Trevor loves him so much, and we will miss him.

Our family in Texas, we love you all so much as well, you are so wonderful, and I hope we can spend some extra time together while we are all in the state.

Distance is something that is difficult with family, and as I have said many times before, you can make 1 mile seem as though it is 2000 miles, and 2000 miles seem like 1 mile.....It all depends on communication.  We have learned that over the last 7 months.  I am going to be making lots of calls, and texts to simply say hi from now on.  We love Face-Time with the kids, and simple phone calls are wonderful! 

So, for the last 9 days, I am so thankful for my family!

November 16- Food

Today, I am thankful for food...If you know me, you know I love me some food! :)  I am a great cook, and enjoy learning new recipes, and being a hostess.  Most of my vacations revolve around what I want to eat.

This morning, I am sitting here waiting for Trevor to wake up, and my stomach is rumbling...I'm starving!! We will be going to breakfast in just a few hours, and I don't really have anything here to eat right now, so I am just trying to keep myself busy until then.

November 15- Home town

Today, I am thankful for having a home town.  Trevor and I grew up in 2 small towns that are about 120 miles apart.  I love going to Rigby to see my mom, and always feel safe and warm there.  Soda Springs is where Trevor's mom lives, and where he grew up.  Since going to Soda Springs the first time 7 years ago, I loved it.  Soda is also very warm and safe feeling.

When I think about home in Idaho, I think of warm summer days, and a ton of snow in the winter!

Seattle, Washington is also like a home town to me as well, because it is where I became who I am today.  I instantly fell in love with the city, and felt right at home.

Of course Trevor is my home now, and I will follow him anywhere, there is always a soft spot in my heart for Rigby.  As for now, Houston is where our homestead is now, and we love it.

November 14-ease of the net

Today, I am thankful for the Internet.  It makes it super easy to get things done, and get the answers I need.  It also helped me to save money today on a rental car we will be needing next week! :) 

Internet lets me watch TV and movies, play, chat with friends, and so much more!  I don't know how I ever got through without it! LOL.. these days we have internet everywhere with our smart phones, tablets, and all other devices!

As long as I have internet I can do anything!! LOL :)

November 13- Extended Family

Today, I am thankful for all my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  I am lucky to have so many amazing blood relatives!  Some I grew up close to, and some I haven't really had a chance to get to know. 

I have amazing Aunts and Uncles that have always been supportive of me, and for that I am grateful.  I am very proud of my amazing cousins out there, who are rocking this big world!

No matter where we are, or what we do, I know that we will always be there for each other.

November 12- Nieces and Nephews

Today, I am thankful for my nieces and nephews.  I have 18 nieces and nephews total.  I gained nine when I married Trevor, two were born after we were married.  Eight come from my brothers and sister. Unfortunately I haven't been able to be apart of my sister's kids lives, however, I still love them very much.

Being an Aunt is so wonderful.  We don't have kids of our own, so our nieces and nephews are a huge part of our lives.  Each of them bring a smile to my face by simply looking at pictures, or talking to them on the phone, and especially when we get to meet with them.

Thank you to the kids that are in our life. :)

November 11- Veterans day

Today, as with every day, I am thankful for our Veterans.  To be free, we have to fight for it, and we have brave men and women who go out and risk their lives for that freedom.

When I was in school, and choir we would go each year to sing to the veterans in the homes, and I always got emotional.  I have family members who fought, and were hurt in combat, and those who came home with issues, like my father did from Vietnam. 

We can't say thank you to these men and women enough, or be grateful enough that they were able to come home safely.  I pray everyday for those who are active in duty, and on the front line.  We thank you.

Sadly, too many young men and women die for our freedom, and we can't have days like today, celebrating those who survived, without remember those who didn't get to come home. 

Once again, we thank you for your service.

November 10-Thankful for the little things

Every day I try to be thankful for all the little things in my life that combined together make for a pretty awesome existence!  Trevor takes such good care of me, and does so many small things to just get a smile on my face.

The smallest gesture from a friend or family member can make or break your day, and that is something I am trying to remember to be thankful for the good and the bad. 

I'm thankful that I have running water, and it even gets hot at the touch of a button! Air Conditioning, and heating depending on how I am feeling! :)  The blankets I have that I can either kick off, or grab and bundle up in.  Time that I get to spend with those who matter to me.

Later today, I'm sure I will be thankful for pain medication...

November 9-Patience is a virtue

Today, I am thankful for patience...granted I have a hard time with this.  Trevor and I compliment each other really well on this one.  When I am struggling to be patient, he is so good at keeping his cool, and helping me; and, on the flip side, when he is about to flip, I can help him with keeping calm.

This morning I had a dentist appointment, and we spend more time waiting to see the accounts manager regarding how much it will cost us for the work I need done than the time it took to see the dentist, do xrays, and talk with the hygienist combined!  Trevor and I took turns being frustrated about the wait, but we got through it without losing our cools! :)

November 8--My brother's Wives....

Today, I am thankful the women who have married my brothers....  After so much term oil yesterday, due to an argument with one of my sisters in law, I had take some time to think about both of the women that my brothers have married.  They have both been married twice, and to be honest, I couldn't stand either of their first wives.  I was young, and at one point had to live with each of them. 

My oldest brother Rocky married Kristina 9 years ago.  The first time I met her was at Grandma Elsie's funeral.  She was very kind, and sweet to my family, and has since helped so much in their time of need, and that is what we have needed.  I love her very much.  They have the cutest little man Rocky Dennis, I was very lucky to meet him right after he was born, and he makes me smile every time I see him, or a picture of his smiling face.  Kristina and I are a lot alike, considering that we are both VERY strong minded people, and if we think we are right, we usually are!! :)  This has caused a few fights between us, but what is family without fights. I have so much respect for her, considering she puts up with my grumpy old man brother! :)  In all honesty, he is a great guy, and he has a great gal.

Sam is my other brother, he married Krista I think a little over 9 years ago.  Krista is so much like Sam, very quiet, and keeps to herself.  We are currently in an argument I guess you would say... She didn't like what I had to say about the election, and felt attacked by my comments (I'm sorry you feel that way...I didn't mean to make you feel attacked).  She de-friended me on facebook, and wrote on her blog about how she felt.  I still love her, and am forever grateful for how well she takes care of my baby brother...  Without her, I wouldn't have 3 adorable nephews who are so full of energy, and you can't help but smile when they are going nuts around the family.

Family is about unconditional love.  I hope that Krista and I can overcome the issues we have with one another, because I know my mother would like to have everyone get along, and so would I.  We have so much distance in miles between us, I would hate to have more distance in our hearts.

November 7- The right to be me!

I am thankful today that I can be myself, I'm a big girl, who can make her own decisions,  and if you have a problem with it, then, that is your personal issue and quite frankly, you can go to hell. :)

Yesterday was the Presidential Election.  I spent most of the night watching the polls close, and the announcements read.  It upset me that so many people were blatantly racist, and quite simply rude on their comments on social networking sights.  Sadly, some of these were friends, or relatives of mine.

I voted for Obama, and I still stand behind him.  Yes, he has made a few mistakes, and no, he hasn't kept some of his promises yet, but I have faith.  People will always complain about the President, I'm sure I would be complaining right now if it was Romney as the President-Elect. 

To say as I've seen so many people say, "Obama has screwed us", I don't really think this is right to say.  How can one person screw billions?  The thing is, he can't make anything happen with out Congress and the Senate behind him.

Yes, our economy isn't the best right now, but it is far better than it was in March 2008, when my husband was laid off for 6 months, and we had to fight for food stamps, and unemployment.  Flash Forward to the year 2011, Trevor made more than he did the whole year of 2008, and he only worked 1.5 months of the year, and was Laid off for 6 months, and on workers comp the 4.5 months.

There have been cuts in spending across the board, and the people whose spending has been cut are upset, and blame Obama, but he is trying to help the big picture here, that was shattered over 8 years under Bush.  You might not be able to see that, and I know it is hard when your pay is cut, or whatever issues you may have.

In 4 years, we will have another chance to fight about who is better to run our country, I can only hope and pray that we can all get along, and see others points of view.

On another note, I was very pleased to see that 3 states have passed Marriage Equality.  I hope and pray that this is something that will soon sweep the nation.  I can't imagine being told I didn't have the right to marry the love of my life.

While I have my own personal views on abortion, I definitely was happy to see that the 2 candidates who made the stupid comments about pregnancy by rape being gods plan, and the other comments, were not Elected.  A woman should always have rights over her own body, regardless of my beliefs, or anyone else's, it is her decision.

If you don't like what I have written here today, that is okay.  You don't have to read anything else I write on my blog, I will survive without a reader or two.

November 6-Right to vote!

Today I am thankful for my right to vote.  I will be voting tonight at 6pm, when Trevor gets home from work.  I will be voting for 4 more years with Obama as our president.

I am voting the way I am because I do my research.  Everyone should do their own research on their candidates.  Don't vote solely on the fact that your parents, spouse, celebs, papers, news tells you who you should vote for.  Of course these are great options to use in your research, just use your brain.

I have friends who are republican, and democrats. I love them all the same way.  I'm just proud of them for making up their own minds.

November 5- Friends..."sisters"

Today, I am thankful for my best friends.  I have several great friends in my life, and I am very lucky for that.  I have 3 that are closer than "friends" they are my sisters.

Emily Merrill has been my friends since we were 4 years old, so, that is the last 28 years of my life she has been there.  I am 4 days older than her.  We were attached at the hip as kids.  There have been months where we haven't spoken, but when we talk, or get together, it is as though not a moment has passed.  She is my sister, always has been, always will be.

Kristina Beba and I have been friends since we were 11, so, again, that is 21 years!  Wow, Tina, our relationship is old enough to drink! :) Kristina is 11 days older than I am, and I don't let her forget it. :) Tina was there for me through the roughest parts of my life, when I didn't speak to anyone in my family other than my mother.  We have had times where we hated eachother, but deep down, even if we never mentioned it, we always loved one another.  Once again, like Emily, she is my sister, always and forever.

Angela Sorensen is very special to me.  She is the first person I called a Bit#%.  I'm pretty sure I got in quite a bit of trouble over that one.  It bonded us immediately. :)  Angela is 2 years younger than I am, however, we were inseperable for several years. 

Girls, thank you for always being there to support me, even when we didn't see eye to eye.  I will always cherish our friendships.

November 4-Brothers

Today, I am thankful for my big brothers.  I have two, who are amazing!  We have had our ups and downs, but they are always there when I need them, and that is very important.

Rocky, is the oldest, he gives me a hard time, and is really the only other person other than Trevor who can get away with giving me so much crap.

Sam is two years older than me.  He is very kind, and loving.

We might not be as close as other families, however, that doesn't mean we don't love each other just as much.

Thank you big brothers for being there for me when I have needed you, even if I didn't think I did. :)

November 3- Mom

Today, I am thankful for my mom.  She has always been there for me no matter the distance.  I talk to her at lease 5-6 times a week, sometimes twice a day. 

I am very thankful for her, I really couldn't ask for a better mom.  She is the closest friend I have besides Trevor.

I remember times when I was in school, probably 10 or so, mom would come into the room, and say, "oh, you don't look so good, maybe you should stay home today...." And, we would play hookie, and relax at home, or do so many fun things!  I have so many great memories of her, and I am thankful for every moment we can spend together.

She will be coming to Texas in February for a few weeks, and I am so excited to show her around!

November 2-Weekends!!

Today, I am thankful for WEEKENDS! 

Most of our lives are spent at work, or being busy doing so many things.  I start my countdown Monday morning when I get Trevor off to work....I hate the work week!  Granted, I am lucky to get to stay home, and I keep quite  busy doing different things all week, but I miss my husband when he is away anywhere from 12-16 hours a day all week!

Sometimes we don't get a weekend, because he has to work, but when he does have a weekend, we usually are up to something.  This weekend, however, we have no plans, other than being lazy around the house.  Trevor has a cold, and he needs rest to get better.

On our weekends, we usually make some type of yummy breakfast, and then argue as to what to have for lunch and dinner... (We both hate deciding this)  So, usually we will take turns deciding....

Life is amazing when you have someone special to spend your time with...Too bad the weekends aren't 4 days, and work week 3 days! :)

November 1st--What I'm thankful for....

Today is the first day of November, and as always, I have so many things to be thankful for!  My goal for this month is to write a short entry of what I am thankful for that day....I have 30 days of this....So, here we go!

November 1st, I'm thankful for my husband Trevor.  I'm thankful for him every day of my life!  He has totally changed my life, and made it so much better.

Trevor is sweet, caring, funny, talented, hard working, and most importantly he is my husband!  Trevor has brought so much into my life that I will always be thankful for him.  He does anything, and everything for me, and takes such good care of me.

Every day is an adventure with Trevor.  He is my best friend, and I will always follow him wherever he goes. 

So, Trevor Donley Gregory, THANK YOU for being my husband, and best friend!