November

Whew! What a month November has been!!

I cannot believe not only how quickly this month has gone, but also how much has taken place during this month! It really has been a whirlwind of traveling and time spent with friends and family in addition to a wide mix of emotions. It has been a super fun but very busy month for me.

I am so sad that I dwindled away from my Thankful Posts! I really enjoyed doing that. I guess I'm not meant to complete any of these list things on my blog!! Believe you me, I didn't stop because I am not thankful! It was more because I was away from that wonderful technology that I mentioned earlier in the month or was too busy to use it!

For me November started with a renewed friendship. Getting to see a friend I haven’t seen in years and catching up was definitely a great beginning to the month! My earlier post was about Friendship. In addition to that, I am thankful for renewed friendships. I am glad that time doesn’t always have to kill a friendship. In this case, time and life experience allowed us to move beyond some pain from the past and pick right back up where we left off!! I am so glad for new beginnings!!

At the beginning of November we also experienced the passing of my Uncle. This involved a super quick trip to Georgia, but I am so thankful that I was able to spend time with my aunt and cousin during this time. Times like this remind me how special family is and how thankful I am to be blessed with the family that I have.

Then came the time for my brother-in-law to head to Afghanistan. This was a very emotional time for all of us. Not only will we miss him terribly while he is gone, but we are also very proud of the work that he (and his company) will be doing to aid our military troops. This is a double sad time for us though – sad because he is gone but sad also for my sister since she will be spending so much time away from him. She is such a trooper though and her faith is inspiring!

After sad came F-U-N! The sunshine always follows the rain, right?! In our case in was the sunshine on the beaches of Cancun!! Mir and I packed up and hit the beach (and pool) for a few days of relaxation. It was so much fun - a perfect distraction!

The fun did not stop once we hit the ground in America!! I was home for 2 days then David and I headed to Augusta for Thanksgiving with my family. We both had to work on Friday, so we made a day trip of the adventure. Since we are dwindling on time that we can spend with my parents in the States and my grandmother was at their house too, after work on Friday I headed back to Augusta for the weekend. (If you are thinking that is too much driving…hang on!!) On Saturday, we drove deeper in to Georgia to spend the day going through some things at my grandmother’s house. I had not been there since she passed away and that was a bitter-sweet experience. Then Sunday I made the ole trek back to Greer.

Shoot, I’m actually tired again just from telling you about everything!! Can you believe I spent almost as many days away from home as I did at home this month?! Not many people can say that.

Is it bad that I am looking forward to the Christmas season so things can slow down a bit!!  December holds a lot for us as well, but we should be home more, and for that, I am THANKFUL!! J

Cancun

You may be wondering what we did while we were in Cancun. Well, here is a little peak into our week.

We spent our days at the resort by the beach in the morning and pool in the afternoon.

We treated ourselves to room service for breakfast.

 We spent a lot of sisterly bonding time together.

We ate delicious food at each of the restaurants.

We were serenaded by some bands.

We were amazed by a Fire Show.

And sadly, we were taken back to the airport.

Cancun Makes Me Happy!

This Thankful Journey really is working. It's amazing how differently you are able to view things - even small things - when you look at them through thankful eyes. I really feel like the small things become big things, and oftentimes, the things that you once considered big become less important.

Give ThanksPam the Kindersinger
Pam Minor

This morning as I sit on our balcony overlooking the ocean, pools, and beautiful resort, I am filled with thankfulness. This has been a great trip!

Some of the things I am most thankful for ...

A sister to vacation with - It has been funny to hear the reactions of people when they find out we are sisters. Some say we look alike, some say we don't. One girl even said she knew we were family because we talk alike - who knew?! The one constant in these reactions seems to be a bit of shock that two sisters would vacation together. That is sad to me! If you've read this blog at all, you know that I love my family - including my sisters. We have special bonds that I wish all sisters had.

Laughter - If you know me AT ALL, you know this is probably my most favorite thing to do in life, more than eating or sleeping! I LOVE TO LAUGH!! Again, if you have read this blog, you know that is true for my entire family. This vacation has been no exception. Mir and I have laughed A LOT!!! We have laughed at ourselves and at others as well as at situations and memories. Laughter really does do the body and soul good!

Relaxation - This trip has been a wonderfully relaxing trip, which has been great for both of us. Mir has had a lot on her mind and heart the past year, and it has been good to push all that aside for a few days and relax - in body and mind.

Kindness - The people at this resort (staff and guests) have been nothing but kind! It has been somewhat humbling to see how hard the workers here work WITH A SMILE. I'm sure it isn't all roses and butterflies for them, but they really do seem to enjoy being here and are so gracious to serve.

Meeting new people - I have been somewhat surprised by the amount of North Americans here at this resort. I really thought there would be more of a mixture of cultures here. A large population of N Americans, though, means a large amount of English, which has been nice. I know and speak some Spanish, but is so nice to hear and speak your own native tongue. We have met people from all over the US - New Mexico, Texas, Philly, New Jersey, Colorado, Chicago, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It has been very neat to meet these new people and learn a little about their lives back home. (of course, Mir and I have made up some pretty good stories about most of them too - true or not, they are fun stories!)

Creation -Although this really doesn't do it justice, It is so beautful here! While things back home are dying and going dormant for the winter, colors and life are very vibrant here. The foliage is very green. The ocean is very blue. The sky has been a beautiful blue filled with giant, puffy clouds. God's detail at all of creation is overwhelming!

Sun - Following up the beauty of the sun, is the sunshine that we have had. The weather has been perfect this week! It rained one time while we were here. It started after we set down in a restaurant for dinner and was finished by the time that we left.

Wind - Another great form of creation / weather here in Cancun is the wind. There has been a constant breeze coming off of the ocean. Seriously, constant - morning, afternoon and evening. It is wonderful!

That, of course, is not a complete list, but it is a good one for now.

Va-cay

Today I am 100% thankful for VACATIONS (especially FREE ones)!!!

My older sister, Miriam, and I are on our way to Cancun, Mexico for 5 days of freedom in the sun!! I really am sad that Mike isn't able to go with her, but I am also super excited that I am!

I love taking off to tropical locations in the winter. The first time I ever really did that was when we went to visit my parents in Costa Rica. It was so crazy to be in the ocean the day after Christmas, but I loved it!! I'm sure this trip will be no different!

I'm not sure of my blogging status for the week. I'm hoping to be able to add a few posts, but we have a really busy schedule of laying out, swimming, getting massages, and stuff like that. I guess we'll have to see.

For now, just know that I am thankful for Cancun, our all-inclusive resort, the sunshine, my Kindle, and snorkeling. I'm sure I'll elaborate more of each of those later!

Hasta Luego!!

Little Orphan Annie

When I was little, I loved to watch the movie Annie. Today I would like to quote Annie..."Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow. You're only a day away!!" (believe you me, that would be 100x better if you could hear me sing it!!)

More details tomorrow, just know that I am thankful for TOMORROW!!!

BWF

Here's to another post about my BWF, D!!

I won't go into all the details about D again since I already blogged about her here, but I am so thankful to have a work friend like her. She makes the work day 150 times better every single day!! We laugh, we love, we work, we play - all in all, it is a great combination.

She is POSITIVELY the BEST BWF that any girl could ask for!!

Sorry that you all can't have her. Be jealous...be VERY VERY jealous!

Stoph's Big Day

Speaking of Brother-in-laws...

Today is my younger bro-in-law's bday.  A big Happy Birthday Shout Out to Chris (AKA Stoph)!!



I really couldn't ask for a better husband for my baby sister!!

Serve & Protect

Returning home from work, a blonde was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio and a K-9 unit patrolling nearby was the first to respond.
As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the blonde ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps. Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, ‘I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send me a BLIND policeman! 

Last week I had a friend ask me what it was like to be a cop's wife. I really didn't know what to say, so I asked, "What is it like to not be a cop's wife?"

Some may think that this is crazy, but I am VERY thankful for David's job. Yes, it is dangerous. Yes, he works odd hours. Yes, it is very demanding. Being in Law Enforcement, though, is something that I believe God has called him to do. I fully believe that this profession is more of a calling than it is a job. I truly believe that God created David with this passion in his heart, and I believe that he set him apart to do this type of work.

I am not going to tell you that every day is a walk in the park, but really, is it that way for anyone in any profession?! We have definitely had some hard and scary times, but God has brought us through each one of them.

You may think that David has a tough job, but I tell ya, I'd rather do that every day than be his guardian angel!! Now that is a tough job!!

Two years ago brought some changes into our law enforcement lives. David joined the K-9 team and, after A LOT of training, was given Stryker. Now that is something that I am thankful for!! David has always wanted to be a K-9 handler, and he is so great at it! This particular division takes a lot of work and effort, but it is all worth it when you see him and Stryker work! They are an amazing duo!!

Let this just be a warning to all criminals who may for some crazy reason be reading my blog - if you see David and Strykie out, RUN! I promise, they will catch you, but it will be a much better story for me if you run! :)

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. "

- Unknown

Fall Saturdays = College Football

Today I am thankful that my parents raised me to love college football...more importantly, SEC football. Saturdays in our house always consisted of cleaning and football, which is exactly what today has been for me. They taught me to love football, but did not do well (according to them) on teaching me which team to love. Our house will forever be divided - Georgia and Auburn.

Which brings me to...I am very thankful for family friends that introduced me to Auburn Football and taught me what REAL football is!! Can I get a War Eagle?!

Today is always a fun day in our family (Georgia vs Auburn). Although we cheer for different teams, it is always a friendly competition. 3 will be cheering on the Dawgs and 3 will be screaming "War Eagle!" but in the end, we all love each other!!

Waaaar Eagle, Hey!!!!

Thank a Vet

11-11-11 : Veterans Day

From  Wikipedia   ( Yes, I know it isn’t the best source of true info, but it works sometimes. )

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Today is no different. We still celebrate Veterans Day with pride in the heroism of those who have fought throughout the years of our country’s existence.
Thank a Vet today for the service and sacrifice they have given for your freedom!!

Health

A friend of mine is heading to a specialty doctor in Birmingham, AL today so that she can have brain surgery tomorrow. Lauren has epilepsy, and they are hoping that this surgery will take it away.

She and her husband have been married a little over a year. Their hearts' desire is to have children, but the medicine that Lauren has to take has a high risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Lauren and Jeremy (and both of their families) have met with lots of doctors to look at all the possibilities. She has undergone several tests and procedures to make sure that this surgery is right for her.

Today, I am thankful for my health, and that I am not facing major surgery. I don't know about you, but I really take that for granted. There are so many things that I could be facing as far as my health goes, and I am not. That is definitely something to be thankful for!

On the other hand, I am thankful for prayer. I am thankful for encouragement. I am thankful for faith. I am thankful for friends.

I know that there are a lot of people praying for Lauren and Jeremy, their families, and her physicians. Please join us. Lauren will have her pre-op today. Because this is brain surgery, her pre-op will involve shaving her head. As you can imagine, this is difficult for her. Lauren will be going in for her surgery tomorrow. During this surgery, they will remove a portion of her skull and insert monitoring strips into her brain. Lauren needs to have 2 seizures after her surgery so they can pinpoint the area of her brain that the seizures are coming from. After she has these seizures, they will remove that portion of her brain. This will, hopefully, stop the seizures all together.

Please take a moment to pray for Lauren and her family. Also, take a moment to reflect on your own health and be thankful for it.

"Did I catch a Niner in there?!"

Numero Nueve - Survivor Night!!!

I know that sounds dumb, but I am glad when Wednesday night arrives and Survivor comes on (although I liked it much better on Thursday night!!). I love to sit and just chill and enjoy the show. I won't bore you again with the details that I have already given in regard to this show (see post) just know that it is definitely one of my favs!!

Mike and Stan

Today is another day of mixed thankful emotions. I really feel like all of these posts are running on top of each other, but I guess that is the way that it works. Thankfulness in one area makes you thankful for another - it just flows.

Today, I am thankful to live in America. I am fully aware that this is not the most perfect nation in the world. I am fully aware that this is not the most godly nation in the world. I am fully aware that this is not the richest nation in the world. I am also aware, though, that we have freedoms and access to resources in this country that others only dream of. We really are a blessed nation!

"I am proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free!!!"

Freedom does not come easily. Brave men and women have fought for centuries to ensure that our nation remains a free nation. Today is no different. We have soldiers all around our world that are fighting to keep us safe and free. Freedom oftentimes takes work, time and sacrifice. This is a reality that my family is facing today.

I know I already talked about my in laws, so I won't go down that path again. I will, however, let you know that I am not just thankful for but also very proud of my brother in law, Mike. Mike is my older sister Miriam's husband (hand picked by yours truly, I might add). When they met, he was serving our country at Ft, Benning, GA. Mike joined the Army after high school, became a Ranger, and served our country overseas in Afghanistan shortly after the war began. Mike finished his term in the Army, married my sister, and got his college degree. Now, nearly 10 years later, God is calling Mike back to the action in Afghanistan. Not as a soldier this time, but as an operator of some super cool spy equipment. (The details are classified - Sorry!! Just know that it is REALLY COOL!!)

Mike will be leaving tonight for 6 months in Afghanistan. He will be stationed on a military base and will be operating the equipment that should help our troops tremendously. Please pray for him and Miriam as they are apart. Please pray that these 6 months will FLY BY for them. Please pray for his safety.

I am very thankful for men like Mike that are willing to go overseas, away from their families, to make sure that we are safe and free back here in America. I'm thankful that he and so many others are willing to put themselves in harms way to make sure that others (here and there) are protected. I am proud to be an American, but I am also proud to call him my family!

No worries! Once they see all this ^, the enemy is bound to throw their weapons down peacefully, turn, run and hide in fear!! Take a good look...these guns may just be the weapons that end the war!!

Love you, Mike!!

Day 7

I know I already mentioned that I am thankful for David, but in case you missed the name of this blog, it is mine and I can do what I want with it! :)

This post looks a little different, because I am writing from the back seat of Bor's car using my phone (shout out to technology!). We are on the way back to Augusta after spending the day in Moultrie, GA (south GA) for my uncle's funeral.

Funeral; David...how do they relate?!

Well, I had planned to make this trip on my own since David had to work Monday and Tuesday nights. Once he realized how far I would have to travel by myself, he called his Sargeant and asked to take some time off so he could go with me. I know this may seem insignificant to some, but it isn't for me. Now don't get me wrong, he isn't one of those husbands that doesn't let me do things on my own. I have taken multiple trips to GA without him and will make many more in the future, I'm sure. I guess what made this special is the fact that he wanted to take time off to spend time with me and my family at the funeral. That's what I meant when I talked about our families loving and caring for each other.

Just like when I talked about my in laws, I realize that there are a lot of people that can't brag on their husbands either. Because of that, I really try not to take the things that David does for granted. He is a great husband, and I am very thankful for all that he does for me on a regular basis. (more on that later!!)

Yes, there is a Marietta in SC

Since today is Sunday, let me just throw out that I am thankful for our church, Marietta First Baptist. This is not your typical body of believers. It is more like family.

When I was in college, my roommate and I tried out several different churches. Since both of us were kids of ministers, neither of us had ever had to look for a church, plus we were both new to the area and didn’t know anything about the churches there. We looked for several weeks – Sunday morning at one place and night at another. One weekend we had nowhere to go, and decided to check out MFBC. That was the last church that I visited.

I immediately fell in love with the pastor and the church members. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I loved the mission mindedness of the church. I loved the sermons that the preacher preached. I loved the overall atmosphere and focus of the church.

Not only did I fall in love with the church, but a few years after my first visit, I fell in love with the preacher’s son!! MFBC is where we met, fell in love and got married.

Marietta has introduced me to some amazing people – in SC and around the world. I am thankful for these people and the influence they have had on my life – most probably have no idea how much they have impacted me!! I have been a part of mission trips, Bible studies, Sunday School classes, church functions, church retreats, ministries, classes, activities, and the list goes on and on. There is always something going on at MFBC, and I love that!!

Marietta First Baptist Church is # 6 on the list.

Phones and What-not

Following up my family and friends, I would have to mention that I am very thankful for modern technology since that is what keeps us connected. Can you believe how far technology has come even in our lifetime?! I remember getting in trouble when a boy called me from another town. It wasn’t really “out of town” but the phone call ended up being long distance and cost A LOT. Now I can pick up my cell phone and talk to my mom and dad in another country with no extra charge. CRAZY!

I’m not just talking Steve Jobs here, I mean all technology – electricity, indoor plumbing, cars, air conditioning, computers, the works!! I seriously don’t know how the folks in the old days did it. I’ve always thought it would be fun to go back and live in another time period – like for a day. I really don’t think I could handle that for long periods of time. We really have become spoiled with all this technology. We are sissies now!!

So, #5 is Technology

"Friends are Friends Forever"

If you are a prodigy of Contemporary Christian music from the early 90s, you are probably singing the words to this song in your head, and I hope you sing it ALL DAY LONG. bahaha!!

If you are a member of my immediate family, you are probably singing the song and laughing (hopefully out loud).

Ole Michael W Smith knew what he was talking about!

Another way of saying it is...

I agree with this completely. Life seems to be getting crazier and crazier! I hate that I have to check my calendar and make plans to hang out with my friends, but that is what life has become. There are so many friends from different parts of my life that I don't get to see on a regular basis, but the memories I have are so dear to me. I also know that I have friends that I may not have seen in a while, but if I needed them, I could call them and they would be there for me.

Being a minister's kid meant moving several times throughout my childhood. We didn't do it a whole, whole lot, like military kids, but we did move several times. There were definitely pros and cons to the moves. Looking back at my life, I almost feel like each location was a chapter in a book. Although the chapter ended and a new one started, I have great memories of the friendships made along the way. These friends are who molded me into the person that I am now.

Major Life Chapters (so far) – Central, New Orleans/Seminary, Huntsville, Columbus/Phenix City, Augusta, North Greenville, Blue Ridge, Current Day.

Some I remember more than others; some hold better memories than others; but all brought friendships into my life and taught me life lessons that I needed. Most also have mini chapters within the major chapters – camp, sports, etc.

#4 - I am very thankful for my friends – old and new. Friends that I get to see and that I don’t get to see. Friends that I talk to on a regular basis and friends that I rarely get to talk to. All have a very special place in my heart along with the memories that we made along the way!

In Laws

I am so sad for all of you that would not be able to write a post like this. I know that there are probably more out there that couldn't than that could, and I hate that. It shouldn't be that way!!

Well, here we go...

I heart my in-laws!!

Seriously, that is not a lie. I really do - all of them - Mother in Law, Father in Law, Sister and Brother in Laws, Grandparents in Law. I really got a great deal when I married David. His family package was almost as good as my family package! =)

I also love how both of our families get along so well. I know that is not a regular occurrence either. Not only do I love spending time with David's family, but he loves spending time with my family too...and both our families love to be together as well! See, I told you, it is a great package!!

I have told David for years now, that he better think twice about ever leaving me since his family may just love me more than they do him!! Oddly enough, I actually fell in love with his parents way before I ever loved him!! They truly treat me like I am one of their own, and I love that!!

I also love my siblings in law...David's sister (Crystal), Mir's husband (Mike), and Bor's husband (Chris). Crystal has really become like another sister to me. I am so thankful to have a sister close by (since mine are so far away) that I can hang out with, laugh with, and share with. We have the best time when we are together!! I heart the boys too. They are lots of fun to be with, but more importantly, they treat my sisters well and I love that!

All that, to say...# 3 - I am thankful for my In-Laws.

Thankfulness - Part 2

Raise your hand if you are a Goober!! Yep, that's me raising my hand (in case you can't see it).

After I typed that whole post yesterday about Thankfulness and started thinking of some of the things I am most thankful for, I got a serious case of deja vu. As in, flash back to my very first post.

"Something new with the ole blog?!" I think not!!

To make matters worse, when I got on Facebook last night, everyone was starting their 30 Days posts!! I typically try to avoid all of the Facebook trends (ie - the color of your bra, where you leave your purse, brother/sister/mother/father/friend week, post this to save all the puppies in the world, etc). I hate when they clog my news feed, and most of them are absolutely ridiculous!!

Those two things gave me conflicting feelings about doing this Thankfulness List. I really debated abandoning the whole idea all together, but then I took another look at it.
Who cares if everyone else is doing it?! Who cares if I have already done a list in the past?!
Thankfulness really should be something that we all practice on a daily basis, regardless of the time of year. I would even venture to say that not being thankful is what has gotten our society in the shape it is in now. Thankfulness seems to be a rarity in every day life.

All that being said...let me continue on with my list...

2. I am so thankful for the family that God has blessed me with. I know this is a repeat from my other post, but I don't care! I love them - all of them!! I truly have been blessed with the best mom and dad, sisters, and brother that a girl could ask for!! Throw in my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and you have got one huge, crazy family that I absolutely adore!! Seriously...if you want to have some fun, just come join any of our family gatherings. You are sure to have a good time - even if it is just sitting back and laughing at all of us.

*Speaking of my family, I just thought of a story that I need to share some time...it involves glitter, a mouse, a gun and a bedroom slipper. See, I told you - crazy - but HILARIOUS!! You'll have to hang on for that story another day ...

30 Things to be Thankful For

Can you believe it is already NOVEMBER?!? I totally feel like just the other day I was starting this super fun blog and now this year is almost over!! Man, time really does fly when you are having fun!!

November is typically the Thankful Month (you know, being the home to Thanksgiving and all), so I thought I would try something a little new with the ole blog this month. I know I failed miserably with the daily photo challenge (props to Mir for sticking with it!), and I probably shouldn't try anything similar to that so soon, but here goes nothing...

I want to make a list of 30 Things I am Thankful for.

1. I absolutely must start with my own personal Salvation. I would be no where without the love of Christ and His direction in my life. I am very thankful that He chooses to love me, even when I am unlovable. Thanksgiving does not truly exist outside of Him anyways - since everything that we have to be thankful for is a gift from Him!