Thanksgiving

As I left work today, I thought back over the past few days and realized how many stories I had heard about broken hearts, broken families, and broken spirits. Numerous people in my life - close friends to acquaintances, Christian and non-Christian - have shared their brokenness with me this week. Husbands leaving wives, wives leaving husbands, family members in intensive care, car problems, dysfunctional families - I have heard a lot this week. And that breaks my heart! Those people have really been on my heart today. It also lets me know that I am extremely blessed. When I see all the hurt and dysfunction in the world, even in faithful Christians' lives, I can't help but feel completely and totally loved by the Lord. I have a faithful and loving husband, who would lay his life down for me if need be. With him, I know we can face each and every day, each challenge, and come out ahead. He challenges me to be a better woman, a better wife, a better employee, a better Christian each and every day. I have a supportive and loving family. Each one loves, cares for, and supports the others. I have a great job, that I look forward to going to every day. My coworkers are encouraging and uplifting to one another. I have a reliable car, a clean place to live, food in the cabinet, and a soft bed to sleep in. I really have a lot going for me, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it's the Lord providing for me.

This year, I am thankful simply for the Lord and His love in my life.

It has been a while since I have updated! We've just been so busy! Tyler is trying to finish up this semester at school, and I've just been working hard! We've had so much going on. We got a Yorkie in October - her name is Daisy and she's been a lot of fun for us! Here are some pics of her:
She likes to help drive.
Here's Daisy with my mom's dog, Boo... they still aren't too sure of each other.
Me with my puppy the first day we had her.

I've been doing a lot of stuff with the people from work. The girls all went to the Race for the Cure in Little Rock on October 11. We had a lot of fun! Then, this past Thursday we had our Thanksgiving dinner at work. Here are some pics from that:
DeiDre and Karee, two of our aides, with Chrissy, a PT
Nap time after lunch... we're laying on hot packs and using the IFC units, which kind of tingle and vibrate... That's me with Rhonda, Chelsea, Brittney, Lauren and Rachel who are all our wonderful aides.
Me & Lauren, a PT
Lauren, me, & Chrissy (both PTs)

I really love my job! We have a blast at work, and I'm excited about our Christmas party coming up soon! We also do Secret Santa, which is going to be a lot of fun, too!

This weekend Tyler and I went to El Dorado to see our friends Austin & Linley, and their 4-month old baby girl Kinlee. She has grown so much since we'd seen her last. We are going on a cruise in May with the two of them and we were working out little details of our trip. It's going to be so much fun! We're heading to the Bahamas and Key West at the end of May. We can't wait!
Us with Austin & Linley on their wedding day in September 2006 - Tyler was the best man.
Here we are with them at our rehearsal dinner this time last year. Linley had just found out she was having Kinlee a few weeks before.

We can't believe we've almost been married a year! We are taking a little getaway the week before our anniversary, back to Hot Springs and the place we spent our wedding night. We are excited about going back to Garvan Gardens and hanging out in Hot Springs.

Thanksgiving is this week and we are planning on going to Fordyce for lunch to see Tyler's extended family, and coming back to Conway for dinner with my family. I have to work the day after, which isn't much fun, but I'm going with some of the girls from work to the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker in Little Rock that night, so that helps a little bit!

I can't believe the next week will start December! Time sure passes quickly when you're loving your life! :)