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Thanksgiving break was wonderful, but it was such a teaser! Coming back to my dorm felt oddly like returning home after a vacation.  I don't know if I like how that felt. Now I'm up to my ears in studying, projects, and papers.  Ugh.  Should have been on top of things.

Now that I'm back, I begin to realize who some of my new friends are and who some of my new "friends" are.  Yes, there was a slight difference there. Good eyes! My new friends are the ones that I missed and feel the need to reconnect with, while my new "friends" were the ones that, honestly, I didn't miss at all.. I actually dreaded coming back to deal with them.  But I guess that's how life goes; you win some, you lose some.

However, I am very grateful for the friends that I did miss. Surprisingly, I missed that house full of rough and tough teddy bears on S. College... Even their dirty dishes! (Well, maybe not that far..)  And I was ecstatic to go over and see their new bunked couches.

Very interesting to say the least.  And of course I missed my roommate.  We were up late last night (like usual) diddly daddling around and giggling when nothing is funny.  Typical stuff.

As for what's in the future, I am pleased to say that I will be hosting my first visitor next weekend! AND, attending my first ugly sweater party! Yesssss! Two goals accomplished in one weekend. I love being productive. Can't wait to see you Susan!!!!

Shopping to the Extreme!

I am now very proud to announce that I am thankful for SHOPPING! Yes! Who doesn't love shopping? The thrill of searching for items through crowded stores and loads of people. It's such a rush! And then finding the perfect top or even the cutest necklace. It makes you feel accomplished. Simply stated.

This year, our annual shopping trip was with a much smaller crowd than usual, but it was still just as fun, nonetheless.  Olive Garden was simply amazing, and as always, the hot tub was bubbly at the end of the night. :) 

The only cousins available for shopping.. It was sad. But it was fun! Danielle (middle) and Bridget (left), and Liz (not pictured) came along for a bit as well.  

All in all, I bought waaaaay too much, ate waaaaaaay too much, and entirely waaaaaaay too much fun. But this is one of those occasions you stick in the pot of good ones that you'll remember when you're 50 years old and you're taking your own grandkids shopping for christmas every year. I can't wait for it to be my turn! (well, lets be honest. I can wait. I'm just a little excited. Heat of the moment kind of thing. I can't wait for the rest of my life to begin! Eeeeeeeekk!)

And of course, to top off the entire trip, Bridget and myself took a classy picture. And classy is the only word worthy of our amazingness. 

Daddy's Little Girl

Today is my dad's birthday! So you can probably guess what I'm thankful for today... DAD! Yes! I am so thankful for having a father who has always been there for me, through thick and thin, through sadness and joy, and of course letting me make my own mistakes.

Dad and I have always had an unspoken alliance (sorry mom).  When it was his weekend off, he would take me and my brother to Sam's Place for egg, bacon, and cheese sandwiches early in the morning.  Then we would waste the rest of the day running errands and mowing the grass, and eventually, we would end up at Creekside for a beverage.  My favorite was always a Big Red.

As time passed, my brother and I became more involved in our school and sports and our saturdays would be spent at football games, volleyball games, wrestling matches, swim meets, and track meets.  I always knew I could count on Dad to be at every event to cheer me on.  And then Sundays would be spent at Grandma's house playing in the dirt.  Dad taught me how to drive the mule, the four wheeler, and how to fish.  I would probably be some girly-girl who was afraid of the dark (hehehe) without his guidance growing up.

Don't get me wrong, I love my mother and all she's done for me just as equally.  Every girl needs to experience her first over-night shopping trip and the purchase of her first homecoming dress, but she also needs her dad to show her how special she really is.  So thank you Lord, for letting me have the best daddy in the whole world! I love you Dad, and happy birthday!

Family Ties

Another thing I am thankful for is my family.  Not just my mom or dad, but EVERYONE.  I'm thankful for every moment I get to spend with each and every one of them as well.  I am so blessed to have grandparents on one side that have a cabin we can go to on the weekends, and of course for having everyone live so close to home.  We love spending time together and creating unforgettable memories.  Some of my favorites include cooking spaghetti on the fire, splitting wood, swimming in the pond, and visiting my other grandparents in Michigan.  I love spending time with everyone and laughing about the little things that most people overlook.  So thank you Lord, for the good times and the bad.  They're all worth it in the end. :)

Thankfulness

I was given the idea from some friends on Facebook to say one thing I'm thankful for every day of November until Thanksgiving.  So here it goes.. I'm going to admit right now that I will most likely forget to do this everyday.. plus a post every day is kind of a lot.. so I will sometimes double or triple up my "giving thanks". :)

For today, let's begin with my roommate Sam.  I didn't know Sam until I came here to Bowling Green.  We became friends almost immediately and began to walk to class together.  Then, due to some unforeseen issues, I moved out of my old room and into a new one with Sam.  Best decision of my year thus far.  Anyway, we have so much fun together... staying up late, watching movies, eating taco bell and cake pops, and of course getting a little bit of studying done as well.  Without Sam, I'm afraid my college experience would have been lacking some serious craziness.  So thank you Lord, for bringing us together. :)

P.S.  I won't title all of these as Thankfulness.. I will probably just disguise them all under some clever creation I eventually come up with... Sus preparan mis amigos.