Cliche Thanksgiving post

I wanted to take a few minutes (while the babies are asleep)  to let everyone know what I'm thankful for this year and why.

I am thankful for my family, and all the support and laughter they have given me this year. We have had our share of fights but we reconcile much faster than we used to. They have been a great support while I'm out here in KS. Even while they made a lot of changes in their lives that have made them stressed, they never turned me down when I needed something. They never fail to make me smile with the endless banter in the group chats. (Yes, we have many) My mom and aunt Lauren are ALWAYS there when I need advice with something, or if I'm just feeling homesick and need a chat. My family includes Trey's family as well. They have been so supportive and helpful with a wide range of things, from storing my broken car, to letting Trey use the truck to pick me up from the airport, to taking great care of my cats!

    Planning a wedding is not easy even if you are just running off to a different continent. I have had an AMAZING group of women who have helped and supported me the last year through this long process. They have told me when I'm being too ambitious and that certain things simply won't work. When ever I need help with anything I can reach out will get at least 1, if not all 5, of them offering suggestions.  I still can't believe that in just over a month I will be married!!!!!!!!

    I am very thankful for Trey, and him putting up with me the last year. Long distance relationships are super hard. We have had many miscommunication, which lead to fights. He is patient with me while I pout and don't talk to him for a few hours, ok more like all day. We have done fairly well at keeping our promise to never go to bed angry with one another. He puts up with my crazy and loves me anyway, which I know is not easy sometimes. ;) 

    My job has given me countless adventures, and taught me so much. I have gone to the Cayman, twice! I collected so many shells and loved to just watch the waves crash on the beaches. I also got to go to Belgium and tour the cities. I saw some really pretty buildings, and very narrow streets. It has also provided me with a place to live and financial security, which has allowed me to pay for my wedding and help others out. 

    This year I have made some new friends. They have made living so far from home, a lot easier. It's amazing to have friends I can go to on the weekends just to hang out with and watch movies with. From doing their make-up, to going to the Ren Fair, this year with you guys has been awesome. I'm excited to see what trouble we will cause next. I have so many friends I could list and thank for all the amazing little things you all have done, from feeding my addiction of soft mints, to sending cards and coloring books, or just texting me when I am having a bad day.

 Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement this year! I love you all and can't wait to see you all really soon!!!!! <3

Memories

Life hasn't been easy, but then, no ones is. I have been so homesick since my last visit home. The holidays and colder weather don't seem to be helping.  I spend a lot of time in the house with the babies which leaves me to get in my own head. Usually this leads to anxiety issues, lately though I've been thinking about how things used to be. Things me and my sisters did growing up, playing side all summer, showing goats and going to all the fairs. Baking with Shay when he was little and needed a chair to reach the counter. Painting the girls nails, and drawing mustaches and uni-brows on all of them before Lauren woke up.  Remembering the first time I realized Trey liked me. It was like the second or third time we had hung out at school. We walked around for a bit talking about the "black-sheep" of our families.   We swapped many stories of things our aunts and uncles had done as kids. We went to the Cyber Cafe and sat by the window and kept talking. I was staring out the window, and he was just watching me. We talked for a bit more then had to go to class. That was more than 4 years ago, the weeks that followed we talked more and more. My friends started to notice that he was with me when ever I was at school. Im pretty sure he came to school just to see me a few times. I could go through a thousand little moments like that. Where he didn't say anything but I new he loved me.

Little things, little moments with the people I love, those are what I miss the most. Trey and I are constantly saying how we miss the little things. Cuddling after a bad day, food shopping, driving around singing loudly, and many more little moments we didn't expect to miss. If there was one thing we have learned through this LDR, is to cherish the small things, and never take them for granted.
I will be home for a visit soon, I am very excited about spending thanksgiving with our families. :)