30 Days of Thanksgiving

So----This time of year, I typically post on my facebook status each day what I am thankful for. My awesome sister gave me the idea to blog about it, so I can look back someday and see what I was thankful for--and she what has changed:)

Day 1: I am thankful for my job. Not just to have one, but getting to go to work each day and do what I absolutely love to do--shape the minds of young children. It is so rewarding to see the small gains they make each day that it brings tears to my eyes all of the time! They are such great kids and I love teaching kids. Especially those iwth special needs. I never pictured myself in this position--maybe Kindergarten or something--but God definitely called me to be here for a reason. And, for right now, my heart is content!

Day 2: Today I am thankful for my "home". Not just the house and its warmth, but more importantly, the love and joy that fills it. Today I gave Luke the usual kiss goodbye, and I just looked back as I was walking out of the room at him and Rye laying in bed. What a beautiful picture :) I love to come home to them and am so thankful for having a place to live. There are so many people in this world who do not have homes or are living month to month to have a home. I am so blessed to have shelter especially as the weather grows colder!

Rye-13 Weeks:)

Lots have happened in the last few weeks! I have gotten to go visit my ADORABLE niece Adelyn. She was fabulous! We went shopping all day on Saturday for some post-baby clothes for Tasha! Addie was AWESOME and we had such a blast! It was such a blessing to spend time up there with them.

It was also nice to get some one on one time with my crazy little brother Dillon and live through him and reminisce my college years! He is having a blast and seems to make us think he is actually working hard this year...haha ...I know he is!!

Last week we were also blessed ot have our Swedish sister Helena and her daugher Magdelena come home! It was awesome to spend time with them too!

I have to write about Rye's latest! She is getting bigger, barely fits her kennel, AND is finally ringing the bell to tell us she needs to use the bathroom! What a pumpkin....we absolutely love her and would not trade her for the world...even though she is giving us a small dose of what having real kids is like (mostly responsibility):)

The above is a picture of Rye "driving" to find a big buck on our nightly drives lol

Well...Married life isn't all that exciting..I mean, it definitely is/was for the first few weeks! Jk

I have absolutely loved being married. I have found a man who fits me SO perfectly....I love it.

I have to appreciate a night of just being able to hang out, enjoy some pizza, watch some tv. Thats why I have decided to blog about "The little things" in life.

Little thing #1: My Husband

I came home from work tonight to find my husband sitting in a chair in the garage, having a beer, dog at his side, just watching the rain come down. I cannot even begin to tell you how God has blessed me with a man who knows how to do this. I grew up in a family that just go-go-goes. It brought a smile to my face and made me thankful for that.

#2: Iowa Sunsets:

I was watching a TV show called "Selling New York" (HGTV is one of my favorites these days haha). One of the shots at the beginning was of an NYC sunset. It stopped me and I had to write this blog immediately...Luke and I were driving home from getting ice cream last night (another little thing:)) and I took time to actually enjoy the sunset once...So rarely do I do that...Looking at the NYC sunset compared to the Iowa sunset....well...there is no comparison in my eyes really! I cannot believe I take such a beautiful thing for granted everyday! Driving in his pickup, eating ice cream, and watching the sunset...Really--Its amazing how such a minor thing can bring such joy to my heart!

#3: The first day of School

One of my favorite days of the year!! Nothing can be more fulfilling as watching 700 smiling faces greet you at the door! I mean...I was happy to go back to set up my room..But the school is just NOT the same without those amazing little miracle souls:) Luke took my picture just like my mom used to, too!

More little joys of marriage/life/family

#4: Jackson arguing with me that "Chicken Fried" is his song

#5: Sunday night grillouts at the Dan Weitl household

#6: Going on a drive to scout deer with Luke

#7: A child with special needs using 3 words in a sentence

There are definitely more to come:)

What Sundays are About

*Sigh*

Where do I begin? I finally conned my husband into spending a weekend at home and NOT working. It was just like what weekends should be as a married couple! I couldn't ask for more...

Sunday---We got up and went to 8:30 mass in Panora. After that my lovely husband cooked me breakfast complete with waffles, eggs, toast, and sausage. I got to take a loooonnng nap, have a mixed drink, enjoy some time with Luke, laundry, and some crafts. It was the perfect day for resting and enjoying each other company....This is what Sundays were made for...Only if every Sunday could be this way :)

New Endeavors

Rye's car ride home!

My beautiful girls: Kota and Rye

Rye after her first bath (After playing in the sand at Springbrook)

Luke on a walk with our pooches

Okay---Soo...Luke and I have been married for over two months now! I cannot believe it. Last Sunday, we started something new---we got a puppy.

One of Luke's patients breeds dogs and had a Labradoodle puppy. We have been anxiously awaiting her! We definitely went back and forth on names. My associate suggested "Templeton" or "Rye" (Where I grew up) and definitely LOVED Rye!

I never grew up with dogs in the house as "pets" and not "livestock". We have only had Rye 3 days and I cannot already believe how much I love her and miss her when I leave for work. I truly understand how attached people can get to their dogs. I used to think people were crazy...now here I am!

Our first night home with Rye was very good--little crying, no accidents. Her big sister Kota was less than impressed to say the least. Luke had to introduce them slowly, then after about 20 minutes we trusted the both of them to be free. Now they get along just fine, although Kota gets jealous and standoffish when we let her out of her kennel. It has been 3 days and we have had 2 accidents (pee) and she has done very well to say the least. We love to cuddle up with her and of course play with her! Its like having a child:)

On Tuesday night, our family went on a short hike at Springbrook (A park close to our house) and picnic. Kota LOVES the water, Rye...welll....she loved to play in the sand! Kota accidentally knocked her in off the dock and she swam...We will try again soon!

New

So, its been a while...like 4 years...since I have blogged. I was looking over my Mexico blog and tehre are SO many things that happened that I forgot about. I am so thankful for that blog to look back on to spark my memory of those great times. I decided to begin blogging again. I am going through an AMAZING time in my life...and I dont want to forget it! Different City, different job, planning a wedding, building a house..wow. I have been SO busy lately, I am totally missing out on reflecting on the great things in my life *My amazing family, adorable nephew *Parents who have given me so much, and guided me in so many ways. *A wonderful Aunt who has taken me in and treated me as her own *A job in which is SO stressful and busy, but at the end of teh day SO very rewarding because I get to be around kids *Financial stability *Being able to worship and have a faith life and to know God * A future husband who I love so incredibly much I am incredibly blessed.

Differences between Mexico and the US

Now that I have been here for over 4 weeks I think it is okay to release these differences...Some good..Some bad ha

My Top 10 Differences

In Mexico:
1. Toilet Paper gets thrown in the trash can..ALL OF THE TIME

2. DONT DRINK THE WATER..ever.

3. Mexican food here, is NOT like the Mexican food we get at Rancho Grande...its much better!

4. There is a trash system, but it sucks.

5. We eat breakfast, lunch at 2-4 (Which is a huge meal), and a small meal at 8-9 (Which is like sweetbread and milk)

6. There is no air conditioning in houses

7. Every street has a vendor selling food.

8. You cant buy flags, and people dont display them..Tells me they may not like their government? haha

9. It is quite normal for married men to cat call U.S women.

and last but of course not least...

10. They dont sell Jumbo margaritas like Rancho Grande! They are just little baby ones!