Thankful

{via Amanda Catherine Designs}

We just arrived home from a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.  Matt and I stayed in Chicago this year, so though we were apart from our families, we were so blessed to share a table with dear friends who have become our sort of adopted family here.  We left with full bellies and grateful hearts, for we are so very blessed.  Here are a few of the things I'm giving thanks for this special day...

a husband that loves me...
parents who support me...
a brother that inspires me...
a job that fulfills me...
friends that get me...
a home that protects me...
students that challenge me...
a chicago family that has adopted me...
a church that nourishes me...
a blog that expresses me...
men and women fighting to defend freedom for me...
a fireplace that warms me...
extended family who care for me...
a spending freeze that saved me...
stretchy pants that forgive me...

Today and everyday, I strive to be thankful.  I have so much love in my life, so many blessings around me, and I am grateful for a day that reminds me to focus diligently on these.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.  May we all continue to be thankful this week and always.

Our Chicago Trip and Thankful Thursday on a Sunday/Monday

So we’ve been back for a week and I’m just now posting about our delightful trip to Chi-town.  I’m sure true Chicagoans (yes, they’re really called Chicagoans) hate when people call it Chi-town, but I’m not a Chicagoan, so I can say Chi-town if my little heart so desires.

And before I get too far into this post, an impromptu Thankful Thursday is needed.  I realize I could just say a normal “thank you” and that it’s not even Thursday, but pssh, why not go all here?   A huge, super, big, gigantic thank you to our friends Matt and Christie for hosting us for most of our Chicago trip.  We were technically in town for Matt’s interview, but since we flew alllll the way out there, we figured we’d stick around for a couple more days of fun.  (It made total sense, right?)  Thankfully, our dear friends are the best hosts, cooks, tour guides, comedians, restaurateurs, photographers,  snow shovellers, and cab  hailers we know, and we had such a blast spending an extended weekend with them.  Christie and I have been dear friends since third grade and we have seen each other through lots of dorky and awkward phases.  Don’t believe me?  See below…

Haha, told you.  Christie (third from the left) and I (second from the left) went to summer camp with two of our best friends through most of elementary, middle and high school.  Any friend who has seen you through from 3rd grade to now is pretty special in my book.

Back our fabulous hosts and amazing friends…we had such a blast with them and loved seeing all the awesome parts of Chicago, especially the parts you don’t find in a tourist guide.  Much love to you both, Matt and I are so thankful for your hosting abilities, but even more so for you fun and fabulous friendship.  Check out all the fun we had in the windy city!

After arriving in Chicago at 1:30 Wednesday night/Thursday morning, we headed to the hotel so Matt could rest up for his interview which was seven hours later (poor dude).  When we woke up in the morning, this is what we found outside our hotel…SNOW!  We hadn’t seen snow since our last trip to Chicago (March 2007).  From a warm, heated hotel the snow is so delightful.  Outside, well, that’s a bit of a different story :)

After Matt’s interview, we grabbed a cab and headed to Matt and Christie’s adorable little brownstone in Lincoln Park.  It was so precious.  As we prepared to head out to dinner, Christie politely pointed out that my Uggs wouldn’t cut it in the snow (as my readers so brilliantly pointed out in my original post about the weather.)  Though I’m sure she was laughing inside at my lack of snow savvy, she kept from teasing me too loudly, and offered me my pick of her super chic warm boots.  Thankfully, we wear the same size shoe so my Uggs were spared.  Here we are grabbing dinner and drinks at a cute little Tapas place a few blocks from their house.  I will crave those delicious little potato delights for the rest of my life.

When we got back, we had to face reality.  Living in the cold weather comes with some crappy details (exhibit A: shovelling snow.)  Christie wasn’t phased; look at her go!

Such responsible and cute Chicagoans :)

Before I go any further, I have to clarify.  Both Christie and I’s husbands are named Matt.  Confusing?  Yes.  Annoying?  Pretty much.  So within ten minutes of us being there, nicknames were in order.  Christie and “her Matt” quickly dubbed “my Matt” “Dr. Matt” in honor of his upcoming degree.  Though I didn’t ever call him Dr. Matt (not unless he calls me Dr. Allison), the name stuck with Matt and Christie and therefore, will be used for clarity for the remainder of this post.  Here Dr. Matt and I snap photos while Matt and Christie shovelled.

But I soon got tired of watching and decided to try my hand at shovelling and snow sweeping.  I was a natural :)

I can’t help myself, I’m always looking for a good photo opp, even in a blizzard.

The next morning, the streets were covered in pretty powder.  I forced Dr. Matt to pose for a picture.  He’ll thank me someday :)

You never have to convince me to stop for a photo :)

That day, the four of us headed downtown for a little shopping (ok, maybe more than a little) and some yummy dinner.

Here come the men in black.

Christie showed off her best Martha Stewart with a homemade chocolate cake (putting my cake-from-a-box method completely to shame.)  Thanks to Matt for my delightfully heart shaped piece, complete with powered sugar.

Saturday we headed downtown to see the sights and explore the city.  Christie was such a good sport to show us around in the freezing cold.

This is what happy Dr. Matt looks like.  He has been raving about Chicago dogs since we were there last.  We stopped at a tiny little spot downtown for this “yumminess.”

Can you guess which picky eater looked like a total tourist asking for only mustard and ketchup?  (Ok, I confess, but I cannot stand any of those Chicago dog ingredients alone, nevermind mushed together.  Eck, sickening.  I’ll stick with picky thank you.)

Matt and I in Millennium Park.  (Loving the boots Christie let me borrow.  Must get a pair!)

Checking out “The Bean” downtown.  (Technically, its called “Cloud Gate” but pssh, no one calls it that.  The Bean it is.)  And why have I said “pssh” twice in this post?  Two times too many, Allison.

Look, there we are!  So cool!  And how beautiful is the reflection of downtown?

Double trouble :)

Hahha, this picture is so awkwardly awesome.  I am so weird.

Let’s play a little “Where’s Waldo.”  Do you see us?  All three of us are there…

Ok ok, I’ll give you the answers :)

:)

I heart this picture.  I have cute friends.

I couldn’t get enough of the snow in the park.  Very undisturbed and pretty.  The art instillation behind us is cool in person, but kinda creepy in this pic.  Yeah?

Christie and I outside the new, soon-to-be flagship Anthropologie (aka heaven!)  Sadly (but lucky for my bank account) it didn’t open for another two weeks.)

Dinner and drinks our last night there.  I wish I knew the names of all the places we went.  I was so trusting of our hosts/tour guides that I didn’t even to bother asking where we were or where we were going!

The Matts.

In the cab between hot spots.  Yes, I am that person who takes pictures everywhere I go.  Life is short and special, so why not capture all the moments you can?

Our last spot of the night, which of course, I don’t remember the name of…Jasper’s?  Kate’s?  Some single name like that.  Regardless, it was dee-li-cious.

This guy makes me really happy.

Cheers to a fabulous trip, a fabulous dinner, and FABULOUS friends. 

I also want to give a huge THANK YOU to my fabulous readers who commented on this post when I was freaking out about how to balance the snow and freezing temperatures with a wardrobe that maintained some level of cuteness.  Though I was terrified of looking like an overbundled, puffy marshmallow, their tips kept me warm and somewhat chic (at least I think so!)  Many thanks to those that shared their cold weather/wardrobe friendly tips with me :)

Thankful Thursday: The Reason for the Season

It’s been a few weeks since I posted a thankful Thursday, not because I’m not thankful, but because I’ve been super busy.  Today’s Thankful Thursday is important, not just today and at Christmastime, but all the time.

Today I’m thankful for the reason for the season, for a God who does great things, and a God who loves unconditionally.  I’m thankful for daily blessings, Christmas miracles, and prayers, both answered and unanswered.  I’m thankful for birth of a very special person so long ago, and for the countless blessings that have come to us all.  Today and always, I am thankful.

Thankful Thursday: DJ Meegie

So I know I'm pushing my Thursday expiration (it's 11:21 as I'm beginning to type this), but I couldn't miss my weekly post, especially since this person makes my life so delightful.  In a girly, cute version of David Letterman's Top Ten, here's why I love love love my dear friend Miguel.

10.  He let's me call him Meegie.  I gave him that nickname, and as much as it sounds like a nickname for a five year old, he still lets me call him Meegie (although I had to promise to never call him that in front of our professors.)

9.  He makes the BEST playlists in the world.  I swear, he could be a DJ if the Ph.D thing doesn't work out.  Or he could combine the careers and become Dr. DJ (I claim royalties now if that sticks.)

8.  He makes me laugh really really hard.  On a daily basis.

7.  He drove all but one of my shifts on our 34 hour round trip to Arizona for Thanksgiving.  Granted, I had to bribe him with food....(which leads me to 7b...)

7b.  He makes me feel like my cooking is better than Sandra Lee, Paula Dean, and Rachel Ray combined.  He got the word out about my "legendary" banana nut bread.

6.  We share a secret of the "lady in beige."  (It's a secret, so no, I won't elaborate for all you curious followers.)

5.  He manages to be dear, dear friends to both my husband and me, separately and as a couple.  I can't imagine how difficult/annoying/confusing that must be at times, but he makes it work and is an incredible friend to both of us.

4.  He stands patiently in stores as I try on every headband they sell.  He continues to stand there patiently as I try them on for another twenty minutes :)

3.  He calls me on my crap when I deserve it.

2.  He loves Spoons as much as I do.  Even better, he lefts the cashier punch my punch card for his yogurt.  (Free hot pink Spoons t-shirt, here I come!)

1.  He is one of the few people in the world who gets me.  And I mean really gets me.  I don't have to pretend, explain, or elaborate, he just gets me.  It's pretty dang hard to find a friend like that.  So for that, and all the other nine reasons, I am super thankful for my funny, fabulous, and treasured friend!

Hugs on Matt and I's wedding day.  Miguel delivered Matt's gift to me :)

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

Although I post a thankful Thursday every Thursday, it seems especially fitting today as it's Thanksgiving.  Turkey Day is exciting for many reasons (mashed potatoes, the turkey trot, football, mashed potatoes, gravy, naps, laughter, and did I already say mashed potatoes?) but the most exciting thing is that this one day in November we are all reminded to be thankful for the many blessings in our life.  I wish Thanksgiving came multiple times a year so we all had more reminders to slow down and appreciate what we have.  This year, like many people, I am thankful for so much.  Good health, awesome friends, a job I love, Sooner football, Dairy Queen, the chance to pursue higher education, a camera to document my crazy life, a blog where I can express myself, and followers who care enough to listen :)  But the thing I'm most grateful for, the thing I give thanks for on daily basis is my family.  They are the stability in my life and a source of continued joy, encouragement, and lots of laughter.

I've blogged before about some of my family and how amazingly awesome they are.  I can remember as a kid, I often preferred hanging out with my family then with my friends, and today, not much as changed.  Any chance I get to head to Houston, I take it.  Hanging out with my mom, dad, and brother instantly recharges my soul and reminds me how awesome life is.  They are the backbone in my life, and even though we're separated by an ocean this Thanksgiving (they're in London), I can feel their love across the miles.

In Positano, Italy with my family last June.  Such a beautiful place!

At my college graduation in May 2006

At the Roman Bath in Bath, England in March 2008

At OU's Homecoming my senior year at OU.

In the past couple of years, I have been so blessed to experience a major growth in my family with the addition of Matt's family.  For years, I always dreaded getting in-laws.  The thought of getting new family members just seemed weird, and I dreaded the thought of having to share holidays.  Even as a kid, I remember sort of fearing getting in-laws, as I was terrified about having to sit miserably at a dinner table with a weird family while my family was back at home without me.  But the minute I met Matt's family, all these in-law fears were put to rest.  They are fabulous, loving, and more welcoming than I ever could have dreamed of.  Matt and I have been SO lucky with the whole holiday sharing, as my parents were living in London for our first two Thanksgivings together.  With school and our short break, it was impossible to fly over and back in time, so we headed to Arizona to be with Matt's family on Thanksgiving and then flew to London for Christmas with my family.  Perfect scheduling.  But this year, with my family back in the states, I feared having to tell my mom we wouldn't be spending Thanksgiving with them in Houston.  I prepared to give her an intense speech with her about "when you're married to have to share holidays, blah blah," but two seconds into our coversation, she said, "Oh no worries, Dad, Ryan, and I are gonna head back to London to visit everyone."  That was followed with a hug and a speech from her about "when you're married to have to share holiday, blah blah."  Haha, crisis diverted.  So this year, as Matt and I are in Arizona, I feel really lucky to have a new, extended family that is so awesome.  They have embraced me with open arms and really love me for me.  I don't have to pretend to be someone else or put on my happy face when I'm around them, I'm just me.  Their love for shopping is out of control, so naturally we got along.  They truly are wonderful, wonderful people.  So this year, even though I'm not with my "immediate family," I feel so at home and am so so thankful for the new extended family that I've found in the Davis'.

Out shopping in Phoenix yesterday.

At our rehearsal dinner this past June.

After finishing the Turkey Trot this morning.  (Please excuse my squinting, it was super bright, and I was stupid enough not to wear sunglasses.)

Shopping at Northpark in Dallas last summer.  I told you they love to shop!

On Thanksgiving, I am always reminded of our Thanksgivings in Dallas with my adopted siblings (it is the longest story in the world, and to save you reading, I'll use "adopted siblings.")  Sitting around the multiple tables we set up in our living room and kitchen was always so fun.  My poor mom had to cook at least two or three turkeys to feed all of us and the friends my siblings would bring.  It's been a few years since we've been able to be together on Thanksgiving, but man, do I think of them and smile on this day.  My sister is particularly in my heart as she is working hard to play "mom" and keep the Thanksgiving traditions going with us not in Dallas anymore.

We're not your typical family, but we like it that way :)  At Matt and I's wedding this past June.

With my sister and nieces last summer at Logan's.

And the last person in my family that I am particularly thankful for is my husband, Matt.  It's still kind of funny to think that he is "family" now, but as we experience our first holiday season as a married couple, I am happily reminded that we are officially our own little family now, starting an exciting journey, just the two of us.  Matt is a constant rock in my life, giving me the extra push I sometimes need to just go for it.  He makes me laugh harder than anyone I know and constantly keeps me on my toes.  He loves me for me, just the way I am.  Although our journey as a family has just began, I can't wait to see all the cool places and things we experience together.  Having him by my side certainly makes life more fun!

Stonehenge last December

Hanging out on our honeymoon this past July with our new friend (and drink), Pineapple Man.

Hanging out in the distillery district in Toronto this past August.  I think Matt looks so handsome in this picture :)

 

A fabulous sendoff after our wedding!

So this Thanksgiving, I give great thanks for my family, in every sense of the word.  They are awesome, encouraging people, who constantly inspire me.  So to my family, old and new, much thanks for all that you bring to my life.  I love you.