Buckeyes // Give Thanks ~ Days 12-14

I think it's time to return ;) Thank you for your patience...coming home from a CP gathering involves exhaustion, some serious missing, and a stack of responsibilities to make me want to run for the hills :P But lest you all begin to wonder why I go to such events... they also result in some pretty amazing memories which I hope to share over the next couple days here on the blog =)

While I begin the process of catching up (not a one day deal), I'll enjoy eating some of these little holiday treasures...

Buckeyes awaiting the chocolate-dipping phase

Melissa & Dad, our awesome buckeye-rolling team!

And let's also get serious about our Give Thanks challenge...Today, we'll cover November 12-14 :)

Mom
::fun surprises
::laughter
::homemade cookies
::long-distance friends
::family connections
::health
::Megan's blog
::consignment sales
::frozen yogurt
::Friday nights
::completed to-do list
::God's peace
::organization
::help with shopping
::our pastors
::bar-b-que
::Skype calls
::cousins
::friends
::my family
::movie night

Megan
::helpful airline ticket agents
::that my delayed flight gave me a push to do some Bible study
::extra sleep on my flight
::Dad's transportation services (complete with lovely conversations!)
::teasing texts
::Melissa and Mom letting me raid their closets for this trip
::sunshine
::chats with Melissa to keep me updated on home life
::texts from Dad and Molly
::posing in the Des Moines sculpture park
::Mr. Subra's entertaining lesson on the 12 tenets of the Bible
::Josh's driving
::sharing a room with two of my dear CP friends
::talking listening to others talk about music and gaining a whole new playlist
::Catherine calling just to encourage me
::sharing hearts and feelings with the girls at the gathering
::getting to do more English Country Dancing (thank you, Emily!)
::Drew's willingness to share his swing knowledge
::the gift of friends who share memories, fun, and laughter
::the Subra's willingness to open up their home (and furniture!)
::sweet emails from Mom teaching on God's work in our lives

Molly
::His story
::language
::learning
::dishwashers
::time
::reasons
::hugs
::Skype
::conspiracies
::snow
::gloves
::new friends
::teachers
::volunteers
::trees
::walks
::church
::clearance
::babies
::jump rope
::(mostly) catching up on NaNoWriMo

Packing // Give Thanks ~ Day 11

It's 9:33pm. I have a final music playlist syncing to my phone. I'm wracking brain of any items I haven't packed yet. And my family tells me that this is impossible considering the size of my bags (wasntme)

Mom comes in to give me final words of wisdom (yes, I will wear my purse cross-body tomorrow. promise) and ask for as many pictures as possible.

Melissa reminds me that she wants to be woken up and given a proper hug in the morning. Molly sadly says goodbye and reminds me that I'm only on loan-out for a week. She wants me back after all.

My whiteboard reminds me that the day has come. And my google messages with Dad this morning show evidence that one can never be excited too much ;)

My whiteboard which was creatively decorated by sisters about 45 days ago

I have the typical goodies from Mom. Tomorrow I leave for Iowa (where the temperature is less than half of ours). I'm going to see 20 of my fellow CP students -- and among them, some of my dearest friends =)

Mom is awesome about giving each of us a little something when we travel!

{as a note... We do definitely plan to keep doing our thankful lists. Whether or not they get posted depends on my ability/time to devote to the blog. Just bear with me and expect some long lists when I get back :P}

Mom
::God's constant presence in my life
::donut dates with Molly
::crockpot
::my computer
::friends
::heater
::inspiring music

Megan
::surprises being revealed
::google messages with my Dad
::beautiful fall-ish weather to enjoy before the cold
::goodies from my family
::blessing of resting in Christ
::a car to drive
::the excitement of this trip to Iowa

Molly
::beauty
::faith
::love
::kindness
::a new day
::squiggles
::seat warmers