11 Random Things…

I’m copying my friend Ashley and taking part in 11 things today. Like Ashley said it is nice to have a prompt to write on occasionally! I’ve been stuck in a blog rut lately, so hopefully this will help. :)

11 Random Things About Yours Truly…

1. I lived in town my whole life (and loved it.) When we got engaged and started looking for houses one of my compromises was that we’d live in the country. I say that lightly because we do have almost 9 acres, a small barn, large shop, and some woods, we’re still like 4 minutes to town. Love that, but would like to live in a neighborhood at some point in time. So, just because I live in the country does not mean you will see me sporting camo or anything camo in our home. No thanks.

2. I am going to have a niece in April and am obsessed with shopping for her and planning her shower. Obsessed y’all. I can’t quite thinking about how much fun girly things are to buy.

3. I love to drive my car, but if someone else will drive, I’m all for it. I don’t really enjoy driving that much. I’d rather ride.

4. I made dinner nearly every night in college. Like an actual dinner, sit down and eat at 5:30 type for Kody and I and maybe a roommate or two. Now I never cook, he does the cooking!

5. I love pizza more than anything in this world. Ok, not really, but I do really, really love pizza. I will eat almost any places pizza but I really only want cheese or pepperoni on it. Tonight we’re having a no carb pizza. I will blog if the reviews are good!

6. I love the beach. My favorite thing is to get there early in the morning with a good book (preferably one about the Kennedys) and sit and read, watch the waves come in, smell the salty air, and watch the walkers go by.

7. I love the Kennedy family so much. Yes, some lead crooked lives, but I find their whole lifestyle from style, to politics, religion, etc. simply intriguing. They always vacationed at their home in Hyannis Port, MA. Reading books about them by the sea make me feel like I’m close to them. BIG dork, right here.

8. I’ve been sick with the social media bug for a long time now. Like I can’t get enough of Facebook, blogs, or even Twitter. I’m totally UNHAPPY Facebook feels the need to change to this dumb Timeline. I hate it.

9. We did an unpopular thing back in August and started our own Sunday School class with another couple. I say unpopular because we didn’t try, but it did upset people in our past class. I can attest though that this was the best thing we’ve done for our faith. We are growing so much and I am ecstatic.

10. I’ve been going to the gym every morning during the week and finally 4 weeks in I’m loving it now. I am a very routine person, so I love the fact I can go, do my running, lift weights, etc., and then shower and get ready there with all of my stuff. I’m always early to work now. I’m doing really well running!

11. I LOVE to go into antique stores and browse around. I love old stuff, my home doesn’t really display anything old, but I love to touch and see things from the 1950s/1960s era. And this is really weird, but the smell of old books, especially yearbooks is crazy awesome to me. Again, BIG dork right here!

11 Questions to Answer…

1. What is your guilty pleasure TV show?

I love Teen Mom.  Even though it makes me irate sometimes that these girls don’t always appreciate what they have, I still like to watch it. I also love Sex & the City…and then DVR Full House & Home Improvement. I have been BIG into Home Improvement lately.

2. Name one song that you love to jam out to that is embarrassing.

Hmm, tough one. Anytime Barefoot Blue Jean Night comes on I turn it up as loud as it will go, usually open the sun roof, and sing loudly to it. Not really an embarrassing song, but I guess if I were  caught doing that it would be embarrassing!

3. Where do you want to send your kids to school? Private/Public/Homeschool?

Our public schools around are really good schools. My first choices are either Fairview or Howell Valley. I do want my kids to go to a rural school first.

4. One food you will never grow tired of?

I said it earlier, pizza. Love me some pizza!

5. What is your favorite Pinterest search?

Currently I enjoy looking at baby shower things for my SIL’s shower. I also love to look at newborn pictures.

6. Did you order Girl Scout cookies? If so, what kind?

Yes…Thin Mint and then the others were the red box and the purple box. I can’t remember the names.

7. What color do you decorate the most with?

Hm, I’d say green. I love all kinds of  greens.

8. Which store is totally a guilty pleasure?

I love Macy’s for more reasons than one!

9. What are your favorite baby names?

I thought about not even posting them because it seems like the ones I love have been taken (not on purpose, but some are close friends or in the family). I have the mind set now, I don’t  care. We’ll name our baby whatever we want, even if it’s YOUR name! I love Libby Cate, Cooper, and Myles.

10. What is your dream home vision?

This is tough. I love, love, love brick Colonial type homes, but not sure that is something we’d ever buy or build because of the stairs. I really only want to build ONE house, like the last one we live in and stairs aren’t great for old people! I also love a loooonnnngggg brick ranch style home with big white columns and shutters. I want a long, big kitchen big enough for an island and an eat-in nook with a separate dining room. If it’s big and long enough my grandkids some day can play all up and down in while I’m cooking!

11. Is your current job your dream job?

Right now, yes. My whole life? I don’t know. I love my job, but some day may get to stay home with kids and I think that would be a pretty awesome job.

Hope you enjoyed a little randomness this morning! Let me know if you decide to do this!!

Making Love Last a Lifetime

I know this is horrible picture quality, but this is the book we’re studying in Sunday School. It’s  been really fun so far to hear what people have to say.

This past Sunday we had a lesson on What Women Wish Men Knew About Women…and it was SO true! Have your classes done any good marriage or family lesson lately?

We also watched Courageous Friday night after our date at Charro’s. Oh.my.word. There are no words for how powerful that movie is. It made us both want to be better parents and we aren’t even there yet! It was THAT good. Just be prepared though, it was very sad in parts and I do not cry in movies and I was bawling. Kody even teared up. It really did make me stop and think about some things. Kody probably gets annoyed when I think outside the box because I’m always wanting to talk about it all, but I think anyone who has a family or is thinking of having one someday should see it.

I will even say the acting is much better this time. Fireproof is a great movie with a good message and Facing the Giants too, but the acting is so cheesy.

I know I don’t always show Kody what he means to me, but it makes my heart burst with pure happiness to know that I have a husband that loves me and our marriage enough to continue to work on it through church, Sunday School, and date nights.

I love my husband.

Weekend with the In-Laws!

Last weekend my in-laws came to town and we LOVED having them! They got to town around 5 on Friday and we pretty much hit up El Charro’s not long after they got to town. We were starving! My FIL, John, loves Hatley’s Frozen Custard. It’s a newer custard place in town and it is really good. I try to stay away from there. We had to go there after dinner and then we walked off some calories at Wal-Mart.

The boys fell asleep soon after we got home and Teresa and I visited. We talked a lot about my SIL and her pregnancy…with my niece Lily! I am in love with the fact I am going to have a NIECE! I can’t wait until she’s here. All I want to do is search Pinterest for ideas for the shower! Who doesn’t love Pinterest?

Saturday we ran errands and had lunch at Hero’s. We did take J&T out to where Kody hunts and showed them the hunting grounds. Saturday night my parents picked all of us up and we went to the Antler for pizza. They loved it, it really is the best  pizza in a good 100 mile radius. My gosh it’s good! I was so stuffed, but we did make it  back to town by around 8:30. Guess where John wanted to go??? Hatley’s! He got his way too!

Sunday we all went to church and then we started our marriage lesson, “Making Love Last a Lifetime” by Adam Hamilton. So far, so good. It’s obviously a marriage study and it’s fun to do with our new Sunday school group. It’s a hoot to hear everyone talk about their spouse!

We met J&T for lunch (Yeah, seems like we eat a lot!) and then they were on their way. It was a rainy, foggy day. I napped for the most of day downstairs and Kody was upstairs.

I don’t have any pictures from our weekend with J&T. I hate to be that ‘freak’ who is always wanting to snap pictures, so I try to refrain myself. But let’s face it, I need the memories and that means I need to take the pictures. Next time we will have a paparazzi session! I love when they come, we try to make it to Jackson as often as we can, but it’s nice to have them here because we have them all to ourselves!

Can’t wait for their next visit!

Happy 5th Birthday, Jax!

Our first furbaby, Jax, turned 5 years old on January 25th! He is such a Momma’s boy, but loves his Dad too. He also loves to play with his brother, Bo, and chase the cows in the field behind our house.

Bo’s birthday is in a week, just 2 weeks and a year younger than Jax, so we have toys for them on Bo’s birthday. We gave them both a big treat on Jax’s. They thoroughly enjoyed it!

Jax, you will never read this (ha!) but you make me smile every day! Your my little protector and I love to have you by my side! Happy Birthday!

5 Question Friday!

It’s been many moons since I have done 5 Question Friday and I thought why not today? I’m trying to get back in the swing of things with Truly Thompson and more than just updating y’all each Monday on our weekend! :)

Here we go!

1. Where do you hide your reallllly good snacks?

This is funny! Kody knows but I hide my chocolate in my nightstand. I used to hide it from him, but never really knew why because he doesn’t really like chocolate….or didn’t. Now he does and he knows where it is but I guess if I put it in there I forget about it until I REALLY need it and then remember where it’s at. It’s great because it lasts longer if it’s out of my sight! :) Other than chocolate or candy, we don’t buy snacks. We just eat a lot of fruit and yogurt.

2. Do you keep your vehicle clean?

Another funny! Not usually. I have a badddd habit of just throwing things in the back and I drive a Yukon and nobody ever rides with me so there’s plenty of room for crap.

3. Have you ever been to Vegas?

No. I’d like to see what all the fuss is about and go to a show or something, but I don’t have the gambling gene, nor do I enjoy it. I hate wasting money. Despise it. I also hear it’s real pricey, hot, and you have to walk around a lot. Maybe I will find another trip. HA!

4. Warm room light blankets or cold room warm snuggly blanket?

I can handle both, but during the winter would prefer a semi-cold room (70ish) with a snuggly blanket. :) With our wood furnace we can’t always control the temperature that well! Sometimes it gets a little too warm!

5. What is the worst airplane/flying experience you've ever had?

I wouldn’t consider myself an international traveler, but have been on a plane on 3 different trips. They were all fine, but when I flew to NYC with Mom and on our way home we were landing in Memphis. I guess we hit some turbulence and I got HOT, turned white as a ghost and thought I was going to puke right there. Luckily I held it together!

There you have it. A little glimpse into my oh so exciting life. :) Happy Friday!!!

What I Need Today…

Have you ever had just one of those days? Where everything may be going right, but you just feel tired, grumpy, irritated, and did I mention tired? That’s me today. I need some of this in my life…

But really I would just settle for this…

Why did they have to do away with naptime after kindergarten? I think work places would be much more productive if we had an hour a day for naps.

An easy fix to all of this would be an early bedtime. Not going to be the case tonight. I’m going to get all dressed up even though my face looks like YUCK and feels droopy and I’d rather close my eyes than shake a bunch of hands. HA! We’ll be heading to the Chamber banquet tonight and hopefully I can feel refreshed once I get home. I know, can I get a little cheese with that whine?

I cleaned house last night. Well, mainly the basement while my new best friend cleaned the upstairs. Meet Millicent, also know around our house as Millie the Mint. Yes, I named it. Much to our surprise, she really cleans well. Thank goodness because we have 2 hairy dogs and track in all kinds of stuff from the outside on our hardwood floors. You simply put one of the microfiber dry cloths it came with on it OR a Swiffer dry pad and set it to go. She works until she’s done and then stops in the exact same spot she started in. Talk about a good girl! I had vacuumed the floors on Saturday and still came up with all of this hair…see below.

YUCK! I promise my house isn’t that dirty, it’s just the dogs. In my defense this bad boy does go under the couch and went in every room upstairs. You can also put a wet Swiffer pad on it and it will clean your floors wet. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!!!!!! I give it an A plus! :) It’s only for hard surface floors though! It does not replace my Dyson, but it’s on it’s last leg I think. Maybe it will last another year or so.

I’m ready for the weekend though! My in-laws will be here tomorrow and we always have a fun time with them. We’re going to our favorite pizza place Saturday night with my parents.

By the way, even though I wanted to sleep in today I went to the gym. Score! One more day for this week and I have a couple off. :)

So………………………I’m ready for a hut on the beach with just KT, a frozen, fruity drink, a nap, and the weekend. Is that bad?

Summer? Winter? Hmm?

That’s how the weather has been lately. We had a 65 degree day yesterday and on my way to the gym (more on that later) it was 65. It poured down raining while I was in there and when I left it was 43. Now it’s around 37 and win-dy! This has been the craziest January EVER! It’s chilly during the week and sometimes down right freezing (tonight 18) but then warms up relatively nice for the weekend. Weird!

Speaking of weekend, it was a long one for Kody and I. We decided Friday night to go on a date, just the two of us. We hadn’t been out to dinner together alone in quite some time, unless it was kind of a rush thing. We met at El Charros at 5:30 and sat there until well after 7 just visiting. It was a good meal! We drove around for a bit and then headed home to watch Warrior. It was pretty good, but I was tired and may or may not have closed my eyes through some of it. Kody enjoyed it.

Saturday we both were up early. Kody went hunting and I picked up Courtney and we went to Branson and Springfield for a day of shopping. I had some returns to make in Branson so we didn’t stay long. I did get a few good deals at the outlet mall there. We were in Springfield by 11:30 and headed to lunch. We wanted something quick and good so we stopped at Qdoba…a favorite of mine. She had never been and loved it! We shopped until we dropped, literally! She got a pair of Toms and I got a few goodies. :) We had some Orange Leaf on the way out of town and got home a little before 8. I headed straight to Mom and Dad’s to have dinner with them, Alex, his friend Jasmine and KT. Good supper and lots of laughs there, mainly me making fun of Alex and then him making fun of me….and then we headed home.

We went to church Sunday and finished our Acts book by Max Lucado. We’ll start Make Your Love Last a Lifetime by Adam Hamilton next week. I’m excited! We had a big lunch afterwards with most of our class and then headed home. I cleaned a little and turned on my Mint to do the floors. I need to write a review on that machine, it’s my favorite Christmas gift so far! Seriously, if you have hardwood or hard surface floors, look into this! I LOVE mine!

We met the Skeeters for dinner since they were kid-less and had the best dinner at El Charros! Lots of laughs!! :) Monday we did a whole lot of NOTHING. We were so lazy, finally around 12:30 Kody went out to cut wood and I finally got out of the chair at 2:30 and ran to town. I found the perfect dress for the chamber banquet, which is Thursday night. I’ll post a picture of us.

As for working out, it’s going really well. I went 4 out of 5 days last work week and went again today and plan to go the rest of the week. My iPod got sent in (it’s like a 1st generation one) because of a recall and they will send me a new one (sweet!), so I’m patiently waiting for that to come in so at least I have music to listen to. Currently I’m just a creeper who stares around at everyone. Awesome!

Tonight I have a meeting at church and then will get to come home to honey lime grilled chicken! Yum!!

How was your weekend?!

Odds & Ends

This past weekend we got together with the Hambys. We headed to Mtn. Home for dinner at Yoshi’s. Yum, love that kind of stuff…especially fried rice! :) Ashley and I spent some time in TJ Maxx (left empty handed! ha!) while the guys went to Lowe’s and then we headed back to West Plains. It was a fun night and good to catch up with those 2!

Saturday Kody went bow hunting with Brian and then wanted me to meet them for breakfast. I headed out to the country to only find our favorite place was closed! Ugh! We headed on to Bakersfield hoping we’d catch breakfast at one of their cafes, and we did. Success! I dropped them back off to hunt and went to see my Mom for awhile and my brother came in so we all got to visit and laugh. It was a good time! I ran some errands and then headed home to do a little cleaning.

A little  cleaning always turns into a lot of cleaning for me. Our spare bedroom upstairs has turned into a catch all room over the holidays. I am able to shut the door and not worry about it. Well, I decided it was over due and needed to get some things back in order. So glad I did! I worked all afternoon in there, filing things, taking files downstairs, taking extra decor downstairs, going through my spare closet, etc. I had fun doing it, jammed to David Crowder Band, Laura Story, John Waller, Chris Tomlin, etc on Pandora and then once the floor was clean (because I had the room astray) I turned on my Mint and he went to town cleaning the floor. I am amazed by that little thing! Love it!

We tried out a new Italian place Saturday night with Mom and Dad and it was good! Hope it continues to be that way. :) Sunday we were in charge (and for the whole month) of breakfast at church. We had some slackers and didn’t have quite enough food, but oh well! We’re about to finish our ACTS book and I loved the lesson this past week. It was about pain and understanding of God’s will when things aren’t peachy.

After church we went to lunch with a big crew and then Kody and I grocery shopped and stopped off at the gym. I had to look logistically to see if it would work for me to workout in the mornings and get ready there. Y’all, I get worked up when things aren’t the same and I couldn’t process that I may have to wait for a shower/sink/mirror/plug in after my workout during my morning routine. I also wasn’t sure if the time would work. I was getting up at 6:05 and dilly-dallying around on my phone until 6:20ish, then I would get ready and barely be at work by 7:30. (I go to work 30 minutes early for an extra long lunch…I used to workout over lunch but that slowed down once I started Metformin, however, I’m feeling normal again! YAY!) The rest of the afternoon was somewhat lazy and then we had dinner at Mom and Dad’s.

Monday I was determined to go to the gym. I got up at 5:40 with Kody, had everything ready to go, and we were out of the house by 5:55! Got to the gym and did a jog/walk thing on the treadmill for 45 minutes and then got ready and had PLENTY of time and was at work by 7:30! I felt great too and was so proud of myself for doing something so outside of the box for me. I actually really enjoyed it and planned to go at least M-W-F. I went again today and all was good except I forgot my foundation at home. Brief panic. I am not one of those girls that can go without makeup. Fortunately, my face is looking decent right now so I made do with powder and blush. I won’t forget it tomorrow! :)

That’s been my week! I’ve been in shock all week that a well known man in my town passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday night. I went to school wit his girls and my heart aches for the Grisham family. I cannot imagine and hope they all can find some comfort in this awful situation. Keep them in your prayers.

We had plans to travel to Jackson this weekend but they are all pretty busy so we’re staying here. I’m going to shop on Saturday though, can’t miss the long weekend sales. :)

Resolutions? How About Goals…And When God Speaks

I don’t really like to set Resolutions for the New Year. Mainly because I don’t like to set myself up for failure! And let’s get real here! Anyways, I am resorting to some goals per say for myself for this big 2012.

Here goes…

1. Continue to exercise (maybe a little more than I do now)

2. Set aside time for daily devotions/prayer. I have a 365 day devotional book, I just need to read it each day.

3. Stay on top of our house, by meaning keeping things in a more orderly fashion.

4. Try not to be so lazy in the evenings.

5. Learn to using a sewing machine.

6. Work on photography.

7. Be a better wife! (There’s always room for improvement!)

8. Give more, whether it be financially or my time.

9. Stay focused and organized at work.

10. Have a baby! (Ha!)

Do you have any resolutions goals for this year? What do you know you’ll get accomplished? What are you not sure about?

This past weekend in Sunday School I was reading aloud from this book

and the reflection part of this was about hearing God’s word and letting him speak. Well, as I was reading I started hearing a contact noise. We were in the old part of our church with old pipes and what-not and I honestly thought it was some pipe noise or the heat. Well after I finished there were some snickers and come to find out it was this rod iron cross on the wall. It wasn’t a noise I would have thought the cross would have made but a friend went up and touched it and it stopped. Um, wow. Powerful.

Today, as I was drying my hair I knew my hair dryer may have been on its way out. It sounded fine though but wasn’t operating at its fastest speed. Well, I’m just letting it do its thing and POOF this loud noise and it turned off and then I looked and it was BRIGHT ORANGE inside. Um, close call #1. It’s my worst nightmare (vain, I know) to have to go to work with wet hair. Like I don’t always have to look perfect everywhere, but work, I need to look good. I’m not one of those throw my hair in a pony tail type girls and go. (Cheers to you if you can!!) Anyways, I started panicking and looked through the cabinet and found an old travel hair dryer. Perfect…I thought. I plugged it in and it wouldn’t work. I thought maybe there was some plug problem so I tried another one and after messing with it for a bit it finally came on. Only the slow speed worked though. I have short hair, but at this speed it would have taken a week to finish it. I tried the fast one and each time I would try this AWFUL noise kept on and on and on and on some more. It got worse and eventually POOF out it went. HA! Close call #2. I turned the other one back and thankfully it worked long enough to finish out my hair but was BRIGHT ORANGE again when I finished. Dumb move I know.

I then go into the bedroom and turn on the light fixture. It starts flashing like off and on and off and on…Well, by this point I was so freaked out I felt like Jesus was going to appear and start talking to me!

I have often asked for signs before when saying a prayer. Was that a sign? Or am I crazy? HAA!!

2011: Year in Review!

What a year 2011 has been for us! Good, bad, new, old, it’s been great and I am embracing 2012 with open arms!

January

We began 2012 at the movies, which is crazy for us! We went to see Little Fockers with my parents New Years night after having dinner at their house.

I began more diligent meal planning. I started with 2 weeks worth of recipes and they were all new recipes. We did this for awhile (I cooked) until I found out I should watch my carbs because of PCOS.

We hung out with the Orrs and Skeeters in Mountain Home at a new hibachi grill. Great night!

Our first born, Jax, celebrated his 4th birthday! We love this sweet boy!

We watched my sweet cousin, Amber, win Missouri State-West Plains Homecoming Queen! Yay!

We spent Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in Jackson spending quality time with our nephew, Drew. We love our nephews!

February

Kody had his “roping debut” at a barn in Caulfield roping goats. HA! Yes, if you aren’t familiar with that you should read that post. We were with the Hambys and had a good time at dinner before and then after we froze for awhile watching the boys rope, we went to visit Ashley’s new niece, Ellie. Precious!

We anticipated snow and a visit from Kyle, Erica, and Drew!

Drew (and Kyle & Erica) visited us and it snowed! (See above?) We had a great time and he always leaves us laughing! It was their last visit to West Plains with only ONE boy!

Little Bo turned 3 on February 8th! He is always making us laugh!

Kody and I celebrated our 8th Valentine’s Day! We ate dinner at the Antler in Gainesville (love our pizza) and both had a bad cold. What a fun holiday!?

I found out I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I wasn’t sure about posting it on my blog, but I am so glad I did. I had so much support and even talked to one sweet reader on the phone about it. Thank you from the bottom of my heard for your faithfulness to our blog!

Visited Jackson again! AND here are pictures from our trip! This was a special trip for Kody and I both. We spent some time with Kody’s grandad who was in his last stage of Alzheimer’s. He passed away in April, but I am so glad we were able to see him and spend time with him. I hope that was some closure for Kody, although I know he likes to only remember him how he used to be.

We struggled our Sunday School class topic and spent time with friends of mine from work.

March

I participated in the 30 day Challenge. I had fun with this and it was a successful month of odds and ends posts for my readers!

My baby brother, Alex turned 20!! He began that day counting down the 365 days until he turns 21 !

I began the EXCEL class, which was a leadership class for people in the community. I was skeptical, but Courtney did it with me and we met some great, new friends. I am so glad I did it! I also traveled to Lake of the Ozarks for the City Clerk Spring Institute and we spent a night at the Skeeters out by the fire pit! Ella and Paige LOVE Kody!

I switched back to my old OBGYN who was much more understanding about my PCOS.

We tried to make our new nephew arrive while we were in Jackson, but no luck. He was born just a few short days later. We did have a great weekend loving on Drew one last time before he became a BIG brother!

We started Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University!

Six pound, fifteen ounce DRAKE RYAN THOMPSON was born on March 31, 2011! We were so excited, but were worried about his scary entrance into this world!

April

I introduced Drake on our blog!

We traveled to J-Town to MEET Drake! Love that little boy!

Kaci had a birthday on April 11th! 28 years old!

I whined a little here and showed poor BoBo’s booboo!

Began thinking our blog needed a little change/update!

I went to Jefferson City and Columbia with my EXCEL class, but sadly while I was there Kody’s grandad passed away. It was a quick trip home (ok, 3 1/2 hours), I repacked, and then drove 3 hours to Jackson to be with our family.

We celebrated a wet, soggy Easter!

(See above) It flooded BAD in April!

May

My Mom and I went to Branson with several other ladies from church for the Women of Joy conference. We had a great time! I have never been a part of so many people praising the Lord at once!

Celebrated Mother’s Day with Mom.

I got a new blog design! I was so excited!

Grandma and Teresa visited and we stayed home for Memorial Day weekend.

I did not blog about it until June, but May was life changing for Kody and I. After several months of soul searching and prayers, I sent an email to our bank president about Kody and a future regarding work in banking. I almost instantly received a reply back, and a positive one at that! He wanted to meet with Kody after Memorial Day. Long story short, he met with Kody one week later for an interview and a week after that KODY HAD A JOB! My favorite part of the story was the day before his interview when we were nervous, anxious, excited, etc…we sat in church and listened to a sermon on work….and how to leave your job if you aren’t happy. Thank you Lord for speaking to us….but by the evening he was yelling at us. We went to our Dave Ramsey class and it was about jobs and leaving them if you aren’t happy.

June

We revealed on the blog Kody’s new job!

vacationed in Gulf Shores with the Thompson family! A week full of fun in the sun!

Celebrated Kody’s 26th birthday while in Gulf Shores!

July

We spent the 4th of July in Jackson celebrating Drew’s 3rd birthday! And also cuddling with Drake!

Enjoyed one of our first Saturdays off together….and began painting out basement.

Had a weekend of friends! Hambys over for steaks and then to Dawt Mill with some church friends.

Finished painting our basement and hanging things. Looks great with the new furniture!

Another visit from Teresa and Grandma!

Had cousins from NYC visit!! Loved seeing them!

August

Celebrated my 25th birthday in Destin! Kody and I were blessed to spend both birthdays on the beach this year! Yahoo!

Spent a week in Destin with my family….perfect!

Kody’s best friend, Aaron Randolph, got married! He was a groomsman and we had a fun, yet exhausting weekend in St. Louis after driving 12 hours straight from Destin to the rehearsal dinner….yawn!

I had the pleasure of going to St. Louis with my parents and grandparents to see my brother receive his white coat in a ceremony and become a student pharmacist.

Kody started school!

September

We spent Labor Day weekend at Kentucky Lake with the whole family. It was a wild and fun time!

September 11, 2001…10 years later.

Traveled to Kansas City for work, our church had a community outreach weekend, the Budweiser Clydesdales came to town and I helped as a Chamber Ambassador, and Bo had strep throat.

October

Hosted a wedding shower for my friend Casey and visited the pumpkin patch with friends.

So proud of Kody, he and his brother competed in the Warrior Dash outside of St. Louis. It was quite a race!

We celebrated TWO Years of marriage! I love being Mrs. Thompson!

One of many fun trips to Springfield…

Mom and I had a trunk at our church’s Trunk or Treat on Halloween! Fun time!

November

Kept the Skeeters’ twins, visited with Alex, and Kyle ran the 100 mile Ozark Trail run.

We went to our favorite place in Missouri, Hermann for our anniversary. We had the BEST time and were so glad to get away, just the two of us!

Thanksgiving!

December

December was full of parties, homework (for Kody), family, friends, shopping, doctor appointments, etc.

2011 was a blast, we have had a good year. God has done great things for us; and for that we are grateful.

We wish you all the best 2012 has to offer! Many blessings!