30 Things Im Thankful For

Every year there is a movement on Facebook starting November 1st to list something everyday that you are thankful for. I would try this, but I know that I would either get annoyed with it, or forget after day 5... or maybe day 8. So I thought I would just list 30 things that I am thankful for in one giant blog. Enjoy.

People.

1. Chris

      I am so thankful that I met Chris (almost) 4 years ago. It was a completely random meeting. We had no friends in common, we didnt go to the same school, or play common sports. It was a chance meeting that changed my life forever. I am so grateful that I am going to marry the greatest man I have ever met. He is so kind and caring; he is ambitious and goal oriented; he loves his family and values each and every friend he has. I could not imagine my life without him. I love him with every ounce of my being.

2. Mobley

(If even one person comments that Mobley is not, in fact, a person, I will punch them in the throat). I cannot remember what life was like before I had Mobley. I do remember rolling over at 4 am one morning, waking Chris up and saying "Baby, I just had a dream that we are going to get him a dog and name him Molbey or Neil" Chris grunted "Im not naming my dog Neil" and went back to sleep. A few months later, Mobley came into our lives.
I am so lucky & thankful that I get to curl up to my furry baby every night & am woken up by his kisses every morning. I am one proud mama.

3. Mom

I am so lucky that I have such a sweet mom. I am thankful for the amazing relationship that we have & all she does for me. I also feel especially thankful for her chatting with me on my drive home almost every afternoon.
4. Dad

I have the best dad in the world. I am truly grateful for everything you do for me. ((Paying for my gas gets you super bonus points, Dad)) My dad is laid back, hard working, and has a great sense of humor. Thank you, Dad, for everything, especially not freaking out and or killing me or Chris when you found out how old he really was...

5. Lauren

I am also incredibly thankful for my sister. I am excited about having the opportunity to grow closer with Lauren this year as she helps plan & participate in my wedding. I am so proud of her & cant WAIT to come visit at Alabama next year!!

6. Joshie

Ohhh Joshie. I am thankful for you because you make me laugh every time I talk to you. Shit, I laugh just hearing stories about you. I also love the fact that you stress Mom out about as much as I do. Youre my favorite brother (and Im sure Im your favorite sister... sorry Lauren).

7. Mimi, Nana, Pappy & Maybe Elton.
   I was given 3 wonderful grandparents (and one sub par grandparent) that I love very much. The three that are reading this, you are the great ones. :) I am thankful everyday that I have such an amazing family.

8. Suzy

Oh dear god, WHERE would my life be without Suzanne. ((Ill give you a hint, its probably in the shitter somewhere)) Suzanne is the most kind, loyal friend I could ever ask for. She is honest, and HILARIOUS and as weird as I am. I wouldnt have her any other way. I feel like my life is better because she is my friend.

9. Alisa

I am so glad I have found a friend in you, Alisa. Im glad we got over both of us being such strong willed individuals and decided to become friends. I truly value our friendship & cannot wait to have you support me and stand by me on my wedding day. I know we will be friends forever.

10. My Happy Life
Everyone has their days, but Im certainly glad that Im able to see the glass half full most of the time. It must be miserable to live life always being negative.
11. All of my Friends
I am thankful for all of my friends and the joy that each one of you brings to my life.

Traits

12. Education

You can tease me all you want about going to a stuck up high school, but I am extremely thankful for my education. I OFTEN look around my college class rooms & think that I was much more prepared for college that some of my peers. I am thankful for not only the foundation I got through high school, but also for my college education.

Thank you Mom & Dad for sacrificing & working your asses off to give me the best education possible.

13. Open-mindedness

I am thankful for the vast array of people that showed me somewhere along the way that it is okay to be different. I am eternally grateful for all of those who showed me what it was to be open minded & accepting of people who are different from myself.

14. Being Silly

Im thankful for silly days & silly friends. I cant imagine what my life would be like if I was serious all of the time.

15. Health

Even though I have some fertility & PCOS problems, I consider myself to be in great health, and for that, I consider myself very lucky. When I am tempted to throw a pity party for myself, I have to remind myself that it could always be worse.

Essentials

16. Home

I feel extremely blessed to have such a beautiful home to provide shelter, warmth, AIR CONDITIONING & a place to lay my head at night.

17. Food & Clean Water

I am also grateful to live in a place, and be in a place in my life that I am able to access nutritious food, and clean water. There are so many people all over the world that do without these essentials.

18. Good Sheets

Say what you will, but good sheets are essential. Im thankful for my comfy bed, my memory foam pillow & nice sheets.

19. Clothes... Well, mostly Spandex

Not only am I thankful for clothes to physically protect my body, but I also enjoy fashion. Im grateful for the heals that make my legs look killer, the spandex shorts that make my butt look awesome, the jeans that make me feel pretty & the Spanx that make me look thin.

20. Job

I am lucky I have a job, especially a job that works so great with my school and personal schedule. I know most people dont have it as good as I do at work, and for that I am so thankful.

Frivolous Things

21. Make Up

Maybe there are other things that are way more important things, but that does not mean that I am not extremely grateful for good make up. I would be a walking crisis every single day without red lipstick, eyeliner & a good tube of black mascara.

22. Music

It would be a boring world without music. Music is a part of every aspect of my life. I listen to it getting dressed, driving in the car, working out, doing homework, during work, while Im cleaning. I cant think of much I do without a little music to inspire me.

23. Facebook

Whether I am thankful for Facebook because I like keeping up with my friends, or because some people's statuses make me feel good about myself is debatable. But regardless, I am thankful for facebook, and all the drama that comes along with it. I cant help it. I love that shit.

Randoms

24. Kickball

I love kickball. But more than actually loving kickball, I love meeting new people, having a blast, taking a break from school and work, and having a hobby that Chris & I share together. I love my kickball team & am thankful for them

25. Books

Maybe this should be listed under essentials, but I am so grateful for good books. There is something about being surrounded by books & knowledge that is empowering & somehow overwhelming. I just want to absorb all the knowledge and life lessons from each and every one.

26. Laughing

 Today, I am grateful for this article. & This...

But mostly I am grateful for laughing every day.

27. Photos

I am always thankful for photos. I love looking back at old pictures and remembering experiences and being able to vividly remember when they were taken and what was going on. 

28. Internet

My life would be miserable if I had to call Pizza Hut and actually ASK what their specials were every time I wanted to order a pizza instead of just googling it. I would not do well in a society that I had to wait 7-10 days for a response in the mail instead of waiting 4 or 5 hours for an email. & HOW did people stalk before facebook? & GOD forbid I actually step foot inside a library to do RESEARCH. Needless to say, I am thankful for the Internet

29. The impending wedding of my dreams

While I am MOST thankful that I am marrying Chris & I FULLY realize that its not the WEDDING but the MARRIAGE that matters, I am still thankful for my parents, and grandparents helping to make the biggest day of my life one that I will never forget. There isnt going to be a detail that has been overlooked, and I cannot wait to see it all come together. (212 days to go, just in case you were curious)

30. My Planner

Again, maybe this should have gone under essentials, but I dont know what I would do without my planner. I love being on time and scheduling out my days. I like planning to make the most of every bit of time I have. I know it makes me slightly anal retentive, but I love my organized life.

Keep On Rollin

From Thursday morning to Saturday night, it felt like I had zero time think/sleep/blink I was so busy. But it was a really great weekend.

I am SAD to say that Thursday was my last day of personal training at Bodies By Cindy. I would work out there forever if I could, but I just cant afford it right now. But in the 3 months that I was with them and the 15 weeks I dieted I've lost 27lbs! Im only 7 pounds from my original goal weight, and 12 lbs away from my revised goal weight. If I can lose 12 pounds and keep it off for our wedding, I will be one happy bride!! (Not to mention I am marrying the best man I've ever met!)

Before...

In process (27lbs later)

On Thursday night we won our kickball game & went to Los Rancheros to celebrate making it in to playoffs. I am so lucky to have become friends/trained with Pam, Cindy & Jason, and all of my other team mates!

Friday after I got off work, I went to Lindsay's 28th birthday dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings! It was a great time seeing everybody!

After I left Lindsays birthday extravaganza, I went straight to a fundraiser 'Casino Night' for CFO- my sister's gym.  I, surprisingly, had a good time. I even got blackjack, bitches.

 It was nice hanging out with my parents, too.

On Saturday, I had the BEST day! As soon as Chris got home, we packed an ice chest and headed for Milton to kayak on Blackwater. (I was seeing "Blackwater" all day long.. I still have it stuck in my head) We originally wanted to take the trip with a bunch of friends, but we had a blast on the river anyway. I took a bunch of pictures but NOBODY DEVELOPS FILM ANYMORE! Did you know that?! I bought a disposable water proof camera to take with us, because there is no way in hell that I would take our nice camera near the water. But when I went to drop it off at Wal*Mart, I was informed that I would have to send it off to get developed and it would take a WEEK to get back. Awesome. I should really invest in a waterproof digital camera. At least I know for next time.

When we got home from kayaking, we jumped in the shower and headed out the door again to go to Suzanne & Drew's Housewarming Party// Drew's Birthday.

By the time Sunday rolled around, I spent the whole day in my pajamas and took 2 naps. I wont say I was completely lazy all day, because I did clean the house, do the laundry, and vacuum out my car, but i didnt do much else.
I could have slept all day today, but its time to get my ass in gear and get ready for another busy week! We have wedding planning activities all day tomorrow- cant wait!



Bootcamp & Prenup

This morning at 7:45am I arrived at a Bodies By Cindy Bootcamp with Lindsay & Natalie. It was an incredible workout & I cant wait to go back! Im going to call this week and sign up for a 3x/week package. If anybody wants to go, they have free bootcamp on Saturday mornings! While I was there, I ran into my friend Gwen's husband, Jeremy. He said he's lost 70lbs in a year!!! He goes 4 times a week to bootcamp! As if I wasnt motivated before, that pushed me over the edge. Im ready to get my fat ass in shape! After today that is, because after bootcamp Linday, Natalie & I went to Waffle House. Dont judge me.

Last week I posted that I was working on a Pre-Nup for my Marriage & Family class. Ill post it here if youd like to read it, but beware, its pretty lengthy. Also keep in mind, some of this shit we really dont care about, but I had to answer certain questions for my assignment.

Endogamy

Which endogamous characteristics  are important and why?

 For Whitney: It is important to have a relationship with a white, middle to upper class man, who has or is in the process of obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree. It is important to have someone who “will share common beliefs, values, and experiences” (Newman, 2009, p. 206).

For Chris: It is important to marry a college educated, independent woman, ideally in the middle or upper class.

2. What happens if you receive social pressures (parents, friends, priest, etc.) to marry into an endogamous group that your spouse does not fit into?

 Whitney and Chris are lucky in that all family and friends support their relationship.

Cohabitation

1. Is it acceptable, not acceptable, or preferred? Why or why not?

 We both agree that living together before marriage is preferred. We intend to use cohabitation as a “testing ground for marriage” (Newman, 2009, p. 223).  

Communication Style

1. Which communication style is preferred for the relationship and why?        

  Our desired communication style is the vital marriage, as discussed in Newman’s text (2009). We will share “intimacy in all important aspects of life” (Newman, 2009, p. 218), but will not lose our separate identities.

Social Expectations

1. How is interdependence going to be acheived?                               

   Interdependence will be achieved because we depend on each other to provide “needed resources” (Newman, 2009, p.210). They both depend on each other for companionship, intimacy, friendship, and affection.

2.  How is equity going to be achieved?                                                

      Whitney and Chris both recognize that a relationship is constantly changing and may not be ever be completely equal. They are both committed to working on the relationship through whatever life throws their way. If someone is feeling under or over benefitted, they agree that the best thing to do is communicate openly about our feelings.

3. What kind of commitments are going to be made?   

    We are committed to a life-long journey together. To us, that means being devoted to our partner, making sacrifices when necessary, and continuing to invest, “maintain, and improve” our relationship for the rest of our lives. We are committed to each other’s overall well-being, including, but not limited to, our partner’s physical and mental health, education, career, family, and financial stability.

4. Is there a sense of permanence?

        When we take our vows, we expect them to be upheld until we are parted by death. Though we are not “morally opposed to divorce” (Newman, 2009, p. 213), we believe marriages are meant to last forever. We both acknowledge that every relationship takes work, and that there will be ups and downs throughout life. However, we are ready to meet the challenges together, and not give up by walking away.

5. What kinds of “couple” behaviors are expected?

        To us, being a “couple” means being a vital part of the other’s life; being a couple means developing an identity separate from our former ‘single’ selves, and transforming it to be something that can only exist when we are together. Though we both value our independence, being a couple means “thinking less in terms of ‘me and mine’ and more in terms of ‘we and ours’” (Newman, 2009, p. 215).      

Working situation

1. Stay at home parent/spouse or dual earning household? Why?                          While Whitney & Chris are in school, they will function as a dual earning household. Currently, Whitney works part time and goes to school full time, while Chris works full-time and is about to graduate. However, once Whitney graduates and Chris goes to Medical School, Whitney will work full-time to support the family, and Chris can work part time, as needed.

            Once they have children, it would be ideal to have Whitney stay at home while the children are young. Should it ever be necessary, or desired, to have a dual earning household, Whitney will go back to work.

2.  Domestic duties – How are the domestic duties going to be split up?

                          Cooking: While Chris is working shift work, he will be responsible for cooking dinner on the nights that he is off. Whitney will be responsible for making sure we groceries, and cooking on the nights that Chris is at work. Each person is responsible for their own breakfast, and lunch will be decided on a day to day basis.

                          Cleaning: Whitney is responsible for doing all household duties, unless she requests help from Chris, in which case, he will be obligated to help.  Whitney will do laundry as it is needed. Sheets will be washed once weekly. The house will be dusted, windexed, vacuumed, mopped and bathrooms cleaned every 7-10 days. Chris is responsible for taking out the trash. In addition, it will be Whitney’s responsibility to cut the grass as needed, and tend to the flowerbed. Chris will have the duties of weed eating and edging.

                          Managing Family Relationships: Whitney will be primarily responsible for remembering birthdays, sending Christmas cards, and planning family time with both families. Chris and Whitney will be individually responsible for calling/keeping in touch with their respective families. 

                           Pet Care: Whitney is responsible for feeding, bathing, and walking Mobley. She will also schedule and take Mobley to grooming, vet and training appointments. Chris is responsible for paying vet and grooming bills.

               

                        Whitney has taken on the majority of the domestic duties because she does not mind doing them. She enjoys cleaning, having a clean house, and keeping in touch with family. Chris is responsible for cooking because he enjoys doing so. Whitney also feels as if it is her contribution to the family to make sure we have a clean, organized and happy home.

Children

1.  How many children?  

We desire to have between 2-3 children.

2.  How many years apart?

  Ideally, the children would be more than 2, but less than 6 years apart.

3.  If infertility becomes a problem with reproducing, what measures will be taken and why ?             

   Because we know ahead of time that infertility will be a problem, we have decided to just “see what happens” over the next 3 years. If we become pregnant naturally, we will be elated. However, if we do not conceive over the next 3 years, we will try fertility treatment. Because in-vitro fertilization is so expensive, we will try for 2-3 cycles before we consider adoption.

            We have also discussed that even if we are able to have our own biological children, should we have the financial means, we would like to adopt.

            We have determined this because, though we would like to try all options to have a biological child, we really just want to be parents. We have decided on this time frame because at that point, Chris will be finished with his 2^nd year of Medical School and Whitney will have obtained her Master’s Degree.

A. What if infertility treatments lead to 3, 4, 5+ embryos?

Should infertility treatment lead to more than 3 embryos, Whitney and Chris would consult her Doctor for the best course of action. However, Whitney is against selective reduction unless she is at a high risk for death.

            If in-vitro fertilization let embryos that were not used by Whitney and Chris, and the desired number of children had been reached, they would donate the embryos to science. It has been decided that the embryos would not be available to be used be another couple.  

4. Who will be the primary caretaker? 
Raising children should be a joint effort. However, if Whitney is a stay at home mom, she will be primarily responsible for making sure children are cared for.

5. Hospital birth or home birth with midwife?  

Whitney desires a hospital birth with the use of drugs.

6. After desired number of children are reached, will you actively prevent more pregnancies?                                                                                                                       Though we both agree that we would like to actively prevent future pregnancies, we cannot agree who would undergo surgery. Whitney does not desire a hysterectomy and Chris does not desire a vasectomy. We have agreed that when the time comes, we will play Paper, Rock, Scissors to decide. (Best 2 out of 3)

Hope everybody has a Happy Easter!