Catch up post

November 18th- I am thankful for cooler temperatures. If finally happened. It started getting cooler around here. It has been heavenly here the last few days. I have been wearing jeans and long sleeves all week. Kara is finally getting use of here little hoodies and warm outfits! It is WONDERFUL!!!

November 19th- I am thankful for opportunities. The opportunity to be a mother, wife, friend, ect. I have been so thankful lately of the things I have been able to experience in my life. I've had the opportunity to go to college and get a degree, to travel to foreign lands, to meet different types of people. In the end, I have come to appreciate these things and what they have taught me.

November 20th- Conner's 3rd birthday. I can't think of anything I am more thankful for than to have given birth to a perfect soul (as my mother in law would say). He was too perfect to stay on this earth. He didn't have any work to do it had already been done by the time he took his first and last breath. I miss him so much and will post soon about how we celebrated his 3rd birthday.

November 21st- I am thankful for good food. I am a lover of food. I love to eat. It is enjoyable to me, probably too much. There's nothing I love better than some good country cooking. Lima beans, cornbread, pot roast, mmmmmmm! However I have come to realize that enjoying food can be done without over indulging. Which brings me to what I am thankful for today.....

November 22nd- I am thankful that I am now 5 pounds lighter than I was when I got pregnant with Kara. I am down to 120. It finally happened on the scale this morning. I know it sounds silly, but I was always a small girl. In high school, I never got over 103 pounds, which was probably too small. I am happy at the weight I am now. I still need toning, but overall I am happy. My goal weight is 118 so I am only 2 pounds away. It is awesome that I have got my weight down without feeling deprived. I still eat most things I want I have just found alternatives in things like baking with whole wheat flour. I also limit my treats. If I want chocolate I eat 3 Hershey kisses and it usually fills that void rather than eating 8 chocolate chip cookies like I use do to. I am thankful that I have the will power to get myself and keep myself at a good weight.

A little of this, a little of that...

November 13th- I am thankful for fresh air. Sounds kind of crazy but it's it nice to go outside and get some air? I love this time of year when the temperature is cooling down and it feels so nice out in cool air. Love it!

November 14th-I am thankful that I get along with my in laws. I have several friends that despise their in laws. I am so lucky to have a nice relationship with mine. I couldn't be more pleased with mine. It makes for an even happier time when we can all get together without drama!!

November 15th-I am thankful for pictures! Yes pictures! I am thankful for them because they are our link to the past to memories. Isn't if cool to look at pictures of yourself as a baby and then see the comparison in your children? On Saturday we did pictures with our friends on a cool beach here in Okinawa and it was so much fun. I will post some later....

November 16th-I am thankful for fresh produce. We went to a little store off base and bought some fresh lettuce and a few other things. It was so nice. We came home and had a salad for dinner. That was the first time that I have ever bought food off base that wasn't in a restaurant. I know, I've been here almost 3 years so that's kind of crazy, but I will be returning to do it again once we get back from the states. And if I remember I will try to take pictures in the grocery store to let you see what stuff looks like. :)

November 17th- Wow Kara turned 7 months old today. I can't believe it. Time is just flying by. On reflection of today I will say I am thankful for a routine. No just in my everyday life but in things that you always know are going to happen or something you are going to do. It's a little comfort that we all have. Most people have their morning routine that feels comfortable. I enjoy mine and am thankful for that.

Catching up on thanks....

Nov. 8th- I am thankful for travel. Thankful that I am getting to see and experience things that I never dreamed that I would. I never knew I would live on another continent or that I would be there for 4 years. Sometimes ( more like, most of the time) I complain about living here, but overall it's been a cool experience.

Nov. 9th- I am thankful for my home. A place to be warm and cozy. The place I feel the most comfortable in. I see people that live on the streets and pray for them to find jobs and homes. How awful must it feel no having a place to call home, a safe place to lay your head down. Yes, I am certainly thankful for my home.

Nov. 10th- I am thankful for my time with Kara. We spent all day on the 10th shopping and just spending time together. I was thinking how cool it will be when we have mommy and me days when she's older. We can talk about boys, clothes, anything. It is awesome.

Nov. 11th- I am thankful for my husband and the service that he gives to our country. I can't tell you the times he has told me he has volunteered because it's his duty. He can't face the thought of something happening to someone going in his place on missions. I joke (not entirely true) that I will run him over if we ever have a bad war break out so that he can't go. He then tells me that's not right. He says he would rather go than someone else go. How selfless is that? Also I am thankful that he's a good husband. Most of the time, he acts sweet and tries to make me feel special. I am thankful for the things he does for me.

Nov. 12th- Today I am thankful for my mother. She is and always has been there for me. I know so many parents that have ran out on their children or mistreated them. My mother never did. She always put me first and made me top priority. I can only hope to be as great of a mother as she has been.

Friends and being a step-mother

As always I am a day behind on my thankful post!! Oh well. So anyway. For yesterday I will say I am thankful for friends. Real, true friends. Ones that are there for you no matter what. I only have a handful of these type of friends, but they are the BEST!! They are so great! My trip home is going to be awesome. I am staying the first week with my BESTEST friend in the whole world, April. She has been so sweet in trying to make us feel at home when we arrive. She has offered to stock up on baby food for Kara and anything else I ask for. Last year she had all my favorite foods (including a welcome home cake) waiting on me. What a comfort to have a friend that in tune with me. My other group of friends are arranging a baby shower for one of them while I am there so I will be able to attend and see everyone in one place. How cool? I am so excited. I can't wait to see everyone and to show off my baby girl!!!

Today in the states is Maddy's birthday. She turned 9!! Wow. She was only 2 when Nick and I started dating. Crazy how quickly time goes by. I am thankful that she and I have a good relationship. You know several step-parents have trouble with their step-children. I have been fortunate in that Maddy and I haven't had any problems out of the ordinary. Sure there have been times I have frustrated her or vice versa, but overall we get along great. Therefore I am thankful for my relationship with Maddy, my step-daughter. Happy Birthday silly girl!

Thankful post for yesterday and today....

As of yesterdays' happenings, I was having a hard time being thankful. Sounds horrible, but it's true. So yesterday the thing I was thankful for was rest and sleep. Rest that lets your mind be at ease and not worrying. I was thankful to go to bed no longer wondering who our next President would be. I was thankful for sleep that let my mind and body rest and not be in dismay. Yes, sleep was the highlight of yesterday for me (I took a long nap with Kara!!).

Today I will say I am thankful for hope. I am thankful that hope lives in me. I am thankful that I have hope for tomorrow, next year, and the future beyond that. I am thankful that I can rise above being scared for our nation and can hope that good will come to us all. Hope is a wonderful thing. Today I am very thankful for the hope in my life.

PS. I have a few pics of the monkey to share. She's such a little doll.

Laying on daddy's shoulder at the Halloween party. Aww!

Sitting with mommy in front of the Halloween display.

Trying her first taste of funnel cake at a festival!

She wrapped herself up in the blanket. Recognize it Aunt Sandi?

Kara and me at a castle ruins.

Just the three of us! Daddy and Kara at the castle ruins.

She and Chloe are becoming friends!

Pets and clothes

I guess I will be doing post every other day due to my clingy baby. She's been pretty grumpy lately and only wants to be held, talked to, or played with. She drifted off to sleep so I have to get going on this....

I am thankful for my pets. While they get on my nerves at times, I am so thankful to have them in my life. They provide me with entertainment and love. The best thing about pets is that you are never alone. They are always there with you or up under you (as mine are) 24/7. Anakin is my sweet dog that loves to lick (sometimes too much) and be played with. Chloe is our temperamental cat that has a very sweet nature. Tinkerbell is a feisty little tyrant, but loves to cuddle. Leia our chipmunk is just so cute and funny. Their personalities are all so different. I can't imagine my life without them.

Today I am thankful for clothes that fit just right! I have been trying to figure out what outfits I am taking with me to the states so I tried on almost all my clothes today. In my amazement all my pants fit. It feels so great to be able to get in them without having to squeeze or pray that I am having a "skinny" day. I have such a broad spectrum of clothes now. I didn't realize they would all fit so I have been trying to not put them on lately. I am overjoyed over it! I love winter clothes the best. I feel most comfortable in a pair of pants and a sweater. Cold weather come my way!!!!

Just for your viewing pleasure:

Kara in her cute pigtails today!!

Behind already but that's me these days.

So I wanted to post everyday on the things I am thankful for, but it seems I am already running behind. Figures. Anyway first and foremost I want to say I am thankful for my faith. These next few days are so important to me. With the presidential election coming to an end, I find myself praying throughout the day that God will provide us with a leader that will not only help our country but will be under his hand. I am going to be a wreck on the morning of the 5th for me (Nov. 4th for the US). However in saying that I am trying to keep optimistic about it. I have to at this point. The so called polls are all pointing the other way and I am trying my best to not believe them. I know I am getting off track. Point is I love God and am so thankful that I have him in my life. I can't remember a time that I didn't and that is so very comforting. I have faith in him and what he has in store for our country.

Secondly, I am thankful for the gift of motherhood. I always knew I wanted children. I grew up playing with dolls. I am thankful that I was able to have my children. So many people miss out on the opportunity to have babies. I feel so blessed that I was able to do so. To be able to feel their little arms and feet moving around in my belly. It was the coolest feeling EVER!! I wouldn't change that for anything. Kara brings joy to my life everyday. She's so amazing, wonderful, and awesome!! I wish that I could have enjoyed these times with Conner. Everyday is something new and it's so much fun. I always knew it would be cool but I didn't realize how great being a mother would truly be.

Some Japanese finds and thanks

So I know that I complain a lot about how the shopping here is awful and they don't have anything cool, but I have found a cool store that is pretty awesome. I don't know the name of it, only that there's a bunny on the sign, so I refer to it as just that "the bunny store". It is strictly a children's store and it is pretty cheap. Somehow I managed to only spend $50 this last visit and this is what I got:

Here are three outfits that I had to get Kara. Two are little sun suits and the other is a cherry pant suit. I have some weird obsession with clothes with fruit on them. I think they are so adorable. Luckily for me the Japanese seem to have the same obsession. Cherries, strawberries, and watermelon everywhere!!!
Here are some sleepers, a pillow (which I think will be good for travel), and some little tank tops. I got most things in 12 months size (they have a conversion chart) because she has so many in 6 months size. Notice the cherries on the tanks. Love it!!! The cat on the pillow is named Marie, from Walt Disney's Aristocats movie. They have that cat everywhere. I think I like stuff with her on it because my cat, Chloe is white with blue eyes too!
Not too long ago, my friend Amy brought over this adorable outfit for Kara. Yes, it's a watermelon outfit. I think it is so cute. It was funny she got it without knowing my obsession for fruit clothing. Thanks Amy!!!
Amy also got Kara her first kimono and little Chinese outfits. Aren't they adorable? I can't wait until she fits in them to take some pics. The kimono has little fish all over it. You can click on it to enlarge it. What's a baby born in Japan without a kimono of her own? :)

So much to give thanks for.....

All of these things are from Sissy(my MIL). I adore the green outfit. It's funny side by side they look like easter egg colors!

Aunt Sandi got this adorable blanket for Kara. I love the colors, it's so vibrant. I should be receiving it soon in the mail!!

What girl doesn't love shoes? Kara has some of the cutest shoes around. Special thanks to these people: bunny slippers and white butterfly shoes-Granny (Sissy), butterfly and dragonfly slippers-Nana (my mom), pink butterfly shoes- April, pink sandals-Tangela, White butterfly sandals- Gloria, white dress up shoes- mommy, white shoes with flowers-Laci.

I just received this in the mail today from my friends Tiffany and Veronica (from High school). I am so in love with the cherry bathing suit and sunglasses. Oh and the sandals are adorable too!
I got this yesterday, isn't it a beauty? A wife from our squadron made it for baby Kara. I feel so blessed to know such kind people. She hand made this quilt especially for her. Can't you tell with the purple and butterflies?
These are outfits from my neighbor and friend, Samantha. She knows I have an obsession with purple. I love the purple dress and the overalls. I can't wait to see her in them.
My friend Erica got Kara this cute little beach outfit. It came with a matching hat. She will be so cute in it on the beach this summer!!

I figured I would give out some thanks for all the really cute things I have been receiving from friends and family for baby Kara. She's got some really adorable outfits that I just had to share with you. No doubt she's going to be the best dressed baby around here. I love all the purple of course but the other outfits are all very special too!! My mom recently sent some clothes but they are in the wash so I couldn't add them to show you. Thank you to all of my friends and family. I really don't deserve such wonderful people in my life.

Today I am so thankful!

Well I didn't write what I was thankful for yesterday because I was working on my 100th post and it took all my free time. So in order to catch me up I am going to say yesterday I was thankful for comfortable clothes. I know it sounds dumb. But it is wonderful to be able to wear clothes and feel comfortable in them. Remember the old days when women had to wear dresses with corsets? How horrible it must have been. They couldn't breathe and were fainting all over the place. And today I am thankful for feeling my baby move. It is so reassuring in pregnancy when you feel your baby moving around. It gives me a sigh of relief every time like this baby is okay, I don't have to worry. And it's an awesome feeling too!

Giving Thanks!

Okay so I am behind on my blogging and now I am behind on my giving thanks each day of this month so I am going to catch myself up:

November 1st- I am thankful for the relationship I have with my stepdaughter. Many step- relationships are not good. People don't get along and things can get nasty. I am thankful to have been around since Maddy was 2 years old and we have what I would like to call a special bond.

November 2nd- I am thankful for my husband. I spent a few years in my early adulthood wondering if I would ever meet a man that would love me as I did him. I felt like it wasn't going to happen so I kept myself cut off from dating and relationships. I am glad to have found my soul mate.

November 3rd- I am thankful for my mother. If it weren't for her I wouldn't be here. But not only that but she is always there for me. We have a wonderful relationship. We talk almost daily and she always takes time to listen to me and to give advice.

November 4th- I am thankful for friends. I am talking about TRUE friends. The kind of friend that is always on your side. The kind of friend that you can call after weeks of not talking and you can pick right back up where you left off. The kind of friend that you never have to worry about stabbing you in the back. These kind of friend are few and far between.

November 5th- I am thankful for my home. I am thankful to have a home to live in that has electricity and running water. So many people take this for granted. This isn't something everyone in this world has, it is a privilege and a gift.

November 6th- I am thankful for my religion. Without God I would be totally lost. No I don't attend church very often or try to push my religion on others, but I have no doubts about my relationship with God. He and I have always been solid. Yes I have been angry with him at times, but without him? NEVER!!