Thanksgiving

This is the first thanksgiving holiday in the last 3 years that I have spent with my family; here are many things I should be thankful for this year.
I am thankful for my experiences in East Asia over the last three years.
Thankful for the guidance and affirmation I have received from Father.
Thankful for my national friends that I still keep in contact with.
Thankful that I still have opportunities to practice my Chinese language. (I am lacking in motivation).
Thankful that my reverse culture shock has not been difficult.
Thankful that my family has been understanding and patient with me since my return home.
Thankful that Kevin has driven to Oklahoma numerous times to see me and my family.
Thankful that I visited Kentucky and met Kevin's family.
Thankful that Father continued to lead Kevin and I in our relationship.
Thankful that Kevin and I are engaged!
I am thankful that I have a better view of my future, a commitment.
I am thankful the wedding plans have been going smoothly. (sooo many details)
I am thankful my family helping me with wedding plans.
I am thankful that I have time to work out all these wedding details. (unemployed)
I am thankful I have time to spend with close friends.
I am thankful for their encouragement and love!
I am thankful for thanksgiving traditions.
I am thankful for all the food we get to enjoy, I do not take that for granted anymore!
I am thankful for quality time with family, playing games, watching football.

I am thankful that I can look back and remember all that I am thankful for!
I owe this all and everything to our Father, without Him I could not be thankful of anything.

life

Today marks 46 more days(45 for the East side folks) until the wedding date. There are 10 more days until Thanksgiving and 40 more days until Christmas! I'll be home for Christmas! It is really exciting to me, because this is my first Christmas with my family in 4 years!
My youngest sister, Dedra, helps me with these countdowns!Since my last post I have been busy with wedding details. Last week we finally purchased a dress for my oldest sister, Donna, the maid of honor. With that my other sisters, Diana, Debra and Dedra also purchased an outfit. We also purchased a dress for the flower girl, Kevin's niece. I think I have the wedding outfits coordinated for the girls. I am waiting to hear if Kevin bought a suit yet. ;)
The wedding preparations are coming one day at a time. Last Saturday Mom and I mixed up 5 gallons of punch and it is in the freezer.
The decorating will be the most time consuming activity. We have the fellowship hall to decorate and the auditorium. Thankfully we have some friends that want to help and are creative.
Fortunately I can use some of the Christmas decor that will be left up in the church. There will be greenery, poinsettias, and wreaths. The colors I have been working with are crimson and gold.
Another interesting wedding activity is the wedding registry. It is simple in the aspect of scanning individual items but for me it is stressful choosing the items!
It is hard to go with a color theme when you do not have a future place to live! Kevin has been a trooper for investigating prospective apartments in Louisville. I have told him I trust his judgment with the investigation. It would be nice to have an apartment when we move to Kentucky in January.

I ask you all to be lifting me and my family up as we prepare for the wedding. I am the first of the 5 sisters to get hitched so please pray for my parents.
Also be lifting up Kevin and I as we prepare for a future together and all the patience, wisdom, understanding that goes with it.

busy

I am such a bad blogger... I have not devoted my time to posting, neglecting the blogger friends. There has been a lot of things happen in my life. Some of you know, some probably are wondering.
Here is a list of what I have been up to last 2 months...

September
traveled back with Kevin to Lexington visited his family
debriefing at the farm
a week of relaxing at a lake; skiing, tubing, grilling, and hiking
accompany Kevin around Louisville job hunting
speaking/sharing about china
world equestrian games in Lexington

October
looking forward to my birthday in America
persuaded Kevin to fly back with me to Oklahoma
visited the Tulsa State fair
visited family
Engaged! 10/06/10
visited Donna in Norman
visited OKC bombing site, chilled at cuppies & Jo
spent birthday with close friends
NSU Homecoming
saw Kevin off at the airport
the wedding planning began
research on the internet, budgeting, surfing the internet for wedding ideas...
bought decorations, accessories, reserved the church, look for bridesmaid's dress, order invitations, get addresses, buy material, look at wedding cakes, order wedding dress,... the list keeps growing!!!
in between all that I have helped my older sister, Donna, look for a new house, help out with daily chores, share more about experiences in China, send out my resume to prospective jobs, join church choir for Christmas play, and spend time with close friends.

Now November has arrived:
I am looking at my schedule. I am going to get ideas for the rehearsal dinner, go to the florist discuss my bouquets, experiment with my hair for the wedding... in between that I will be a sponsor for a girls conference this weekend in OKC.
BUSY
Thankfully as Kevin and I both assure each other everything will fall into place, just take one day at a time!