Thankful

Whoa, 2 post in 2 days! I guess thats what happens when your husband works on Saturdays and I'm stalling from getting started on my to do list today. Ever since I was little I've loved the month of November. Not just because its my birthday month, but because Thanksgiving was always one of my favorite holidays. I loved getting together with family and having my mom, aunts and grandma cooking away in the kitchen. I love that the weather was finally cold enough then that it really did feel like fall. I miss all those things. Don't get me wrong, we (my husband, cousins and I) still celebrate Thanksgiving here, but its just not the same.

On Facebook this month its become a bit of a trend to write what you are thankful for each day. Everyday I can easily think of tons of things i'm thankful for. Is it terrible that almost everyday I want to put down something relating to my husband? Without a doubt he has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I love him so much more now than the day I married him, I didn't even know that was possible?! I know some people were a little bit surprised by our whirlwind romance but what I do know is it was all a part of a plan. I'm not sure that I ever shared a lot of details with how we met, etc. Back in January after I had returned from visiting my family in the US for Christmas, I was working a few casual days in Sydney at a preschool. The money was great, but after just a few short days I realized I was not cut out for the commuting life! One evening, 2 trains and almost 2 hours later I was walking home from the train station almost in tears, praying. I remember I kept saying, "God, I need something better, I don't know how much longer I can do this." At this point I had been in Australia for almost 5 months with no permanent job. I was running out of money, and seriously thinking my adventure in Australia was going to be coming to an end soon, but God had other plans. The very next day I got a phone call from a friend about the job at St Philips. And 2 days later I was in my principals office accepting a permanent job. On the day of my interview, there were only 2 people in the office as it was still closed for school holidays. As I was leaving my principals office, someone else walked up and that someone was Ben. My principal introduced us and I guess the rest is history. Well not really...for the next 4 weeks we chatted and got to know each other around the office but that was all until one Friday we went out for coffee, which turned into dinner and the rest is history.

Everyday I look at my husband and i'm reminded and overwhelmed by God's love for His children. Everyday I am so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness. God answered so many prayers when he brought Ben into my life. Never in my life would I have thought I would deserve or find a man like Ben. I'm thankful for how God is working in our lives and I know he has great plans for us. I have truly found my best friend and other half. I love that he makes me laugh when I want to cry. I love how hard he works for the two of us. I love that he is patient, understanding and holds me when I am incredibly homesick. I love that he is constantly helping me to see the bigger picture and reminding me to always give things to God in prayer. I love that he is my biggest cheerleader and reminding me to always reach for my dreams. I love how he is around our family and friends and how great he is with our nieces and nephew it makes me excited to have children with him. I love that he is a leader, honest, encouraging, respectful, goofy, sweet and of course handsome! I love how he loves me and makes me feel like the only girl in the world. But most of all, I love his love for the Lord.

With thanksgiving a few weeks away...I have so much to be thankful for.



 

Its been a while...

I know, I know...its been a while. Lets just say, I had a lot more free-time during my 6 weeks off work than I do know. So I guess I need to do a little catching up. Shortly after my last post I went back to work after my long post wedding break, or my forced break due to immigration laws. Getting back into a work routine wasn't the easiest thing, but finally after being back over 2 months I finally feel like things are back to normal. All sorts of things happened in my absence, which in some ways makes me think I should never leave again, but in just 4 short weeks I will once again be away and hope that my staff will manage without me.

We have settled in nicely to our flat. Its tiny, or for better word cozy. We are a 5 minute walk from the beach and I love it! Our landlords, who are friends of ours are such a fun couple to live next to and they spoil us rotten! Its the perfect place for us right now. I think we'll see how long we can stand living in such a tiny place. Ben says when we get sick of each other, then we can move somewhere bigger. Isn't my husband, sweet?

About a month ago for the long weekend, we traveled up north to visit my brother/sister in law and our adorable niece. It was the first time I had traveled any farther north than Newcastle, so it was nice to see more of the "country." Despite the constant rain, it was still a good weekend away to spend time with Ben's side of the family.

We celebrated my birthday. I'm now a lot closer to 30 that I would like to be. The day before my birthday we had a BBQ with my family here at our place. I love nights like that when we can just sit around outside, enjoying the beautiful summer-like weather. On my birthday my husband spoiled me rotten! Made breakfast, planned a day for us together. We went to the beach, shopping, out for dinner, he even made a super yummy cake for me! It was so nice to be able to spend the whole day with him. As much as I may not love the idea of being 27, 26 sure was a great year so I can't wait to see what this next year has in store!

And...4 weeks from today we will be on a plane, heading HOME!! I can't believe how fast the last few weeks have gone by. I feel like it was just yesterday I said we had 8 weeks to go and now we're already down to 4! And I know how busy they will be and before we know it we'll be at the airport getting on the plane! If you can't tell, I'm super excited! Even last night before bed I told my husband I probably won't be able to sleep the night before we leave because i'll just be so exited. And the fact that its almost a 24 hour trip home, my husband may not want to sit next to me on the plane because i'm pretty sure i'm going to be as excited as a kid at Christmas! Its been almost a year since i've been home, seen my friends, etc. I'm just ready. Ready to see everyone, ready to introduce Ben to everyone and ready to have 4 weeks off work with my hubby to spend with my family. I'm beyond excited :)

So, theres a little update. Life is good. We are extremely blessed. And married life is even better than I could have thought. With thanksgiving right around the corner I can't help but be extremely happy and thankful for all that God has done in my life this last year.