House or Home?

I read Centsational Girl's blog everyday, and today was one of my favorite posts of hers yet. (Check it out here.)

Ideal Home

She talks about how we all drool over designer rooms in home decor magazines and yearn for that perfection but perfection and the concept of home doesn't really match up.

Home is where you put on your PJs even though it is only 6:00. Home is where your dog's stuffed animals are ripped limb from limb and their stuffing litters the carpet. Home is where there is always a dish in the sink and a Sonic cup on the bar. Not quite the pristine, sparkling scene that ends up in magazines. But it is home. Warm and cozy. And an ENDLESS MESS. :o) Are there any kindred perfectionist spirits out there who have as hard a time as I sometimes do accepting that?

Home is for moments like this:

And this:

Moments that fancy decor and spotlessness just can't make.

Giving Thanks

It may be a little while before I post again because there will be a lot going on these next few weeks! This whole week coming up will be completely devoted to family and we're going where -- gasp -- there is NO Internet access! Whatever will I do?!

Our puppy's uncle will be house- and puppy-sitting while we are in Kentucky at my husband's grandparent's home. I'm looking forward to a lot of goofing off with family and eating some yummy food! Seriously, his family is full of such wonderful cooks!

The week after that is finals week for me-- the last finals week of my college career! I really have to put the pedal to the metal and finish my senior year right! So that's going to involve five or six big tests and projects coming up. Though I should devote all of my time to that, I probably will set aside some special time to decorate for Christmas and show you what I have going on! I can't wait!

What are you thankful for this year? I don't spend enough time thanking God for the special things I have going on in my life. This year, I'm thankful for...

• my wonderful husband, Josh

• my incredibly supportive family

• my puppy-love, Millie

• our wonderful home we've lived in for a year now
• a lot of financial assistance to get through college
• the beautiful wedding and honeymoon we had that I'll never forget

• moving in next to neighbors who have become my best friends
  

• the power God gives me to keep going when things get tough

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Spend time with your family (and if there's anything I've learned in life, it's that "family" does not have to be related to you.) Eat yummy food, and be thankful for the blessings you have!