What if today, we were just grateful for everything?

This is quite the statement.

What if we did this? What if, rather than worry about everything that might happen, we took the opportunity to just be grateful.

I saw this on a Snoopy cartoon posted on someone's facebook tonight.

Just be grateful. Like it's so simple.  

I think that real secret is that it is so simple. 

Today, instead of complaining about how much I have to do and how much I didn't get done and how much money I'm spending on Christmas, I think back over the things that I have to be grateful for today.

The Gym.
My new workout buddy.
Jonathan keeping me accountable.
My job.
Lunch with Diana.
Baking - the beginning of Christmas Baking Extravaganza.
Christmas shopping - the ability to buy gifts for my loved ones and enjoy the Christmas season.
Jesus - the reason for the Christmas season.
My cell phone and good conversations.
The Internet.

I could go on. There is just so much to be thankful for and I am just grateful.

Chattanooga

This weekend, Jonathan and I went to Chattanooga, just for fun! We really had a great time and it was so relaxing!

We went out to eat, slept late, went to Rock City, went to Ruby Falls and then out to eat again with some of Jonathan's friends and slept late again! It really was a nice relaxing weekend!

Can you actually see 120 miles to KY/VA???

It's a beautiful view!

Us.

How far can you see, Jonathan?

The 7 states and their flags.

Waterfall

Ruby Falls - totally worth it. It is a cool cavern walk and ends with this view.

Behind the waterfall looking up - 145 feet.

Thanksgiving

Here's a little late post about our actual Thanksgiving...I feel like Baby Baxter being here was definitely the highlight, but Thursday was a good day. We were over at my aunt Dusty's with all 3 of her boys, and one of their girls! They are about the same ages as me and my brothers. And both of my brothers and their families were there. It was a good day of getting together and eating! Caldwell is 4 and Hamilton is 3. Dot is 10 months. Here's a few pictures from the day!

The whole fam - Pre-Baxter

Just after this Hamilton says "Caldwell doesn't like to play Tigers." - In case you were wondering - H is roaring at Caldwell and she is totally terrified!

Sweet girl!

RRRrrrrrroar!!!!!!!!!!!!

 H says CHEEEEESE!

I love these kiddos!

Our New Addition

Today, November 28, 2011, my nephew - Baxter Carpenter Waters entered the world! He is named after my maternal grandfather - H Baxter Carpenter who is 94. 

He is healthy and just a beautiful little baby! We are so excited that he is finally here!

One eye open

He's beautiful and perfect.

Proud Daddy!

Thankful Thanksgiving

Things I am thankful for now:

1. Work - I am so satisfied with my job. I am happy there and really enjoy the work and the people that I work with.
2. Jonathan - I am so thankful for his sweet spirit, his kind words and his encouragement. We have so much fun together!
3. Health - I am happy and thankful to have been healthy this whole year.
4. Family - I am thankful for the support and love they give me on a regular basis. I can't wait to spend time with them over the next 6 weeks as I get to know my new nephew and spend time with the rest of my family.
5. Friends - I am thankful for their continued encouragement. I'd especially like to call attention to a few close friends who continually encourage me, listen to me and make time for me in their lives: Melissa, Diana, Nick, Ashley(s), Megan and several new friends here in Knoxville
6. Healthy pregnancy for Ashley - And baby boy waters #2! Can't wait to meet him this weekend.
7. Spending time with my family over the Holidays. I can't wait to get home for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas.

I am so grateful to Jesus for giving me so much to be thankful for. He is the real reason I have to be Thankful.

What are you thankful for this season?

UT Football

I went to a UT/Vandy game this weekend with Jonathan. We went down early Saturday afternoon and met up with my friend Nick and a bunch of his friends to tailgate. We went to the Vol Walk and then went to another tailgate with some of Jonathan's friends. It was a fun afternoon and evening. When we got in the game, it turns out that Nick was sitting a few rows in front of us and had open seats in front of them. So we moved down there after the first quarter and sat with them. After the half one of Jonathan's friends and his wife came and sat with us for the rest of the game. It was so fun! And UT ended up winning the game in Overtime. Such an exciting game!

Here's a few pics from the weekend!

Can Anybody pick out Derek Dooley's orange pants?!

This is us at one of the tailgates!

Weekend Update

This past weekend was pretty busy, but just really fantastic!

I went with Jonathan to the Lady Antebellum concert here in Knoxville to celebrate his birthday, which was on Halloween. 

We were SO close!

It was an awesome concert. They were fun, energetic and played for an hour and a half. The openers, Randy Montana and Josh Kelly were good. Interesting music tid-bit: Josh Kelly is Charles Kelly's brother. Charles Kelly is the lead singer for Lady A. Josh Kelly is also married to Katherine Heigl. I was really hoping she would be there with their beautiful little baby. They adopted a baby from South Korea two years ago. But I guess I just had to put up with some good music!! I got the general admission tickets because I thought that it would be more fun. We got there pretty early and even though we had to stand the whole time, it was worth it because we were so close! Here are a few other great shots from the night!

In this last photo - the whole band came out on this stage extension thing and played an acoustic set. It was awesome! One of my favorite parts of the night. 

On Saturday, Jonathan took me to DOLLYWOOD for the first time. He, of course, had been before, but I had not. It was fun! We spent the afternoon there and the weather was fantastic. It got pretty chilly after the sun went down and I was glad that we had taken jackets, hats and gloves. We got to see all the Christmas lights and the Christmas parade. And we had the most amazing warm cinnamon bread. It was like eating a cinnamon bun and they had cream cheese icing to go with it. It was a fun, relaxing weekend just because we really weren't on a schedule. Just what I needed. 

I can't believe that tomorrow is Thursday and that next Thursday is Thanksgiving. I am reminded of how much I have to be Thankful for. Once upon a time, this blog was about being Thankful. I plan to take some time over the next few weeks to re-read some old post and be thankful for all of the good things in my life.

I challenge you to take some time and reflect on the things you have to be thankful for over the coming week. Expect a Thanksgiving post next week some time.