Date Night

Last Friday (Dec 2nd), Mr. McGoo invited me on a date. He planned it all and invited me to join him, at our home! I couldn't have been more thrilled to spend some quality time with my handsome man - all the while being home together, which is a rare event lately.

The Date Night included Mr. McGoo's homemade sweet and delicious chili, a fire, Christmas music, and holiday treats. It was perfect.

We enjoyed good conversation and quality time while cracking and opening pecans. We made chocolate covered pecans, sugar cookies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Temptations, and heavenly hash. We made and put up a simple Advent calendar on our refrigerator. Good stuff!

The most interesting part of the evening was the moment Mr. McGoo presented me with ROASTED CHESTNUTS. My response, I believe after I asked "what are those", was "those are actually real?" I never thought much more about them beyond singing the line in the Christmas song. They are real, however, and Mr. McGoo made some for me to try. I am thankful that I can say, I've had roasted chestnuts, but that's as far as I'm taking it. I'm not a fan of their taste.

Then I forced Mr. McGoo to pose by the fire with them - it seemed only fitting! :)

Roasted Chestnuts by the Open Fire - seriously!

A poor attempt to catch us and the tree

Dexter and me hanging out while talking to Mr. McGoo

Advent Calendar created for the frig

Thanksgiving

I fell off the wagon with my "thankful for" posts... school and work and preparations for Thanksgiving travels became too much and something had to give... I chose the blog. It probably will continue to be that way for the most part until I get past my final check-off for school (2 final exams to go & one MAJOR skills check-off)... end date is Tuesday, December 13th. I'll be "free" for a couple weeks starting Wednesday, December 14th morning! Whoo hoo!

Thanksgiving was fabulous due to the fact that I completely unplugged for 4 days and had some quality time with Mr. McGoo. No internet connection and minimal technology. The days were composed of travel, family, food, fellowship, rest, fun, and reading.

I took the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off from work to use the time to clean house - something that had been neglected recently - and prepare for our travels to Lexington, KY. We left Memphis about 315pm with our buddy Steve and niece, Grace. Our time in KY was good and a needed break from the typical pace of Mr. McGoo and my life lately.

We really enjoyed visiting with family and having extra time with our niece. The highlight of the trip was taking Grace to tour part of Claiborne Farms. It was a really cool experience.

Some photos of our Thanksgiving adventures:

THANKFUL FOR My Study Group

Without my study group, this photo above would be me... all the time. Seriously. Nursing school has so much information to retain and learn, and often in a short amount of time. Learning the material requires lots of time and without my study group of five folks counting me, I would be alone with a pile of books and a cup of coffee regularly.

Instead, I am joined with four other classmates regularly, talking through and hashing over all the concepts, body systems, and nursing skills we are taught. I am thankful for my study group. We lean on each other and teach each other along the way. Plus, this group sure makes nursing school more fun.

THANKFUL FOR Friends

When times are busy, tough, and hard, the amazing blessing of friends comes more fully into focus. It's not doubt that Mr. McGoo and I have some wonderful friends.

We are blessed with some awesome people in our lives that we call friends! God regularly uses them to encourage us, challenge us, entertain us, love us, uplift us, pray for us, and enhance our daily life on this earth in many ways!!! We're so blessed! I am thankful for friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

THANKFUL FOR Kodi

This morning we received some very hard and unexpected news. Our fur baby, Kodi passed away. 

Mr. McGoo and I are so thankful for the time we had with Kodi. For 12 years, Kodi Bear has been my husband's greatest companion. For the less than 6 years that I've known Mr. McGoo, I've had Kodi within my life. The greatest of dogs.

I'm lacking words today, but know that I can say... I am thankful for Kodi. Thankful that the Lord blessed us with him and many great memories of his life with us.

Life in the McGoo house is going to be different without this alpha pup. It's proving to be a tough transition, but we're so thankful for his loyalty and friendship for so many years! This fur baby is one that will most definitely be missed!

To read the entire story of Kodi's passing and hear from Mr. McGoo, definitely check out his blog post about Kodi. Here.

THANKFUL FOR Fall Leaves

With the changing of the seasons comes my favorite change of the year... the change of the leaves into beautiful colors of yellow and red. So peaceful. So beautiful. 

I am thankful for the fall leaves.

THANKFUL FOR My Family

I've mentioned it in a previous thankful for post that I love and am thankful for my parents. This is still fact, but I think I need to more fully extend the thankfulness. I am thankful for my family!

God has blessed me abundantly with an amazing support system in this group of 5, now 7 individuals. Dad, Mom, Middle sis- Robin, Youngest sis- Kelsey, Hubs- Mr. McGoo, and Brother in Law- Brent. They are all fabulous in their own special way.

I look forward to family time whenever I can get it. They can be a crazy bunch at times, and be careful when you get the Wilson ladies laughing, we can't breath and the high pitched nature of the tones coming from us definitely increase... but the men folk in good fashion simply shake their heads and smirk or laugh with us.

It's time for some updated photos - I will have to work on that this December - but for now... here are some fun ones from 2006 forward.

Family Cruise - 2006

Family Cruise - 2006

Reba Concert Night - 2007

Hmmm... I think 2009 August Family Bday Celebration

July 2010 Family Vacation

And when I mention family, I cannot really stop at this group of 7... I am so blessed to have an amazing in-laws and extended family too! From grandparents to aunts to uncles to cousins and more on both my side and Mr. McGoo's... I grew up with tons of love and support. Now that I'm an "adult", I really enjoy spending time with these folks, even though the availability to do so is less frequent than we'd like.

I am thankful for my in-laws and extended family, too! Not everyone can say that - so I know I'm blessed!