My Papa

He was a fisherman, my papa

In all senses of the word

He was quiet, strong, and true

The kind of man we all looked up to 

He always worked hard for everything that he had

To be a good friend, husband, brother, papa, and dad

When he had something on his mind he wanted it done then

And you didn’t dare argue with him

When I would tell him a story his eyes would get big

He’d shake his head and just give me a grin

I’ll never forget summers on the boat and fish fries

Watching judges on tv and listening to his advice

He was one of the greatest men I’ve ever known

He didn’t have to say a lot, his wisdom in silence rang strong

He had friends everywhere that he went

But I guess that’s how it is with a man like him

His community loved him because he was a great man

Known and honored all around town

I know he loved being surrounded by family and friends

He’d watch and listen, taking it all in

He had more friends than anyone else I know

And I only wish I could leave behind that kind of legacy when it’s my time to go

We all loved him but he’d tell us not to miss him

He’s in heaven now

And he’s finally fishin’

Thanks and giving!

I am so pumped for the rest of this week!  Time with family, the delicious food, the comfort of tradition, the gift buying!

Mom is hosting Thanksgiving for the family tomorrow. And I'm in charge of desserts. 

I've been feeling extra house-wifey and crafty lately. I made adorable meatloaf cupcakes for dinner Monday night and a trio of international shrimp dishes last night. I created cute wreaths for our doors (big deal - I'm normally NOT crafty). And I'm excited to be in charge of desserts for Thanksgiving! I'm most excited about the creation of my pecan maple cupcake with bacon crumbles on top. 

My Mama's birthday is tomorrow, and we will be celebrating!

My Mama always tells me that she's never had a birthday party (hint.hint.). Now my parents and my aunts say that she has...but I still wanted to make sure she has a birthday party to remember. So, in addition to the Thanksgiving festivities, we have birthday presents and birthday banners and birthday decorations to make her feel special this year.

Thankful for my second family and our celebrations together.

After Derrick and I have our first lunch with my amazing family, we will be heading to Raleigh to celebrate and be thankful for the wonderful Green family. I am blessed with my new family, and they're always fun to hang out with.

Beach bound to buy, buy, buy!

For 10 years now, my Mom and I have headed to the beach right after Thanksgiving celebrations are over. We make a game plan, discuss the stores we definitely need to hit (Walmart, Lifeway, Old Navy, Bath&Body Works, New York & Co., and Bass Pro), and then wake up at 7ish on Friday to begin our day. I love putting in that first Christmas CD and hearing SheDaisy sing Deck the Halls. I love picking out gifts for everyone. I love keeping up with what I've gotten, how much I've saved, and what I have left. I love eating amazing food at our favorite restaurants. I love getting back to the room, laying out everything we've bought, and putting on a good movie while we wrap. It's probably consistently my favorite annual tradition. 

Christmas season means Christmas music and new traditions!

When I get back from the beach trip, Derrick and I will get to continue a tradition I prompted us to start last year. We'll pop in Elf, make some hot chocolate, and decorate our Christmas tree! Post-Thanksgiving also means that I can finally listen to Christmas music at work. (I'm a firm believer in no Christmas until after Thanksgiving).

"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: 
the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." 
Psalm 95:1-6

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? 

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

  I am thankful for my home

Several times a week, either Derrick and I will look at one another and say "I love our home." It never fails. It is homey and cozy and warm and home.

I am thankful for my job

I am thankful for Campbell University. I am beyond thankful for the wonderful people that I get to work with - faculty, staff, and students. And I am very thankful to have a job that I look forward to where I get to grow and learn and do...at a place that honors God and has a heart for students. 

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I am thankful to live in Harnett County, NC, USA

I am thankful that there are two tractors in my back yard right now to plow the field of wheat behind our house. I am thankful that both my family and Derrick's family still pretty much all live exactly where they grew up within a few miles of each other. I am thankful the freedom we have and the people who fight for that freedom. I am thankful for the good ol' boys, the country churches, the traditions and American pride.

I am thankful for health

For my health. For the health of those that I love. For the health of my cousin who was suffering with cancer last year - and kicked its butt! And I'm thankful for the doctors and Great Physician who offer the hope of health when things aren't going so great.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of You!

I am thankful for Jesus Christ

Savior. Redeemer. Mediator. Friend. When I think of heaven,
 I think of a hug from Jesus - talk about peace beyond all understanding. 

I am thankful for my husband

Derrick Hudson Green makes me laugh, takes care of me when I'm too stubborn to take care of myself, keeps me on my toes, appreciates me and tells me so, and is my very best friend and partner in life.
On this side of heaven, his hugs are my favorite. 

I am thankful for my parents

I have the best parents. Seriously. My mom is one of my best friends, my role model and, alone with Derrick, she's my comfort person. My dad is my biggest fan and my hero. They're always there for me, and I know I can always count on them no matter what.   

I am thankful for my little brother

My brother is one of my favorite people in the world. I think he's hilarious. And he has a big part of my heart. I'm more related to him than any other person ever...and I'm good with that :)

I am thankful for my other parents and sister

God has blessed me with an awesome addition to my family. They're the family that understands Derrick like I do and loves him (almost) as much and for longer than I have. They all accepted me with open arms, and I am very blessed with a second family that loves me, looks out for me, and adds joy to my life.

I am thankful for my friends

Derrick and I are so blessed with an abundance of amazing, Christian friends! Whether it's the beautiful girl friends that I grew up with or our Alabama friends or our Sunday-night friends or our new church friends - I am completely aware that Derrick and I are more blessed than most to be surrounded by such great, fun, funny, Jesus-loving people.

I am thankful for my church family

Derrick and I are so blessed with our RC family! It is so great to have the freedom to worship and learn about our Lord. And to have people who have the same heart for God and who are there to encourage us and build us up (and real people we can just do life with in and outside of church).