Going Up?

Well..... I guess I'm heading up another mountain. Just when you think you've reached a resting point, or a plateau or maybe even the top, another climb shows up. And I'm not talking just any climb, I'm talking about the steepest, most difficult climb yet.

Went to see the R.E. today for my initial consultation and it really did go well. The Dr. was everything I wanted her to be. She was sensitive, caring, informative and she wasn't just going to write me off as another IVF candidate. (Thank God) We talked about our health history and family's health history, symptoms, blah blah blah blah........ It ended up with a power point presentation on what could be wrong and what they can do to help us reach that oh so far away mountain top peak.....PREGNANCY/PARENTHOOD.

Oh ya, I almost forgot the best part....I am being half serious right now, can you sense my sarcasm at all? The best part was when I got that wonderful "inner ultrasound" so she could better assess my girly goodies and we discovered something very interesting......I have classic polycystic ovaries. It is pretty much a 90% plus chance that I have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). Talk about Mt. Everest! I knew there was something abnormal with me, but this is pretty hard to wrap my head around right now. Why couldn't my previous Dr's have figured this out sooner? It's not like it was hiding itself.......


That is an example of what my ovaries look like. My Dr. called it the "pearl necklace". So, still I wonder, why haven't they seen this before? Did they even look hard enough???

To say that I've had a hard day today would be the understatement of the year. It's been a friggin' (yes, I said friggin') emotional rollercoaster. I went into the appointment all calm, cool and collected. "I've got this", I told myself, "I'm stronger than I was two years ago (true), nothing's gonna bring me down!" Ya, right! The moment she mentions the two miscarriages and the anger associated with it, a little piece of my strong facade breaks off. We end that portion of the consultation and head into the ultrasound room. I lay down and look up; she shows me my ovaries; I sit up and say "Did I do this to myself?" and the crying begins again, but with full force. The best thing about the Dr is she came to my side and comforted me.....I think she's done this before.....heck, she's probably heard those words a million times!!!

I don't know why or how this happened, but apparently there's nothing I could do about it. Ugh! Nothing I could do about it??? I'm not a control freak, but why must my body constantly be rebellious??? Why can't life be peaches and cream, or rainbows on a rainy day, or a liesurely walk in the park? What I mean is why can't MY LIFE be that way. I don't mean to complain, but for Pete's sake, when am I gonna get a break? When is my blessing coming?

I am reminded of a psalm that has stuck with me for a looooong time. I first heard it sung by the incomparable Shane and Shane, but it is a passage from the Bible.

Psalm 13 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹ O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
² How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

³ Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
⁴ Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
⁶ I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

I am not alone as I climb up another peak on this mountain called "My Life". When I reach the peak there will be rest and there will be victory in the rest. I am not fighting for each grasp or foothold by myself, my God is there with me and He's climbing with me and He's leading my way. He is going to have to show me where to put what hand on what rock and if I slip, He will catch me and set me on the right path. If He's climbing along with me, He feels every discouragement, every fear, every tear and the sweat that's streaming down my body. He knows my anguish and my desire for it to all go away. He too is longing for the day when I can declare "Victory" in this battle. It will all be worth it!

Here's just another song that I've held onto for a long time. The words are so meaningful for everything that we're waiting on in our lives. Whether it's a baby, a healing in your body, a lifelong mate to come along, a broken marriage put back together again....remember you're not alone in your waiting. God is waiting too.....

"In The Waiting"
Words and Music By: Shannon Wexelberg

I've tried to be strong
Is there something I've done wrong?
Cause I've been waiting here so long
You see each tear
As the months have turned to years
For some reason You must want me here

I can see You're breaking up my fallow ground
In this season of such barrenness, Lord, I have found

You are in the waiting
In that moment of my life
When my faith and hope collide
While my heart's anticipating
Just how and when You'll move
Oh, that's when You prove
You are in the waiting too

So, plant Your seed
'Til it's living, Lord, in me
Make me all You want me to be
Unveil my eyes
If I've exchanged the truth for lies
Give me faith so I can see

The work that You began You will complete in me
I don't have to understand that place You're keeping me

You give me water in the desert
You lift me up on eagle's wings
So from way up high, I can see my life
From Your view of things

Though I've cried out for an answer
I believe that I can say
Thank You, Lord, for every answer You've delayed

You are in the waiting
In that moment of my life
When my faith and hope collide
While my heart's anticipating
Just how and when You'll move
Oh, that's when You prove
You are in the waiting too

SJR

Tomorrow......

I'm going to see a Reproductive Endocrinologist tomorrow morning at 10:00. To say that I have mixed feelings about this appointment would be an understatement. I am feeling excited, nervous, hopeful, anxious, contemplative......scared.

I don't like to use the word "scared" very often because that would mean that I might possibly not be as brave as I let people think I am. But the fact is, I am scared. I am scared that the doctor still won't find something "wrong" with me and I'll continue being an abnormal female. I am scared that what's wrong with me won't be able to be fixed easily or even fixed at all. I am scared that the doctor is going to file me away in the "IVF file" and write me off completely. I am scared of not ever having a child of my own.

I am a huge Sex and the City fan and have watched it for years!!! I know that it's just fiction and that the character's lives aren't real, but their stories have and still touch my heart to this day. One storyline that has stuck with me is that of Charlotte York-Goldenblatt.



Charlotte was the eternal optimist. She always could see the positive in anything and everyone no matter how dire the situation was. Charlotte was the hopeless romantic and believed in love and all that it represents. I guess it was her naivety that lead to her first marriage to Trey McDougal which failed miserably due to his being a total selfish and inconsiderate husband. While she went through the divorce process she met Harry Goldenblatt who she hired as her divorce attorney. Later on they fall in love (for reals) and get married. While she was married to Trey and then Harry later on Charlotte struggled with her infertility. She tried everything from positive thinking, testing, fertlity treatments and acupuncture to no avail. At the end of the SATC series she and Harry get approved to adopt a little girl from China and she finally gets what she wants. They made a SATC movie which picks up a few years after the series ends and you see Charlotte and Harry raising this beautiful little girl that they name Lily. In the movie Charlotte finally gets pregnant on her own and gives birth to another little girl that they name Rose.



I have always had a stronger connection to this character than the others because I totally identify with her. She always wanted to have a relationship with a good man. She finds a good man and he turns out to be a total dud. She leaves him and finds a man that she never thought she'd ever see herself with, but he's perfect for her. They get married and can't start a family because there's something "wrong" with her, but they don't know why! Can you see why I relate to her story???

The best thing about Charlotte was her ability to persevere through her trials. She ended up with everything she wanted even though it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows on her road to getting there. Yes, this was the life that was written for her by the writers for the show, but I know I'm not the only woman out there that can relate with her make believe life. Her story inspires me regardless if it's the truth or if it's fictional.


Funny thing is now that I've focused on this sweet story, I've forgotten about my fears about tomorrow's appointment. I am more excited to see what is in store. I am ready to get this ball rolling and to start taking all the tests necessary to see what can be fixed. I have hope and I know that the One who writes my story has only good things in store for me and my future family with my "Harry".

SJR aka. Charlotte ;-)

Man!!! I always have writer's block!!!

Today I sought out assistance in my search for something to write about today. I received a few suggestions and now it's hard to pick just one! Here is what was suggested......My favorite places in the world, The best meal ever, the best thing I ever cooked, how Matt and I met, what I hope other people see when they get to know me, CA vs. TX and my testimony. Thanks to you who actually commented back and now onto what I'm going to pick for today! Eenie, meenie, mynie, mo...........

CA vs. TX

I have now lived in the Lone Star State for three years this coming March. It's actually funny to think that I've spent the majority of my marriage in this great state. Before Matt and I met each other we had each separately wanted to live in Texas. When we started dating we had discussed where we'd like to end up once we were married and we both said Texas. Originally we wanted to live in Dallas, but we knew that if the opportunity arose in Texas it really didn't matter where in the state we lived, we just wanted to be here! Fast forward to February of 2007....Matt and I have been married just a little over a year, I have had 2 miscarriages and I am in desperate need of a change! I was out shopping with Kiki in Concord and Matt calls to ask me what I thought about "Schertz, TX". I tell him I have no idea because I don't know where that town is. Well, I came to find out that it was just 20 minutes outside of San Antonio on the northeast side. I thought "Why not? It's Texas and I neeeeed to get out of California!!!" So Matt applied for the job, they called him back for an interview, he flew here for the interview, he heard back and good news, he got the job! We started our move at the end of March of 2007 and were here a few days later....phew!

Anyways, onto what I really was blogging about.... The Golden State vs. The Lone Star State. I'm not going to say that either state is better than the other because there are great things about both states! Do I ever want to live in Cali again? Not really. Let's just say that being in Texas during these times of economic issues has been a real blessing. In fact, it was so good to live here that tons of people from other states migrated to our neck of the woods. I cannot tell you how many ex-Californians I have met in the past year, it's astounding! San Antonio was rated the best place to live and work in the US last year because we didn't feel the effects of the recession. It's like we were in a protective bubble here.

Another reason I love being in Texas rather than California is the housing market. When Matt and I were living in CA it literally felt impossible for us to buy a house or even a tiny condo and still be able to survive! Don't get me wrong, we looked at houses and tried to do the math to see if we could ever afford something and the results of our calculations were just depressing. When we got to TX we thought, why not check out what's out there and see if it's possible. What do we have to lose? Nada! We looked for maybe a month at most and within that month we locked down a great deal on a hugemongous house! We got a 30 year fixed rate mortgage on a 2400 sq foot house with NO MONEY DOWN!!! We got over $10,000.00 knocked off of the price and they threw in a refrigerator, washer/dryer and a $1000.00 gift card to Linens n' Things! Oh and we got the house for just under$150K! That would have never happened for us in CA, not in a million years! The housing market is only getting better here......when the time comes for us to move we don't worry about selling our house because we live in a highly desirable area in San Antonio and we're close to a thriving AFB. For the price we are paying here we would have been able to afford a "condo" in CA. I put condo in quotations because the condo we would have afforded was a remodeled apartment complex that was made into condos......sorry, those are still apartments....you aren't fooling anyone!

Let's see what else is better here??? Lots and lots of things are! Our education, athletics, our government, our freeways, etc. There are too many things to name, but one of the other things that I find to be better here is our commitment to our troops and their families. We are proud of our men and women in the US military. Yes, we have people here who are not in favor of the war that we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, but they aren't going crazy over protesting it. They protest in their own ways, but they still support our military. The other night Matt and I were at dinner and we noticed a man and his family at another table. Obviously he was a soldier who had returned from fighting because he had severe damage on his head, upper body and his arms from burns. He had an apparatus that he used in lieu of his hands because he had lost both of them. He had military tattoos on the other parts of his arms. Anyway, their waitress came up to them and told them that their meal had been taken care of by another patron in the restaurant. She also said that the person that paid for their meal wanted to thank them for their service and was proud of them. I started to choke up a little because it was amazing that someone would actually be nice enough to recognize a soldier in public. We love our soldiers here!

There are good things about California that I miss very much! I miss my family and friends a lot! I love the people that I've met here and have established relationships with, but I miss my Cali peeps a lot. I miss the mountains and the snow! We don't have that here in TX.....we have everything else, but no mountains! We'd like to think that our wine is good here, but it ain't California wine! There's just something very special about the soil there, it's perfect for winemaking!

All in all there are great things about both states, but I choose to be here! I love Texas and I am a Texan now....I've always wanted to be a Texan and now my wish has come true!

Yes, I know it's January 11th!!!

Better late than never, right??? It's not that I haven't had much to say, it's just that I didn't exactly know where to start with it.

2010 is going to be a fantastic year, I just know it! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this year. So, I guess I'll start off with a few things that I'm excited for in the upcoming months.....

We are planning a trip sometime very soon to visit Matt's family in Georgia and Mississippi. Hopefully we'll get to take a little trip to Savannah as it is one of the places that I'd love to visit while we are there! I'll keep y'all posted as plans are finalized.

I just found out that Matt's sister and her youngest son, Dakota, are planning on coming back here to visit us in Texas for their spring break. That'll be fun and I hope that we get to do more with them this time! Last year Jill and the kids came here for a visit and she ended up spending a good bit of her time at the hospital. Jill got really sick and was diagnosed with a huge kidney stone which needed immediate attention. So, not only did she come to Texas for a visit, but she also got to experience our hospitals as well. Eek! It won't happen this next time I'm sure of it!

I turn the big 3-0 this year!!! Goodbye 20's and hello 30's!!!! I'm ready to put this decade behind me already! I think the 20's are just for being an immature adult! Yes, you do a lot of growing up in your 20's, but in my case I made a ton of mistakes. I did learn from them, but let's just say I didn't always take the easy road! So, I've got about 10 more months left in my twenties until I kiss them bye-bye.....hooray!!!

Matt and I will celebrate 5 years of sweet, wedded bliss this year! It still seems like only yesterday I met my wonderful man. I continue to be blessed every day that I spend married to my amazing Matt!!! Man, 5 years totally flew by fast!

I'm sure there will be some random trips to California this year and to Dallas, etc. We are in the talks of spending Christmas in Lake Tahoe with the whole family/extended family. Lord knows I'd loooooove a white Christmas.....again, I'll be keeping y'all posted on that as plans get solidified.

There are things that I certainly put in my "hope box" for this year. I'm sure those of you who read this blog might have already guessed what they are, but in case you didn't know here they are again.

1) To get pregnant and have a very healthy pregnancy and baby
2) For Matt to get promoted so that I can be free to be a stay at home mom when the time comes
3) I don't think I have a number 3 exactly, but as the year progresses and things happen, I may fill this spot.

I don't really want/need a whole lot. The things I listed above are things that we pray for every single day and would hope that if you're reading this you'd pray specifically for what I've listed. I really do covet your prayers and would be happy to return the request any time you need it! Those of you that read this are my friends and some of you I don't live close to anymore, but I am here for you! If you have a prayer need please feel free to email me at sarahreed7880@gmail.com. If I can't be there for you physically I'd very much like to be here for you in prayer!

Happy 2010 everyone! I hope that your hopes and prayers are answered this year in accordance to God's perfect will!

Sarah

PDawg's 2009 Reflection Questions

I know the questions didn't come directly from HP, but she inspired me by her blog to answer them too. I am also a sucker for questionnaires and I couldn't resist! So here goes nothin'......

2009 Reflection Questions
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
A lot of great things happened this year that I cannot think of a single "thing" that was the best, so I will list a few....is that ok? I got to travel to CA twice, I went to Disneyland after over 15 years of not going there, I quit my old job and got a fabulous new job, I overcame depression.....there are more than that, but I had to list a few!

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
The most challenging thing was overcoming depression and jealousy from the lack of being a mother or being pregnant yet. I have learned this year to continue to walk in the path that God prepared for me and to not be envious of other people's paths because we're all different.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
An unexpected joy this past year was probably going back to taking dance classes at Ballet Austin. I love teaching ballet, but not as much I love taking ballet class! Don't get me wrong....teaching ballet is probably one of my favorite things to do, but the joy of not being the teacher and returning to the ballet barre is fantastic! I remember I was taking my second class when I returned to taking that I was doing plie's and I was filled with happiness and strong emotion that I started to tear up. Dance is what I'm supposed to do, even if I'm not the "ideal" dancer, it's what I was designed to do!

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
The most unexpected obstacle that I faced this year was when I was fired from my teaching position at Ballet New Braunfels. People may think that I hold a lot of hard feelings towards that studio and those who attend there, but that isn't the case. I have forgiven those who intended to hurt me and discourage me and I have moved on. I still refuse to stay out of the lives of those precious girls that I used to teach because they are amazing young women and young dancers and I just want to see them grow in their lives as well as their talents.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
Difficult, Enlightening, Healing

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Emotional, Healed, Facebook.....J/K....maybe Moving On (can I use one bigger word and a smaller word too?)

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, without asking).
Awkward, Slow, Learning/Growing

8. What were the best books you read this year?
"Fearless" By: Max Lucado

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
God, my husband, my parents, BNB special Mommies, my "kiddos".....

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
My biggest personal change from Jan to December was my transformed heart. How I learned to be satisfied in where I am right now while I continue to hope for what's to come.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I feel that I learned to maintain my ability to keep my passion for a family alive without becoming overly obsessed about it. I feel that I used to just focus on what I didn't have yet and only see the small things, rather than look at the bigger picture. We all tend to just focus on the smaller things in life instead of seeing the blessing in where God has us right now. We always want what we don't have and I feel that this year I've learned to keep that hope for a family alive without driving myself and everyone around me crazy.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
Well, Matt and I haven't been regularly attending church services this year. I'm not proud of that fact, but it's the truth. It has nothing to do with lack of faith or being angry with God because that is ridiculous. We haven't been able to find a good, truth-teaching, genuine people and leadership church here where we are at. Funny thing is the other night while we were laying in bed Matt brought up that subject that he'd like to find a church to belong to again. The trouble is we've been to pretty much every church in the greater San Antonio area and have even ventured up to Austin and have found nothing! This is sooooo discouraging and I feel kind of hopeless in our search right now. Anyways, now that I've explained what's going on I need ya'll to know that even though we haven't been attending church in a building, God has continued to amaze me and teach me things every day regardless of our situation. God isn't relegated to any one church or a church building for that matter. He is everywhere and with us all the time! A fabulous way that we've found to still attend church is by going online at lifechurch.tv! We can still get good teaching and sing worship songs online! I don't plan on always attending church by this means, but it's nice to know that it's out there! The fact is that God has continued to move in our life and He hasn't gone anywhere. My faith is stronger now than it was a year ago and that didn't come from sitting in a pew every Sunday morning. My faith grew because I stayed faithful to studying God's Word and prayer. He also didn't ever leave my side either....and that's the best part of all!

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I started taking ballet classes again and that helps diminish stress as well as keeps me healthy! I'd like to take more classes during the week when I can. I plan on doing so starting in january!

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I think that my relationships with others could be better. This is something I'd like to improve upon in 2010.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
I love having a nice home and I love it when it's clean, but that doesn't happen all of the time! Cleaning the house is something that I somewhat enjoy doing, but when you have 2500 square feet to clean.......torture!!! If I had the extra money I would hire someone to tidy up for me at least once a month. My favorite thing is to decorate and organization.....when I get the chance to.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?
Cleaning a two-story, 2500 square foot house! I long for the one-story days again! Our next house will be a one-story fo sho!

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Depression......people say that Facebook is a time waster, but I don't really agree with that. The stupid things like Farmville and whatever-ville are the time wasters, but reconnecting with old friends and seeing what's going on in everyone's lives is my favorite part!

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Using my photography talents.....I'd like to use that more this new year for sure!

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
See all the previously answered questions above!

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of things we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

I answered them all before the end of 2009!!!! Hope y'all have fun answering them too :-)

Be sure to leave me a comment with a link if you answer them. Happy New Year!

Reflecting on 2009

I cannot believe that 2009 has come and almost gone already! So many things have happened this year, some good and some not so good, but all in all it has been a whirlwind! Honestly, it feels like only yesterday my family was here visiting and it was 2008. I know I had hopes and dreams for what 2009 would hold for me and my loved ones, but the fact is it wasn't everything we had expected. It wasn't completely an "easy" year. For some of us it was full of trials, disappointments, heartache, etc. etc. It is so easy to reflect upon 2009 as a non-blessed year, but even in all the difficulties faced, God remained our perfect Father and blessed us regardless of the chaos!

Just a few weeks ago I was talking with my Dad about his trip to visit us here in Texas and I had asked him if he was getting excited. He didn't completely sound excited even though I knew he was, he just sounded worn out and sad. It's hard for me to hear disappointment in anyone's voice let alone my Dad's and I asked him if he was ok. He replied, "I'm just ready for 2009 to be over". I agreed with him and we continued to complain about all the crud that had occurred in the previous months. I bring up that conversation because it shows that we just merely focused on the negative events of 2009 instead of seeing all the good that had happened.

This past weekend we were fortunate enough to visit great friends, The Goldstein's, up in Dallas. We attended worship with them on Sunday and their speaker was Conner Bailes of Prestonwood Church. He challenged us to not lose sight of the blessings of 2009. He talked about how he and his family had experienced hardships with their family's health this year. He also touched on the economic struggles that our country has faced this year. Yes, this year has been hard, but don't forget how God has blessed us this year. Don't forget what God has changed in your life this year.

Conner's challenge brought joyful tears to my eyes as the Spirit reminded me of how my heart has been healed this year. I started this year off (as I have for maybe the past 2 years) in hopes that this would be the year that God would bless us with a child. Here we are, it's December 29th and I am not a mommy yet, nor am I pregnant yet. If this was last year I would have been crying bitter tears and still asking God "Why me?". This year I can say that I am not crying as I type this and I have a thankful, transformed heart that God has turned from bitter to joyful! This year I have been taught to be completely satisfied in my marriage to my wonderful husband and to be contented in being Matt's wife (also "dog-mom" to my sweet pups Sprock and Snick).

I am so fortunate to have been married for 4 years now to the most incredible, patient, loving man in the entire world! I started this year off coming out of the grip of depression over this "not being a mommy yet" thing. Everything that had to do with babies and pregnancy and my lack of the two made me cry....I'm talking full on hiccups and snot everywhere crying! My husband was there for me through all of it. A regular man would have called it quits, but God knew what I would need when he designed Matt especially for me. My husband might not be the strongest man, but he holds me better than anyone ever has! This year I received peace about our "situation" in knowing that God has taken care of it and knowing that is all I need.

I just feel so blessed to NOT HAVE KIDS RIGHT NOW!!!! It still sounds funny to me when I say that, but it's totally true! I love the life that we have and the freedom that we have as man and wife to go and do as we please. When that kid comes I don't want to say that I lose my freedom, but everything that I know now is going to change completely. So, for now, I am a very lucky girl to not have kids right at this very moment......and I will still be lucky when they do arrive!

The peace in my heart that I have received this year is the best gift I could have ever gotten. I am also lucky enough to have an amazing support of family and friends who pray for me all the time! My Mom is the best prayer warrior out there that I know and if she says that she's going to pray for you, she is going to pray for you!!! I am blessed to have the best parents in the whole world! They are a perfect example of God's faithfulness in His perfect plan for me. They didn't have an easy time starting their family either and (according to my mom) they starting trying the moment they got married. It didn't happen until 5 years after they were married for them to have my brother, Bart, and then another 5 years after that to have me! Their "trials" in trying to have a family is a perfect example to me that God is constantly at work. We cannot always see it and we don't always understand what in the heck He is doing, but that isn't our job! Our job is to hang in there because God is good and His plan is soooooo perfect and worth waiting for!

There are so many good things that happened in 2009 that are worth mentioning. I got to go several different places, many people visited us, meet terrific people, etc. etc. This year and previous years prove to me that God loves me and has a perfect plan for me while I'm here in this imperfect place. So, if you get a chance (and I'm sure you will) think about the good of 2009, don't miss out on remembering God's many blessings of this year!! As for me, I am blessed in 2009 and am looking forward to the blessings of 2010!

Ugh.....I never know what to blog about!

Well, nothing very interesting has happened as of lately. Just work and such. Gettin' ready for Thanksgiving on Thursday. I'm glad that it's just gonna be Matt and me this year! Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the past 2 years of Thanksgiving here in Texas that we've spent with friends, but this is our first Thanksgiving where we are cooking just for us. We are establishing our family traditions as Mr. and Mrs. Matt Reed. I get to test out my turkey-making skills and green bean casserole skills.....you get the picture! Here's a taste of what we're making:

Reed Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey with Williams Sonoma Smokehouse Turkey Rub
Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
Salad w/ Homemade Ranch Dressing
Rolls
Two Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

I will be sure to post pictures of what we make.....I am very excited!!!

I have also decided that I am going to be waking up early on Black Friday to do some Christmas/Anniversary shopping! I am waking my butt up at 5:00 in the am!!! And for all y'all that read this you know that I am traditionally not an early riser, but I have set it in my mind that I'm going to do it! No excuses!!! Ha! I have also set it in my mind that it is going to be a madhouse anywhere I go and to be very relaxed about it. I have a personal space issue and am not very keen on crowds, but God will be with me and He will get me through the rush hour of holiday shoppers! Ya hear me God? I need You on Friday!!! Well, I need You every day, but You know what I mean!!

Anyway, that's my blog for today....there will be more to come very soon. Hopefully I get to it before 2010! Hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving!!!