Thanksgiving Wrap Up

We had a fun filled Thanksgiving week and weekend. We started out our Thanksgiving at The Little Willie Center in Greenville. The Little Willie Center is a center that serves under privlege children. I have had the opportunity over the past few years to volunteer tutoring at the center. On Thanksgiving Day they open up to the community and serve a meal. Bryan and I started the tradition about 3 years ago to go and volunteer before we go have our Thanksgiving meal. I am always reminded just how blessed we are and my heart is warmed to hear those that are less fortunate be so thankful for a meal. My mom decided to join us this year. Then we headed to my Uncle Horace's house for our family Thanksgiving. We had sooo much good food. It was nice spending time with our family. Uncle Howard, Aunt Miriam, Daddy, Uncle HoraceI talked my Mom, Aunt Angie and Caroline into doing a little "Early Bird" shopping with me. My mom spent the night with me and Angie and Caroline came over at 4:30 am. We headed out to Target to meet up with at least 200 of our "closest" friends. We did get some good deals, but most importantly we really had a good time together. I came home and crashed. Then Friday night I went over to a friend's house in Wilson to play Bunco. I have been wanting to play so bad with group since I moved here so they got a group together to play. Saturday was game day. Decked out in purple and gold off to Dowdy Ficklen we go. The Pirates won and we will host the conference championship next weekend in Gville. GO PIRATES!!!

East Carolina Girls (missing Stace)

Saturday night Bryan and went to see "The Blind Side". I am not a big movie fan, but this movie was so good. If you have not seen it you should go. Today was church and then one more Thanksgiving feast with Bryan's mom. We had BBQ turkey and it was really good. The best part about Thanksgiving is that I got to spend time with Bryan, my family and friends without having to rush to my next desintation. I hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving too!!

Thankful

I love Thanksgiving week. It is the kick off of the holiday season. The decorations go up, let the shopping begin, seeing family and friends, good food and the list could go on. Before I jump in to enjoy the festivities I want to take the time to reflect on the things that I have to be thankful for this year.

-I got married! I survived planning a wedding and the first 6 months of marriage. :) In all seriousness I am so thankful for Bryan.

-Health-I count it a true blessing to get up each morning and feel good.

-Family-With me and Zack getting married this year my family has extended quite a bit. I am so thankful that I have my family to laugh with, cry with, and just be "me" with.

-Friends-The new and the old friends are all such a blessing to me. My old friends have been so supportive of me over the past year from the 1,000 wedding showers to moving to Wilson. My new friends are what have helped this girl that does NOT like change adjust to Wilson and boy am I thankful for that!

-Job-I am very thankful that each day when I get up I have a job to go to. Also, I blessed with a job that I love.

-Church-When we moved to Wilson we sat out to find just the right place to serve. I am so thankful we found First Baptist and Cornerstone Sunday School class.

-Bible Study Girls-I do not know what I would do or where I would be without this group of girls. Studying God's word with this group of ladies is such a blessing.

-Service Men and Women-When I lay down at night I know they are working hard to defend our freedom. Thank you!!

-Zack's Safety-I know that over the past year he has faced many dangerous things and God truly has held him in the palm of his hands.

These are truly just a few of the things that I am thankful for, but the most precious thing that I am thankful for is my salvation. I am so glad that I am a daughter of the King!

Wherever you may go to celebrate may you find a moment to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!!

God Bless the USA!

Happy Veterans Day!!

To those men and women that have served and continue to serve our country I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Since Zack has joined the Army have been reminded on so many occassions just what a sacrifices that are our service people make each day. We are truly a blessed nation and today I stop to salute each of you that have served or are currently serving.

I ask that you continue to lift Zack and all the service men and women that are currently overseas in your prayers. We will not have contact with Zack for a couple of weeks so please pray that God provides him with the strength that he needs. Also, please keep his wife Alex in your prayers as she waits for Zack to return.

Zack-you know that I am so proud of you for being willing to follow the call of God. I can't wait to see you!! I send my love and prayers!!

Birthday, New Mayor, Baby Shower

Sunday was my husband Bryan's birthday. I had to decorate a little so we could celebrate!! One of neat things about being married is you get to share so many firsts. This was the first time I have ever celebrated "My Husband's Birthday".
Dowdy was excited it was his Daddy's birthday so he could play with the ribbon.
Bryan we love you and thank God for you daily!

Daddy and Terry

My Dad has served as a Town Commissioner for 2 years now and when the seat for Mayor came up for election he decided that he would run. He has always LOVED his town and he always been a very active part of the community. Many people worked really hard on his campaign and on Tuesday night the people of Snow Hill elected him Mayor. Congrats Daddy!!

The men and lady of the hour.

New Town Commissioners-Bobby and Becky

New Mayor-Dennis

Daddy with former Mayor Ben Raeford

Mr. Raeford served the town of Snow Hill for many years. I think it was so neat that he saw Daddy win the election.

Our good friend Julie is expecting a little girl in December on Wednesday we went out to celebrate the baby on the way!
Stacey, Taylor, Katie, Danielle

Precious Cake

Jeanne and Julie

Jeanne is due in November with a boy and Julie is due in December with a girl. There could be some match making going on. :)

Happy Fall!

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2

Kelly's Korner is featuring fall decorations so I thought I would share with you the Radford fall decor.

Dining Room Fall Arrangment

Fall Wreath- I had fun making it.

This is the top of the fridge.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the fall decorations. I always enjoy decorating for fall. Fall is such a great time to stop and be thankful for all that God has given us. I wanted to share with you that my brother is overseas and he was slated to do a 14 day mission. We were really nerves about this and we kept taking it to God. We just found out that for now it has been cancelled! We serve an awesome God and I am so thankful that I am his daughter. Please continue to pray for the men and women who serve our country.

Weekend Round Up

This weekend was pretty low key. Friday night we went out for mexican. Saturday morning I ran and then worked on our house. I love to arrange and rearrange. After 5 months of living in this house it is finally starting to look like a home. On Saturday night we had some friends over to conclude my birthday celebration. We had lots of fun! BB and KT
BB and B

The Girls

Bailey already practicing using a Blackberry. That makes her Aunt Lizzie proud. :)

Mary Beth and Bailey

Best Friends

Landon and Savannah

Nick and B

Playing Zingo with Landon and Savannah. It is just like Bingo and it is such a fun game for the old and young.

Dowdy wondering where have all my friends gone ?!

Tay and Blake

Thank you so much for celebrating my day with me. I decide that I would make a list of 10 things that I would like to do before my next birthday. I thought I would share so you could hold me accountable.

10 Things Before 29

1-Run a Half Marathon

2-Take a BIG vacation

3-Take B to a Braves game

4-Complete 4 Bible Studies (one with B)

5-Visit Alabama (I am not sure why I want to do this.)

6-Go Camping

7-Volunteer at least 200 hours in the next year

8-Paint the floor in our sunroom

9-Go parasailing

10-Seek God's will in our lives and follow

Do you have a "bucket" list? What have you done? I would love to hear from you!

Fun Fall Weekend

Grandma, Papa, Mama, Aunt Angie

Fall is in the air and although I am a "Summer" girl I am really enjoying this weather. We had a busy weekend, but it was a fun weekend. Friday night we went to dinner with Caroline and Justin to celebrate my birthday. Saturday I started at 6:00 am running my long run of the week and as soon as I finished I jumped in the car to head to Snow Hill for the Historic District yardsale. The entire downtown and one BIG yardsale was heaven for this girl. I got a precious lamp and of course a chair. I will share pics later this week. I headed back to Wilson to meet Ms. Lillie for a lunch date and shopping. Then last night we had over our families for a sprimp stew to celebrate my birthday and my mom's birthday. This is the first time that we have hosted our families since we have been married. That was the perfect ending to our Saturday. Today we went to church and then we met Mr. Johnny, Ms. Patty, Matthew, Mary Beth and Bailey for lunch. Bailey showed us how she can walk like a big girl. I am not sure where time goes, because it seems like yesterday we were visiting her for the first time. Tonight, I put out our fall decorations in the yard. I tell you I am reminded daily that we serve such an awesome God that blesses us daily beyond measure. This weekend was a simpler reminder that we are truly blessed.

Griffin Girls

Grandma, Papa, Dowdy, B

Uncle Charles and Josiah

Dowdy was so tired after he entertained everyone Saturday night that he passed out!! If you would have told me a year ago that he would be my baby I would have told you that you were out of your mind. I tell that face has this girl hooked. :)