Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Naturally I have to post a "thankful" post like everyone else in the blog world :)

But, none the less, here are my top 5.

 

 

This guy.

Oh how I love him.

My mom just said to me 1 hour ago,

"He loves you. So much. You are so lucky"

I really did get lucky-or rather the better word-

BLESSED.

I am blessed to have found him, somehow made him fall in love with me, and married him.

He is the perfect one for me and I can't believe how I got him, but I pray thanks every single day.

 

 

Which brings me to my #2.

My marriage.

I got lucky in that department too.

Granted, it's been almost 8 months, I am NO expert.

But Im grateful for the relationship we have and for the lessons we've learned.

 My friends.

K seriously I am beyond thankful for my friends...

from ones Ive known for years, to ones I hardly get to talk to but are still close to my heart,

they are special to me.

OH so special and dear to my heart.

 

 

Our family.

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again.

Blessed, blessed, blessed.

I was sent to an incredible family who raised me in an ideal life.

Then, I found a boy who had the same experience...

soon meaning I gained another family that treated me like their very own and whom I love so dearly.

 

 

My job.

Hahahahahaha

You guys..its hard.

I've cried plenty and complained plenty and been frustrated plenty.

Granted, I am a speech teacher-so not as much responsibility as the main teachers-

WHOM YOU ALL NEED TO RESPECT...

but because I am in a self-contained special ed room its a different type of speech experience.

The first quote is spot on.

The second one may be a bit much...but close...not much phases me anymore.

Those kiddos can drive me crazzzzzzzzzy

but then they can make me cry laughing and smile from ear to ear.

Everything has its ups and downs...

but I am beyond grateful for that very component in my job.

 

 

So all in all we're happy, healthy, and very blessed.

Thankful for our blessings and recognize our Heavenly Father's hand in our life.

The gospel being our OVERALL "thankful for" blessing in our lives!

 

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

 

Winter Wonderland

 

Are those windows not stunning?

They have always been my favorite thing about our humble abode away from home.

Along with our stone fireplace.

 

 

This cabin has been in my family since before I was born.

I love going up there.

I will admit I didn't always enjoy spending time up north...

in fact I was a very classic teen who would rather hang with friends on the weekend.

 

 

I have since grown up and my view has taken a 180 degree turn.

My love for the north and my cabin has grown even more since I married a Hunter
and lover of anything out-doorsy.

We are up there every month at least...and with either my family or Josh's family in tow.

Marriage has taught me a lot thus far...

but above anything my appreciation and love for family has multiplied ten-fold.

 

Anywho, on Saturday I woke up to a gone-to-scout husband and a picture message from him.

It was snowwwwww

I JUMPED out of bed, opened the windows, and I awoke to snow everywhere.

I was in heaven.

On Sunday, the same sight, only more puffy whiteness to bid me good morning.

 

 

Oh ya I also woke up to my car door open...

thats what you get when a sleepy, hunting obsessed husband leaves at 5am in 1 degree weather.

Good times.
 

 

I was always one of the few "mesa girls" in P-town that sincerely loved the snow.

Don't get me wrong snow during finals in April was not ok...and I was not loving it then.

But, I loved the beautiful white, the fun coats, the feeling of true winter.

I was bummed when I left, knowing I would only have 2 seasons being back in AZ.

I am grateful for a place to sneak away to to get my fix of a

Winter Wonderland

 

 

Um how cute is this?

Josh and his little brother matching in their camo.

 We always say we want little Colten's of our own one day...cutest kid around.

 

Hero

 

Today is Veterans Day.

This here is a Veteran.

He happens to be my hero.

And he is my DAD.

 

I grew up moving,

living in other countries,

speaking a different language,

going on field trips to histroical european sites,

and eating yummy food/the best chocolate in the world.

I. Loved. Every. Minute.

All because my hero served in the Army for The United States of America

 

He gave 26 years of his heart and soul...along with his blood, sweat, and tears.

He loved every minute.

He acts like serving was nothing...it was his duty.

If I say thank-you to him he says, 

"I have a hard time when people say that because I've just been

doing what I love...it seems selfish to be thanked for doing what you love"

and

when he retired, he still didn't leave military life behind.

He is head over all JROTC in Phoenix.

 

I believe that all the men and women who serve deserve ALL our

respect, admiration, and prayers.

They sacrifice a lot...as well as their families.

 

After the results of the election results on Tuesday...

I could not help but be nervous for our Country.

I hope...and have to have faith that the President will help bring our Country back.

However, I am a skeptic, and I worry.

But, you want to know the worst part?

I pray that the country becomes glorious again the way it is meant to be for the fact that COUNTLESS men and women have fought for that very ideal.

It should not be taken away from any of us, but most especially them.

They fought for freedom, hard work, and the right of life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness.

 

Thank you Veterans.

You are all my Hero.

I am indebted to you for your sacrifice and service.

 

 

I LOVE YOU DAD

THANK YOU!!

Garage Sales

So this one time I met a super sweet lady by the name of Linda.

She looooves to go to 'car-port' sales as she calls it.

In other words-garage sales.

 

 

She is lucky.

I mean she finds the most ridiculously amazing things when she goes.

Oh and she bargains like none other.

She is my mother in law...

and has passed down an obsession of 'car-porting' to me.

 

 

Literally guys, I am hooked.

Its the thrill of finding hidden treasures.

Paying 5$ for somthing worth 100$

(yes, I look things up)

and knowing I saved HUGE amounts of money that can go to saving for our family.

 

 

I love it. Plain and simple.

 

 

I thought I would share some of my finds the last few months

just to show you the kind of things you can find.

I will warn, however, once you find something amazing...you will be hooked.

Trust me I was kindof like "ewww ummm" when I first went,

but now I look forward to it every weekend.

 

Coffee table which matches perfectly.

In fabulous condition and came from a huge gorgeous home.

5$

LV

It is like a notebook/ipad/everything holder.

It is perfect and of course fake...but once I looked it up it only has

1 thing that shows its fake...so its a good one.

3$

Beautiful and in fabulous condition.

Solid and heavy.

Ivory-my kind of mirror.

Asking $23.50 (which tells you they must have paid quite a bit)

got it for $10

 



 

Needs a little paint...

but is it not adorable?

$3

 

All for $16

That little tea pot with the copper top-

didn't have one scratch so I looked it up...

alone its worth almost $50

 

 

 Just needed a handle.

$5

 

 Got these two beauties for $5 each.

Looked them up (once again) and were worth almost $100 each.

Our pride and joy of garage sale finds.

Of course my mother in law found it...

im telling you she is lucky!

If you want something found-let me know and Ill have her on the look out.

Im serious.

 

 

Anywho, this was in a beautiful home,of a super nice middle aged couple,

 who had only had it for 6 months.

It was THE perfect fit and THE perfect color.

Guess how much you think they could have sold it for...

 

 

well we got it for $150

 

 

Go out

this saturday

ASAP

im serious

:)

Maddux Matrimony

 

These two tied the knot...

FINALLY.

Seriously, if you all only knew.

But in all honestly-they are perfect for eachother

and I could not be happier for the newlyweds.

Let me tell you a story:

Girl meets bubbly happy girl beginning of sophomore year in HS.

Girls end up playing powderpuff football together that year.

Bubbly girl asks other girl to vacay in Newport that summer with her family.

Girls are best friends ever since.

 

This is Kylee

and she is one of my very best friends.

She is amazing.

Her and I have gone through a lot together.

 

One time I dragged her to a pancake party.

She did NOT want to go.

Anywho...she met Scott there...

he is the boy in the picture-ya know-her groom.

So yes I take some credit :)

 

But in all honesty, Ky and Scott started dating over 3 years ago

and since then I have gained a best friend in Scotty too.

I love him almost as much as I love ky ;)

(jk scott)

 

Celebrating their wedding with them was amazing to say the least.

Lots of friends, lots of love, and lots of fun.

I am still sleeping off my exhaustion from last week.

No joke.

 

It was an unbelievably amazing time.

Country food.

Friends from near and far.

Family.

Dancing.

Flash Mob.

Yellow and navy.

A beautiful night.

A gorgeous bride and groom.

All made for a PERFECT time.

 

Congrats you two, happy marriage!

Love you, Mr. and Mrs. Maddux

 

 

 

~

~

~

Good times.

Im wrapped in a veil.

I ended up accompaning these two-

 along with Mendi and Annie-

while they took their bridal pictures.

Hahahaha boy was it fun.

Seriously it really was and I love stuff like this

HOWEVER

that dang veil was killing me.

It was cathedral and beautiful.

Ky looked stunning.

But it was windy...

and it did not want to cooperate.

Kylee wanted it on

then off

then on

then off

then on again

thennnnn off one more time.

I quickly became "veil girl" as Scott called me.

It was comical for sure but helping these two people that I love dearly...

I would not have had it any other way.

The Bachelorette

We had the best time getting this bride ready for her first night of

NOT being a bachelorette...

We went to eat at BJs with so many loves,

stayed for a long time while we all talked over one another, 

went back to my humble abode for some treats,

 showered Ky with everything she needed,

and chatted and chatted and chatted some more.

 

Im sad the wedding festivities have come to an end.

I have loved every minute and have ESPECIALLY loved

having this bestie of mine just 7 miles away as opposed to across the county.

BUT I couldn't be happier for her and Scott...

and we will be visiting them in the big apple quite soon!

 

 

More on MadduxMatrimony to come...

A Gorgeous Shower

My dear friend, Makall, and I, along with our mothers,

threw miss Kylee Celeste her bridal shower.

It was a BLAST and in THE most gorgeous home.

 

Ky looked fabulous of course and we had the best time

visiting with friends and family,

watching Ky open gifts,

and including Scott in our festivities too!

 

I made a video of questions I asked Scott while we skyped

and my husband video taped.

Haha as you can imagine the quality struggled...but after a MIRACLE

the DVD was ready LAST minute and it was hilarious.

He was a hit of course and had everyone laughing non stop.

 

Nothing has made me so happy recently as to help my best friend

get ready to marry another one of my best friends.

It has truly been nothing short of amazingly fun and fabulously joyful!