And With Thanksgiving

This past Friday my parents flew to Midland for the first time since Cash and I have been married. What an awesome feeling to pull up to the airport, jump out, and hug your momma! Oh, and your daddy too.

 

We met Cash for lunch at Graham's Pharmacy, one of my favorite nooks in town since it's so cheap and unique. It was there that I realized even more that I married a man just like my father. So much alike in fact that you can SEE the resemblance. My lanta.

 

twinks!!

 Then I showed them around the best I could. Y'all, I still can't get it down how to get around here. Just yesterday my MIL asked if I had any luck at Sam's. All I could was I was still looking for Sam's!!

Anyway. They got to stop at Suzie's and stock up on the most amazing chocolates. Then I showed them the real shabang of this town: HEB. I have been boasting about HEB since my first trip to Midland almost 2 years ago. Let me tell ya. It lived up to the hype. Mom found some fresh Sushi rolls to take to the tailgate that night.

 

Yes, we tailgate for high school games. We live in TEXAS, y'all!!! Luckily, MHS won. It wasn't even close. And although the stadium seats 18,000 people (!!!!!!), they knew it wouldn't be close so not near that many people were there. Two weeks previous at the Midland-Lee game, you couldn't find a seat! (Well, you had to have your season tickets to find a seat. Amazeballs.)



Texas High School football tailgating!

 

The day before my parents got to town I sat for my Series 7--the most stressful, the hardest, the most stomach-problem-indulging test I have ever taken. And although I studied 40 hours/week for 2 1/2 months for this one test and my average score on practice tests was 12 points above passing, I didn't pass the real one. Yeah. That was crushing.

 

I didn't expect the words "fail" to pop up on the screen when I was done. After getting my paperwork, I ran to my vehicle, called Cash, and just bawled. I knew what it meant--and it meant I not only lost the dream I had of being a financial advisor for an amazing company. I also lost my job entirely.

 

It was a blow to my ego for sure. I prided myself in my ability to test and learn finance. Perhaps it was a good thing I did not pass as I have been so much humbled in the past several days.

 

That afternoon my parents sent me flowers--for the first time ever in my entire life!!! My mom just put the verse "Jeremiah 29:11" on the card. And how true is that but much harder to believe when times are tough. It's the only peace I've found though, and I have ran with it.

 

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Luckily, I have a husband who supports me to the ends of the earth. He took the entire afternoon off even though he had a golf game set up with a vendor. Instead he came home, took me to Chick-fil-a, and just hung out with me like I had just hung the moon itself.

 

What I'm going to do now is still undecided. I cleaned out my office Monday night, and by then I was at such peace (maybe because I felt it would be hard to be a FA over the next 4 years! ha). I know God has a great plan. And while I'm anxiously awaiting the results of that plan and looking at every bank's website for jobs, Cash has been an angel telling me to be patient, find something I love, and enjoy holidays with our families.

 

In 4 months I haven't spent a lot of time being a great wife. I've been a wife, but I'm not sure a great one. So I'm trying to find joy in relaxing, cooking dinner for my husband, being the support role. Lord knows I've never done any of those things, but right now I'm getting that opportunity. Know any good cookbooks?!

 

Oh. My parents were in town. Yes.

 

Mom had this brilliant idea for us to do Thanksgiving together this weekend since we wouldn't see them until Christmas. It was a great blessing! I was able to learn how to cook a Thanksgiving meal. Well, except green bean casserole. And we won't talk about that.

 

first Thanksgiving table, new Pilgrim apron, and pumpkin pie made with my new mixer!

A couple years ago my best friend Leslie and I were hosting a banquet at our church. She taught me how to fold napkins in the fanciest of ways, and I've always wanted a reason to do that again. I sat the table Saturday all by myself, fancy folded napkins and all! I even incoporated the flowers my parents had sent me as they were the most beautiful fall colors. (Colors we don't get to see in the desert!)

My MIL had given me this pilgrim apron Thursday night, and she even had my name embroidered on it for my first Thanksgiving to cook! It was such a treat! I sported that bad boy all day. It is no lie I have an obsession with aprons, and my collection is getting close to hitting every major holiday.

sporting the aprons and holding down the kitchen

My husband also likes an apron--a very manly apron. We bought him this in Kennebunkport on our honeymoon as it reminded us of the crawfish boils we like to have. This time, though, it was whipped cream he was making. Yes, my man can make homemade whipped cream with a hint of bourbon. Scooch on over, Paula Deen, we are taking over the kitchen!

 

After the meal my mom, my MIL, and I went to the community theater to watch the Pickwicks' production of Anne of Green Gables--my all time favorite story!! And side note about the Pickwicks. Ever seen Twilight? Know Jasper? He's a former Pickwick of Midland!! We are full of famous presidents and vampires 'round here.

 

The play was fabulous. The girl who played Anne was brilliant, and a boy from my in-laws' church had a few parts. It is so fun to watch someone you know!!

 

Sunday we hit up the Anglican church. It was a first for my parents, but they were great sports and even went up to take communion with us. It is much different than my Baptist upbringing with the tradition and communion and wine. But one thing remains the same--the love of the Lord. 

Missing my parents already!

That afternoon I was sad to take them back to the airport, but we got this picture in right before we left. Only thing missing is my sister's family. And while we're thinking about it, do you mind saying a quick or long or medium sized prayer for my nephew? He's been sick the past several months, and their much anticipated visit to Arkansas Children's Hospital is today. I pray for great results and a healthy little Braeson. And I pray for a calm mom for him. I know she's nervous.

Thanks a million.

Missing all my folks back in Arkansas but loving on some Midland! Until next time...

Avery Jane