Thanks

December is almost upon me (well, all of us) which means I can start thinking about putting my fall decor away, and transition into winter/Christmas decorating. But before I go forward with the winter season, I have to pause and reflect on all the many things I am thankful for. I have a ton for which to be grateful. So in no particular order...

I am thankful for:

1) School being almost over. But even more so, the many educational opportunities I have and have had.

2) Kevin (see post here for some of the oh, so many reasons)

3) My ever fantastic family--Team Klima (and Davis)!

4) The Athey's, for making me one of their own

5) The gospel

6) Good, great, and fantastic friends

7) Vanessa! (you are a category in your own right)

8) Traveling the globe

9) This great country (warts and all)

10) All the many blessings that are too numerous to list off.

Needless to say, I am richly blessed and am very grateful to have so many friends and family in my life. I am exceedingly grateful for the month of November that encourages us to look at all the things we have been given and to reflect on what we have to be thankful for. So I bid adieu to fall, and welcome winter. At some point I am going to decorate for winter and the Christmas season. Maybe when I get a chance to breathe.

Be grateful it's not your family on here...

I just keep getting introduced to sites that crack me up. Check out this particular gem that Jeff and Jen (my future brother-and-sister-in-law) introduced me to. It has provided some very entertaining moments this afternoon.

My Top 10 List

WARNING: A somewhat nauseating post below. Read with tolerance.

Ten Reasons I Love Kevin (in no particular order)

1) He brings me flowers for no reason. Just because he knows I love them.

2) He listens to me babble about stuff I've always wanted to do, or miss doing, and then arranges them for date night (ice skating, Fuddruckers, etc.).

3) He loves me enough to not love me enough (for the next four months...).

4) He understands when I am a wench, and just hugs me to help make it better.

5) He is amused by my craziness.

6) He thinks I'm beautiful, and tells me so.

7) He doesn't really get my love of shoes and all things girly, but he doesn't mind waiting for me to get ready to go out, and will try and help me decide between two pairs of shoes.

8) He listens to my concerns, and doesn't brush them off as unimportant. And then he tries to understand and help resolve the issue.

9) He understands that my friendships are important to me, and doesn't begrudge me the time I spend with my girlfriends.

10) He hates talking on the phone, but he'll talk me home when I'm driving back from class late at night.

For all these reasons, and so many more, I love you tons, Babe.

A Time to Give Thanks

I love fall. It is one of my favorite seasons. I especially love November because, as a Davis/Klima, we eat and I am very fond of that activity. But I also love November for the fact that it is an opportunity to reflect on all the things we are thankful for, leading up to the big feast. Thanksgiving usually gets lost in between Halloween and Christmas, but I hold a special place for it in my heart (and not just because of the food). So I would challenge you to not lose sight of Thanksgiving and instead use the month of November to remember all the things we are thankful for. And there are many things for which to give thanks.

A Girl Can Hope...

Katy (aka Terry) and I were hanging out at the Athey house the other night (where Kathi so nicely fed us...much thanks for that!). After dinner we saw a sight that will hopefully continue long years down the road. I REALLY hope Kevin is still helping with chores after we're married.

A New Skill

I mentioned the other night that I needed to get my oil changed, so Kevin offered to do it for me. I was ridiculously excited by that and wanted to learn how, as well. So I went over to his house, borrowed some coveralls, jacked up my car and got to work. I feel very self-empowered and am still ridiculously pleased with myself for that little accomplishment. It was surprisingly easy (and I thought I looked pretty cute in the coveralls). I think I am going to learn how to change a tire next. I have the feeling Kevin and some other people are a little appalled that I don't know how to do that. But hey, that is why I have AAA. Thanks, Babe, for the help and the life skill!

Rockin' the coveralls. It is important to have

the right outfit for every occasion.
Becoming one with the underside of my car. I really did do

a lot of the work--and learned a valuable life skill.
Kevin made sure I did it correctly.

An Ode to Becky

I've mentioned my future SIL Becky previously, but she has provided me with some great material lately, so I felt the need to dedicate a post especially to her. I came over to the Athey house one night to find Becky breaking in her wedding shoes (the big day is fast approaching--approximately 5 weeks to go to Dec. 19th and wedded bliss!) and somehow coordinating her heels with her PJs. That is a fashion statement I can appreciate.

Last week, Becky went through the temple for her own endowments and it was a marvelous experience to be there with her. The Atheys have a tradition for after someone goes through the temple. They go to Fenton's afterward for food and ice cream (for those of you who saw the Pixar movie UP, Fenton's is a real place in Oakland. Super yummy). I LOVE this tradition. After we came home around 10:30 PM, Zac (Becky's fiance) and Dad Athey went back to working on Zac's truck and putting the brakes back together so Zac could drive home to Santa Rosa. It was a very eventful evening.

So here is to you, Becky. You are a fabulous person who is warm, funny, friendly, kind, and incredibly talented. I'm glad I've gotten to know you since I moved into the ward, and am grateful that we were able to become friends. I like to think it bodes well for our future as SILs. You're marvelous and fabulous and will make a beautiful bride. But I am even more excited to see you continue in your journey as the wonderful woman I already know you as.

You have to admire a girl who can coordinate

her heels with her PJs! And rock the hat, on top of it.
The new business casual look.
Becky and Zac share a moment at Fenton's.

Zac and Dad Athey having a male bonding moment.

KLIMA-ween!

Halloween has long been a huge deal in my family. My dad goes all out in the decorating department (as seen in photos below) and has a ton of fun with it. It is always entertaining to watch people slow down when they pass the house so they can look at the setup. And when the random strangers wander in to the house (it has happened a few times--for some reason they think it is open to the public), it is always entertaining. But I love Halloween and the fun that goes with it. I can't wait to take my kids trick-or-treating with my dad someday. I think all involved will have a blast.

I dragged Kevin home with me this year to experience Halloween, Klima-style. He seemed to enjoy it (at least he didn't say different). But I think he passed the test, so my dad is letting me marry him. Good thing, because I already bought the wedding shoes!

The missionaries came over to teach an investigator. He's been waiting a long time to hear the gospel.
I guess it just isn't Halloween without a flaming pumpkin in the family graveyard.
The wizard of the family--my Dad!
My mom's Sunday School class. They came over for a party, and we scared the heck out of them! Good times.
Good food, good times! I LOVE Halloween!