Hello 28

My sweet husband made one of my favorite cakes for my birthday. (Perhaps HE is the one who is lovely and talented)


He made oatmeal brulée for my breakfast.


Opening my gift from Michael


We had brunch at 501 cafe with both of our parents.


My mom and me


My mom bought this snowman brownie cake ball at 501 for me. How cute is he!!


Only time will tell if the wish will come true...
We spent the rest of the day with our families, going to a movie, eating at Cheesecake factory, and hanging out at Michael's grandparents house. Yesterday we spent the day in Dallas. We had lunch with Heather and David and did some shopping. It was a wonderful birthday!

27 taught me the importance of balance in my life- with God, family, friends, home, work, and fun time. 27 showed me that our marriage that is usually easy can also require work. (If you are not a therapist be glad. It is ridiculous during intense discussions with your spouse to be thinking: now is that really expressing how I feel, how will this statement be received, what is difficult about being vulnerable right now...ugh! :) 27 reminded me over and over of the quote I love: With all change there is loss. I lost 2 grandparents very close together, we found out Michael's parents were moving across the world, we moved, had friends move away, and many other things. Some of the changes were fun and more easy to experience, but regardless there is still some type of loss with all change. The loss part of change has always been really difficult for me, and I feel this year more than ever God pulling me to trust in Him, as change is a continuous part of life. 27 reminded me several times the how grateful I am for my wonderful friends and family.
It was a busy year and many times were really hard for me. It was a year of growth, and I am grateful for all of it. I am looking forward to what the upcoming year will hold.

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...

Michael dug out a pathway for us to leave our apartment on Christmas day. Michael's dad came over and got us in his truck so we could spend the day with family. Who would have guessed going one mile would be so difficult!


We rugged up in warm clothes (Michael in his fishing waders) and spend the day with Michael's family at his grandparents house. Thanks for coming to get us Alan, we would have been very sad to miss out on being with family on Christmas!

Christmas Eve Adventures

We had Christmas at my parents house today.

Our stockings by the tree. (The red hat in my stocking came in handy this afternoon when Michael had to get out and push our car up hill)


Sweet Isaac at breakfast in his cute koala sweatshirt my parents brought him back from Australia.


Wow...not even sure what to say


George in his "close your eyes and put out your hand pose"


A Bike!


Christmas lunch table


We had planned to stay longer in the afternoon, but decided to head out due to "Blizzard 2009"
Which turned out to be a really bad idea. I was praying constantly the whole- 2 plus hours. We also no longer have two windshield wipers, but one.


This man graciously pulled our car up a street about one mile from our place. When we thanked him he said "I just didn't feel like I could stay at home and not be out helping people". What a nice person! I had to choke back my tears and drive while Michael was pushing the car from behind. After making it past this hill our car got stuck on the street close to our apartment complex. Some more good people stopped and helped Michael push the car to the side of the street. We walked through knee deep snow to our apartment.

We missed out on Christmas at Michael's grandma's tonight, which is probably less than a mile away. So we decided to go ahead and do our Christmas together.

Michael with his gifts


Me with my gifts (Michael picked out the very fun watch that is on my hand and this ring on my finger)


This is the snow outside our apartment!! I have never seen this much snow in Oklahoma!
We are hoping to make it to Michael's grandparents tomorrow. As disappointing as our plans changing today has been, I am very grateful for our safety and many blessings. Some of Michael's friends have already called and said they would pull our car out tomorrow. A lady who is homeless joined us for lunch today and I feel very humbled by how much we have- food, shelter, safety, family. When it comes down to it we are so richly blessed and simply having to change our plans does not change that. Merry Christmas everyone!

A few favorite ornaments

A friend gave me this one in college. I love the movie the Grinch! I haven't watched it this year.

This one is really special to me. It was from my Granny's tree. You squeeze the mouth open and put a hershey kiss inside.

We got this one at the Statue of Liberty in NY this fall.

I got this one a few years ago. All of the time, and some times more than others, I really need God's peace in my life. I know a lot of people who need that peace right now too.

This is our family ornament for this year. I loved this jolly snowman! :)
3 days til Christmas!

4 Days til Christmas!

I have been counting down to Christmas on my tree




We have been busy with Christmas parties and other gatherings. I heard of the book Elf on the shelf for the first time this year. I think I will get one for us for next year to start a new Christmas tradition. Michael is off work for his two week vacation. I work through Wednesday and then will have a few days off. Merry Christmas!

It's that time of year...

If the fairies that do all the cleaning are at your house...please send them my way! This week has been hectic. I didn't do my menu planning and grocery shopping until Tuesday night, my coupons from last Sunday are still in piles, some of the laundry is washed- but in piles...and I could go on. Piles and piles everywhere! :)


So what am I doing? Something fun- wrapping Christmas gifts- or maybe just making more piles! :) We have a busy weekend with check out in the apartments, a wedding, a Christmas party, and obviously needing to get some things in order. I am still enjoying this wonderful time of year!

Cowgirl cookies

I wanted to make these since I saw them on Bakerella's website this summer. I decided to make some this Christmas to give as gifts. I thought they turned out pretty cute. She has all the instructions on her website. Merry Christmas!

A mile a day in December

As AM mentioned in her last post, we're trying to run a mile a day in December (not including Sundays). This is a very manageable distance that is a good starting place for our marathon relay training that will begin in January. Plus it only takes 30 minutes at most if you include warm up and cool down.

We'll see how good we are at keeping it up on a daily basis this month with all of the holiday rush about to be upon us.

I started this morning by getting up early (5:20 AM!!!), was on the treadmill by 5:40, and back home by 6:15. I'm typically not a morning person so I'll be interested to see if I can keep up the early morning route.