Christmas Part 1

Today's photo challenge is to post "Something I love"... SO I am going to post pictures of Christmas because I LOVED this Christmas.

With the extra special extra hard work of a very special elf, we had a Traditional Christmas.

The past years Christmas has not been what it used to be. Honestly that was one of the first signs to me I knew something was wrong with my Mom but then add overbearing step-dad into the mix and his children and you get a Christmas that was not like what we had growing up. I had come to accept the fact that we are all grown-ups now and Christmas just would be this way until we started families of our own. Think Again!
Last year was extremely hard having been 14 days after Grandy's death. This year it came 25 days after my Dad's death and I did not have big hopes for it.

However this Christmas surpassed my expectations. We had family time, mom had all of her children here at one time. We had our Christmas traditions back. We had a Christmas day meal. We were abundantly blessed.

This is Mom, Patrick and I in our Christmas PJ's and below is us with Nana and our amazing elf Aunt Tammy.

Aunt Tammy sent Patrick and I to "our side" of the house at ohh about 9:30. Drew was there with me since we had just come back from visiting his family in Pampa so Patrick, Drew and I were holed up in a room playing Mario Kart and Wheel of Fortune on the Wii.

For the first Christmas in years Patrick and I awoke before 9 am. My phone went off at 6:15is with a Merry Christmas message from Christie who was celebrating with her family in Virginia. It was a sweet reminder of love and my dad. Patrick came in and woke me up at 7 (yes I absolutely fell back asleep after reading her text.) Part of me felt this is WAY to early to get up but the excited litle girl part who couldn't wait to see what Santa had left won over. We turned on lights in Mom and Nana's formal living room, started coffee and began yelling for them to wake up, for us to actually get to their room we would have had to go through the living room where Santa left us presents and that is a huge No No! After a few minutes of yelling Nana's snow village lit up and I told Patrick "we got her." Nana was awake. We waitied on Charlotte and Doss to come over and scurried into the living room like a bunch of elementary school kids.

The presents weren't what was important... we were taken grip with the magic of Christmas, the magic of Jesus' birth and the love of family.

Mom snuggled up in her chair watching Patrick and I go through our stockings.

Patrick in his new Cowboy's beanie showing off his new boot tray (he thought it was a serving tray.)

Aunt Charlotte and Doss came over to spend Christmas morning with us. They were bundled on the couch with Nana and the dogs of course.  It was so much fun to have them there for the second year in a row, I believe we have a new tradition!

 

Nana got a very special present from Aunt Paula, she collected some of Grandy's old shirts and made them into a  quilt. It was a very awesome and emotional present to open. She also made aprons for the sisters out of his shirts, so awesome!

 

Drew, Patrick and Mom waiting for dinner on Christmas day-night. We had a great brisket prepared by Nana complete with Monterrey rice.

The twins were in town to have Christmas with their family, it was so nice to be able to have a BIG family meal on Christmas. I cannot remember the last time that we were all together on Christmas, such a great time!!

 

One of the most special parts of Christmas was that it snowed ALL day long and into the next day. It was so beautiful and such blessing to have a White Christmas.

Christmas day made me so grateful for the family I have in my life and the abundant love. I found myself thinking about my Dad constantly how much I wanted to call him to wish him a Merry Christmas, I would text his phone in the moments of sadness trying to feel a connection but I knew he was celebrating the birth of our lord and savior in the presence of him alongside my Grandy and that made me smile.

I will have more from Christmas coming soon!

Breakfast & Cinnamon Nuts

Day 2 of Photo Challenge, a photo of Breakfast. I forgot to take a photo of my hard boiled eggs (and boy wouldn't that be fun to see) but here is a photo of my coffee.

Over Christmas I was stumbling around on Pinterest and found this easy peasy recipe for Cinnamon Toasted Nuts. You know the ones that smell AMAZING and taste even better! I decided to try out a little batch for Kelsey, she LOVES them, for her birthday. They were a hit (not so much with her cause she is a health nut) SO I decided to package up a few and sell them. I sold every bag I made and then decided to take some over to Drew's familys houses as favors. Rhonda LOVED them so I made her a cool jar of them for Christmas.

Anyway the recipe is so easy and takes about 5 minutes for 3 cups of nuts.

They have been such a fun little treat to make this Holiday Season! Happy Wednesday to all!!

Posting More... Photo Challenge

First day back at work in 2012 and boy has it staretd with a bang. I am so happy to report that one day into the new year (okay technically two but I am under the impression that on Holiday's some resolutions dont count, such as working out.) I kept my promise to myself (and Drew) and went and worked out this morning, then spent quiet time in a devotional with God. It has defnintely led me through the day already with a new outlook and more positive attitude.

In another effort to not be so lazy I have wanted to up my blog posting. It was every day for a while and has now slowly got less and less... I mean I  haven't even posted about Christmas yet! And I have a TON of photos waiting to be shared. Anyway I saw this photo challenge on Pintrest and decided it would be a great way to reintroduce myself to documenting everyday life to blog about. Hope you Enjoy!



So for Day One: a Photo of You (no not YOU, Me!)

Here is a photo of me and my sweet niece Peyton from last weekend when she was visiting.

 

See you tomorrow :)

Resolutions

I realize I haven't posted yet about Chrisymas... And it was a great Christmas with posts and pictures to come but I wanted to go ahead and post my New Years Resolutions for 2012.

2011 was a hard year. Lots of changes, lots of sadness but offered blessings as well. I am very much looking forward to the blessings that lie ahead in 2012.

I have NEVER been a fan of New Years Resolutions. I never really wanted to set the expectation of goals for myself not wanting to fail and be a disappointment... but THIS year will be different, THIS year I am setting Resolutions in all areas of my life.

1. Get Fit and Healthy. I have battled weight all my life, I AM DONE! I will start January 2nd (Gotta start on a Monday) excercising every morning before work.

2. Spend more time developing my relationship with God. After my morning workouts and with a cup of coffee in hand I want read and pray everymonrning to start my day right.

3. Count my blessings more and complain less. It is extremely easy for me to get caught up in the hard times of life, I feel like they are constantly circling me but I want to be more aware of the blessings I have.

4. Have more fun! I have gotten very caught up in work, taking care of things and not enjoying life so much. I want  to spend more time playing and not so much time stressing.

5. Find something that engages my passion!

6. Get involved in Church. This is something I have wanted Drew and I to do together but life has been crazy. No more excuses we are getting involved!

7. Love a little more. Love on my Family, Love on Drew, Love on others more and not myself so much

Dinner Date

Last night I had the most wonderful date to  Dinner and a Movie. There were some pink lilies involved as well as chinese food and the muppets but the best part was I got to spend my night hanging out with this girl...

Jealous much?! Yeah I would be too! Look how stinking cute she is rocking her santa hat!

For Kelsey's birthday I gifted her a dinner and movie all of her choosing. After her birthday life hit the fan a little but we FINALLY got to do it last night!

She picked Pei Wei for dinner which was so exciting as she is about the ONLY person I can get to go there with me. We both had Chicken Fried Rice and water (that is a Kelsey drink staple of choice.)

She wanted to go see the movie the Muppets and I have to tell you it was pretty cute. We were both pretty tired and I may have fallen asleep for oh maybe 5 minutes but the movie was a sweet and cheery one.

One of the absolute BEST parts of spending time with Kelsey is (aside from her smile and sweet spirit) .. if you are VERY LUCKY you can usually walk away with one of these...

A precious note telling you how much you mean to her. I am keeping this one in my car to look at when I need a little love!

Happy Late Birthday Date Sweet Kelsey!

Blizzard.

It is FREEZING COLD here, the wind is blowing, there is ice and snow covering the ground and my little toes are so cold. This is one of my Favorite things about living in Amarillo, we actually get SNOW!

Yesterday a blizzard blew through the area, the weathermen were predicting 6-9 inches of snow. I think was ended up getting 2 or 3 but nevertheless, they are still predicting snow again for this weekend. We could end up having a WHITE CHRISTMAS. There is nothing better to put you in the Christmas spirit than looking outside to see the groud covered in a layer of snow.

I didn't even mind running around in the blistering wind with Drew last night to do his Christmas shopping. He is a little bit of a procrastinator or he is just a boy and they do not concern themselves too much with minute details like ohh lets see shopping for Christmas presents. Anyhoo we ventured out into the weather last night hand in hand to shop.

There are moments in my life where I look over and just think how blessed I am by Drew and his love for me and my family. How he continues to suprise me with his thoughtfulness and how with each day we encounter a new experience together.

I asked him last night who he was buying for and he recited me a list with my family's names first. I watched as he carefully handpicked presents for his family and mine. Trying to find just he right and perfect gift for each person on his list and yet still being a boy about it he broke down after an hour and was hungry and thristy. We went for dinner and he rejuvanized and we powered on to complete all but 3 people on his list.

I have loved the anticipation of Christmas this year and Drew being such a part of my family. Each of my brother's have wanted to include him in our exchanges and get him something for Christmas. I love that he has now met everyone in my immediate family and they LIKE HIM! I am so grateful for the short time that Grandy had around him and that Drew got to be with Grandy. I am so so grateful for the time Drew had with my Dad and knowing that my Dad stamped his approval on Drew means the world to me. Drew came into my life in a time where I desperately needed him, I needed him to be apart of my family and meet the important people in my life.

Anyway... there is a little Tuesday ramble about my Monday night and the man I love.

Shopping and a Birthday

This weekend was just a full on fun time! A little bit CRAZY but Fun Fun Fun.

Friday night I met Neeley at the mall and we powered through my Christmas list...

There were AMAZING SALES happening and I was able to get every single thing on my list that night. Such a relief to have it all done!!

Saturday my dear sweet bestie Laura Beth came in town on her way to spend time with her family for Christmas. She hung with me and mom to accomplish my to do list for the day and then came to celebrate Nana's birthday with us on Saturday night.

Nana's birthday is tomorrow but we had a big family dinner on Saturday at Starlight Canyon. It was a great meal spent together celebrating the matriarch of our fam!

 

 Had her Sister by her side to celebrate.

 

Got a Christmas carolers to add to her collection.

 

She did a little modeling of her new outfit for us.

 Mom gave Nana a Mother's Love Necklace from James Avery. It was a precious moment between them and for all of us there.

For my gift to Nana I had seen an idea on a blog to scan old photos then print them on vellum and attach them to a lampshade. I thought this would be the perfect present for Nana using some old photos of her and Grandy.

Needless to say she LOVED it. She loved looking at the old photos of them together and reliving the memories. She already found a great place for it in her room.

It was a precious party to celebrate Nana's Amazing life!!

Today Laura Beth and I went to breakfast at IHOP and then she left. I picked up Drew and we went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Then went to Sam's and dinner with my mom.

I came home after to wrap all my presents for everyone...

 

My Bathtub is FULL of presents. I cannot wait for everyone to open them up!!

6 Days until Christmas! I hope this week goes by very quickly!