Christmas light sightseeing at the Mission
on Friday night with Clint and Christina was great! We had dinner and walked the Mission and all the surrounding streets.
The kids loved watching the ice skaters and listening to the carolers. Ethan and Dean found some "elfs" and acted like hams for the camera!
Then Saturday Holly and Charlie came over for a HUGE Christmas breakfast! After stuffing ourselves and talking, we opened gifts
That night we went to a party at a friends house, where they went all out! Literally! They had a bouncer and a mechanical bull delivered to entertain the kids and teenagers! After the party we ventured back home and my cousin and his family came over for some late night games and ice-cream. I kicked his rear at a round of Apples to Apples and his wife won the second round.
Yesterday my mom and I baked our hearts out! More to come on that one!
Last night, Chris & I took our first, long awaited, date since moving into our new home. So, what did we do? Well, the usual - eating and then running errands, ugh! We did get to eat in a noisy restaurant, but without anyone whining. That was nice. Then off to do some unsuccessful Christmas shopping. The Walmart looked like it had been robbed, the shelves empty, and the store looked ransacked! Oh, and the bathrooms - let's just say it was far less than acceptable. I am not sure if I can force myself to shop there again. We tried to finish up Christmas shopping, but the shelves were empty. Seriously, is there a war we should know about? Oh yeah, it is supposed to snow. Lovely.
All and all, Chris and I just like getting out alone once in a while. Oh, gotta love date night.
What else is there to do during winter break but play in the snow!! This is what the kids (and Daddy, but he is all kid, too) have been up to.
On Friday night (after Alivia's last day of school), we went out on our annual Austin Christmas cookie, cocoa and Christmas light viewing. After school, we picked up Alivia's older friend, Kezia, to come to our home to play, help us make some spritz cookies, eat pizza, and then view lights with us. Alivia, unfortunately, was exhausted, and slept through most of the lights.
We are so far away from anybody with a lot of Christmas lights up. We started at the Regency. Um, does nobody there know it is Christmas? Next we went out west, making our way to one of the crazy houses we like to watch with their own radio station (up the street from Jill actually!). The kids enjoyed their cocoa and Christmas cookies....Mmmm! We then had to say good-bye to Kezia. Now that we are so far away, not sure how many more times we will be seeing her.
Since the night was such a bummer, we may have to go out one more time for more cookies, oh, and lights.
Today was Alivia's last day of school at Standing Bear Elementary. Oh, it was so sad! She has made good friends already with many in her class, so the adjustment may be difficult on her to start at Bell Elementary in Papillion come January 4.
In celebration of the upcoming holidays, Standing Bear eases their way into winter break by having Pajama Day. Alivia wore her Christmas Eve pajamas and was excited to do so. I snapped pictures of Alivia and her friends as I pushed back my big Mommy tears. All of Alivia's classmates drew her a picture and Miss Moran put it into a book for her. It is so cute! Mrs. Archer made Alivia a name plague that is just adorable that Alivia can hang in her room. I had friends move away when I was a little girl and know how much friends are missed. We are confident that Alivia will do great at Bell, too.
2 days ago while getting my hair done, as I do every 8 weeks, I decided to be bold and change colors....drastic colors...For the first time in my 30 years I am not blonde!
My hairdresser was shocked at my request, but didn't question it she just did it. The new color is called Chestnut.
After 2 hours at the salon i walked through the door and Ryan was shocked! He scooped me up in his arms with the biggest grin and said he LOVED it! (Whoo Hoo) I like it and love how blue it makes my eyes look!!!
I've had many different reactions from family, friends and coworkers and my favorite was while cuddling on the couch when my husband said he felt like he was having an affair!
Hopefully I did not already post a review of this book. This was the other book that my Mom let me borrow. It was also a real inspirational story about a Pastor who was in a severe auto accident, his near death experience, and his 90 minutes in Heaven. He went through numerous months to years of crueling recovery.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper is an inspirational book that I would recommend.
Now, what will I read while I wait for Asher to fall to sleep at nap and night? (so he does not hurt himself crawling out of the crib).
When we first initially moved into the apartment on October 26, we did not have any TV or Internet. I was bored during nap time and in the evenings. So, my Mom provided me with a couple of books.
The one I just finished, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, is from the staff of books she provided me. Can I just say, what an awesome book! I would highly recommend it. It was a book on setting goals and living to achieve them. It was, however, quite sad as it was the author's last lecture. He died within a year of his lecture to cancer, leaving behind his wife and 3 small children. With that said, I would highly recommend reading the book and watching his last lecture. It is a valuable investment of time. Would love to hear your comments!
Before we knew WHERE we would be living, Chris and I went shopping for a TV. We wanted a TV to install above our mantel, wherever that mantel shall be. Well, today it FINALLY got installed. It looks wonderful, however a little small for THIS mantel. Chris wanted to return the TV, but found he had to return the surround sound that came with the TV for free. So, Chris decided to keep it, for now. I think I see a bigger TV is in our near future, though, and this one in our bedroom! For now, we will enjoy this new look and sound.
And, there you have it...our first BEFORE and AFTER of our new home.
Isn't that the most beautiful picture? I "borrowed" this from a friend, Jerry. Hope that's alright Jer -- it was so beautiful that I had to use it in a post!
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything."
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and might things, which you do not know."
I wish I had something great and inspiration to write tonight, but I really don't. I do know this, God is good and He is faithful to His word. I know that He loves His children more than we can even imagine. I know that His word says that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I know that His word says that when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. I know that His word says that if we delight ourselves in Him that He will give us the desires of our heart. I know that His word says that if you train a chlid in the way that he should go that he will not depart from it. Plus so much more. This is what I need to keep in mind during times that are more difficult. I need to grab onto my Heavenly Father for dear life, and never let go.
Thank you Lord Jesus for all of the blessings you have given me in my life. You are amazing, awesome, and wonderful. Thank you for my life.
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