It's that time again

I'm fighting my urge to allow Chris to fend for himself this week while I have cereal for dinner. So here we go:

Monday- Lobster Ravioli with marinara sauce and steamed veggies

Tuesday- Turkey burgers with edamame and green beans

Wednesday- Eating out with my family for New Years Eve

Thursday- Sloppy Joes with steamed veggies in a garlic sauce

Friday- Eat out night (whoo, 2 this week!)

Saturday- Whole wheat spaghetti with scallops and peas

Sunday- I haven't thought this far ahead...

Christmas 2008

Another Christmas Season has come and gone. I'm glad to see this one go. It was hard to be jolly this year while watching the people I love suffer after the death of Ashley. It was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. I was thankful that I was able to truly, perhaps more so than ever, to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. God sent his Son to Earth to die for our sins. Having watched a mother and father grieve the death of their child this last week, I am more humbled and more grateful for Jesus than ever before.

Now on to the more cheerful parts of this holiday:

-Christmas Eve morning was spent at my Grandma and Grandpa's. We had breakfast, opened presents, etc. It was pretty much the same as every year but enjoyable as always. I would post a picture but as I look like a killer whale in all of them, I will pass.

-Christmas Eve dinner at my mother in laws was YUM-O. Prime rib. Mmmmm.

- Christmas Eve night Chris, Mylie and I exchanged gifts and watched Prancer. Mylie opened her stocking (well, she stared at it and then politely urged me to take everything out since she couldn't figure it out, lol). I love buying her things because she LOVES her toys!
- Chris got me ANOTHER Coach purse. I almost peed my pants! I also got a Chi (whoo!) and some really comfy VS pajamas. I got Chris a ton of blu rays and clothes. We were both very pleased.-Christmas morning was spent with Chris's mom, sister, and Mamaw. We had a yummy Christmas breakfast and exchanged gifts. Then, after almost passing out from laughter while watching Chris and Mackenzie on Wii Fit (I am getting one, I have decided) we went home to load up the car.
- We spent a few hours with Chris's Dad, step mom, and half siblings Austin, Madison, and Preston. We did a white elephant exchange and thought of Ashley, of course. It was hard. Very hard.
- Lastly Chris, Mylie, and I headed up to the farm to send Christmas night and the next day with my family. It was nice to finally get to see my family on Christmas Day! Again, I would post a pic but they were all far too hideous. I digress.
- The next morning, before heading home, we played football with Mylie (we yell "HIKE" and she chases Chris while I throw the ball. And vice versa. Hilarious!) Then Chris, Sarah, Matt, my Dad, and I went down to the tank, and I shot my first gun. A Mini 14...whatever that means. I was good. As Chris said, "Girl you could shoot a gnat in the butt from 50 paces". Ha!
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas surrounded by loved ones. Have a safe and happy New Year!

Please, please pray

We just got a phone call from Chris's Dad that Chris's older sister Ashley was killed in a car accident last night. She has a 14 years old son named Taylor. Please, please pray for Chris, Taylor, and Chris's family. It's always hard to lose a loved one but it always seems harder around the holidays.

My Husband Rocks Friday!

My husband rocks this Friday because he is so very determined, smart, and hardworking! After having his flight home cancelled in Little Rock last night, he waited in line for 2 hours to try to get another flight so that he could get home before MONDAY! Luckily, he was thinking quickly and got one into Hobby. His flight landed at 11:30pm, and he then had to find himself a ride FROM Hobby airport TO Intercontinential where his car was parked (poor thing...), and climbed into bed at 2am! I would have crawled into the nearest dark place and cried from all that stress and confusion but not my hubby!

My Hubby Rocks This Friday Because...

He let me open a Christmas present last night and it was A BRAND NEW COACH PURSE! He was so excited to give it to me he couldn't wait until Christmas Eve! I love, love, love it! He picked it himself and did an awesome job!

He also rocks because he is taking Mylie and I to the farm this weekend for some family time in the country. No cell phones, no computers, just family. Plus football, of course :o) We leave this evening and won't be back until late Sunday. I'm so excited! Here is THE PURSE! And of course my adorable furry accessory :o)

Christmas Survey

I got this from the lovely Dacia Droke

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I refuse to drink egg nog. It's thick and has eggs...um, no. I don't like hot chocolate much either. I prefer Chris's Sangria...my favorite holiday treat. Well, one of them.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? I'm afraid Santa stopped bringing Chris and I presents long ago, but as a kid they were always set out, unwrapped. Mylie's will be in her stocking Christmas morning.

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white lights? Colored...ALWAYS colored. They just seem more fun.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nah, it's toxic to dogs. Yes, I could hang it from the ceiling, but let's face it, she would still find a way to get it.

5. When do you put your decorations up? I usually start a day or two before Thanksgiving. I can't wait any longer!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sangria. Stuffing.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve was almost my favorite. Time at the farm with family, playing games, shooting fireworks, watching Santa on the radar, counting the gifts to see who had the most (sounded really sweet until that last statement, huh? Just kidding.)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was probably in 2nd or 3rd grade. I just kind of assumed. I was one of the youngest cousins so most everyone else was over Santa by my time.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? This year Chris and I will exchange gifts that night at home since we aren't going to the farm this year because Christmas morning is with his family.

10. How do you decorate your tree? Colored lights and a mish mosh of different ornaments. Chris and I pick a new, special one ever year and write the date on it. This years? Mylie's first Christmas ornament! (Don't worry it is actually meant for dogs. I'm not dumb enough to buy an actual baby one. Especially since I found the dog one first :o))

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it. Absolutely love it. In fact, if you can believe it, it is snowing outside RIGHT NOW! I am beyond thrilled!

12. Can you ice skate? I've never tried, but based on my past experiences with anything requiring athletic abilities, my guess would be, no.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? As a kid, my tug-a-bows doll. As an adult, my digital camera.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? The birth of Jesus. Spending time with the people I love.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Buckeyes and sugar cookies.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Again, Christmas Eve and everything that is associated with it. This year will be very different, but Chris and I will just make some fun traditions of our own.

17. What tops your Christmas tree? A silver tinsel star with colored lights. It is as dorky as it sounds. I bought it at the dollar store the year Chris and I lived in North Carolina just as a "this will work until we get a real tree topper" type of thing; yet, it has graced the top of our tree for 3, count 'em, 3 Christmas' now. It has kind of grown on me in a "this will make a funny story for our kids someday" kind of way.

18. Which do you prefer-giving or receiving? I'll be honest, I wouldn't mind doing away with the whole gift thing all together.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Belles or Silent Night. Neither of which can I actually sing because they are both entirely too high for me, but that doesn't stop me from attempting :o)

20. Candy Canes- yuck or yum? Blah!

21. What do you want for Christmas? Coach purse.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party? Chris's company party.

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? PJ's. Do not ask me to wear real clothes on Christmas. Although, this year since I am going to my in-laws, clothes will be required. Dang it!

24. Do you own a Santa hat? Nope.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? Well, now that we are married we rotate. Christmas Eve morning is always with my Grandma and Grandpa. This year Christmas Eve evening will be with his Mom and Sister, Christmas Eve night at home, Christmas morning with his Mom and Sister, Christmas afternoon with his Dad, and then Christmas night and the 26th we will be at the farm with my family. Next year Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are with my family at the farm, the 26th is spilt between his family.

Monday again, huh? They always come too fast...

Monday: Tacos with mexican mixed veggies
Tuesday: BBQ chicken sandwiches with steamed veggies
Wednesday: Tequila lime talapia with edemame and cous cous
Thursday: Broccoli cheddar chicken with brown rice
Friday: Whataburger on the way to the farm...YEAH!
Saturday: We'll be in Belton coming back from a football game so whatever along the way.
Sunday: Honey pecan crusted salmon with cous cous and steamed veggies.

My Husband Rocks Fridays!

Yep, I am going to particuapate in this blog trend and every Friday I will share a new reason why my husband, Chris, rocks.

Chris rocks this week because he is taking me to Carrabas for a romantic dinner tonight while my Mom and Dad wear Mylie out for us! He also rocks because he is making homemade pizza with me tomorrow night while Mylie, him, and I watch college football and decorate our Christmas tree! Sounds like family fun to me!

Typically, I'm pretty good at cooking meals at home for Chris and I at least 5 nights a week, but I thought this would be a great way to keep me accountable. Plus, to help me remember what I was suppose to cook each night (yes, I have trouble remembering even that at this point...). I knew this would be a good week to start since I am cooking 2 of Chris's favorites and, by coincidence, 2 of my least favorite meals this week. That means I'll be cooking 2 meals each night. Yipee!

Monday:
Chris- Mexican Lasagna with steamed veggies
Me- Honey pecan crusted Salmon with steamed veggie.

Tuesday:
Chris- Left over Mexican lasagna with green beans and onions.
Me- Turkey burger with green beans and onions

Wednesday:
Chris- MORE left over Mexican Lasagna (seriously, this thing is HUGE) and edamame.
Me: Cous Cous and edamame.

Thursday:
Chris- Homemade Mac and Cheese with steamed veggies in a garlic sauce.
Me: BBQ Talapia with steamed veggies in a garlic sauce.

Friday: EAT OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday: Homemade pizza (we are decorating out tree Saturday night and we ALWAYS have pizza when we do that).

Sunday:
Chris- Left over Mac and Cheese with Peas (they are his favorite...yuck!)
Me- Whatever I can find, lol.