big decision.

Ok folks, I have made a big decision. For the past couple of years, I have sent out lovingly, homemade, work-filled Christmas cards. As many of you know, that did not happen this year. I had every intention - good intentions at that! - but it just didn't happen. So, I cleverly thought, I will send out New Year's cards! We got a beautiful white Christmas and took some fun pictures then so it worked out perfectly. And then I started thinking - why spend the money now? Everyone else has already sent theirs and they will be enjoyed on refridgerators for months to come (I know they will be on ours!). And of course, it isn't really too late, the refridgerators aren't going anywhere. But, I think I will just post some pictures here and make a promise to do better next year. I'll even put it in my list of New Year's Resolutions....Resolution #87: Get jumping on Christmas cards no later than Nov. and get those bad boys sent out in early December of 2011 with cute pictures and filled with love.

See there? Now I will be stuck to it!

As for now, I will just give you some pictures of our White Christmas from 2010 - some of which you might see on next year's cards! :)

So, from our box-loving, back-yard running, snow-ball throwing, house-buying, white-Christmasing family to yours - we hope you had the merriest of Christmases, filled with love, and family, and remembering what Christmas is really all about...

And we wish you the most wonderful of New Years. May 2011 be better than you could ever imagine!

p.s. sorry about the crazy layout. we all know blogger has a mind of its own.

back home.

Well - we are safely back in Chattanooga after a few days away and a day - today - of perfectly not doing much of anything. We are looking forward to a few more days of laying low, watching movies, working on the house a bit and of course, the requesite laundry and grocery shopping in preparation for going back to work on Monday (Tuesday for Chad)...

Christmas was grand. We recieved many fun and useful gifts - always recognizing how blessed we are by our families and friends. The time spent with them was the sweetest - looking forward to another weekend in Columbus in Feb. to hang out with my mom - and sorry friends - no one else! :) That was her Christmas present...

here!

We've arrived in Columbus after a non-eventful drive through snowy countryside. I slept - almost an hour and a half - and it was lovely. Been missing out on night sleep so a nap was totally in order!

Sister and Frannie coming late tonight and Christmas Numero Dos tomorrow...

...and to all a good night.

This has been the most uneventful Christmas Eve in my history and yet one of my favorites thus far...we attended one of the sweetest church services I have ever been too - I love Calvary Chapel. A few animals in the nativity - complete with a REAL BABY - the music was awesome (a fabulous drum quartet after a little par-rum-pum-pum-puming) and finished up with a passing of the glow stick. Hey - candles are a fire hazard. Yes, glow sticks. No lie. Pastor F started it off, broke his glow stick, then it passed through the room ending up with the whole room waving their glow sticks and singing.
It was too cool...once we went outside, we heard sirens and watched about 20 or 30 fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars head into our neighborhood. Admittedly, I was thinking about all of the horrible things that could be happening that would bring that kind of power into our little part of town. And then I saw - in the middle of this long line of sirens blaring and lights flashing - the white stretch limo. With a white gloved hand and red sleeve sticking out of the back window, waving as they drove by. Again, I would not lie. Come on...you have to believe! I can only assume it was the annual gift drive/giving of the emergency services to families in need - which our area of town has a lot of - but seriously, to see all the vehicles, lights, sirens, and then Santa in a limo in the middle of it. Hilarious, amazing, awesome. And totally fun.
We plan to sleep in tomorrow then exchange stockings. We aren't supposed to be anywhere until lunch time. My sister would not approve of the sleeping in...but it's ok because neither does the cat - blasted early riser. Early we shall rise. I will make my casserole and we will head over to be with our sweet family...

excited.

It is going to be a great Christmas full of family, fun, remembering the past, and creating new traditions and memories.
I am a little sad not to be waking up in my parents house on Christmas morning - the first in 26 years that will not be the case. But I will be waking up in our house - the very first house we have ever owned - the first time in 26 years as well. Lots of new, different, and equally as special and good memories to make.

Tomorrow we will spend the day with Chad's family and then leave for Columbus on Sunday. Looking forward to a few days of simply being with those I love.

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:10-11

plans change.

Well, I had big dreams of sleeping 'till an indecent 9am this morning - but Gwendolen had other plans. I slept until a normal 7:15 when Chad leaves and Gwendolen starts barking - oh right - then she doesn't stop. She has been in rare vocal form all morning and it is starting to...get old.

I've already made toffee and sweet Chex mix...I'll be adding those to the homemade chocolate and peanut butter fudge Chad made and sending all of our neighbors into a sugar coma. Hopefully they can exhibit a little self control - because that is exactly why I am getting as much of it out of my house as possible!

More cooking to do, jewelry to make, and a little laundry and my day off will be fabtabulous!

11 days.

I am so thrilled - I just finished up my last day of work until next year. Oh, it is even fun just to say that! I am off work for the next 11 days in a row - counting the weekends too! It is going to be amazing, fun, and good to just be off hanging out for a while. I am off work tomorrow and Chad is not so I am going to do some cooking and laundry folding but our house is still mostly clean from me cleaning everything before my parents came this past weekend. Just need to put sheets back on the bed and fold some clothes and I will be done. Tomorrow is reserved for a little cooking and possibly breaking out my first Christmas songs (sorry - not a fan of listening to them non-stop from Thanksgiving until the 25th...).
I think I am done shopping. And if I'm not - and I've forgotten someone - then I will just have to be done. Bought my last couple of things for girlfriends today after work and I will wrap and be finished with it tonight or tomorrow. I am going to paint on something for M and make some jewelry but I think I am wrapping it up for this yeah (haha...wrapping it up...).