Bought a house
Got married
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| Picture by Amanda Fales Photography |
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| Amanda Fales Photography (and yes, argyle cake!) |
Had a fun honeymoon
We also had a lot of fun times with friends and family. Here's to more adventures and fun in 2011! Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Highlights
In 2010 we....
Bought a house
We also had a lot of fun times with friends and family. Here's to more adventures and fun in 2011! Happy New Year!
Bought a house
We also had a lot of fun times with friends and family. Here's to more adventures and fun in 2011! Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty.
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never had a family or a home.
He didn't go to college.
He never visited a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born.
He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself.
He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him.
His friends ran away.
One of them denied Him.
He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying, His executioners gambled for His garments, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not effected the life of man on this earth as much as that One Solitary Life.
He grew up in another village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty.
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never had a family or a home.
He didn't go to college.
He never visited a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born.
He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself.
He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him.
His friends ran away.
One of them denied Him.
He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
While He was dying, His executioners gambled for His garments, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not effected the life of man on this earth as much as that One Solitary Life.
Christmas Cards
A while back, I told you about Shutterfly's Christmas cards and to get free cards. I thought I'd share with you what card we ultimately went with. It might surprise you, because it isn't one that I considered in my previous post.
So, why this card? To be honest, my husband picked it. I made up some choices and he wasn't very thrilled with any of them. He wanted to use this picture because it wasn't posed. I desperately made some more choices for him and threw this one in and surprisingly, he liked it! I liked that it has French on the front because I love French (took it for 5 years and spent 2 weeks in France one summer).
I originally wanted a card with the year on it and since this one doesn't, I fixed that on the inside. Since this is a folded card, Shutterfly gave me the option of having another photo (or two or three) on the inside. I included another photo of us posing with our wedding cake and below it put our wedding date.
Once I finally ordered the cards, they came fairly quickly and were packaged well. The cards are very nice quality with thick cardstock.
Everybody I have given a card to has raved about how much they love them and how pretty they are. I love that I got such a great deal for fabulous cards and found yet another use for our wonderful wedding pictures!
So, why this card? To be honest, my husband picked it. I made up some choices and he wasn't very thrilled with any of them. He wanted to use this picture because it wasn't posed. I desperately made some more choices for him and threw this one in and surprisingly, he liked it! I liked that it has French on the front because I love French (took it for 5 years and spent 2 weeks in France one summer).
I originally wanted a card with the year on it and since this one doesn't, I fixed that on the inside. Since this is a folded card, Shutterfly gave me the option of having another photo (or two or three) on the inside. I included another photo of us posing with our wedding cake and below it put our wedding date.
Once I finally ordered the cards, they came fairly quickly and were packaged well. The cards are very nice quality with thick cardstock.
Everybody I have given a card to has raved about how much they love them and how pretty they are. I love that I got such a great deal for fabulous cards and found yet another use for our wonderful wedding pictures!
Friday, December 24, 2010
My First DIY
Now that the baking and gift wrapping is finally done, I can share with you my first DIY project for our home. It also happens to be a Christmas decor project.
I've seen wreaths like this one for sale in various stores.
I've seen wreaths like this one for sale in various stores.
Most stores want anywhere from $30 on up for a wreath like this one. I really wanted one for our front door, but I did NOT want to pay that much money for a wreath.
As it turns out, you don't have to! (I'm a terrible blogger and did not document the process, so bear with me.) I bought a 24" wreath at Christmas Tree Shop for about $7. I sprung for a lighted one, but you could go even cheaper with just a plain wreath. I bought a set of ornaments for $2.50 at Michael's. (They were 1/2 off!) and some green twist wire for $1.50 at Meijer.
For just $11, I came up with this...
Pretty cute right? I'm on the hunt for the right ribbon to perhaps make a bow for the top. (I actually took off a pretty cheap looking "velvet" bow that came with the wreath.) And bonus, I can always change the ornaments if I decide to change the look.
I've never been very crafty, but I'm pretty proud of my very first decor DIY project!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
My Favorite Ornament
I showed you our Chirstmas tree earlier, but I didn't show you my favorite ornament. It's a new one for this year and it was the first one I put on our tree.
Isn't it cute? We picked it up at the Christmas store at Downtown Disney on our honeymoon. I had in my carry-on and I was super paranoid that I was going to break it on our way home. But, it made it in one piece and now it's in a prominent place on our tree. I think it's my favorite souvenir from our honeymoon.
Do you have a favorite ornament or Christmas decoration?
Isn't it cute? We picked it up at the Christmas store at Downtown Disney on our honeymoon. I had in my carry-on and I was super paranoid that I was going to break it on our way home. But, it made it in one piece and now it's in a prominent place on our tree. I think it's my favorite souvenir from our honeymoon.
Do you have a favorite ornament or Christmas decoration?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas Decorations
I've mentioned before that I love Christmas and I love decorating for Christmas, so I thought I'd share with you some pictures of our decorations. Since this is our first Christmas in our house, it's kind of a hodgepodge of stuff that I've been buying over the years. (I love shopping on the day after Christmas!)
I've already shown you our tree,(which is still topper-less and skirt-less) so let's look at some other decorations.
Here's our "mantel."
We don't have a fireplace, so the top of our entertainment center became our mantel. I actually have ideas for decorating this, but I don't have any of the supplies I need and I'm waiting until after Christmas to buy them. So this year, I went with simple decor. I did buy the garland this year. It's from Target and it was on sale one week, so I grabbed it. The angel lamps hold tea lights and were a gift from a student years ago. I should have taken a closer picture so you could see how pretty they are.
The manger scene has a bit of a story behind it. Every year at the church I grew up in, the children receive a piece of it. How old you are determines which piece you get. I believe you start with the baby Jesus. These are hand carved figures, but I cannot remember where they come from. I believe it is either Israel or an African nation. I have all the pieces that my brothers and I received over the years. I'd like to point out that the 3 figures on the right are shepherds and not the Wise Men as I don't put the Wise Men in until Epiphany. (and yes, I know I really shouldn't put Jesus in until Christmas, but I thought it looked odd without him, so there he is.)
How about a quick look at our dining room table before it became gift wrapping central?
I really don't have ideas for this area because eventually our dining room will actually be decorated and have a theme. So this year, I just used what I had. The runner is from Kohl's and is always on the table as it actually is part of the theme.
This little tree was my Christmas tree when I lived in my college dorm. I got him at Target. I did decorate it with little ornaments, but a certain cat thinks they are fun to play with, so I've been finding them all over the house.
That's the majority of our Chistmas decorations! Next time, I'll show you my very first DIY craft that I made for our house!
I've already shown you our tree,(which is still topper-less and skirt-less) so let's look at some other decorations.
Here's our "mantel."
We don't have a fireplace, so the top of our entertainment center became our mantel. I actually have ideas for decorating this, but I don't have any of the supplies I need and I'm waiting until after Christmas to buy them. So this year, I went with simple decor. I did buy the garland this year. It's from Target and it was on sale one week, so I grabbed it. The angel lamps hold tea lights and were a gift from a student years ago. I should have taken a closer picture so you could see how pretty they are.
The manger scene has a bit of a story behind it. Every year at the church I grew up in, the children receive a piece of it. How old you are determines which piece you get. I believe you start with the baby Jesus. These are hand carved figures, but I cannot remember where they come from. I believe it is either Israel or an African nation. I have all the pieces that my brothers and I received over the years. I'd like to point out that the 3 figures on the right are shepherds and not the Wise Men as I don't put the Wise Men in until Epiphany. (and yes, I know I really shouldn't put Jesus in until Christmas, but I thought it looked odd without him, so there he is.)How about a quick look at our dining room table before it became gift wrapping central?
I really don't have ideas for this area because eventually our dining room will actually be decorated and have a theme. So this year, I just used what I had. The runner is from Kohl's and is always on the table as it actually is part of the theme.
This little tree was my Christmas tree when I lived in my college dorm. I got him at Target. I did decorate it with little ornaments, but a certain cat thinks they are fun to play with, so I've been finding them all over the house.That's the majority of our Chistmas decorations! Next time, I'll show you my very first DIY craft that I made for our house!
Christmas Day 16
What's your favorite Christmas tradition?
My favorite Christmas tradition is Midnight Mass. (Which is actually at 11:00.) I used to love going to church on Christmas Eve before I converted because at the end, we'd light candles and sing Silent Night. The first verse was in English, the second verse in German (lots of German speakers in a Mennonite church with a high population of senior citizens, including my grandparents) and then we'd hum until everyone had filed out.
Now that I'm Catholic, I go to Midnight Mass on Christmas eve. I love being in our beautiful church and listening to the Christmas story and singing Christmas hymns with the organ and choir.
My favorite Christmas tradition is Midnight Mass. (Which is actually at 11:00.) I used to love going to church on Christmas Eve before I converted because at the end, we'd light candles and sing Silent Night. The first verse was in English, the second verse in German (lots of German speakers in a Mennonite church with a high population of senior citizens, including my grandparents) and then we'd hum until everyone had filed out.
Now that I'm Catholic, I go to Midnight Mass on Christmas eve. I love being in our beautiful church and listening to the Christmas story and singing Christmas hymns with the organ and choir.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas Day 15
You're standing under a mistletoe. Who do you wish was there with you?
Besides David Tennant? I guess, I'll have to go with my husband!
Besides David Tennant? I guess, I'll have to go with my husband!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Day 14
Did you enjoy last Christmas?
I do believe I did. I don't actually remember anything specific, but I guess that means it wasn't horrible, either!
I do believe I did. I don't actually remember anything specific, but I guess that means it wasn't horrible, either!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Christmas Day 13
Who will you buy gifts for and what will they be?
I've got gifts for the husband, my mother, 2 brothers, future sister-in-law, future nephew, mother-in-law, 2 sister-in-laws, 2 brother-in-laws, 4 nieces and 1 nephew. Plus, 2 friends.
And no, I will not tell you what I got any of them.
I've got gifts for the husband, my mother, 2 brothers, future sister-in-law, future nephew, mother-in-law, 2 sister-in-laws, 2 brother-in-laws, 4 nieces and 1 nephew. Plus, 2 friends.
And no, I will not tell you what I got any of them.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Christmas Day 12
What do you really want this Christmas?
I'd really like a new job and a sudden influx of money.
But, I guess I'll take some time with family and friends and lots of good food.
I'd really like a new job and a sudden influx of money.
But, I guess I'll take some time with family and friends and lots of good food.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Day 11
5 Things you Hate About Christmas
1. The weather
2. Grumpy shoppers
I love Christmas, so much, that it's hard to think of things I hate about it. But I really hate snow and dealing with grumpy people.
1. The weather
2. Grumpy shoppers
I love Christmas, so much, that it's hard to think of things I hate about it. But I really hate snow and dealing with grumpy people.
Christmas Day 10
5 Things You Love About Christmas
1. The music
2. Decorating
3. The food
4. Spending time with family and friends
5. Giving somebody the perfect gift
1. The music
2. Decorating
3. The food
4. Spending time with family and friends
5. Giving somebody the perfect gift
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Christmas Day 9
What's your favorite Christmas treat?
A local candy company makes a delicious treat called Chocolate Charlie. It is only available at Christmas time and I crave it year round.
source
A local candy company makes a delicious treat called Chocolate Charlie. It is only available at Christmas time and I crave it year round.
sourceBasically, it's marshmallows and peanuts covered in chocolate. It is heaven! I can't wait to get my hands on some this Christmas!
Christmas Day 8
A photo of where you will be spending Christmas.
See yesterday's photo!
Since this is our first Christmas as our own little family, I'm trying to set the traditions now, so it won't be a hassle when we have kids. Christmas eve is with the husband's family. This year (and hopefully, the next few years) it will be at our house. Christmas morning is just us at our house. Christmas dinner and afternoon is with my family at my mom's house.
That looks a bit like this...
See yesterday's photo!
Since this is our first Christmas as our own little family, I'm trying to set the traditions now, so it won't be a hassle when we have kids. Christmas eve is with the husband's family. This year (and hopefully, the next few years) it will be at our house. Christmas morning is just us at our house. Christmas dinner and afternoon is with my family at my mom's house.
That looks a bit like this...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Christmas Day 7
What does your Christmas tree look like?
It looks just like this...
Because this is our first Christmas together as a married couple and our first Christmas in our own house, we don't actually have our own tree. This one is my mom's old tree that she's been hanging onto for a couple years now. We're hoping to find a good deal on a tree after Christmas.
Because we don't have a tree, we also don't have a topper or tree skirt. Mostly though, I just haven't found any that I like. I'm being incredibly picky (as usual) and want either an argyle tree skirt or a penguin tree skirt. So far, no luck finding either for a reasonable price.
It looks just like this...
Because this is our first Christmas together as a married couple and our first Christmas in our own house, we don't actually have our own tree. This one is my mom's old tree that she's been hanging onto for a couple years now. We're hoping to find a good deal on a tree after Christmas.
Because we don't have a tree, we also don't have a topper or tree skirt. Mostly though, I just haven't found any that I like. I'm being incredibly picky (as usual) and want either an argyle tree skirt or a penguin tree skirt. So far, no luck finding either for a reasonable price.
Christmas Day 6
What's your favorite Christmas song?
I LOVE Christmas music. The minute the local radio station changes to all Christmas music, I'm there. I even get excited when they start playing Christmas music at work, even if it is November 1. In high school, the music department put on a Christmas show every year (think the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but high school and no Rockettes. In fact, it was called Christmas Spectacular.) Rehearsing and performing that show (4 times in one weekend) was my favorite thing in high school.
It's pretty much impossible for me to pick just one favorite song, but I tried to narrow it down a bit. My favorite Christmas song that we sing at church is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. My favorite Christmas song to listen to and sing along with is Don't Save It All for Christmas Day. My favorite "traditional" Christmas songs are White Christmas and O Holy Night. Those were my 2 favorite songs from Christmas Spectacular.
I LOVE Christmas music. The minute the local radio station changes to all Christmas music, I'm there. I even get excited when they start playing Christmas music at work, even if it is November 1. In high school, the music department put on a Christmas show every year (think the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but high school and no Rockettes. In fact, it was called Christmas Spectacular.) Rehearsing and performing that show (4 times in one weekend) was my favorite thing in high school.
It's pretty much impossible for me to pick just one favorite song, but I tried to narrow it down a bit. My favorite Christmas song that we sing at church is O Come, O Come Emmanuel. My favorite Christmas song to listen to and sing along with is Don't Save It All for Christmas Day. My favorite "traditional" Christmas songs are White Christmas and O Holy Night. Those were my 2 favorite songs from Christmas Spectacular.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Day 5
What's your favorite Christmas movie?
I'm usually not much of a Christmas movie fan. I don't like Rudolph or Frosty and Charlie Brown is OK. I do however, love the animated Grinch. (Don't even talk to me about the Jim Carrey version.) I also really enjoy Elf. It's a fun movie and I love to quote it.
I'm usually not much of a Christmas movie fan. I don't like Rudolph or Frosty and Charlie Brown is OK. I do however, love the animated Grinch. (Don't even talk to me about the Jim Carrey version.) I also really enjoy Elf. It's a fun movie and I love to quote it.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Christmas Day 4
Which reindeer is your favorite and why?
I don't think I've ever really had a favorite reindeer. I'm not really a fan of the Rudolph movie or song (other than the Jack Johnson version), so it's not him. I think I'll go with Vixen because that's a fun name and it's a girly name, so it must be a girl reindeer.
This made me remember that a local mall used to have a talking reindeer. I think it was Rudolph and he would talk to the children. I don't remember if I actually liked him because I never liked furry characters when I was a kid.
I don't think I've ever really had a favorite reindeer. I'm not really a fan of the Rudolph movie or song (other than the Jack Johnson version), so it's not him. I think I'll go with Vixen because that's a fun name and it's a girly name, so it must be a girl reindeer.
This made me remember that a local mall used to have a talking reindeer. I think it was Rudolph and he would talk to the children. I don't remember if I actually liked him because I never liked furry characters when I was a kid.
Christmas Day 3
Do you still believe in Santa Claus?
My stylist and I were just talking about this subject last night. While I don't still believe that there is a physical Santa Claus, I do believe in the magic of Santa Claus. As a child, I don't remember when I stopped, but I did come by it on my own. I think I kept believing because I had younger brothers and I didn't want to ruin the magic for them.
I'm always sad when I sub for kindergarten classes and children ask me if there is a Santa because their friend told them there wasn't. I do my best to tell them that if they believe in Santa, then he is real (while I give their friend dirty looks.) I hope my own children never stop believing in Santa Claus.
My stylist and I were just talking about this subject last night. While I don't still believe that there is a physical Santa Claus, I do believe in the magic of Santa Claus. As a child, I don't remember when I stopped, but I did come by it on my own. I think I kept believing because I had younger brothers and I didn't want to ruin the magic for them.
I'm always sad when I sub for kindergarten classes and children ask me if there is a Santa because their friend told them there wasn't. I do my best to tell them that if they believe in Santa, then he is real (while I give their friend dirty looks.) I hope my own children never stop believing in Santa Claus.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas Posts!
I found this neat little list of Christmas prompts over here and I thought I would try them to help me update everyday. Keep me responsible, OK?
Since I'm already behind, I'll do #1 & #2 now and #3 later today.
Day 1: Is Christmas your favorite holiday?
It sure is! I love just about everything about this time of year (except the snow and cold). I love Christmas music and decorations and the baking. I think I love Christmas so much because I have a lot of great memories of Christmas from my childhood. My cousins would come from Kansas every year and we'd get to spend time with them and our grandparents and have tons of fun.
Day 2: What's on your Christmas list?
Random stuff. Stuff we didn't get for our wedding that I still want. Some clothing items that I've been eyeing. Games so that we actually use our Wii for something other than watching Netflix. My birthday is 12 days after Christmas, so my list is always extra long so people can use it for both.
Since I'm already behind, I'll do #1 & #2 now and #3 later today.
Day 1: Is Christmas your favorite holiday?
It sure is! I love just about everything about this time of year (except the snow and cold). I love Christmas music and decorations and the baking. I think I love Christmas so much because I have a lot of great memories of Christmas from my childhood. My cousins would come from Kansas every year and we'd get to spend time with them and our grandparents and have tons of fun.
Day 2: What's on your Christmas list?
Random stuff. Stuff we didn't get for our wedding that I still want. Some clothing items that I've been eyeing. Games so that we actually use our Wii for something other than watching Netflix. My birthday is 12 days after Christmas, so my list is always extra long so people can use it for both.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Time Lord Christmas
The husband and I are big Doctor Who nerds and so are several members of our family and some friends. While looking around Etsy for gift ideas, I've stumbled on some gifts I know some people (and Time Lords) would love. Maybe some these will find their way under our tree!
First up, how about a TARDIS phone case for the iPhone or Droid user?
This poster really needs a home in my house.
From Etsy seller imaginationemporium
Doctor Who gifts in our family are pretty much a tradition at this point. My sister-in-law made my nephew the 4th Doctor's scarf last year and this year she's make me and my niece some TARDIS socks!
First up, how about a TARDIS phone case for the iPhone or Droid user?
This poster really needs a home in my house.
From Etsy seller imaginationemporiumMy husband or brother-in-law would love to get this hoodie, I'm sure.
$30 from Etsy seller geekboypress
$30 from Etsy seller geekboypressThis is only a small sampling of the many Doctor Who gifts available on Etsy. I encourage you to look for yourself and support those who make these wonderful handmade goods.
Doctor Who gifts in our family are pretty much a tradition at this point. My sister-in-law made my nephew the 4th Doctor's scarf last year and this year she's make me and my niece some TARDIS socks!
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