A New Year is Here

A fresh start is upon us - welcome 2013!

How was your holiday season?

Ours was pretty typical - rest and relaxation, family, and lots of holiday food.  We spent a couple of days before Christmas through a couple of days after Christmas with Casey's family in the Jackson, MS area.  It was nice to have a break from any major travels.  We enjoy traveling, but sometimes it's fun to stay close to home. 

Mmm hmmm.

Our sweet nephew had a blast tearing into his presents.

It is a good thing we came home when we did.  You see, our house/yard has drainage issues and it rained quite a good bit while we were gone, and when we got back.  Casey spent a very rainy Friday last week outside figuring out how our the gutter installation will work, what type of landscaping will help create waterflow moving away from our house, etc.  Also, I discovered our roof was leaking. Oh AND we burned a fuse while replacing a light fixture and half of our kitchen has been without power until today.

Casey's dad sent an electrician our way and he fixed every last problem we had electrically (more than just the kitchen!)  His dad is kindly taking care of the bill - big early happy birthday to us!

We found ourselves laughing over the weekend when problem after problem kept springing up.  We bought an old house and have only lived here for 6 months, hence it was only a matter of time to before some sort of house breakdowns occurred.  It's just part of it and we were told just that. Life goes on.

Case and I both returned to work today and are looking forward to settling into routine  again.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time off, but time off wouldn't be as enjoyable if we had it all the time.  I am glad however, that I still have two more weeks off from school.  I think I'll be mentally prepared to go back by then.

I packed up all things Christmas over the weekend. To me, it is kind of sad to take down the Christmas decorations because I like having them out, but at the same time I'm always so glad to have them packed up and put away. I realize that doesn't make much sense.

 Wishing all a very Happy New Year!

Christmas Happenings

Tis the season for:

 running the Jingle Bell Jog (5k)for Batson's Children's hospital - it's the second year in a row for us, so that makes it a tradition right? Next year, we're planning on participating in it again.

Decorating our tree - originally, it was a foot too tall.  That's what happens when you are experiencing your first Christmas in your new house - and when you don't measure your floor-to-ceiling span. 

We just knew we had 9 ft ceilings, until we tried to stand the tree up.  Good thing we have friendly neighbors with saws.

This year, we bought a Carolina Sapphire - its wonderful smell fills our house.  I love it.

Cinnamon roll making - Pioneer Woman's recipe. 

And homemade goodies from sweet, elderly neighbors.

But really, tis the season to remember Christ's birth into the world. Sometimes, there are so many Christmas distractions, events, and to-do lists, it is difficult to prepare our hearts for the real reason we celebrate. I know I struggle with it. Thankfully, we have been given a powerful reminder.

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel - which means, God is with us." 

Matthew 1:22-23



Thanksgiving

This year I looked forward to Thanksgiving break more than ever.  A rigorous school semester adding to our already full life made me realize just how valuable time away from the norm really is in this world.  Throughout this week of Thanksgiving I've reflected on what I am thankful for - the list is long, and often taken for granted.

I've thought about the pilgrims and their faithfulness in recognizing how God had blessed them - a harvest feast is a long standing tradition all over the world.  However, God was at the center of that first Thanksgiving feast with the pilgrims in the "New World". Where would we be without them?

This might sound strange, but I am thankful for the timing of my birth into the world.  God knew exactly where he wanted me to fall into this world, the people He wanted me to know, and the things He wanted me to do.  My parents were married 5 1/2 years before I was born.  Therefore, I could technically be much older, but I'm not. I'm so glad too because that timing impacts the friend groups I have, the college school choice I made, the man I met and married, everything really. This is true of everyone, and it's neat to consider.

Life could be so different in many ways, but it's guided by God's providence.  And we don't exactly know how different it could be because we are only familiar with the way it truly is - you with me?

Happy Thanksgiving 1 day late!