a much needed update...

Hi y'all!  December is a busy month, yes? I feel like we have been going, going and going. I could not imagine how tired I might feel if we had not been done with our Christmas shopping and wrapping 2 weeks ago. Thank goodness all of that is already done! I have many things to share with you, including pictures from the past couple of weeks- get excited!

But first, I want to start this post off with some bulleted points-because sometimes, it is just easier to get things out that way!

• I am so excited that it is only 4 days until Christmas. I kind of can't believe it.
• My parents plans have changed and they will be here on Christmas Eve, instead of the day after Christmas. I am excited about this too!
• Actually, I am just excited about everything Christmas. This is an incredible season!
• Our live Christmas tree is still green and going strong. Think we will be able to leave it up into January?
• I thought I had all my grocery shopping done for the rest of this year, but things changed as of this morning and it looks like we will be having ham instead of enchiladas for Christmas dinner. To the grocery store I go!
• I have baked and prepared some meals ahead of time for next week and now my freezer is stock full. I don't know if I could fit another thing in there!
• Speaking of the above, we could really benefit from having a deep freezer or even an extra standard fridge/freezer in the garage.
• Also speaking of the above, I REALLY could use some more Pyrex dishes because they are all occupied right now!
• We have had some snow in our area, but it has all disappeared pretty quickly. I am not too happy about this. The white Christmas I was dreaming of doesn't even seem like a possibility now.
• Louie's fur is growing in after his grooming a couple week ago, I think he looks so cute!
• Speaking of Louie, we go to the vet this afternoon to get re-tested for heart worms. Please pray that he is heart worm free. I don't think his little body or our wallets could handle more treatments.
• I got new low lights in my hair last week and I went redder than I ever have before. I have to say, I kind of like it!
• My cell phone battery will not charge. It is getting really old having to take a charger with my everywhere and plug it in constantly. Thankfully, a new battery is on it's way and should arrive very soon.
• We have SO much food at work. It is crazy...no wonder people gain weight during the holidays!
• I look forward to getting the mail everyday in December. I love getting Christmas cards. Our display is currently out of control and I LOVE it!

Are you ready for some pictures?

Well, here goes:

This picture was taken in the car on the way to my department Christmas party. We were waiting on a very long train that was going super slow. Don't you just love that? 12/9/2011

One Sunday we watched our nieces while their parents did some Christmas shopping. We had made salt dough ornaments weeks before so they were excited to paint them!

Hadley was a speed painter and finished all hers pretty quickly. They were all a mixture of every color paint we had-fitting for a 3 year old! Emma was careful and spent some time working on each of hers. They turned out beautiful!

Stephen was a great helper, especially with Hadley.

Louie wasn't sure about the painting, but he did look super cute in his sweater! :)

The girls with their finished ornaments and smiles. Love them!

Saturday 12/16/2011 we woke up so snow. I was SO excited! It was all gone by Sunday afternoon, but it was so beautiful while it lasted. This day was also the Christmas gathering for Stephen's extended family. We ate, and ate, and ate all while watching different basketball games. Delicious and fun! :)

Snow and new red hair, you can really notice it in this picture because of how it stands out against the white snow. Love it! :)

We tried to get some family pictures in front of the tree...I guess we were successful. I am hoping for a round two sometime this weekend though!

Look at those brown eyes! Oh how I love them! :)

That is what we have been up to in a nutshell these past couple weeks. Well, that and trying to relax and trying to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful for this season and for the love of Jesus. What an incredible blessing!

I plan on taking pictures and posting a Christmas tour of our house tomorrow. The pictures may not be that great though if I run out of daylight today. Pray for a good, fast and easy vet visit for me and Louie. I really hope that he is heart worm free!  That would be the BEST Christmas present!

Have a great day!

"For to us a child is born,  to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6  NIV