It was a MERRY CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas!  
I hope your day was filled with love, peace, family, friends, and the knowledge that Jesus came to save us!  What a wonderful Savior we have.  

Today was great.  Erik and I woke up and opened some presents.  I then made sausage biscuits (yum!!) for breakfast.  I got busy getting ready for our day with my family.  I made some candied sweet potatoes and sweet potatoe souffle (sp??), ambrosia, and a mincemeat pie--yes, I love this pie.  So does my dad and my cousin's hubby.  What's not to love--apples, raisins, spices???? Yum!  

I digress...We decide to not be the first ones at momma's today.  I usually am there bright and early ready to open gifts but this year we were last to get there! They waited on us!  Can you believe it?  Never in 32 years has that happened.  We had a nice time at Momma's and opened gifts.  I am so glad that people did not go overboard with them.  We got a few nice things but nothing huge and not needed.  We got quite a few pictures which I love. It seemed to be the theme this year.  And get this...after 39 years of marriage my Mom and Dad finally got pictures made.  They turned out great. All us kids (I know, it's late!) got one in a frame.  It's the one thing none of us had.  I love it. It's a treasure for all time.  

Anyway, we eat (great meal by the way) and chat.  I went to see my brother and my puppy, Arwyn.  She is a cutie.  When I figure out how to upload her picture from my phone I will add it.  
We then got ready for round 2.  My Momma's family came over and the house was jumpin' again.  We ate again (are we crazy?  that is what a workout is for!!).  I cleaned up some and finally got to leave after 9:30.  And once again I was the last to leave.  Last to arrive, last to leave.  But we had a great time.  It was fun and Erik and I get to do it all again this weekend with his family.  This time we are hosting.  I can't wait!  

Christmas Dinner

This coming weekend we will celebrate Christmas with Erik's family (Friday-Sunday). They will come here to Blythewoood and we will do our traditional things. We have celebrated for the last 8 years the weekend BEFORE Christmas but this year we have to celebrate after--Uncle Mike has to work. So, we just get to extend the holiday a few more days. I am good with it.
So this morning I decided to write down our menu. I have been seriously looking over my Southern Living magazines from November and December to find some really good dishes. This is our weekend menu:
Friday evening
Soup and Panini's--Ministrone soup or tomato soup with fancy samiches (hee hee)

Sat/Sun. AM
typical variety--toast, oatmeal, muffins, yogurt, eggs, basically your choice. Think: continental
Sat. lunch--out to eat; this is typical and we have done this for 8 years now. We will miss the Australian Bakery in Marietta once again. :(

Sat. Dinner (MY FAVORITE SO FAR!!!!)
Pork Tenderloin Roast with Carolina Apple Compote--now doesn't that sound yummy?
Grammy's Sausage and Apple Stuffing--family recipe
Roasted Green beans--can't wait!!
Sweet Potato Cups or smashed potatoes (We have to have a choice b/c I don't eat the s.p.)
warm rolls

Sat. Dessert
Sugar and Spice Cake--on the cover of the Dec. Southern Living--LOOKS SO GOOD!!
And of course Aunt Michelle's Apple Kuchin (family recipe again!)
Various cookies/pie from the 25th at my Momma's house :)

That's all. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Just random stuff

PRAISE THE LORD!!

I finished my last paper for my first master's course. Do you you hear the angels singing??Hallelujah!! I sure do. It has been a busy 2 weeks. Oh, my. Anyway...thanks for praying that I make it through this first course. Keep prayin'...got a few more to go! :)

I can't believe Christmas is 5 days away. I have never been so unprepared in my life! I am finally excited about the "season"--not just the day mind you. I just have too much preperation to do before Thursday. I get the help of 2 little darlings this evening. Imagine that fun!! Ha ha ha ha! I am babysitting for Lissa (my sister Melissa--I call her Lissa, only me though). Memphis and Rayne are on their way over.

I have tried hard to NOT miss my favorite Christmas movies. Would you know that I fell asleep last night during White Christmas? And last week during It's a Wonderful Life? Come on!! I stayed up late to see the Survivor finale (which was mediocre at best) but fell asleep to my 2 favorite movies to watch during the holidays. Alli girl...you need some rest! I won't miss A Christmas Story. How can you with a 24 hour marathon!!!!?????

Erik is off for the next 2 weeks. Don't know what I think about that. I love my hubby dearly, but one of the perks of being a teacher is that you get to have time off. This chica likes her quiet time during the day. It's hard to completely relax. I think he will have to go hang out with Daddy some this week! There is only so much football I can hang with!

Well, if don't blog later this week, Erik and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Well,

I can't believe that Christmas is so close. I want to be in the spirit and I am, but I have so much going on right now! I also am finishing my first course in the master's program at Walden. Woot Woot! My new course books are on the way. So far I am doing quite well. Is an A good? Just kidding! It is and I KNOW IT!!! :) Erik is fine. Just working too much. Luckily he has December 22-Jan. 2 off from work. That was a surprise. Not by choice though. All is well...don't worry. I have also informed my husband that we will NOT move anytime soon. Those of you who know our "story" know how many times we have done that. I am stayin' put!
Anyway, I have been reflecting on my career lately. Could it be because it's part of my course this quarter??? Duh! Anyway...I have decided that one thing I can do to alleviate stress is to take care of me. I think we all forget to do that, especially this time of the year. While we are so busy being focused on our family, the gifts, the Reason for the season (which should be first, let me add!!), we also need to remember to do something for ourselves.
That could mean:
1. Studying the Word. Spend time with Dad. Don't forget Him.
2. Taking time to breath and relax. Release that tension.
3. Exercise--I am learning now how important this is and that I want the payoffs from it later!
4. Watching a little TV--you wanna watch White Christmas or that Grinchy show? Do it!!
5. Read--I ALWAYS do that during my Christmas break. I hope I get the new Nicholas Sparks book! :)

These are just a few. I think #1 should definately come first. The others--well, add to them or not. Just take time for yourself. It is important. God loves you and wants the best for you. He gives you these opportunities to do this for yourself. Do it!

Anyway...enough of all that seriousness. My dear friend Merritt added her family version of this clip to her blog. The funny thing is, I actually did the clip for MY family over the weekend. Great minds think alike! So, I decided to add our as well. Laugh! You know you want too!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/NKNtOQMKOEznE9yv