Playing Catch-up

I have not been on my best blogging behavior lately! I have some catching up to do. To start I realized that I never put up pictures I took over the Christmas break with my besties! I have the best friends ever and some of us got together while we were home over the break. It simply amazes me every time that we get together that no matter how few times we see each other during the year, it seems like we have never been apart when we finally do get to be together. I feel as close to these girls as I ever have. We may each be in different phases of life, but we are still best friends! I love you girls! Then to add more icing to the cake, all of the hubbies get along great and are very close! Two blessings in one! The Lord is so good to us all!

Sessler's, Ingram's, Wilson's, Cherry's

Megan, Ashley, Mandy, Sarah

I also wanted to show off my official letter saying that I passed my exam. I took this as we were leaving to go celebrate! My husband made me feel so special! He made me wear my glasses because he said they are my smart glasses!!!

I'm still going...I was tagged by Megan to go through my picture files! The rules are that you go to your 4th folder and find your 4th pic in that folder. Well I have a lot more folders within folders, so I had to kinda do it a different way. So I opened up my first folder on this compture which was the 2006 folder. Then I clicked on the 4th folder in that folder and found the 4th picture. This is in August of 2006 and is of Sam and his buddies in Utah for Ryan's wedding. I was not there, so I think this was the day before the wedding when they were just hanging out! It was a gorgeous wedding, I sure wish I could have been there!

So now I get to tag 4 other people to play the game.

Directions:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.3) Explain the picture.4) Tag 4 people to do the same.~No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.) Have fun!!~

You're it!

The Douglass'

The Master's

The Wester's

Melissa Miles

Last, thank you to Melissa for the Fabulous blog award! I'm glad you think my blog is FABULOUS!!!

Happy Birthday MOM!

I'm slightly late because this is the first time that I could get on a computer today, but the day isn't over yet.....SOOOO....HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my amazing,

giving,

loving,

beautiful,

faithful,

big-hearted,

talented,

genuine,

selfless

MOM!!!

You are the best friend anyone could ask for! I love you and hope that you had a fabulous birthday. I wish we could be there with you.

4th Time is a CHARM!!!

I PASSED!!!

Finally after my fourth attempt I passed my CFP exam! I could not be more relieved and excited!!! (You can go here and here and here to get more details on what I am talking about if you are lost!) I received my letter in the mail yesterday and after re-reading it a million times to make sure they had the right person and that the word CONGRATULATIONS meant that I passed and not congratulations you get to do this all again, I was convinced that I indeed finally passed this darn test. The monkey (or gorilla) is finally off my back!!!! I want to thank you all for the prayers you lifted up for me during my three months of studying and during my test. I have told many people that I was at such peace when I took the test this time around, and that I know is only something that could come from the Lord and from the prayers of others. So Thank You!!!
This has been a long road for me, and I feel now its time to take the next turn! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I got a blog award! Hahaha! It's from my best friend, so I don't think I can add this award to any great list of accomplishments, but its still very fun to receive. At least I know that one person likes to read my blog! Thanks Ashley (you should check out her blog, its really good!)

Along with the award, there is a set of questions to answer. Each question can only have a one-word answer. This could be hard for me; I'm slightly "wordy".

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? blonde/brown
4. Your mother? loving
5. Your father? big heart

6. Your favorite thing? Husband

7. Your dream last night? crazy!
8. Your goal? loving
9. The room you are in? office
10. Your hobby? baking
11. Your fear? spiders

12. Where do you want to be in six years? family
13. Where were you last night? bible study
14. What you are not? boy
15. One of your wish list items? shoes
16. Where you grew up? Amarillo
17. The last thing you did? email
18. What you are wearing? sweater (its cold outside!)
19. Your TV? big
20. Your pet? none
21. Your computer? annoying
22. Your mood? content
23. Missing someone? always
24. Your car? new
25. Something you are not wearing? sandals
26. Favorite story? Redeeming Love
27. Your Summer? HOT
28. Love someone? Husband
29. Your favorite color? all
30. When was the last time you laughed? when my husband woke me up
31. Last time you cried? cleansing

I pass this kindness along to:

Melissa

Lindsay

Megan

Amy

Jennifer

Christmas Recap - Christmas Day

I need to finish my Christmas posts before the Christmas season is completely obsolete. Christmas day was as full as Christmas Eve. We woke up at my parents house only see that Santa had come and spoiled us once again! We then opened presents and had a delicious Christmas meal! Sam was in charge of making the menu, and mom graciously cooked it for us. She always does an amazing job! After hanging out with the fam for awhile we headed back over to Meme's for another helping. (I just want to say that I had to skip on the second meal, but I sure did have some of Meme's delicious pies...she made 7 pies...pumpkin X 2, lemon cheesecake, lemon meringue, coconut cream, chocolate, minced meat (I skipped that one).) That evening we went over to Sam's parent's house and had our final Christmas. Would you believe that Santa came again???
All in all we had a great Christmas filled with family, food, and fun, and were spoiled beyond belief! Here are a few more pictures!

The boys Christmas morning. Santa brought them video game pants!

Delicious Christmas meal

Sessler Christmas!

Sessler Family...complete with Stephanie!

I also wanted to share a few things that I am a bit behind on. First, one of my best friends, Ashley, is doing what she calls Take Your Man to Jesus. For ten days she is challenging all women to pray for their husband, boyfriend, fiance, or future husband on a particular topic. I think this is an amazing idea and something that is really important to me. Funny thing is that just this week when she started this I had also started to read the Power of a Praying Wife. I truly believe that being on your knees for your man constantly will only increase your relationship and bring joy to your man. I am a little behind on sharing this since she is now on the 7th day, but there is no reason that you can't jump on the train now and then work your way backwards to catch up! So go check it out and start praying intently and specifically for your man or future man!!!

Next, I want to wish my sister-in-law Jennifer a Happy belated Birthday!! We celebrated last night, but I forgot I never got to blogging about it! She is one amazing woman and we are so blessed that she became apart of our family 5 years ago! So Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Christmas Recap - Christmas Eve

We were blessed to be back at home in Amarillo for about 11 days for Christmas this year and had the best time. With the extended amount of time we really had the chance to spend good quality time with both of our families, plus some time with friends! We are so very blessed that both of our families live in the same town because we don't have to miss any of the family traditions that we have grown so used to. On Christmas Eve and Christmas day we spent time with both sides of our families. I'll start with Christmas Eve.

It was such a beautiful day. It did not feel like Christmas time at all with the weather so warm and nice. We started the day relaxing, and then Sam and my brother decided to do some hiking to the top of the cliff outside of my parents lake house. We then proceeded to play some golf until it was time to start the festivities. Every Christmas Eve we start at Sam's Meme's house for food and presents with that side of the family. As always it was delicious and a good time. It was extra special this year because one of Sam's oldest sisters, Stephanie, was home for Christmas! She lives in Hawaii now and hasn't been home for the holidays in two years; it was so nice having her here!

After Meme's we head to the Christmas Eve service, and then follow up at my Grandma's house for more food and presents! After the long night it's off to bed so that Santa can come!!! Here are a few pictures of the day!

Sam's sisters and I at Meme's

Meme and all the grand kids (and grandkid-in-law)

Sam, my sister-in-law (holding baby girl Thomas), my brother, and I opening presents at my grandma's house

Richard, Jennifer, and baby Thomas

Christmas is over

The gifts are all unwrapped and the food is gone, I guess this means that Christmas is over. We had a great time back home with our families and were sad to come back. We hope you were each as blessed this season! I'll catch up on our break later this week, but for now we just want to wish you a Happy New Year! 2009 here we come!!!

Cookies for Santa

I finally got my Christmas cookie pictures off of my Sam's computer, so now I can share them with you. Christmas cookies could quite possibly be my favorite cookies to make. Although getting a good red icing is hard, once it gets there I love decorating for Santa! Here a few pictures that my bro took for me. (much better than the pictures I usually produce, don't get used to this!)

Sugar High!!!

I have had several requests for recipes for some of the goodies that I made for our Christmas party, so I thought I would share a few. Both of these are super easy and great grab-and-go treats!

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

(see bottom plate in picture above)

Brownies

1/2 cup butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat the oven to 350° and grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. For the brownies, place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 1 minute more. Stir until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs. Stir in the chocolate and the vanilla extract. Finally, stir in the flour and salt until thoroughly combined. Pour into the prepared pan, then bake for 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for at least 1 hour.

Mint Frosting

¼ cup softened butter
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 ½ to 3 Tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Green food coloring (may also use red)

To make mint frosting, cream the butter and powdered sugar. Add the milk and 1 Tablespoon at a time, beating until it is smooth and spreadable. Beat in the peppermint extract and tint to the desired shade with food coloring. Frost the cooled brownies, cover, and chill for 1 hour.

Chocolate Topping

¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tablespoons butter

To make the chocolate topping, pour the chips into a microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until the chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate over the brownies and smooth it with a knife. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until the coating hardens.

Bring the brownies to room temperature, then cut into 16 to 32 pieces. Layer them on a piece of cellophane (place waxed paper between the layers to prevent sticking. Makes 16 to 32 brownies.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE BALLS

I made these cakes balls the same way I did here, but this time I substituted a chocolate cake and coconut icing to make German Chocolate Cake Balls. Personally I like these better, but I think its all about preferences!

Tour of Homes

BooMama is doing a Tour of Homes, and I have just recently figured out what it is and thought I would participate! What a cool idea and a great way to get some good decorating ideas!

WELCOME TO OUR CHRISTMAS HOME!!!

THE TREE

This is the first year for us to have a real Christmas tree! (by real I do not mean alive, but just not a tiny one in our apartment) Yes, it's a fake, but a pre-lit, easy to assemble fake - the best kind! Thanks mom for helping me put it up!

Here's the top. It took me forever to find a tree topper that wasn't weird! I don't love this one, but it will do!

MANTLE

I wanted to take a fun picture with the fire place lit because it is so cozy, but Sam wasn't home and I don't play with fire!!

DINNING ROOM

(sorry these pics are a bit dark!)



THE KITCHEN
There aren't too many decorations in the kitchen (beside all my Christmas serving pieces), but this little area brings in some Christmas cheer! (Fishing Santa = Sam, Baking Santa = Mandy). I keep my Christmas card holder to the right on the wall. They seem to be coming in slower this year!!!


MINI TREE
I don't have a picture of the entire tree, but this mini tree sits in the hall way when you first come in the door. We have made it a tradition to get an ornament everywhere we travel, so this is our "travel" tree! Here's a look at a few ornaments!

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Sammy Christmas set this up, and I think it turned out really cute! Our fake "snow" wasn't working for him, so he ended up using the Halloween cobwebs!!

Maybe I'll get some pictures of the outside of the house. Sammy Christmas did a great job putting out the lights. We started out small this year, but hopefully we'll be able to add more each year. (I'm thinking the after Christmas sales!)

I hope you enjoyed our tour! I suggest you now visit BooMama's website, and then do a tour of your own home!