A look back..and forward..

Well, here it is, the last day of 2009! It's hard to believe the year has gone by so fast. Time really flies... As I'm looking back and reflecting over the past year I'm reminded that in Scripture WE'RE reminded how short and fleeting life is. How important is it to make the most of EVERY day we're blessed to have? I'm challenged by this thought because I don't always make the most of every day. I want to glorify God daily. Do I? These are the things I've been thinking on for the last few days...

In other thoughts, I was looking back over some pictures from 2009 and wanted to share a few fun ones that never made their way onto the blog. So here goes...

Being goofy in Greece--what else is new? :)

Jas, Katka and I--I wanted to take this sweet girl home with me. And take a look at that Slovak smile...

With Elton at the Farmer's Market...his FAVORITE place.

Bella looks a little skeptical in her Jesus shirt..haha.

Love this picture! Ems and I were in the process of getting our picture taken when a bug flew by and I swatted :)

Jas and a shrimp head in Greece.

Fun picture at the movies.

Sharing an apple??? They're strange ;)

It's been a great 2009. Looking forward to seeing what's in store for 2010.

What a Great 2 Years

Two years ago today I began a new journey in life. For you see, the first part of my life was one of darkness. I couldn't really see the great things that God had in store for me. I still remember the day when it all changed. It was as if I came out of a dark tunnel into a bright and glorious light. I have to admit I was really scared. Anything that is new and different usually brings with it both fear and excitement. For me it was more fear. I whimpered like a baby for the longest time due to the fear of this new life I now live. But since this day I have overcome most of this fear though at times I can still see it on the horizon of my life. As I have overcome my fears I have witnessed God do some amazing things with me. I have been used by him to bring joy to those that I am with! For that I am thankful!! Thanks Jason and Charity for taking me in and allowing me to live my first 2 years of life with you!!

I Love You Parents!

Bella

P.S.- Happy Birthday Bella

1 Year

Right here, right now I want to let everyone know how blessed a man I am. I have a loving, all-mighty God whom I serve. I have a great job. I have an awesome dog. And I have the most beautiful, amazing wife in the world. She is my help mate, my best friend, my lover, and all mine. I want everyone out there to know that this 1 year of marriage to Charity has been awesome and I look forward to many more years to follow!!! I LOVE YOU CHAR!!!

Has it really been a year!?

A year ago today I married my very best friend. It has been a whirlwind year! I can't believe we've been married a year! ONE. WHOLE. YEAR. I love him.


Take a look at that smile. And I'm still smiling. Hubby, I hope to have MANY, MANY more years ahead with you. Happy one year anniversary!

Hickory Christmas

On Wednesday we headed down to Hickory for Christmas with my family. Of course the weekend was filled with good food (we joke with my mom that she should have her own cooking show...), family time, a great movie, lots of games, presents, and just an all around good Christmas.

Those cookies and pretzels were AMAZING. Love, love, love chocolate covered pretzels...only wish my hubby could enjoy them as much as I do!
We went to see BLINDSIDE at the State Theater in Newton (yes, Newton does exist, and so does Startown, right, Erin? ;) But hey, it was $3.50 compared to $8.50! If you haven't seen this movie...go. Now.
Not a great shot, but we were all there to see it :)

Christmas morning and the gift opening began.
Jas and his rockin' new Carhartts. He looks good in them ;) trust me.My new camera bag for traveling..so excited!Strange shadow, but great shirts for my bro and Jas.

And we had game time. I have just resigned myself to never winning in either of our families ;)
It was a great Christmas.
And since this blog is about Christmas, check out Mark Driscoll's blog on when Jesus was born. It's quality.

A Palmer Christmas

Last night we celebrated Christmas with the Palmer side of the family. We are headed to Hickory tomorrow to do my side of the family...then...our anniversary after that! woot woot!

We started Palmer Christmas with some delish cuisine. Ham, broccoli, deviled eggs (mmm...my fav!), beans, potatoes, rolls, and dessert...yum!
Then we proceeded with the present opening. It's always fun to see what everyone gives and gets. Here are some top moments of the night.
Grandma Rodriguez was on a roll giving cookbooks. Above you see Jason with his FOIL cookbook and below me with my FIESTA cookbook. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Marianne with her CHINESE cookbook. Nathan didn't end up with a cookbook...sadly.

Marianne also got an adorable movie called "Ozzie Boo!" from Grandma R. She loves penguins and this movie is about five happy penguins. Priceless ;)

After gifts and watching "Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas" (really cute!), we had a family scrabble tourney.

My letters..WHAT in the world am I going to make with "IAEYEAT" ???

And of course, Donnie Palmer took the cake and won by a blowout. He's the reigning Palmer Scrabble Champ. Looks like I've got a long future ahead of me in Loser Lane ;)

So with that..we're off to Hickory tomorrow for more Christmas festivities with my family. We're blessed to have great families, but more than that, we're blessed that Jesus came to earth for us!!

What's different?

Can you tell what's different about this photo? He's really special ;)

thank you snow!

I am currently digging the snow (not as in literally digging up piles of snow, but as in DIGGING it, loving it, so excited about it...).

Reasons why...
*2 hour early release on the last day before break (need I say more!?!?)
*I get to turn the heat up!!! I love being warm :) (Jas, on the other hand would prefer it to be 66 degrees every day)
*Hoodie and pajama pants=perfect snow day attire
*a cup of hot tea with honey (my newest fixation)
*being warm when it's cold outside! (have I mentioned I like being warm?)
*a nice nap..which is what I'm about to take!

Ah, thank you snow...

Thinking back to the last time I saw snow...here's a snowy photo...

Toy Time!

On Monday night, Ridgecrest had their annual Toy Drive. It was an amazing time! Around 260 some families came out to toy shop. Families were split up into different groups and the groups rotated every 12 to 15 minutes. During that time they could walk around with a "personal shopper" and "buy" toys. I was pretending to be the "professional" photographer for the night (along with several other photographers) and caught some of the action! Take a peek:

Pastor peeking through some toys :)

Take a look at the crazy amount of toys people brought in! Awesome!

Kids hangin' out while their parents shop.

Faithy poo and I (my mini photog for the night :)

Sonya and a precious baby.

Youth (and Faith) helping out!

All in all, it was a great night. As Brooke said on her blog...
Go check out Brooke's blog for more information and pictures! :)

Ambiance

Have you ever walked into a room and just felt overwhelmed by the warmth and light of the room? I have and I LOVE it. Ambiance and lighting are two things that I love. Like a great coffee shop. Comfortable. Warm. Calm...ah, welcoming...

These past couple of weeks have just been hectic and busy! So on Friday night Jason and I had some downtime and created an ambiance of warmth and relaxation. We put on our comfy clothes, got a fire going, turned the tree lights on, and watched a quality movie (Up, and I cried...I hardly ever cry in movies..it was precious..I recommend it!). It was perfectly toasty and winter-y. So great.



Threw that last one in here because it makes me smile :) Take a look at that mug, oh husband.

We also took a ride by a decked out house in our neighborhood. Love their Christmas cheer. When you drive by you can turn your radio to the station they have posted and the lights play to the music--it's a neat experience..I'm a fan!
Isn't light great? It's easy to notice the light at Christmastime..but so important to remember it every day. There are tons of verses in the Bible about light. It's true..God created light for a reason...and HE is the light. The light of the world. :)

any suggestions?

We recently got one of these...


And we want to get some of these...



Do you guys have any suggestions for good books you've recently read? Any book you've read and just dying to share with someone? Here's your chance! We're in the market for some good books...enlighten us and we just may take your suggestion! ;)

Just for fun...

So this Friday we didn't post a Friday Foto Funny (we've missed a few Fridays, actually...), but I did stumble upon our late Friday funny "foto."

And here it is...
I surprised Jas with this 'stache and bought me some lips one day. Just for fun! Hey, have you taken a moment and smiled today? (If you need to, you can get some big lips to help you out! :)

Friday Night Fun

Last night I had some of my awesome Sunday School girls over (woop, woop 9th grade girls..and Katy) for cookies, making alphabet crayons for the Toy Drive, and hanging out.

We started the night with some of these (Y-to the U- to the M):

Then we started making alphabet letter crayons. I first found this cute idea here. The idea was to make lots of them to bag up for the Toy Drive, however, it took a lot longer to make, bake, and let them cool than expected--but it's all good, we'll still use what we made :)

Here's the process...


First, peel your crayons and put them in your trays (tip: fill UP the trays to the top..I found they were better this way)


Bake your crayons at 275 degrees for 20 minutes. Then let them cool for another good 20 minutes.


Take care getting the letters out of the trays. This was not the easiest part! (Look carefully, you can see that I broke a few!) Once they're out...make words, create, draw, enjoy!

During our letter baking process, we all hung out and watched a movie. It was a great time--let's do it again soon!

A Christmas Challenge

The month of December is a particularly great month to me. I love Christmas time, everything about it. As a matter of fact, here's a few pictures of our decorating...



However, I feel I am constantly reminded that gift giving, decorating (as much as I like it!) and all the amazing things that come with Christmas time are NOT what Christmas is all about. Recently, Jason challenged me with something he has been thinking/writing on. Here's his mini-article..I'll let it do it's own explaining...

"At the end of Christmas Day, do you ever feel unsatisfied from spending a lot of time and money on a one-day event? Maybe this is how you are supposed to feel after you trade the truth of Christmas for a sly, deceptive harlot. Christmas, just like a harlot, consumes your time, energy, and money in exchange for a quick moment of happiness that just as quickly slips away into a dismal, unsatisfied life that is longing for more.

In the Bible we see Christmas as a beautifully scripted divine moment called “the incarnation.” This is where God Almighty Himself entered our world in the form of an innocent, fragile, human babe. Without this moment taking place, Jesus Christ would have never been born – not have lived the sinless life necessary for humanity - never died on the cross in a horrific death - would have never conquered both sin and death with His resurrection, and would not have been able to promise a forgiven, righteous life to those who believe in Him.

Ultimately, without Christmas you would have never been given a second chance to live with God in eternity. Christmas is about God giving us life through Christ. Therefore, Christmas is about us worshipping God for this gift and then sharing His gift, Jesus, to the dying world around us. You do this by living your lives as a reflection of Him, loving and forgiving others. When you do, you will have a fulfilled Christmas."

How's that for revolutionized thoughts on Christmas. That's the true reason we celebrate Christmas.