December 14

Today was Chris's grandma's birthday. We went over there to eat dinner and have cake. Glenda got her Kindle. Those are really cool. If didn't love books so much, I would consider getting one. (And I mean real books, with pages and that are thick.) We also had an early christmas exchange since she was leaving to go to Colorado for Christmas.

December 13

Happy Birthday Cake to me! It was only a few days late, but I finally got my birthday cake. It was an ice cream cake from Diary Queen and it was so delicious. Thanks Mom and Dad!

December 12

For my birthday, Chris's parents got me a Silhouette. It is gorgeous and awesome. I like it better than the cricut because I can cut so much more on it without buying more cartridges. Especially fonts. I already made some Christmas presents with it. I was a little scared of cutting with it at first. It took me a while to take it out of the box, but I finally did.

December 11

These are just some of the lights at the Gullo's on Old Hockley. You would have to see the thing in real life to really get the whole picture. They live on a curve and have a huge front, semi-circle front yard. Which they can put tons of lights on every year. I drive by this every night. And since I worked late every night, I got to see the full effect in the dark. I have always wondered what their electricity bill is. Because there are thousands of lights there.

December 10

A couple in the ward put on an amazing race tonight. We had to dress up as a christmas song. Can you guess what we were. And then we were off to complete different tasks. First we had to eat a plate of mashed potatoes. And then decorate a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. And Chris had to become the grinch. There were some other task thrown in there. And of course, we won. We wouldn't be us if we didn't. It was really fun and I hope to do it again sometime.

At one point, we had to cross the railroad tracks, and guess what? There was a train. Chris was so devastated! He shouted "Noooooo"so loud. It was hilarious.

Mom and Dad participated too. They were almost right behind us the whole time. But we still had them beat. Dad had to eat the mashed potatoes all by himself since Mom cannot eat them. Those things are pretty filling.

December 9

More Christmas decorations I grew up with: Santa. Mom loves him and because of that, I do too. And do I believe in Santa Claus? Yes, I do. In high school, I did a oratory piece about how Santa Claus could be real. In the piece, my dad was explaining to me how Santa Claus couldn't possibly be real. But in the end of it I showed him. (I made it to finals in Oratory with this speech.)

Here is my view on Santa Claus. There isn't just one. Santa Claus is basically an angel. And it is possible that any one of us can be angels. There are angels all around us at Christmas time. We have angel trees and food banks and so many people who dedicate their time and money and efforts to make Christmas better for those who need it.

"Heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." Jeffery R Holland

December 8

Today is my birthday! My 25th. The one I have been dreading for a few months. But it has come and it isn't as bad as I expected it to be. Now I am no looking forward to turning 26.

I only took one picture today. Chris came up to my classroom and brought my students cupcakes. And then we all took a picture. I am not going to share it online, so if you want to see it you'll have to see it in my book I print.

Let's talk about my students. They were a bit embarrassing. Chris didn't come to 3pm, which is the worst part of the day anyways. They leave school in 15 minutes and sometimes cannot contain themselves. But, add cupcakes to the mix? And you have chaos. They were all over the place and it was the most tiring part of the day. Chris got to see what I was talking about when I say they are a little crazy. But they are 10 and 11 year olds. I am probably a little more forgiving then some.

If they ask, I will probably never bring them cupcakes again.

December 7

This is the time I end of driving home from work the past couple of weeks. I have been staying late to get everything done so I don't have to stay so late the last week of school before Christmas break. It means I have to drive home in the dark and I am always so exhausted, but it will be worth it later on. This is one time where planning could pay off.

December 6

I have one of the best sisters in the world. The American Crafts warehouse sale is happening in Orem right now. I sent Charleah my birthday and Christmas money so that she could go to the sale for me. I had written everything down that I wanted. While talking on the phone, Charleah and I shopped. It wasn't as good as it has been the last two years. They didn't have a lot of new stuff. Which was probably for the best anyways. But these are my goods. I am so excited to touch them and scrap with them.

December 5

I took picture of everyone in the house today to send to Adison. This is my self portrait. Just another picture of myself to add to my blog. I feel like I don't have very many.

December 4

Today we went to Pradria with Chris's family to celebrate my upcoming birthday. I didn't feel like it was my birthday unless I had Tucanos. And since my 25th birthday will be pretty traumatic, I really needed to find a substitute that wouldn't cost too much. Chris and I spent all week looking for a place like Tucanos and found Pradria. It was really good and we should got back soon.

Everyone was a little out of their element. It was pretty fancy. They had a huge wine menu and when Chris's Dad read the wine list he pronounced merlot with the "T". Afterwards we went to Diary Queen to get a blizzard. No fancy desserts for us.

December 3

For as long as I remember, Mom has had tons of poinsettias in the house to decorate for Christmas. And not that it is after Thanksgiving, the decorating can begin.  

It's not really Christmas unless there are tons of them around the house. I got one on Monday with my big check, but I don't plan on taking care of it. I actually forgot about it until this picture. I don't have time for plants. (Not how it will be with my future children.)

December 2

I love this picture of Sammie. But she hates it. This is from the picnic we had in Provo Canyon after my graduation. I love picnics. Dad made his hamburgers. It was really windy and Mom was trying to cut the vegetables in the wind. And thinking back to that day makes me miss Adison. He was in his element that day. But I love Sam's long hair here. One day, I'll have long hair like that. Maybe.

And Sammie, you do not look like a man. You look blonde and fabulous!

December 1

Here is our car. It is almost done. We should maybe have it by the end of the week. It is kind of weird how it works. They just took off the whole door and replaced it. Just crazy.

November 30

I love fall. It doesn't seem to really happen here in Houston. I love that the weather hasn't been freezing cold yet, but I miss the cool air and the changing leaves. Also, the part of Texas we live in has a lot of evergreens, so it is hard to find changing trees. But I found a few!

Fall also means Thanksgiving, my birthday, almost Christmas and a break from school! All good things.