Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Estrogen Party



I am writing on here to avoid documenting my SpEd accommodations for school. I might put a movie on later while I do those.

It's a chill day here. Relaxing, drinking tea and eating Terry's chocolate orange while we work on our laptops and watch movies. Austin was sweet to let me stay in Dallas with my family for a few extra days. He left to go back to Houston to work and so I've been able to spend some more quality time with my parents and sisters here. Carolyn and I are going to go to College Station tomorrow morning and then Austin is going to come pick me up.

Since I've been husband-less for the past few days, we decided to take advantage of the testosterone-free environment and have a sleepover. My oldest and dearest friends came over to the house and we had so much fun making homemade pizzas, wassail, pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin maple syrup. My friend Sarah is a real-life chef in Dallas... so... she knows how to cook things that taste amazing. We watched Little Women, our favorite movie when we were young, and tried to catch up on months of separation.

Anna and I have known each other since we were 2. We apparently met in the church nursery... but we have no way of confirming that story. All I know is that I don't remember not knowing her. We grew up going to different schools and living in different cities, but we got to me roommates in college for a few years.

Sarah was my babysitter when I was little (and also Anna's) and is now a wonderful friend of mine. She would inspire us to put on plays and musicals for my parents whenever they would return home. She allowed our imaginations to run wild and free.

When I moved to England, I would come back to Texas twice a year to visit Anna and Sarah. We had sleepovers and did wild and crazy things when we were together. :)




We liked ballet.


Roomies in college


At my wedding last January



At our sleepover


Thursday, December 24, 2009

I Wanna Wash My Hands, My Face and Hair With Snow!

So guess what? Denton is going to have a white Christmas this year! It started snowing today at lunch time and didn't stop until a few minutes ago.

Everything is white.

Peaceful.

Beautiful.

Quiet.

I love it!

We tried driving to Denton Bible's Christmas Eve service, but the roads were so ridiculous that they ended up canceling it and making everyone go home as soon as they could. We drove at 20 mph for the entire journey home... the roads were completely frozen and the snow was STILL falling - hard! Someone actually rear-ended my parents since everything was so slippery. Nothing serious, though.

I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow morning of my parents' house in the snow. It's just gorgeous!

This year, Austin and I are spending Christmas with my family in Denton (as if you couldn't figure that out). We drove here yesterday and have enjoyed spending time with my sisters, parents and grandpa.

I love being home. Everything feels relaxed and cozy. I love our giant couch that takes up the entire living room. My entire family can sit on it at the same time.

I love watching movies with my family and playing games with my sisters.

I love having a big family! Having four sisters is so much fun.

Well, to catch you up on the past few weeks:

The first half of the school year came and went. I love my students even if they drive me crazy sometimes! Oh, and finals week is the best part of the year! It's so wonderful to have complete quiet. I was able to fully plan the first three weeks of the next quarter. Oh, it feels good.

Austin and I have been looking for houses on and off. We'd like to find a house in the next few months, but we'll see how that goes. The area we're looking is pretty popular and so it's hard to find a lot of quality houses in our price range... but we're trying!

Our first anniversary is coming up in about 2 1/2 weeks. It's hard to believe that Austin and I have been married for a year! Craziness. I'm not sure how we're going to celebrate. We may or may not have a new niece by that time... Sadie is supposed to be due around the first week of January! I can't wait!

Ok It's really hard to write and watch a movie (It's a Wonderful Life) at the same time... so I'll have to write again later.

Before I post, I wanted to include something that was written inside a Christmas card that my family got. A family friend wrote it and I just loved her words:

"This Christmas may you rest in the deep satisfaction that because you have Him you have everything."

I just love that.

I am richly blessed.

Christ is everything.

Be blessed this weekend!