New Year's Eve

B and I got a huge treat this year. Mom invited us down for my cousin's soccer tournament to Orlando for a few days of a different Florida experience, starting with New Year's Eve (and ending with Disney-- to come!).

We gladly signed on. We started the night with a fun dinner out, then strolled around our fabulous hotel and toasted the New Year's in our room.

It was a different New Year's than we've had, but it was quiet and wonderful. We loved being able to celebrate with Mom, and I'll take a destination holiday any time of the year!

Christmas = Good!

Visitors!

I knew Mom (the lovely lady pictured here) was coming through Atlanta after the holidays. B's Mom was fabulous and invited my aunt, uncle, and cousin over for a "low key" dinner. Little did I know they were bringing a surprise visitor: MY Grandma!

I was so excited and shocked that I didn't get any pictures with her on my camera, but it was such a treat to see Grandma. She's ... 93? And amazing. Rolled in wearing her fur coat and a big smile. To B's Mom, a big thank you for making my Christmas a little longer!

I did love hearing the story after the surprise. Apparently, Grandma had been calling Mike and Kim (starting early in the am) to discuss what she was bringing for the surprise, including half a rum cake. Kim told me she woke up one morning to hear B's Dad already on the phone with Grandma. Bless her!

If Christmas really is all about family, then I got my full dose this year. Blessed, indeed!

Christmas 2010

This is what Christmas at B's family's house looks like: Delicious fun.

Christmas this year was wonderful. It was a little bit of a bummer that I had to work on Christmas Eve morning, but that's what I get for loving bakery work! We left after I finished and caroled our way to Atlanta, where we were greeted with the traditional family Christmas Eve dinner: Shrimp Casserole, among other tasty treats!

On Christmas morning, we started with plain croissants and mimosas, then opened stockings. Then we moved onto chocolate croissants, and more mimosas. Then family presents. One thing I love about B's family is that they're where my family was a few years ago (ok, almost seven). Since there are no Santa-crazed kiddos, we simply enjoy the morning, taking it slow and even opening presents one at a time.

By the time we finished, it was time to cook! The spread in the picture above was the start of the Christmas feast. B's neighbor/almost aunt always joins them for Christmas, often with her sister and always with her son. Besides being great cooks, they're a blast to have around the dinner table!

My joy didn't end on Christmas; The next day, I got a big surprise...

I Love This Man

Earlier this month, B turned ... older. Actually, he's 28! Ignore that, in this picture, he's in Epcot; we'll get to that later.

For now, let's focus on the best of the best-- B had a birthday! We celebrated by having an all B day. We headed to Chick Fil A that morning for free spicy chicken biscuits (soooo good), then enjoyed dinner at B's favorite restaurant: Wild Wings. We invited his buddies and filled ourselves with tiny portions of chicken dipped in yummy sauces. That, a bucket of beer, and some chile con queso... what else could you want? Birthday Cake!

Some of you may remember that B has a favorite birthday cake that his grandma used to make for him all the time. His Mom, and now me, took up the torch and make "birthday cake" each year: a pistachio cake with bittersweet chocolate icing. Yes, it's green, and yummy!

The birthday was so great, and so filling, that we still have the Champagne in our fridge. I'm sure it'll be put to good use. In the meantime, I so enjoyed loving on B and celebrating him. I love that he enjoyed the key things in life, like spicy food and cold beer. What a man.

B, I'm thrilled to celebrate another birthday with you. Just like you promised, each year gets more and more fun as we go forward. Here's to many more!

Lately

I feel like God has been telling me a lot of things lately. Unfortunately, "go forth and blog" is not one of them!

Normally I'm not one of those people that feels like God tells them things. I go to church because I believe and I like the way I experience the service; I don't expect to get "handwriting on the wall" style sermons each time I slide into the pew.

Lately, however, it's been different. B and I are making a lot of decisions these days, some big (Where will we live? What job should B take?) and some less big, but still really weighty (What car should be purchase?). I decided over Christmas, when I realized I was sleeping less again, to be intentional about praying about specific things. Ironically, I feel like God gave me one answer directly, but it was the one we don't really need just yet. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

A week ago, on MLK day, I had a day off from volunteering and started to feel and overwhelming sense of "what the heck am I doing", so I applied for a job and started looking for others. Of course, by the time I got a call about the job later than afternoon, I'd already felt peace returning. Moments after I'd submitted my application, my current boss had emailed me, telling me I'd be getting more hours at the bakery. Peace. Of course, I still had to go to the job interview that afternoon (and yes, B was flabbergasted when he got home and asked the usually routine question, "How was your day?").

So now I'm trying to remember that God does give answers and when I feel that he doesn't, or isn't working in my timeline, then the answer just isn't ready yet. So when you pray, if you pray, pray for us. For peace, calm, and clarity. And maybe for a little extra sleep. :)

Behind

Of course, and for a number of reasons, namely: holidays, work, and a malfunctioning camera. But I'm working on it, and need to post about 100 things, including the latest monthly anniversary, B's birthday, Christmas with B's parents, New Year's in Orlando with Mom, and general Florida wonderfulness. I promise not be overwhelmed, but simply to be better!