The Polar Express Has Left the Station

Look at what I unwrapped at our fabulous White Elephant gift exchange!

This was me, 5 minutes before someone stole the Polar Express from me in our Team White Elephant gift exchange yesterday. I am left with a Christmas cheese serving set, complete with a spreader in the shape of a Christmas light that blinks. So awesome, if I enjoyed cheese at all. But I don't. I should've gone for the already opened First Aid Kit. Lesson learned.

And yes, that is Santa in the background, with his elf.

Apples for Christmas

At this early stage of our marriage, we are still attempting to make it over the river and through the woods to both families at Christmastime. At the same time we like to celebrate Christmas between just the two of us so, every year we choose the best night of the week before we leave on the Christmas pilgrimage to celebrate Christmas. It's pretty much a Christmas date night. Due to other activities this week, tonight was that night!

After a fabulous fajita dinner for two at Los Vaqueros, we came home where our lovely tree greeted us in the window. And then, we exchanged presents. Brad got an iPod classic! Now that he's done with school, he has time for modern technology.

And as for me...well, I scored big time!

What could it be?
A MacBook!
My very own MacBook! Thank you Santa!

Friday Fave Five - The Random Edition

Today's Friday Fave is just random favorite things I'm enjoying this week. I feel like Oprah when I do these posts, with the greatest exception being that I'm not giving you all one of these to take home. (There are many other exceptions, but that is the one that affects you, Reader, the most.)

1. Alicia Keyes song "No One." As in "no one, no one, no wuh-uh-uh-uhn, can get in the way of what I'm feelin'." It's a great song about love, and I'm going to download it from iTunes next Tuesday. You can ask Brad why I am waiting until Tuesday.

2. A great new headband from White House Black Market, given to me by Laura at our gift exchange last night. It goes with probably over half of my wardrobe, so we will be seeing a lot of it.

3. The Mark of the Lion book series by Francine Rivers. I have read all 3 of them in the past 7 days. After a slow start in the first one, I couldn't put them down. I stayed up last Sunday 'til 2 AM finishing the second one. Hils, you would enjoy these books for many reasons, like their SPQR and Pax Romana references, oh and the wonderful storyline.

4. My red coat. It's keeping me nice and warm even though it's super cold outside. Someone very tall gave it to me last Christmas. Genius!

5. Getting new neighbors! Our neighborhood is beginning to erupt with people actually living there. (A street of empty houses is a little creepy.)

Drew vs. The Dentist

My favorite brother is having his wisdom teeth removed this morning. Poor guy!

Drew, I'm praying for minimal pain and effective pain meds.

LYLAB!

Thursday Nights

Shavon, Me, Ashley, Amy, & Laura

Last night we wrapped up our Bible study for this semester with dinner at Mimi's and a gift exchange. It's been a good semester of making new friends, like the ones above, and rediscovering old ones, as in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob...and studying about God's faithfulness. And He is so very faithful!

The Birthday Girl

Me, Sherry, and Mikalah

Today is Mikalah's birthday!!!

Happy birthday, my friend! I have your birthday cake in my freezer...haha!

Stick a Fork in It

He's done, y'all!

My hardworking husband has completed his graduate degree, a Master of Science in Engineering. Graduation was this past weekend, and the relief in his face, in his life, and in his wife has been immediate.

The most noticeable difference so far came on Sunday. We attended the late service at church, ate a leisurely lunch with friends (shout out to the Sloans and the baby dedication celebration), drove home where we both took nice long naps instead of Brad doing homework, and went back to church for the Christmas celebration since we had nothing. else. to. do. Can somebody say glory?


The handsome graduate after he BTHOtu.