Goodbye 2008!

This year has gone by unbelievably fast...

Gosh! I can't even explain it... it's like having a baby speeds time up unbelievably! I feel like Clint just got home from this last deployment... but in reality he's getting ready to go on another one early this coming year. I think it has been by far the best year of my life.

Christmas at our house was phenomenal! Of the 3 Christmas' Clint and I have been together it was the first one that we actually spent with each other. So it was extremely special! I have the best husband in the world... only he would notice how badly I wanted new clothes even though I never said a word. He just said I deserved it b/c I was always putting what I wanted to the side. It made me cry.

Tag you're it! Christmas Edition!

Tag You're It - Christmas Edition
I was tagged by Jr. Mint for a little get-to-know-you-better Christmas fun. I'm tagging Marissa (Love, Loyalty,Friendship ), Leah (Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication) and Tara (They Call me T). Have fun with it.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper! I love to use ribbon!

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial... knowing me I'd start a fire with a real one lol

3. When do you put up the tree?
We put it up last weekend...though this is the first Christmas we've spent actually together so who knows what we'll make as a tradition.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Probably right after New Years....

5. Do you like eggnog?
yes! It's yummy

6. Favorite gift as a child?
sigh... I don't know... there were a lot

7. Hardest person to buy for?
def. my dad

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My daughter... everything amuses her lol

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
OMG I DO!!!! my grandmother gave it to me and I TOTALLY forgot I had it!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Definitely mail, there is nothing personal about an email card

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
hmmm.... i've liked all the gifts I remember

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
After Thanksgiving and usually don't finish up until Christmas Eve

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
probably... but I suck at remembering gifts lol

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
grandma helen's sugar cookies!

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, the clear white ones. I think there is something so classic and beautiful about white tree lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
My grown-up Christmas list by Amy Grant actually... that and White Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We will be staying her b/c Clint has to work

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
yes but I'm not going to

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
A star...though I grew up with an angel on the top

21. When do you open presents?
My family usually does one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas day. Who knows what we'll do this year.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic is insane this time of year and the crowds SUCK!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Red, silver and green

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?
Chinese lol yeah don't laugh

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
The Twilight series...but hubby REFUSES to get it for me lol

26. What was the first gift of Christmas?
Getting to spend it with my husband and daughter together FINALLY

This is a hard one...

On November 14th, 2008 my sister lost her "rock" so to speak. Charley was someone who kept her sane and stable... he was her shoulder and her ear and she was his. I'd venture to say that they were soul mates... they were good for each other.

Over the past month my sister has introduced me to who Charley was and the more I learn, the more I admire him for the person that he was. Charley was 17 when he died and was more mature than most adults. He had life figured out.... he knew what was important and he treasured that. In talking to Tara, reading the comments to Charley, to his parents... it's shown me how truly loved one person can be.

As a parent hearing the story of a young man that had such a bright future, is heartbreaking. I get teary eyed just thinking about the agony that his parents must be going through. I couldn't bear my life without my daughter. It makes you question a lot of things... why God would let something like this happen, what would have happened if he had survived the car crash... and so many more. But then you have to stop questioning and realize that the life he lived was full and he touched more lives than I think he even knew. His story touched my heart... and I wish I had had the pleasure of knowing him.

So in the words of Charley "We Fight Through No Matter What Hardships We Face."

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.

Well one holiday down... one to go. Thanksgiving went well, it was nice to see my mom and grandparents... and my sister of course. Clint got frustrated for no reason at all... the worry wart that he is, dinner was of course perfect. I FINALLY learned how to make my mom's pumpkin pie... and mmmmmmm yep made another one on monday... and it might be gone. It's my favorite thing in the world and Kierstyn has taken a liking to it as well. She's learned that when I have a piece she can come get bites of it. Then she mooches for more until it's gone. It's unbeilivably adorable.

This week has been relaxing, very much needed. We've decided that we're not going to plan anything this weekend. Just kind of go with the flow. Hopefully nothing too exciting happens. I'm longing for a weekend off.

Jess, Laura and I had girls night last night. Spinach dip and talking for 3 hours... now that's a great time. I missed Jess over the holidays lol I think I was going through withdraw. Kierstyn has started to refuse to eat baby food and only eat adult food... since she got a taste of a real Thanksgiving dinner. Oh well, I suppose now I'll have to make mac and cheese and jelly sandwiches. She really does love her crackers though.

I've been reading the O'Mally series again by Dee Henderson...I'd forgotten how great the books are! They're predictable and the story is the same with different details in each book...but they keep your attention and have great Bible versus in them!

Getting ready for the Holidays...

This year has flown by at a much quicker pace than I ever expected. It's like once you have a child time no longer lingers, it doesn't stand still anymore... it just flies by and I'm not sure it's fair. It's hard to believe I've been married almost a year... it's hard to believe that I'm a mom. It's all real life though, the life that I created in my dreams and prayed would come true.

With Thanksgiving about to come and go again and another Christmas just around the corner, it's gotten me thinking about all the things that have brought me to this point in my life where I am so content. The people, the incidents, the happy times and the sad... it's all had a part in why I am the way that I am. While there are things in my life that still make me sad, make me wonder why...I am still thankful for those moments. I'm thankful for the love that I have known from and for those around me. For my life would not be the same with out them.

Something about the holidays always makes me look back at the years past. I think about what is going on in the lives of those that I no longer talk to, praying that they are as happy as I am. It's not that I wish to go back... but that I will always have a place in my heart for those who have touched my life.

So to those of you who have been a part of making my history, thank you. I pray that you are well and know you have touched my life in an unforgettable way.

The end of a long weekend...

Well Clint, Kierstyn and I had such a wonderful 4 day weekend. It was one of the most relaxing weekends we've had in a long time. Not to mention the weather was PERFECT!

Clint and I have decided to go on a date on Sat without the baby. Something we haven't done in awhile. We're going to our favorite steak house and then on to the rodeo! It's going to be so much fun!

Then a week from sat my friends Jess, Laura (along with Laura's hubby Chris) and I are going to see Twilight!!!! OOOO I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am. Obsessive about the books is an understatement when you're describing me. lol. I'd say that it was my little secret... but it's a well known fact that I have read the series... more than once... and each book takes me no more than a day to read. My husband is less than thrilled each time I pick up the series because it means he will see me but my mind will be somewhere else completely. I must say... it is the best addiction that I've ever had.

The perfect housewife

I grew up in a home where we had no chores, didn't have to make our beds and had no responsibility other than to play. As a result, our house was always a disaster area,the laundry was never done, and you could only find the floor of my room if you were in a submarine (I must add that the kitchen was always pristine and completely sanitary, it was the only room in the house that was like this). I'm completely positive the disaster area that was a house had a great deal to do with the demise of my parent's marriage. Don't get me wrong, my parents were wonderful! The reason our house was in such disarray was because my mother thought that spending time with my brother, sister and I was much more important than housework.

Growing up in the manner that I did, taught me to be messy and lazy. So when I got married (to a clean freak) I knew I was going to have to change, and so I did. Today my house is completely clean. You can practically eat off the floor (wh/reminds me I need to mop) and I have no qualms with Kierstyn rolling around on our carpet. My parents are absolutely shocked (In a good way, I am happy to report that both my parents live in complete organization now) that this is how I keep my house b/c of the way I was growing up.

All in all, I strive to be the perfect housewife... sometimes I slip but I like to think that generally speaking I do my very best.

It's finally over...Thank the Lord!

I've never been one who has gotten overly involved in politics. I know I know... "women fought for the right to vote you should be more involved in the process! It's your duty as an American!" The bottom line is... it's my choice as to how involved I am in the process, because I now have that choice where as before I did not.

Whether or not I (or anyone else for that matter) likes or believes in the president to be is a mute point now. He is going to be our fearless Commander-in-Chief for the next 4 years regardless of what anyone thinks of him. So it is our duty as American's to respect the position that we have given him and pray that he does what is best for our country.

Life as I know it...

There have been both good and bad times in my life. Though, I am blessed in the fact that the good strongly out weigh the bad. I have never known serious hardship and have always had the love of an incredible family.

I have to say my life did truly take on new meaning this year when I became a wife and a mother.

My husband is the most wonderful man I know. He puts up with quite a bit from me... and has never once complained about it. He's understanding, kind, compassionate, and a true renaissance man. I swear there's nothing that man can't do. Though I do have a habit of testing his patience he really does try not to get irritated with me and I'll always love him for it.

Those of you who are parents will understand the pride and love that I discovered when my daughter was born. A love so strong that I can't even put it into words for there is no comparison. It's like life before Kierstyn didn't exist, I don't remember what life was like before her nor do I care to remember. She's the reason I get up in the morning and what keeps a smile on my face through days that I'd rather not care to remember. She's the happiest little girl I've ever seen... and once you meet her, you will inevitably fall in love with her. It's just how she is... her love is unconditional and freely given to anyone who comes in contact with her.

Life for me is exactly how I imagined it... it's perfection. I can't ask for anything more... because my life has everything I've ever dreamed of.