Feliz Año Nuevo

Tonight is my Puerto Rican night! So very excited! I have been after her for...well, a long time to do this and thus it is FINALLY occurring! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I am headed over to help get some stuff ready in a little bit but I first wanted to say,

Happy New Year! Feliz Año Nuevo!

I am excited about 2011....not sure what God holds in it but I can't wait to find out! School...no...job...no. Don't know! 2 things I know for sure. I am turning 21...an age by world's standards means I have made it. I don't drink. I already vote. I think I will celebrate with something small. Close friends, good food, and a little par-tay! I have operation room re-do in full swing...kinda! I went to Ikea yesterday to get my bed and returned with NADA! They didn't have one of the parts I need and the other wouldn't fit in our car...SO, I will be going back. In the mean time I am starting on walls, floors, dejunking!!!! So be looking for a new page! Room re-do is coming atcha!

Praying the Lord's blessings on anyone reading this! I hope you have a blessed day celebrating the New Year! Alright 2011, bring your best! I'm ready!

New Look

Not sure I am sold.

I am thinking I am wanting something cleaner....but then again, I like the scrapbook look.

We will see what I land on.

I am not trying to rush the Christmas season but this is the week I am off. This is the week I have to "do" things. This is the week I can change my blog. If I didn't now...I wouldn't probably until February.

This week is slammed FULL of stuff! Of which I am SO thankful! Tomorrow I am meeting a friend who is on break. Wednesday my family and I are headed to the mountains. Thursday we are headed to Ikea. The closest one is 2 hours away, so it's a day trip. Then Friday I am helping a friend cook some Puerto Rican food! If I think about it I will take pictures and post about it! So very excited!

1 - 2 - 3

Remember this post? It seems like forever ago! As I was editing some things on my blog I noticed that I had not taken down my ticker to my Peru trip. Then I noticed something that it has been 1 month, 2 weeks, and 3 days since I had been to Peru. The same amount of time as the previously mentioned post just the other way around.
In some ways it feels like it has been a LOT longer than that. I guess because so much has been crammed into the weeks since I returned. Baby showers (and babies!), thanksgivings, Christmas preparations, etc. In other ways it feels like just yesterday I was standing in the Atlanta airport thinking that the day would NEVER end and it was only 11 a.m.
My time in Peru was much different than last time I was there. Different ministry efforts, different people, different translators, different schedule, different time of year, different. I didn't have many "crutches" this year. The relationships I have now are because they were made over time there. I didn't go with someone especially "close." Where as these two ladies were amazing and I SO enjoyed getting to know them, they were not family. My view has changed somewhat (don't worry, I love you guys!) but in the beginning I prepped myself for being "on my own." I was ok with that...or so I thought.
God showed me that I was not "on my own." He has placed these people on my team and for some weird reason He has them looking out for me. I didn't expect it. I wasn't looking for it. I thought I was doing ok. It took getting really sick. I mean really sick...a total of like 3 hours of sleep, loosing my dinner, and being miserable all of the 2nd night of the trip...for me to see that they cared. I wasn't just a "kid" going with all the adults to Peru. They were concerned and did what they could to help me out. I was a part of the team.

I miss this. I miss all of it. Every time I go a little piece of my heart is left. I love that I know I will see these people again. I love that I know that I don't have to wait until we are in the presence of Jesus to be reunited. I don't really know what captured my heart about this place other than the Father. It is cold. The week is long. You would kill someone for a shower. Your teeth don't feel clean for like a week after you come home. Headaches are a given. You eat in places where cats walk around the kitchen like they own the place. You sleep in beds that are less than desirable. The ride up is long. The ride down is painfully longer. You eat off a camp stove. Your stomach is more often than not, upset. You don't want to know what is on the bottom of your shoe...ever. You sleep under 40 alpaca blankets just to keep from shaking with cold.

And yet, I can't wait to go back. Who knows, maybe soon you will see another ticker on my side bar!

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

I am going to be honest for a second. I don't like "new year resolutions." What is the purpose of planning a new year with new choices. If they are choices that indeed need to be made why plan them out and wait until the "new year." Why can't your new year begin on October 10th, or April 3rd? Why is January 1st that magical day to "change you ways" and "start fresh?"

If this is a way that you can keep track of it, or if you are doing something like reading through the Bible in a year then by all means, start on the 1st. But, I personally DON'T like to use that as an excuse to wait until then.

I will tell you a "resolution" I have. I started in November. I am memorizing passages of scripture with a friend. It is slow. I have not put a strict time frame on it. I am not stressing myself out. I am just doing it...and to be honest I love it!

I have gotten continually more involved in the local Hispanic Congregation. Plan on becoming more so. That began in July.

There are some things I am planning for 2011 but they most likely will not occur until further into January or February.

My point in this post being, I don't like to hang a date on a goal. I think it is good to have a finish time but in no way am I going to put off something that I need to do now. Are there times I want to? Youbetcha!!! But I like to go ahead when I do something...chances are with me, if I wait it won't get done...

Day 10: Favorite Songs/Carols

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Carols

I love all the carols...really I do! I don't have one that I "like" more than another. There are some that I don't care for. We 3 kings and Oh Holy Night are pretty much avoided in my book. I don't mind them I just won't "choose" to sing them! =)

Some Christmas songs that I do like are...(make sure to scroll down and turn off my music!)

I am sure I will think of more but this will do for now!

Feliz Navidad!

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Little Miss Savannah is doing great! No more episodes since Friday night! She is getting stronger and today they will find out about going home or not!

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Onto the food! Let's see...my favorite! This is tough. On Christmas morning my mom makes and egg/sausage casserole that is great! I love making all the candies, cookies, and treats but I am not sure if anyone of them is my "favorite."

I'm going to have to think about this a little further! I am not sure what my "favorite" recipe is...maybe I'll just post a bunch of our classics! =)

Merry Christmas!

Day 8: Least favorite thing

Miss Savannah is doing ok. She had a few "episodes" through the night last night but is stable. She is on a monitor for her breathing. Getting better but DON'T stop praying!
Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Ok, my least favorite thing about the holidays...it's hard. Really. I don't like to seek out the negative. I will say the one thing I don't enjoy is the cheapness that has been pasted over Christmas, the celebration of the birth of my Savior.

It is all about the going, doing, getting, that the celebration has taken a back seat. Many stores are open on Christmas. The lists, the have to's, the wants, and the gimme's.

I wish that Christmas would be taken back to some more simple and Christ centered mind set.

I'm not saying my family is perfect but I love that every year we choose to celebrate Jesus in some way. Either through advent or Jesse tree. We take time to go to the Christmas Eve service at our Church. Etc.

Merry Christmas!

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY

Before we get to our daily program I wanted to shout praise to our God for His wonderful ways, our dear friends have been getting to know their sweet little girl for the last 40 minutes or so! I can't wait to meet her! Happy Birthday Miss Savannah!

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Ok, I SO don't consider myself the "artsy," DIY-type-person, BUT, and that is a BIG but, I do enjoy "making" things every now and then if I can! I have made a handful of things throughout the years but my favorite and most note worthy are these...

Ta-Da! Clay bears...well, animals for the matter! I started with a very, VERY basic design and it just grew and changed until it is what I have made it today! I have personalized bears for each individual I have given them too! From Starbucks cups to jersey numbers I have done it all! I love seeing what they turn out like! Some have found a home in the trash can but there are some of my favorites!

My bro-in-law's sister is a HUGE duck tape fanatic!

Again, Merry Christmas! We are getting closer! Are you ready???!

Day 6: Gift ideas

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Well I let the ball drop on this one! It has been a CRAZY couple of days in my defense! The Christmas season is in FULL swing at my house and once that happens there is NO stopping! This post is going to have to cover a LOT so fasten your seat belts and hang on...knowing me, it might be a bumpy ride! =)

Ok, so, gift ideas!

Dell laptop with a cool skin design!

This bed from Ikea!

ANYTHING (well kinda!) from here!

Anything...and I do mean anything from here!

Ok, so my list is a little pricey! There weren't any specifications! =)

Moving on to other news! We finally got our tree and decorations up! Bean and Bubby enjoyed hanging up all the ornaments and lights! It is fun to see Christmas through their eyes a little bit!

The other night we had a Christmas cookies decorating party at our house! First one of it's kind and I think it was a big hit! We had fun hanging out and creating different cookies! These were my creations...I didn't realize the nativity had messed up or I would have fixed it!


This past weekend we attended one of our FAVORITE Christmas traditions! A local Church puts on a presentation of the life of Christ starting from the night he was born. It is cold and your hair smells like smoke when you're done but it is SO worth it!

I was running late getting ready so a lot of what I chose was a grab and go...my family was a little embarrassed by my choice of attire. Hey, I am not easily lost! =)

My sisters and I waiting to go in with our Peru hats!

Finally to get to the news that I have just about BURST at the seams to say!

This beautiful picture is what will come in a matter of 6 months. My sister and her husband are having baby #2!!! That's right, I am an aunt again! Oh, I am so excited! She found out the day before I left for Peru and the entire week was just impossible to keep my mouth shut! I literally would say something and then have to ramble a long explanation of why it was not what it sounded like!

Grow baby grow! This aunt can't wait to get her hands on you! I love you SO very much and I am proud to call you my...eh, niece/nephew!

Last thing on the agenda is transforming this...

to

...this!

Merry Christmas and a very blessed and happy New Year! May the Lord richly bless you and your family!

Day 5 - Favorite Movie/TV show

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Christmas movies and tv shows are a hit at our house! Primarily the older ones or the classics! We watch pretty much anything but, there are a few favorites!

Elf is one of my favorites! I have no idea why but I love this movie! Will Ferrel is hilarious! This is primarily a sister/brother - in - law/friend watching movie but good none the less!
This is one of my absolute FAVORITES! I really don't care for Rudolf at ALL but I love the other characters! The misfit toys, the abominable snow man, Cornelius!

This is one of our family favorites. We have to watch this every year...together! If you are looking for a family movie, recommended!

I love the Grinch! It is an every year must!

Day 4- Budget Friendly

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

This is a toughy!I am not an expert. I am not even a novice. This is not my speciality simply because I am not in a position to be planning a budget friendly Christmas. I am not the one "planning" it. I don't have my own house and stuff so it isn't something that I have to do...if that makes sense.

But, I do like to save a dime or 3 so I can give a few of the ways I do.

Coupons - Even now...it is most important. Coupon.com is a great source for coupons of ALL kinds!!! It takes a little work but it pays off in the end. Look in the paper for the Moneyclip, or valpak, or P&G clippers. All are full of different coupons. Some are for carpet cleaning, or re roofing, of paving companies, BUT a lot are for food, and personal items.

Catch sales! - Look out for when things are one sale. Don't be a last minuter...!!! Waiting makes things expensive...end of story! Plan out early. Look for when things are on sale. Take advantage of Black Friday. Look for clearance. etc.

End of the year - Great way to save on decorations...Go December 26 - January whenever for GREAT deals on decorations! No one wants last year's decorations! =) NOT! I am all for it especially when you can find strings of light for 50% off and boxes of ornaments for $1 a piece! Craziness!

Make it - I have found that making sometimes...SOMETIMES saves money...sometimes it doesn't but it is also more meaningful.

Enjoy! Feliz Navidad!

Day 3 - The most meaningful gift

**Don't really know why it didn't post yesterday!**

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

At the risk of sounding sappy, radical, crazy, whatever you want to peg me as, I can confidently say that the best gift I have ever received is the one that my Father gave me. Not that my parents have not given me good gifts. They have. They have been extremely generous and lavishing when it came to gifts and they have been wonderful but the one my Father gave to me by far trumps them all.

You see when I was still dead in my transgressions He gave me life in Christ because of His great love for me. (Eph. 2:4) He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16) to be fully human in every way to be an atonement for my sin. (Heb. 2:17) It was NOTHING I did to "get" it but God's gift to me. (Eph. 2:8-10)

There is nothing I could "do" or "be" to receive His great love. I did not do anything. That is the most meaningful gift I have ever received.