Our First Married Christmas

Our first married Christmas is now over…sad face. 

It was a great Christmas though. On Christmas Eve, we went to one of the services at our church, and then volunteered during the last service. Then we went home and opened our gifts to each other. He got me a new watch, an owl necklace, Sex and the City DVDs, and a new food processor because I broke mine last week. There were also some things in my stocking like candy, a CD, and some tights. I got him a Batman apron, a Lord of the Rings Pez set, and a Batman coffee mug. In his stocking was a Han Solo in Carbonite Chocolate bar, a space gun key chain, a belt, a tape measure, and some candy. 

On Christmas morning we had breakfast at Jay’s grandparents’ house and then opened our gifts. We got Modern Family on DVD, Seasons 3&4 of Sex and the City, a Target and a Chili’s gift card, pajamas, cash, and cookies. His grandmother also offered to pay for a marriage conference that our pastor and his wife are doing in February. We just found out about the conference this weekend and we hadn’t said anything to them about wanting to go, so it was an unexpected gift that we really appreciate. After opening our gifts, we all went to church with his mother.

Christmas afternoon we went to my parents’ house. After eating lunch we opened gifts there. My mom got everyone a Kindle which was cool. I really wanted one, but Jay didn’t really think he would want one. After playing around with it though, he really likes it. We also got a Chipotle and an AMC gift card, an LED flashlight, Lord of the Rings on BluRay, and some money from my grandma. 

We still have our Christmas with Jay’s dad who is coming in from Missouri today and will be here through Friday. Then Christmas will be officially over…sad. But hopefully the new year will bring lots of changes for us, mostly good ones. We’ll see.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Tonight I want to post 3 songs that are my absolute favorite Christmas songs. There is not much to say about them, so I'll let them speak for themselves.

1. Go Tell It On The Mountain by Need to Breathe

2. O Holy Night- I love this song, and there are so many people that sing it so well, but I especially love this version by Josh Groban.

3. I Celebrate the Day by Relient K

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, and always remember the reason that we celebrate.

I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”  Luke 2:10-14

Christmas Countdown: Songs Part 4

Tonight I'm going to share 4 songs that I absolutely love. Two songs are written from the point of view of Mary, one from the point of view as Joseph, and the last is a song written as a question to Mary. I love these songs because they always remind that Jesus had parents just like the rest of us, and they knew that he was God's son, but did they really know everything that entailed? I always wonder what it was like for them watching Jesus grow up, wondering what God's plan for him was and when it would take place. I can't even imagine it.

1. "Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant

2. "You're Here" by Francesca Battistelli

3. "Joseph's Lullaby" by Mercy Me

4. "Mary Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry

It's Christmas Eve...well, it is for 7 more minutes!

Christmas Countdown: Our Card

Over the last 5 days I've been working on getting our Christmas cards mailed out. I know, I know. I got a late start on it, but oh well. I was excited to do our first Christmas card, but the time got away with us. I threw this one together one night last week. BUT I do like it. I like the simplicity of it.

Now I just hope I remembered to send it to everyone who expected one...

(Only 5 days left!!!)

Christmas Countdown: Songs Part 3

It's time for another Christmas music post. Today I have 4 of my favorite songs to share.

1. Happy Birthday Jesus!- I have liked this song since I was a kid. I've always loved that kids sing it.

2. Born on Christmas Day by Brad Paisley- He wrote this song when he was 13 years old, which I think is awesome. I love that the recorded version begins with him signing it as a child.

3. Jesus, Born on this Day by Avalon- I have loved this song since the Avalon Christmas CD came out in 2001, but even more so now, because it brings back memories of an amazing woman and singer from a church I used to attend. She passed away unexpectedly about 3 years ago. I remember her singing this song during a Christmas service in 2005 or 2006, surrounded by the children from the church singing along with her. She was a wonderful singer, and a great Christian woman who is missed by many!

4. Jesus, What a Wonderful Child by John Legend- Great song sung by a great artist!

Only 6 more days!

Christmas Countdown: Secret Santas

This past week at work we did Secret Santas. We drew names the week before, and then we each emailed everyone 5 things we like. Monday through Thursday we brought a $5 gift each day, and then Friday was a $20 gift. The name I drew was Jason. The 5 things he likes are 1. muppets, 2. pipes, 3. naps, 4. apple products, and 5. blues/ black gospel music. It was a little difficult thinking of $5 gifts to take. On Monday, I took him a big bag of Snickers because he is always coming in our office asking for chocolate. For Tuesday, I got a coffee mug, and filled it with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. For Wednesday, I took him a Christmas blanket with a note that said For Naps, and on Thursday I took him a stuffed Kermit. For the big gift on Friday, I got a $20 Apple gift card, and then made sugar cookies in the shape of the apple logo.

The 5 things that I said I liked were 1. Ferrero Rocher, 2. Starbucks, 3. cooking/baking, 4. snowglobes, and 5. anything related to Christmas.

On Monday, I received a 'K' ornament, with rhinestones on it...love it!

The first gift was wrapped in a gift bag without tissue paper, so I figured my Secret Santa was a guy.

Tuesday I got a $5 gift card to Starbucks...YUM!

Wednesday I received two packages of Ferrero Rocher...delicious!

This gift was wrapped in the Target bag that they received at the store. After that I was positive it was a guy. I figured it was either Brian or Dan.

On Thursday I received an IOU...

I thought it was hilarious! And it totally gave away who my Secret Santa was. Dan is the only person who would give an IOU.

On Friday, I'm sitting at my desk, and Dan walks in with a Santa bag, without tissue paper, and says, "I'm your Secret Santa." I was right! For the final gift he got me Christmas potholders and dish towels, a snowman ornament, and a snowglobe.

He did a really good job picking out gifts for me. I especially love the snowglobe. I collect them and this year I broke one, so I'm glad I got one to replace it.

It was fun participating in Secret Santa. I love giving people gifts. I still have a lot of gift giving to do, and only 1 week left until Christmas!

Christmas Countdown: Songs Part 2

The Christmas songs I've chosen for part 2 are both from movies. One is a silly song and the other is not.

1. The Chipmunk Song (Don't Be Late)- This song is just a fun, goofy song. I love to sing along to it, especially with children. The new version from the movie with Jason Lee is okay, but I definitely prefer the original from the TV show.

2. Christmastime is Here- This song is from A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. This song always gets stuck in my head, which is fine with me, because I love it!

I cannot believe Christmas is only 12 days away! It feels like Thanksgiving was just yesterday!