Back in Houston

Well I am finally back. The most recent pics are from my cool new digital camera! The site is also new and improved thanks to my wonderful boyfriend.
I have been to Missouri and back and now Dallas/Fort Worth and back. I enjoyed it all. I got to spend five days with Trev and his fam in Missouri. The nieces and I made candy cane cookies (wish I had pics of that! Every time I turned my back on them they were eating dough).I bought three Suess books: The Lorax, The Sneetches, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I was able to hang out with the rest of the cool fam too. I flew out the 21st and came back Christmas night, worked one night and then I drove home to my parents. My parents got me cool stuff like the digital camera and an MP3 player. My sis got me a Strawberry Shortcake blankie too. Merry Christmas to all and toall a....happy new year! I'll be workin.

lovely Boo

lovely feet(:

My bro Marcus, the thinker

Christmas at home....

Boo(:

Dad hard at work

The Gift of Life (Part II)

(Ok a little while later)
I am reminded that I celebrate Christmas because of the ultimate gift of life. Jesus came to live a perfect life and to die so that I might have life. That sacrifice needs to be the driving force of my life during this season and always. I see many things that remind me of the beauty of this season, like the innocence of a child. (Check out Tiff's post on the 14th). I hope to remind my children in some way like Tiffany has of how we need to make Jesus the reason we celebrate. I am so thankful for the friends and family in my life, and the simple fact I have a job, a place to live. God has provided so well for me.
Isaiah 9: 6 says " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
That baby grew, became a man ( Luke 2:52 (: and he became the man prophesized about in Isaiah 42:2 "He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets, a bruised reed he will not break and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice."
He brought that justice by shedding his blood for us on the Cross, making us pure before God. He closed the gap between us and God and gave us the gift of life.

"Sweet little Jesus boy, born a long time ago, sweet little holy child, didnt know who you were. Didnt know you came to save us, to take our sins away. Our eyes were blind, we could not see, didnt know it was you......The world treats you mean, Lord, treats me mean too. But that's how is down here. But please sir, forgive sir forgive us now, we didnt know it was you...didnt know it was you...."

Christmastime

In the stress of the last few weeks I have come to realize that you just can't do it all. I think women feel this crunch even more in this season since most are expected to bake, make crafts, wrap gifts, write Christmas cards,etc. And not to mention the moms who have so much to do during this month. When I think of how far behind I am on my "Christmas task list" I try to remember that is all for fun and I really want to do do this. I also have to remember that last weekend's sickness has delayed me but has reminded me that I do need to slow down some. So once again, I have to slow down and remember why I am doing all this anyway.
And one last gripe before I move on to my next post. One thing that needlessly stresses me is all the little "10-15 dollar" gifts for fun EVERYONE wants to exchange. Why can't we just get together, have a few snacks, go caroling, or here's a thought, do something together for someone else. I don't want or need another little piece of crap--I mean gift--to sit on my shelf. I need to remember this next year and suggest we do something creative for someone else instead of this annoying gift getting for every little Christmas party. Ok on to next post.

One Year Older...

Well December 15th has come and gone....I'm another year older and hopefully another year wiser. My birthday is a day I like to think about how blessed I am. Thanks to everyone for all your birthday greetings! I love you all. Thanks especially to my parents for indulging me with presents, cake, and a shopping trip to Fort Worth.
I'm tired now....must unpack. I apologize for the brevity of these recent posts but this is a busy time for us all (:

Sick...

Well I've been battling sickness all week and I finally had to go to the doctor. ( And if you ever have a choice don't get sick on a weekend, it costs an arm and a leg) The diagnosis: Bronchitis, second time this year. I guess that comes with being a nurse; I've only had about five or six patients with pneumonia/bronchitis in the last week.
But looking at healthcare from a patient's perspective is a little different. I was able to see how much the patients have to wait around (I know this is because healthcare workers have too many patients to attend to but not all patients know this). I also saw how much it costs. Wow, since I didnt get sick enough yesterday, I paid 100 dollars to visit minor emergency. And that was with insurance!
All I can say is, I better feel well tomorrow.

Part II of Gift of Life...coming soon

Part II of Gift of Life, Coming Soon. Delayed by sickness

The Gift of Life (Part I)

I recently decided to support a child in Haiti through World Vision. I can't post a picture right now because I don't have a scanner. My child's name is Stanley. He has two brothers and a sister. His parents are subsistence farmers. Stanley is in primary school. He likes to play soccer.
I decided to support Stanley for a few reasons. One, after a trip to Haiti in January 2002, through an organization called Foundation for the Children of Haiti, I saw the great need in Haiti. I feel like those are my kids. While at an orphanage, one of the little boys climbed up into my lap and asked in Creole, "Are you going to be my white momma?" Many live in one room shacks(if you could even call them that). Life is hard in Haiti, but the people are so happy. I feel blessed to be able to give to them.
I also wanted to give after seeing the great need during the AIDS crisis. Check out Dave's post on December 1st and 2nd. The need is great.
So for Christmas I give something that doesnt sit on a shelf or is quickly used up and forgotten. I was able to give the gift of life.
You can too. www.worldvision.org

Uncle Tweva!,Hanna, Ashton

Bria and I: Halloween Medieval Style

Jessica and I at the Halloween Carnival at College Park Baptist

...And what do you want for Christmas?

Well this is a question I get a lot around this time of year. I get it two times as much since my birthday is 10 days prior to Christmas as well. I know the people asking this question mean well, but the things I want are too expensive. So here is what I want for Christmas (or what I like I should say). Hey and resorting to a gift card is never a bad thing for me.
1)LOTR extended version (I already have Star Wars on dvd)
2) Anything Bath and Body works--I love sweet smells: Vanilla Sugar, Coconut Lime Verbana, Vanilla Bean.
3) Target ( I love shopping at Target and like I said gift cards are great for me)
4) Kohl's (same as above)
5) Digital Camera ( I know expensive)
6) Luggage(pretty sure Mom and Dad got this one covered)
7) Kill Bill Volume I and II ( what can I say I like them)
8)Seasons on Dvd like X Files, Twilight Zone, Saved by the Bell, and the Wonder Years. The top choice if you ever find it, THE perfect gift The Pretender. I loved that show. Wait I just discovered there are freaks out there like me....but it probably wont be released until next year sometime ):
9) Socks (especially weird or cute ones)
10) Candles--once again I like sweet smells and food smells like Banana Bread, Vanilla, etc and the BEST candles are Morenci candles, based out of Gordon, TX

Well there's a start. And just so you dont think I am just materialistic....I will be talking about the true meaning of Christmas later. And honestly I would be fine if I got none of this, which is highly likely, if I just get to spend part of my holiday with any of you.

Top Ten Christmas Songs/ Carols

I love Christmastime, maybe cuz my birthday's just around the corner. Here's my top ten list of Christmas songs/carols:

10) Joy to the World
9) O Little Town of Bethlehem
8) Away in a Manager
7) Little Drummer Boy (Jars of Clay version)
6)The First Noel
5) You're a Mean One Mister Grinch (the old version)
4) Silent Night
3) Sweet Little Jesus Boy (Rebecca St James version) http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~av359/xmas/carols/sweet.html (original ebonics version)
2) Breath of Heaven (yes I am not an Amy Grant fan, its highly unlikely she wrote this though)
And a tie for #1
1) O Come Emmanuel and O Holy Night
Also I would add: Children Go Where I Send Thee and Carol of the Bells.

AND NO CLARK'S ANNIVERSARY SONG!!! (All non-OK OBU-ites will get this one)
Man that song is so lame!

"Sweet little Jesus boy, born long time ago... sweet little holy child didnt know who you were."
"Fall on your knees, o hear the angel voices.."
"Come, oh come Emanuel and ransom captive Israel."

Here's a pic of my family last May at my other bro's graduation (need to get some recent pics of them)

Dylan, the nephew

Ashton, aka little Trevor

Hanna, one of Trevor's precious nieces

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today as of midnight, is 9 months for Trevor and me. He asked me to 50 First Dates together 9 months ago. So its a month-versary not really anniversary. Here's to many more to come!!! I love you Trevor.

*Couple Facts:

Our Movie:
50 First Dates.
(Close 2nd the Star Wars Trilogy and LOTR)

We both love:
Chocolate

My movie snack:
Junior Mints

His movie snack:
Milk Duds

*Take notes there will be a quiz later.