Good-bye 2010

Can not believe that 2010 is coming to an end. It has been a year that has seemed to fly by and at times seemed to crawl. It was a Dickens type of year... It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Here is my year in review.

January

On the 17th we headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a cruise with our friends Dustin and Alisha and some of her family. The cruise was AWESOME! We went to St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominca, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and St. Lucia. We saw so many beautiful beaches and historical buildings, loved being able to see so many things in 7 days. Here are some pictures of our trip.

We arrived home the 26th and on the 27th received the news that we all knew would come one day but prayed it would not have been so soon. Philip's cousin Emily had battled Cystic Fibrosis her whole life. She fought the disease with such grace and always kept her faith in God. She was able to live for 26 years, survived a double lung transplant, gave birth to a beautiful healthy little girl ( who is now 4) and encouraged countless people. She is missed everyday.

The picture below is of Emily's Bible.

February/March

Sadly I don't remember much about these months. Know there was a sinus infection involved.

April

For Easter weekend we took a little trip to Georgetown and Killeen. We visited philip's great aunt and uncle in Georgetown, then went to visit Chris and Steph in Killeen. We had a great time visiting with our family and friends. Philip got to play golf and I was able to shop... goodtimes.

Coming home from our trip my stomach was not feeling very well and just figured it was from eating irregular and dismissed it until the next day. For the next four days I was sick and finally went to the doctor. The doctor sent me to the GI Doc and though test, scopes, and sonogram it was determined that my gallbladder had to go. The 16th I underwent my first ever surgery and had my gallbladder removed.

May

We had multiple birthdays and graduations to celebrate.

June

The month of multiple weddings and celebrations. Also my friends Alisha and Dustin gave birth to their sweet angel Kyndall. Kyndall was 8 weeks early when she made her arrival June 22nd.

Alisha had been on bed rest in the hospital prior to Kyndall's arrival. We had even moved her baby shower from it's original location to the hospital because they would not allow her to leave.

I had another hiccup in my health with a stomach bug and kidney infection.

July

We went to San Angelo to see Chris and Steph and to celebrate their daughter Kenzie's birthday before her baby brother arrived. We arrived home to a very flooded Lubbock for the 4th of July.

Work was crazy trying to get the student population moved out and moved in before the fall semester began. I had also continued to have problems with my stomach. I went back to the doctor and they prescribed a medicine to help with the symptoms.

The month concluded with Chris and Steph having their baby boy Jonah arrive on Chris's birthday July 30th. Also me and a group of girls from my office went on our first annual lake trip. One of our vendors and his wife (Phillip and Mindy Wilkins) purchased a lake house at Lake Hubbard Creek. Mindy treated us to a wonderful weekend of great meals, swimming and sea-doos. We had a blast and plan to do it every year!

August

Ended up being my most productive month ever! The most leases and the most I have ever made... very rewarding when you work a commission based job. For Philip's birthday we went to Houston to see our friend Clint, who just moved there. We had a lot of fun! We went to a concert with Clay Walker and the Band Perry (my fav). We did some shopping and hang out at the lake where philip got to ski and knee board. On the way home we detoured to Killeen so we could meet Jonah.

September

Philip and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.

Every September I look forward to doing the "walk with Pride". It is a program put on by the Association of Realtors and the Food Bank. With the help of Payless shoes were are able to give hundreds of shoes to under privileged kids.

My grandparents from South Texas came for a short visit. Love getting to see them no matter the amount of time, which is never long enough.

The middle of the month we flew to Kansas to see Philip's family. We were finally getting to meet our niece Abby! She was getting baptized. We had a great time getting to see the family.

On the plane ride home I started having a few places on my legs that started itching. By the next morning my legs were covered in red itchy bumps. I could not find anything to calm the itch. I called my allergist and they had me come in. I ended up having over 40 ant bites.... and they were driving me crazy!!! So with medicine and oatmeal baths I survived. :o)

October

We had our annual Halloween party and the theme this year was "scary". I went as a Gothic ballerina and philip went as an IRS man (scary to us HAHA). With our life group from Church we did a dunking booth for the fall festival. The pastors were sport enough to sit in the freezing water to raise money for our building fund.

Bailey our goldendoodle turned 2.

I had also been noticing that my hair was falling out at a faster rate than usual. Figure out that the medicine the Doctors put me on in July for my stomach was the cause and go off of it. Also rounded out the month with a cold... at least it was before my birthday.

November & December

Birthday Month and the month I started blogging. I turned 30 on the 12th and had a great time celebrating with my friends and family.

We did Holiday Happening which is a expo of business where people get to do some Christmas shopping. We had a booth for the Golf store and had a great turn out. Just made for a VERY busy week.

The week of Thanksgiving I found a lump in my lower abdomen and had a horrible UTI infection. 3 doctor visits and 16 days of antibiotics still did not know what was going on. They prescribed another medicine which I have opted not to take and have started taking natural supplements instead. Symptoms have gotten better. The lump they believe is the beginning of a small hernia, which I am suppose to see a surgeon about.

My Grandparents came for a visit after Thanksgiving. It is always nice to spend time with them.

Philip went hunting and camping the two weekends in December. Fun for him and no sleep for me.

Christmas day we had both my family and Philip's family over for dinner. I made lasagna and chicken fettucini for 19 people. We had a great time visiting. Jason and Faith (Emily's husband and daughter) came by for a bit.

Week of Christmas I woke up monday morning with a sore throat. Really just felt like my Immune system was the issue. Really just wanted a steriod and b12 shot.... did not want and did not feel I needed antibiotics. Went to the Doctor who did not give a shot of any kind and gave me Augmentin antibiotic. My main reason for not wanting to take an antibiotic was my stomach. I knew it could not handle it, it had only be 10 days since i had gone off the round for the UTI. I called my allergist to see if they could get me in, and they said they could not. Tuesday folded and started the antibotic... and I was sick by Wednesday morning and went off of it. Friday tried to go to a walk in clinic and they closed at noon, I got there at 12:10. Monday went to see the allergist because they had a cancellation. She starts running tests and sends me to get x-rays. Verdict I have Mono with Chronic Sinusitus. She agrees I do not need and antibotic and the a Kenalog shot with clear up the sinus issue and should help the mono.

I had had my dad give me a B12 shot Christmas Eve and had him give me another yesterday.

Our New Years Plans included pizza, sheridans and sitting on the couch all night. I am trying to rest as much as possible.

So if you are wondering why I have included my health issues in this years look back is because it has been and issue for me. Not just physically but emotionally. I am ready to be healthy! If you are a friend on facebook you have seen my wish for a new Immune System. So here it is I am praying that 2011 will be a healthier year and goal is to do everything possible to achieve that.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed, HEALTHY and Happy New year!

Sweet and Scary...

Well this weekend Philip went out a town again, that makes two weekends in a row. And if you know me you know I don't do being at home at night by myself well. So I did a lot of movie watching and other things to keep myself busy. This weekend every year is usually the weekend I choose to do my baking for my vendors. Every year I like to try something new. This year I tried two new recipes and did a repeat of one I did last year. So here are the recipes...

The first one is super easy and really yummy! I saw this in a magazine at CVS while waiting for a prescription, I didn't by the magazine but the recipe was easy enough to remember.

Snicker Nuggets

1 package Miniature Snickers

2 packages of 8 count crescents (any brand)

preheat oven 350

Cut crescent triangle into two triangles

Place snickers in center and fold edges up and pinch closed.

Bake for 9-11 minutes ( Crescents will be golden brown and snickers will be trying to ooze.

The recipe had melting Cream cheese and drizzling it on top.I think this is optional, I like it with out. You could also do a light dusting of powder sugar.

Oreo Balls

A friend brought these to Life Group and I fell in love.

1 package of Oreo Cookies

1 package of Cream Cheese

1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla

1 package of Almond Bark, White

Crumble the cookies, I did it in the food processor to get it fine enough. Could probably use a blender or mini chopper. I then dumped the crumbs into a bowl.

I put the cream cheese in the food processor with the vanilla pulsed it till it was smooth.

Then add the crumbs into the cream cheese mixture, I did it slowing just to make sure it mixed well.

Chill mixture for 2 hours in the freezer.

After the mixture has chilled, remove from freezer and form into balls. I used a melon baller if you don't have one you could use either a measuring spoon or table spoon.

Once you have the balls formed, melt the Almondbark in the Microwave.

Dip balls into the Almond bark and place on wax paper or parchment paper. Let cool and then place in a container or storage bags.

Gooey Butter Cake

Cake:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 Egg

1/2 cup butter melted

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 16 0z box confectioner sugar ( I could not find a box, a bag is 32 oz)

1/2 cup butter melted.

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 13x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat cake mix, egg and 1/2 cup of melted butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until combined. Press into the bottom of prepared pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until smooth. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating well. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup of melted butter, mixing well. Pour evenly over cake mixture.

Bake for 40-50 minutes or until center is slightly set. Cool completely and cut into squares to serve.

So I hope you enjoy these recipes.

Now to go back to the part about how I don't handle being home by myself well. So I am usually on high alert, the slightest noise does not go unheard. So Saturday night a couple of friends had been over and we had watched a movie and they left around 10p.m. I decided I would watch another movie. Around 11ish I paused the movie for a potty break. As I am walking from the livingroom to my bedroom, I hear a car door. Of course it is probably a neighbor no biggie. So I am in the bathroom and I hear someone trying to open my locked front door. Bailey starts barking, I start panicking and cautiously walk into the livingroom. Of Course I have every light on including both porch lights. There is no one there. I look out and I can't see anyone or anything. I sit on the couch looking in all directions with the movie still paused... heart pounding, praying for God's protection. Finally calm down convince myself it was probably someone trying to go to a neighbors house, we get at lot of confused people since there is a block that is place and one that is street. I did sleep on the couch until 5 just to make sure, I had no surprise visits. So needless to say I will be learning how to shoot our "home security" very soon.

The lights...

I don't know about you but I am having a hard time believing that it is already December. But looking at the calendar and with all the events and my to do list it is hard to be in denial. I love this time of year! I love the decorations, the scents, the gatherings and the giving spirit.

I think it has always been my favorite... and will always be my favorite. Despite being married to a man that is a combination of the grinch and scrooge, I still love it and him.

Though the trees, the decorations and the people have changed still the traditions and the feelings are the same.

I come home and I plug in the trees, the garland and the wreath and instantly the house feels warmer. I can sit here and be mesmerized for hours, actually that is where i am now. Even with presents to wrap, gifts to find, and recipes to be studied, I am just sitting here. Sitting here is where I feel I need to be in this moment. I have been struggling the last two weeks with an infection that is not wanting to let go, stress from work and some other personal issues... I am just so tired.

So I am finding comfort in the light. The lights remind me of the true meaning of The Light that Jesus is the Light of the world and that He is in me and with me. Though sometimes I feel discouraged I know that God is with me.

So to those of you who are discouraged, look to the Light. If you need help look at those string of lights and be mesmerized by God.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

Psalm 112:4
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Matthew 4:16
the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

John 1:4
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.

Ephesians 5:8-9
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Colossians 1:12
and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

30th birthday celebration

I have now been 30 for 2 weeks... let me re-phrase that... 2 crazy long weeks. So I am a little behind on blogging about the birthday celebration, so I am finally sitting down to do it. (

Let me just say that God has blessed me with amazing friends and family that made my birthday so special!

On my birthday morning Philip woke me up, "saying you might want to get up, your friends are coming to take you to breakfast in your pajama's." Philip knows me well enough to know that I will not leave the house without my contacts or a bra. So I geared up and waited for them to arrive. My Mom, Teresa, Lisa, and Aggi showed up at my house a few minutes later and we headed to Cracker Barrel. Kandy met us there and had a "birthday" muffin waiting. I got to open a few gifts, we ate a awesome breakfast and it was time to move on to the rest of the day.

I went to work (after I went home and actually got dressed). Pretty much normal work day, expect for that my office was decorated with balloons, signs and flowers from the book keeping staff, Tiffany, Tressa and Stacie. Late afternoon we had the "office" birthday party. Lisa had made the most delicious homemade strawberry cake, which was enjoyed by all.

The vendor I use to clean carpets made me lemon drop cupcakes, which I saved for Friday night.

That night a group of us headed to Main Event for a fun night of food and BOWLING!!!

Saturday night was my big party thrown by Aggi, Kandy, Lisa, My Mom, Teresa and Sarah. It was at Teresa's house and had an amazing group of friends turn out for it. There were definitely some faces that were missed though.

They had some of my favorite foods (chick fila nuggets, buffalo wings, rice crispy treats), a beautiful cake and beer pong. Ok let me explain the beer pong. For those of you that have starting reaching these birthdays when you realize there is so much in life you have not experienced, know where i am coming from. A few weeks before my birthday it was brought that I had never played this game. So my friends brought their personal beer pong table and set it up in the back yard, so I could cross it off my to do list. I had more than plenty of gifts to open and friends to visit with... I had a very blessed birthday, thank you to those that made it so special!

A time to Mourn, A time to Dance...

This was not originally going to be my first post but this week has been a very long emotional week. This was my big birthday week and had originally planned on sharing some of the things I have challenged myself over the next year and hopefully the rest of my life. This plan changed on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning as I was getting ready for work, the Today show was on like it is every morning. The local news comes on at intervals during the program for a few minutes to give you the headlines and the weather. One of the headlines was "Lubbock man killed in Castro County on a hunting trip". At that point the worrier I am, I start going through thinking of anyone that I knew that was going hunting and where they were going. Most people I knew were going the other directions South and East of Lubbock, no one I could thing of was going to the North West. Still that feeling of something is wrong would not go away.

A few hours later I got the news that a classmate that I had gone to school with from Elementary to graduation had passed away. He was the man in Castro County. He was an avid hunter and even led guided hunts. The details are still under investigation, but from what they are saying he was murdered by the two guys with them, after they felt threatened.

It is one of those things that you may have not seen a person for years but when they have been in your life for so many years before you still feel the loss. Maybe you don't feel the loss personally but more for the family of the one that is gone. My first thoughts were for his family because I remembered how close they were in the past, and also for his young daughter that will never truly know her earthly father.

http://lubbockonline.com/obituaries/2010-11-12/jared-kelley?v=1289525426

So again this year it was a time to mourn a young life cut short. This summer a song came out that expresses about dying young. So for Jared Kelley, Matt Stanley, Casey Shakespeare and Emily Mulkey the sharp knife of a short life came too soon but I know you are in the best place you can be... you are Home with your Father.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJqUN9TClM

A time to dance:

Friday the 12th, I turned the big 3-0... And boy did we celebrate! I have some of the greatest friends and family that went out of their way to make this birthday weekend special! I will blog about the details later, once I have all the pictures downloaded and can share those.

Also I am trying not to make my post too long, because I know that I have a hard time staying with one thing that I can not expect someone else to do the same. Thanks for stopping by and I promise that most of my post will be more up beat in the future, so continue checking back!