Christmas Fun in Fort Worth

We went over to Jonathan and Alyson's house last night for a delicious dinner of Cheeseburger soup and then headed downtown to see Santa and the big Christmas tree in Sundance Square. We had a fabulous time hanging out with some friends before everyone headed out of town for Christmas. Dallas and Emily also joined us...They are from Booneville, MS--small world huh?

This morning my dear sweet husband woke me up at 8:15 because he could no longer contain his excitement. Santa came early to our house since we are leaving to go home to our parents' houses for Christmas. Sadly he only visited me--I know I know, I should be ashamed. I'll redeem myself, Christmas isn't over yet!--Anyways back to the story. He--Santa--had cooked muffins for breakfast and filled my stocking. Michael had 3 presents out for me to unwrap! In my stocking I got an iTunes giftcard along with Rasinets, ponytail holders--because Santa says I only have 1--and 2 different kinds of chap stick--apparently Santa thinks I have dry lips! Then I opened my presents. **Notice--this year Michael made an executive decision to take my part of the Christmas money to buy for him to put toward one gift that was "for both of us". ** So I am a little worried that he has gone and gotten something really expensive for me and is just pretending that we'll both like it! No need to fear--he was honest. He got me--us--a Wii! YAY! Plus Dance Dance Revolution! I really super duper like that game! So it was an instant hit! I did talk him into giving me a little bit of money to buy him something to unwrap. I gave him one of those charger valets that hold your iPod, phone, wallet, keys, etc. plus all the chargers with cords hidden. I must give the credit to my sister-in-law Nicole for the gift idea. I am TERRIBLE at gift ideas! So anyways, we spent the day dancing away and finished up a little Christmas shopping. I leave for Columbus tomorrow and Michael will come on Wednesday after he gets off work. If I don't post until after, have a very Merry Christmas. Don't forget the reason we celebrate--The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us! (John 1)

God With Us

I think that, over the years, I lost connection with the amazement and wonder presented with the Christmas story. God has renewed that in me this year. I assume (possibly wrongly) that most of my readers have grown up hearing the Christmas story as well as the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. It is easy for those stories to become "common" or "normal" in our brains because we have heard them so much when in actuality there is nothing "normal" about either one. I encourage you to stop and ponder the reality of the Christmas story today.

God--seriously GOD--the creator of the universe--came to earth in human form. He became like us! Stop and think about what He gave up in order to do that! HEAVEN--Hello? Isn't that where we are all looking forward to going, and he gave it up for us!! I think a lot of people assume (as I did) that even though Jesus came as a baby, he was somehow a supernatural baby who was only a baby in the physical sense. No no...he became like us completely, which means he was completely a baby. He cried, got hungry, maybe even had the cholic. He was dependent on his parents for food and shelter. He grew up, just like we did. Seriously, God became one of us! That is just amazing to me!

The following by Francesca Battistelli helped me put it in perspective. It is written from the point of view of Mary, the mother of Jesus. (stop and think a minute about her position--WHOAH! Here you've been entrusted with the baby who is to be the Savior of the world!)

You're Here

Hold on now, I gotta take a deep breath

I don’t know what to say

when I look in your eyes

You made the world before I was born

Here I am holding You in my arms tonight

Noel, Noel, Jesus our Emmanuel

You’re here, I’m holding You so near

I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

You could’ve left us on our own, but You’re here

Don’t know how long I’m gonna have You for

But I’ll be watching when You change the world

Look at Your hands, they’re still so small

Someday You’re gonna stretch them out and save us all

Noel, Noel, God with us Emmanuel

You’re here, I’m holding You so near

I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

You could’ve left us on our own, but you’re here… you’re here

Someday I’m gonna look back on this

The night that God became a baby boy

Someday You're gonna go home again,

But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy

You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near

I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator

You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here…

You’re here Hallelujah… You’re here… Hallelujah... You’re here

I think the most overwhelming part of the whole thing is that He's still here. Each and every day for each and every one of us. AMAZING!

Office Christmas Party

George, Morgan, and Sneed sure knows how to throw a Christmas party! About a week ago, Michael and I attended our first annual Christmas party at GMS. It was held at the Keg Steakhouse conveniently located about 5 minutes from our apartment. Michael had heard all the hype at the office about how wonderful the party was and had me equally excited! So we arrive and are just chatting away with James, a partner, his wife and his son. Then the appetizers begin to arrive, and they continue to arrive for about the next 10 minutes. The table (which was about 4-5 tables pushed together) is completely covered in appetizers. Granted, they were all really fancy and I wouldn't eat any of it, there was still tons of food! Then we ordered our main entree. We were free to choose from anything on the menu. Do I need to remind you that this is a fancy place? I choose a filet and Michael chooses a NY Strip. (We haven't had a real steak dinner in a LONG time! We're poor remember!) While waiting on the food to arrive, we begin round one of presents. All the employees got to choose a gift from the table. The theme for the evening was the 50's because GMS will have its fiftieth anniversary in 2009. The tables were decorated with paddle balls and yo-yos! (I am surprised nothing got broken by the paddle balls!) Anyways, back to the important stuff--presents! So Round 1, everyone has a gift, the theme is 50's. Everyone opened their gifts, and they were some game or toy from the 50's--Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Nerf guns, etc. We got Chutes and Ladders and a Rubix Cube. (We got an extra gift because we were sitting next to the partner in charge, and it was a spare gift!) Then came round 2 of gifts! (Yes if there is a round 1 there is usually a round 2!) Again, all the employees choose a gift from the table. Then everyone opens. This time they are super nice gifts. Some people got a Garmin GPS. Others got a Portable DVD player. There was one bag full of gift cards to excellent places. The guy sitting across from me, Casey (partner's son and tech guy at GMS) got Sleeping Beauty and the Indiana Jones collection and a gift card to Target. When he opened the Sleeping Beauty, I screamed "Sleeping Beuty! Oh My Goodness! I want that!!!" (I couldn't help myself!) So he continued to taunt me for the next 20 minutes but ended up giving me Sleeping Beauty! HOW SWEET! Michael got a pair of Bose ear buds (really expensive!) Then we enjoyed our lovely dinner and lovely conversation. As we are getting ready to leave, James (partner) gives us a $50 gift card to the restaurant. Score! We get to have steak again! It was a wonderful evening! Of course, I love presents!

The Search is Over!

So Mississippi State fans' wish will come true for Christmas but not in the form of Boise State's head coach Chris Petersen. Mississippi State football's new head coach will be Dan Mullen, Offensive Coordinator for Florida. This comes on the heels of rampant rumors Friday that Chris Petersen would be State's new head coach.

Dan Mullen's future position as head coach is not just rumor. It has been confirmed by MSU officials that Mullen has been hired and will be presented to the media most likely tomorrow. He should be landing at Bryan Field in Starkville, MS around 4:00 and fans are encouraged to attend. It is also rumored that he will be presented at half-time of the MSU men's basketball game tonight at the Hump. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. If I were in Mississippi, I would definitely be heading to Starkville to support my Bulldogs in basketball action and meet the new football head coach. There will also be a pep-rally tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Templeton Center. Doors will open at 9 a.m.

As for the whole Petersen thing, who knows if we will ever know the truth about that!

Click HERE to read more about Dan Mullen!

His Father's Son

So whether he likes it or not, Stephen (my brother) is just like my dad.

Today I was calling him back and he answers with "hold please" and disappears for the next five minutes. Anyone who has ever called Dad at the store knows that is how he answers. I couldn't help but chuckle.

They are alike in many other ways (stubborn yet silly) but this is just the most precent to present itself.

Daddy at the store.

Stephen being silly at Aunt Edna's house in Shuqualak, MS.

Get Excited!

"Why?" you ask. Becase I am done with my first semester of Graduate School!!!

"How does this make me excited?" you ask. Well because now I have lots of free time to BLOG! Aren't you thrilled!

I just have to come up with some interesting things to blog about!

Quick update on school for those interested. This semester I took Basic Skills in Christian Counseling, Theory of Counseling and Personality, Human Growth & Development, Great Themes of the New Testament, and Spiritual Formation. I really feel like I have learned so much! I feel like I understand the Bible (at least the NT) tons better as well as how to critically examine information against Biblical teaching. Not to mention then loads of psychology stuff I now know. It's kind of overwhelming to look back over these 4 short months and think of all the changes and learning that has taken place. God is truely in control and I know that this is where he desires for me to be right now!

Keep checking back for exciting posts!

Early Christmas Present for State Fans?

Word out in cyberspace is that Boise State's Chris Peterson will be MSU's new head football coach. Michael has been flooding my inbox with links to sites confirming the rumor. We will see if it pans out. Everyone seems to be super excited if this does hold up.

http://spartyandfriends.com/2008/12/05/breaking-news-sources-confirm-chris-peterson-to-mississippi-st/

To read more about Peterson, Click HERE.

Christmas Decorating!

Michael and I decorated the apartment for Christmas last night! We had a lot of fun. We watched All I Want for Christmas which is one of my favorite Christmas movies while we decorated! We almost ran out of places to put everything! I can't believe its almost Christmas! If time keeps going by as quickly as it is now, we'll be back in Mississippi in no time! It's kinda scarey how fast the last year and four months have flown by. It seems like I was just thinking the wedding would never get here! Now I don't even know if we really qualify as newlyweds anymore!

There is also a picture in the collage of Michael holding his nephew Andrew!

I finish up the semester next Tuesday with my last exam! I am taking a winter term class for two weeks right after Christmas. Then I have about three days off before the Spring semester starts! There is always something to be doing!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family! We miss each of you that we don't get a chance to see on our quick trips home! You are not forgotten!

P.S. My darling parents got me an iPhone as an "early" Christmas and birthday present! Maybe I'll update more often since I can do it from there now. (supposedly...I haven't tried yet!)