Bad Make-up Job?

Nope, it's my very first black eye... well it's more like a red eye, but I'm still very proud of it! One of my co-workers asked if I got in a fight and I said, "Yeah, and you should see the other guy!" but here's the real, not quite as exciting story... Mark & I were playing soccer last night with some other people from the college and I tried to block the ball with my eye... "keep your eye on the ball" right? Maybe not the most intelligent thing to say unless you like wearing what looks like red eyeliner... which I happen to like quite a bit right now! :)

A New Year

Well, work and school are back in progress, so we're getting busy once again. Last week, before everything started back up, Mark & I were blessed to have a few days off to go down to California to see my family. It was really nice to see everyone again. Adam & Meca and Mark's parents and younger brother even made a special drive out just to see us while we where there... don't we feel important! :) Unfortunately I forgot to get out my camera while Mark's family was there.

The first week back at work was really slow with not many students, but hopefully that will be improving soon. Mark is excited to be taking a full load at school this term and I'm hoping the excitement will last the next 9 weeks as homework and class projects increase. One nice thing is that his job has slowed down so he'll be able to focus on school more... even though an extra paycheck would be nice, I think it's better for him, and God has still been providing everything we need.

As I write this I'm listening to frogs outside and it reminds me of growing up going to sleep to the sound of them and crickets... it's a comfort sound I still enjoy hearing. It's so easy to get caught up in all the busyness and crazyness and then to stress out wondering what we should do and how everything's going to turn out and are we going to make it? Sometimes it's good to just stop and listen.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -Jesus (John 14:27)

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Well, despite me being sick, we still had a good Christmas. Mark & I just hung out at home, ate way too much and watched a couple movies... it was fun. Since we have a really small oven I couldn't do a turkey, so I decided to try stuffing a chicken and cooking it in the crock-pot. It turned out really well, along with the stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and jell-o. Mark didn't want me to over do it since I wasn't feeling good, but I couldn't help myself... it was Christmas! Incase you haven't actually seen this, I attatched the greatest Chrarlie Brown show ever, so I hope you enjoy it.

Mark's scholarship photo contest

Planet Beautiful Brickfish

For those of you who haven't seen this yet, Mark entered a picture he took in a contest online for a possible scholarship. All he needs is more views and more votes. Unfortunately it seems to be a popularity contest and not a talent contest, but it can be voted on multiple times by the same person... you can actually vote multiple times a day, so I'm just trying to get it out as much as possible so he has a better chance... and I think it's a cool picture!

Christmas Traditions

Today is Christmas Eve and I'm kind of sad because this is the first year I won't be with my family for Christmas... but then considering that I'm 25 I guess that's a pretty good record. Mark & I are spending Christmas together, just the two of us, and then next week we're going down to CA since Mark has a few days off.

This is the latest scrapbook page I've done. The random words on it are a bunch of Christmas traditions I grew up with, or just things that remind me of Christmas... including Charlie Brown's tree.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Another snow day

view out our door

It snowed again yesterday and it looked really cool so I took pictures... enjoy!

The Problem

Peppermint bark

Christmas tree cookies

Dipped pretzels

It's Christmas time and I like to make Christmas cookies and candies, so the last couple days I've been making a bunch of stuff (some are pictured above). I normally give a lot away to neighbors, friends, relatives, etc., but when Mark asked me the other day who I was going to give them to this year my response was something like "Ummm... uhh... I don't know yet." and then I went back to making more. So that's my problem... how am I going to get rid of all the cookies and candies I'm continuing to make? We don't have many neighbors and our families are all out of the area. So, if any of you reading this live in the area and want some let me know... if you don't live in the area and want some, please send your mailing address and postage. :)