Rules of Holiday Eating

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.. Go next door, where they're serving egg nog.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat.. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave
them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

All of my life, in every season, you are still God.

This song has been my anthem this year. "There is a faith proved of more worth than Gold." Boy am I learning this.

I turned 30!

So this post is a few weeks late, but who cares! I still can't believe it! I don't feel 30, (I'm told) I don't look 30, and I don't act 30! Haha.. That's from hanging out with people younger than us (our youth group) They call it the BIG 3-0, but it's not so bad. Other than not having a place of our own, I would say life is good. I am blessed with a great job, great husband, great family, awesome son, AMAZING church... yup, LIFE IS GOOD!

So anyway, to celebrate we went out with a bunch of great friends to Cheesecake Factory. It was a fun night and it ended with whip cream in my face! hahaha! Caitlin, you better watch out on your birthday next year, I'm comin' for ya! Good food, good friends, good times! I want to turn 30 again next year! ... I just might! ;)

Nothing new here...

I haven't posted a blog in a while cause I'm not sure what to write about. So you get to enjoy my ramblings of miscellaneous things...

Christian went to the dentist for his second visit and 6 month check up. He loves it! Although it seems this time around he was a little more cautious and not letting the hygenist do as much. Funny enough, Fifo went to the dentist recently too. And I think Christian was braver, haha! Actually I just had a visit too! 30 years and cavity free! Go me!

We are still at my parents house although we are looking for a place to rent until we can get back into a house. Fifo and can't seem to agree on a place. If I like it, he doesn't and if he does, I don't... actually no, he's the picky one. But we are both ready for a place of our own. Nothing like having your own place. But thanks to my parents who have been more than generous with us. :)

We are headed to San Diego in a couple weeks! I'm excited. For a few reasons.... to get to see my husband's family of course, but also to see a few mom friends who I met online a few years back. We all have children the same age and we've already met in person once before, but it's always great to see them again! They are some of the best girls I know! Being with them is like being with people you've known your whole life. :) One of those girls happens to be my best friend now. (Angela you're getting an honorable mention on my blog!! ) She's preggo with her second and I'm so happy for her! (I made an announcement!)

Church... oh my goodness church!! Our church is on fire! I am so excited to see the things God is doing in our church! Our youth more specifically. God is using our pastor and has given him a vision for our church and youth and it's coming to fruition. I pray God continues to use and cover my pastor. A true man of God! But every Sunday is one great service after another. I just feel so blessed to be a part of this revival hitting "The Grove". So that's keeping us really busy because we are both involved with the music and with the youth leader team. We are humbled and honored to be used.

That's my life in a nutshell!

Where are you year??

Where has the year gone?? I can't believe we are about to start October! We just celebrated 9 years married, I'm going to be 30 in a month, Christian will be 4 in 2 months. Where did the time go?? I was robbed, lol.. Seriously though, it went by fast! We've had ups and downs, but through it all God was good to us. But wow, ¾ of the way down! I will say, however I am looking forward to the holidays and the weather cooling down. I love this time of year just as much as I love spring/summer. The colors, the fashion, the food, the shopping! Okay, now I'm getting excited. :o)

Providence

Providence: the foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth.

I believe in the providence of God. I believe that God takes care of His own. That He never lets us fall into something we cannot handle. I believe that while I don't see clearly or see the bigger picture, that HE does. I am constantly amazed by God's providence. He always, always, always provides for His own. Case in point:

Not everybody knows the crazy year we have had. I see it now as a testimony and want to share it with everyone. I see it as God taking care of us and molding us to be who He wants us to be. In January I had a miscarriage. In March my husband lost his job. In June we lost our house. During each trial, I was sad and felt defeated. I didn't see the bigger picture God had for us. We always have a hard time seeing beyond our circumstance. But that's just the human in us. NOW I see why things happen. NOW I understand. NOW I see clearly. And not all may see it like this, but it was God's providence and favor with us.

At my follow up with my OB after my miscarriage, my doctor read me the report of what they found in the baby. The placenta was growing grape like clusters which is called a partial mole pregnancy. That pregnancy usually leads to a child with a chromosomal abnormality and from what I hear children born that way, usually only live a few hours. God knew what I could handle. He also knew that in July (the due date) we would be without a house. I didn't know this.

In March, when Fifo lost his job, it was definitely not something we needed. Not surprising though because his boss was not exactly a kind man and it wasn't exactly a good environment to be in. But we kept on and said God we trust you!! Actually his old employer tried to appeal his unemployment. But God was in control there as well!! The day of the conference call with unemployment, Fifo, and his old employer, they were not able to locate the ex-employer on the phone and the case was dropped.

I'm going to skip to June when we lost our house. This truly made me feel defeated. I was depressed and crying for about 3 days. How do you leave your first house? The place we brought our son home to after he was born. The place we spent so many family Christmas', birthdays, parties with friends, etc. How?? All the memories in that house will never be forgotten. But I woke up from my depression and realized that God has a plan for everything. I need to praise Him in our storm. (thank you mom & Tia Eva for the pep talks!) The weekend we found out our house had officially been sold, we had a mortgage broker come to our door in representation of the bank who bought our house and was asking us to vacate, how much time we needed, etc. While he was there, Fifo took the opportunity to tell him that he was without work and that if he needed any graphic work done, he did that and also small web design. He said he would keep it in mind. The day we needed to turn in our keys (2 weeks later), this guy offered Fifo a part time job doing graphics work. It didn't pay much and was temporary, but it was something. Fifo took it and treated it as any other job, gave it 110%. The second day of work, his boss told him he wanted to offer him a partnership in a graphics business he wants to start and it would pay well more than what he was paying him now. Again, if we hadn't lost our house, we would have never met this man who offered him the job. If Fifo hadn't lost his job, he wouldn't have accepted a low paying part time temporary job. God is in control!! Providence!!!

A side effect of our losing our house was having to move in with my parents while we save up to buy a new house. Another form of God's providence. My parents have been having a very hard time financially and we are trying to bless them financially while we are there. I am blessed to be a blessing. Also, Fifo told his boss about my dad's lawn care business and he is now sending lawn care business to my father. God is good!!!

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

We've had a couple motto's while going through these times and they've been "When will He come through? EVERY TIME!!" and "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed by the name of the Lord" I have never believed these more than now! We could have easily thrown in the towel and said "Why God?? Why us??" Turned our back and walked away. But we refuse to give up that easily. And miss out on all these blessings?? No way!! God is too good!

I hope that by me sharing these hard times with you, you are encouraged. Keep believing!! God will come through - EVERY TIME!!!

Christian...

So my son is basically, like, the cutest thing around. Yesterday we were in the car on our way home from work and daycare and he wanted me to play the songs from VBS that they are learning this year. I put them on and he started singing with all his little heart and then started doing the arm movements too. I seriously, got teary eyed. He is so beautiful and so smart!! I wish he didn't have to grow up. I still remember him as a tiny baby. Ahhh... I'm gonna cry again... *deep breaths* Seriously though, time flies. I have truly enjoyed viewing the world through his eyes. Discovering everyday things with him all over again. Seeing his face light up when he sees fireworks on the ride home. Watching him play drums. Watching him pretend to be a pirate and kill the monster and save the princess! hahaha!! Love it! Having him love on us. [Side bar] My husband was out of town recently and I had Christian sleeping with me, you know, for safety reasons (heehee). One morning he was still half asleep, but he called me "Mami..." I answered, half asleep myself "Yes...?" and he said "I love you". Does that not melt your heart?? Ugh, I love him!! I mean don't get me wrong, he definitely tries my patience and drives me batty sometimes, but being a parent is a world that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Happy 4th of July!

Thank you to all the men and women who have fought for our freedom to believe what we choose and say what we choose. God bless America!! One nation, under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!!

We had a nice service at church today and then spent the afternoon at my parent's house. Ate some yummy burgers and dogs. Good day... :)

Trust and faith

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1

Man, even though it seems we've learned this lesson time and time again, God always has a news way to show us how to Trust and have faith in Him. I never knew there were different levels of trust and different ways to learn them. But here we are in the midst of a test right now and we am learning a new level of trust and faith. We are believing in God for an answer and outcome. We are just writing out testimony. Just keep us in your prayers.

iPhone mania!!

Fifo woke up early this morning to be at the mall at 5:30 to get the new iPhone 4. He said was it was maddness! They weren't allowing people to camp out, but people were trying anyway. There was police kicking people off the premises, mall cops, everything. They finally opened the doors and people were bum rushing and even broke the mall doors. There was even a lady who was trying to get in with a baby in a stroller. Poor baby!! So there he waited for 11 hours in a long line of people on the off chance that he might be able to get an iPhone, because he did not pre-order. My crazy husband! Good news is that he did get one! So at least it was worth it. He said the person behind him was the cut off. Everyone after that person did not get one today. How crazy is that?

Father's Day...

Father's day was awesome. I feel horrible though because I forgot it was father's day when I woke up, for about an hour.... oops. I did say it to my hubby though! And he had already gotten his gift the day before, so it wasn't too entirely bad of me. We celebrated with all my family, even my family here from Texas. Hubby's family is all in Cali, so we made sure to do our phone call to them! So anyway, we headed out to church in the morning then met up afterwards at my parents house for a cook out. Then headed out on an impromptu trip to the beach. It was late in the day already and raining, but we went anyway! When we got to the beach, it was beautiful weather and I'm glad we didn't turn around and head back!! And Christian, oh my gosh, he LOVED it! It was only his 2nd time to the beach. The first he was like 6 months old, so he doesn't remember. But he was running all over the place and just having a blast. Great memories. What a great way to end the day. Unfortunately, I'm paying for it today and I am exhausted... Ah, well, nothing a cup of coffee can't fix. ;o)

Random thoughts..

Just had McDonald's chicken nuggets and fries for lunch. I was starving since I hadn't had breakfast yet and I was getting a headache and nauseous and what not, and it's the closest thing to my job so I went. I hate when I cave like that because I'm hungry. Don't get me wrong, it was so good, but I felt so wrong afterwards. Anyone else have this weakness?

I have family coming in from Texas today! I'm excited!! I haven't seen them in probably 6 years.

I think I'm getting my wisdom teeth... at 29 years old! Every xray I've had at the dentist says they're impacted, but I feel teeth breaking through back there. Good news is it doesn't hurt, but how weird! Oh and it's only one, so, not sure what that's about.

Last night we were so hungry (it seems we're always hungry) and neither one of us felt like cooking. Christian kept coming up to me and telling me he was hungry and the following was our conversation about it...

C - I'm Hungry!
Me - Me too!
C - Where are we going?
Me - I don't know...
C - How about Carrabba's? (smart kid)

And that's where we went...LOL!! I heart him!

Trying this blog thing out...

So I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now, but I'm like no one wants to hear my thoughts and then I decided, oh well you're gonna hear them anyway! I am encouraging my husband to play along too, we'll see if he does. I have way too many thoughts and Christian does way too many cute things to not share. So anyway, just wanted to give this short intro to our blog. I'm excited! Thanks for reading and please, don't expect anything grand... it's just me. :)