the start of the holidays (plus winner of a giveaway!)

I really need to start getting on top of things and posting pictures of events the day after. It's now on my bucket list, ranking with about 34 others things from writing a musical to making my own clothes...

Wow, life can just be a blur sometimes, huh?
Lately my conversations with David have been considerably short - one of us is always running out the door whether it's for work, a meeting, or ministry. Currently, the hubs and I hold a total of 6 jobs and are pretty involved at our church and starting to dig in at another church, as well.
His third job is seasonal, meaning after December he will have a bit more time to relax.

But being busy is a good thing.
Having jobs is a good thing.

In case you're wondering, we find it very important to make time for each other and have alone nights together atleast once or twice a week.
We spent Thanksgiving at his parent's house. His grandma is in town from Staten Island staying with them which is really nice because when I come over and work for Ray (my father-in-law) I am able to get to know her better and just have nice chit chat time. It makes me miss my two grandmothers, but I am so grateful to have both of them alive with plenty more stories to share. By the way, there aren't any photos of Thanksgiving on here because my father-in-law snapped all the pictures on his new camera that he's proud of, so I will more than likely be posting his pictures later!

Holidays without my mom, dad, sister and brother are still tough for me. I wasn't able to spend the holidays with them last year, nor will I be spending it with them this year. Next year I am definitely flying my butt off to Colorado just in time for snow, family, christmas light looking, and the true magical feeling of Christmas.

This year I'm making David do every possible thing with me that is related to Christmas even though we are living in a tropical rainforest. I've heard that there is an ice skating rink, and fake snow parades of some sort... makes me chuckle. But hey, that's all the people know here. I sometimes ask my Floridian friends who have grown up here if it makes them sad that they've never had a snow day. "No," most reply, "because we have hurricane days!"

Hurricanes? You can't build forts and people out of hurricanes, hurricanes don't have flakes that are unique and precise and melt in your hands...

There was a little bit of Christmas festivity last Wednesday when Colette and I decided to take the kids to SeaWorld. When I say all four I mean Brandy, Chandler, their big brother Aidan, and their cousin Dallas.

We sure had our hands full but the kids really loved it. Even though it was blazing hot, the Christmas music was joyous and full of Christmas spirit. but, c'mon, "Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow?" Hypocrites. ;-)


















Those pictures above are the baby orca whale born a month ago. Doesn't look like a baby, huh?

On the way home Brandy was throwing a fit (which is actually atypical of her) and I said something along the lines of "These moments are my birth control" to Colette. :)

But, to be honest, sometimes when I look at their big eyes and smiles, my heart yearns for the day when I have my own cute children.





I'm excited for that day just as long as it is not too soon. ;-)
I snagged this picture of Brandy and me on the kiddie coaster before the lady noticed:

Isn't that great? She was so brave. I don't think I was that brave at 3 and a half.


Last but not least, the winner of the random-comment-pulled-out-of-a-glass-bowl is...

Callierae also known as my grandma! Yay! I will be sending your Warm Vanilla Sugar body splash from Bath & Body Works as soon as possible!
There will be another giveaway very soon (January, probably) for those of you that were hoping to win, so check back!

Have a great week of festivities leading up to the Holidays! I think David and I will be decorating our tree tonight, I'm excited!

Just out of curiosity, what are three things you are thankful for? Thought I'd have the Thanksgiving even after the holiday. Here are my three things:
1. Freedom and identity in Christ
2. The love of family and friends
3. The hard times we go through in life that bring us closer to God (the theme of my life in the past year).

What are your three? Post them below!