Christmas Times

Last evening we were blessed to have desserts and sing Christmas carols with our neighbors. Rob, who plays beautifully, accompanied us on the piano. We had delicious treats and had a good visit.

Ethan is snacking on kettle popcorn that Hubby made using the popcorn Ethan sold us for a Boy Scout's fundraiser. Ethan is quite the character! He knows his snacks and he knows about our snack drawer. I love a guy that has his priorities in order.

New Opportunities

This week I am praying for four of my guys that are beginning new jobs and positions, my BIL Jeff, my Hubby, and our sons, Sam and Danny.

Everyone is thankful for these new opportunities. Everyone is excited about their new job. That being said, I think a new job is always a bit stressful. So with thanksgiving and prayers for calm spirits, success and clear minds.

There they go!

While You Were Out

I just left for five days but while I was away... Christmas snuck up. I have hit the ground running. Sunday we went to church for an Advent service and communion, then off to my folks for soup.
Sunday afternoon I whipped up a Brie en Croute with fig jam(easy and impressive, using leftover puff pastry for holly leaves and berries-my December '09 go to recipe) and Christmas tags for a hostess gift. Then off to South Bellingham for an ornament exchange party in the evening.



The festivities have begun and I am going to spend the day attempting to get one step ahead...decorating, wrapping, laundry, shopping, list making.

And frankly, taking a hard look at the calendar and making some cuts. You heard it here... I can't do it all.

Okay Oklahoma

We're home. Home sweet home, dirty home with mountains of laundry home but nonetheless, home. Hubby and I had a great time. We had not flown without boys since Max was in diapers. Sometimes we drive away but don't usually fly away. It's nice to be in the airport with out boys. I'm just sayin'.

Okay, My Oklahoma Observations:

Oklahoma Sooners are BiG fans. By that I mean they love their team and many, many of those fans are BiG guys. Doubt me? Have dinner at a Cracker Barrel and watch them eat. I ordered the same dinner as the young man at the next table except he had his dinner with dumplin's, macaroni & cheese and mashed potatoes.

Oklahoma food is good and plentiful but mostly we noticed it is salty. By the third night I begged Hubby to take me home before my feet exploded.

Oklahoma is windy. All. The. Time.

Oklahoma speed limits are fast. The downtown area was 40-45 MPH, our downtown is 25 mph. Okay, who drives the speed limit? No one! I had to keep asking Hubby to go around again because he had to drive so fast or be rear ended in traffic and I had to look at all those pretty old houses.

Oklahoma people are polite and friendly. Please call me ma'am from now on, I liked it a lot.

We had a nice hotel with a super government rate however; I did not get an upgrade and after two nights of sharing a double bed, Hubby left me for the other bed. He still loves me but that bed was tiny.

On our way home, on Saturday we ran into Sam at the Dallas airport. Our plane was late and our departure gate to Seattle was the same gate for Sam's departure to San Antonio. It was fun to see him and his friends again.

Sam has some cool mates. These guys are devoted to doing well, some have devotions with Sam, some will be lifelong friends and many of them said they read the blog. Some are new U.S. citizens, some are going on to complete the medic program at Fort Sam Houston. I am devoted to praying for each of these soldiers.

A super trip with lots of great memories. Picture is of Sam with the streamers that his platoon won during basic training. His platoon was the honor platoon.

Now Sam is on to reception and then medic training in January. As for me, I am in the laundry room where I belong.

Family Day

Family Day was a glimpse of what our guys have to do in the U.S. Army to get trained. We watched skits, saw the drill sergeants in action. We watched two young men sworn in as US citizens, it was pretty emotional. I had never watched a citizenship take place. And then finally we got Sam to ourselves.

After lunch we just relaxed in the hotel room. I brought chex party mix and Chelsea sent peanut butter ball along with us. Sam could IM, facebook, and reconnect with the world, relax, and visit with us.
It was so good to see him. He looks so grownup. Now, off to graduation!

The Heart of America

Hubby and I spent the day driving around Oklahoma. We stopped at antique stores and thrift shops. My favorite was Antiques Adventures, a mom and pop run establishment with tons of treasures and a clean smell. We had to kiss a lot of frogs before we found royalty. Holly, you would love Antique Adventures.

I scored on the shiney brites and vintage tinsel. I am just so happy with my treasures, the whole time I was shopping I had to remind myself that we are flying home.

After thrifting and seeing the country we came across a strip mall. Hubby casually says, "what's a Hobby Lobby?" I start jumping around in the car because those Southern girl bloggers are always bragging about what they found at Hobby Lobby. We should have driven to Oklahoma with a U-Haul. After that exercise in self control we had lunch at Atlanta Bread.

Hubby and I are having a good time. The people of Oklahoma are so polite and friendly and there are some gorgeous fixer upper homes. We could live here except for the WIND. It's always breezey in Oklahoma.

Last night I talked to Sam on the phone. He had to go to sick bay first thing this morning. Please pray for a quick fix and that he will be able to have family day and graduation as planned.

*Edited to add: Sam is doing better,got meds and is on for tomorrow. We are thankful and relieved.