1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
roofed my house. stink, been on top of my house!!

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
eh. I did better this year than most, but am aiming to do better this coming year. I am always aiming to do better. :)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
To new ideas! And a new business, so sure, why not??

4. Did anyone close to you die?
We lost Rob's Grandma Lois this year. We were so blessed to visit her up in Iowa in May and she passed in September.

5. What countries did you visit?
Texas.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
more free time.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Evacuating our home on September 11th. that was pretty surreal. And probably November 12th - our Executive Presbytery interview. Whew, glad both of those days are passed!!

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing Financial Peace University and learning to win with money. Praise Jesus!!

9.What was your biggest failure?
I can think of lots of little failures, mostly in the area of relationships and money. I'm praying to do better in the future.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Lots of sinus trouble. No injuries. Praise the Lord!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
That has to be my Nikon. but my Kitchenaid is a close second. :)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband. He fights for our family every day and I love him for it!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Our political candidates. The economic bailout. Pretty much all the decisions in Washington DC this year.

14. Where did most of your money go?
House payments. Gasoline. Growing little people. And starting ATP.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Shooting my first wedding. Finishing up the roof. Seeing my cousin and her family on the beach. Rob's ordination. Going to Iowa and seeing Lori's new baby. Taking people's pictures. Momentum at theLOFT.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"The Lining is Silver" by Relient K. My kids and I have rocked out to that song in the car more times than any grown up ever should. It's the song I put in when I need a pick me up or to get charged up for youth group. We love that song!!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder?
I'm more content. I've lived another year and seen God provide... again. I'm so thankful and grateful for all the good in my life. I've learned a lot and realized that there is still so much more to learn. Hopefully I've mellowed out a bit??

thinner or fatter?
the same. it's just shifted some more.

richer or poorer?
let's just say more on the right track than ever.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
scrapbook and blog. I feel like I missed a lot. Sometimes I feel like the scrapbooks and blog are the only evidence of a life fully lived and that's why it's important to me.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
relying on my own strength, rather than God Almighty. That and saying 'yes' to everything anyone ever asks me to do. I'm the total opposite of that new Jim Carrey movie - which looks hilarious btw!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I've spent it. Feels just like when you've spent your money, wondering what exactly you did with it. It was strange being without my extended family, but wonderful slowing down with the Thoresons.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
All over again with my wonderful hubby of 10 years. He rocks my socks off and I am so, so blessed.

23. How many one-night stands?
Wow. Yeah, that's the furthest thing from my mind. I would never ever cheapen God's awesome gift like that.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
the Office. that. show. is. so. funny. (I'm laughing just thinking about it!!)

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
eek. that's a horrible thought. nope. I really try not to hate anyone. :)

26. What was the best book you read?
Safely Home (Dude, read this book!!)

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sondre Lerche. He's awesome.

28. What did you want and get?
Something beyond staying home after 7 years. And now I have more than I can keep up with!

29. What did you want and not get?
A big fat Nikon. I know, that's terrible. I'm ready to upgrade and it hasn't been a year yet. sorry. But me and Dave are talking about waiting a while. :)

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
High School Musical 3. I'm a nerd like that. But seriously, I loved it!!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29. (eek, I'm old) and I shot my first bridal portrait session. It was relatively awesome.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
can't imagine. well, maybe if we'd done financial peace previously, but I think God's timing is always right.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
modest eclectic flair. (dark jeans, tee's and flats)

34. What kept you sane?
my Lord and Savior, my daily talks with Lori and that guy I sleep with.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I'm almost ashamed to say it, but Dave Ramsey. Not that I think he's hot or anything, just his ideas are life-changing.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
It's seriously to the point I just need to ignore it cause there's nothing I can do to change it, unfortunately.

37. Who did you miss?
My friends, my family, peace and quiet.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
2008 brought a lot of amazing people into my sphere. I'm thankful for it.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I need to slow down and enjoy life as it happens, each day, each stage, each lesson. I see my kids growing up before my very eyes and it scares me that we don't have enough time left. I want to enjoy the process.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I found my new black shoes
while cleaning out the bones left in my closet
They were there with a bad excuse
Bon Voyage

And I found a backup plan
I'm grateful that I didn't have to use it,
but it's made up of real good friends
Bon Voyage

Isn't it nice to know that the lining is silver
Isn't it nice to know that we're golden

I found a list of flaws
that I saw in myself and other people
And I threw it away because
Bon Voyage

Isn't it nice to know that the lining is silver
Isn't it nice to know that we're golden oh oh
Isn't it nice to know that the lining is silver
Isn't it nice to know that we're golden
Yeah we're golden.

Scrapping with Sarah

So Sarah's been begging me to scrapbook since we went to By Design on Friday. This morning (after I finished my expo reviews) I caved and we spent about an hour playing together. She did really well! I was impressed. Not only did she listen relatively well, but her page actually made sense and it's pretty awesome for a first page. Maybe I should dig mine out and we could make a comparison. :)

PS - big brother took the pictures. He's loving my new point and shoot too!

Stay-Cation

So we've enjoyed a few days off and stayed here in Baytown. I honestly don't know if I'd do it this way again, Rob was sick the first two days and I had a few shoots on Saturday, so it really didn't feel like a vacation. We mostly slept in and played around the house. I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I would have liked to, but maybe that is a good thing. :)

Today we took the kiddos to see Bedtime Stories, which was really cute and fun. It was nice to get out of the house a bit and do something family oriented. We also took the kids to the bank and started their savings accounts. Eli's already excited to be saving for his first car! (Dave Ramsey would be proud!)

Yesterday we went to Lakewood and saw Joel Osteen, so that was pretty cool. I've wanted to attend one of their services since we moved here over a year and a half ago. I really wanted to see the difference between tv and real life and it was pretty cool. They had a family service, so the kids attended worship with us and watching our children enter in during worship was a powerful blessing.

These last two pictures are from Sarah's room. After three months I finally about have it where I want it. I still need to put a bit of trim on her curtains and hang her new monogram, but other than that I'm happy with it. I found this great quilt set at Target and I think it really works with her eclectic theme. She's thrilled.

The Day After the Day After Christmas

So I'm guessing we were all just running way too hard. Yesterday we were all kind of a mess, just laying around the house and getting nothing accomplished. Oh, I wrote a really great list, and then had no energy to complete the list! :)

Sarah and I did run to Clear Lake to deliver a client's cd and run through the 40% off sale at By Design yesterday. We picked up Starbuck's on the way in and had some really good conversation, a bit of Mommy-Sarah quality time. She wanted me to take her picture on the pink couch.

So she and I had this great time in the morning. And then bedtime was awful. I mean terrible. I think we put her in bed 6 times last night. I'm not exaggerating. And then she got up once in the middle of the night, too. Sometimes I just don't know what we are doing wrong with her. She's so willful and just has no problem with telling us when she thinks we are wrong! Anyway, it was really a damper on the day.

So this morning, I'm going to see how much I can cross off on my house to-do list. And then at noon I've got a giant family shoot (yay!) and a baptism to photograph at 4:30pm in Pearland. So that will be fun, but I'm hoping that Rob will have a good day with the kiddos, cause I know it will be long for him with no car. I'm really praying that Sarah behaves herself and watches her mouth!!

Merry Christmas

Wow, what an amazing day.

First off, my kids have made it absolutely delightful. I know that these will be years that I look back at and remember how wonderful it was while they were home with us. :)

We did candlelight service, and it was so special last night. I love our church family so very much and this year has been so special. Our children behaved beautifully during service and then we slid through Outback Curbside on the way home. We spent the rest of the evening preparing for Santa; with cookies and reindeer food. We snuggled on the couch and talked and prayed and discussed our highs and lows and got the kiddos to bed. Eventually, the giggling stopped and they finally went to sleep!

When they got up in the morning, squeals of delight ensued!! I kind of felt like we went overboard on the presents, but they were all such good deals, it's not like we overspent. The kids were thrilled and we really took our time enjoying the morning. By lunch time we had finished and cleaned up and headed over to Pastor's and Linda's for a lunch with their family. That was really neat because we are so far from our family, it was great to be included and the kids made fast friends with Carl and Wendy's kids, so we just hung out all afternoon.

Rob and I were super blessed by our time with the Hayes, just discussing life in ministry and everything in between. That was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Now we are home and the kids are playing happily with their new toys. I'm exhausted and glad that the rush is over! Now for a few days vacation! whew!

Merry Christmas Lori.

(someone was looking for some scrapping inspo this afternoon)

Sneak Peak

Here's an itsy bitsy preview of one of our most exciting holiday surprises! I'll be posting more after the gifts have been received in IA and AR. :)

So my life appears to be moving at warp speed...

somedays I feel like if I was to sit down for a moment it might just pass me right by!!

But seriously, it is so good right now, I almost have to pinch myself! We have so many neat things going on at church, and have all month long, but then I'm trying to squeeze in our family Christmas things too. I'm slowly but surely getting it done - the teachers got their gifts on time this year! ;) I'm about half way through my marathon baking. The tins to put all the goodies in are made, but not nearly as elaborate as in years past. But it's ok. Hopefully the last few details will pull together in the next 4 days. I'm almost finished wrapping, except for the 3 packages that haven't quite arrived yet. I still have a few projects to wind up, including my Christmas cards, which is crazy because I started them months ago! I haven't made my caramels yet this year, but the ingredients are in the fridge. I finished up my last day in the office today, so next week I really plan on quality time with the kiddos and wrapping up (no pun intended) the last of the holiday details.


exciting.


(the photo is from our annual Christmas party at theLOFT)

Officially a Stalker Again...

Dude, I'm officially excited for Christmas. I just clicked away for the last gift for my kiddos. Honestly, I did so much more online shopping this year than ever before. I think we made one preliminary trip to ToysRus and a trip to Penney's for clothes for Eli and that's about it for the mall. Now I do have couple things to pick up for other people, so there's probably one good day of running in my near future, but other than that I just need to be home baking and cleaning and wrapping. Praise the Lord!

Well, I have tons of pictures to edit and post from the Christmas Pageant last night, it was beautiful! And my house is an unbelievable dump! And Miss Sarah is home with me today because she's been running a light fever off and on since Friday. Last night a rash appeared all over her, so we are going to the dr today, but they couldn't get us in till 2pm! grrr. So we are going to spend some time together while I clean and launder and generally play catch up. Oh, and apparently Dimetapp makes her hyper, she's practically climbing the walls!!

A Christmas Miracle

So it started snowing on the way to church this evening. I literally had to stop and buy Sarah a winter coat because she'd outgrown the one we moved here with a year and a half ago and I hadn't any reason to replace it until now! In fact, Eli's coat has been hanging brand new in the close for two years! It was so crazy pulling into our subdivision this evening, people out in their yards and garages everywhere, it's like a big party! I can still hear laughter and squeals of delight even now at 10pm. We saw some pretty lame attempts at snowmen, so Rob and I had to show everyone how it's done. Our neighbors were so impressed that they came out and took a photo! :) I had already dragged out my camera for some shots.
See here's our snowman, it was really good snow for fort building and snow people! I especially like that the sticks still have leaves on them, Rob and I had a good giggle about that!
Sare was absolutely thrilled about the snow!
Both kids wanted to make snow angels.
And this is the view of our home looking so snug and beautiful in the snow. I think the palm trees are the best part!
These are our two very happy children!
And I thought the wreath looked beautiful in the snow!

Late Night Scrapping with the Girls

My last post of the evening, but these are my pages from our Scrapping Christmas Party last night. Man, we had a good time!! So much food, and the fun of fighting it out over the gifts!

Photos from my life today.

So I mentioned on my other blog that I'm buried right now. But I'm desperately trying to shove my feet down and slow down this wild ride to enjoy my family this season. I love Christmas, and I can't let it just roll by in a blur of busy-ness! So today, while prepping for a shoot, I wandered around the house and photographed a few special sites in our home. We finally got to decorate on Thursday evening, and now it's really starting to feel like Christmas. Which is good, since Eli gives me an update on the countdown almost hourly. "19 days Mom, and that includes today, so tomorrow it will only be 18!" Thank you for that.

This is our beautiful home, decked out in it's holiday splendor! (I don't say beautiful to be a braggert, I'm still amazed that God has given us this home and I'm blessed every time I pull up to it.) I need to break out the tripod and do a slower shutter speed, but didn't have time for all that this evening.


So here is the site that greets you on my front door. In my many, many Lowes trips in the past 3 weeks, I walked past these lush-smelling wreaths every time I walked through their doors. Finally, I succombed to the temptation, simply because the aroma was so wonderful! We've never had a live wreath, but after enjoying this one for a week we may have to make this a yearly tradition.

This beautiful handmade nativity was my mothers, she passed it on to me about two years ago and I think it's precious. I remember (probably 20 years ago) the year that she recieved it from my beloved Aunt Char.

Last year I found this lovely hanging at Macy's on clearance last year for a whopping $2.00! Love it!
This is the centerpiece of our Christmas decor, our trimmed out fireplace with the Jesus Stocking in it's place of honor.Mom made this special stocking for our tradition of 'giving to Jesus' each year. We place our gift to Him - a written promise for the year to come - in on each Christmas morning. Then the next year we take them out and read them.

This is my prized Willow Tree Nativity. I love the giant Texas star serving as our Star of Bethlehem. :)
And I found this fun owl-laden holiday notepad in the dollar spot at Target.And these happy birds at IKEA for $1 a piece. I love them!!
So you can see, the Christmas Bug has bit and I'm excited!!

Thankful

I've been wanting to post this since Friday and possibly my best Thanksgiving ever.

Seriously, it was probably the strangest Thanksgiving ever, since we spent all of Thanksgiving day on the roof and it didn't even feel like Thanksgiving. But between Kim, Bev and I we pulled a meal together for Friday night and it tasted so good knowing that the roof was almost done! It was really spectacular because it was family (Rob and the kids and Bev) and friends (Kim and Rick and Bart and Jennifer and their kids) and it was students (who are both friends and family) with Amber and Matt. We had such a good times! I almost cried with thanksgiving looking around at my tiny little table crowded with food and more people than it could accomodate. All these people had come together to help us put on our roof and we couldn't have done it without one of them! And not all of our help even stayed for supper, but it was so special!!

So we finished up on Saturday, about 3pm. After everyone got cleaned up, we took the clan out for El Torro to celebrate. Wow, that food tasted good too! It was just such an awesome weekend. And the roof looks great! Totally like a professional team did it! Isn't that the grace of God? (since it was housewives with hammers and a pastor, a missionary, a teenager and a cabinet maker) :) Oh, and it's done nothing but rain since then and it's holding up beautifully!

On Monday Kim and I bummed around H-town together. That was the best. Some stress-relief shopping. I got started on some Christmas things (wow, I feel behind already) and replaced my falling apart black pumps. We happened upon a fill-yer-bag sale at Scrapbook By Design and now I'm all set for the Xmas party on Friday night. (which I'm totally psyched for) It was good to just be with my friend and not on the roof yelling over the peak at her praying that neither of us tumbled to our death or handicap.

And that's a huge praise - everyone was ok, not one mishap. We are so blessed!