It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

So we arrived home from Chattanooga on Friday night, and immediately we pulled down the Christmas decorations from the attic after putting Meda to bed.

McKenna was adorable and was immediately ready for Christmas to arrive. Only in the past few years have we started decorating for Christmas. I guess that's what happens when you grow up? I don't know. But each year, I accumulate a few more Christmas decor items, so each year, we get a little more festive around here.

Decorating in full swing, complete with Mariah Carey on Pandora.

Thinking of making my own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree with this little guy.

We put McKenna in charge of placing the ornaments.
We may need to work on her spacing techniques.

A sweet moment I caught with Bryant and MK.

Mantle

My Nambe nativity set I received as a gift last year and the
Polar Express bell Santa gave MK on the train a few years ago.

If you've never been to my house, you should know I have an obsession with printables.

Our Thanksgiving Holiday

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday in the Chattanooga area with my in-laws, at my SIL and her husband's home. Between the six adults, four kids, and ten zillion animals, it was an energetic and entertaining week. When the weather was good, a trip to Ruby Falls happened (in which MK was extremely excited to announce to everyone that she "went inside the earth!") and when it was bad, a trip to the Children's Museum happened (Bryant and I skipped out on this and took my SIL, Storm, to the brewery instead to celebrate her birthday. Beer and mimosas, anyone??). In between those things, a lot of time was spent visiting, laughing and telling stories.

With almost all the adults being full-blown vegans, you might think Thanksgiving dinner was lacking, however, I want to inform you, it was NOT. The only non-traditional thing about dinner was the absence of a turkey. There was stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, Sheppard's Pie, cranberries, broccoli soup, sweet potatoes, as well as a multitude of different dessert pies. And yes - everyone went into a food coma after. #zzzzz

I was able to keep up with my marathon training while there too. Though, it turns out I had to use the Dreadmill quite a bit due to the weather, but I begrudgingly knocked it out. (Word to the Wise: two hours running in the same spot is not really as fun as it may sound. Though I did get to catch up on worthless television. Did you all know Kim K and Kanye almost didn't give their child a last name when she was born?? #WhoDoesThat)

Anyway, here are some photos of the week stolen borrowed from my MIL's Facebook. ;-) I am VERY thankful we were able to spend the week out there with family. I love my in-laws as if they were blood relatives and we always spend our time together laughing and having a good time. :-)

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday!

Happy Birthday to my amazing sister, Storm!

McKenna and Knox collecting fire wood

The Pete

Cousins
McKenna, Meda (The Pete), Knox, & Holland 

Best buddies!
McKenna and Holland

This was where I parked myself for 5 hours worth of 'Gone with the Wind' viewing.

Men doing what men do, I guess....
Please excuse my husband's extreme love of plaid.

Pop and Meda

The Creepster Has Risen!

**So I actually wrote this last year on Easter, but since I lost that blog, I thought I'd repost to the new blog site. Besides, it was one of my more popular posts accounting to Google along with my Good Friday post. :-) ** 

Wow….today marks the most important day in all of history. And I swear I’m not joking around this time. It really does. 

THE most important day ever. 

As in ever EVER. 

The greatest event in human history of all time. One that has impacted every corner of our Earth.

Today represents the day that roughly 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. (Creepy, I know.) I’m overwhelmed at the thought of it. I mean, really….someone coming back from the dead??? Literally. Dead. As a doornail. Then alive. Walking and talking like you & I. And it’s not just a myth or folktale. Thousands of people saw him. It’s been documented. It's probably the best and most accurately documented event in history. There's manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, eyewitness accounts, corroborating accounts, literary consistency and changed lives to prove it happened.... plus some other types of consistencies and expert scrutiny.

Craziness. 

(But that’s old news… if people do any true and hard research they'll know that. And I’ve already covered how crazy and creepy He is before.)

He basically rocks my face off (and will yours too if you let Him)…and not only because He didn’t come back all goblin & ghoul style from the dead, but He came back to give us the opportunity to have everlasting life…..WITH Him. Pretty damn cool if you ask me. Cool in the most un-creepy, but still creepy type of way possible. 

I pray that we all focus on Him today and all days to come. We can’t just think about him during our hour long church service today (or just during Christmas). He’s more involved with our lives than we can even imagine. So let his creepin’ butt in your life and start to recognize Him all around you. I know I’d rather have Him creepin’ on me than anybody else….what about you?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”– John 3:16 

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you. So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” — Matthew 28:6-10

I can’t wait to see this face in person someday. It gives me chills thinking about it! I pray you feel the same. It’s going to be awesome! Hope to see you there! 

The Greatest Author of All Time

**So I actually wrote this in 2011, on Good Friday, but since I lost that blog site, I thought I'd repost to the new blog. Besides, it was one of my more popular posts according to Google. :-) ** 

Today is “Good Friday.”

For most people, that means an amazingly lazy day off of work.

(Okay – that’s exactly what it means to me too! #Guilty… And yes, I still use hashtags in my blogs. #GetOverIt)

Today though, is more importantly the 2000-ish anniversary of the day my home-boy, Jesus, was crucified.

Now, hang on… whether you’re a believer that Jesus was Christ or not… this event DID happen. Jesus was a person who lived approximately a gazillion years ago, and he was crucified. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that proves this event happened. But that's not the point of this post. 

Non-believers, your issue with the J-Man is not relevant until Sunday… it's only Friday right now. So keep reading…

Have you ever read any details on what happened a gazillion years ago today? If not – here you go. It’s actually a really great story… especially if you’re a dude and into power struggles, blood, guts and gore. (And ladies – don’t tell the guys, but there’s a love story mixed in there as well… shhhh!) Maybe just try to think of a way more old-timey version of Gladiator…

Anyway – I digress.

So here is a very short and sweet synopsis:

• Jesus is found guilty by the Roman governor back in the day. (Guilt of nothing, really… but the story line wouldn’t have a cool ending if He hadn’t been convicted, right? The Screen Writer of this story definitely knew what He was doing in order to make the climax really hit home. NOBODY saw the ending coming. Except maybe a prophet or two, but whatever… you get my point.)

• A true criminal named Barabbas is released in His place. (Way to go, Governor… Way. To. Go.)

• Jesus is mocked, beaten, ridiculed, and tortured. (See? Great dramatics right there…)

• He is hung on a cross to die, with nails punctured through His hands and feet – while still awake and fully aware of the pain. (They didn’t have the humane methods of the death sentence back then that apparently we do today. Though Jesus did get a Last Supper of bread and wine, which is cool. #WineRocks #SoDoesBread #HopefullyHeHadSomeButterOrJamToo)

Alright, so that's the short and sweet version. 

So about today. Good Friday.

What confused me for the longest time was why it was call “GOOD Friday.” I don’t see anything “good” about our much loved protagonist being mocked and beaten. I also personally don’t know how He was able to take it. I’m not really the stand-back-and-let-people-belittle-and-hurt-me type. (Maybe that's why I'm not king.)

People on the side of the road even poked fun at him regarding His claim to rebuild the Temple in three days. (This, ladies and gentlemen, is what you learned in 9th grade English class. A little thing called “foreshadowing.” Take note.)

You know what I would have done to those jokers if I had been King??? 

Rocked their little Roman, helmet-and-toga-clad world, that’s what…
Maybe I would have pulled a bazooka out of my terry cloth and wasted them right then and there.

Wait – bazookas weren’t invented yet, you say? Well, that’s the cool part of being the Son of God. I could have magician-ed a massive bazooka into my hands right out of thin air.

Or maybe I would have used more era-appropriate measures such as a swarm of King Cobras or wild dogs to take them out at the knees and ankles.

Or...

Maybe I would have let all of what actually happened, happen…

Just like Jesus...

No, never mind.

I most assuredly would NOT have done it His way. We all know I’m not smart or creative enough to write the ending that did happen; where three days later, the Writer had Jesus rise from his tomb.

And now, all of mankind has the chance to live happily-ever-after…. for eternity.
(The “ever-after” part there is quite literal.)  

God created and played out in real life this story. And he did it for His enemies.

He did it for you. 

He did it for me. 

What kind of crazy, out-of-this-world love is that? 

I wouldn't have done it. Never. I would not have sacrificed my own child for anyone, not even someone I loved deeply. Let alone my enemies.

But that's a pretty sweet ending for us, huh?

So yes – I do finally understand why today is called “GOOD Friday.”

Psst! In case you’re still wondering… For lack of a better, theological type of answer, it’s because today is the day that Christ purchased us with his blood that lead to His resurrection. It’s a holy day. A very good day, indeed.

Boom. In your face, Roman soldiers!

Make sure to check in with the sequel on Sunday. That’s when the really good stuff happens!

Happy Any-Excuse-For-A-Holiday Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! :-)

I've never really been huge into V-Day.... because let's be real.... it's quite awkward.

Either you're single...
You've been with your significant other for eternity...
Or you're in a brand new relationship...

Which of course equates to....

You're pissed off...
You're lucky to get a kiss or a hug that day...
Or you're stressed out whether to get your "Valentine" candy hearts, flowers, or just a card because you are not sure what they would like.

Am I right, or am I right?

Anyway... Bryant & I stopped celebrating Valentine's ON Valentine's Day long ago because of the crowds out at dinner or the movies or wherever it might be "romantic" to be that one day a year. And we normally skip out on super romantic evenings and just do dinner and maybe a card.

So my mom is still visiting, and she offered to stay home and watch MK, which was nice. So last night we went out to dinner at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant (Nom, Nom... me love curry and veggies!). This was the family pic we snapped before leaving.

After dinner, my husband proved how well he knows me and suggested we go "hang out" at Barnes & Noble. Which proves we are makes us sound like total Lame-O's... but I was in heaven. And so was he.... don't let him fool you...

After an hour and a half of getting coffee in the coffee shop and browsing, I ended up leaving with a new address book (definitely NOT needed) and a writing book and the husby got some sort of history book on the Constitution.  #nerds

So that was our early Valentine's Day.... Happy 11th Valentine's Day together husby!  I love you!

I hope the rest of you have a great one!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2013!
Love, Kristin

Gobble Gobble Gobble....Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Well, it be that time o' year again.  The time of year where everyone becomes all gushy & mushy & thankful for what they have in life.  My take on it....whoopidee doo.  Shouldn't we be thankful ALL year around??  I know I am.  But I guess I'll jump on the bandwagon & share what I'm most thankful for.

1) The internet - what would I spend my vacation days doing if not surfing the 'net?
2) Shoe Dazzle - already spoke of KK's awesomeness HERE!

3) Franzia Boxed Merlot - a great accessory to the new wine glasses I just bought.  Which is in turn a great accessory to my internet surfing.  ;-)

Okay - just kidding....here's my REAL list....(but don't get me wrong - still thankful for the above list!) :-)

First of all - I have only the best family in the world.  Seriously.  My family would kick the bestestness out of your family.  Just sayin'.  :-) My Mom & Dad - they're awesome.  That's about all there is to it.  Sometimes they're more awesome than other times - like when they're buying stuff for me & babysitting my kid!  ;-)  (Haha!  Just kidding...sort of, but not really! haha! Does that make me selfish?  Damn.  I thought so.)  My nieces, Kailee Rae & Holland.  Kailee makes me laugh so much & turn green with envy at what rock star curls she has.  Think Taylor Swift but on a younger & cuter face.  And Holland - I can't wait for her & MK to get big together!!  My sisters, Katie & Storm - basically, they rock my face off for more reasons that I have time to list here.  Brothers, Stuart, Reed, & Jared.  Jared's the smartest, most caring kid I've ever met.  Reed's an awesome father & friend...to say the least.  And Stuart, he's great.....in a far off, pretend like we're not really related sort of way.  But whatever, I'm still thankful!  :-)  M.I.L. & D.I.L  (internet code for "mother in law" & "dad in law.")  They're the most down-to-earth, generous people I know.  And a great model for Bryant & I to imitate our marriage after.  I mean, for real.  Anyone who can stay with AND STILL BE HAPPY with their high school boyfriend/girlfriend deserves some extra kudos in my book.  Seriously - if I was still with the people I dated in high school....well, let's just say things would probably get a little ugly, on a daily basis.  But whatever, I guess it's Thanksgiving, so I need to be thankful for them too, right?  :-)  So thank you exes.  I appreciate it.

Bryant - geez louise.  Where would I be without my spandex-clad-over-obessive-I-need-to-ride-my-bike-RIGHT-NOW husband???  He keeps me grounded, laughing, & loving.  Plus, he's pretty killer in the kitchen.  Which is crucial, since I lack somewhat in the culinary skills.  And little McKenna Rayne.  Wow.  I have always been annoyed by the parents who "can't put into words" how much they love their kid.  And I still get annoyed by it....unless it's me.  ;-)  MK has shown me what life is really about.  And I can't wait to watch her & help her grow & explore the world as she gets bigger.  What a weird feeling.  Don't worry if you don't understand.  Its totally cool, because I still don't either.  :-)

Then there's my posse.  And posse's of years past.  A short, but loving list include:

- My little Georgia Peach

- The Cajun flair in my life

 

- My CRAZY ASS husker of corn

- My fashionista dollface & rockstar kidney warrior

- My Superman lover (AKA - Lois Lane)

- My recessive co-workers & and maybe just one or two non-recessive ones! 

- ALL the New Mexico amigos that I left out West.  :-(  Sadness.  I miss you all!!!







These are just a FEW of the people that God has blessed me with....and like everyone else this week, I wanted to share who I'm most thankful for in my life.  :-) 

Happy Thanksgiving!!