The Fruits of my Labors

The one thing I'm going to miss about college is my pottery class! Brick said it felt like Christmas every time I came home from class with something new that I made. Maybe I'll rent studio space or something so I can keep it up. For those of you who have never tried it, I would definately recommend this hobby!

Now for the Countdown

Oh the wonders the next two weeks will hold! Can I just say, (because I know how unique this makes me...not) I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!

AND, I must say, I have an even greater reason than the average jane for my enthusiasm. See, take a look for yourself, at what I have to look forward to (especially this year!):


12/15/09
My final test EVER. Yes, I might be able to breath after next Tuesday. No, wait, not quite yet because...

12/17/09

After this I won't have to write another paper unless I choose to, or read a book unless I want to! And after this day, I will officially be done with my bachelors degree!!! Holy cow, I can't believe I made it to this point, because, as my family will all attest, I never really thought I would (or even wanted to!) And yet, here I am!

12/19/09
This is the day we celebrate my dear mom's b-day. I have the most amazing, loving mom (yeah, I'll say it: IN THE WORLD), and though I won't get to celebrate the special day with her since she is across the world, I will be thinking about her even more than I usually do. Happy Birthday MOM!

12/22/09

THIS is (drumroll) the day I celebrate not only my BIRTHDAY, but also my WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Yes, you don't even have to ask--I am crazy. I got married on my 20th birthday three years ago on this day. But don't worry, I don't let my husband off the hook. He is not allowed to wrap my anniversary or wedding presents in anything Christmas related...no reds or greens or santas or anything of the sort. It is to be totally separate and wonderful. And, no, Mom and Dad, you didn't fool me. I always knew I was getting a little bit ripped off when you told me to go pick out my b-day present from under the tree. One of my brothers called that (brilliant) planned-parenting. But Brick knows better. Or at least he will after he reads this post, right honey?

12/25/09

I don't have to tell anyone what a special day this is. I love everything about Christmas time...the music ("Chestnuts roastin on an open fire...la da da da..."), the traditions (my family always watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve), the treats (as much hot cocoa as a person can stomach), and most of all, the great family time and just the spirit of it all.

If only I could drag it out more than two weeks!

Merry Christmas to All!

A Thanksgiving to Remember

Ammon's excited to get him some turkey!

Thanksgiving was, to say the least, interesting. I am happy to say that I was able to spend it with most of my family, which I haven't done since the year I graduated highschool. My Grandma Maxine passed away a few days before, and so we made a quick change of plans and and headed to Arizona. Hansy and his wife invited us to spend the holiday with them in their home, along with a few others. I made my grandma's signature Thanksgiving dishes--baked beans and sweet potato pie, and Casi brought in some new dishes from her side that I have to say are going to have to be regulars from now on!

On Friday, I talked Casi into squeezing me in at her salon and had my hair chopped and dyed. Brick says now he feels like he's married to another woman--a woman who looks older and more mature, and that he feels like he can no longer act immature around me because of the new 'do.

That was the same day that Brick got sick. I hate to say it, but he really looked like death. He was pale as a sheet, and had dark circles under his eyes, and was throwing up every few minutes for the first ten or so hours. He was moaning and had tremors every few seconds, and was running a fever. I seriously thought he had the Swine Flu, but seeing as how he is doing much better, I guess that's not the case (which we are SO grateful for). Swine Flu or not, I was worried, and I am so glad he's all better now.

The next day we attended my grandma's funeral. It was such a strange thing, first to go into their home and feel her absence, and then to see her sweet face and feel that absence again. Our family sang a song together that she taught us all and that her dad taught her, and it brought back great memories. I was also able to sing with my sister and sisters-in-law, and I was so glad we could give my grandma that gift. It was such a beautiful service, and it was really great to be there with family, I just wish it was for a different reason. I love being with my family, and it was such a blessing to be able to have them there to share that experience and give comfort.

So, needless to say, our holiday wasn't as traditional as usual, but it was definately a memorable one for all of us (and one Brick would probably rather forget).

Now for Halloween Present

Just a few more pictures. Try not to be too impressed by our creative costumes (I know, mine is especially boring).

I was just a chick in a wig.

Brick was a "popular online social network"...

Can you guess which one belongs to Brick and which one is mine?

Cooper the spider and Kenna the pink Tinker Bell.

We went trick-or-treating with these crazy folks, and Brick thought he'd try on their costumes to see if it would fit...

It was a little too big.

I'll never complain about the honda again...

I thought my mode of transportation was bad. My trunk may be bashed in, but I still have a trunk...and an engine for that matter.

My dad took this picture in the Philippines.

Knowing the generous spirit of the Filipinos, this man probably offered my parents a ride.

Halloween Flashback

Brick and I have shared some very memorable Halloweens.

It's Brick's favorite holiday (which, I must say, is dang cute) and so we try to do something special every year. Whether it's eating candy, dressing up, painting Halloween ceramics, watching scary movies, or getting engaged :), we really like to take advantage of this time of year.

However, even before we met, it looks like we both knew how to party Halloween style. I found these old pictures from each of our childhoods, and it was especially fun to see what Brick dressed up as each Halloween.

Enjoy!

Baby Brick as Batman's (who was played by his big bro, Brandon) Sidekick, Robin.

He looks like he's about 3 years old. At this point I think he was done being Brandon's sidekick, so he took it another direction. Spiderman has never looked cuter!

I'm thinking this is about 3rd grade. This costume gets my vote.

This looks like it must be the stage when Brick really started

getting serious about Halloween costumes.

About 3 yrs old, I'm guessing. I'm the princess in the yellow dress. I also love the John Deere tractor in the background.

2nd grade: I'm not sure what I used for facepaint, but knowing my mom, it was something unconventional, and it looks like it probably didn't wash off for a few days.

3rd grade (maybe?): This costume was made out of my aunt's old prom dress.

6th grade: My mom sewed this costume the night of, and it turned out great. It was probably made out of old sheets or something, because I know we didn't go out to buy the material.


This is the Halloween of '06, and it was this Holiday together that we decided to get married.

Halloween '08 at Gardners Village.

I love the witches at Gardner Village. It's my favorite place to go each Halloween.

'08. Mine is the less creative one on the right. Brick loves carving pumpkins, so he did two.

Brick as Nacho Libre. At this point I had taken off my nun costume, but I was Encarnacion.
Don't you love the STRETCHY PANTS?