Re-gifted

We had a great Christmas at my parents house, although it wasn't quite perfect since my brother couldn't make it.

As with family tradition, we ate a LOT and got lots of great goodies, especially from my parents recent trip to Italy! And we are looking forward to celebrating again this weekend with Chris's parents coming to town!

I did find out something interesting... apparently Santa reads my blog, because I received the following note from Santa Christmas morning:

Mauri,

I'm terribly sorry, but between global warming and the dropping stock market, the North Pole has been hit pretty hard this year, so I'm regifting some of the previous years favorites. Have a merry, merry Christmas!!! HO HO HO. Santa

Yes, this is it! The BEST WORST Christmas gift EVER!

Santa found it! And yes, this is the most flattering picture of me in it.

I can't work miracles!

It's the thought that counts....

*Warning: This post has nothing to do with what Christmas is truly about.

If you are trying to stay in the true Spirit of the season, skip this post.

So, it's that time of year that kids have eagerly anticipated for the past 12 months... Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!

I remember the days when I would reluctantly go to bed and could hardly sleep, so excited about what would await me Christmas morning. These were the early years before I started unwrapping (then re-wrapping) my presents weeks before Christmas while my parents were gone from the house out of sheer anticipation. On Christmas morning, we'd always start with Santa... whose gifts were never wrapped but stacked by the fireplace, with our full stockings pulled down from the mantle for easy access. This is still the routine after all these years. My brother and I figured out as long as we believed in Santa, he'd continue to come. So he still visits us now!

Of course, after Santa come the wrapped presents under the tree. Here's where things can get exciting. Santa was (and is) pretty predictable. Sure, he'll come up with a few surprises every year, but he's consistently spot on. And truthfully, so are most of the presents under the tree. But every now and then, you are slapped in the face with a surprise. Sometimes, a present can be SO BAD, it's GREAT!

Although there are a few instances for me in which this is the case, one is highly prevalent. At the time, I was probably in early high school. This particular gift was a set of pajamas, given from someone (to remain nameless) with rather ecclectic taste. The best correlation to these jammies also happens to come from another Christmas favorite.....

Need I say more?

Actually, yes I must. Let me reiterate I was in HIGH SCHOOL. No, these jammies didn't have bunny ears or bunny feet... but it did have the feet with rubber soles. Also, it was flannel. But not just any kind of flannel. It was actually transparent.... yes, I do think that means it's highly flammable. People, you can't make this stuff up. This is the BEST WORST present I ever received! What I wouldn't give to find that for a White Elephant exchange...

So as we all embark on a day of giving and receiving, I ask my dear blog friends, what is the BEST WORST gift you've ever received?

I wish you all a VERY MERRY Christmas, and here's hoping for truly great gifts for all of you! (Unless they are so bad they are actually good!!!!) But even more importantly, I pray you have a joyous time with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of our risen Lord.

P.S. You will all be glad to know that Gatsby will be getting more than a lump of coal in his stocking this year, thanks to your generous votes. As was apparent in your votes, you don't all know him as well as I do, but he's grateful nonetheless.

So Be Good For Goodness Sake....

Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Will Gatsby get a lump of coal or a stocking full of raw hides?

I think the verdict is still out on this one!
Help Santa decide what to do with this little elf by voting in the poll!

'Tis the Season

The Holidays are here! Generally, I love the Christmas season! But there are also some things that drive me crazy! So as the season is officially in full force, here is my list of pros and cons:


PROS:

• Christmas decorations. My house always feels so cozy during this time of year. Once the decorations go back in the attic, the house has an empty feeling to it! It provides decorative DRAMA! And even though we still haven't bought outside lights for our house (this is the last year we will be without), I love driving around and looking at other peoples!


• Delectable Treats. Everywhere you turn there's yummy treats. Whether it be cookies and fudge or hot chocolate and spice tea. Mmmmm. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!


• Christmas Music. Yes, I'm one of those people that loves to listen to non-stop Christmas music from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Don't hate me. Find the spirit of Christmas in yourself.


• Christmas Cards. I love my mail this time of year! It's so nice to have something other than bills and advertisments. And even better, it's great to catch a glimpse into the lives of dear friends that we don't talk with often enough. And no, I haven't done mine yet.


• School is OUT (and students go home!). Don't get me wrong. I love working with college students. Really. But having a month at Christmas (and another few during the summer) without them here is just enough to re-energize me. It's nice to go to a restaurant in peace and not have my phone ring at 11 o'clock at night. And since I work in the first floor of a residence hall, I've about had it with the rap that my upstairs neighbor loves to play as loud as he can. I'm particularly excited about him leaving for the holiday.


• A Spirit of Generosity. People generally seem more hospitable and generous this time of year. It's a wonderful time of celebration with friends and family, as people open up their homes and you share life together.


• The Reason for the Season. I know it's cliche, but during this time of advent, it's a blessing to rember the birth of Christ and anticipate his glorious return. Although we want to do this all year, its nice to have a season set aside specifically for this purpose.


• Elfing Yourself. This CRACKS me up. I love seeing it on everyone's blogs. For your viewing pleasure, check out our elfish family at: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1176779146

CONS:

• Ugly Christmas Decorations. Yes, I love Christmas decorations. And I'm even one of those people that loves the excess of it all. But I hate tackiness. You know what I'm talking about. If you live in Abilene, the house on Sayles with all the plastic lawn ornaments says it all. I also hate snow globes. Sorry if you have one, I just don't like them.


• Political Correctness. I know this is very egocentric of me, but is it really such a crime that people want to say "Merry Christmas"? It's the motivation behind the words that is important. Unlike racial slurs or derrogatory names, the heart is to simply bewstow a friendly greeting of the season.


• Shopping Crowds. I know, it's part of it. And the flip side is it can certainly add some people watching humor. If you are ever looking for some quality people watching, try the Mall of Abilene during Christmas. I won't spoil it for you, but it's a real treat.


• Forced Christmas Parties. Now, this is not applicable if it's a party with friends or family that you genuinely want to spend quality time with. However, the parties we all go to out of obligation are often awkward, if not all together annoying. At a time of year where we are all crunched for time, why do we find the need to spend time with people we don't the entire rest of the year?


• 70 Degree Weather. Most of the year, this would be great. But something out Christmas requires fires in the fireplace and the ability to cuddle up under a blanket with a good book and a hot drink. And a White Christmas only comes around once in a blue moon... but I guess I can't complain too much with a White Thanksgiving this year!

There you have it. Mauri's pros and cons of the season. But all in all, I have to say I believe in the pros more than the cons can distract me. So blogworld, my question for you is: What are your Pros and Cons of the season?

In the Meadow we can build a Snowman....

We had a great time with Chris's family for Thanksgiving! Lots of food and some needed R&R. But we were kinda sad we missed 4 inches of snow in Abilene on Thanksgiving day.... We came home Saturday with high expectations for a Winter Wonderland when we woke up Sunday morning thanks to another expected round, only to have murky rain instead! But then Sunday afternoon, Christmas came Early!

The flakes were HUGE!!!
(and what a cutie all bundled up braving the snow!)

Gatsby was not quite sure what to think about the crazy white stuff! He was too funny!

But he did demonstrate a wise old saying:

Don't Eat Yellow Snow!!!!!!

This is outside....

So this is what we did inside....there's nothing

better than a fire burning with snow outside!

I hope this put you all in the Christmas spirit like it did me!!!!! Happy Holidays!

Weekend Getaway

For our anniverary, Chris and I took a long weekend and went to San Antonio for a little R & R. It was so great to get away and just enjoy spending some time together. Since we lived in San Antonio right after we got married, it was especially fun to relive those early days now 5 years later...

We spent an afternoon in Gruene... we were
probably the only ones around drinking coke out
of a glass bottle if you know what I mean!

We ate tons... and this is one of our favorites!

And this is why... GARLIC salad dressing. Heaven.
And great steaks too, but forgot to take a pic!

And it wouldn't be a trip to SA without
a visit to our favorite Mexican Food Restaurant.
Did I mention we ate a lot of food?

All in all, a great weekend to celebrate an even greater marriage!

To Love and to Cherish

It's hard to believe that Friday Chris and I will celebrate our 5th anniversary. When I look back on our years of marriage, it seems like just yesterday that we were saying "I Do". But on the other hand, I can barely remember life without him beside me. Our marriage has truly been one of the greastest blessings of my life!In honor of our 5 years of wedded bliss, here are 5 things that I love about my sweet hubby!

1. He is Smart! If you know Chris, you know this. I remember thinking I was smart until I started spending time with him! Even now he'll break out a random word and I've got to bust out the dictionary. And I'm not just talking about legal mumbo jumbo that I have no idea what he's talking about. He remembers everything and is so knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics. But with his brilliance, comes humility. He not arrogant, but instead insists there is so much he doesn't know. I think they call that wisdom.



2. He is funny! Seriously, the boy keeps me laughing all the time. He has the smartest, quickest sense of humor. I guess that comes with aforementioned #1. And for someone so smart, he can also be incredibly corny. I can always count on him for a good laugh.



3. He has rhythm and loves to sing. This one might come as a surprise to some of you, but it's true. Seeing as how I have no rhythm, I especially love this about him. I just feel bad for him that he doesn't have someone that can tear up the dance floor with him. And with that, he can sing just about any song you can throw at him. Not only this, but he makes up his own lyrics to fit a given situation. Sunday mornings getting ready for church are especially fun!



4. He's sensitive. Truly, he is the best husband in the world, and I think one of the biggest reasons is he is so in tune with the needs of others. He listens to me rant and cry about things that have no real consequence, all the while making me feel like i'm not silly for caring so much about things that aren't all that important (see post about social clubs!). He makes up pet names for me all the time (Maur-tian, Maur-tini, Maur-bear) and sets the alarm early just so I can get my cuddle time in the morning. He's even sensitive to our dog and makes sure Gatsby gets the attention he needs (ok, wants).... sounds corny, but this is one example how I know he'll make a great dad someday! He already is a great dad to little G.
   


5. Finally, and most importantly, he seeks to Glorify God in all he does. From his work to our family, he understands the need to put God first. And with that, he sets priorities that will Honor God and the needs of our family above his own personal gain. And these things ultimately help me to be a better person- a better wife, a better friend, a better Christian. What could be better than a husband that makes you more than you are on your own?
   

So, Happy Anniversary Honey! Each day my love grows for you, even though each day I think I couldn't love you more! Here's to many more years of sharing life together and walking through it hand in hand.