Oh yea, I totally forgot...

For those of you who are wondering, Christmas is only 361 days away...but seriously, who's counting?

Can you believe that all with all the preperation and anticipation...Christmas is gone? Just like that. We had a wonderful Christmas with family! Every year we feel the stress from running between families. So to contract on a house right before Christmas was also a little bittersweet. Next year, we will be waking up on Christmas Day at our house! I'll extend to the invitation now to anyone who wants to come; in fact, the more the merrier! Steven is just excited about not loading up all the presents to take them somewhere else to open them and then load them all back up to bring home. Although, we are so grateful to have our families nearby!

Every year, at this time, we are reminded how blessed we are with our wonderful families! Not because they completely restock Brynlee's playroom, but because of the love they show for us and our daughter throughout the year. It is so great to be able to spend a few days without the phone ringing, office calling, or running here and there...and just enjoy each other.

We had so much fun this Christmas with Brynlee. Her mind is like a little sponge and she is learning SO much. We really enjoyed teaching her about the meaning of Christmas and even singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus with her!

Christmas is about so much more than Thomas the Tank Engine and Tricycles...it's about love, hope, peace, and our Saviour. It's about the gift given to us from the Lord, so that we may know over and over the everlasting love He has for us--the gift of baby Jesus.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"

Luke 2: 8-14

I got a very special present this year. One that is truly priceless. My mom and stepdad created a slideshow for me and I'm excited to get to share it with you! The "about" on this slideshow starts with Mamma Mia... When Mom saw the movie for the first time, she broke down during this song and it really touched her. The tranisition to Brynlee is a reminder that before I know it she will be "Slippin through my fingers..." I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks Mom and James! I love you both!

Merry Christmas!

It's "virtually" too late to send you a virtual card--but here it is anyway!

I've been bad...yes, very bad. It has been a long time since I have posted so I may overdo it today with several posts. And I am going to warn you initially, it will be picture overload! (afterall, we did just have Christmas!)

Steven and I traveled to Mexico this month and it was F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C. to say the least. It was a great getaway and a crazy reality check to get off the plane to 34 degree weather when we arrived back in Austin.

Steven and I decided not to exhange gifts this year, because on December 23rd we got a REALLY big gift for each other! (NO WE ARE NOT HAVING A BABY!) We put a contract on our first home! We've waited a long time to buy our first home and are so excited about how things unfolded. God was truly at work with this plan, and we feel blessed us beyond belief!

As of January 22nd, our new residence will be at

1901 Main Street in Cedar Park, Texas!

That is the front door and the hallway to the living room. The room to the left is the formal dining room that we will use as a playroom. Brynlee? Spoiled? Nah. (sigh.)

The living room looking back at the hallway and kitchen.
The kitchen and eating area.
From the eating area looking back into the living room...
Steven is SO excited...he has 3 garages!

AHH! We have room to "grow into" our closet!

The master bedroom...

The master bathroom...

The back of the house and backyard...

We anticipate alot of entertaining now that we will FINALLY have the space to do it. We can't wait for you to come over!

In about 36 hours, I will be stepping off a plane to this:

Life is good. But it's about to be R.E.A.L good!

Shhh! Don't tell Brynlee...

So, I find myself sitting at my desk needing to get a million things done...one of which is lease A LOT of apartments between now and Wednesday night. Why? Because on Thursday, in the wee hours of the morning (ok, not really at like 6 am,) Steven and I will be boarding a plane for Playa del Carmen! I'm so excited that it is making it really hard to work today. I need to get over it and get my head back in the game.

So I did some Christmas shopping this weekend. As I was checking out at Target, I thought to myself how it looks like I have 2 children. Anyone looking at my purchases would have no idea that I only have one child. Why? You can take one guess.

Here's a look at what I bought:

Yes, she L.O.V.E.S. Thomas the Tank Engine. He (and all his friends) are her favorite toys! But at the same time, she is starting to show an interest in Princesses, so I thought I'd run with it!

But the most exciting is her Santa gift! Let me preface this with a warning. If you think Santa is coming down your chimney on Christmas night then don't read any further. Now that that is out of the way, non believers--keep reading. She has been wanting a tricycle from Santa. Everytime she sees him, she reminds him that she wants a pink tricycle. Well, Steven and I did a quick google search a few weeks ago for "pink tricycle." Holy Crap! I had no idea tricycles cost so much. So then I did a "red tricycle" search and ah-ha! It's the pink ones that are so dang expensive. So in the following days, we tried to convince Brynlee how cool red tricycles are. This is how well that went:

Steven: Do you want Santa to bring you a pink (in a low, flat, monotone sort of way) or a RED (said in an exciting, varied inflection sort of way) tricycle?

Brynlee: Pink (as she walked away to play)

So pink it is. Steven says we are spoiling her and she would love a red one the same. I say no way...and think back to the Barbie house that I wanted when I was younger. (Mom, don't be sad...I do love the doll house I got instead! ;)

Here's a sneak peek at what Brynlee will see on Christmas morning, but if you run into her before then, keep it a secret!

I know...I've been horrible about posting and there is so much going on that I have SO much to write about.

We had a wonderful THANKSGIVING. We truly have so much to be thankful for! After turkey day, we traveled to Grapevine for a family "baycation." We thought it was only fair that Brynlee got a vacation since we leave in 9 days--yes, count them-- 9 days, for MEXICO! A beach, sun, and beer....I can't wait!

Grapevine was great, and a dream filled vacation for Brynlee. She got to ride a REAL choo choo and Santa showed up on it! We stayed at the Gaylord Texan which was such a fun resort hotel...and again, it was filled with electric train displays!

Here are some pictures from last weekend. Hope you enjoy, and I will update again soon on what is keeping us so busy... a possible new house, Brynlee's health, work, school, and Christmas which is in 23 days. But who's counting?