Snow Day 2009

Last night the news networks were freaking out about ALL the snow that we were going to get. I was so excited last night and even this morning when I woke up and it was beautiful. Snow covered the ground and the powdery flakes were still coming down. My work closed today but Chris had to go in to work. Now that it is the afternoon there is no snow to be found. The snow was beautiful while it lasted. Dakota thought the snow was a yard full of treats. She was eating the snow like she hadn't been feed for years. We didn't get any pictures of her but she sure was funny.

January 9th already!

So this is my first blog of the new year. Happy New Year to All!! The Christmas holiday was filled with lots of fun and traveling, of course. Being newlyweds we traversed afar for sure. The birthday party for Jesus was great and then all the Christmas Day activities were fun. Here are a few pics from the festivities...

Chris and I Christmas Eve

The Hopkins Family on Christmas Day

(Thanks Lauren for the pics)

2009 is shaping up to be a pretty good year... We are excited about lots of events coming up in the first part of the year. We know that God has a lot in store for us this year and my hope is that he will continue to draw us closer to Him as we try and follow his will for our lives. 2008 was a good year with lots of blessings and tough times alike but this year we are excited to embark together as husband and wife in 2009! So Happy 2009 on Jan. 9th!

Trip to Cali!!

This NC girl is back from my trip to California to see my friend Jen Peet. She is on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Jen was in our wedding and has been a great friend for a long time. I went to visit her during my break from the swim academy and I had a wonderful time. I saw lots of sights including the Curtis Winery in San Luis Obispo county as well as Santa Monica and Santa Barbara. Jenn was such a pal to take me along to her Christmas parties that she had. Let me tell you... those Californians know how to throw themed parties... I went one night to a "Christmas is better in a sweater party" where you wear those crazy knitted sweaters with the jingle bells and pom poms on them. It was a hoot. Then I went to a "Preppy" themed birthday party and I fit right in here. They were all decked out in their pearls and their sweaters tied around their necks. I wear that sometimes here!! It was a blast. I will try to post some pic later!

I also made a southern meal for Jenn and her roommates. It consisted of Country style steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and of course my favorite thing... SWEET tea. They really enjoyed it but I don't think they could eat stuff like that everyday. But never the less it was fun to fix it for them.

Chris made it ok without me but he got a little anxious when I was supposed to be home on Monday night and I got stuck in the Atlanta airport. My flight was late from L.A. to Atlanta but the airline told me my flight from Atlanta to Charlotte was late as well... They were wrong! I had to stay in a hotel for the night (just happened to be the Hilton) for a discounted rate provided by the airline. I got home on Tuesday at 5:00 and I was ready to be home and I think Chris was ready for me to be home too after the long awaited arrival.

Now to finish up everything before Christmas!!

My Sweet Husband!!

Yesterday Chris had an MRI done for the first time. He has been having some problems with his back where his leg will go numb when he stands up or several other everyday movements. So our great friend Brian who is a "Clinical Support" member (that is what his name tag says... he's official) at Orthocarolina got Chris an appointment with a doctor there. Chris decided that he might freak out when put into the MRI machine so the doctor gave him a prescription for 2 Valium to relax him a little. Well Chris took the 2 Valium and he said that he remembers going into the machine and coming out but nothing in between! PRAISE THE LORD! I just envisioned him going crazy throwing the panic button at the nurse and banging on the machine to be let out because of course he couldn't drive himself! But never the less he made it through and he was so sweet when we left there...

Luckily he doesn't read our blog that often so I can tell you this... When he was little if he did well at the doctor his mom promised him that he could go for a milkshake. So when we get in car he said "I think I need a milkshake" and I responded "A milkshake, you never want anything sweet really", then he proceeded to tell me about what his mom used to do... I thought that was so sweet... Chris truly is an elephant because he doesn't forget anything!! So needless to say he got a strawberry milkshake and I got a chocolate one from the Christian Chicken!! Thanks Chick-fil-a for making my sweet husband's day!!

Christmas is Coming.... You better watch out!!

I am getting so excited about Christmas!! I just love all of the decorations and the anticipation of the season! Chris and I decorated our house before we left for Thanksgiving so we would come home to a house ready for the season. We spent Thanksgiving with Chris' parents in Valle Crucis outside of Boone, NC and it was wonderful! The weather wasn't that cold and Dakota got to go to the mountains for the first time! This is a family picture we took while we were up there.

Chris even went with me on Black Friday to do a little shopping and we got most of our list taken care of! This season gets me so excited and I cannot wait to celebrate Jesus' birthday with our family! You know He is the real reason for the season! God has truly blessed Chris and I and I look forward every year to taking time out as a family and celebrating this day.

The First Cold

This morning when I took Dakota out it was absolutely freezing... no joke it was 32 degrees outside. It was the first cold morning that I have experienced this year and it took my breath away. I am looking forward to this time of year that is approaching where you put on sweaters and scarves and gloves to bundle up. I am reminded of years when I was younger and we would pile up the leaves and before we would burn them (we lived in the country) we would jump in the big pile!! The smell of this time of year just triggers all of those memories from years past.

On another cold note we bought a fake Christmas tree this year... I know I know it is so sad... But my sweet husband is right about the justification behind it. Every year it just about kills us getting it up and then the needles fall off everyday and then after that joyful eve we have to take it down and dispose of it. I just love the smell of a real tree but I guess we will just get some of the yummy smelling Yankee Candles. I will also be anxious to see how sweet little Dakota does with the emblem of the yule tide in our living room with presents all around it!!

Until next time enjoy the cold and blustery weather!!

I Know.... It has been a while.

I am sorry for such a long hiatus from the blogosphere... There has been a lot going on and little time to do it all.

I want to start out with an update on Mr. Hood. He is at home and doing pretty well. He has a home health care nurse that comes twice a week to do therapy and check on him so that is good. Martha Sue is having to spend a lot of time there just making sure that Mrs. Hood is handling everything ok and that he is taking all of his medicine and eating. Also the initial surgery that was supposed to be done has been rescheduled for December 4th so hopefully he will be recovered enough to have the gall bladder removed... FINALLY!

Chris was away most of the weekend on a men's only fishing trip. They had a load of fun and Chris caught several fish including one pictured below.

Chris and the 17" Black Drum

Chris, Kirk (Chris' Dad), Jonathan (Chris' brother)

On the other hand I crammed a lot in to one weekend. Let me explain.... Dakota was being spayed on Friday and I had to drop her off on Friday at 7:30am. She stayed over night so I had to pick her up Sat. before one. My step sister (my step dad's youngest daughter) got married on Friday night in Salisbury so I got off work at 12 and drove up to help my mom with some decorations. I left the wedding at 8:30 drove home and got up to go to work . I got done at work at 12:40 drove up the street to get her and headed home. I threw a jewelry party for my friend Kellie at 5:00pm so I had a lot to get ready. Sunday was more low key but still it was a lot but I made it.

Until next time....