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.