Christmas Day

Christmas day was wonderful. I was sad to realize moments ago as I downloaded all of our pictures from the past week or two, that I didn't photograph much Christmas day. But then again, sometimes it's nice to just sit back and enjoy.

The kids woke up right around the crack of dawn Christmas morning. They came in to get us so we could go downstairs to see what Santa had brought. For Abby, he brought an Easy Bake oven that she had REALLY been wanting. For Carson, he brought a Leapster 2. Shortly after, Ammie and Poppy came over for the opening of gifts and Christmas brunch. I've really enjoyed this new tradition of the past few years. I have such fond memories of my Grandma and Grandpa spending Christmas morning with us as kids, and I'm so happy Abby and Carson will have similar memories.

Mid-day, we all headed over to Ammie and Poppy's house to celebrate Christmas there. It was great spending the day with family, eating good food (prime rib, as per Powers family Christmas tradition), and having lots of fun. I couldn't be more blessed!

An Update [12.22.10]

I had planned on 2010 being the year that I was ahead of the game. I planned on being "done" with all things work related when the kids were out of school so that I could relax and play and cook and shop and have fun with them and my holidays would be stress free. Well, you know (because I'll bet you set the same goals) how that played out!

Really, I don't know that the past couple weeks have been too stressful, just busier than I had planned. But overall, it's been great, and we've made some happy memories.

-Carson's Christmas Party - Last Thursday was Carson's Christmas party at MDO. They shared a Christmas meal together and then exchanged gifts. When he opened his gift (below -- what are those things called, anyway?!), he shouted, "I've been wanting this for my whole life!!!"

- Abby's Christmas Party also happened to be my first official duty as Room Mom. With the help of Abby's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Conklin, and some other super moms, we were able to pull together a fun party for the kids. We decorated cookies, ate, and at the end painted their noses red (which they thought was so very cool).

- MY Christmas Present - I broke all my rules and gave Aaron his Christmas present (a Kindle) a month ago. We normally don't really even do gifts for eachother at Christmas, but he had been dying to get one, so I thought I'd get it for him. I wasn't expecting to get anything in return. There just wasn't anything I wanted that bad -- or so I thought. Last night before dinner, Aaron quietly (but full of excitement) told me, "I got you a present." I had no idea what to expect, but I was intrigued! So... when we got home last night and he asked if he could give me my present now, of course I told him yes. And look what I got! A KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Oh. My. Gosh. "I've been wanting this my whole life!!!"

- So... naturally, today I made bread... so that I could use my dough hook. Easy. Tasty. And it makes my house smell oh so good. Yay for bread.

- Speaking of tasty yumminess. Our friends, Josh and Kelly, took us out to dinner for Christmas Monday night. They asked us to meet them over at the Quarry. And where did they take us??? Fleming's Steakhouse (a.k.a. the nicest restaurant I have ever been to in my whole life). Ah-maz-ing. Everything was delicious and amazing and wonderful and awesome. In addition to that, we were easily amused by the fact that they asked us things like, "Would you like bottled water or is the house water fine?" and, "Are the white napkins okay, or would anyone prefer a dark napkin?" Or when they'd do things like rush around and apologize when the "chilled forks" didn't arrive with our salads. I think our favorite of the night though was that when one of us would get up to go to the restroom or something and leave the napkin on the table or chair, the waiter would come by and neatly fold it for us. Then of course, it became a game, where we'd fold it, but then just make it a little bit off to see if he'd come fix it. (He did.) Okay, clearly we don't belong in establishments like this! It was an amazing night though, not only for the food, but the company. So blessed to have such great friends!

-My computer crashed last week. Hard drive. It wasn't even two years old. Was really bummed and it set me about a week behind in my work, but all is well now.

-I just found out that I got voted in the top 10 wedding photographers (in the San Antonio/South Texas area) for The Knot's Best of Weddings 2011! I'm pretty super excited about that one.

-Went out and spent a day with Sandy and her friend Jen from New York taking pictures just for the fun of it, and it felt great! Hope to be doing this more often.

-Packed up the kids one evening, went to Starbucks, and drove around looking at Christmas lights. We did this last year and it seems to be a fun little tradition.

-The kids and I are heading out in the morning for a super quick trip up to Dallas so we can be at Christmas Eve at Nanny and Pawpaw's. It makes for a lot of driving, but I'm really excited to get to see them and all my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I have a pretty amazing family and I'm always happy to see them.

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

The Weekend

This weekend was busy and tons of fun! Friday night Aaron and I went to a Christmas dinner hosted for the leaders at RCCC. Dinner was delicious and we got to sit with good friends and enjoyed the evening.

Saturday morning was dress rehearsal for the musical. The kids worked hard and had fun. The rest of the day was spent prepping for company. My mom and dad came down for the weekend to see the kids' musical. Which was fabulous. Abby and Carson were both in the "Ornament Chorus" and got to be up on the front row through the whole musical. They both did a great job, though Carson didn't do any of the moves or dancing. It was hilarious! He told me afterwards that this was due to the fact that his costume was somewhat restrictive. :) They were both thrilled that the whole family turned out to see them, and we were all so proud of them!

This morning before Mom and Dad headed back, Dad and Aaron (naturally) had to go play a few holes of golf, and Mom, Carson, and I (naturally) had to go peruse the antique shops in Helotes. It was a lot of fun. Always good having them in town. Abby and I spent the afternoon wrapping gifts, and tonight is our small group Christmas party. It's going to be a crazy week with class parties, finishing/delivering client orders, and the like, but it's exciting! I love the Christmas season!

Tired

Sundays are always long days, but finally, the kids are in bed and all is quiet. The past week has been a little crazy with everyone being sick all, and I think Abby was feeling it tonight. Just before bed in the midst of all the "go upstairs and get ready for bed, brush your teeth, etc." routine, she just broke down sobbing. As I went to sit down with her and give her a big hug, she cried and said, "I think I'm just exhasted. All this running up and down the stairs and then I had an extra musical practice today that I wasn't really expecting, and I've just been working so hard. And I'm worried that I won't be able to go to sleep, and then my tooth hurts and I haven't been brushing my teeth as much as I should and I might have a cavity... and I just don't know what to do because I'm exhausted and I just feel like being mad at everybody, but I don't want to, and I want to make good choices, but I feel like all I'm doing is making the bad ones, and I'm just so exhausted, Mommy." I just smiled and hugged her tight and assured her that everyone feels that way sometimes. Then we prayed together and tried to focus on the good things in life for a while.

I can relate all too well. When life gets crazy, I can get overwhelmed, which only leads me to strive and wear myself out more, which leads me to worry and fear, which leads me to sin and anger and flat out exhaustion. What do I do when I find myself there? Where do I go? More often than not, I just do my best to keep carrying everything on my back, trudge on, or just wallow for a while. Tonight was a reminder, though, that I have a Father whose arms are always ready and waiting to hold and comfort me.

I am reminded of my absolute favorite passage in Scripture

Psalm 73

23 Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Christmas Decor

Last night after dinner we decided to decorate for Christmas. We got out the tree, put the wreath on the door, and hung the stockings. I wasn't in my best mood when we started, but as we hung ornaments and listened to Christmas music, and I watched the kids dancing around like wild banshees joyfully, I was reminded just how lucky I am. Not only for a great family, but for all that Christmas means.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

One of the things I was most excited about when it came to Christmas decor, was having large windows in the living room so the Christmas tree could be seen from the street. Once the tree was decorated and the kids were in bed, I was so excited. I grabbed Aaron to come out in the front yard with me to see what our beautiful tree looked like from the outside.

All the anticipation, and then I realized...

there's a column smack in front of our middle window. Ha!