Christmas 2009

I know I have been really bad about updates recently, but I've honestly just been really lazy, haha. I am currently in North Carolina with my parents enjoying a whole lot of nothing. :) So, this update won't be too exciting, but I will let you know what's been going on.

I rode to NC with the Hinsons last Monday and actually really enjoyed the ride! It was a full car with 7 of us, but I had some of my favorite people in the world to keep me entertained. Their family lives in Charlotte, so they dropped me off near Raleigh and my dad picked me up and drove me the rest of the way home. It actually made the trip a little longer that usual, but it was a free (and fun!) ride, so I can't complain. :)

When I got to my parents house, I was greeted by this:

That's my new car!!! MY car! I have a car! Ahhhh! I'm SO excited!! I haven't paid for the whole thing yet, which is why it has North Carolina tags on it. I made the down payment and then my parents are financing it (with me paying them the monthly payments). Once my house sells I should be able to pay the whole thing off; then we will put everything in my name and get PA tags. For now, though, the insurance is a lot cheaper in NC. :)

Its pretty much EXACTLY what I was hoping for, down to having a sunroof. I actually wanted a manual transmission (I really like driving stick shift cars!), but I can live with an automatic. It also has right at 100,000 miles, which is a little higher than I would have liked, but Nissan's last a while. The car is in GREAT condition and comes from a really well known, and well liked, used car dealer in the area, so we all feel really good about it. I'm so excited to be able to drive to my spinning class again and I'm sure Ashley is excited that she won't have to be my chauffeur anymore!

Of course, the first thing I did was take the car for a little drive; then I came home and slept. I didn't really sleep at all the night before we left, and after being in a car for almost 11 hours, I was wiped. I slept like a baby!! (Not sleeping before I left was worth it too, though. I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom! I will get to come home to a really clean house!) :)

I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday doing final Christmas shopping and wrapping, and sleeping. I did spend half the day on Wednesday in Barnes and Noble reading and drinking chai. That's my favorite thing to do when I come to NC, and I make sure to do it every time. :)

Thursday was Christmas Eve and my brother and Suzanne came down for the night. Unfortunately, Suzanne had to work that morning, and Jack had to work the morning of the 26th, so they could only stay one night. We definitely made the most of that time though and had a lot of fun!

We had a wonderful (and sugar free!) Christmas meal and laughed a lot around the dinner table. That's one thing my family does a lot, and does well... we laugh!! My dad wanted to wait until the next day (Christmas day) to open presents, but my brother and I convinced him that we should open them right away since Jack and Suzanne had to leave the next day. Turned out to be a great idea because of this present that I received:

We spent most of the night playing the different games in Wii Sports resort and had to much fun!! The opening of presents was really fun. Jack and I surprised our dad with a new set of weights and our mom with a garbage disposal (which my dad will have a lot of fun installing, haha). Nothing says I love you mom like a garbage disposal!! (we're more of a practical family, haha). I surprised my brother with all 10 seasons of "Friends" (they were on an AMAZING sale on Black Friday, that's the only way I could ever have afforded it). But, I think I got the biggest surprise of all. The last present I opened was this:An Ipod??? I didn't even ask for one because I knew they were WAY too expensive! I seriously never thought I would own one. Seriously! Plus, with my parents helping me buy a car, I certainly wasn't expecting anything more than socks and underwear! I am STILL in shock! (And it turns out my car has an aux plug so I can listen to my ipod in my car! yay!). Apparently my mom was frustrated that I wasn't asking for anything "nice" for Christmas, so she called my brother to get suggestions. My mom didn't even know what an ipod was, haha, but my brother assured her that it was a good gift. Thanks Jack! :)

So, after spending several hours laughing with my family while we tried new wii games, I spent several hours on itunes trying not to spend too much money. I can watch movies and TV shows on this thing! Its so fun! :)

Christmas day was pretty laid back, we just hung out more and continued to laugh a lot. Jack and Suzanne left a little after 2 and then I took a nap. :)

Saturday turned out to be kind of a busy day, but only because I decided to go out and shop...apparently with the rest of the town. But, there were some great after Christmas sales, and I needed accessories for my ipod. ;)

Today has been just as laid back as the other days. I slept in and then watched a 2 hour documentary on Hitler with my parents (we are all history dorks...I mean buffs...). We also had a good time watching the Eagles pull out a win!

Overall, this has been a very relaxing time, which is EXACTLY what I needed. It hasn't been completely free of "normal" life. I've gotten plenty of texts and MySpace messages from teens. Some good ("I miss you!") and some not so good ("That's why I don't like you"). Still, its nice to be able to respond to the ones I want to, and ignore the others. And, to actually have time to talk to Jesus...and listen to Him too!! I also had a great conversation with my pastor in Roanoke. He was very encouraging but also challenged me to take a day to go away, completely alone, and just be with Jesus. Not say or do anything, just be. I am so excited about doing that! I'm not sure if I will take the time while I'm in NC or when I get back to Philly (now that I have a car!), but it WILL be done! Cornerstone clubs don't start for a few more weeks, and while I know the time will fly, I still have a few days to be able get away even after I return to Philly.

In the last week, I have read several books, watched a lot of TV, slept a lot and I'm even adjusting to my sugar-free life much better than before (although I have a long way to go, haha). This has been an almost perfect vacation! The weather has even been good enough for me to drive with the sunroof open! The only thing that could make it more perfect would be a great park to go for long runs in. I haven't found one here yet (the park by the water has a path that's only 1/2 a mile long. I look kinda funny running back and forth 8 times in front of people sitting on benches enjoying the water, haha), but I'm going to keep looking.

I'll be heading back to Philly on Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm in no rush to get back at all, but I do miss Gizmo and I have to get ready for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (which VT will be playing in!) on Thursday.

Until then, I think I will take a nap... :)

Prayer Pals Christmas Party!!

Okay, I am almost a week late on this, but better late than never! Last Wednesday was my favorite night of the year; the Prayer Pals Christmas Party!!

And, as usual it was A TON of fun! Basically, Carisa and I do a whole lot of work to prepare for an hour of kids ripping open presents and squealing with joy! Its so much fun!




I especially enjoyed this year because I had done a lot of the shopping for the kids. To save on shipping costs, I offered to shop for any pals that wanted me to and they simply sent me the money. I ended up shopping for 13 of the kids! Normally I hate shopping, but this shopping was FUN!!! I even went out on Black Friday to take advantage of some of the great deals, something I have never done before.

There were 3 kids that couldn't make it to the party, and I even had fun going to their houses the next day and opening presents with them and their families.

What a blessing!! :)

Kids Club Christmas Party!!!!

I can't believe its over, and I actually survived!! The Kids Club Christmas Party was last night (the one for 7-10's at least) and as usual it was one of my favorite nights of the year!!!

Its a lot of work to get ready for (a lot is an understatement!), but its SO worth it! The looks on the kids faces are SO GREAT as they get to pick out their gifts and just be showered with love!

The most amazing part for me was how incredibly well behaved the kids were last night. They were all so patient, having so much fun! We had over 80 kids, and not a single discipline problem!! It was amazing!!

Of course, I am sure that had a lot to do with all the wonderful help I had. I had over 20 leaders (teens and adults) volunteer their time to help us out. I would NOT have made it without them!

Really, the only difficult part of the whole evening was the kids deciding which gift they wanted!

In addition to picking out a present, the kids also got a bag full of school supplies:

AND some winter gear:

AND a brand new Kids Club sweatshirt! I really love the design for this year!

I was pretty busy beforehand, and even more exhausted afterwards, but I don't mind a bit. This is the kind of thing that makes me say, "Really, Lord? This gets to be my job?!? THANK YOU!!".

I mean, seriously! It doesn't get much better than this!






(and a big thank you to Carisa for bringing her camera and taking pictures! My camera battery died about 10 minutes into the party!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Yesterday was my first Thanksgiving in Philly, and it was a GREAT one! I most definitely missed being with my family (I will be seeing them in 24 days!!), but I'm glad I decided to stay in Philly. My brother wasn't able to make it home for Thanksgiving either, so I decided the money and the time it was going to involve just to be in NC for 3 days wasn't really worth it. I will be staying for almost 2 weeks at Christmas, though. I miss my family!!

Okay, Philly Thanksgiving. First, my mom was worried that I wouldn't have anyone to eat with. She did NOT need to worry!! I was invited to at least 5 different meals! I only made it to two of them, but still feel really blessed to have so many wonderful people around me!!

I started my day at the Hinsons. They were having kind of an open house for the day where people could just come by and hang out whenever they wanted, for however long they wanted. It was SO GREAT! I got there when several people that I really enjoy were there and we had a good time eating and laughing (Frank is an AMAZING cook!). I can't remember the last time I got to hang out with the Hinsons, so yesterday was such a blessing!! I LOVE THAT FAMILY!!

(The pic is actually me with the Santiagos...their first Thanksgiving as a married couple!)

Of course, Frank and Carisa are awesome people that I always enjoy being around (and really make me feel like family, even if I don't get to see them all the time), but their kids...well, their kids are who really suck me in. I fell in love with their oldest (he's 7 now) as soon as I met him and nothing has changed. They have since had 2 more that I was sure would never be as awesome as their oldest...but I was proven wrong with both of them!

When I came in, their middle child immediately took my hand and showed me where I needed to start getting food. In fact, he told me exactly what I needed and even put it all on my plate!! Of course, to get the cheese off the knife he just used his hands and it didn't bother me one bit. He was SO SWEET!!



I didn't eat too much while I was there (seriously!), because I knew I had a huge meal coming. At 2:30, I left with my friends the Varasos to go pick up Shera and head to Maggiano's, an AMAZING Italian restaurant where we had reservations. We all agreed that none of us wanted to do dishes this year, so we decided to splurge and go out to eat. It turned out to be a GREAT decision!

First, I will start with the food. I may never eat again! It was a 5 course meal, served family style. So, we made our choices as a table and they just brought us food until we were full! I had to take pictures of everything (on my new digital camera that I got on a GREAT deal pre-black friday deal), so here is our meal in pictures:

First, we had an appetizer: bruchetta:

Next, came 2 salads: spinach salad and cesar salad:


Then we got to choose 2 entrees (each came with a side): turkey with stuffing and ham with sweet potatoes; AND 2 additional sides (mashed potatoes and spinach):




(the spinach was REALLY good!)

We ALSO got 2 pasta choices: 3 cheese ravioli in pesto sauce, and mushroom ravioli: (it is an Italian restaurant):



And then finally, we got 2 desserts: pumpkin pie cheesecake and chocolate cake:


(please remember that we shared all of this food, these were not our individual plates, haha)

The best part...it all tasted SO amazing! Seriously, the pasta was some of the best food I have ever tasted!!

Of course, the company was wonderful as well! Shera and the Varasos are some of my favorite people in Philly, so spending Thanksgiving with them was absolutely perfect (next to time with my family, of course). And of course, baby Selah is ALWAYS a joy to be around! Unfortunately, she didn't want to be with us, haha. This is how she spent most of the night:

She's so funny! She really wanted to be a part of everything around her, we were apparently too boring, haha. I just love this little girl.

I finished off the night by heading back to the Hinsons with the Varasos so that Selah could meet Lili (they are about 6 weeks apart in age). That was HILARIOUS! These two girls are SO different, yet I love them both! Selah is a mover (she's already pulling herself up and standing on her own, at 9 months!), while Lili is just laid back and chill. I plan on having sleepovers with them when they get older, and I already know its going to be a lot of fun!!

Ashley stayed in town for Thanksgiving too and cooked dinner with a friend, and they left a lot of left overs in the fridge. So, I will be eating well for days! Yay! Overall, a very successful first Philly Thanksgiving!

And, I actually got up at 4:30 this morning to go to Target for some Black Friday shopping with Elizabeth! (Another first for me). I really only needed one thing for my brother, and I got it! We also got $3 toasters and I picked up a lot of toys for Prayer Pals Christmas presents. (I am doing a lot of the shopping this year to the pals can save on shipping; and the economy has left many of them struggling financially but they still want to bless their pals!). I pretty much picked up anything that looked cool for the kids and was on a "Black Friday Sale". I will do the rest of my shopping in the coming weeks.

Thankfully, both Elizabeth and I got exactly what we needed, and even went to Kmart when they opened and got what we wanted there too! I was home and back in bed by 6:30. It was awesome!!

Now, I'm off to enjoy some Christmas decorations in Center City with Ashley and her friend. We need to work of some of that Thanksgiving food! I will be going for a run (or two) tomorrow...

Mom and Dad; Its all your fault!!

Dear Mom and Dad (or the Chief and his woman as I like to call you, lol):

Thank you for teaching me perseverance. I would have quit a long time ago if it wasn't for you. I can't remember either of you ever taking a day off from work unless me or Jack was sick, had a field trip or just needed you. Mom, you worked full time AND took care of two kids full time, and we never felt neglected for a second. Dad, you worked full time AND went back to college while Jack and I were still living with you because you knew that was the best way to take care of your family. And again, we never felt neglected for even a moment. (okay, maybe a little during the hockey playoffs, but that's really because I have never understood hockey, haha) And, while doing all of that, neither of you ever missed a holiday, birthday, sporting event, band concert, etc.

One of you walked us to the bus stop every morning (until we were too cool to be seen with you, haha), and picked us up from every school dance (until we were so cool that we had our own 1983 Honda Accord). I have watched both of you battle health issues being in and out of hospitals at various times, yet you only took the necessary days off work, and NEVER took time off from us. You always persevered.

If Jack or I ever said something was "too hard", you said, "no its not". You never let us quit (except cotillion. But let's be honest, that would have just been torture for me). :) When Jack went his own way for several years, you NEVER gave up on him; even when so many parents would have just washed their hands of all of it.

No matter how many arguments I started with you, you never gave up. There was no doubt in your mind that I would not only go to, but graduate from college and you never let me think otherwise either.

I have watched you face and overcome countless obstacles and never once heard even the slightest complaint or hint of wanting to quit.

Jack has said a million times that his work ethic is all because of you. You taught him to keep pushing through and never quit. Now he is sober, back in school and can lift terrifying amounts of weight. :)

Why am I saying all of this?

So you can know that really you only have yourselves to blame for the fact that I'm still living in Kensington and not packing up to move back in with you. :)

The thought has crossed my mind more than once, that's for sure. But, when I look at both of you I realize that when I'm in my 50's (hehe, sorry about that), I want people to see me the way I see you...or at least as close to that as I can.

In order for that to happen, I can't quit. You didn't, so I won't either.

Retreat

I know its been a really long time since I blogged. Usually that means that I'm either really busy or really struggling. Unfortunately in this case, its the latter. When I go through hard times I tend to retreat and work things out on my own, not really sharing much. So, that's kinda what I'm doing. Of course, you know all too well (haha), that eventually I will share everything. But for now, I will most likely stay pretty quiet and just seek the Lord. (I know what you're thinking. Trish, quiet?? Haha, its pretty rare, but it does happen).

In the mean time, I will share this with you: