2007 Year in Review

Another year come and gone... All those adults who told me as a child that life speeds up the older you get were right (I hate that!).

As I hastily review 2007, here are a few of the highlights I can remember:

• The exciting news of our pregnancy warmed our hearts in January even as the much media-hyped "Arctic Blast" shut down all of San Antonio.
• In March, Jonathan turned the big 3-0. He passed on a big party and instead opted to have a diamond placed in his Aggie ring. (I swear he now likes it better than his wedding ring!).
• Jonathan and I celebrated three happy years of marriage in March. Still going...
• My sister Kel returned from two years of service as a missionary associate in Cambodia. It's been great to get to see and talk with her on a more regular basis!
• Jonathan and I were joined by four other couples as we birthed from the Espinoza's Young Marrieds small group to create a new one with JD and I as the leaders.
• In April, JD & I "baby-mooned" in Kauai for a week courtesy of Grandma Boston.
• Jonathan's sister Jen had a successful gall bladder removal surgery and made other significant health strides, including overcoming gluten intolerance. These were huge answers to the prayers of us and many others!
• Steph & Matt, my sister and brother in law, announced they are expecting their first child in February. I can't wait to be an aunt!
• I was blessed with several wonderful baby showers from caring family, friends and co-workers.
  
• For my birthday in August, Jonathan surprised me by flying my parents down for a visit. Wonder what he'll cook up for my 30th this year...
• On September 13th, our lives and family were changed forever as beautiful Morgan Leanne was born! Being a mom is one of the best gifts God has ever given me!
• At the end of October, after much prayerful consideration, I resigned from my job as an assistant district attorney. It was four great years! To my friends there, I miss you...
• Finally, we closed out the year with our families here in San Antonio helping us celebrate Morgan's first Christmas. She and we had a great time and made several special memories.

We look forward to God's continued faithfulness to us in 2008 and anxiously await to see where He leads us next!

Thanks to all of you whose friendship has enriched our lives this past year ... whether near to us or far away, know that we think of and treasure you! Our prayer is that God blesses you with greater amounts of Himself in each of your lives in this upcoming new year.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11

Red, Green, and Blue...

I remember as a kid the sadness I felt as I went to sleep Christmas night. My favorite day of the entire year was over, the culmination of a month's worth of anticipation ended. Soon the Christmas tree would be on the curb, the beautiful decorations would be stored away for another year, and everyone would return to their same daily routine lacking that special joy and glow they carried during the holiday season. I must confess that I don't think I've outgrown the post-Christmas blues. In fact, in some ways it has become harder as now the end of Christmas also means parting ways with my family once again.

I haven't found a solution for the post-Christmas blues except to leave the lights lit a little longer, keep playing carols for a few extra days, and to recount the holiday highlights through viewing pictures and video taken. So in that vein, here are some of our Christmas highlights...

Bling: (noun) expensive, ostentatious clothing or jewelry

Jonathan and I have an annual tradition of having a Christmas date. And just when we thought Morgan or the busyness of holiday season threatened to end that this year, our super friends Ian and Kara came to the rescue. Because of their generous offer to babysit, we were able to go downtown and have a great dinner at Biga on the Banks. The food was excellent and the company wonderful :)

This was the first date Jonathan and I had been on since Morgan was born. Accordingly, I was happy just to be wearing clothes that didn't have any baby slobber, spit up, urine or poop anywhere on them. And I forgot how nice it is to carry a small purse rather than a loaded diaper bag!

However, what made the night the most special was "a little something" from Jonathan...


That's right, I'm one lucky girl, and I have a fabulous husband!

I think I shall call you Pimpy...

We celebrated Christmas today with Jonathan's family and had a REALLY great time. Everyone got and gave such wonderful gifts! One gift in particular, however, warrants such special attention as to have a blog devoted all to it :)

Here's a little background to preface this unique gift - three years ago Jonathan's parents had four long, tall boxes wrapped for us and Jenny and Brian under their Christmas tree. We tried and tried to guess what was in them, but Jonathan's parents smiled coyly and said we'd never figure it out. Later that night when we all opened them simultaneously, we found out how right they were! We each received a three foot tall wooden nutcracker (yes, that's right I said nutcracker).

The Twins

This year was the same routine - early in the holiday season Jonathan's parents hinted that they had already picked out our gifts and suggested that we would be surprised. While Jonathan and I were shopping at Sam's, we saw a seven foot tall wooden nutcracker (yeah, I know ... almost as bad as a ten foot inflatable nutcracker). However, we rationalized that at $150, they wouldn't buy it. Well, they didn't get that nutcracker, but they were able to find the next generation in the nutcracker collection from three years ago! This time they only got one per family (which is good otherwise we'd be working on a nutcracker army at this house!). They got us once again and all six of us had a good laugh.


As you may be able to tell, this nutcracker is a bit more blinged out than his brothers. His green coat is actually laden with glitter! Plus he's sporting gold chains and applique. And let's not forget that fly mustache. Hence, I have named him Pimpy. So now I realize that "the twins" are the only nameless nutcrackers in this home. Any ideas?

Bah humbug....

Well, I'm good to my word. The votes favored of Ol' Nutty rather than me so now he stands gloating at me from my lawn. All ten glowing feet of him. So those of you punks that call yourselves my friends come on by and get your laughs. Just know, next year he could be the pink flamingo in your lawn....

Can you believe how big this thing is?

And Matt and Steph were true to their promise too ... Nascar Santa rides with pride in their front lawn. They too are already plotting retribution for next year so watch out if you live in the Springfield, Missouri area!

Yeah, Steph's eight months pregnant and you can't even tell!
I'm so jealous...

Jolly: (adj) merry, festive, or happy

Can you believe we are less than two weeks away from Christmas? As the days decrease, it seems my to do list increases. Though I fully realize that a majority of it is of my own making. Why you ask? Because my parents and youngest sister Kelly are coming HERE for Christmas! Jonathan and I are so exited to have them come and share Morgan's first Christmas.

Having them come to San Antonio poses some interesting new challenges ... like determining what holiday traditions to keep, tweak, or pass on altogether. This is a pretty big deal because in my family we have pretty much followed the same holiday routine for as long as I can remember. Some decisions have been easy while others have been a bit harder. Nonetheless, it's fun to start new traditions with my new family.

Now take a minute and tell me about your holiday traditions/preferences...

1. Colored or white lights?

For our "official" tree, it has to be colored lights. However, our unofficial tree and our outdoor decorations are white lights.

2. Favorite holiday food?

I love the cookies! Mostly I love the variety of cookies that the season brings - different flavors, shapes, and colors and always displayed together on festive holiday platters. So irresistible...

3. Open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas morning (though JD's family always did it on Christmas Eve). There's nothing like all your holiday pictures depicting you with bed head and in pajamas!

4. Favorite Christmas song?

Gosh, I really don't know. It really depends on my mood. However, I think I will always like "White Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" because of my Midwestern background and living so far away from family.

And for good measure, what are you asking Santa for this year?

My "Santa" is bringing me a new set of dishes! We've had his set of Walmart dishes since we got married, and I've been looking to replace them ever since. "Santa" did so good ... he even picked out the pattern himself (and I like it!).

Countdown: (noun) the final moments before a significant event

Though I'm not sure I'd consider putting Ol' Nutty in my yard significant as much as traumatic, the countdown is on nonetheless. Less than twelve hours of voting remain before Nutty's (and mine and JD's) fate is decided. Midnight is the deadline so don't forget to vote ... and get all your friends to vote :)

If voting trends continue as they have, you will be able to drive by my house tomorrow night and the twelve foot inflatable beacon that is Nutty will be illuminated in front of our house. Oh the shame...