Merry Christmas!

Hope that everyone has had a wonderful Christmas Day!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Parkland Christmas Party

My work Christmas party was yesterday evening at the UTSW Faculty Club. We had some good food and played some fun and silly games! We also had a white elephant gift card exchange where I picked up a Home Depot gift card that I will give to Gregg! I love my new job in Nursing Education and all of the wonderful people that I work with! I can truly say that we have the best boss who makes coming to work enjoyable for all of us. This year for Christmas we are all getting to move out of our little cubicles into new offices with awesome new furniture!!! (Hopefully the computer cables got pulled to our office today/ tonight so we will get to move soon later this week.)

After the party we were all to go out for a drink together before heading home but when we got out to our cars it was sleeting and the top of the garage was all iced over so we quickly changed out mind and everyone headed home. It took me close to 2 hours to make it to the house but I finally made it their safely. (I got to drive Gregg's truck yesterday and today so that made me feel a little safer on the roads!)

I had my camera at the party but never took any real pictures so hopefully I will get pictures from one of the other girls soon and be able to post a few others!

me and Jennifer (my partner at work)

FRUSTRATED!!!

Last Sunday morning Gregg had to work and so I decided to head to Southlake for Sunday School and church all alone. I got in my car and backed out of the garage making it as far as the street when my car died. I tried to re-start it but it never started again. I went inside to change clothes and then back out to see if I could push the car off to the side of the street and get it out of the way. One of my neighbors came out to help and she and I got it pushed over a little. Then I went to get my other neighbor to see if he could help. When he and I got back to my car I had locked the doors to the car and locked the key inside! (When it rains it pours around here!!!) I have a friend who lives a couple of doors down and she has a spare key to my car but she was at work that morning also so, one of my neighbors took me to Baylor Garland to meet my friend and get her garage door opener to get my spare key from her house. We finally made it back to my house and got my car pushed over to the side of the street in front of my house. Monday morning after Gregg got off work he came over and took me to the hospital and then went back to my house to work on my car. $300 and a new battery later Gregg had my car running like new! (He got my alignment fixed, changed the fuel filter, filled it up with gas, and even had it washed- sweet boy!!!)

Everything with the car has been fantastic all week- no problems at all until yesterday. Yesterday afternoon I got in my car to head to meet the lady who is doing alterations on my wedding dress and my car wouldn't start again! I called Gregg who was at the station (he has told me before that anytime I will ever need him he will always be on duty and so far that is proving to be true!) Luckily, my friend and neighbor Sherri was at home and she let me borrow her car to take my dress to the lady for alterations! Gregg looked into my car on-line and figured out that the fuel delivery module on my car has been recalled. This morning he came over after work (once again we were unable to go to church because of my car) and spent some more time working on the car. Luckily he was able to get it running again- I have no clue how- and so tomorrow he is going to drive my car to the station and hopefully get to take it to the dealership sometime to get it looked at. Hopefully the recalled fuel pump will fix my car and everything will be back to normal and not cost us an arm and leg!

I am so frustrated right now because I really haven't ever had any big problems with my car and I just don't understand why right now when we are trying to save $$$ for Christmas and the wedding things have to start going wrong! Why couldn't this have happened in February??? So, Gregg and I's Christmas presents to each other this year will be getting my car running again! I do have to say the one blessing in this whole mess is that God is taking care of me and making sure that the only time my car won't run is when it is in front of my house instead of me getting stranded somewhere crazy! I have to pray now that we can get this all taken care of soon and not have to spend too much more money!

Thanksgiving in Lubbock

Gregg had to work on Thanksgiving this year and so we flew to Lubbock Friday morning to have a late Thanksgiving celebration with our families! We had lunch at The Grove's house Friday afternoon and it was yummy!!! Gregg's family fixed all the traditional foods plus a few non-traditional things such as shoe-horn salad. It was so great for me to spend this holiday with Gregg's family and I look forward to eating many more holiday meals with them! I have truly been blessed this year in the most amazing ways!

On Saturday we went and met my parents and some other friends for lunch before going to watch the Tech vs. Baylor football game! I have to say that my Red Raiders did give me a little bit of a scare during the first half but they did prevail to win the game and become Big 12 South Co-Champions!!! I am so proud of this football team and what a great season they have have! Look out other Big 12 teams the Red Raiders are here and we aren't going away!

The football team taking the field after halftime ready to turn the game around!

WE WIN! I love this scoreboard.

After the game was over Gregg and I went to my grandparents house to have dinner with them. My grandmother made roast and all the fixings that go with that, along with homemade biscuits and my favorite chocolate cake!!! We watched more football out at their house and then worked on our Wedding invitations. I am so glad that we got to go spend some quality time at Gramps and Grammy's house!

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Gregg's parents and then worked on the invitations some more. We also went thru pictures at Gregg's parents house and my parents house of Gregg and I growing up to use in our slide show. I brought home some really cute pictures of Gregg to use. Can't wait for Christmas when we will get to go home again!!!

Meeting Margaux

I am going to try and catch up this afternoon on what has been going on around here since my last post and then I promise to try and stay more on top of my posts!

One of my close friends from middle school, Kelly, had a baby on October 8 of this year. Kelly and her husband Walt live in Washington DC and so we have never met their precious baby girl. Kelly and Walt got to come to Texas for Thanksgiving to visit their families and so we all finally got to meet Miss Margaux!!!

Me, Staci, Susan, Mama Kelly, and Brynn

I pray that when I have a daughter someday she will have lifelong friends like this

Getting some cuddle time in

I am so glad that Kelly and Walt got to come to town so that we could all finally meet Margaux! Can't wait to watch this little girl grow up!

A sad ending to our fun weekend in Norman

We went to Norman, Oklahoma this weekend for the Tech vs. OU Football game. Gregg and I went up there on Friday to meet my parents and the other people that we always tailgate with in Lubbock. They brought 2 Motorcoaches and then my parents RV and I had reserved us 3 spots at RV Tailgating area in Norman. Gregg and I rented a hotel to stay in so that everyone we were with would have somewhere to come shower Saturday before the game. Our hotel was a little seedy (we actually debated on whether we should shower at the hotel or just be dirty all weekend- we did decide to shower) and I have now lost my hotel reserving privileges! We had so much fun all weekend and everyone that we were around was really great!

Setting up the tailgate

The GREAT State of Texas flag and our Tech Flag

Our Pirate Flag!

Gregg and I Saturday morning


Britton and John

Brent, Britton, and Big Al Brown

MMMMM Food!

We decided to have Chili cook-off on Saturday before the game since it was so cold. So, everyone brought their own Chili recipe and ingredients to make their Chili. We had 5 different pots of Chili that were cooked and enjoyed by everyone around us. Gregg made Chili, along with Brent, John, my Dad and even us Girls had our own Chili recipe!

Our "Stormin' Norman Chili Cook-Off" trophies

1st Place- Brent, 2nd Place- John, 3rd Place- Gregg

Saturday was the best and worst day for all of us! Gregg and I ended up without tickets to the game (a friend of his had said she would sell us hers but then when Tech was undefeated going into the game she decided she wanted to go to the game) which I have to say that I am thankful for now! So we watched the game from our tailgate area and a 6 ft by 6 ft projection screen.

I don't really think that there are words to describe the game. I am so sad for the Red Raiders. I did believe that this was our year- and I still do. I don't think that we will be playing in the National Championship game but I do believe that Tech will end up ranked in the Top 10 bringing a recognition to Texas Tech and Lubbock, Texas that we have never had before. I refuse to take the credit away from OU for the game that was played last night. The fact is that OU played an amazing game and Tech was outplayed and out coached. We still have a lot to learn and room to grow. My challenge for the Red Raiders and for all Tech fans is to hold your head up high and don't make excuses for this game. Do not be discouraged- we have had an absolutely amazing season so far and we should be proud of our team and what they have accomplished! While last nights game didn't end up the way we would have hoped I am still proud to say that Gregg and I graduated from Texas Tech University. RAIDER POWER!

Habitat For Humanity

Today our Sunday School Class from White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake helped out on a Habitat For Humanity project! The house that we were supposed to work on actually got finished early and so they moved us to another house that was a little behind schedule. The build was actually in Wylie which meant that for once Gregg and I had the 10 minute drive while everyone else had to make the hour long journey over here to our neck of the woods! The building part of the house was already finished (big blessing since it was quite chilly this morning!) and so we got finish the spackling/ caulking and then prime and paint the inside of the house! I do think that I have now painted my allotment for at least the next year!!! We did get the whole house primed and everything but the hallway painted so the people in charge of the build were very happy! We had a great time working on the house for the Davis Family and met some really wonderful people while we were there! Here our pictures of us hard at work. Enjoy!

Synergy Sunday School Class

The house for the Davis' and their 2 adorable children

Travis hard at work putting up trim

Susan painting in the master bedroom

Mary playing "Supervisor"

And now Mary painting

Josh working on the trimming for the bathtub

Jason and Carol (we met her working on the house)

April checking out the boys work

Anna taking a break to :) for the camera

Gregg and I glad that the day is about to be over!!!

Irving Firefighters' Ball

On Sunday night Gregg and I went to the 3rd Annual Irving Firefighters' Ball at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas. We had the most amazing time honoring all the Irving Firemen and raising money for scholarships of IFD members children.

The night started off at 5:00pm with a Cocktail hour and Silent Auction. There were some incredible things there including a Fireman decorated scrapbook that I really wanted but we missed bidding on it :( We had fun walking around and chatting with all the Fireman and other city dignitaries in attendance and getting to see the newest Fire Engine and Boat that the department just got!

Then we moved into the big Ballroom for dinner and the Awards Program. The food and wine were terrific! We were sitting with another Fireman and his wife along with the auctioneer for the night and 2 of the women who were on the planning committee for the evening. The program started off with members of the Honor Guard presenting the colors.

Then it was on to the Scholarship and Awards presentation. The Mayor and First Lady of Irving, Herbert and Christina Gears, were honored for their support of IFD. Chief Mario Molina recognized the Firemen and their families and also talked about the future of the department. There were 10 children of Firemen presented with scholarships and 5 members of the IFD who received honors. The 9 year old daughter of one of the Fireman also won the coloring contest this year for her drawing of what she thinks her Dad and other Fireman do while at work.

Overall, the evening was a beautiful gesture of appreciation for all the wonderful men and women of the Irving Fire Department and all that they do. I am very proud of my Fireman and can't wait to join the elite group of Firemen Wives!

To Gregg and all other Firemen- Thank you so much for everything that you do each and every day. Thanks for taking risks and going into situations that normal people run from. Thanks for your dedication to your community. Thanks for saving lives and helping people in need. Gregg you are my hero and I love you so very much!

All men are not created equal. Only the finest become firemen!

ROLL ON RED RAIDERS!!!

Saturday was the Tech vs Texas Football game and it was INCREDIBLE!!! The whole weekend was filled with excitement- Lubbock was like I have never seen it before! You could feel the electricity in the air!

Gregg and I stayed Friday night at the tailgate in my parents RV. We had to get up Saturday morning to meet with our Preacher for some Pre-marital Counseling. I was none to excited about going to this meeting (because I was afraid I was going to miss something at the tailgate) but once we got there to meet with Jason I really enjoyed the session! We had a really good session and got our next 2 lessons. Let the fun begin again!

After that it was back out to the tailgate for more food, fun, and alcohol! On Saturday we had sausage wraps, ribs, jalapeno wraps, and more chocolate brownies for lunch. YUMMY! It was so great to spend the day with my family and all kinds of friends both old and new! We even had a golf cart to go ride through all the other tailgates on.

Gregg found this tailgate party on Friday night when walking around. They had a stuffed Bevo hanging from one of the posts so we had to go back and have our picture made with it!

We also found a tailgate with this poster hanging on the door. (Not exactly classy but really, really funny!)
Around 5pm we loaded a bus and headed to the game- Mom and I like to be there early enough to see the band do their pre-game thing! Gregg and I got season tickets this year with my parents and this is the first home game that we have made it to. The stadium looked GREAT with everyone dressed all in black! It was SOOO exciting from the moment we walked in! There really aren't even words to describe the game and all the emotions that the fans went through Saturday night- excitement, shock, exhilaration, disappointment, sadness, amazement and pure joy!!! RAIDER POWER! I am so proud of this football team and all their hard work this year! We are finally making a stand and proving to everyone that we DESERVE respect!!! This was a game that will go down in the history books and I am so glad that I got to whiteness it!

The band at halftime- they did a awesome Pirate themed routine in honor of Mike Leach

close up of the Pirate flags

These guys did their school proud! One more reason that I am VERY glad not to be a texas fan!

Michael Crabtree celebrating his game winning 28 yard catch with :01 second left!

The scoreboard celebrating Crabtree's touchdown!

The fans as they rush the field

Bye Bye Longhorns!

INCREDIBLE!

I love this picture!

Gregg and I celebrating a RED RAIDER VICTORY!!!

WE WIN!!!

And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off

Psalm 75:10

Our weekend!

Gregg and I went to Lubbock last Thursday to watch the Red Raiders take on Texas and to get some wedding stuff taken care of. We flew in and out of Amarillo because the flights there were so much cheaper than flying to Lubbock. So, Thursday night Gregg's parents came to pick us up from the airport and we went to have dinner at "Blue Sky" with Gregg's parents and his Aunt and Uncle who live in Canyon. We had an amazing dinner- yummy burgers and fries- and then went back to Gregg's parents house in Hale Center to stay the night.

On Friday morning we drove to Wolfforth to go meet the lady who is doing flowers for our wedding at the Church. My Mom, Gregg, and I spent a couple of hours there with her and I am super exited now that I have heard Nancy's ideas for the flowers! After we finished at the Church Gregg and I headed up to the waiting line to get in to the tailgate area where we me my little brother and some other friends. My parents had taken the RV to the waiting lot Thursday at noon so we were all at the front of the line to get into the parking lot. Tech couldn't allow people into the lot until after 5:30pm when classes let out so we had several hours of waiting to do. It was CRAZY seeing the number of RV's that were waiting to get into the parking lot!!!

Once the gates opened at 5:30pm it was an all out mad dash to get into the parking lot and claim a space. We got the most awesome space and the 6 RV's that were with us all set up camp! We camped in style for the weekend having a great grill, smoker, and big screen TV with surround sound all set up. On Saturday night they even put out a 6ft X 6ft screen and projector for anyone not going to the game to watch it on at the tailgate area.

We ate GREAT food- A LOT of great food! We had burgers, wings, jalapeno wraps, and chocolate brownies, and plenty of alcohol on Friday night. We also dressed up for Halloween and had lots of candy for the Trick or Treaters!

Mom dressed up as a Cowgirl Ghost complete with long blonde wig under her hat, a pearl necklace, and fake eye lashes!

Bailey, my niece, was a Mad Scientist

Gregg was a Pirate complete with Parrot and eye patch and I was a friendly Devil with an awesome red and black wig, red and black eye lashes, and fun red and black boa!

Pip, my brother and sister-in-law's dog even had a skeleton shirt to wear

Overall, the night was a lot of fun!!! It was GREAT seeing everyone so pumped up for the game and so excited about Tech! Stay tuned for pictures from Saturday and the game!!!