Vincent Christmas 2011 ... part 1

I cant believe its that time of year again... Christmas time...

The up side of it - getting to spend time with family.

We always do Christmas with Ricky's family the Sunday before Christmas.  I'm so glad that Ricky's sister, Pam, started this tradition.  We used to not see everyone & it was sad to miss this side of the family.  Problem is solved now... & as you can see, we all got together again this year...


(Thank goodness for timers on cameras... only way I was in a picture... I dont mind being behind it for one moment though)

We started off with an AMAZING dinner... Pam outdoes herself every year taking it all on herself.  And I dont consider it Christmas until I eat this dish she makes... I dont even know the name of it.  But it has strawberries & pretzels in it.. & its sweet... & I think angels kiss it & its directly from Heaven.  I'm believing that so I can also imagine it doesnt have any calories in it... especially because I had 3 servings of it!

It was time to open some gifts.  Pam gave each of her brothers & sisters a package that held a beautiful box.  Inside of each box was a letter she took the time to write to each one of her siblings.  It was the most special gift I think anyone has ever given Ricky... Here's the picture of him reading it... for the 3rd time... he couldnt get enough of it.  What a beautiful reminder that Christmas is best when its from the heart....

While everyone was reading their letters, Maggie was talking & I caught this picture... I love it... with Pam listening to her mom... Pam is the first of Maggie's babies... but you know no matter how old you get, you're still listening to what your mom has to say :)

It was time to start opening the presents under the tree....

Here is my brother in law, Jason... there is a huge UK/UL rivalry in this family.  Ricky & his sister are the only UK fans... everyone else cheers for the Cardinals.  Last year, Ricky gave Jason as a joke, a UK clock... so this year, see that smirk?  Jason wrapped up a UL Sweatshirt.... I can only imagine what next year will be.  Ricky will probably get the actual Wildcat Mascot outfit to give to Jason :)

Here are some snapshots of the family just enjoying Christmas....

My beautiful Sister in Law, Melissa... she's the baby of the family....& I can talk with her for hours... & laugh & laugh... & then laugh some more.  When Ricky & I met, she was just a teenager in high school... amazing to have watched her grow up into a pretty fantastic woman.

Pam's husband, Doug... Jason & Melissa got him this gift.  A hummingbird feeder made out of a Bud Light bottle.  Can you say "PERFECT GIFT"????... so Doug.  Let me tell you - if you ever meet Doug, you're going to love him.  I can sit in a room & he not say anything & he can make me laugh... not intending to... that's what makes him so funny.

Here is Maggie... my mother in law... checking out all her presents... I just loved the light shining on the side of her face... she's not a fan of the camera, so when I can snag a picture of her, I love to do it.  Then she yells at me... but she still loves me... I hope.  Cause I love her :)

Here's Ricky & Pam digging into the wrapping....

Here's yet ANOTHER Sister in law... you cant tell me I'm not blessed :)  I never had a sister growing up & then I get all these sisters through marriage?  Pretty cool.  Sherry & Ricky grew up together being closer in age then the others, so can you say "Sibling Rivalry"?  Because look it up in the dictionary & there will be Sherry & Ricky's picture :)  They have fun with each other though with all the teasing... that's the law of brothers & sisters, right?

We were just having a flipping fantastic time....

This is my niece Alexis who was perfecting her back bends.... Its not Christmas unless someone is standing on their head....

Since I dont want to overload you with too much at one time, I'll just break it up into 2 days...

Come back tomorrow to check out the pictures I took of the family together & the surprise they had for Ricky :)

.... I love "to be continued" posts....

What if...

A friend sent this in an email to me a few weeks ago & I just keep reading it over & over... some good stuff... Hope you enjoy it & it touches your heart like it did mine...

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a HEALER?

If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am a DELIVERER?

If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an OVERCOMER?

If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am a COMFORTER?

If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am a FORGIVER?

If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?

If you never went through fire, then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, then what would you need me for?

-Love, Jesus

Friday Fragments

It Friday... one day closer to Christmas... the Holiday I'm so ultimately not prepared for.  Yep - as of last post, I've only marked one person off our list.  Only 37 more to go... & how many days left?  I dont want to talk about it... instead, let's FRAG!!

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I kept hearing everyone talk about it, & I just found on Hulu that they're showing all the episodes... so I'm proud to announce, I'm now addicted to "Revenge".... wow!  What an interesting show! I think its weird that we cheer on the main character that is set out to ruin people's lives that wronged her... only a good TV show can make you do that.  "YES - she ruined that person's career! (insert, "Family" "Life" "Marriage")" ... not something you say in ordinary life.  At least I hope not.

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Source: choco-kun.deviantart.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I am still so excited that Beauty & the Beast comes out in theaters in 4 weeks!!!!  3D... I cant even imagine.  I keep telling everyone, it'll be like actually being IN the movie.  I may cry!

I'm debating wearing my gold Belle gown to the movie theater.  Wonder if I'd get looks?  I know that'd be one sure-fire-way to make sure Ricky wouldnt go to the theater with me :)  Hey - at least I'm not asking him to wear the Beast Costume I have!

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Updates:  No, my tendon hasnt ruptured yet (boo!)... yes, its still painful (boo!) .... the bridge is still shut down (boo!)... & its 77 more days until the PROJECTED opening of the bridge (boo! or yippee?).... & my dad hasnt cut off any fingers or been in any wrecks lately (YIPEE!!!!)

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So here's a few pictures from our Christmas party with the youth group

Here's Jordan who dressed up like Cindy Lou Who!!! Isnt that adorable?!?!  I was going to try & dress up like the Grinch with her, but the day didnt allow it.  She still pulled it off looking fantastic!

& we had contests to wrap up a person... in 5 minutes... here's the Junior High winner.  Complete with bows for eyes :)

& our Senior High Winner

Sr High was complete with a hat & an accessory bag.  I wish you coulda seen the back of it.  They had it to tailored to fit her - it was actually impressive.

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Hey - Just remembered... go on over to my book blog for a chance to win a new book called "Night of the Living Dead Christian" ... right now, there's only one entry.  (Lynn, you can make everyone stay away & be the for-sure winner!)
http://www.rebeccajosbooks.blogspot.com/

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So I took off work to do some Christmas shopping on Wednesday... well, it ended up being 65 degrees & beautiful.  I ended up scrapping Christmas shopping (see why I'm in trouble?) & doing an engagement session.  Look at this girls eyes... these are not touched up in ANY way - they're naturally like this. 

She reminded me so much of my sister in law who has those blue-clear-beautiful eyes...

Here's another shot I love...

But the coolest thing of all - we got to go into the Papa John's Football Stadium all by ourselves & do some pictures!  She is a former Lady-Bird (the dance team) & he is a former Cardinal cheerleader. (how neat is that?) & he still works for the sports department of the University of Louisville.  I was actually a little overwhelmed walking in & knowing we had the place to ourselves.  And there was a ladder right there too that I could use... got some cute pics... but here is just one. I told them they had to sit on the 50 Yard line since marriage is about 50/50.  I was just hoping my University of KENTUCKY fan of a husband wouldnt be too upset that I was as star-struck as I was in the stadium :) (He actually thought it was pretty neat himself)

I think in the end, it was a good idea to ditch the Christmas shopping...

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SPAT OF THE WEEK:  HICCUPS!!!! .... I had just finished dinner when I got hiccups.  Now, just finished eating, I thought I was going to throw up my bean burrito with every hiccup.  I'm not one of those cute little "hiccup'ers"... I'm the kind that has an echo'ing, loud, sound like a fog-horn hiccup-er.  So Ricky comes up behind me & screams & throws something on the counter.  It make me jerk forward like someone stabbed me.  The dogs even scattered.  Zoe, who is nervous anyways, took off like a bat out of Hades... Bruno ran to my legs... Sydney jumped up... & Buffy ran & got a ball. (It doesnt matter what happens, Buffy goes & gets a ball).  I turned around & started screaming "WHY.WOULD.YOU.DO.THAT?" ... he just kept laughing.  The thing I hated.. it did actually work - my hiccups were gone.  I told him if he did it again, my hiccups wouldnt be the only thing gone... my heart would be too because it would have bursted from the scare!

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I'm so mad...my favorite Old Navy Grey t-shirt, I got bleach on it while I was cleaning the kitchen... & then I found this idea on Pinterest...

Source: showtellshare.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Now, what to creat out of my "spots" on my shirt... this should be interesting! ... it'll probably just turn into a smiley face... I cant draw.

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Hope you all have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!! & wish me luck on the Christmas shopping thing!

30 minutes....

OK... this LOOKS like its long when you see the time on the video,

but its really cool

Full of some neat information, that you may or may not want to hear...

& its just plain neat to watch the video with the sketching

So sit back & take a little time to learn something that will help you in the long run...

Some Christmas Pics...

So I've just done a little bit of decorating at a time...

Here are just a few pictures of our new tree.

We got a new entertainment center & our old tree was fat... wide at the base.  We went ahead & got a skinny tree & I love the way it looks in the corner, next to the entertainment center.

Yes, we still do Disney... everything Disney... except our Nativity Set.  Do they make a Disney Nativity?  I need to go check that out now.

Here are just a tiny example of some of our ornaments...


Love the "unusual" Disney ornaments of characters you dont see very often


We have a massive Disney collection.

I even had a whole Beauty & the Beast Christmas tree one time ... in addition to our Disney tree... so you can imagine just the ornaments I have of Belle & her friends :)



We have a whole series of different Disney characters as Angels ... ahhh



Isnt the Lady & the Tramp cute?  A Christmas Tree on our Christmas tree.

 See that Mickey Belle?  We have those all over our tree... its a set with Minnie, Pluto & Goofy... we have like 4 sets of them on the tree... the lights reflect so beautifull off those red bells


Mickey is just everywhere....

 

This is one of our favorites just because he's ROLLER SKATING!!! :)


But yep... this is always in the middle of our tree...

We know that Christmas is more then Mickey Mouse & all the other Disney characters...

Its about Jesus... & we celebrate His birthday every year :)

I'm sure I'll have more pictures as Christmas gets closer & closer...

Think I need to ask Santa...

Do I look like a thief?

I think Bruno even thinks I'm a thief....

Got this picture snapped of me when I was heading out to run.

I have to wear sun glasses, even though it gets dark early because my eyes water so much with the cold & then they are so dry afterwards.

But Ricky gets mad at me for wearing all this black...

especially when the sun is set by the time I get home...

But black is sliming! :)

Think I need to ask Santa for some reflective gear?

Weekend in Review

Its Monday & I'm exhausted... no, really... exhausted.

I'm sitting at my desk at 6:30 am barely able to hold my head up... thinking about sleep, which is doing nothing but making me more tired.

My weekend was so amazingly hectic... here's just a small look at how it went

* Friday evening was our Christmas Program at church.  I got to sing with our Christmas Ensemble... love doing that every year.  Its odd though because I have a deeper voice so I sing tenor... but we're short in the tenor department anyways so it works out.  I love when a program all comes together.  We practice for months ahead of time so when it's the actual performance night, there's an energy in the air.

*Our church also put on a Christmas drama... fantastic!  Great to see so many people get to use their talents while giving a great message... so many ways to "preach" the message of Jesus.

*We were out shopping early on Saturday.... trying to knock off the list... & was doing pretty decent until...

*Got a phone call my dad was in a car accident... he was in the ER so Ricky & I took off to see what was going on.  He's OK... just a tad banged up.... I drove him home when he was released & Ricky went to go see his brother whose also in the hospital.  Also just thankful that dad was just "banged up" when I heard a 17 yr old boy in our area of town was also in a car accident that same day & didnt survive... life can change at the blink of an eye.

*I had to be back at church at 6:00 pm for our Junior High Christmas party... I am so thankful for my friends... I was running late since we were coming from Louisville & had to go through the bridge chaos... so I didnt have time to stop at home & put on a Christmas costume or even bring a white elephant gift... I walk in & my friends had me something to put on & an extra gift for me to use.... friends make things better, dont they?

*Sunday was Jr High service & it was an amazing time to hear their view on "Peace" in the world... & in their lives... they said things that literally left me speechless... such amazing minds.

*Off to try & pick up a few more gifts... sshhh... I found Ricky's gift while he was out with his friend

*Had to go to the funeral home... my uncle passed away on Friday.  I got to see so many of my family members I havent seen in YEARS which is always nice, but just wish it was under different conditions.  I told everyone we used to see everyone at weddings, then baby showers & now, I hope its not only funerals we see each other. 

*Back to my neck of the woods for our Senior High Christmas Party... It was a party kinda weekend

*I ended up getting home last night around 9:30 & now, my house is a disaster area... bags thrown all over the kitchen... I have no idea what is where, or where is what... I didnt even care.  I put on my PJ's, got a book  & read for 30 minutes before I crashed with my book in my hands...

....I'm looking forward to Christmas to just sleep in....

Hope you all had a great weekend

(FYI - I do have pictures of my Christmas tree... & the youth party...  & some other things... I just had ZERO time to get on the computer this weekend... but pictures are coming...)

Friday Fragments

Its baaaacccckkkkk.... I didnt realize I havent done Friday Fragments in awhile... but the Thanksgiving posts of November put it on hold... & I never knew some of you would miss my "Spat of the week" so much :)  ... I actually love that you all enjoy mine & Ricky's spats... its what we contribute to the world. So without further ado, let's Frag away again...

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So I am done with one person for Christmas shopping... one... I have (no joke) 32 more people on the list... I'm in trouble!  Especially because there are only 2 weekends left... & in these 2 weekends, I have 3 Christmas parties, a wedding reception, a Christmas Program to sing in, the youth programs, a family get-together.... I am ready for my Christmas Nervous Breakdown.  Tis the Season

& by the way, what do you get for your boss?  The man who literally has everything & can buy whatever he wants? Seriously?  I need thoughts....

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Nope, my bicep tendon hasnt ruptured yet... but I was sitting with a youth kiddo in church Sunday & my shoulder POPPED so loud!  She snapped her neck to look at me & said, "Did it just rupture?" ... I thought my whole arm ruptured with that noise, but alas... everything is still holding TIGHT...

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How sweet is this?  My buddy, Ryan's new wife offered to do all my Christmas wrapping for me to help out with my arm.  Isnt that the sweetest thing ever?  It actually made me tear up that someone even thought of that to offer to me.... now, if only I had present to wrap (see Frag #1)

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I did get to take a few hours & take a little girl's pictures for her first Christmas... is this the cutest little face?  And its crazy because she looks just like her dad!.... He always eats the fur off Santa hats too...

I also had 2 little helpers taking these pictures :)  My nieces were all about helping out & standing behind me with rattles & things to grab her attention.  I told them I needed to hire them to go on shoots with me more often.

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I never started watching X-Factor... am I missing out on something?  I hear there are death threats happening.  Wow... but I am giddy for more Stephen Tyler with the start of American Idol coming up....

& what's up with the rumor Ryan Seacrest could be taking over for Matt Lauer.  Really?  I dont see Ryan Seacrest sitting down with leaders of other countries.  Unless he's giving them news they've been voted out of power.

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Spat of the Week:  Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer .... oh, its Christmas time.  The time of stress... I have so many spats to choose from here.  But this was definitely the most entertaining... & the one I was right about.  While we were out shopping last week for Christmas tree decorations, I started singing "Silver & Gold"... then asked Ricky, "Know who sings that?" - fyi, we always give pop quizzes on songs & singers.  We'd be ready for Rock & Roll Jeopardy on VH1 at the drop of a hat!  But Ricky said, "your dad sings it"... now, my dad does look like Cornelius from Rudolph & I was confused that he really didnt know this.  Cue the spat... I told him its the snowman, aka Burl Ives that sings it & Ricky went on to do a horrible impression of Cornelius saying "I found silver & gold"... I reminded Ricky it was the worse part of the show as a child - the snowman singing this song that no one cared about.  A kid doesnt care about anything unless you can bounce it, throw it, or eat it... & you cant do that for silver or gold.  This argument went on until we could get home  & solve it with the help of wonderful You-Tube... I just love being right... but Ricky still claims he was right since Cornelius DOES technically talk about silver & gold... no one can say we arent a stubborn folk.

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Source: google.com via Lacey on Pinterest

See the resemblance?

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I weigh myself once a week... & on the days that I weight, after I get that number, it feels like a 'free eat day' .. afterall, I have a full week until I have to weigh again.  Probably defeats the purpose, but its the games I play with myself that keeps life fun.

Well, hope you all have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!!

Tasting new things...

We live away from anything convenient...

except if you want to smell cow poo... that's convenient...

or seeing dead deer in the back of trucks... that's always fun to see

Living in a country atmosphere does have its advantages, but when you grow up in the city & anything you want is 5 minutes away, its an adjustment.

We have a Tumbleweed that is 10 minutes down the road... the only big restaurant that is near... so needless to say, we eat there .... a LOT....

...good thing we like it.

But lately, I've been on a mission to try new things. 

Know how you go to places you eat & you almost dont even look at a menu?  You already know what you like, & you get the same thing over & over.  That's what I'd do at Tumbleweed.  Ricky always gets the enchilada dinner, with chili as a side... the waitress/waiter even knows us well enough that she just says, "the usual?" to him... that just explain the whole thing in a nut shell.

But I'm doing it.. trying new things... I got a pasta dish there (at a Mexican place?)... & it was actually really good.

I'm finding all kinds of new things that are even tastier then I expected...  & better then the usual things I always order.

I ran across this scripture the other day in my study & it made me think exactly of this situation:

Taste & see the Lord is good

-Psalm 34:8

Dont we sometimes get caught up in the 'everyday' of every day?  And we dont take things to God that we should ... well, because we normally dont.  We keep to our daily 'menu' of things & dont include God in things that we dont normally call His help or blessing on.

So today, try something new.... talk to God more... ask Him to bless someone you never pray for... ask for His guidance in a situation you think you've got control over...

Taste & see...

....

I just looked up the Message version & had to post it because it even has the word "run" in it... oh yeah baby... see?  I just tasted something new with looking up this version :)

Open your mouth & taste...

open your eyes & see how good God is. 

Blessed are you who RUN to him.

-Psalm 34:8 (The Message)

Breaking the Habit....

its no secret I love my Diet Coke...

Source: etsy.com via Hayley on Pinterest

& its no secret that people keep telling me how bad it is for you....

I'm not sure what made me cut back... maybe it was the look Ricky gave me when I'd pop another can... but its been 2 weeks now.... & guess what?

drumroll please... I'm down to no more then 2 Diet Cokes a day!!! Some days its 1 can... ONE CAN OF DIET COKE...

That's major for me people!!!!!!

I know you may say, "I thought you were going to say you cut it all out"....

its a slow process....

I only drink one when I wake up... its my coffee... its what wakes me up.

And when I'm at home now on the weekends, I dont drink any during the day.  At work though, I do have one during lunch.... but that's it.

I used to drink about a carton a day.... A DAY PEOPLE!!!! That's a habit.

It's funny because it's almost like I can imagine people with a cigarette. How they have to light another one up immediately?  When I first thought I would cut back, I immediately wanted to hear the pop of another lid as soon as I finished my last drink.   THAT'S when I realized I had a little addiction problem... didnt even think about it till then.

But for 2 weeks now, I've been downing more water & tea then I ever have...

& its not too bad... I think I'm going to be making that change.

My morning Diet Coke isnt even tasting that great to me anymore.

Could it be?  The end of a era?

... all I have to say is, with all this water?  I never knew I could pee so much... you're welcome for that info

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