Christmas Lights

Taking pictures of the house was not very easy. Chris got these new 'light show' lights (and snowflakes) and they are constantly changing color. They look very pretty but its easier to see in person!

O Christmas Tree!

Here is a better picture of our tree, in daylight. I feel like it has a bit of an identity problem, but Chris and I like how eclectic it is. It goes real well with all the holly and red and green throughout the house... NOT.

Chris has been so into the Christmas lights this year. I will post that picture later!

Every year I try to make a couple ornaments for the tree. I always say one day we will have a homemade ornament tree for the kids and a fancy tree in a fancy room. One day :)

This year I made one with our Christmas picture on it:

I also made Delilah her ornament. We got her last November, but she was so sick around the holidays we didn't make her ornament because we thought she was going to die. So sad and terrible I know! But she made it and now has her puppy ornament:

its beginning to look....

a lot like Christmas! yay!

Thankful

Wow what a year we've had. Many ups, many downs, but still praising God through it all.

I wanted to make note of what I am thankful for this year....and most times its easier for me to look at the bad side, so this is good therapy for me :)

• First I am thankful for grace and forgiveness.
• I am thankful for my husband
• I am thankful that family is also our friends.
• I am thankful that we found a church and am looking forward to building more relationships there.
• I am thankful that both my husband and I have jobs that not only pay the bills, but that we love.
• I am thankful for a home and two dogs that melt my heart.
• And right at the moment, I am thankful for my french silk pie that I will eat for breakfast!!

Happiness.

What does that mean to you, being happy? I feel like so many people are very wrapped up in 'being happy' lately. I have been wrestling with the idea of God wanting us to be happy. I have seen many people use this as an excuse to live how they please, all in the name of being happy. What does God say?

We studied this at my church a few weeks back. One lie we believe as Christians is that 'God wouldn't want us to be unhappy', and our Pastor said something very challenging: The truth is that God would rather us be obediently suffering than disobediently happy.

I think to Jesus dying on the cross, Mary getting pregnant from the Holy Spirit, Noah building the Arc....all these great people of God who obediently lived for God, and I doubt they were 'happy' doing it. They suffered and came through. God provided for them in the midst of their suffering. He will never fail us as long as we obey Him. Choosing our own path to 'happiness' will lead to destruction. We are either moving toward God, or away from him. There is no neutral, even if we think pursuing happiness has pure motives.

Please Lord, help me to obey you and not look to please myself.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8

^"But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" 1 Peter 2:20-21

Another thought: Happiness is an emotion. Should we live by our emotions? I think thats how we get in trouble. God gives us everlasting JOY, which isn't fleeting and quick lived like happiness.

Proud

I am very proud of this man. He has been promoted, again. Since we have been married he has been promoted 6 times. 6 times in 2.5 years. Whoa. I love his drive and hard working attitude. He has made a good balance of work and family time. He is doing so well it amazes me.

But I am not going to lie...each promotion is very bittersweet. With more money comes the question of kids...and each time its still 'no'. Makes me start to wonder if its not even about the money. It seems like thats what we have been waiting on, more financial security (isn't that what everyone says??) but I wonder if after a gazillion raises if it will still be a 'no'. Breaks my heart most of the time. I want a family more than anything, but I want my husband to want it too. Does anyone know what this is like? I feel so alone. And I am most definitely not going to trick him into getting pregnant. I have contemplated it, no doubt, but its just a terrible thing to do. I want to honor my husband, respect him, follow his lead...but all the while I am sitting here thinking (more at God)' "when the heck will I get the 'desires of my heart'"??!

Obsessed.

With this photo shoot. Oh my the location is just brilliant! Had 3 shoots here this past weekend....heres this cutie:

Hard to say Goodbye :(

The dreaded day came...my best friend Kari moved to Southern California to pursue her dreams...she even has an interview to be an intern for the Jonas Brothers!

Kari and I have been friends for over 7 years, since high school. It was terrible saying bye to her, we both cried and cried!

This is us girls from work at her goodbye party (we work together too)

Here are some old school pictures I dug up!!
Senior Prom:
Junior Prom:
I know I will see you soon Kari! I love you very much!

Happy Halloween!

At work yesterday we all got to dress up. I always have a hard time thinking of costumes for Halloween. Mainly, I don't want to look dumb :)

Here is the group of us, mostly dressed up

This is my costume. I couldn't think of anything, so when I found this shirt at Ross for $4, I bought it and drew a jack o lantern face on it with Sharpie. I know, really lame. Haha I couldn't think of anything!! And I really hate spending money on costumes.

At work we had a pumpkin contest. My boss got these small little craft pumpkins from Michaels that we each had to decorate. I wanted to make something fall-ish so I could have it around the house next year.

Here is my pumpkin:

I would like you all to know that I got 7 votes. The whole month of October I got 7 votes...I came in last :(

This was the winner....a hamburger made by friend Elizabeth. She got 50 votes!
I hope everyone had a fun and safe halloween!

Sweet Home California

I got home yesterday from what felt like a very short trip to Sacramento. I got to spend a lot of time with my extended family who I miss so so much!!! I loved being able to be there to experience 'fall' this season. I miss that. But it also brought back allergies I forgot about!

Me in the car trying to stay awake....I said on facebook I felt like Jessie Spano from Saved by the Bell. I was so high on caffiene. No bueno :)

Having dinner at my Aunt Pats. She has an awesome ranch close to where I grew up. We had a great feast! She knows how to make her cobbler. I also got to run around with my nephew taking pictures of him on her land. He was amazed by all the horses and cows.
My Grandma Helen and I at her birthday party...the whole reason she went. She threw a Hawaiian Tacky party for her 70th....we all had to dress miss matched and crazy, with a Hawaiian twist. It was too funny. I haven't seen a lot of people from my dads side in a long time. I got a lot of, "I haven't seen you since you were a baby!" I did remember everyone, and surprisingly they all looked the same! Good genes I suppose. They also did a talent show and I guess everyone on that side can sing too....they did good.
This is my sister, my cousin Jaima (who was my favorite growing up :) and me! This is at my Aunt Cheryls, who we stayed with.
I can't wait to go back! I love the city, the people, the family.... I love NorCal!!

another dog?!?!

I love my dogs. They are just too funny. And sweet. And loving. And snuggly.

But two dogs is enough.

The other day Chris tells me, "I really want another puppy."

My thoughts, "Why don't we just have a kid already??!!??!?"

Another puppy. Pssh. Everytime we have gotten a puppy, it was in hopes of curing my baby bug or tiding me over until 'the time is right'.

No more dogs. I am putting my foot down ;)

not-so-domestic goddess.

When Chris and I first got married, I was quite new at all this housework stuff. I went straight from my moms house to my husbands and never lived on my own. You don't realize the weight of the housework until you have a home to care for...and a husband.

The second month we were married I spent a whole day doing laundry. I didn't remember to empty the lint trap, not even once. Well, obviously my clothes weren't getting dry and I realized it was because of my forgetfulness. When I pulled out the trap, all the lint went falling back into the dryer because it was so heavy. So what do I do? I grabbed a wooden spoon and tried to scoop it out. Well the spoon fell in too. Then I tried to use the dryer anyway and my husband freaked out because I almost started fire.

I know. The blonde hair suits me well.

Today I was changing the lint trap and a hair bow sitting on the dryer fell in. Deja Vu. So I tried to pull the dryer away from the wall to take it apart like I saw my husband do last time. I give up. There is a reason my husband does stuff like that.

Bleh. Sometimes I feel like I am not a good housewife. I hate laundry. I do cook but I don't have the same taste in food as my husband. I can't fix anything. I already killed the flowers outside.

This is just a little post about how somedays my husband walks through the door and I am so embarrassed about some mishap I let happen that day. It takes a real special guy to not complain while cleaning up all my disasters! And there's a lot of them :)

In My Make-Up Bag

I am a beauty product junkie.  I think thats why I love my job and joined the 'beauty' industry. So, I thought I would share my 'must-haves', those things I can't live without, or just really wouldn't want to!

Mac Eyeliner in Engraved. This pencil lasts forever and will not smudge! Its the best I have ever tried. My favorite items from Mac are their eye products and lip products. I don't recommend Mac foundation for people with skin problems.
Mac Lip Glass in Underage. Last week I went to a Mac Winter line launch party with my friend Kari, and I spent forever trying on lip glosses. I really loved Runway Fave (the perfect nude), but they were sold out so I got this one. It is also a great glossy nude color.

Osis Dust It. We sell out of this at work like crazy. It is a root lift product. You sprinkle it onto your dry hair at the scalp, then rub your fingers through and instant volume!! Or you can backcomb after you use it and your hair will stay teased all day.
Redken Blonde Glam Conditioner in Perfect Platinum. Since I have been lightening my hair, it hasn't been turning blonde without looking a little brassy. I have a ton of natural red in my hair, and this will take out all the orange/brass that blondes can have.
What I smell like! Don't make fun of me for wearing a Jessica Simpson perfume :) It is my favorite smell right now. Its almost like Pink Sugar, but not as sweet.

Opi Nail Polish in After Dark in Lincoln Park. Its a deep, dark purple. Very pretty for winter. I wear it on my fingernails and I am not gothic.
On to skin care!

I am really loving exfoliants. This one is awesome.... Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. It exfoliants gently and also brightens the skin. Its a powder that you mix with water and foams up and feels so nice. Chris loves it too :)

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. Again, exfoliates. I am not good about using it daily, but when I do use it my skin is so soft.
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream.  I am new to Dermalogica, my new salon carries it and I always try to use what I sell. I didn't think it would be a very good effective line, but I really love it. It has a good price point for a higher end line and really works! I like this moisturizer the best. It doesn't smell very good to me, but it it feels like heaven.

All the hair care and skin care are sold at my salon if you are interested. 

So...whats in your Make-Up/ Toiletries  bag??? 

I love to know what other people 'must-have' so please share! its fun!

Monkey Business

Last week I went to the zoo with my sister. She is pretty cool because she is a zoo member...and she invites me places. Quality time is my favorite :)

That Aidan. He does NOT buy into smiling for cameras. He is such a happy, great kid but you whip out the camera and he gets as serious as a heart attack.

Here are some animal photos. You always see 'those people' with the huge lenses and backpack full of camera equipment at the zoo...so I thought I'd join. Not really. If I was by anyone with a dslr camera I quickly put mine away. I get embarrassed having my huge camera out, especially around other people. I am very odd. Its kinda like when I run into people I know, no matter how much I like them, I still avoid as much as possible. That made no sense, so moving on to the photos:

10 Lies

We are going to a new church, well we have been since Feb but I am not sure if I have talked about it on here. I have the link to our Pastors blog on the right, but this post struck a cord with me and I wanted to share. 

Its about 10 Lies Christians believe...it was sad to know that I have spoke some of those things, either to myself or to other people. 

Read about it here.

Homesick

In a couple weeks, I will be going back home to Sacramento to visit my family and celebrate my Grandmas birthday. She is having a pretty fabulous party I hear. In anticipation for the trip, I have been so eager to go back and really missing my hometown. Now, I know I moved to AZ when I was 12, but it is still home to me. (Wow I have lived in AZ for 11 years. Just realized that).

If you can see on this map, we are from that little town GALT. Most of my family now lives in ROSEVILLE and LINCOLN. Back in March/April, Chris and I tried to move to this area. We had a family wanting to rent our house and everything lined up to move...except jobs. This kept us from leaving AZ. We were both really sad, more me than him. Since then I have been very homesick and wish we will move there someday. I wonder if it will ever happen.

I keep telling Chris I am so excited for my visit this month, but I am already feeling the sadness of having to return home to AZ. I know being there will make me want to move again and make it very hard to come back. There is a time for everything, and I pray AZ is not permanent!

Gardening

On my birthday, Chris did a lot of yard work. I hate yard work. I think he knew this and did it this day so I could relax instead of help. I was very happy that he did a couple projects outside that I have been begging for!

First a flower bed in the backyard. Before this was covered with overgrown grass.

This is what happens when you wear white and go outside to see progress and you own 2 excited dogs. Pawprints all over my pants.
Finally he bought me 2 flower pots for the front yard. I really wanted these! That darn plant is the way of the one on the right, but you get the idea. I would like to rip that plant up and put in a step stone walkway. I mean, I would like Chris to :)
The mums in the pot! Lets see if I can keep them alive!!

Happy Birthday to me! 23!

Yesterday was my birthday! I had an awesome day of relaxing and some family time.
My mom made my favorite lasagna, special request...I hate ricotta cheese and cottage cheese in anything, thats why I love this one so much!

The cakes for my twin brother and I. His was funfetti, mine was cheesecake! yum!


Craig blew out my candles, all but 1. He has done that to me since we were kids. I don't know why I always forget.



Me and my man!

thanks to everyone who made my birthday great!

Its October!

My favorite month!

I want to make these. YUM. Who knew they made pumpkin spice Hershey Kisses? 

This Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin from Starbucks is my favorite item they sell. So good. I still have yet to have one this year.

I wish my house looked like this:

I really want fall decor for the house. I feel like it sets the holiday mood.

AAAAAAAAND....my birthday is this month! Thats why I love it! I asked for this from the hubby:

Its a wish necklace. So cute and dainty. You have to keep it on all the time. Its like the Dogeared ones, but this is Juicy. I love the pearl.

Heres to a great month!