Christmastime........

....It's the best time of the year. I love the holidays especially Christmas and New Years. We have already had my dad's family get together at my uncle's house in Ozark this past Saturday. There were around 40 relatives at the gathering. It was fun to catch up with cousins and see all of the little ones. The food was also really yummy which is always a plus. On Christmas Eve, we will be going to Jeremy's great aunt and uncle's for a big family gathering. After that is over, we will head to his grandparent's house to do a gift exchange, and then I will head off to midnight mass with my parents. Growing up Catholic, midnight mass has always been a tradition in our family. I look forward to spending time with my parents and singing all of the traditional Christmas songs before the service begins. On Christmas day, we will spend lunch with my mom's family. Then for dinner we are doing just my parents and us kids. We will do our family gifts at this time. I love shopping for gifts and then giving them at Christmastime.....too bad this year I am very poor and gifts will be very minimal. I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Too bad the weatherman aren't predicting snow so we can have a White Christmas this year. Enjoy the holidays with your families and friends and remember all that you are thankful for this year.

Done with this semester

Well it is that time of year again. I just attended my last final for the semester. It consisted of a take home test and showing up to class to do an activity.....not too shabby. I have three research summaries to get done between now and Thursday to submit to my research advisor for a grade. Besides those....I am done with this semester. Praise the Lord! I only have one semester left and I will have my Masters degree. Yippee! I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

Christmas Question Tag courtesy of Hayley Fraser

The rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Hot chocolate for sure! I have never tried egg nog but just the thought of it makes me want to throw up.

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

As a child, Santa would normally wrap presents even if it was a box with a note leading to a bigger unwrapped gift somewhere else in the house. I think with my children (in the future), I will probably wrap presents from Santa.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Right now, we have blue and white lights on our house and a pre-lit tree with white lights. I love driving through neighborhoods at Christmastime and seeing all of the different colored lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No I do not.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

This year the day after Thanksgiving. It's usually anytime around Thanksgiving because, I am on school break and have time to do it then.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

I love my mom's spinach and artichoke dip and my mom's corned beef cheeseball.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child:

Sleeping in the living room in sleeping bags with my twin sister. It was in a separate room with our big Christmas tree. Neither one would go to the fireplace in the other room without the other one. After we would peek at the gifts, we would go wake up our parents and the opening would begin.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Actually yes, every year! It has been something we do every year with my family. We usually do it after we get home from midnight mass.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

It is a pre-lit tree with white lights. We have a red tree skirt and red ornament balls on the tree. All of the ornaments are ones that my mom has passed down to Jeremy and I or that we have bought together. Many of them are very sentimental to both of us.

12. Can you ice skate?

Heck no! Only been one time on a date about 6 years ago. It was a surprise and I didn't want to go. I knew I would be bad at it. We went around the rink four times, and I fell three of the four laps so we left.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I really don't have one. They have all been wonderful and meant so much to me.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

I love pink stuff......cool-whip with strawberry jello mix and pineapple and of course all of the yummy pies! My mom's pecan pie is to die for.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Opening one gift each on Christmas Eve or the family Christmas exchange with my dad's side of the family. (where everyone gets a number and the gift can only be exchanged 3 times among different family members-can't think of the name right now)

17. What tops your tree?

A lit white star!

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

My favorite thing to do is give gifts to others. I love spending money on the people that I love!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Not sure.....I like all Christmas songs.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?

Yum but definitely only able to have one or two. When I was a kid, I could eat them like crazy.

21. What do you want for Christmas?

A new bathrobe, some books, and flatscreen Tv for our living room

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?

My dad's family always has a get together. That is as close to a party as it gets for me.

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?

Pajamas for sure. My girlfriends from college are having a Christmas pajama party on Monday, and I can't wait!

24. Do you own a santa hat?

Nope, not for me.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

My fiance Jeremy, my twin sister Jessica, and my mom and dad.

I tag Katie Gillespie, and Jeanie Priebe

The end is near....

I am getting very excited because this is my last day of class for the semester, and I am completely finished with all of my paperwork/duties in the clinic. I have a take home final to finish, which I will turn in Tuesday night during the final time. I have one more supervisor final in the clinic on Monday morning and then I am done with this semester.

This semester has gone by so quickly. This is probably due to the breaks we had including a trip to Chicago with my friends for a conference and Thanksgiving break. I am REALLY looking forward to Christmas. This time of year is one of my favorites, and I love getting together with family and old friends over the break. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays with their families.

Now, all I have left to complete my Master's degree is one semester. This will consist of three weeks of class, completing my research project, and a school and medical externship. Graduation is right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited. I graduate on May 15th and get married on June 13th. YIPPEEEEEE!!

Happy 48th Birthday Dad!

My dad turns 48 on Monday. We all went to dinner at Red Lobster on Friday to celebrate. It was of course delicious. We also celebrated with some French Silk Pie, his favorite. Mom, Jess, and I got him a king size heating pad for his bed which he was very appreciative.

I have always been so thankful for both of my parents and their health. I think I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have parents that are young. (at least I think they are young) Many of my friends have parents in their late 50's and 60's. My parents are both still so active and youthful. My parent's currently stay up later than Jerm and I do, and my dad loves to ride the waverunners at the lake and see how fast he can get them up to. They both love to work out and go to church.

He has been a wonderful parent and role model for Jess and I. I am blessed to have such an incredible man in my life who I get to call dad. Thanks dad for all you do for me and our family. I love you more than words could ever describe. You are the best!!! Happy 48th Birthday!

Happy 30th Birthday Baby!

Yesterday was Jeremy's 30th Birthday. We celebrated on Friday night with my parents by going to Nakatos for dinner and then to the MSU basketball game (one of our favorite things to do). Then on Saturday, we had cake with my family and lunch with his family at Fudruckers. Jess, Brandon, Jerm, and I all went out to Houlihans for appetizers before hitting Buffalo Wild Wings for a few drinks. I got him a new PS2 game which is has already played for hours at a time. Baby, I hope you had a great birthday. I love you and am so proud of you and all you have accomplished in the past 30 years.

I'm thankful for....

1. My family- This includes everyone in my family but especially my parents who have been there for me since the day I was born. They are the best and most caring parents I could ever hope for. I hope that someday in the near future that I will be as good of a parent and role model as they have been to me. Mom and dad, thank you for all of the support you have given me throughout the years.

2. My friends- I just got back from Chicago with some of the greatest girls ever that I met in college and this trip made me realize what a loving group of girls I have in my life. Today I get to see my best friend from high school for coffee. She is in KC going to dental school and I miss her dearly. I can't wait to catch up. Megan I am so proud of you and I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving with your family.

3. My sister Jessie- I know you have gone through some tough times recently but you truly are my best friend and I am so glad that we have been so close for so many years. No one else truly understands what it is like to have a twin sister. You have given me so much love, support, and encouragement over the last few years and we have a bond that will never be broken. Sis, on this Thanksgiving I am thankful for you and your friendship.

4. My wonderful fiance Jeremy- I love you more than words can describe and I can't wait till June 13, 2009 when I become your wife. The past five years have been wonderful and I look forward to a lifetime with you. You make me smile when I come home from a long day of school and you are standing in the kitchen doing dishes, or when I am stressed and upset and you lend a shoulder for me to cry on. You are going to be a great husband and an even better father. I love you with all my heart.

5. My sister's boyfriend Brandon- I can't thank you enough for all you have done for Jessie. After my sister's divorce, I prayed that she would find someone who truly loved her for her and would show her the meaning of love all over again. She has found true love in you and I can see how happy you make her. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for her. I love you!

6. My puppy- I know this may sound cheesy but I have the best dog ever. Addie is so loving and brings so much joy into our lives each and every day. I don't know what I will do when she is gone.

7. My health- I am blessed that each day I can wake up and go to school even when I don't want to. Others are sick and suffering and I pray that each of them be healed by the grace of God.

8. My home- I am thankful that we have a house to come home to at night. While in Chicago, it made me realize how many individuals do not have a place they call home. Even when I wish we had a bigger home, I know that we are blessed to have a roof over our head each and every night.

9. My faith- Although I have not been going church on a regular basis, I am thankful for my faith and for the good Lord above. I know that he has provided me with all that I have and I continue to raise him up.

I hope that each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. And for those traveling, be safe. May God continue to bless each and every one of your lives.