The Most Miserable Birthday Ever

I finally had my real birthday, the 23rd of November, and I am 22 years old. Unfortunately, that birthday was fairly miserable for me. Wednesday night, my throat began to itch, and despite my valiant attempts at fighting off the inevitable, a cold ensued. I was sick for Thanksgiving and my birthday, and I'm still sick actually. My head felt like it weighed about a million pounds, and I ran a fever, but I tried my hardest to be sociable.

My mom's sister and her kids always spend Thanksgiving with us, and we had a blast, as usual. We played all sorts of games like Set, Duckey Wuckey, Mafia, Coke, Counter Coke, etc. We reminisced about days gone by and shared Thanksgiving and prayers with one another. It was a very nice day.

My birthday was the next day, and I felt even sicker than I had the day before. I spent most of the afternoon laying on the couch, watching movies or trying to nap with little Ernie, who was awfully snuggleable.

My nose was too plugged to sleep though. I was actually hungry by the time my birthday dinner came around, and my mom made the best meal ever! I had two helpings of everything I could get my hands on. Then I blew out my candles and ate my cake and opened presents! I got a bed skirt for my bed (yay for not having to look at ugly shoes under the bed anymore!), and LOTS of new musics!

Yes, I felt pretty awful on my birthday, but it was still fun to be home, see my family, and enjoy one of my mom's meals:-) Thanks guys, I love you!

The Best Birthday Ever

My birthday is not until the day after Thanksgiving, but Stephen and I celebrated it yesterday, since we'll be in Iowa for my birthday. We made a day of it, starting at 9 am by throwing cinnamon rolls into the oven. Stephen then gave me my first birthday present, which was Josh Groban's new Christmas album--fun! I was monstrous disappointed, though, because inside was a pamphlet advertising his 'Awake' album and saying it didn't come out til early '08. I had been sure it was already out and asked for it for my birthday, too. I wilted as I realized that I'd probably have to wait until next birthday to get it.

Then, Stephen gave me the best birthday present ever by sitting down with me to watch the 5 hour BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. It was a blast! And he even liked it! We broke it up by watching the first half, cleaning the house, then finishing it. We then prepared my birthday meal of Ribeyes from the farm, red potatoes with sour cream and butter sauce, and broccoli. It was delicious!

After dinner I opened my next three gifts. I was shocked when I unwrapped Josh Groban's 'Awake' album!

"This wasn't supposed to be out til next year!" I cried.

Stephen, smiled slyly. "You misread it. It's already out!" I was elated. I also got Chris Rice's new album, and This is Your Brain on Music, a book I've been wanting for months and Stephen remembered and surprised me with it! I loved them all! We then put all the new music in the player and got out all of our Christmas decorations to start decorating for Christmas (we're a little excited about Christmas this year...)

We got most of the house decorated, except for the tree, unfortunately, which we couldn't set up because we forgot to pick up the stand from the grandparents:-\ Everything else looks great though, thanks to Sister and Mom who found all this great Christmas stuff on clearance a couple years ago, and the fun stuff I got last year for 75% off. Gotta love sales. I think they only thing I am looking for this year is those stocking holders to put on our fireplace. I really want the ones that spell JOY, and I totally should have gotten them last year...Oh yeah, they weren't on sale, that's why. Hopefully this year. I am cross-stitching these awesome stockings that will hopefully be ready to put up next year.

We then had "birthday cake," which is Ben and Jerry's Smore's ice cream (I go bonkers over that stuff!). As if we hadn't eaten enough, we pulled out the popcorn maker that I got for my birthday from the grandparents (thanks guys!) and popped some delicious popcorn that we planned to eat in bed while we watched "White Christmas."

The day was so much fun, and I felt so blessed by all the wonderful gifts from my wonderful husband, that I decided I couldn't wait any longer to give him his big Christmas present. Really early. So I stuffed it into a large gift bag and he opened it. It was an afghan I've been crocheting out of homespun yarn over the last three months. He's been begging for one. It was the perfect blanket to snuggle down under, eat popcorn, and watch White Christmas. All in all, it was pretty much the best "birthday" ever, and I am once again reminded of how good God is. He isn't good because He gives me good gifts, he gives me good gifts because He is good. And for that, I give Him all the praise:-)

Writing Again

I am entering the annual Jerry Jenkins writing contest here on campus. I've seen it in years past and always just sighed and said, "I'd never win anyway." That has been my stance on numerous things I have wanted to do--like join the chorale ("I wouldn't get in anyway"), and I therefore have not done them.

BORING!

If I don't try, what fun is that? I just need to suck up to the fact that yes, I might get rejected. But I might not! And with this writing contest, even if I don't win, I am invited to a luncheon with Jerry Jenkins. Not that I like his "Left Behind" series, but that's still pretty cool! And if I did win, the prize is a fairly substantial amount of cash. We could always use that.

And so, readers, I shall write again in order to enter this contest. Most of my problem has been lack of creative thought or ideas. One cannot write without inspiration. So after some prayer, I began thinking of things that had happened in my past that would meet the qualifications of the contest. I always hear my mom's voice in my head "Write about something you know!" when I write now, and I knew if my story was going to be good, it had to be something I have had experience with. So I thought. And thought. And all of a sudden, I was inspired about a story that happened to me many years ago. And I'm having a blast writing it! I don't care whether I win or not anymore, I am just enjoying the opportunity. And besides, Jerry Jenkins will at least be reading my very own story--wow! How cool is that!

I'll keep you posted.

Our Apartment

I am finally just going to put this pictures up for those of you who have not been to our little place! Things are a tiny bit different now as these pictures are almost two years old (woah), but it gives you an idea:-) Enjoy your perusal!

Living Room
Living Room


Dining room


View from our apartment, sorry about the glare.

Kitchen

Bathroom

More bathroom

This is the bookshelf my Grandpa made!


Our bedroom