YAY! I started my new job! It has been very exciting and exhausting all at the same time. I went back to work on Thursday the 6th and had a lot to do before the RAs got back on the 8th! I had to move offices, get a petty cash account going, update my expectations to go over with my RAs, and just catch up on the every day stuff and learn the stuff I didn’t do as AAD. It has been A LOT. BUT worth it :D
My RAs came back on the 8th and we had a good first meeting. I was worried that my RAs may not take to me as well as I would hope because they all loved Artie so much. That and our styles are different. However, it hasn’t been too bad. Some resistance here and there, but nothing major. So here is to hoping that continues! They are all really great and it’s nice getting to know the RAs I didn’t work so closely with last semester.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot leftover from last semester that I have needed to figure out the status of and move forward, so that has taken a lot of my time. Due to that I am not close to being caught up! The front office was AWFUL also, so Tracy (my administrative assistant) and I hit up the Container store and cleaned out the office over 2 days. It was disgusting. I had to bring a parent back there before we cleaned it and was horrified because it was so messy. So you have NO idea how excited I am that it is so clean! I want to dance every time I walk through it now! I wish I had taken before and after pics! You wouldn’t even recognize the place!
Overall, the job has been great! I have loved learning so much stuff already :D The other perk is that John and I will be moving again soon. I know I mentioned it before. However, the progress they are making on the apartment has been ridiculous! The projected time for it to be complete is the end of next week. It’s okay if it’s not, but it will be soon! They are putting down the bamboo wood in the common areas for us and replacing the carpet in the bedrooms. They are also replacing the ceiling fans, the blinds, the toilet in the master bath, and have painted! Therefore, John and I will be moving a lot sooner than expected! YAY! It will not only be nice for the huge apartment, but it’s already been a pain for me not living here when things come up in the evening. So I am overall excited for many reasons! I’ll take pics of the apartment before we move anything in- so you can see the transformation! SO EXCITED!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
The 12 hour drive…
Dun dun dun… just kidding! We had a great chat all the way home. John is always so easy to talk to, I am beyond blessed for that :D As I said in a previous post, I had a really hard time with the New Year because of my father passing. Well John and I talked a lot about it and how it’s impacted me, him, and our relationship. It has just taken so much out of me over the past 6 months that I have not had much to give at all. I decided then that I cant let it take that much out of me anymore. I love my daddy more than anything and I will still be sad and miss him beyond words, but my husband needs me too and he will be around for a long time. John has been wonderful during this whole process and it’s time that I am there for him again too. In the words of Jennie B. “these were the cards I was dealt, so I have to make the best of it.” That’s exactly what I plan on doing. It doesn’t mean that I am not going to celebrate my father- I plan to do that a lot still! It just means emotionally I cannot let it take over anymore. I am also beyond blessed because I happen to have a wonderful father-in-law. While he is not my daddy and could never replace my daddy, he is my dad now and a wonderful one at that. I have to count myself very fortunate to have another dad in my life that loves me so much and cares so much for me and that will be there for me whenever I need him. Thank you Dad Martin for being that second dad for me :D you will never know how much you mean to me for it.
This whole conversation of my father makes me think of a song that has really helped me through this process. I have to give credit to my Aunt Nita for sharing it with me. It’s called Homesick by Mercy Me. Here are the lyrics:
"You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow"
This song is exactly how I feel. My heart yearns to be home in Heaven with my father and Jesus and it’s comforting knowing that one day they will be there for me. In the meantime though, I will continue to celebrate my daddy’s life and strive to live my life the way the Lord wants me to. :D
Now, I don’t like new years resolutions because I never stick to them and I think they are silly, but I am going to try and do a few things different this year. I would like to be more independent, not feel so bad for everything, and try to be less emotional about everything. I have a tendency to make everything a big deal and personal, and I would really like to move past that :D Thankfully I have a great husband who will help me with all of this! Thus far, I think have done a good job! Yay 19 days! Haha. :D
Now our whole trip was not so serious! We had a good time and listened to some stand up comedians, joked around, and stopped for food and whatnot. We finally made it to Miami around 11:30pm. It was SO strange driving into Miami. It always blows my mind how big it is and how many skyscrapers there are! When we got home we were wired so we ended up playing a game :D
Of course we were both exhausted from the trip and so luckily I had taken 3 more days off to recuperate from the trip :D We played a bunch of games, took naps, watched movies, unpacked, etc. It was very relaxing! We were going to go to the beach, but being at home was just so nice. I love to travel, but nothing beats coming home to your own space and bed! Anyway, it was a successful trip and I loved being home :D Now on to a New Year and new job!
This whole conversation of my father makes me think of a song that has really helped me through this process. I have to give credit to my Aunt Nita for sharing it with me. It’s called Homesick by Mercy Me. Here are the lyrics:
"You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow"
This song is exactly how I feel. My heart yearns to be home in Heaven with my father and Jesus and it’s comforting knowing that one day they will be there for me. In the meantime though, I will continue to celebrate my daddy’s life and strive to live my life the way the Lord wants me to. :D
Now, I don’t like new years resolutions because I never stick to them and I think they are silly, but I am going to try and do a few things different this year. I would like to be more independent, not feel so bad for everything, and try to be less emotional about everything. I have a tendency to make everything a big deal and personal, and I would really like to move past that :D Thankfully I have a great husband who will help me with all of this! Thus far, I think have done a good job! Yay 19 days! Haha. :D
Now our whole trip was not so serious! We had a good time and listened to some stand up comedians, joked around, and stopped for food and whatnot. We finally made it to Miami around 11:30pm. It was SO strange driving into Miami. It always blows my mind how big it is and how many skyscrapers there are! When we got home we were wired so we ended up playing a game :D
Of course we were both exhausted from the trip and so luckily I had taken 3 more days off to recuperate from the trip :D We played a bunch of games, took naps, watched movies, unpacked, etc. It was very relaxing! We were going to go to the beach, but being at home was just so nice. I love to travel, but nothing beats coming home to your own space and bed! Anyway, it was a successful trip and I loved being home :D Now on to a New Year and new job!
My favorite place on Earth!
New Years day tradition for the Martin family is to go down John’s uncles farm and spend time with his mom’s side of the family. We don’t do Christmas with them because there are so many families and other obligations that a long time ago everyone decided that New Years day would be when we all get together for fellowship and food! I am SO glad we were in town this New Years day :D The farm is so incredibly peaceful that words cannot even describe it. It’s quiet, relaxing, and overall just amazing. So this New Years day we made the trek to Fayetteville and headed to the farm! I am always excited for many reasons: 1) It’s my favorite place on Earth- duh :D 2) I LOVE his mom’s side of the family. They are SO sweet and just so much fun to be with. 3) His cousins LOVE to play games (you know John and I are game junkies!) 4) The delicious southern food, of course! 5) And last but NOT least- we get to go shoot John’s guns!! Yes, you heard me right- we shoot guns :D we are not redneck or anything ;D. haha! This year when we got down there we all caught up and played some games. The boys always win, but they always cheat ;D After games we all got some yummy food and then we went shootin’! This year John’s dad brought all their guns. Side story- Johns grandpa had a lot of guns and when he passed away John and his dad inherited a few. This was the first year they actually had possession of them for us to shoot.
Loading up the truck!
Loading up the truck!
So in order for us to shoot the guns, we usually drive out into the farmland and set up some targets to aim at. Then we loaded the guns and started shooting! John has .22rifle and a shotgun! I shot the .22 before, but the shotgun was a new experience! I was terrified it was going to hurt! Of course John ended up talking me into shooting it and of course I was glad he did :D It only jolted some- as you can see from my head snapping back-it's a bit embarrassing. LOL. Of course John took it just fine.
Sorry it's blurry! I was really nervous it was going to hurt!
We also got to shoot a pistol and a 9mm. The 9mm was John’s cousin’s that was in the army and it’s no joke. I don’t know how on the TV shows thugs just drive by and shoot them like they are nothing- that is not true! They are heavy and you have to keep them steady! I will say though, that I am a pretty good shot! When we were finished and went and looked at the damage done, the paint buckets we aimed at with the shotgun were basically gone. It was pretty funny.
John and I with his guns
Dad Martin and the shot gun :D
John aiming his .22
John Ryan and Gretchen
After shooting we went back to the house and ate dinner and talked some more and played games. I may have taken a nap too :D John’s cousin has a little boy- he’s about 2 ½ and he is adorable. Of course he wanted to play so we all played with him too.
John and I decided that to save time on the trip home we would just stay in Fayetteville with his cousins John Ryan and Gretchen. They got married the week before we did and our age, so we all get along pretty well. John and I were exhausted when we got to their house (from the long New Years Eve and day) BUT of course there is always enough energy to play games! They were the ones that introduced us to Settlers of Catan and John and I are addicted to it. Well for Christmas John Ryan got Gretchen an extension of the game and were really excited to try it out with us. Since we were learning as we played it ended up taking us 3 hours to play! We didn’t go to bed until after 1! But it was a great time! I love them :D
John and I decided that we wanted to get home to Miami at a fairly decent time and so we were shooting for 8am to wake up. We figured we could take turns napping and driving. (not at the same time ;D) SO what had happened was there just so happened to be a glitch with the Iphones and the alarm and our alarms never went off! We didn’t wake up until 11am! BAHAHA! We both slept really well though! And then we hopped in the car and took off. We still had a 12 hour drive- not including stops. But we had a really good time. We always do :D
Friday, January 14, 2011
New Years Eve!
So I dont even know where the whole year went! I cant believe we have lived in Miami now for 6 months and I have been in this job that long! Where does the time go? I mean REALLY!? lol.
So between getting back from the bowl game and New Years Eve, John and I were able to hang out with some friends some more. Mainly Brad, one of mine and Johns best friends and probably one of the people that I really miss the most. He is just such a fun person to be around and a really great friend. :D I also got to spend a little bit of 1:1 time with my mom and sister, which was nice. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I didnt get to do much of that like I had originally planned when we got home because my grandparents were here. We got to talk a lot about how my mom dealt with Christmas since it was her first without my dad. We all cried a little, but overall it was a good conversation. I think we all need a way of making him here still, or at least celebrating his life. He will always be such a huge part of us that we cant just pretend he never existed. SO we decided to dedicate a day to him every year (pending on when John and I are home). I stole this idea from the TV show Weeds, but we are going to dedicated the whole day to him, getting all his favorite foods, candy, movies, etc. and just making it all about daddy :D I think that will be a great way to remember him and celebrate his life. YAY!
The next day John and I got lunch with Jennie B :D It was nice to catch up with her and it was really weird to see her so pregnant! I am so happy for her and I cannot wait to meet her little girl! After that we went and packed up all our stuff and loaded down our car. haha. then we headed to Chris Hutchersons to ring in the New Year!
We had a bunch of people come over the Hutch's place and we had a really good time. It was great to catch up with some of those people that we hadnt seen yet, like Kallie, Kim and Tyler. and then it was nice to see some of the people we had only gotten to see for a brief amount of time.
Some lovely ladies!
Miss Kallie! (no we didnt plan the same color shirt either. lol)
All day I had been really dreading the New Year coming and when it struck midnight I got my smooch, but then I got really upset about missing my dad. I was surprised to learn that I had such a harder time with New Years than Christmas. But I think it's because it's a new year without my dad and the last year he was alive is now gone. I know it's kind of silly, but I had a really hard time with it. Luckily, I have a really great husband that is always there for him if I ask him to be. I just need to remember to ask :D John and I got into a bit of an argument because I didnt ask and expected to know what I was thinking (silly girl). But I should really just always remember to ask him, because he has never let me down before. :D He really is an amazing husband :D I am so very blessed.
Anyway, we had a good time and wow I cant believe 2011 is here!!
So between getting back from the bowl game and New Years Eve, John and I were able to hang out with some friends some more. Mainly Brad, one of mine and Johns best friends and probably one of the people that I really miss the most. He is just such a fun person to be around and a really great friend. :D I also got to spend a little bit of 1:1 time with my mom and sister, which was nice. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I didnt get to do much of that like I had originally planned when we got home because my grandparents were here. We got to talk a lot about how my mom dealt with Christmas since it was her first without my dad. We all cried a little, but overall it was a good conversation. I think we all need a way of making him here still, or at least celebrating his life. He will always be such a huge part of us that we cant just pretend he never existed. SO we decided to dedicate a day to him every year (pending on when John and I are home). I stole this idea from the TV show Weeds, but we are going to dedicated the whole day to him, getting all his favorite foods, candy, movies, etc. and just making it all about daddy :D I think that will be a great way to remember him and celebrate his life. YAY!
The next day John and I got lunch with Jennie B :D It was nice to catch up with her and it was really weird to see her so pregnant! I am so happy for her and I cannot wait to meet her little girl! After that we went and packed up all our stuff and loaded down our car. haha. then we headed to Chris Hutchersons to ring in the New Year!
We had a bunch of people come over the Hutch's place and we had a really good time. It was great to catch up with some of those people that we hadnt seen yet, like Kallie, Kim and Tyler. and then it was nice to see some of the people we had only gotten to see for a brief amount of time.
Some lovely ladies!
Miss Kallie! (no we didnt plan the same color shirt either. lol)
All day I had been really dreading the New Year coming and when it struck midnight I got my smooch, but then I got really upset about missing my dad. I was surprised to learn that I had such a harder time with New Years than Christmas. But I think it's because it's a new year without my dad and the last year he was alive is now gone. I know it's kind of silly, but I had a really hard time with it. Luckily, I have a really great husband that is always there for him if I ask him to be. I just need to remember to ask :D John and I got into a bit of an argument because I didnt ask and expected to know what I was thinking (silly girl). But I should really just always remember to ask him, because he has never let me down before. :D He really is an amazing husband :D I am so very blessed.
Anyway, we had a good time and wow I cant believe 2011 is here!!
Champs Sports Bowl Champs!
Monday after the snow, John and I got up early and headed to Fayetteville! Our Christmas present to each other was underway! :D We planned on meeting Krystal and Josh in Fayetteville. They actually did us a HUGE favor and met us at John's cousins house. Snoopy was sick and needed to be fixed and his cousin is a mechanic. He needed a few days to work on it, so it worked out we were going to be driving to Orlando with Krystal and Josh and could drop it off for a few days.
Krystal and Josh came and picked us up and we were on our way! I think John and I were crazy for driving all the way down to Orlando and back when we had to drive home still later in the week. LOL. but it was totally worth it! Since I was sitting in the back of their car, I took some motion sickness medicine since it usually makes me sick. The only problem with that is it makes me sleep. So I slept for a few hours of the 10 hour drive down. Other than that we had fun catching up and stuff. We made really good time and got to Orlando earlier than we thought we would. We got some showers and then got ready to get dinner and go out for a little while. We met up with some of Krystal's friends and walked to dinner. We kept looking for places to eat, but everything was closed! We finally found a place called Piper's. It took forever for them to seat us and then even longer to take our orders. I believe there was only one waitress in the entire place. They were definitely staffed for a slow Monday night- not a Monday night with a bunch of out of towners. Luckily the food was delicious and everything was priced very well :D
The next morning we got up and headed out to tailgate! We got to the tailgate prolly about noon and tailgated until game time at 6! We had tons of fun! We met lots of State fans and Krystals friends came and found us, as well as some of my friends (Megan, Lindsey, Tera YAY!) :D I LOVE away games because everyone is so unified! I was playing cornhole at one point and a West Virginia fan came out of the port-a-potty with a red coozie and I made fun of him :D We ended up talking to them for a long time and then Josh and I played a game of cornhole with them. They won :( We thought that was a bad sign- but they can have the cornhole win and we will take the football win! LOL.
Our new West Virginia friends
When we went into the game our seats were at the waaaay top! We had a good time and even had a blimp! i dont remember the last time NC State had a blimp! LOL. Half time there were fireworks and I love fireworks so I was really happy!
ORLANDO!
Fireworks!
This is why I love them
Miss Lindsey Johns and Tera Humphrey came and sat with us too.
In the 4th quarter we ended up sneaking down to the first level to cheer on our winning Wolfpack. And then of course WE WON! 23-7! WHOOP! We got to watch the ceremony too :D It was at the other end of the field, but it was still exciting. I really hope that game wasnt Russell's last game, but I wont be surprised if it was. I will miss him. Overall, GREAT way to end our season! and totally worth the trip to Orlando and back!
Let's go PACK!
:D
Great group pic! :D
WE WON! You can also see the ceremony in the bottom of the pic...
Great Christmas present from John for sure! ;D
Our ride back was smooth, except for me refusing to take motion sickness medicine because I didnt want it to make me sleep the whole way! Of course I got sick and we had to stop for lunch so I wouldnt throw up or anything. Then I took medicine and then fell asleep. lol. They dropped us back off in Fayetteville to pick up our car. Of course it was more than we planned, but at least Snoopy is all fixed now. We headed home and spent some time with my mom and sister and brother which was a nice way to end the long day of driving.
Krystal and Josh came and picked us up and we were on our way! I think John and I were crazy for driving all the way down to Orlando and back when we had to drive home still later in the week. LOL. but it was totally worth it! Since I was sitting in the back of their car, I took some motion sickness medicine since it usually makes me sick. The only problem with that is it makes me sleep. So I slept for a few hours of the 10 hour drive down. Other than that we had fun catching up and stuff. We made really good time and got to Orlando earlier than we thought we would. We got some showers and then got ready to get dinner and go out for a little while. We met up with some of Krystal's friends and walked to dinner. We kept looking for places to eat, but everything was closed! We finally found a place called Piper's. It took forever for them to seat us and then even longer to take our orders. I believe there was only one waitress in the entire place. They were definitely staffed for a slow Monday night- not a Monday night with a bunch of out of towners. Luckily the food was delicious and everything was priced very well :D
The next morning we got up and headed out to tailgate! We got to the tailgate prolly about noon and tailgated until game time at 6! We had tons of fun! We met lots of State fans and Krystals friends came and found us, as well as some of my friends (Megan, Lindsey, Tera YAY!) :D I LOVE away games because everyone is so unified! I was playing cornhole at one point and a West Virginia fan came out of the port-a-potty with a red coozie and I made fun of him :D We ended up talking to them for a long time and then Josh and I played a game of cornhole with them. They won :( We thought that was a bad sign- but they can have the cornhole win and we will take the football win! LOL.
Our new West Virginia friends
When we went into the game our seats were at the waaaay top! We had a good time and even had a blimp! i dont remember the last time NC State had a blimp! LOL. Half time there were fireworks and I love fireworks so I was really happy!
ORLANDO!
Fireworks!
This is why I love them
Miss Lindsey Johns and Tera Humphrey came and sat with us too.
In the 4th quarter we ended up sneaking down to the first level to cheer on our winning Wolfpack. And then of course WE WON! 23-7! WHOOP! We got to watch the ceremony too :D It was at the other end of the field, but it was still exciting. I really hope that game wasnt Russell's last game, but I wont be surprised if it was. I will miss him. Overall, GREAT way to end our season! and totally worth the trip to Orlando and back!
Let's go PACK!
:D
Great group pic! :D
WE WON! You can also see the ceremony in the bottom of the pic...
Great Christmas present from John for sure! ;D
Our ride back was smooth, except for me refusing to take motion sickness medicine because I didnt want it to make me sleep the whole way! Of course I got sick and we had to stop for lunch so I wouldnt throw up or anything. Then I took medicine and then fell asleep. lol. They dropped us back off in Fayetteville to pick up our car. Of course it was more than we planned, but at least Snoopy is all fixed now. We headed home and spent some time with my mom and sister and brother which was a nice way to end the long day of driving.
SNOW!
Christmas day we were projected to get snow in Raleigh :D A white Christmas is everyone's dream right? WELL, by the time we left my mom's house it had started to flurry some. We headed to the Martin's house and on our way there (about a 15 minute drive) the ground ended up being COVERED in snow! When we got to the Martin's there was about an inch already on the ground. CRAZY difference!
Unfortunately, I started to feel really bad and found out that I had a fever :( we decided then that we wouldnt make it to church the next morning. I took a bunch of meds and went to bed. Turned out when we got up, nobody had gone to church and the service we usually go to was cancelled anyway! There was also no power. We were out of power for a few hours, but we made the best of it :D When we looked outside it was truly a winter wonderland :D SO PRETTY! After the power came back on we all got dressed up and went out and played in it! I did not let being sick get me down at all! It such nice snow. It was decent packing snow, but could have been better. We built a snowman :D Of course he was NC State! I hadnt built a snowman in YEARS! so it was fun. Did I mention we got 8 inches at his parents house?! I havnt seen that much snow since I was little! Snow pics!
Winter Wonderland!
Snoopy is COVERED!
You don't see this much!
8 inches!
Look at him being mean to me! You shouldnt be so mean to your wife, John ;)
Kisses to make up! ;D
Johns family with our snowman!- the snowman borrowed my hat ;D
We gave him a new hat bc my head was cold. lol. me and my sweetie
Silly family pic!
We are a Wolfpack family :D
After we played we got in the car and drove to the store for some milk, etc. We got some snacks to make and munch on while we played board games. We had dedicated this day to playing games with his family since we had already gotten to a bunch with mine. We had gotten a bunch for Christmas since we love games so much, so I was EXCITED!
When we got back we made some snacks and set the games up! We played a game called Would You Rather (from John's parents) first. It was a lot of fun. Then we ate some soup and grilled cheese :D Mine had jalapenos on it. SO YUMMY! they all thought I was crazy, but that's what my mom always made me! LOL. Then we played a game called Buzzwords. I LOVE IT! :D I love word games though, so I enjoyed it. :D I think they all did too. After games we all got together and watched Sound of Music. I had never seen it. I know, I know. It is definitely counting as one of my classic movies to cross off my list! It's Mama Martin's favorite so we watched. Of course I loved it :D
Overall, it was a fantastic day. VERY relaxing and it was exactly what I needed :D I got my snow fill for sure!
Unfortunately, I started to feel really bad and found out that I had a fever :( we decided then that we wouldnt make it to church the next morning. I took a bunch of meds and went to bed. Turned out when we got up, nobody had gone to church and the service we usually go to was cancelled anyway! There was also no power. We were out of power for a few hours, but we made the best of it :D When we looked outside it was truly a winter wonderland :D SO PRETTY! After the power came back on we all got dressed up and went out and played in it! I did not let being sick get me down at all! It such nice snow. It was decent packing snow, but could have been better. We built a snowman :D Of course he was NC State! I hadnt built a snowman in YEARS! so it was fun. Did I mention we got 8 inches at his parents house?! I havnt seen that much snow since I was little! Snow pics!
Winter Wonderland!
Snoopy is COVERED!
You don't see this much!
8 inches!
Look at him being mean to me! You shouldnt be so mean to your wife, John ;)
Kisses to make up! ;D
Johns family with our snowman!- the snowman borrowed my hat ;D
We gave him a new hat bc my head was cold. lol. me and my sweetie
Silly family pic!
We are a Wolfpack family :D
After we played we got in the car and drove to the store for some milk, etc. We got some snacks to make and munch on while we played board games. We had dedicated this day to playing games with his family since we had already gotten to a bunch with mine. We had gotten a bunch for Christmas since we love games so much, so I was EXCITED! When we got back we made some snacks and set the games up! We played a game called Would You Rather (from John's parents) first. It was a lot of fun. Then we ate some soup and grilled cheese :D Mine had jalapenos on it. SO YUMMY! they all thought I was crazy, but that's what my mom always made me! LOL. Then we played a game called Buzzwords. I LOVE IT! :D I love word games though, so I enjoyed it. :D I think they all did too. After games we all got together and watched Sound of Music. I had never seen it. I know, I know. It is definitely counting as one of my classic movies to cross off my list! It's Mama Martin's favorite so we watched. Of course I loved it :D
Overall, it was a fantastic day. VERY relaxing and it was exactly what I needed :D I got my snow fill for sure!
Going home!
So, I know it's been almost a month since I posted :(. So sorry! Things have been SO busy! Which I will fill you in on :D I will break up the posts though, so it's not overwhelming to read in one :D
Let's start with going home! I flew home on December 21st and John met me at the airport with a coat :D It was FREEZING! When I left Miami it was 75 and when I got to Raleigh it was in the 40's. HUGE difference! John and I started out our trip by eating dinner at his parents house. Dad Martin's food is ALWAYS yummy, so I always look forward to it :D After dinner we headed to my mom's house. We decided that since John went home a few days before me and got to spend time with his family, we would spend the first few days I was at home with mine. When we got to my mom's house my MawMaw and Pawpaw were already here! We were really surprised because they came so early! Of course I was thrilled, but also sad that it didnt leave much time at all for me to spend alone time with my mom, brother, sister. Especially since we had such a packed trip. Those few days were kind of for spending the time with just my immediate family. Oh well. It was still a great time! The next few days were spent spending time with my grandparents, running some errands that we needed to do in Raleigh, and going out late at night to see some of our friends, mostly those that worked at WRAL and got off work late. It was nice to start catching up with some friends :D
For Christmas, we decided that we would spend Christmas Eve with my family and then Christmas day John's family. It was all intermingled anyway- you'll see what I mean :D On Christmas Eve the plan was for me to cook! YAY! I was really excited because I love to cook. I also think I keep getting better at it :D It also helps when your best friend is an amazing cook and you can steal all her recipes. haha. Anyway, my mom and mawmaw and even John helped ;D We made a great feast! However, the plan was to do Christmas presents when my brother got off work at 4, Christmas Eve service at 6, and then dinner at 7:30. That is exactly how it went too! My dad's mom and Roy, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, and my family all opened presents together (minus my sister, she did participate because of how she believes now). It was a lot of fun. It was the first time ever that both my mom's parents and my dad's mom and Roy all spent Christmas together. It was sad that it was also the first Christmas without my dad too.:(. I actually started to cry a little bit passing out presents to the family because there were none for my dad. However, Christmas wasnt as upsetting as I thought it would be. I think it's because there was so much going on. Here are some pic of present opening!
Christmas tree!
Mawmaw and Pawpaw
Grandma and Roy
me and my mom!
Chris and John got these remote control things. lol they chased the cat with them. LOL.
After presents John and I went to the Christmas Eve service with Johns family, which was just beautiful. :D It made it feel more like Christmas to me.
John and me at the Christmas Eve service :D
Let's start with going home! I flew home on December 21st and John met me at the airport with a coat :D It was FREEZING! When I left Miami it was 75 and when I got to Raleigh it was in the 40's. HUGE difference! John and I started out our trip by eating dinner at his parents house. Dad Martin's food is ALWAYS yummy, so I always look forward to it :D After dinner we headed to my mom's house. We decided that since John went home a few days before me and got to spend time with his family, we would spend the first few days I was at home with mine. When we got to my mom's house my MawMaw and Pawpaw were already here! We were really surprised because they came so early! Of course I was thrilled, but also sad that it didnt leave much time at all for me to spend alone time with my mom, brother, sister. Especially since we had such a packed trip. Those few days were kind of for spending the time with just my immediate family. Oh well. It was still a great time! The next few days were spent spending time with my grandparents, running some errands that we needed to do in Raleigh, and going out late at night to see some of our friends, mostly those that worked at WRAL and got off work late. It was nice to start catching up with some friends :D
For Christmas, we decided that we would spend Christmas Eve with my family and then Christmas day John's family. It was all intermingled anyway- you'll see what I mean :D On Christmas Eve the plan was for me to cook! YAY! I was really excited because I love to cook. I also think I keep getting better at it :D It also helps when your best friend is an amazing cook and you can steal all her recipes. haha. Anyway, my mom and mawmaw and even John helped ;D We made a great feast! However, the plan was to do Christmas presents when my brother got off work at 4, Christmas Eve service at 6, and then dinner at 7:30. That is exactly how it went too! My dad's mom and Roy, Mawmaw and Pawpaw, and my family all opened presents together (minus my sister, she did participate because of how she believes now). It was a lot of fun. It was the first time ever that both my mom's parents and my dad's mom and Roy all spent Christmas together. It was sad that it was also the first Christmas without my dad too.:(. I actually started to cry a little bit passing out presents to the family because there were none for my dad. However, Christmas wasnt as upsetting as I thought it would be. I think it's because there was so much going on. Here are some pic of present opening!
Christmas tree!
Mawmaw and Pawpaw
Grandma and Roy
me and my mom!
Chris and John got these remote control things. lol they chased the cat with them. LOL.
After presents John and I went to the Christmas Eve service with Johns family, which was just beautiful. :D It made it feel more like Christmas to me.
John and me at the Christmas Eve service :D
Me and my godson! He has gotten SO big! he is such a good baby too! didnt fuss at all during the whole service!
Then we all headed to my mom's house. SO ALL of my families were together :D we all got to eat all the yummy food and spend some time together.
Then we all headed to my mom's house. SO ALL of my families were together :D we all got to eat all the yummy food and spend some time together.
During dinner, my sister, brother, and I pulled my mom into her bedroom for a suprise gift :D Let me tell you the background story first: After my parents got married my dad bought my mom a pair of BEAUTIFUL emerald earrings (emeralds are her favorite). Well, over the years she lost one of them. Years ago I was going through her closet and found one of them and have kept it ever since. My dad and I had planned on making something for her with it, but I just never had the money. Well this year we all decided it would be nice to go ahead and make her necklace with it and make it from my dad, since it was the first Christmas without him. SHE LOVED IT! and it turned out really pretty and of course looks really pretty on her :D. It was our way of kind of having my dad there for my mom this year. :D
After presents was BINGO! yes, BINGO! Ever since I was little my Mawmaw and Pawpaw would play bingo with us and buy all these little gifts for the winner! Each round everyone won. lol. This year, we had EVERYONE play! and Pawpaw decided he wanted to make it where you could steal a present from someone else- like white elephant. SO it was a blast! My sister-in-law Julie got mad because we kept taking her prizes from her. lol. It was a great time. We played until really late :D Then we headed to John's parents house and spent the night :D
Christmas day we got up really early and opened presents with his family and then headed to Fayetteville! We usually spend Christmas day with his dad's side of family. It's always so good to see everyone, since it's the only time of the year we get to see them. The food is great too! We spent the day down there and then headed back to Raleigh. We went back to my parents house and spent some time with them on Christmas and then ended up spending the night at the Martin's so we could get up for church the next morning.
It was an action packed Christmas, but SO nice to see everyone! I LOVE Christmas :D I also forgot to mention that me and John decided to go to the NCSU Bowl game, so that was our present to each other :D
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