Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

:)

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

We went Christmas caroling at nursing homes tonight.
Truthfully, I didn't want to go. There's a lot to be done at work and at home, and little time to do it. I went up to the church and when I realized I was the first one there, almost turned around and went home. Instead I talked to my brother on the phone and held my horses. Not because I wanted to, but because I knew they were expecting me to drive.

I stayed because it was "responsible."

But achieved responsibility has nothing to do with the reason why I had an outstanding time.

Because I did.

I had an outstanding, so wonderful, I-can't-believe-I-almost-missed-it time. Yep.

I'm not sure why I'm continuously surprised to have an awesome time when doing something for others. Example: A few weeks ago Katherine and I went to the Renaissance Festival using free tickets my boss gave me. We had eight and set to giving the extra six away in the parking lot. Seeing the people smile was most definitely more fun than the actual park.

Example: tonight.

I lovelovelovelove to love people. I love for people to know that they're cared for. Our group was not necessarily the best singers, but the folks there didn't care. They sang along, smiled, and even if some weren't completely there mentally, gave some sort of physical emotion to show that they were having a good time.

A good time :)

Ah, I like good times.

That's all really. Bring on the good times.

i've been filling my days with Christmas crafting and cooking.
work writing and editing.
running in the Christmas lights and singing.
...off key and out of breath.

these days have been filled with bonfires and hot dogs, red fingernail polish and scarves, spilled flour and happy jumps at 3709.

these days have seen a baby Matern and hours in a car to see her.
dinner with friends and the scent of cinnamon filling the house.
snow and youth.
movies and cider.
a full tummy and overflowing heart.

Christmas is coming. I don't want to miss it.

"Baby love. My baby love"
Cake for JQ's baby shower :)

Alicia-boo and I made a snow video. We used the camera on my laptop. That explains the strange frames :) I'm home early after being shooed out the door of my office. Snow means danger in Texas. "Are you watching the weather?" is the new "hello, how are you?" So, to my friends... "are you watching the weather?" :) I hope you're oh so fine.

I make introductions. That's what I do. I like finding similarities in different, very different people. Like today, I introduced a fellow named Smith who is a former Marine and a doctoral student named Ndambe who is from Uganda.

What do they have in common?
Oh I found it.

They've both lived abroad.

Thank you, thank you... cue meaningful conversation.

Anyway, I have something I'd like to introduce to you.



People, this is snow. Snow, meet the fine people.




What do you two have in common?
ummm
errrrr
wellllll.

NOTHING!

What world am I in where it is snowing, real live snow FLAKES (not sleet) on the day after a temperature high of 70-something?

It's just so crazy!

I can remember a grand total of four times that I have watched and been in snow fall. One-- I was in high school. It was night. Stephen and I went outside to investigate. So awesome. Two-- I was on my internship in Washington, D.C. The capitol is gorgeous with a coat of white. Three-- Easter weekend. I was still at the paper and found myself driving all over the city covering stories. Driving through the flurries was like being in a snow globe. Four-- today, about three hours after I was caught blowing hot air on the window and writing my initials. Hohohohahaha ha.

oh oh, it's magic, you know.

Martin Luther is a pretty cool guy. We talked about him at youth with the middle schoolers Wednesday. Leader of the great religious revolt of the sixteenth century in Germany; born at Eisleben, 10 November, 1483; died at Eisleben, 18 February, 1546. He was studying law until he was struck plum straight by a lightning bolt (or the lightning bolt struck near him). It was too close, too dangerous, too miraculous, Luther said. He decided then to become a monk.
Luther went against the then church to say that salvation is a free gift from God, received only by faith in Jesus as the Messiah. That is not what the church was saying at the time. He translated the Bible so Germans could read it and see for themselves.

And somewhere in there he put it all writing. On Oct. 31, 1517 Luther wrote a letter to the archbishop protesting that the church tied salvation to money. Included was a little thing called The 95 Theses.

"The 95 species," one kid answered.

no, not species, theses.

"Are you saying feces?" another one chirped.

no, I'm sayi...interruptions and yelling and laughing.

Interjects one of the loudest ones... "So, you're telling me that this guy went up to the door of the church and nailed poop to it?!?!?"

Tears from laughing so hard. Tears.

OK... here's another one.

This Martin Luther lesson was taught by a girl named Rebecca. She couldn't get out one sentence before the middle schoolers started talking about "I have a dream."

no, this isn't Martin Luther King, Jr. This is Martin Luther... and on she explained.

But there were still questions, including this one: "So, was Martin Luther African American, too?"

You know when you try not to laugh. You almost hold your breath until you get control, and then all the sudden you're shaking again?

Yeah.

The whole lesson.

They make me laugh so much.

though it's after Thanksgiving, I'm still very thankful for a life forever changed, a healthy family, a wonderful family, extremely close friends, a home and a heater, two hands, two legs, a great job, a mind that learns, a car that works, and stamps in my wallet.

oh, for so much more, but then you would think I was being silly.
For the taste of dark chocolate and grapes, for hot tea and its steam, for jumbo paper clips and the finished stories they hold. For my eyes and my ears. For concerns that are resolved. For everything.




For everything!

Gracie was born on Sunday.
I can't wait.
Can not.
Can not.
Can not.

I can not wait to meet her and point out that her eyes are like her momma's.
I can't wait to hold her and tell her she's quite possibly the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.

And remind her that I knew her when...


:)

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oh man... I want to win this so bad. And to have a chance, the rules say to post a link on your blog.

Consider myself posted :) You should post too!

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Robin told me about this Web site

This is one of my favorite things.

I think I shall mimic :)

I'd like to play a time game. Are you ready?

Last Saturday I had long hair.



This Saturday I have short hair.


WHOA!!!!

That was fun. Let's play again.

Last Saturday...


Sunday...

Greetings, SCC.

"A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."

—William Arthur Ward

Thanks Bill. When I want a good


these things remind me of you...

Yesterday was our quarterly all-staff meeting. Our department was awarded Starbucks cards for working so hard on our snazzy new publication

Woo Wooooo!

Krista and I went on a little run to redeem the worth-nothin' piece of plastic for something really useful... coffee :)

I ordered the pumpkin spice latte because (A) it's November 13 (B) it tastes and smells like Thanksgiving (C) I like all of those things.

After asking Krista to take a whiff of my seasonal favorite, she said " it smells like pumpkins and love."

Mmmm. Agreed, K.S. Make mine...



Thank you.

Weekend updates:

Halloween weekend.
Wooo doggie. WONDERFUL weekend :)

I left CS and headed to Austin after work. Kassi's boyfriend, Cal, hosted the biggest baddest Halloween party I've ever been to.

- big screen on the roof playing music videos
- pork tenderloin and other crazy deliciousness
- a big ole' fire pit with s'mores fixings
- a smoke machine

Pump up the jam.
Pump it up.

Fun.

This is Kassi. She wore her high school drill team uniform. LAUGH!

This is nerd Katherine and "fast food" Stephanie (I lost my gummy bears by that point, but do you get it? get it? elbow jab :) )


Kat and I drove back to San Marcos shortly before midnight. GG and I beat her to the house where we watched 15 min. of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Not my favorite. I vote for High School Musical. "Get your head in the game."

The next day Katherine M.H. made the BEST pancakes con chocolate chips I have evereverever eaten. They were magical and I thank you, Katherine. Kat studied on the floor and I wrote in the bowl-chair. Then we went to get sushi for lupper. Destination: the RIVER!


It was so lovely. There were some folks splashing around, and a kayaker paddled by with two little dashduds in the boat. Kelsey lost her shoe in the roaring current (j/k), but Katherine saved it (not j/k). I could eat sushi by the river everyday.


But not really, because if all I did was eat sushi by the river, I would never get to throw pumpkins out of a hot air balloon. And that, my friends, would be tragic. Non-tragic-ness... that's what we did next.

Kat and her friend went door to door in the apartment complex to ask for tenants' spent pumpkins. We had one pumpkin in the family already. It's name was Petunia. The whole experinece was pretty boss. After signing a waiver, we stood in line to go up.up.up. True, we didn't go that high, the pumpkins still spattered when they hit the ground, and the sunset was one word: beauty.



The fun times did not end, because then we went to the Wurst Fest in New Braunfels. Yes, we did. And we polkaed. Yes, we did. And we joined a polka-conga line, pulling in innocent standby-and-watchers into the mix. Yes, we did.

We also rolled down a hill a couple times and watched a group of t-sips crowd around a closed VIP door because their losing football game was on. Then we listened to them cry. Just kidding; they only wanted to cry.



The following weekend Katherine was to be in a polka competition, so we watched her and the partner perform. They were so so great! (update: Kat danced last weekend. They didn't win, but as they walked off the floor, the crowd started chanting their exhibitor number!!!)


On Sunday, Katherine's roommate made us breakfast tacos and we went to church. After, Kat's friend "swiped" us lunch, Bekah rolled into town, and I rolled out.

Top ten weekend for sure.
I love San Marcos :)

Saturday was the last home game.
I brought my camera to commemorate.
These are some of my favs of the bro.

While running this afternoon I ran into a group of DEER! (ran into = saw them with my eyes)

It was so cool! Two doe and three yearlings. They stopped and stared. I stopped and stared.

I thought about going closer, but this stopped me...



The video I remember was on America's Funniest Home Videos. It was dubbed with some goofy voice. It's a little less painful when the deer talks like GusGus from Cinderella :)

I do know that I don't want to be on either show, so I kept my somewhat distance. :) ...

...And played this song at least four times:

"I heard your echo in the canyon
upon the timberline
You said these mountains were your invention
And so was this heart of mine
I heard you whisper on the water,
there on the mighty sea
You spoke of love deep as the ocean
When You spoke of Your love for me

I am loved by the Father
I am loved by the Son
It is love that has captured
The heart of this wayward one
I heard your laughter in the sunrise,
amidst the morning birds
A song of freedom for all creation
And you sang me every word
I heard you singing in the silence,
a simple melody
Words of love, O I can hear it
My Father is very fond of me."

Good times.

Let me tell you where I am, my story, where I'm coming from, my deal-ie-o...

I'm exhausted. :)

It all started three weeks ago with the celebration of Tamara's and Katherine's birthdays in San Marcos.

The weekend was so much fun. I don't even know how to write about it. It was way cooler than a quick story can make it.

Bullets have always been my friend. Now the bullet can be your friend, too.

Everybody, meet "*."
"*" ... here's everybody.

* I took Friday off from work, so I got to see Katherine on her actual 25th birthday. Tamara was celebrating in Lubbock and would fly into Austin the next morning. We'll get to that soon. I changed from my work clothes in the car and only stopped once... and that was because I thought one of my tires was low. It was. I filled it up. No harm. No foul. Can I get a clap for my promptness?

* When I got to San Marcos, Kat and I went to have Vietnamese food. Delicious. Stinking delicious. My fortune cookie was something true... though I can't remember now what it said.

* We got a call at dinner that Kat's roommates were ready for us. You see, she and her girls meet Thursdays at the river to visit and pray for each other. I went with. It was a really great time to hear what's going on in their lives and pray together with truth and confidence. Cool.

* After that, we switched into some jeans and sweaters (OKOK, I'm the only sweater wearer :) )to head to Austin with some of Katherine's friends for some country western dancing. I borrowed some boots. Way way fun times.

* But, we didn't get back and go to bed until 2 or 3 a.m.

* We were to leave at 7:30 a.m. Friday to pick up Tam at the airport, but... sorry Tam... we overslept. We woke with a start about 15 min. before Tam was to land and ran to the car. ZoomZoom. Tamara is a nice girl, though and was not mad. She could have bopped us on the nose, but instead took us to her favorite taco stand--DELICIOUS--and then to a fun coffee shop--MY COFFEE TASTED LIKE HONEY NUT CHEERIOS--and then to the Texas State Capitol. We ate our grub on the grounds, and had many photo oops. (the camera accidentally went home with her mom, so we're a little short on images right now)

* We went on a self-guided *slash* tour-guided gaunt through the capitol, looking at Texas Senators' children, climbing the stairs, reliving Girls State for T and K. And then with Katherine singing background music and me giving a speech about unity as a country, Tamara (Kat and I helped a little, hehehehe) did a puzzle of America on floor. Oh, good memory.

* We were in Austin... I'm sure you're aware of the law mandating a trip Anthropology, Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods when in Austin. Tam got these truffles that... wooo wee doggy... slowed my breathing. Seriously amazing.

* At this point, we were getting very tired. Tam hadn't had much sleep either, so we went home to San Marcos... and slept hard.

* Until it was time to wake up and get ready to go to the Griss Mill and Greune Hall with some of Tam and Kat's friends. Their momma met us there. We ate delicious food. Listened to good music. Gawked at Jane's college roommate's fancy car, and then went home again to stay up late eating birthday cake and telling baby stories of Tam and Kat.

* Saturday morning, we woke up llllllllllate, to have a glorious breakfast made by the breakfast team of Tam, Kat, Kelsey and Scott. We played at home for the rest of the day. PUMP UP THE JAM, yesssssssssss.

* ... until it was time to go to the Brad Paisley and Jewel concert!!! We had free great seats thanks to Meg-a-moo and Justin Boots. Jewel was THISSSSSS GOOOOOOD! Brad was SO GREAT! Ah, I loved it.

* Sunday, we took Tam back to the airport. Waved a sad goodbye and went back to San Marcos to sleep a few more hours before church. After a great service, we went to lunch with Kat's friends Carrie and Jon. Mexican food and tortilla soup. Yum.

* Then I went home to College Station.

So, that's the story of three weeks ago.
No sleep.
So much fun.
So tired.
Soooo worth it.


Next up... the tale of Halloween weekend.

Fill in the blanks... a study.

TODAY, I'M "feeling ready" ABOUT "going to San Marcos this weekend."

TODAY, I'M "wearing a scarf" ABOUT "my neck."

TODAY, I'M "excited" ABOUT "lunch with Kassie and Janine."

TODAY, I'M "bummed" ABOUT "not running in a week, and knowing I won't run today."

TODAY, I'M "glad" ABOUT "trading in Spanish class for a bit more free time."

TODAY, I'M "feeling overwhelmed" ABOUT "my work load."

TODAY, I'M "choosing to live wildly and truthfully" ABOUT "and around and through and in my day."

Crazy beautiful times:

Three weekends ago:


Two weekends ago:


Last weekend:


I'll write about all these adventures soon.