Haha...Oops!

Today I did some baking while Brady took his nap. All seemed normal.

Made some of these

And some of these...

When Shayne came in to pick Buster Brown (aka Brady) up, he said, "Mmm...smells good in here. Is that bread?" "Nope," I replied, "Just cookies. Take one if you want." They leave. I continue to write up my grocery list and prepare to go get them. As I near the stove...it feels warm. Hmmm. Then I smell bread! What in the world?!?!? So I open my oven door and find this:
That ladies and gents is pizza dough. Yep. A golden loaf of pizza dough! I had gotten it out of the freezer this morning in anticipation of pizza tonight. Since things raise better in warm environments I placed it in the oven, still warm from my cookies. After it cooled a bit I turned it on "only momentarily" to warm it back up. Well, Momentarily grew to more than a few moments. Just glad it was in a GLASS bowl not a plastic one! Looks like Dan and I will be having bread tonight! And I'll be off to make more pizza dough! And it was supposed to be so easy...

Christmas Happenings

First off, I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! God has sure been good to us. When I stop and think about how good I really have it, I'm humbled!

Christmas Eve Dan and I went over to Jake's to help him on his house. Dad L. and Jared were also there. We painted some, did some electrical work, grouted tile and the guys probably did a bunch of other things that I have no clue about! Jared bought some steaks on sale so needless to say we had a very filling lunch! Yumm.

Later, at home, Dan and I commenced our own little Christmas.

It started with this...

Some of this...

Then we were able to Skype my family in Haiti and watch them open some gifts! It's always so good to "see" them again! Haha... Brett was in his bumbo chair and was totally folded in half reaching out in front of him. At first I was like, "poor guy! sit up buddy!" but then I realized that a shiny piece of wrapping paper had caught his eye and he had folded in half just to reach out and play with it!!

After conversing with the fam, we continued with the gift opening theme...

I think he likes it :)

So, turns out I've been wanting one of these ever since we got our couches...
And look what my sweet husband got me!

Thanks Dan!He also got me the much needed CAN OPENER! Let's just say the old one made me really appreciate 1)my forearm muscles 2)normal can openers!
(the new one is on top!)

Ceremoniously getting RID if the old one: Good riddance!

We spent the rest of the evening snacking on hor'dourves (still stuffed from lunch!) , sipping hot chocolate, reading the Christmas story, and admiring our presents all snuggled up on the couch with our feet properly propped up of course!

Christmas Day, after church, we headed over to Papa Lemans to celebrate with Grandpa & Grandma Leman, and Jake. (Mom Leman was in Roanoke for Christmas -we know she had a lovely time but she was MISSED HERE!) Dad made some fabulously delicious pizza! I didn't want to stop eating. After lots of laughs, funny stories, and Grandpa reading the Christmas story, we made our way into the living room for some music! It's been a while since we've had a music night so it was long due! We were able to to call Mom L., Grandpa Hodel, and Uncle Paul over the phone and play a few Christmas selections for them! After Grandpa & Grandma left the boys and I played boggle (which I lost horribly at! That what you get for marrying into a family of work-smart people!) (well, except for Jake kept adding 'er' to words that don't make sense with 'er' added and Dan sometimes having a bit of trouble spelling correctly under stressful boggle-like situations.) But even with these for exceptions, I still lost!

Even though we didn't get a white Christmas, it was definitely still a wonderful day. In the readings we had of the Christmas story, a couple things really stuck Dan and I. The first being the joy of the angels. They were SO happy! Then, consider the shepherds. They were moved to ACTION! They didn't just sit around gawking and dumbfounded at the marvelous display of the angel choir. They believed first, then got up and searched for Messiah. But they didn't even stop there! They continued on to proclaim what had happened and who had arrived!

May we all get infected with that joy and action!

Happy New Year!!!!

A Blessed First Year...

...Of marriage to a wonderful man!

Yesterday was our anniversary and we had a lovely celebration. In the morning Dan studied for his final that afternoon while I helped my mom-in-law with some Christmas cookies. Then, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed downtown. Before Dan's final we went to REI where Dan got me some needed hiking shoes for my anniversary gift. (goodbye blisters!) After a stroll along the Platte, he headed to school to take his final. I went to the park and just chilled out...it was a beautiful day! (in the 60s!)

After school, we fed the meter and walked downtown admiring all the beautiful lights! It's all aglow down there! Dan found a few painted pianos and serenaded the surrounding passerbys with jolly Christmas carols.

Turned out that the place Dan had selected for dinner was totally reserved for a huge tennis group so we drove around until we ended up at "Salty Ritas"...a Mexican restaurant. Other than having my tongue so on fire that I couldn't taste much, it was good! :) On the way home we stopped at DQ for a "Oreo Cookie Jar" blizzard to share. Turns out, oreos and cookie dough make a pretty yummy combo! Thanks babe for a special day!

I love you!

Having reflected on marriage, and how I used to think it would be, I've concluded that it is way better than I ever could have imagined. I didn't really think of the fact that husband and wife really have the opportunity to become best friends. I didn't understand the term "soul mate" at all. But this first year has given me a glimpse! And having reflected some more, I don't know how marriage can be at all fulfilling or successful if God isn't woven in to make that strong three-fold cord. Christ can draw two people together (not just initially but life long as well) like nothing else can. And when a couple draw closer to Christ, they can't help but draw closer together!

Thanks to the Lord for giving me a wonderful husband...I don't deserve him! And thank you Dan for loving Jesus first and me second. You both take pretty good care of me! :)

December 13, 2009