Christmas

Christmas this year didn't "feel" quite like Christmas for several reasons.  For one, I didn't see any extended family. Two, Micah had to work Christmas Eve and then two days after Christmas so the whole week just seemed like our regular routine.  And, three, it was sunny and like 60 degrees outside.  Weird.  Thankfully, as I was reminded by our pastor, Jesus makes Christmas happen.  Christmas does not happen because of how we feel, what we do, what we eat, the present we buy, etc.  Christmas happens because Jesus was born!  

Anyways, despite the "non-normal" Christmas, we did participate in some lovely activities.  Juliet and I had Christmas Eve dinner with some good friends (by way of Micah's work).   Christmas morning the three of us opened presents and made/ate Cinnamon Rolls.  Then we all had Christmas dinner with some of Micah's co-workers and families. 

Oh, and a few night before Christmas we went to "Santa's Ranch" which is this amazing display of lights that you pay to drive through.  Pretty impressive!

 

Fall!, finally

The leaves in Texas have recently turned beautiful colors and now most of them are falling off.  So, since we live in a house now!, we have been raking.  And of course Juliet has been "jumping" into the piles.  She also like to help rake which she calls "brushing the leaves".  

Another perk of living in a house with a yard is being able to roast marshmallows and make s'mores.  Juliet has her first one this week and I'm pretty sure it was a hit!

Busted

Juliet has been giving us a run for our money at night.  I think she is turning into a night-owl.  We put her to bed, and then continue putting her to bed over the next two hours.  And because she is up at night I have to wake her up each morning or she'd sleep till brunch. 

She is getting smarter about playing quietly in her room so we don't hear her, since she gets in trouble if she gets caught.  Last night after assuming she was asleep, as she had been silent [in her pitch-dark room] for about an hour, she slipped-up and I heard a noise.  I checked on her to find her all dressed-up. 

It totally cracked me up, so I chose to forgo punishment, took a picture, and laid her back in bed.

Krishnan Christmas Cookies 2013

So I tried to have a Christmas Party.  But the only person that came was my sweet neighbor RuthMary (and her little guy, Aleck).  Since our group was so small, Micah and the kids joined in and we made some pretty awesome cookies. 

They lasted about a two days, tops.   Sad, I know.  Tis the season to eat lots of sugar!

Bilingual Child Academy: Polar Express

Juliet's pre-school did the coolest little Christmas party.  The created a Polar Express each little class went around to different "countries" (ie: other classrooms).  In each country they learned about that countries Christmas celebrations, did a related craft, got a stamp on their passport, and received a "souvenir" to go in their travel bag.  It was awesome!!! So much detail! 

Once it group rotated back to their original room they had a pizza party and a book exchange with their own classmates.  Juliet's teachers also gave each child a bag of Christmas goodies and gifts that they had made each child.  Her teachers also gave ME a gift because I "help out" a lot.  Seriously?  They do so much work and I only volunteer on the party days ;) 

We could not find a better pre-school!

 

Italy

China

Juliet's Class - England

Eating Tamales - Mexico

France - Cheese, bread, grapes, and crepes!!!

Class book exchange :)

Church Christmas Party

We made it to our first annual church Christmas dinner/party.  A childless night of dinner, music, short sermon, fellowship, and dancing.

It's beginng to look like Christmas (although, still feeling like summer!)

Our dinning room table and first ever Christmas decorations.  Thank you, Micah, for the flowers!

Juliet not cooperating during a "photo shoot"

Her Christmas dress from Nini and Thatha :)

The tree lighting celebration on post: lots of kid friendly activities!

Cookie decorating and eating!

The big tree on post

I made her sit on Santa's lap.  Seriously.  At least she didn't cry...

[man made] SNOW!

Socks

I found my sock-stealer!

Thanksgiving

We cooked it all from scratch and had all the "classic" Thanksgiving foods! Yum.  I think the preparations/cooking were my favorite parts of the whole day.

Thankful

I am thankful for Micah.   One of the best words I can think of to describe Micah is "solid".  He works hard daily at his job and at home. He wisely plans for the future. He knows how to do "stuff" around the house. He makes friends quickly and gets along with everyone. He is quick to notice a need and then address it. He is considerate and thoughtful. He enjoys the outdoors and being active. He loves and embraces other cultures.  He simply likes to have fun!

I'm thankful that he leads us, cares for us, provides for us, entertains us, and loves us (especially we were are not being very lovable ....not that it happens often, but you know ;) ).

Thankful

I am thankful for family.

When we think of what we are thankful for family is one of those things that everyone is quick to list, and for good reason.  Most of our families have given us a lot, sacrificed for us, loved us when we didn't deserve it, and have simply experienced a lot with us so they are always on the forefront of our mind when we reflect on our lives.

Well, like so many I am thankful for my family.  Like really, really thankful.  I am thankful that I even have a family that is part of my life.  I know many people are estranged from one or more parent or simply don't have good relationships with their siblings.  And I think about the millions of orphans with no family at all.  I can't even imagine that challenge in life because I have been blessed with immediate family, extended family, and now in-laws that are loving, kind, caring, God fearing, forgiving, and supportive to me.

I am also thankful for my family in Christ.  They have given and given of themselves to me many times over through time, money, loaned furniture, birthday parties, phone calls, meals, prayer, words of encouragement, forgiveness,.... 

So I am very thankful for all parts of my family and how I have been cared for and not abandoned through the good and bad in this journey of life.

Thankful

Turkey week is finally upon us!  I am so grateful that it has been cold freezing in San Antonio this week; it just makes if feel like the holidays :)

So as we enter into this week, and soon after the week of Christmas, I have been trying to have low expectations for the holidays this year just because I'm not sure what will actually happen.  Now that I'm several states away from my previous traditions of 24 years I am trying not to expect that new traditions will just perfectly arise and this holiday season will be like the movies, because it might not.  We are miles from family and surround by very new friends so it is hard to have a traditional "home for the holidays feel".  Another adjustment for me is Micah's work schedule.  For the past 21 years of my life I have either been in school or working in a school so when I think of the holidays I think "time off"!  Micah works in the medical field and they [thankfully] do not follow the public school system schedule, but this means it has almost felt like the holidays aren't really here or aren't as big of a deal because our normal day-to-day life will just continue straight through till February.   I have therefore been preparing myself for an okay holiday.  I know it sounds like a pessimistic thing to do; probably because it is.  This is sadly my natural tendency when approaching unknowns that seemingly have slim chances for "perfect" outcomes.  In my mind, low expectations means low disappointment.  Can someone say "Grinch"?

Since this a this week of Thanksgiving I'd like to try and work on my attitude.  We are called to be thankful year round, but I am thankful for the little extra reminder this week to stop my pessimistic focus and think about the the extreme abundance of blessings I have in my life on this Earth and in my promised inheritance in Heaven.  As a reminder to myself, I am going to highlight a few here this week.

I am thankful for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship).  BSF is a non-denomination, international Bible study that studies a book or series of books from the Bible each year.  Last year we studied Genesis and this year we are studying Matthew.  Each BSF class meets weekly for small group discussion and then a lecture and there is weekly homework (aka: personal Bible study) to help you prepare for the weekly meetings.  BSF forces me to regularly be in the Word in a thorough and thought provoking way, it challenges me to apply the Bible to my daily activities, it humbles and convicts me each week as I discuss the lesson with other women and hear the corresponding lecture, and it allows me to weekly fellowship with female believers from many walks of life, denominations, and backgrounds. I am also thankful that BSF had an incredible children's program in which Juliet weekly studies a modified version of what I am studying. 

BSF is a privilege that so many believers around the world are not given the opportunity to have.  I often take for granted the accountability it gives to my personal Bible study time and the richness of the actual study itself prepared for me at no real cost of my own.

Thanksgiving Lunch at Bilingual Child Academy

Have I mentioned that I L.O.V.E. Juliet's pre-school?  Well, I do.  I really, really do.  They are so wonderful there for so many reasons. 

This particular week they were extra wonderful because they invited all of the parents into class to have a Thanksgiving meal with their child.  They sang songs, showed us all their Thanksgiving crafts they have been making, and then served us a Thanksgiving meal with all the works (Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, ...).

I am learning that one of my favorite things of being a mom is getting to watch/participate with Juliet in out-of-home activities, especially the ones that I remember my parents doing with me. :)  So fun!

Visit from North Carolina and a half-marathon!

Last weekend my dad and my grandmother flew down to big-ole-Texas for a visit.  We were soooo elated!!!!!!  Juliet was on cloud nine the whole time.  She insisted that "Granddaddy" and "Grandma-Helen" do everything for and with her.  I was completely disregarded...and I didn't mind it ;)  When Juliet woke-up the morning after they left she started crying for her Grandma-Helen.

Anyway, the trip was short but we hit a few San Antonio high points: dinner on the River Walk, Texas BBQ, the Mexican Mercado, the Alamo, and a night in to relax!  It was wonderful.  I know that they had a great time visiting TX, but I truly was the blessed one because I really really had a great time having them here.  It was good for my soul to have a little "old normal" in my "new normal". 

The inspiration for the trip was the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll half-marathon.  My dad, Micah, and I ran.  We were all a little under-trained but it was nice (in hindsight, of course) to get out and go for a run downtown.

Come back and visit again soon!!!