Wow - I just realized how long it's been since my last post. How quickly time flies!! It has been a fun-filled and relaxing few weeks with family. I just love this time of year. So thankful that God sent His son to pay our debt and make us white as snow. May we always remember that Jesus is the greatest gift of all!
Okay, let me attempt to recap on the past several weeks:
Steve was out of the country on a work trip 11/30 through 12/15 (India, Thailand, and the Philippines). It sure was a long time to be away from my man! But it was a great opportunity for him. Since I had just finished with classes, I went down to Austin to spend the two weeks with my parents while Steve was gone. Lots of Christmas shopping, laughs, and walks around the neighborhood. I am so grateful for the time I had with them. Blessed to have such amazing parents - they are truly the best. I also took a quick two-day trip to Greenville, SC during that time to visit family there. The visit was complete with Mexican food, blueberry coffee cake, sweet conversation with family, and last (but certainly not least), a picture with Santa :)
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| sweet memories with my sweet cousin! |
Steve returned home on the 15th and it was SO wonderful to be reunited!! Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Time away from each other only serves to remind us to cherish the time that we do have together and to be patient, kind, and loving towards one another. I am so in love with that guy. And SO thankful to have him back home!
The day after Steve got back, I came down with some sort of stomach bug that lasted for a few days. It's never fun being sick, but it made me very thankful for my overall health. I am so fortunate that temporary illnesses only pop up every so often. I truly cannot complain.
Once I recovered, Christmas was upon us! Steve and I drove down to Austin the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with my family and had a blast! Love spending time with them.
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| Melissa made me a BEAUTIFUL coffee mug :) so creative..I LOVE it. |
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| opening presents... |
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| Steve got Melissa a glasses case in India. I think she likes it... :) |
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| Steve's souvenir for Dad - a "Jeepney" (the bus system in the Philippines). And it actually moves! Pretty cool :) |
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| Pretty scarf from India and earrings from the Philippines :) |
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| Sweet time with Mel :) |
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| Love my family :) |
We then traveled back to the DFW area on Christmas Eve morning to celebrate Christmas with Steve's side of the family. My sister-in-law (see her blog
here!) and her husband hosted the festivities on Christmas day and she did such a beautiful job. Loved all the little details!
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| Hot cider :) |
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| Ham...yum. |
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| Hot coffee on a cold day. |
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| Sweet gift the Steve's cousin Rachel made for all the girls - homemade body scrub with a whisk to mix! So cool. |
And....it was a WHITE CHRISTMAS!! Absolutely beautiful.
I hope you all had a splendid Christmas :) Cannot believe 2013 is right around the corner! Praying God will move in mighty ways in the coming year and that we would all look to Him to satisfy our heart's desires.
"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." - Psalm 107:9 (ESV)
"And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." - Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)
Much love,
Monica
