My 2010 Christmas card

Well hello there! Happy New Year! I meant to do a lot of things in 2010, sending out Christmas cards being one of those things. Oh well. So here's my 2010 blog recap for you in lieu of a card. (for the record, I totally loved receiving cards, so thanks to those who sent them, especially the ones from the NYC girls... Pam, LA & Perr... too cute!)

I absolutely loved being in NC (when I finally lost the NYC homesickness around May), which meant that I had many frequent trips visiting friends and family. I enjoyed working on our house (inside and out), talking to Allison *almost* every day, expanding my cooking/baking recipe collection, and becoming more involved at my church. Overall it was a great year, and looking back, these following things are the first to come to mind:

proudest moment: when my friend Michelle became a vet. It was overwhelmingly special to be there and celebrate with her on this day, especially since I remember back when I first met her in the 7th grade (how old is that?! 13?!) when she said that one day she'll become a veterinarian. I am so, so proud of you, Malart!


happiest day: honestly, there have been so many, but the one single happiest day, where I could hardly contain my excitement and thought I'd burst with joy was one day this past summer. I had just gotten back from a wonderful trip to Maine with my friend Tammy. I said goodbye, drove to Huntington, Long Island and went to my favorite restaurant for dinner. Then I drove across the causeway to see my little boys. There's just something about Long Island, the house and those kids I raised that reminds me of a time in my life where I grew up and really learned who I was. Ah, I can still feel the excitement from that day.



biggest blessing: my Aunt Diane became my life coach this past fall and looking back I couldn't imagine life without her. She is insightful, very wise and helped me sort through career and life paths. We had a coaching session for an hour each week and her guidance, support and encouragement meant far to me than she'll ever know.


biggest surprise: Andrew was honestly the biggest and most wonderful surprise in 2010. Oh good gracious, he is amazing. I won't go on and on (although I could) about how incredible he is, but I definitely had given up on dating and relationships this past summer so when Andrew came along in early fall I was totally surprised. The Lord is good. He knows when to give good gifts and I have nothing but thanks for this relationship and the glory belongs to God. *this is actually our first picture together, taken on Halloween :)

Christmas at home

I love the holiday season. There's just something about driving home and spending time with family that is so incredibly special. Christmas Eve we all piled in the car and drove to Grey Gables, where Ginna is getting married in 3 months! Along the way we sang Christmas hymns and songs and drove merrily along.

We baked cookies! Look at that Ginna girl. So proud.

It was a white Christmas indeed.

Andrew came to spend the week with my family and we had a blast! I took him on a tour of Greensboro and introduced him to lots of friends.

We also went to the Duke game and witnessed history!! Congrats to Coach K for surpassing Dean Smith and becoming second place in all-time wins!

Andrew is becoming a Duke fan. :)

Here are the sisters. I can't remember the last time we've spent a solid week together at home. Oh how I love them.

*pictures taken on Lucy, Ginna & Carrie's phones.

It's the holiday season

For some reason this holiday season seems like it's been much busier than in recent years. Perhaps it's the 8 parties we had or being super busy with work, but I am very thankful for time to rest within the next few weeks.

It's been a really fun December with Andrew as we've enjoyed driving around looking at Christmas lights, going to see the Nutcracker, singing Christmas hymns (he brought over his guitar!), watching movies, reading Luke 2 and making dinners together. Not to mention attending a tacky Christmas sweater party. My camera hasn't been working, so thank you to my friend Michelle for the pictures below. Oh! This past Sunday I got in my car and something didn't seem right. Yep, flat tire. Of course I can be so dramatic about these things, but luckily the boyfriend saved the day and changed the whole thing! Ahh, it was awesome.

I'm leaving Charlotte tomorrow and can't wait to be at home with my family. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Cookies!

I could not go to sleep without telling you about this amazing kitchen tool. I use it often when baking and it's such a lifesaver! Seriously, go get one of these and you'll have perfectly round cookies. I love it. I had to made cookies for a Christmas party tonight and they were so little and cute. If you need a good holiday cookie recipe (not that you do... there are so many!), try this one. We've had/have a total of 9 holiday parties. Whew. I've also been sick with a head cold but thankfully that's on its way out. I'm very much looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and relaxing this weekend after a busy, busy week.

I'll leave you with these verses that I love and I've been thinking about lately:

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.' -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Happy Birthday Michelle!!

Happy Birthday Malar! We've been friends since 7th grade and this picture was taken this past summer at one of our old stompin grounds: the Juice Shop at Friendly Center. Mich, you are one of my dearest friends and I hope you have a fabulous birthday!! :)

Happy Birthday Allison!!

It's my best friend's birthday! Yay! We've been friends for a long time:

This might be the oldest picture we have together.
About to leave for Jamaica where Al will meet Brian!

Many fun visits in NYC.

Happy Birthday, Al! Hope you have the best day! Thanks for being a wonderful friend!

Weekend Update

Wow, I had an awesome weekend! Andrew & I went down to Atlanta to visit with some of his family and for him to meet Allison & Brian! It was definitely a great way to start the holiday season. :)