Unwrapping...

With way too many presents under our tree, and more blessings than anyone deserves...I am writing this blog to challenge everyone who reads it to unwrap the gift(s) that God gives us so graciously. Whether it is His biggest gift of salvation, or a spiritual gift we have yet to discover we possess...Alana doesn't hesitate to rip into the gifts that "Santa" has left for her under the tree. So why should we delay the unwrapping of ours from the REAL reason for this day? I have been beyond blessed this year in so many ways...and many of you are responsible for adding to that :) Have a Merry Christmas and a great '08...Start unwrapping! Love to all xo.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas! I'm not sure if anyone still reads this blog...if you do, thank you :) If you don't, I'm not surprised! I have been slacking on my posts lately...Obviously, we made it back to VA. We went from 83 degrees to the 40s and 50s. It's been pretty nice here this week, though. One day it was even 76! Enough about the weather, though! When we got home, we got a tree and Alana helped decorate it while we listened to "Let is Snow Baby"...Alana's favorite is singing the "Glooooori--gloooooria" haha. It's cute. And I inevitably get "I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas" stuck in my head for days...This year has been full of a lot of rewarding things...a new home, new friends...and some not so welcomed things (ie, the mice that are still taking comfort in my home. All in all, it has been a fulfilling 2007. I'm ready for the great 2008. So since I've been home from FL, I made some amazing new friends! Justin meets a lot of people on his ship--most of which he refuses to let around Alana and me, because of their inappropriate behavior and all around rudeness :) But every once in a while, he finds someone he thinks is a keeper. He's been telling me about his friend Jeremy that he works with...mainly that he's a huge FSU fan, and hello(!) I went to FSU :) There's always a concern as to whether or not the wives will get along, though...I finally got to meet her, and she has a name (ANGIE)...She's awesome! They have a little boy, Jalen, who is about to be one this weekend...He is so cute! I thank God when He blesses us by putting people in our paths that make our lives a little happier and our days a little brighter! I couldn't ask for much more!

Summertime in December

Well, it's official...it's December, and I'm wearing flip flops and short sleeves. Alana and I made it to FL safe and sound. We almost cancelled or at least postponed our trip, because she was so sick. She's on the mend now, finally. What I've realized in the past two days is that I seemed to have forgotten what it was like growing up with no seasons. Yesterday, it was 83 degrees here. Today I'm sure it's no cooler. My dad and I went to see Fireflight play last night and rode there with the windows down. It was a great show. I've seen them play twice before, but this was by far the best yet. It was cool to see old friends doing what they love. I'm not sure what the rest of the week holds for us, but it's always nice to be "home" with family. I live across the street from the beach in VA, but it's too cold to even think about venturing out there...so maybe we'll hit one up here...or not! :)