Had Ourselves a Merry Little Christmas ...

Well.  Christmas has come and gone.  And it was beautiful.  And it SNOWED.  I almost went into complete and utter over excitement mode. Even though it was scary to drive and get around, and made things tricky.  And people acted like hot molten ash and lava was falling from the sky with the way they were RUNNING to thier cars and driving like idiots, it was SO beautiful.  When does Texas EVER get a White Christmas?  Thank you global warming.  If you want to bring us a White Christmas, you go right ahead.  And at the end of it all, last night, I was sad.  Every year I get sad.  I had a little more excitement with the sad this year, just because we had Cancun on the horizon (yay!) but I was still, sad.  I get post-Christmas depression every year.  It's inevitable.  I've tried to convince Matt I need to have a standing doctor's prescription just for the few days after Christmas.  I may even need to start taking them Christmas Eve because, along with the excitement and the peace I feel knowing most people are settled in their homes with their families gathered around, watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music, I still FEEL the twinge of the depression.  Because I know it's all going to be over soon.  And the non-stop Christmas music on the radio will stop.  And the Christmas-themed movies, no matter how "made for TV" they get, will no longer be playing.  And the stores won't be as cheerily decorated when you go in them.  And no one will wish you a Merry Christmas (because apparently if you do that after December 25th, it's weird, who knew?).  And I will have to wait a year for it all to happen again.  And, inevitably again, when it graces us with it's WONDERFUL and JOYOUS presence I will say "I can't BELIEVE it's Christmas already, it feels like it was JUST here!"  But I never tend to remember that feeling when the depression sets in.  All I can seem to think of is the fact that in about a week, it will no longer be acceptable to have my Christmas tree lights on and house decorations up.  Or to hum "Carol of the Bells" all day long (I'm not suere that's acceptable DURING Christmas ... ?)  And it makes me sad.  But thank GOODNESS for Cancun this year because it's pulling me out of my post Christmas funk sooner than usual!  AND I got my camera so the pictures should be exceptionally beautiful (not that the beachy gorgeousness of the scenery won't add to that result) and, did I mention, I. CAN'T. WAIT?  Cause I can't.  Not a bit. 

Here are a few pics to sum up (part of) our Christmas ... I usually start taking pictures at my Mamo's house because we all sleep over at my Mama's and look AWESOME at 7am.  SO awesome, in fact, it's too much awesomeness for the camera to capture.  So I don't try ... it's in your (and my) best interest, believe me ...

My Mamo and me ...

Brother and his wifey ...

Me and my mister (and a few of my pup's hairs all over my dress, nice) ...

Dad and his first 2 kiddos ...

Me and my silly.  She's pullin' an Edward, look how sparkly she is, I asked her if she knew any vampires, she said no.  Dangit ...

My dad's 3 rugrats.  Willito, Claytonious and me.  Will is almost 15, I seriously can't believe it, I remember rocking that baby to sleep when I was 14.  Man how time flies when ... you're getting old ...

And that's all I have.  My head starting POUNDING by the time we got to my in-law's house.  I literally almost fell asleep on thier couch while opening presents.  I know.  RUDE KATE, but I really couldn't help it.  Then we came home and I was going to go straight to bed, we backed out on dinner at my Mama's because I was feeling so bad, but around 8pm I started feeling better (and STARVING) and Matt and I ended the evening by playing Yahtzee and eating pizza by the light of the Christmas tree.  And that was our Christmas dinner.  And I kinda loved it.  I hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas!

I'm So Excited, And I Just Can't Hide It!

ell ... I can't hide it ANYMORE!  Because we are going here ...

That's right folks, we leave for the Riviera Maya, Mexico over Christmas break!  We've had to wait to book the trip until last minute because of Matt not knowing when his last client would finish up, but we booked the trip Wednesday and are PUMPED to have 4 nights and 5 days at this glorious place!  So, if I seem absent from the blogger world, you will all understand, right?  :0)

I'm so excited we get to get away and have some time together.  With my poor mister's crazy work schedule and then him heading off to hunt with my dad and brother the last 2 days we're due some quality one on one Mr. & Mrs. time.  CAN. NOT. WAIT.

But don't feel too sorry for me, this guy is excellent company when his dad's not around ... and he's a pretty dang good protector too.  I mean look at this face ...

Until next post, I hope everyone has a VERY Merry Christmas and it's looking like maybe a white one at that!  Happy Christmas Eve!!!

The Many Looks of ... Me.

Have any of you ever played with this thing?  Hollwood Hair Virtual Makeovers can be found here.  Oh my goodness it's so much fun.  And truthfully I use it every time I am thinking of making a major (i.e. bangs, color, cut, etc. - I know, none of that is TOO major) change with my current look.  Which I've been told is every time I get my hair done.  Which is kind of true.  But it's also lots of fun to play with, you can try on different celebrities hairstyles, color, cuts, etc. and see what you would look like if you had someone to do your hair every day!  Here are just a "few" of my many different celebrity looks ...

... Charlize Theron's short cut and color.

... Gweneth's short blonde bob.  Kinda love this one.  But I'm sticking with growing out my hair!

... JLO - if I had red, long hair.  This would be me.

... LC from The Hills' hair.  I have a girl crush on her.  It's okay.  Matt's fine with it.  Mainly because he has a crush on her too :0)  He's got good taste, he can't help it!

... And if I were 16, and could rock it out like Miley - this is what I would look like.  Because this is her hair.  Not Hannah Montana's mind you.

... I don't really like this one.  But I just had to do it.  It's Bella's hair ladies.  If we could superimpose Edward in there that would be great.  Thanks.

... And this is what I would look like if someone were pointing a fan at my face ... all. day. long.

... And if I were the chick from The Closer.  Which I really like this hair.  Not so much the show, but the hair, I like.

... And last but not least, my fav.  Reese Witherspoon's long hair.  And I'm kinda lovin' the bangs.  And that's my last one.

So let's take a vote.  All those in favor of me (doing what I already want to do) continuing to grow my hair out, keeping it blonde and MAYBE cutting bangs?  Say "I".  Or comment ... whichever's easier. 

My Mama (Pronounced Mamaw) ...

So awhile ago I said I'd post about my Mama (it's pronounced Mamaw just FYI, like I said before ...) and so here we go.  This may be a long one, she's a pretty cool lady.  Like I said, the other night we were at my Mama's house for our big family White Elephant Gift Exchange.  And I mean BIG family.  Let's just run through the names of people that were there.  Me, my mister, my mom, Rich (stepdad), little twin brother and sister, biggest (not oldest cause I'M the oldest) brother Clay, his wife Erin (silly), my Mama, my aunt Belinda, her daughters, Natalie and Britney, their significant others, Nat's boyfriend Jared, Brit's husband Adam, my aunt Charlotte and her husband Alan, Charlotte's daughter Amy and her husband (seriously just forgot his name, but he's a new one, cut me some slack) and her son Jacob.  My aunt Michelle and uncle Russ, their kiddos (my cousins) Riley and Joanna, my aunt Tammy and her husband Sean, their kiddos Chance and Shelby, my Great Aunts Joann and Norma Lou and their husbands (my great uncles) Tommy and Charlie, my cousins Mikey and Erica who sadly lost their mom, my aunt and my mom's oldest sister 2 years ago to cancer on Matt and I's anniversary.  Mikey's wife (who's preggo w/ their 2nd little girl!) Joanna and Maddyn, their precious 2 year old blonde-haired, blue-eyed cherub of a daughter.  Seriously.  You can't understand the cuteness.  I'm going to steal her.  My uncle Kim and his wife, Judy and then there are always some stragglers/tag-alongs of friends of family that are sometimes included.  So there you have it.  Didn't that sound like the "begot" part of the Bible?  Where they say "so and so begot so and so begot so and so" and so on and so forth ...  Well, that's my "immediate" family.  The one that gets together for Easter, Thanksgiving and a Christmas White Elephant.  And there were even some missing.  Like my cousin Shannon, her husband Mike and their 3 kids, Kaylie, Kyle and Kinley.  And Erica's kiddos weren't there.  And this is JUST my mom's side of the family.  And let me tell you I love it.  It's normal to me.  My poor husband has one uncle, one aunt, their spouses and kiddos and thats. it.  And they live in different states.  And he came into this craziness.  Um, intimidating much?  Like I always say, he's a trooper.  AND on top of that, ALL these people I just mentioned live within 20 minutes of me.  And I have a whole SLEW of them on my dad's side.  And like I said, I love it.  All this was to point out that my Mama is the glue that holds it all together.  She has EVERYTHING at her house.  Since I can remember Christmas Eve, it has always been spent at my Mama's house, sleeping on palettes or couches or recliner chairs with my cousins and all our parents.  We arrive around 8ish after going to the candle light service at church, Mama and her daughters stay up until all hours of the night wrapping presents when the kids USED to go to bed around 11ish.  Now the grandkids help and hit the hay about the same time as their Mama (we can't get the woman to go to sleep and let us do it, she's a stubborn little thing!).  We usually try and break off for about an hour and do a drive through of Christmas lights in a neighborhood up in Allen.  And then come home and wake up bright and early the next morning to open presents together.  When we were little, the oldest (Britney) would ring a bell to wake all the grown ups up and signal that it was time to wake up, but more IMPORTANTLY, OPEN PRESENTS!!!  Mama always graciously has her whole family over.  For everything.  As much as she can.  And she loves it.  Because she is a selfless person.  There is nothing my Mama loves more than to see the face of her grandchild, sister, daughter, etc., really anyone in her family, opening something that she got for them.  She loves to give.  Of herself.  Of her home.  Of her heart.  And she does it WHOLE heartedly.  If there's anything I will take from my Mama as I get older and pass on to my family, is the IMPORTANCE of family.  Above all others.  She is a complete example of what it means to be the glue of a family.  75% of my memories would not be as fond, or possibly wouldn't exist if it weren't for my Mama.  She has taught me tradition, she has taught me love, and she has taught me sincerity.  And she has made my mom into the mother that she was for me and I can only HOPE I can follow in her incredible footsteps and be that kind of mother to my daughter (if the Lord blesses me with one).  Here are a few pictures of my sweet Mama.  I love you Mama, you will always be an example and portrait of what selfless love means.

My Mama and my momma ...

Mama and me (is she the cutest, look at her peace sign shirt!)

Update From Our Pastor, Matt Chandler ...

Message from Matt

This is just to bring you to speed on what's going on with our pastor. The pathology results came out about a week ago revealing the tumor was malignant and they have more of it to get. Please continue to pray for The Chandler family. What an encouragement their faith is and their lives are in this time of trial and hardship. I know your prayers are much needed and felt by their family.

Christmas Party Weekend!

This weekend was full of Christmasy-ness!  Friday night was my mom and stepdad's Christmas cocktail party at their house.  It was SO much fun, even though my mister couldn't come due to having to work late :(  But I had a GREAT stand-in date, one of my favorites, Mrs. Alysia Milam.  We were a pair of hot dates if I do say so myself!  The party was so fancy and Christmasy, my mom had it catered from their country club and the food was PHENOMENAL.  I should've taken a picture.  But of course, I didn't.  I did take SOME though, so at least I get a little credit ...

How do you like my clown ruffle neck dress?  I love ruffles.  And apparently clown necks.  It's probably over the top, but I am most of the time, so this is no exception.  And PS - I'm SO proud of my silly and her big chunky necklace.  Funny side note story:  when she and my brother got engaged, I think I'd been married to Matt for about 3 years ... we were at a Holiday Bazaar and I was ooohhhing and ahhhing over these big chunky fun necklaces and bracelets.  She was next to me looking at the tiniest little dainty necklaces and I remember saying "Erin (we weren't sillies yet) you would look SO cute in this!"  And she said "I don't know if I can do anything that big, I usually wear small dainty things" and I just kind of giggled because I remembered being the SAME way before I got married and said "Give yourself a year or so after you get married, you won't understand it, but your taste will suddenly change and you will LOVE it" ... and I'm happy to say that they've almost been married 2 years and my silly is wearing a fun chunky necklace that SHE picked out and loves and looks SO cute in!

The next day we co-hosted a Christmas party with the Currans.  It was SUPER fun.  And SO easy I might add.  Evite, BYOB, easy appetizers and desserts = easy fun way to get together and not spend a ton of money.  Of course this is all easy for me to say when it wasn't at my house.  But Alli was SO calm and collected and her house looked FANTASTIC!  Here are a few visuals ...

And that's a wrap-up of the Christmas party weekend.  I realize it's pretty much me, in the same pose, with a different person in every picture, but hey, you do what you can.  On Sunday we went to my Mamaw's house to play White Elephant.  We have done this every year since I can mentally remember Christmas.  When we were kids, we used to just get a toy of some sort from my mom.  I can't remember what age we were when we graduated to being able to play (I really think it was when I went off to college ... sad) but I love it and it's something I look forward to every year.  There were 30 people playing, which is really almost twice that because a lot of us play as couples.  There was a lot of stealing, laughing and general shenanagins going on.  My family is a hoot.  I just love them.  Oh and of course I didn't get any pictures of it.  Dangit.  I was too busy having fun, stealing, laughing and taking part of the shenangins.  I wound up with this CUTE black shrug thing.  I had been battling back and forth at the end for a bag FULL of lottery tickets.  You know, the scratch off kind?  Every year they are the MOST stolen item and last year we got them and ended up with nothing, but it was just the idea that was so much fun.  What IF there was one in there worth $20,000?  Just what IF?  Anyways, I got them stolen from me and then I'd get them back, and then I'd get them stolen.  We had a pretty good system down, once I'd get them taken, I'd go take another item (back massager) that was getting stolen a lot as well.  As soon as I'd get it, someone would take it and I'd take the tickets back.  There were 30 people and RIGHT at 29 someone stole my back massager, which was the plan, but it was the THIRD STEAL.  Which meant I had to pick from the pile.  It's okay though, I ended up with a cute black shrug and more than likely would've ended up with $3 in redeemable tickets.  It was a LOT of fun.  And next year, I'm bringing lottery tickets.  That's all from the Fulmer Lane.  Happy Christmas Week everyone!!!

Peyton Marie Peykoff ...

One of my closest friends from Baylor brought her first little munchkin into the world early this morning.

Oh how I miss my long hair so ... I'm working on it friends.  And I'm tanner.  There are just better things about me all 'round in this picture.  I was in Cabo for goodness schakes!

I was SO very excited to hear about this little one's announcement into the world, not only because I love Megan SO very much, but also because Megs didn't find out what she was having (much to many of our dismay, ha, not being able to buy countless pink or blue things has been hard!) and we were VERY curious if it was a boy or girl Peykoff.  Well, she is a girl and a BEAUTIFUL one at that!!!

Best friends at Meg's Texas shower!

And here she is with her momma and her auntie La!

Megan has SO much more patience than me.  There is NO WAY I would be able to wait to find out the sex.  Mainly because the poor child's nursery would look like this ...

... I'm kidding.  It wouldn't get that bad.  I hope this is no one that reads my blog's nursery.  Surely it's not.  Anyways, that is NOT the case with this stylish chic mommy.  Please take a gander at what this precious baby's new digs look like.  AH-MAZING.

... I mean seriously.  I'm strongly considering asking Megs if I can move in with them.  I think I could STAND California ... if I had to.  Wink, wink. 

So welcome to the world precious one.  You have a princess palette of a room, perfect amazing parents, and one of the prettiest names to suit one of the prettiest little girls.  You have a LOT of people that love you, even ones that haven't met you yet.  I can't wait to meet you Peanut Peykoff!!!

Congrats Danny and Megs!!!