Tis the Season to be Jolly...

So I listened to a sermon Ryan and I missed a couple of weeks ago. One of the things our pastor challenged us to do during the service was to think of five things you are thankful for.
1. Jesus Christ
2. Ryan
3. My beautiful family
4. Our friends
5. Our health
Easy cheesy. Then the sermon went on. He challenged us all to make a list of 25 things we are thankful for during the next week...on top of the five we had already named. That gets a little sticky. I pulled out a sheet of paper and wrote out the numbers 1-25 and put it in my purse. And there it still sits. And every time I open my purse, I see it. So tonight, I'm going to pull it out, and start to think of all the blessings I have in my life. And then, start praying for those blessings. And now, since you are reading this...I challenge you to do the same... :o) Don't you just love reading the blog...now you have homework! Pull your kids in too! Maybe it is their favorite pillow they sleep with at night, or your favorite robe you put on in the mornings to shut out the cold...
Another cool thing I got this week was an email from a speaker I heard at the SAFY Foster Parent Conference. She labeled it "seventeen words that changed my life forever." I highly recommend the article. I am subscribed to a daily email she sends out, and I know she is a Christian, one thing I think is sorely absent from her memo, but anywho, with that in mind...please go read it. And talk to me about it next time you see me...we'll see if it has impacted you like it has impacted me.
"http://www.coaching-forlife.com/documents/Articles/Seventeen%20words%20that%20changed%20my%20life%20forever......pdf"
And if the link doesn't work, go to google and type in Coaching For Life Juli Alvarado Seventeen Words. It'll bring it up.
I printed the phrase out and hung it up in my cube. If you let it sink it, it'll make an impact. Our pastor also gave a sermon in the Spring about praying for ACCEPTANCE. Not praying for specific things, but for acceptance for what life gives us. So there is number one on my list. I am thankful God has given us acceptance of events that have transpired in the past few weeks. See, I'm already on my way. Okay...I'm on a roll...off to go start filling out the list I have been carrying around for two weeks.
Love to all...
Dayna

O Christmas Tree(s)

Unwrapped the package Uncle Robert :o)

Today we spent the day over at Larry and Rita's. We helped them put together a slide show depicting the building of their house. So for anyone interested, email Larry and he'll send ya the link to it. Oh, and Rita had made chex mix and fudge for upcoming Christmas parties...I think after all we ate, she'll have to make another batch of each!

Since I was little, each year, my mom has gotten me an angel ornament for Christmas. They are all part of a series. The blonde headed blue little angel right in the middle of the picture was the first one I ever received. Anywho, because Ryan and I did a red and silver themed big tree this year, I didn't have anywhere to display my angels. Until tonight! I ran by Big Lots this afternoon and purchased a four foot, pre-lit mini tree. I put it up as soon as we got home from church tonight!

Speaking of which...tonight was the "Candlelighting Service" at church. We had never been to this particular service before so kinda expected there to be carols by candlelight or something. We were mistaken. The best way to describe it would be a Christmas pageant for adults.... Ryan really liked it. At one point I looked over at him and he was holding his mouth like he was just going to burst into laughter. I enjoyed the orchestra...and when we sang two stanzas of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee...that's about it. Anywho, they have been doing some version of this service for 72 years! We'll be sure all you folks join us for year 73...it'll be the topic of your conversation for at least a few days I'm sure.

the reason for the season...

Thanks be to God for his beautiful son, Jesus Christ. As we decorated Sunday night, I had "O Holy Night" in my head (so as you read the blog, please indulge me by humming it yourself). I am so grateful for all our family, friends, and colleagues. When you feel bah humbug this season, remember what it is really about and trust me, it'll change your mood entirely...well, maybe not until you've left the store, but try humming a tune you associate with how you celebrate Christ's birth.

Party Hard...

Here are a few pictures from our breakfast party this morning! We had so much fun with everyone and were extremely pleased with the turnout! Ryan is going to create a flicker account I think and upload all the pictures there so folks can go see all the pictures. I think this might become an annual happening folks! Oh, that also means that if you have some menu change suggestions, to let us know that as well. We do have a plethora of fruit, scones, and decaf coffee left. I think first change for next year is to tone down on those items! Happy fall everyone! Have fun and be safe as you go shopping and get all your decorations up! Love to all!

Pansies and what not

Things have been a little busy, so I have a lot to update folks on.  PANSIES!  Last weekend we planted pansies in the front flower bed.  Purple and white with kale planted every once in a while in between.  Then we went over and celebrated Trisha's birthday!  Yahoo, wahoo!  

We recently joined First United Methodist Grapevine as well.  Last Sunday we had our "learn about the church" class.  Informative and we're really excited about getting involved.  

This weekend we got to keep Matt and Trisha's boys (even Wesley for a little bit).  They have sooo much energy!  We went to the playground down the street Saturday morning and played for about an hour.  Here are a couple of things we discovered.

1.  Jungle gyms look a lot bigger when you are three foot tall instead of five.

2.  Ryan and I are both pretty out of shape.

3.  Crocs allow you to walk up a slide rather easily.  

4.  Metal playground equipment is really really cold in the winter. 

Yesterday afternoon we went with Jennifer, Bryan, Melanie, Justin and their new son Aaron to the TCU football game.  Well...kinda.  We went to Pappasito's beforehand for lunch and headed to campus, parked in front of a friend's house and walked over to the stadium...it was already halftime by the time we got there.  So we walked around the tailgate parties for a while, chatting with each other, seeing a few people we knew, etc.  We didn't want to have to pay to get in for only half of a game.  We had every intention of walking around the TCU campus since they have addedso many new buildings in the past year, but just ran out of daylight.  So  we headed back to The Colony to Melanie and Justin's for dinner, Tech/OU watching and to visit.  We had so much fun and it was really good to get to hang out with the TCU gang :o)

Today we went to visit our friends Jennifer and Erik.  Erik made some mighty tasty tortilla soup, we watched the Cowboys, and just caught up with one another.  I made my menu for the week on the drive up and my grocery list on the drive home.  The grocery store was suprisingly not crowded.  About the same crowd there is normally.  Got everything we needed for Thursday and we're starting our grocery list for Saturday's festivities.  That grocery trip will have to take place on Friday...not enough fridge space to buy everything today.  So that's what has been going on in our world!  Have a great week everyone!

Veterans Day

A very humble and sincere thank you to all the Veterans in the military and those active serving our country. Your sacrifice is more than any of us could ever imagine. So thank you. Thank you Larry (Dad). Thank you Uncle James. Thank you Uncle Robert. Thank you Gene. Thank you Jon. Thank you to all veterans. To all those brave men and women who truly embody what it is to be American. I am extremely proud and thankful for you. Thank you for putting yourself on the line for all of us. For our freedom and so much more. We all love you, appreciate you, and pray for you daily.

it's the broncs and the blood, steers and the mud

For those of you that have been Garth Brooks fans at one point or another, the title of the blog will make sense.

So last Thursday, I was given two free tickets to the Texas Stampede Rodeo at the American Airlines Center. We went today. As some of you can recall, back on the 4th of July, Ryan bought me a hat down in Luckenbach which I have not worn since. You may also recall that the whole reason Ryan got into making jewelry was to make me a new hat band. So on Saturday evening while watching football, he made me my hat band, earrings and bracelet so I could be all "cowgirl" for the rodeo. They are so pretty! He has decided he wants to put the stampede strap back on, so it is not done yet, but look! Isn't it beautiful :o)

I haven't been to a rodeo in a really long time. I went with Jennifer a couple of times during college to the Houston rodeo which was a lot of fun, and I've seen a few bull riding events at Billy Bob's, but a true rodeo, I had not been to in quite a while. They did not have a great turn out, so our nosebleed seats were exchanged for first tier seats. We were on row D, section 117 if you want to look it up. Anywho, due to the weird staring of the guy next to me, and the odor of the guy next to Ryan, we moved about ten rows up...where we actually could see a little better. All those animals were so pretty. And really cool to get to be so close to them all. We got there about 12:15, got in the doors about 1:00, rodeo started at 2:00, and we left about 4:00. They had eight contestants from all the different events compete, and the four winners from each event were going on to a final...which we did not stay for. Could have, but didn't want to spend money on food so came home. One thing for sure, those bronc riders and bull riders are brave fellers. Several were wearing helmets instead of hats, and the announcer would tell the crowd about a recent injury, etc. Just amazing. OH! And only one of the bull riders stayed on for 8 seconds. So I think they said he automatically advances to a Las Vegas event, but they let the top four from the previous rounds all advance to the finals tonight. Anywho, it was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed it. Bare Bronc riding, calf wrestling, barrel racing, mutton bustin, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie up, bull riding...and I think I might be missing a couple events in between. Good times and very family friendly...have a great week everyone!