Ten on Tuesday.

1. Best Christmas Ever. I had such a great Christmas season. It seemed less stressful than it has in the past. I know that a huge part of that was the control I was able to have over my finances during the time. Also, my brothers, sisters and I decided to not buy each other gifts and adopt two kids in the North Webster area. This seemed like the right thing to do but we were so blessed to find out that the one little girl we bought for was 11 years old and had never gotten Christmas presents before!! WHAT!! I can't even imagine... I got some awesome presents. I have gotten amazing presents every year. When I woke up Christmas morning, I said a little prayer for this precious girl who was opening presents for the first time. I hope she knows that Christmas present or not, she can still receive the gift of Christ's love.

2. We are working hard at United Way to raise money in our community to better the lives of all who live here. I can't tell you the good news yet but I can tell you that's it's gonna be REALLY good!

3. In the last month I have had Addie over twice for a flumber party. A while back I was telling her what a slumber party is and we decided that we needed to start having them. Both have been so fun. For the second one I took her to the movie theatre for the first time. I wish I would have had my camera there to capture her sweet little face when she saw the size of the screen! Priceless! On the first one, we stayed at home and made home made pizza and watched movies in bed. Here are some pictures from our first flumber party. I am sure there will be many more!

4. I have had 6 days off in the last two weeks and I am loving it. It's nice to get some R&R! I plan on sleeping in tomorrow, probably losing most of the day, but sleeping is one of my favorite things! :)

5. I have been thinking a lot about a New Years' Resolution. There are a lot of things I need to make my NYR; lose weight, be kinder, read my Bible more. I don't want to make one if I am not committed to sticking to it all year. I have been trying to get better at these things and I am not sure I want the cliche of calling them a resolution. Are you having a resolution this year? If so, what is it? If not, why?

6. Drew is helping to coach the Boys' Varsity Basketball team for Manchester High School. I have gone to a few games. And I love it! I am proud of my brother and the committment he has to these young boys even though they are struggling through the season. Go Squires!

7. I have been working my budget in Financial Peace University and I love it! If you have never read Dave Ramsey...you should. It's so gratifying to have been doing this for almost a year. There are still a lot of things I have to get better at and achieve but so far, so good. Looking forward to life with financial freedom.

8. Because of the working budget from about I have turned into a Total-Grocery-Shopping-Nerd. I now take about two (ish) hours, usually on Sundays to get groceries for Mike and I (and the girls) for two weeks. I have become a seasoned Aldi/Wal-Mart/Lance's combination shopper. I am getting good at knowing which place has the better prices. And, as disgusting as it sounds, I actually get excited about saving money and finding a good deal. Nerd, I know!

9. We took the girls to the Colts' game on Sunday for Christmas, it was a blast. I was mad at first that they lost but I am looking forward to the SUPERBOWL. Here are some pics:

10. I am in Ashley and Matt's wedding this weekend and I am pretty pumped. I have lots to do to get ready for it but it should be a good time.

ANSWER...

The answer to last week's trivia question was Cleveland.

Angie, I appreciate the honesty and that will be the string that holds our friendship together. Of course I will still be your friend, so much so, that I will gladly let you borrow my copy of the best Christmas movie ever!

Wacky Wednesday Trivia

In the movie A Christmas Story, what street is the Parker's house on?

This question is in honor of the greatest Christmas movie of all time! And to tomorrow...may the sight and sound of an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle be ever present in your life. I know it will be in mine!

BEWARE: This post may contain some mushy stuff.

Here is a version of a 10 on Tuesday, I used to write these every Tuesday when I wasn't MIA in cyberland.

Today is Mike and I's 1 1/2 year mark. This is something to be celebrated for sure and here is 10 reasons why.

1. Sometimes I get in these moods, lately it seems that the moods are more frequent than normal Monica. The reasons, I believe, are a completely different post. Even when I am in "a mood" Mike smiles and bears it. Sometimes, amidst all my moodiness, I can see it on his face...."I sorta want to shut you up, with force, but instead I am gonna stand here with this smile and try to figure out a way to love you in this." I am not easy to get along with, but he always finds ways to love me anyway. I am so blessed.

2. We don't get each other Christmas gifts, or any gifts, really. We have occasionally surprised each other with different presents but they are mostly for no reason at all. I was starting to get a little bummed about this last week. And then two of the last three nights we have spent having dinner together and curling up on the couch watching movies. We may not spend lots of money on each other but I sure do love when he makes time just for me! I am so blessed.

3. He is truly a Godly man. He works hard to lead our relationship in a way that would be pleasing to God. I am so thankful to have a person in this life who wants that for himself, me and us. I am so blessed.

4. Sometimes, we just laugh. Despite the previously mentioned "moods" we can still just laugh with each other. Mostly just me laughing, sometimes him quietly laughing to himself about me. But either way, we are laughing...and I love to laugh. I am so blessed.

5. He likes me. I know it seems obvious, but there are many people who are in relationships and I am not completely convinced that they like each other. And for some unknown reason, he likes me. I am so blessed.

6. Over the past year I have gone through one of the most difficult storms of my life. There were lots of ups and downs, mostly downs at first! And he was always there, always praying, always ready to catch me when I crumbled. He is a great listener, gives excellent advice, and is willing to completely overanalyze things with me. Ok, you're right, sometimes its me overanalyzing and him listening, but he stays in the same room, doesn't that count? I am so blessed.

7. He's cute. Here's proof!

My little drummer boy. I'm so blessed!

8. He cooks! Enough said. I am so blessed.

9. He calls me every morning to wake me up. I know it's pathetic, but alarm clocks just don't work for the coma I slip into every night. Ol' girl sleeps pretty deeply, so every night he asks when I need up and every morning he calls to be sure I get up on time. Then usually he has to call back again because he knows I totally woke up, answered the phone, told him I was up and then went back to sleep. I am sure it's annoying, but he does it everyday! I am so blessed.

10. I love him and I am so blessed!

My apologies

Sorry I haven't gotten to this blog lately....here is a blog you should check out, I actually wrote on it today!

www.glowministry.blogspot.com