Mele Kalikimaka!

This year we had a pretty quiet Christmas.  With Mike's friend Sam visiting us for a few weeks, me starting a new job, completing finals week for school, and our new church callings I think we both just wanted a few days to take a breather and appreciate each other. 

Christmas Eve I was working during the day (barf) but that night we got together with Rachel and played some fun games and had sparkling cider.  

Christmas day I was SO excited to open presents in the morning!  I had no idea what Mike had up his sleeve, but he got me this AWESOME chair to put on our lanai that I had been eyeballing at Pier One Imports.  I LOVE IT!  It will be great to hang out in this thing and watch the sunsets, or just read a book and RELAX.  Best present ever.

I got him a scuba certification which he is pretty excited to go do as well.  

Later that afternoon we went and watched Les Mis with Brett & Heidi, Caesar & Isabel, and Rachel.  It was the perfect Christmas movie.  I think Mike thought it was a snoozer (he's not that into musicals) but he admitted that the storyline was good and it was a well made movie.  Hugh Jackman was my favorite I thought he did awesome. 

We had Christmas dinner at Dave & Busters with everyone.  We are blessed to have such great friends out here on this rock!  Our friends are pretty much family out here so it's nice to have good ones.  As they say in "It's A Wonderful Life"... No man is a failure who has friends.  Truer words could not be spoken. 

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the night of the Championship

'Twas the night of the Championship, And all through South Beach

Notre Dame fans were saying, "Another title's in reach!"

The luck of the Irish had carried them through, with wins over Pittsburgh and even Purdue.

The Domers were nestled all snug in their seats, with visions of crystal... just one team to beat!

And I in my houndstooth and Crimson and White, knew for the Irish, it would be a long night.

When out of the tunnel there arose such a thunder, fans stood to their feet with amazement and wonder. 

The ground shook like an earthquake had just hit the field, and I felt Irish fear beginning to build.

They scattered and looked for some place to hide, as the announcer proclaimed, "And here comes the Tide!"

I sang "Yea Alabama," yes I sang every word, as Notre Dame marveled at the elephant herd. 

Led by a man both lively and quick, everyone knew that he was St. Nick. 

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came.  He whistled and shouted, and called them by name. 

"Now Lacy! Now Millner, McCarron, and Fluker!  On Barrett!  On Mosley!  On Warmack and Cooper!

Miami is where Notre Dame's luck shall end.  The BCS trophy is ours to defend!"

Then after the kickoff, a beating began.  The Irish now knew that they were outmanned. 

They tried to get going, but never could start.  They were simply no match for the defense of Smart.

Brian Kelly cried out, "This just isn't fair!  Saban was given a month to prepare!"

But his cries were not heard, they fell on deaf ears. "We have to adjust!  We have to switch gears!"

Then Notre Dame ran what nobody expected.  The faked the reverse, but the pass was deflected. 

The ball was picked off!  The crowd let out a roar.  As the Bama defender walking in for the score.  

Saban spoke not a word to his crimson machine.  As the seconds ticked off, to number 15. 

If one thing was learned in Miami that night, it's that you don't bring a leprechaun to an elephant fight. And I heard the crowd yell to the losers in blue, "We just beat the hell out of you!"

-Sam Woodward

I phone win.

So my smokin' hot man recently got a new Samsung Galaxy 3, and he pretty much thinks he's the cool kid on the block.

He was giving his phone voice commands in front of me nonchalantly, but I know his underlying motive was to show up my iphone (PS, Siri is awesome).

Anyway this is what just went down...

Mike: (talking to his phone) Tell my wife 'I love you.'

Automated phone voice: "Sorry, I can't find contact 'your wife.'

Me: (in my best shocked and outraged voice) REALLY?  I am not even in your phone?

Mike: (talking to phone) Tell Marissa 'I love you.'

Automated phone voice: "Sorry, I can't find contact, "Marissa."

Really???

I phone win.

That is all.

My thoughts on Sandy Hook.

So often, hymns preach sermons more powerful than speeches by the most eloquent orator, or words spoken by any man.  Music can  penetrate the heart, and fill the soul with the spirit of Christ.  Such was the case for me as I heard these lyrics.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, 

Their old familiar carols play, 

And wild and sweet the words repeat 

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, 

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said, 

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, 

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till ringing singing, on its way, 

THe world revolved from night to day, 

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, 

Of peace on earth, good will to men!

  I was thinking about the recent tragedy in Connecticut... and as my heart filled with sorrow for the families mourning the loss of their precious children, I too pondered if there was peace on earth. As I sang the lyrics of this song I remembered that there is peace on earth; that insofar as we allow Christ into our lives we can feel of the solace and peace that the gospel brings.   

JPAC Arrival Ceremony

So this is something that I have been wanting to blog about for awhile, but as per usual procrastination has gotten the best of me and I have not yet had the chance!

Marianne and Jim, my awesome in-laws, came into town off a cruise for a few days.  We LOVED getting to spend extra time with them and having them in our home.

While they were here, we were lucky enough to get to see a JPAC arrival ceremony.  These were remains that were recovered from Vietnam, Kiribati, and Germany from WWII and the Vietnam War.  Mike was on one of the missions in Tarawa where they found some of the remains.

Here are some of the artifacts that have been found at different sites.  

My in-laws 

The plane that had the bodies in it prior to the ceremony

Transporting the body back onto the plane

The bodies were put on the busses and then transported to the burial site... Mike was on the bus.

It was a really cool ceremony to see and it helped me appreciate the work that my husband is doing!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a great thanksgiving holiday... I love the spirit of gratitude that thanksgiving brings, and wish we could be more thankful all year round! 

I love this quote and have been feeling especially blessed this holiday season.  

It was hard not to be at home on this day with the family... but I was blessed to spend a week with my parents this month!  

Our Hawaii friends (the Aubrey's) had an awesome dinner at their place with some friends.  It was great... I made stuffing, which turned out a little soggier than I would've liked, but the whole pan was eaten so I think it was okay!  And I also made some bomb sweet potatoes.  I found a weight watchers recipe, and as I was cooking it taste tested it and decided it wasn't all that great so I modified it with more butter and brown sugar... needless to say, no longer had the nutritional factor going for it but they were delish. 

Also feeling grateful to be with the hubby and spend some good quality time since his return from his latest mission in Tarawa!  I had a blast hearing his tales of adventure from his latest TDY... it was a very eventful mission and he loved learning the history about the battle that happened there in WWII.  

There were 1700 American marines killed on this island in '43.  

Here is Mike standing next to one of the huge guns the Japanese used to fire at the Americans when they were invading the island... they had ripped them out of navy ships and put them in strategic points around the island to defend themselves. 

As the American ships were sailing in they got stuck in the reef about 600 yards from beach and the marines had to get off the ship and wade through the water (under heavy machine gunfire) to get into the beach to even start the battle with the Japanese.  

What a crazy (and overlooked) piece of WWII history! 

So that's the latest, just enjoying our time together!  

PS... one other quick funny that happened yesterday.. so Mike has been talking about how he wants to get the new Halo 4 game... well I decided I would surprise him yesterday and while he was out running errands I went to Gamestop and picked it up for him.  When I returned home (and my heart was beating out of my chest, every time I try and surprise someone with anything I nearly give myself a heart attack) HE WAS SITTING ON THE COUCH PLAYING HIS NEW HALO GAME!  Yes, that's right, we were simultaneously buying the same game.  Talk about being on the same wavelength!  Oh I just love him. <3

52 minutes

Mike gets home in 52 minutes.

That is all. : )