Merry Christmas

How many of our trees have tons of these underneath? And yet we worry about giving enough....will they like them....are they the right size.....did I get enough....did I go overboard (Amy!).

All the while, the fact that we are beyond blessed is over shadowed by this store and that store, and this sale and that gift.

How sad to see everyone shoving and shouting because they just can't bear for someone to be in front of them for the 1 close parking spot. Come on people! It's Christmas. Have we forgotten the true meaning?

Our Savior was born on Christmas day! That's why it's so wonderful. The kiddos love the season anyway, but for us adults, we need to focus on peace in our hearts, not the commercialized holiday that has taken over.

Is it too much to ask that we read the real Christmas story from the Bible and remember the true reason we even have this holiday to celebrate? Thank you God for loving us enough that you gave your only son for us. Please help us to remember and give thanks for that this Christmas!

So this is definitely what my calling is....it has to be. Otherwise I am completely submerged in over my head to no avail.

I am beginning my study courses for the Texas Bar Exam. Already - heck - on the first day...we were in over our heads. A few of our lecturers have commented on the blank faces staring back at them.

The thought is that we will cram enough law into our heads in the next 2 months to successfully solve a legal problem in all areas of law on the BAR.


Bottom line - - the BAR is a BEAR. But we, like so many others, will make it through. And it is a small price to pay.

For me, I am consumed by the pressure of it all, but on the silver lining there is something else.....purpose. I can feel God telling me that I'm getting close. I know there is somewhere he wants me to be.....that I don't quite know yet, but I will when I'm supposed to. And another thing....clarity - (oh sweet clarity where have you been? and welcome back!) -

I feel the pull more and more to criminal law. It is my first love ( I have a BS in Criminal Justice) and each time I cover even a part of it in study time...I fall for it all over again. It just might be my calling.

Anyhoot! Just wanted to say hey and sorry to all the family and friends who feel I don't have time for you - I miss ya like crazy - and it's hard to even spend time with The D right now. The totality of our conversations goes something like this - "Good morning. Love you! Have a good day!.....Good night. Love you! Sleep good." So please don't feel left out.

Such a great pic from our Christmas party I just had to share! It's the last pic I got before she ran away! J/K love ya!

So...By fend...See you soon. We actually haven't said bye at all. We've been texting since she left yesterday. lol Today I talked to her from I-20 to Alabama (I think that's where she was).

I can't wait till she makes it "home." They are going to have a fabulous holiday - and we are already making plans for Summer.

Holiday Spirit

Today was just one of those days...you know busier than you can imagine and not much going your way. Usually on days like today I'll have a short pity party and move on with my life. But today I fought the urge to feel bad about my situation.

Instead I took the time to remember that our family is healthy, we still have jobs in this horrendous economy, and we are born again because our Savior is Risen!

So, since I was letting a little Christmas cheer in my day after all (who cares that it was at the end of it?), I decided to take sometime to make some treats!

I picked up these cute mini-loaf pans at Michaels a while back and thought they'd be cute little treats. I decided to make them for a few of The D's co-workers. We got to go bowling with them on Saturday and I always forget how awesome they are! We always have sooo much fun!

Inside the loaf pans is my Diet Cake (just the ordinary diet soda cake recipe). On top I drizzled chocolate and covered with crushed candy cans to make them more Christmasy!

They turned out pretty cute and....today turned out pretty freakin good, thank you. Enjoy the treats guys! Merry Christmas!

Dear Husband,

I like you most days
I love you everyday
I'm so glad God brought us together
I wish everyone had a chance to feel love like we have
Thank you for being you
And for making our life so dreamy!

Love, ME

Mother

I don't remember the last thing we laughed about - - because we just cracked the heck up. It was at Mother and Dad's...usually is. We all have such a good time doing nothing there!

Never thought I'd call my Mom Mother. But eventually, despite my best efforts, it trickled down. See I always called her Mommy or Mom. But she always called her mom 'Mother.' I guess now that she has held the position of family Matriarch for so long, Mother is well deserved.

Moms generally take the backseat for their families, but I think my Mother has done this to the Nth degree. You see, just as her youngest child (yours truly) got out of the house, she had 8 grandchildren. She's always a busy bee, but you'd never know. She never runs out of time for any of us.

Since Dad's stroke, I have been even more amazed. She STILL has time for every person in our family! I know, I know....amazingness. I am so glad God blessed us with our SuperMom. And no, you cannot borrow her - she's ours.

Don't have a clue what we'd do without her. She's going in for a heart cath very soon. As of 6 years ago, she is a member of the 'zipper club' - her and Dad have both had open heart surgery. But it's time for another cath for my Mother.

God will be with her and she will do fine, but I wanted to let her know how very much we appreciate her selflessness. The picture above captures it perfectly. To Mother, it's not about her, it's about her loved ones - - - and each one of us are better people because of the 'Mother' that she is. Thanks Mother. :) Love you!

Cotton

We woke up to a beautiful snow-covered ground. It looked like there was a thin cotton layer on the grass. It was beautiful. We were excited.

Dear snow,

Please stick around. If it's going to be miserably cold anyway, you make it fun!

Love,
Me

But it didn't want to stay. Nothing but water is left of the white fluffy blanket the ground wore this morning.

Please come back soon!

My Fend

Christy. Sweet Christy. Soft spoken...sometimes. Beautiful. Caring. Kind. Gentle hearted. A bit naive at times. Sincere...so sincere. Generous. Gracious. Humble. Full of love.

Fend - She is my friend. We say "fend" because Nate did. I love her dearly. She will be gone soon. I'm sad. But happy for her. We are going to miss her like crazy. But we are friends that can pick up where we left off no matter how long it has been.

Patient - she may not think she is. But she has been for long enough. Now she will go start her own family. Too far away. Thank goodness for technology. We must call. We will text. We may IM. We'll definitely e-mail.

Forever - we will be friends. Women are fickle. We don't keep friends long. But every blue moon we find one. A friend we understand. A friend who understands us. Those are the friends we must hold on to.

Memories - Even though she's leaving soon, I'm holding on to my fend. I must. We have so many awesome memories. We cry together. We laugh together. And now, we'll both grow, but never apart.

Yuh Yooh Kiki!

"Just a Lighter"

It's a lighter. I get it. Turquoise. See through. Random palm trees. It's message: "I need a vacation." Clever idea.

But it's much more than just a lighter to me. It is a symbol. Past. Change. New beginnings.

You see I found this lighter when my Dad was in the hospital the week we got back from Iran. I took his robe to him (aren't hospitals always freezing...brr) and when I checked the pockets the lighter was in there.

I don't think he remembered it, but it was there. From before. Prob from late one night. He always looked so pensive when he smoked. He never cared much for it. But he never completely quit.

Until then. After the stroke. "I have no desire," he says. "I don't even think about it."

Like I said. Past. Change. New beginnings. Our lives have been full of those lately. And I thank God for each and every one.

I may hold onto this lighter forever. Just because. It has meaning. It's a symbol. Thanks Dad. I love you.

Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for I don't even think I could list everything. I am thankful for life and that my family has been a fabulous example of how to live it to the fullest! I am thankful for the fact that my parents made it to their 30th anniversary and they are more in love each and every day. I am thankful for siblings who have wonderful families.

I am thankful for the best husband in the world. I am thankful that I have in-laws that feel like they have always been my family.

Most of all I am thankful for my relationship with my Savior - he has taught me so much over the last four years! And because I find comfort in knowing - - - "His eye is on the sparrow. And I know he watches me."

Thank you Lord for blessing me with so many wonderful people and such comfort. Even though I know I don't deserve it, I am humbled with how blessed we are.

Happy 30th Mom & Dad

Friday was our parent's 30th Anniversary. They have been through it and back. With three kids, I'm sure it was hell on wheels while we were growing up. Since then they've had mom's quadruple bypass and Dad's stroke. Their love is truly a blessing and you can see God in each of their eyes.

We were proud to share this milestone with our parents. And the kids were happy to share in the food!!!! The cake was too cute with a picture from their early dating days. We had a fabulous time. Thanks Allan for the fabulous dinner! Nothing better than family and food!!

These two were too cute together, delirious by the end of the night!


My sister and the princess!

Dad Has Graduated!!!

Yesterday, Dad graduated from the Neuro program at DRMC yesterday. He gave a speach that was very moving about determination and how blessed he felt to have such a great team helping him and a loving family to help with the day to day hardships.



Dad, we are so proud of you!

Ellie

This past weekend, my brother and his family came for a visit. All of their boys are so sweet and they brought Ellie with them! She is such a cuddle bug. Her and Nate just loved on each other and both really enjoyed playing together. Plus she's got my name down! She is too cute.


I can't believe we actually got them to be still long enough to snap this shot! Too cute!

Sarah's Birthday

Recently my beautiful neice Sarah turned 11! I can NOT believe she is that old. I remember her bald little head when she was a baby like it was yesterday. She has such a kind heart. She would give anyone the shirt off her back.


We had dinner at my Mom's for her birthday! Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and green beans. Top that off with a big ol' piece of birthday cake and you CAN'T go wrong! Happy birthday Sarah Nicole!

A Few Updates

I am superbusy with sudying for the BAR Exam, working full time and working out 4 days a week, but I LOVE to do things around our home. Recently I cooked tilapia for the first time (We usually get the ones ready to go - you just stick em in the oven). If I do say so myself, it was YUMMY! Here's a pic just in case you don't believe me. I even paired it with the perfect wine.

What a lovely dinner for two!

Dad's a Genius

Ok, for some reason it seems my Dad is a glutton for punishment. Instead of living up the fact that he no longer has to work 14 hours a day, he has decided to finish his degree - - - - - IN BIOCHEMISTRY!

Um, yea. Needless to say, none of us have a clue what the pages in his book say, but he just flies through it. God is wonderful and we see it everyday! These are a few of the pics we took before and after his class.



The book assigned for Chem. 3510. He does have a Calculus book he works out of as a refresher - I don't know people - he likes to learn - he's just weird like that.


That board is full of stuff I don't understand.


I have no idea what this board says either.


On his way into the Chemistry building at UNT.

Pro Pics

We got these two pictures from our photographer already so I thought I would share them!

WEDDING

On July 18, 2009 I married my best friend. We had a very intimate ceremony and we wrote our own vows to ensure that it was a very personal experience. Words cannot express how wonderful the entire event was! It was truly the best night ever! We both had a blast and it was the perfect start to our married life together! Thank you to everyone who shared this special time with us!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dad is Awesome!

Here a a couple of videos of Dad in therapy. His progress is amazing! I will let the videos speak for themselves!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Visa for Citizens of Iran

My family is in the process of coming to visit us here in the US. I found this information on the American Embassy of Dubai website.


Apply for a visa
Public Announcement: New Online Visitor Visa Appointment System for Residents of Iran

Effective immediately, the Consulate General of the United States of America in Dubai, UAE is pleased to announce that residents of Iran may schedule a visa appointment online at:

https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DB2&appcode=3.

For specific instructions on scheduling an appointment for a visa interview please visit our website at: http://dubai.usconsulate.gov.

Only residents of Iran may make an appointment using the noted website (https://evisaforms.state.gov/default.asp?postcode=DB2&appcode=3); this website is, to repeat, reserved for persons who are physically resident in Iran. Cancelled appointments will NOT be available for rebooking. This means that once an appointment slot is reserved it will NOT be available again. The Consulate General will monitor the online system and will stop scheduling appointments if fraudulent use of the online system is detected.

More Graduation Pictures!

Graduation!

YAY!!! I finally graduated from Law school! Thank you to all my loved ones who were there to celebrate this with me!

New Year!

The Persian New Year is almost here! As is tradition, we have laid out the haft-sin. There are seven things that begin with the letter sin. The table includes the following:

- sabzeh: lentil sprouts growing (rebirth)
- samanu: pudding made from wheat germ (affluence)
- sinjed: dried fruit of the oleaster tree (love)
- sir: garlic (medicine)
- sib: apple (beauty and health)
- sumaq: sumac (color of sunrise)
- serkeh: vineger (age and patience)

Other things we have included on our haft-sin are:
- sekkeh: coins (prosperity and wealth)
- bowl/goldfish (life)
- rose water (majical cleansing powers)

Sale No Mobarak - Happy New Year!

Dad

here is a picture of Dad talking to Uncle Najim on the phone. He loves to talk to his brother!

My Brother

Happy Birthday to Allan today! My brother is famous for telling the story of exactly what happened on the day that my sister and I were born. Unfortunately I can't repay that and tell him exactly what happened on the day he was born, but I'm sure it was a spectacular day for my mother and his dad, Reggie.

Allan probably doesn't realize it, but he has the best of both worlds. He has Dad here who is very proud of him and he has Reggie, who I'm sure is looking down smiling every day! Happy Birthday Allan!

Last Semester!

Well, I recently began my last semester as an official law student! This feels wonderful. I have made friends with God like I never thought I could through this process. I have asked many, many times for guidance, prayed for Him to show me what direction to head in, and occasionally even raised my voice at Him...can you imagine? Anyway, my prayers never cease now and it's a wonderful feeling! Thank you God for showing me the way!

New Year Celebration!

Drekus and I went out last night. It was fun, but no where near as memorable as last year! But it doesn't matter how we spend it, as long as we spend it together. One of these pictures is of my handsome fiance. Another is one of us at the club. The last one is in the car once we got home. I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year! Lets go get it in 2009!