He's done!

I must take a moment and brag on my sweetie. This happened in the middle of December, but better late than never right. Kev finished his Masters! I was so proud of him because he has worked so hard. This next semester will be the first time in 2 & 1/2 years that he will not have to study for class (along with working full time). For most normal people, this is a very exciting change, and although I think he's glad for the break, I know he will greatly miss being in class. He's just one of those guys who loves being in school. I, on the other hand, was incredibly thankful to be finished with school and have never looked back.

Kev with his dad and mom.

Kev with a classmate.

Unfortunately, I had to miss his graduation because I was working. Such a bad wife, I know.

Well, tomorrow we are off to Nebraska to see my grandparents and my dad's family so I probably won't be able to blog for several days. I looked up the weather in Nebraska and it looks like it won't get above 18 degrees all weekend. I feel cold just thinking about it. So I'm off to pack all of my very warm clothing.

Truman's Christmas

Christmas came early for Truman this year. The doctor I work with bought him a few presents and he was very pleased with them.

He got some bandanas including this Christmas cows one.

A new pink bone...he's secure in his manhood.

He wasn't entirely happy when we put his bandana on.

The weekend!

This really is not that exciting, but I just wanted to tell you guys I am sooo excited for this weekend! Why? Well first of all, we have a whole lot of nothing planned...love it! Also, Kev was gone for 5 days on a silly work trip, and he finally got home yesterday. It is amazing how much I miss him when he's gone. My life is so boring without him! I am so very thankful for my sweet husband, and I'm so glad he made it home safely.

To start off the weekend, we are going to bake cookies tonight, wrap presents, and maybe even watch a Christmas movie. Gotta get in the spirit! I wanted to make sugar cookies, but Kev informed me he does not like sugar cookies and wanted chocolate chip. It always amazes me when I find random new things out about Kev (like you think I would have known he didn't like sugar cookies). I actually hope I'm always finding new stuff about Kev.

So, I've got my comfy clothes on, and I'm all ready to snuggle in for the night...

The valley

I remembered this song recently, and I thought I'd share it with you guys. I know it is an older song, but the words have really ministered to me through the years then more so recently.

The pathways are broken

And the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If you want me to

Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

So if all of these trials bring me closer to You

Then I will walk through the fire

If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When You lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone.

--Ginny Owens (If You Want Me To)

No matter what trial or valley you are going/have gone/will go through, there are so many things in the lyrics that are applicable. I don't know why He brought us here, but I can choose to walk through this trusting that He has a plan and purpose in it, or with bitterness and anger. Even though I would have never chosen this way, it has amazed me how much I have grown through this season, and I am definitely "not who I was when I took my first step." I love the last two phrases of the song. It helps me remember that God never promised our life would be easy, fair, or even good, but He does promise that no matter what He calls us to walk through, we will not walk through it alone. I am so very thankful that He has walked through this valley with us, and I'm so thankful for you guys who have also walked through our trial with us.

I hope this song brings as much encouragement to you as it has to me!

Lately...

Wow! It's amazing how you can stop blogging for several days, then it's so hard to get back to it. Then so much has happened it's hard to know what to post. I thought I'd post a few pictures of a few highlights over the past several weeks.

Our "nephew" Ben had his 3rd birthday. I love the look in his eyes as his candles are lit.

Noah was so cute but not completely himself because he had a snotty nose.

The boys' amazing parents and our close friends, Stu and Amy.

Our sweet friends Andrea and Andrew.

We also got to spend some time with our wonderful friends K.C. and Kinsey and their sweet baby girl. She is getting so big so fast!

She was making all kinds of squeals and laughing when we were at the coffee shop. It was so cute and hilarious!

We got to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families which was wonderful, but I didn't take any pictures. We are so incredibly blessed with amazing families and we're so thankful for them. You'll also be pleased to know Truman controlled the urge to mark on anything in my parents' house...I was so relieved.

Success!

For some reason, I always procrastinate with ordering Christmas cards. In the past, it slips my mind until the week before Christmas so I frantically head to Walmart to print a picture. This year, I decided I was going to be ahead of the game, and I just ordered my Christmas picture/card on Shutterfly. I feel so accomplished...it's the simple things in life.

Instead of trying to get a good picture with Truman this year, we just decided to put several pictures on the card. So much easier! Below are some of our attempts from last year. Truman loved it!

These are some of the pictures we did NOT choose.

This is one of my favorites!

Truman doesn't like to be held down...obviously.

Our final choice, even though Truman had sad ears.

Family fun time

Erica's parents

My mom and I

We had a special treat this weekend, because my parents came to Norman to visit. We actually had our 2nd annual joint family football/Using weekend. Wow, that's a long title. We started this "tradition" last year when both Kev's family and my family came to our house for a cookout, then the guys went to a football game and the girls went to USing. It was such a hit last year, we decided to do it again this year.

Kev and his dad

The moms

Seth and Lisa

Kev's amazing one arm shot...it's a gift.

The guys at the game.

The only major stressor of the weekend was...you guessed it...Truman. We had high hopes because he has been more behaved recently with guests, however this was not a weekend he decided to be on his best behavior. It all started when my parents walked in the door and he literally went crazy...jumping on them, licking, biting...it was total chaos. I like to think it was Molly's fault (my parents' chihuahua), but she honestly did nothing wrong but walk in the door. I'm not sure what came over Truman. Whatever it was, it was definitely not good.

Don't let this innocent face fool you!

I was nervously anticipating when everyone was here on Saturday, including our 2 year-old nephew. Truman actually behaved better than I was anticipating but did something totally unexpected. When everyone was gone to the game/USing, we just let Molly run around and she peed in our living room. The girls made it back before the guys, and as we were chatting at the kitchen table, I watched in horror as Truman hiked his leg toward the coffee table. I think I was truly stunned for a moment, unable to say anything, because I thought surely, surely he did not just pee in our house. He hasn't peed in the house since he was a puppy! I mean, seriously, he just learned to hike his leg and pee like this past month (we thought maybe it had something to do with getting him fixed). So I run over to punish him, and to my added horror, I realize not only has he peed in our living room, but he peed on Kevin's mom's purse!! What are the chances?! Of all the places in all the living room, he chose her purse. Thankfully we were all able to laugh about it, but we are definitely watching him like a hawk now! Life with Truman is never boring!