Holiday dinner party

We had a small dinner party yesterday with some friends. Life gets so busy this time of year, we wanted to just enjoy the friends that surround us. Steve and I cleaned the house and made dinner for eleven people. It was just a simple dinner of penne pasta with sausage and meatballs, salad, bread, shrimp cocktail, Shrimp Rangoon (from Costco), and lots of good dessert that was brought by our guests. Everyone had a great time and I think everyone is in agreement that we should do it more often. It's just one of life's simple treasures...great friendships.

Marci, Shanan, Anne, Hannah, Stephanie, Sonja

Stephanie and Kevin James

Sonja and Carl Rio

BJ and Emme Custer (who had to leave early to catch the BYU game).

Jake and Shanan Hambrick

Terry and Anne Butterfield

Marci, Hannah, Anne

Career Change

After three years of being in Recruiting, I finally made the decision to get out of it. The last six months or so has just been unbearable. I was working way too many hours and there was no work/life balance at all. Poor Steve has had to endure all my complaining. I was just miserable and I knew I had to do something about it. I finally decided that it wasn't about the money anymore. I took a big pay cut and gave up my telecommuting two days a week.

I have accepted a position in Contracts within the same group. Although I recruited for Contracts positions, I really don't have a full understanding of the Contracts industry. So, this will be a learning adventure. I felt really good about this decision. There were many people at work who tried to talk me out of it. And at times, they made me doubt myself and my abilities, but I had to do what was best for me and my life.

I continue to pray for strength and hope that this new career change will provide me with the work/life balance that I need.

A Night in Bethlehem

'A Night in Bethlehem' was the theme of our ward holiday event. We were given little bags of 'money' that we had to use to buy food and play games with. Steve was one of the 'wise men', along with the bishop and Chip Bennett.

Abbey had fun playing with the other kids and they were all running around the gym before the event. I kept thinking to myself, 'someone is going to get hurt.' And sure enough, Abbey ran into another kid's head and got a swollen lip.

She recovered and seemed to bounce back.

My big ol' Wise and Handsome husband!

Earlier in the day, I took Abbey to see Santa at the mall. Knowing that Santa was going to be at church that night too, I had told her that Santa would meet us again at church. When we got the church, she asked me 'How did Santa get here so fast?' I explained that Santa has a big sleigh and really fast reindeer. Then when she sat on Santa's lap, she was being shy and didn't want to tell him what she wanted for Christmas again. I told her that Santa sometime forgets and that she would have to whisper it to him in his ear. Sure enough, she did and was satisfied that she got to see Santa twice in one day!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

We've had a real tree for the last seven years. This year we got an artificial tree. It takes a little work to 'fluff' it, but it turned out very nice in the end. The angel we had was silver and the tree ornaments are burgandy and gold so I had to find a new angel. After looking all over town, I couldn't find one any where! One of my co-workers told be about a store in Leesburg that was going out of business, Places in the Heart. They have tons of Christmas stuff and I was able to find an angel. I'm still trying to put up all the Christmas decorations around the house. Seems like there's too much to do and not enough time (or motivation).

Tree with Silver angel

Tree with burgandy angel

Angel up close
My nativity set. My favorite is the 'Wise Men Christmas box' I received from one of my friends a few years ago. I love it! It reminds me of how much we all need to seek out the Savior in our lives. I love this holiday season when we can all reflect upon Christ's birth.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was nice and stress free. I was busy with cooking and making sure everyone was taken care of that I didn't get to take pictures of everyone (just the kiddies). I didn't get to take pictures of Ed (my sister's husband), Tony (my brother), Daniel (my nephew), and Steve's dad! My sister and Ed also invited two of their friends, Arlon and Dan, who didn't have any family in the area. It was great to have everyone at our house.

Christopher, mom, Hannah, Hanh, Kim, Abbey

Rachel (my sister's daughter)

Christopher looks scared, but he really wasn't. He's the easiest baby ever!

Steve peeling potatoes.

Abbey and her mom.

Our gratitude list.