Holidays in Hindsight...

Tonight, I am taking down my holiday decorations...
Yes, they are still up in our house. I will say this is because I love the spirit of the holiday season- the giving, loving, time with family and friends. I love the lights and sparkle of the festivities and of course, the wonderful food and drinks. It's just a cozy, loving season full of celebration. But, the other reason my tree is still dropping it's needles in my living room is because we have been too busy to take it down. These above sentences embody this year's holiday season. It was incredibly fun and incredibly busy.

Between the work parties, friend's parties and family parties... we hardly had one day off from parties. It was glorious and exhausting. I needed 2 sleep-in mornings to recover and was I ever-thankful to have them!

We stayed with Mike and Sallie for our family Christmas in Kyle. Festivities included - a lovely dinner at Mandola's Winery, scooters, lots of dogs and cats, kids and eggnog. Our gift exchange was a hit - everyone could spend $15 to create some thing creative. Between poems and potato guns - everyone came through brilliantly! It was a good time had by all.

This year, Mike and Sallie and Matt and Nichole joined up for Chirstmas Eve church and dinner. We had a family style dinner at our house, followed by a lively game of win-lose or draw. It was a blast. Baby A entertained all of the adults by displaying her 1.5 year-old somersaults. Christmas day at my parents' house was great - we broke though the exhaustion when we sat down to a seafood feast of crab legs and lobster. My favorite!

Christmas with Tom and Marian was great - they stayed at our house and we enjoyed another family dinner with B & A and the guys enjoyed watching football and the ladies talked and cooed over the littlest Boecking boys. The next morning we enjoyed the game and some good food at Cover 3, then gifts at B & A's house.

The last holiday event was a new one for me - the Dia del Reyes or Feast of the Kings. B & A's party was fantastic. Homemade tamales, hot chocolate and King's cake. I found the first baby Jesus so I have to through the next party on Feb 7! The little ones were adorable. Baby A entertained us all with his dancing and instruments. He ran 14 laps around the dining room table. It was a fantastic Wednesday evening.

Holidays in Hindsight
Days that Rush to Delight
Ornaments, Candlelight
Santa Claus and Eyes Bright
Savior born, Silent Night

Big Things and Little Things

Big things I am thankful for...
1. My Family
2. My Home
3. My Job
4. My Friends
5. My Faith

Little things I am thankful for...
1. Iced Tea & Breakfast Tacos
2. Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts
3. A Comfortable Bed
4. Heated Car Seats
5. Pens That Work Well

My busy life is in the big things and the small things. On this Wednesday morning... they all seem equally crucial. ;) A delicate recipe for a successful day. Is it silly to thank God for a pen that actually works? Probably not. What are the "crucial" little things for you today?

Give thanks always and for everything to God
Ephesians 5:20

Looking back on 2009

WOW! What a year is all I can say! So many life-changing events...
On this tired Thursday, I wonder to myself why I am not more motivated to get moving and get ready for our New Year's Eve party tonight... And then I realize why... I am tired after such an amazing, eventful, and intense 2009.

Some of the most memorable events of 2009...
1. Neil and I got married!
2. Amar and Emiea got married!
3. Missy and Kevin got married!
4. Holly and Mike got married!
5. Baby Andre was born!
6. Posey and Philly joined our family.
7. Abby joined B & S's family.
8. I got a new job!
9. We re-modeled our master bedroom and bathroom.
10. We painted our house.
11. Lindsey and Clayton got pregnant!
12. Zach got a new job!
13. My dad started a new business!
14. Neil survived a major injury and surgery!
15. We installed an alarm system in our house.
16. We got a new car.
17. Miranda and Adam got engaged!
18. I did 3 pull-ups for the first time in my life.
19. Monique got a new job.
20. I took a more active role in the Central Texas Writing Project.
21. Michele bought her first house.
22. Alex and Brandon bought their first house.
23. Nichole and Matt bought their first house.

What a wonderful life we live. Last year's word was grow. And BOY did I ever grow in 2009! So many events to stretch and grow me as a woman, wife, sister, daughter, leader and in-law...

As I grew into unfamiliar roles and circumstances- I was reminded that even though our own carefully designed plans may be laid - we never know what's around the next corner of life. We're not supposed to. If we did, there would be no need for one of the most important parts of becoming the person we are meant to be- the ability to walk in faith. We grow into faith for a purpose- seen or unseen. We are part of something bigger than we could ever manifest on our own.

In 2010, I will lean on faith, live in faith, talk in faith and THINK in faith.

I will have faith that our Lord will guide our steps each day, each week, each month into another perfectly made- wildest-dream-surpassing- year of life.

Happy New Year!

Burgers for Babes...

Several weeks ago a gauntlet was thrown in our direction...
"Double Meat Boecking" (aka Neil) was challenged to a Slider Eating Contest by an un-named competitor. I will withhold his name to protect his privacy. I will say, he is about my size.

As I hear the details of this challenge... I think to myself - Neil has it in the bag. I do not exaggerate when I say- one of Neil's relative college nicknames was the trash compactor. The man can eat! I don't know where he puts it... but the man can eat!

However, we were all surprised when the challenger ate 21 sliders to Neil's 13! A clear and amazing victory! The best part was catching up with the friends to turned out to support and cheer this fun-filled contest and contribute to the Austin Children's Shelter. What a funny memory. I am laughing just thinking about it.

Grown Up Giddy

The halls are alive... With the sound of high-schoolers!

The species of the high school age student is a fascinating creature to study. They are full of unbridled passion and spirit for what they do - football, cheer-leading, debate, band or theater...

They walk the halls with wide, but guarded eyes - too cool for school. They test the waters to see if it's safe to show their true colors with the world. They test your patience as they push the boundaries of where their world starts and ends. I once heard someone say - the only time I was ever convinced I was a grown up was between the ages of 14 and 19. Welcome to high school!

But Friday -when snowflakes began to fall on this enormous high school campus. You would have thought it was raining dollar bills as the students flooded out of their classroom, squealing, jumping, running, spinning and filming in all on their camera phones. You see- my friends - this is a sight to remember! Remember that no matter how "grown-up" you are- you are never to grown up to be giddy with the excitement of life's simple pleasures.

Here's wishing something brings the "grown up giddy" out of you this holiday season.

Thankful

I am thankful! I am thankful to have a healthy, happy husband, who I love more than I ever knew I could love anything. He defies the odds and leads fearlessly. His character and heart inspire me. He is my smile, my heart and my soul mate. He is my best friend. I could write a million words and still not express how much I love my sweet and amazing husband.

I am thankful for my house, which is now a little more secure, thanks to our new security system that was installed on Wednesday after an attempted break in. My furry friends inside that house who keep me company and remind me how to love unconditionally.

I am thankful for the family and friends that came to my aid when I was facing this situation head on - with Neil out of town. Thanks B, for bringing the shot gun. Thanks R, for checking the perimeter of the house after they came the first time. Thanks Dad, for waiting with me in the middle of the night until Neil got home. Thanks to the Austin Police Department who arrived at my house within 7 minutes of calling 911. Thanks A & S for the help with a trustworthy security system company. Thanks to my friends who are praying for protection around our home.

I am thankful that my Heavenly Father watches over us and holds us tight, even in our scariest moments. He is there; He is in control.

¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

Psalms 27:1-3

Count your blessings

This sweet and comforting phrase is only 3 words long- but its meaning is far-reaching into the corners of my world. It is possible to be very, very thankful and sad and the same time. It is possible to feel both faithful and anxious at the same time. These dichotomies of emotions are part of the human and spiritual complexity that is us. I believe we are allowed to feel this mess of emotion in order to become stronger and see the truth of life. And, just like level 10 on the stair climber- it's not so easy! Sometimes you just want to jump off and puke!

But that is not the way to become stronger, not the way to victory. Even in the face of adversity, or a trial, or sadness, or fear, or uncertainty, or _______ fill in the blank if you will. We must continue to take another step, with gratitude and faith, with the same positive outlook that comes so easy when life is dripping with the good stuff.

NO MATTER WHAT -my list of blessings is unending, so I will never stop counting; never stop being thankful, never stop growing in my faith. I will keep climbing and keep counting.