10 Years Ago

10 years ago today I was getting ready for a date that I now know changed my life. It was New Year's Eve and I was ready to start 2003 with someone I was pretty crazy about in 2002. The night began in the company of some high school friends. I was trying to scheme the best way to sneak out of our friend's house when no one was looking. You see, leaving a get together with friends to hang out with a younger boy wasn't exactly the cool thing to do at that time. That night, I didn't care. Luckily my cousin was dating my date's best friend at the time so I had a partner in crime. I remember being so excited on that 15 minute drive to Salado. You know that feeling when something is so new and the possibilities are endless? That's what I was feeling. 

 

The best part of the night was when the clock struck 12. I got my New Year's kiss. Did I also mention this was our first kiss? Talk about pressure. I don't have much experience with the whole New Year's kiss at midnight thing, but I can see how it could be on the awkward side. We joke about this night all of the time. I'm sure I had caked on the bronzer and he was wearing his staple Doors T-Shirt. What a pair we were! All I know is that kiss was magic and God was doing something big things in our lives.

Tonight will be a little different. That boy from New Year's Eve 10 years ago is now my husband. He no longer weighs 100 pounds soaking wet and I'm no longer ashamed he's a wee bit younger than me. What hasn't changed is the feeling I felt on that night. Sure, it may not be new anymore, but he still gives me butterflies when he looks at me from across the room. I'm still pretty excited for midnight and to ring in the new year with my favorite boy. Here's to the best New Year's Eve date there ever was.

P.S. How about Tad's photo booth skills? I think he was confused about switching the poses up. Something we'll be sure to work on in 2013.
 

Home For The Holidays

There was a point in my life when I probably didn't appreciate the Christmas song "Home for the Holidays" as much as I should. Not anymore. I totally get it now. This week was much needed with friends and loved ones. I didn't get as many pictures as I'd hoped with our families. Guess you could say I was just enjoying living in the moment. Maybe I was also a little too lazy to get the camera out of the bag. That's what my handy dandy iPhone is for. Especially for those moments when your husband is just as excited as a child on Christmas Eve. Yes, for moments like that.

Hope your Christmas was full of love and joy!



Our Christmas Casa

I absolutely love this time of year and having the Christmas spirit in our home. Didn't exactly realize how expensive Christmas decorations can be when starting from scratch. Yikes. We decided to go with a minimalist theme this year if you will. We purchased our pre-lit Christmas tree and ornaments from Family Dollar. It was a steal! Let's be honest, I love that store. It might not be the fluffiest tree on the block, but it's perfect for us this year. We also purchased little decorations from Ikea. The star for our tree was $1. Sold.

Our advent calendar is a little Christmas town. How cute is that? Every house has their own story. I simply printed these off from here and we just cut and folded away. Voila!

I just had to have this adorable ceramic deer head from Target. My justification is that it doesn't necessarily have to be up for Christmas only. This can be up all year. Tad, hold me to that. In the summer, we can spruce him up with a pair of sunglasses.

Already setting my sights on stockings and a beautiful Nativity Set for next year. As the years go on I hope our Christmas decorations become more colorful and bright and well, even a little tacky.  I didn't know that making these Holiday memories with Tad could be as wonderful as those as a kid, but they are. Overflowing with joy and thankfulness this month.

Season's Greetings

We mailed out our Christmas cards to family and close friends last week. An awesome fact about this card? Proceeds went to Living Water. The best part of this time of year is giving back.

Hope everyone is having the most wonderful Holiday season!

The Graduate

My little sister graduated on Saturday and we couldn't be more proud of her! Now for a ridiculous amount of family pictures celebrating this lady.

Uncle Fernando and mom proudly sporting that maroon and gold.

Kandee joined the December Graduate Club with me and Tad. Best time of year for graduations, let me tell ya. The ceremony was short and sweet. After graduation, the gang went out to eat at Shady Grove in Austin to wrap up this perfect day. We are so blessed with the most amazing friends and family. ConGRADulations, Kandee. You did it. You're going to change the world. I just know it.

A Snowy Outing

No, not that kind of snow. I wish. In Texas, we're still eating snow cones at this time of year. Candy Cane snow cones to be exact. We decided to include Klifford on our date since we will be taking him back to Temple this weekend. By we, I really mean I. Sorry, Tad. I can tell by that last picture you will be sad to see him go.

We also ordered an egg nog smoothie. I seriously love egg nog. I don't know what it is about that festive drink, but I could drink egg nog with milk every single day. I just found a coconut milk egg nog recipe. What?! I need that in my life very soon. Also, it always amazes me the way Klifford looks at food. I'm convinced no dog has ever loved anything more.

My Winter Wishlist

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

With Christmas and my Birthday right around the corner, I thought why not make a winter wishlist? It's no surprise most of these items are from one of my favorite online stores. ASOS has a little something for everyone. Most of these items should stay on my wishlist, but I'm sure I'll cave and get a few things I just can't live without! Happens more than I'm willing to admit. I think Parks and Recreation has the right idea. Three words: Treat Yo Self.

Our Little Visitor

Guess who is spending all week at the Allen house? This little man! It's true, I'm a sucker for this face. We took our Christmas card photo this weekend and he has been with us since. Other than him clawing a hole in my sweater during the picture or waking me up at 4 a.m. so he could have a sip of water this morning, it has been wonderful. I miss having him around. Hopefully in about five months, we'll make the move to a house with a yard so Klifford can play with us all of the time. That may or may not have something to do with Tad graduating in four months and 29 days, but who's counting?

Magical Marfa

We stayed at El Cosmico. Trailers, teepees and tents, oh my! Our bed was quite cozy. Never mind it was 35 degrees at night, we had an electric blanket that saved the day.

We decided we are nowhere near cool enough for a town like Marfa, but we loved the art and mystery lights. Yes, we saw them and it was pretty amazing. If only I knew the right setting on my camera to take a picture. That is still a mystery as well. Better luck next time. 

This was the best road trip ever. It confirms what we already knew: Texas is the best state in the world. If you haven't visited these parts, do it. It won't disappoint. See more of our West Texas road trip here, here and here.

¡Viva Terlingua!

Terlingua for the win! Highlight of our trip, hands down. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Are those not the bluest skies you have ever seen? So beautiful. This ghost town was very much alive. We stopped here on our way to Marfa to explore the old mining town and Chisos Mountains. I am so glad we did. We ate lunch at the High Sierra Bar & Grill. Most delicious burger in West Texas in case you were wondering. We chatted with the owner who made the move to Terlingua after she retired. I think this inspired Tad just a little. He didn't want to leave. Also, he is a champ for those historical marks. He refused not to read one. Not just in Terlingua, but also on the road. Such a history buff.

Next time we're in Terlingua, we'd love to stay at La Posado Milagro and maybe have a dinner date at Starlight Theatre. If it's up to my husband, that day will be sooner rather than later.

See more of our West Texas Road trip here and here.