We had ourselves a Very Merry Christmas

So, Christmas has come and gone. I can't believe its already over. Christmas Eve we went and saw Mimi. It's our usual Christmas tradition. After that we went to our usual Christmas Eve lunch! This one was a lot less crazy than last year. Last year we went to Cheesecake Factory and Kemp fell and busted his chin. He cried and cried and cried. Natalie was sick and not feeling well. Right when we got Kemp to stop crying, I busted into tears. I started ACHING all OVER and my throat was killing me! I didn't even get to eat anything because my throat was hurting me so bad. Jon ate his food as fast as we could then he took me home. I spent my Christmas Eve in bed! I had STREP. YUCK! I dont really remember my Christmas Eve or Christmas last year because it was spent in bed! :(
But, anyways! We went and ate at Sweet Bones Alabama at the Summit and it was great! Thank goodness for the Iphone because I pulled up Shrek Christmas and the kids watched that!! :) The
Iphone comes in handy for a LOT of things!!!
Of course, it wouldn't have been Christmas Eve if DAD didn't ask me to wrap GranJans gifts! He laughed and laughed when he showed me what he got her. Aqua Globes and a Chopper. Yes, they were her gag gifts! Actually, I want her Aqua globes, but she won't share with me! :( Haha!
We went to Lakeview UMC for Christmas Eve and it was great. Steve was talking about something that really hit home for me and Jon. I won't go into details, because I don't know how all is reading this, but I am hoping for a change in 2009. While, it won't happen over night, I pray that it will happen over time. :)
On Christmas morning we got up and went to Natalies house for just a bit. Then we headed down to Thorsby to see Jons dad. We opened gifts, played Auburnopoly (gag), and ate lunch. We spent most of the day there, then came back to my parents house and had Christmas with them! I got LOTS of goodies! I must of been on the NICE list for sure! Santa over did HERself this year! Thanks, Santa! :)
Of course, Mom and I had to go shopping and get our gift wrap for next year! I am one of those freaks who likes to have MATCHING wrapping paper for everyone! I got some REALLY pretty paper at Target! I can't wait to wrap them in it next year!
After church today Jon had to head back to Auburn. We were really nervous about our house because there have been a lot of break ins around us! Luckily, he called me and said everything was fine! He is only going to be gone until wednesday, then hes coming back here! (He has to work on Monday and Tuesday!) We haven't spent New Years away from each other in 5 years and I wasn't willing to start now!! :)
No new news on the job front. Still looking around. I still think my best option is the Auburn Temp agency! I just gotta go there and talk to them! :) Pray pray pray that I will find something! I NEED something soon!
Well, thats all the news on the Cullens!
I hope everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas!
I can't believe 2009 is almost here! I can't wait to see what happends for Jon and I in 2009. 2008 was such a great year for us, I don't know if can be topped! :)
Blessings and Love..

Todays worship service was a labor of love..

This morning we got up and went to Lakeview UMC. It was a great service. I always forget how much I have missed Steve. He is one who can make me laugh and then make me cry! His sermon was just great. I lost at the end when he had said anyone can go the altar and pray and a little girl no older than 8 years old went and knelt at the altar. It just touched me SO much. To have that "Child like Faith!!!" Then after that, the Christmas story was made more real to me. An elderly man walked up to the altar with his STAFF and I PROMISE he looked JUST how I imagine shepherds would have looked. It was like God was giving me a peak into what the nativity scene was like. It was truly unreal and I can't get it off my mind. In the midst of the "HUSTLE and BUSTLE" I got MY Christmas gift early. We all (ME BEING NUMBER 1) get so caught up in making sure we get the best gifts for Christmas. Last week at Cornerstone the lady who lit the advent candle was talking about just that. About how we all get caught up in the "hustle and bustle" and how she was going to STOP that this year and FOCUS on the baby in that manger. I had to stop then and think about. I get so caught up in making sure that I have everyone a gift, that I have forgotten about the REASON for the SEASON. I have a friend who since she has been little has only gotten 3 gifts from Santa. 3 gifts to represent the gifts brought by the Wisemen. I've always thought that was the neatest idea and something I will probably do with my children one day.

Last week my sister sang a song at Lakeview called Labor of Love.
I didn't get to hear her sing it, but I heard it was amazing. It really puts everything into perspective. Every time I hear this song I CRY! Its just not how we all think His birth was, but instead paints a more vivid and real picture as to how it was.

It was not a silent night....

I survived..

Ok, so I have to say that the IPHONE is the most amazing thing ever invented! Jon and I got them tonight and have been having so much fun playing around with them and researching the best applications to get! I had NO idea the phone would be like it is! Like right now, I am listening to music on it!!!! Sooo much fun! I am loving every minute of the phone! Jon and I are going to get cases for them tomorrow so we dont accidentally drop them and break them! :) THAT would be luck! Haha.

So, today was my last day of work. I can honestly say that I walked out of there with NO regrets. I am not looking back. I know that God never gives us more than we can handle, but I have to honestly say, I feel tested. You wouldn't think that kids could behave as bad as these kids were. I had 2 biters in my class, one who scratched on the face, and one who was CONSTANTLY hitting. Not to mention the 2 special needs children I had. Yeah, you could say I was EXHAUSTED by the end of the day! The lady that I worked with would always joke around and say that we must have joined a nut house. Some times I think she was serious. HA

I called up at Little Lambs yesterday, because they asked me to work on the 5th and Traci told me they prayed for me every morning at prayer time. This REALLY touched me. I had to do everything from not crying, as I was at work. Its just so amazing the difference in Little Lambs and "the other place." Thank you to everyone at Little Lambs. You all are so special to me. I wish I was back at work with all of you. I really took for granted what a great place LLPS was to be. So to all you at LLPS appreciate what you have. Its really not that bad. :) Believe me, it can be a LOT worse! I miss you guys so much, but hopefully I'll see you on the 5th! :)

Anyway, I am excited to be having my 2nd phone interview! The company is with BCBG. They are launching a new line called BCBGeneration. It is geared towards juniors and is a bit cheaper than BCBG. I would be employed by BCBG but work out of Dillards. I think basically I would be a brand rep. It sounds like a great job and anyone who knows me, knows this is right up my alley! I am really praying that I will get the job. I talked the Recruiter for BCBG last thursday.He told me to get back in touch with him today if he had not called me before. So, I emailed him and he emailed me back and asked if we could schedule time to talk for about 30 mins! So, if you don't mind say a little prayer for me on Monday around 12. This would be the best Christmas gift. (Besides the Iphone, ofcourse!)

Well, I suppose I should get off here and start packing for my trip at the 'ham for Christmas! :) Can't wait to see everyone!

If I dont update before Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all! (If I hear on monday that I got the job, I will update...I PROMISE!)

Blessings and Peace

Fun Weekend

So this weekend was a lot of fun! Saturday, however, I woke up feeling horrible. I had a bad cough, runny nose, and was achy all over. YUCK. But, I stayed in bed until around 2 and just rested. Jon's dad called us and wanted to meet us in Montgomery for dinner at Shogun for Jeff's (Jon's brother) graduation celebration. (CONGRATS, JEFF!) So, around 5 Jeff came to the house and rode with us to Montgomery. Dinner was fabulous.I had SUSHI, of course! It was VERY yummy, but of course I couldn't eat it all! After dinner we decided to go bowling. I've always liked to bowl, except I'm TERRIBLE!! We played 3 games and I actually did the best I've ever done. I think I scored in the 80's every time! YAY! It was so fun! Thank you, Sandi and Keith for a FUN night! :)

On Sunday, Jon and I went to church again at Cornerstone. I am LOVING this church. I know this is where God wants Jon and I to be. I can't wait until we join! :)

I can't wait to get back home on Saturday and be with my family. It's been almost a month since I've seen them. Probably the longest period of time I ever NOT seen my family. SAD. I miss them with all my heart. Only 4 more days and Ill be home! YIPPIE!!

I am so thankful to be done with my Christmas shopping! I've only got to get one more little gift for Jon. We are getting each other Iphones for Christmas!! So, I've got to get him a case for his. (And he has promised me the Juicy Couture Iphone case for Valentines day!! YAY!) We decided we would rather have that than anything. Not to mention Jon's phone doesn't work at ALL anymore! We are waiting on Jon's bonus to come, then we are off to AT&T to get them! I can't wait! Jon and I have turned into the biggest Apple nerds in the world! "Once you go Mac, you ain't ever go back!" Ha!

Only 3 more days of work!!!!!!!!! I couldn't be any happier about that!! Each day I think to myself "Did I regret this decision?" Then I walk in and am reminded IMMEDIATELY why I made my decision! I've got my application in in a few places. Still waiting to hear back from the BCBG one. REALLY hoping I get that job, but we shall see! I know God has a plan for me. I've just got to keep trusting and putting my Faith in Him. :)

Ok, well, Im signing off! Until next time...

Blessings and Peace!

Recap

I can't believe that in 2 weeks from TODAY it will be Christmas!! I mean this year has FLOWN by! When I got engaged last August I wanted to have an April wedding. After talking it over with Jon and my family they talked me into having in it October. I didn't want to wait that long because I was afraid it would never come! WOW. Did time ever fly by! To any of my friends that are engaged..ENJOY every minute of your engagement. It will FLY by. My mom kept telling me that it would, but I didn't believe her! It was CRAZY how fast it came. This has been a great year and I am anxious to see what 2009 brings for Jon and I.

Jon and I finally had the chance to go to church here in Auburn together. We went to Cornerstone Methodist. Our friends Chris and Becca go there and had asked us to visit with them. Chris plays in the band some times. It was such an AMAZING service. I had chills. The music was UNREAL. I haven't felt so captivated with the music in a long time. The preacher was great,too! I think Jon and I are going to join in January some time. I finally converted Jon into being a Methodist! I knew I could do it! (Now to convert him into a BAMA fan!)

So, my job was short lived. (I will leave the company name out.) I have NEVER in my life been so stressed and exhausted as I was. I was physically and mentally drained. I would come home and cry my eye balls out because I was so stressed. I had 2 special needs children in my class that I was not prepared to deal with. I am going to work until the 19th and then I am done. 3 whole weeks. Ha. It just wasn't worth me being upset all the time. You can ask Jon about how upset I was. I was almost to afraid to tell Jon how I felt about it, but I knew I had to. I thought he was going to be mad and disappointed, but I should have known better. Jon is the MOST caring person in this world. He is so sweet and sensitive to my needs. He understood and told me that I would just be better to be done with it. I put my 2 weeks notice in yesterday and Ive never felt a burden lifted as much as I did as soon as I handed it. I played "hookey" today because I had a phone interview with a job that I REALLY want. I should know something within the next few days. I will keep you posted. If that doesn't work I think I am going to go to the University temporary agency and work. I know that I will find a job. Its just so incredibly stressful. I was soooo excited about this job and I am sooo disappointed it didn't work.

Well, I guess I should go and finish up dinner! I am having so much fun cooking dinners! I am happy that I got my moms cooking abilities! Jon has actually been cooking for the past week while I've been at work. Sweet boy!

Anyways, have a GREAT weekend!

Blessing and Love..

Christmas with the Cullens

I know, I know. I totally forgot to post the pictures of our Christmas tree! Work has kept me ULTRA busy and ULTRA exhausted! So much so that I come home, eat, and go to bed. Poor Jon never gets to see his wifey! Haha. (More on the work status in another post..)
But here are the pictures! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Recap

We had a wonderful weekend at my parents house for Thanksgiving. Everyone was there except for Charles and Co because they had Thanksgiving at their house. We sure missed having them there. Everyone came over around 12 and we ate around 1. Everything was delicious! I made Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Green Bean Casserole, and helped with the Pumpkin Pie! Of course Moms dressing was FABULOUS! Everything was yummy! I think I ate enough to last me for a year! (Jon and I start our diet today!)
After lunch we played mine and Jon's favorite game..Apples to Apples. If you've never played I highly recommend it. It was a LOT of fun.
Everyone left around 6 and then mom and I began our Thanksgiving night tradition...going through the Ads and picking out what we wanted for the next day! My mom and I have been doing our shopping the day after Thanksgiving for AT LEAST 10 years now. Its always something WE do together. We usually would go to the mall around 3:00am and join the crowds there, but this year we went somewhere else. Somewhere we will NEVER go again the day after Thanksgiving... WAL-MART. Mom wanted to get something there for Natalie and I for Christmas (can't tell what in case Natalie is reading..hehe). Mom thought it would be smart for us to split up and she go in one line and me in another. Luckily, it was the best idea. She got the LAST of what she needed to get and I got the $15 stand mixer and $28 Green Vacuum cleaner. Lets don't forget to mention that I ALMOST got trampled trying to get them! I was FREAKING out. I then started to panic that I wouldn't be able to find mom, but I did! :) And we got the HECK out of there! We then went to Big Lots (got some GREAT deals there), Target, The Blue Bumblebee (CUTE store!), Ross, and CVS (thinking we were in Wal-greens hah!) All this and we were home at 10:45 am! Jon wasn't even awake when we got back! hah! It was really worth it for us to go because we got some GREAT deals. And actually, Target wasn't even that crowded! Thats where I will be NEXT year..hehe! Wal-Mart, NEVER again. Crazy is the only word I know how to describe it!!! But, I got COMPLETELY done with my Christmas shopping! YAY! :)
But, on saturday mom and I decided we hadn't had enough of shopping. HA! Mainly, we were to afraid to watch the Iron Bowl! So, we got up around 8 and began our 2nd shopping adventure! This time we went to Old Time Pottery (GREAT STUFF!), Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels, Lifeway, Galleria, Wrapsody, and then Wal-Greens. We got some MORE great things! This time I mainly got stuff for the house! (New pillows, Christmas decorations, etc!)
We got back before the Iron Bowl had EVEN started! My mom and I were nervous and had almost decided to go to Target again JUST so we wouldn't have to watch the game! Ha, but we decided to wrap gifts and watch the game! And boy are we GLAD we did! What a GREAT game! The Tide is back and is here to stay! We not only BEAT Auburn, we SHUT them out! 36-0! Tubs held up the right amount of fingers walking into the stadium...the amount of losses Auburns had this year! HAH! It was a GREAT victory for Alabama and 6 years coming! Next up, FLORIDA! Watch out FLORIDA is all I can say! Roll Tide Roll!!
Sunday, it was Mr.P's 1st Birthday Party! I can't believe he is already a year old! Where has this year gone? Mr.P was so sweet at his party and got some great toys and clothes!
After he opened his gifts, it was time for us to head back home. We had already planned to get our first tree and decorate the house for Christmas! (That will be the next post! It will have pictures included!)
Today I start my new job! Jon and I officially begin our life together! We will FINALLY be living in the same city for good! I am so excited! :) Say a little prayer for me around 3 when I go into my first day! I'm not nervous at all! Actually, I am really excited and ready to start work!
I will post pictures tonight of the Cullen Christmas Tree!
Have a great day!