Ten on Tuesday

And we're off for another Ten on Tuesday! (Deana, I really hope to see yours this week.)

1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
Well, we got our tree late this year, and it doesn't have a stand, but it's coming in today. You better believe we'll leave it up until New Years! We do have mini tree up though. It's awesome. And Franny and I hung snow flakes up all over the ceiling. We put blue lights up, put all kinds of things up in attempt to make this a white Christmas for Stephen, remember, he's homesick.

2. What do you do to simplify the holiday season?
SIMPLIFY?! I magnify it. Does that even make sense? I don't simplify it. I don't think I do. I did send out a Christmas card. Is that simplifying?

3. What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?
I'm sure the Christmas season is a little different to everyone. To me, the entire winter season is all about love. I definitely feel that during the Christmas season. I try to be thoughtful with all of my gifts and I send out love (Christmas cards) to those I love. We also decorated this place because Stephen missed his white Christmases, though I know it's not a white Christmas. Maybe someone can bring me some snow from Chicago.


Speaking of Chicago, my cousin got accepted into the University of Chicago!!!

Now she awaits the decision of the other schools. Snaps for Sydney! (Sorry, just watched Legally Blonde 2)

4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve we ALWAYS open our pajamas that my mom gave us. Then, we sleep in them and open presents from Santa in them the next morning. This is going to be the very first year I do not do this. It's a little sad. :(

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
The one I mentioned above! I LOVE getting new pajamas! And I love waking up to presents. I've been thinking about some traditions that I want to start with Ian. (I want to see people's responses to this question). There was one blog I read where the parent's convinced the kids that Santa wanted wine, not milk. How creative is that!


I also love making cookies during the Christmas season! I hope Santa gets some this year... that would be nice.


6.  Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the 
tradition?
Yes. Even last year I still requested that my mom have all the gifts separated like Santa usually does. She did. I like the surprise.


And yes, we will continue that with Ian, probably next year.


7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
My mom's sugar cookies, nobody elses. Nobody can make them like she does, even with the recipe. And peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate. Delicious.


8. How do you take your egg nog?
I used to love egg nog. I haven't had it this year. Sad. I want it though. I have never had alcoholic egg nog.


9. What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?
Carol of the Bells, it sounds beautiful!


10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
The year we went to New York. We were driving to the airport Christmas morning in the snow, in Texas! It was ridiculous. That was my only white Christmas ever.


Blog out. Ian is losing it. I wasn't aware he had to already be attached to me before 9am.

Good, Good Day

I want today to be a good day, so to jump start a feeling of goodness, I will start my day with 10 things that I am grateful for.

1. Lately I have been upset because I have lost my faith in humanity. But, I need to remind myself, family. I am so grateful for my family. I have an amazing baby. He's incredible. He's almost an entire year old! How lucky am I?! I have an amazing fiance. He is always doing things to insure my happiness. Plus, he's nerdy and that is wonderful. My mother is an amazing person. She watches my child on a daily basis, free of charge. My father loves Ian so much. Luckily, the feeling is reciprocated, so my dad holds Ian a few times a week so that I can eat dinner. So, I am thankful for my family.
2. Mini animal crackers. I have an irrational fear of Ian choking. Babies R Us sells these amazing things. Tiny animal crackers. Ian can eat away!
3. Cold weather. I woke up and it was cold this morning. It is glorious. I live for cold weather. And that cold weather smell. I think it's about time to go to the store and buy some winter scented candles.
4. I am so grateful for Ian, that he gets to go on the list twice. He is just so energetic. Amazing. So tiny, but has this HUGE personality.
5. Friends. Example, Franny also watches Ian for me at times. Franny will also strap Ian to her body and help me clean. That is true friendship. Which reminds me, I need to take Franny out to a fancy restaurant. Amy is 23 today. Our 20 year friendship anniversary is quickly approaching! Caroline video chats with me. I need to make that time. Oh, and Jackie keeps me cool.
6. Internship. It could be terrible, but it's quite the opposite. I work with amazingly wonderful people. I am always looking forward to go to work. I happily go to work everyday.
7. Coffee. Need I saw more?
8. Justin's ability to write my name in Mayalayam. It looks beautiful and is enough to make me happy just by looking at it.
9. All of the recent rain. Austin really needs it. And I don't mind it.
10. Hulu. I am only going to be grateful for this for a short time. They are about to start charging for it. I will not pay. But now, while it's free, I am grateful for it. They need to team up with Google to learn how to give the public free things with a profit. I'm sure it takes lots of skill.

Pumpkins means Winter!!

I l-o-v-e Halloween. And not because I love Halloween, even though it is pretty delightful. It's because it means that winter is that much closer. I get to bust out my winter clothes, my winter boots, my winter candles! Oh, winter. I love winter! I love the smell of winter! I can't wait until I can drink hot chocolate and snuggle up on the couch with my men. It will be wonderful!

Here is the first sign that winter is on the way:

He has on his monster shoes, his LONG SLEEVED shirt and his sweat pants. Those are all signs that winter is on the way. There was cold weather today. And no, I didn't mean to rhyme that.

Having said that, I must go now. Ian has eaten a 4th of a grilled cheese, half of a squeezy food thingy, mini animal crackers, and an entire banana in about 30 minutes. This is a record!

Check in tomorrow for Ten on Wednesday (much like Chelsea's Ten on Tuesday)

Blog out.