The REAL 12 Days of Christmas

My Mom sent this to me in my email and I wanted to share it with you all. Next time your family gets together to sing Christmas songs add this one to your list!

The Real Twelve Days Of C H R I S T m a s
On the first day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Salvation full and free.
On the second day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Everlasting life, and Salvation full and free.
On the third day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Peace in my Heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the fourth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Love for all men; Peace in my heart, Everlasting life, and Salvation full and free.
On the fifth day of C HRI S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the sixth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the seventh day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the eighth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the ninth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the tenth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me Streets of pure gold, Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my so ul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the eleventh day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to me A thousand songs to sing, Streets of pure gold, Mansions above, A Robe and a Crown, A Body Glorified, Power from on high, Joy for my soul, Love for all men, Peace in my heart, Everlasting Life, and Salvation full and free.
On the twelfth day of C H R I S T m a s , JESUS gave to meEternity that's freeA thousand songs to sing,Streets of pure gold,Mansions above,A Robe and A Crown,A Body Glorified,Power from on high,Joy for my soul,Love for all men,Peace in my heart,Everlasting lifeand Salvation full and free! Wishing you C H R I S T m a s blessings ofJoy, Love, Hope, Happiness, Faith,Grace, Mercy and Peace that comes when wemake room in our heart for Jesus.
11:41 AM

Changes - The Reveal

Well, life is really good right now. It's amazing that I can say that with all the changes going on, but it's the truth. Jason and I have grown so much closer this last year after that last really rough patch. I think we are both in the place where we are ready to buckle down and get serious about the rest of our lives. This huge decision my husband sprang on me was uprooting our lives here in Dumas and moving to Amarillo. I know, it's only 45 minutes away but it seems so much further when I think I'll be leaving my parents, Mema, brother and in-laws. But, I agree with Jason; we need to start over. We are currently living in our 678 sq.ft. house that we have been in for 8 years since we first got married. It was really too small to begin with but it was ours and we were proud. We've really learned alot over the last 8 years about what works and what doesn't work for us. For instance, our current house isn't insulated and our utilities are outrageous. Our garage is detached and my laundry room is at the back of my garage, which basically is in the back of my backyard. We only have one bathroom which is killer because we always need it at the same time. I only have 2 closets and they only hold about 2 feet of clothes each and there is no storage in the bathroom whatsoever. My toilet is touching the wall on one side, the sink on the other, the sink is right up against the tub and the bathroom is only as wide as the tub is long. Seriously, it's like 5x5, I measured. So, we started looking at house in Amarillo, and like I said, I was very resistant at first. We couldn't agree on anything, nothing was in our price range, and I felt like we were gonna have to settle on something that wasn't that great just to get it done. We finally narrowed it down to 2 and I took Mom, Mema and Lisa over to see those. Jason called and said he wanted me to look at one more house before we decided. We drove by and it just so happened that there was an open house. We walked in and BANG, I knew right then and there that this was the house for us. If we wrote down everything that we wanted in a house it was right there in front of me. We had our realtor come over and look at it and she said it was an awesome deal. We made an offer on it and the seller counter offered. We decided not to accept his counter offer and he came back and agreed to our original offer. We get the inspections done this Saturday and if that passes then we have the green light to close on December 18th, the weekend right before Christmas. Of course it's scary thinking about trying to find a new job and having new neighbors but it will all work out. We both have intentions of getting involved in Lisa and Corey's church which is something I have been praying about for a while. I'm hoping like everything that Mom and Dad will get motivated and get a house in Amarillo and bring Mema with them. I'm also hoping that Ryan can find some peace soon with the whole engagement breakup and start getting his life on the right track. I feel like I am abandoning him more than anyone else and that kind of hurts my heart. I've gotten so used to him just being across the street.

So, I've posted pictures of the new house, stop by and look and let me know what you all think. Our lender told us that everything is 99% good to go but there is always that 1% that something crazy comes up and the underwriter backs out, but that rarely happens. This may or may not be the house for us but I'm excited either way. I'll kee ya all posted!
1:13 AM

Euphoric!!

Okay, so I am an absolute freak! I really don't like sports at all. Unfortunately I married a sports addict. He watches, reads, attends and worships anything sports related. We are constantly watching or listening to football, baseball, tennis, golf, fishing, bowling, basketball, and any other little thing that could even be considered a sport! I am anti anything that might make me break a sweat so I just kind of tune it out and read my book, if you know what I mean. Right after we got married Jason started dragging me to all kinds of professional games, and I must confess being there in person is a thrill even if baseball last for 9 whole innings! He forced me to attend an Amarillo Gorillas Hockey game and from the minute those guys stepped on the ice I was hooked. I learned all the players names and listened to every game on the radio when I couldn't be there in person. It got so bad my sister started saying I was becoming like a white trash Nascar fan (no offense is you are one). My first favorite player was Tommy Gomes and he lasted a few seasons. Then he left and my little 9 Hughesey became my favorite. But, of course, everyone in Amarillo and the surrounding area know that Dave Rattray is the true superstar. You know, the one who married a local girl and starting sticking around all year long. The one who posed half naked on a Harley and the only one to have a bobble head doll fashioned after him. Heck, I even have the Christmas ornaments and playing cards people! My sister, Lisa, is the ultimate Rattray fan, 27 for life. Well, about 3 years ago I came across an Amarillo Gorillas practice jersey on eBay and I bought it for Lisa and I made it my mission to get Dave Rattray to sign it. Well, that never happened. After a couple of years I broke down and just gave her the jersey sans signature with a sad explanation of how I really wanted it to go down but never got the courage to do. So, let's rewind about a year and I answer the phone at work to find that Dave Rattray is ordering concrete from ME! I guess he started his on construction business and I, of course, work at a concrete plant and deal with contractors on a daily basis. I calmly took his order but once that phone hit the desk I freaked out! I was telling my boss, Dennis, all about who he was and how awesome a hockey player he was. So, he calls again and my boss proceeds to tell him that I am a huge fan and all excited that I got to talk to him. He thought it was pretty funny and said he might send me some free tickets, which I never saw, but it's the thought that counts, right? So, let's fast forward to today. I'm sitting in my office and the phone rings just like any other day. I answer the phone and am greeted by Dave Rattray. I put him on hold and yes, I freak out. He's at United Supermarket working on a job and I'm just itching to drive by and see him. I call my sister to tell her all about my exciting phone call. My boss, Dennis, is so making fun of me and tells me if I go home and get my jersey and Lisa's that he'll take them up to United and get Dave to sign them. It took me 2 seconds to jump in my car and head to Mom's house where Lisa's jersey was just in case he ever came back to Dumas and I ever had the courage to ask for an autograph (which was not very likely). After destroying my mother's garage and grabbing Lisa's jersey I was on my way to my house to grab mine, the whole time squealing on the phone to Lisa, Mom, Dad and even Jason. Dennis beeps in and tells me that Dave is just gonna swing by my office to sign them, that he really didn't mind. So, I grab my camera and rush back to my office to find that Dave is already there waiting on me, and he was parked in my parking space. I'm all out of breath from running all over town and I'm apologizing profusely because I'm so embarrassed but excited. He was very gracious and came in my office and signed Lisa's jersey and then signed mine while talking to me the whole time. I completely forgot to take a picture that I had promised Lisa I would take. So he posed for a few pictures in my horribly cluttered office. I thought it turned out really funny cause Lisa was wanting me to put her on speaker and let her talk to him, which I wouldn't do, but she ended up being there in pictures. Notice she is right over his right and left shoulders! Too funny. Anyways, that totally made my day and he told Dennis before I got there that I had made his day as well. Now that he is not playing hockey anymore he says no one ever recognises or even remembers him so he thought it was pretty cool how excited I was. AND, when he went to leave he grabbed me and gave me a big hug! Yeah, I'm having a hard time typing this cause I'm still floating really high. Yes, yes, yes, I am a dork!

Hurt

UPDATE: As promised, here is the blog I posted before Christmas that I posted as private. The gifts have been dispersed so the secret is no longer.

I am working on a project for my family for Christmas. Actually, I have my boss working on a project. He got this machine that plugs into his computer and you can transfer tapes to a file on your computer and then burn it on to a cd. Long ago my Mema and Papa recorded a tape. I haven't heard it in so long. I haven't heard them sing in so long. I brought the tape to work today so Dennis could put it on a cd for me and then I'm gonna design a new cover and give everyone that for Christmas. I have been so excited about it. I'm sitting in my office trying to do some work and all of a sudden I hear my Papa singing. It hit me like someone kicked me in the stomache. Sometimes that devastating ache of sadness is too much when it hits so suddenly. I miss him so much words could never describe. Ever. I can hardly type this through the tears. Just one more day, that's what I want for Christmas. Just one more day with my Papa.
2:51 AM