Lately.

It's sort of crazy to me that we've only lived in New Jersey a little over a month and living here already feels so normal. I think we've started to find our routine; me working from home, Luke job hunting, and the pups adjusting to their new surroundings. There has definitely been some adjustment, but I'm so greatful for this time. Want to strengthen a marriage? Move 1800 miles across the country. :) Luke had his first job interview last Friday and it sounds promising! The company he interviewed with said he should hear back early this next week, so please say a prayer that we hear some good news. Also, Luke took the NYPD application test. Have I told y'all this yet? He made a 95 out of 100, which is awesome, because it's a really hard test. I'm SO proud of him! Joining the NYPD takes months, with multiple interviews, background checks, etc., so this won't be something that happens tomorrow, but we're excited to have begun the process.  I start my New England "roadshow" this week. This is what my colleagues call traveling for days at a time, doing what we do a.k.a. field marketing. Please pray for safe and easy travels. This Texas girl has never driven in snow, or mountains for that matter, so I'd appreciate your prayers. At the same time, I'm so excited to see Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. I've never been to any of these states and I'll be driving quite a bit. Should be fun!  One other things that has been heavy on mine and Luke's hearts lately is church and the fellowship that church offers. We are actively looking for a church home in New Jersey, but haven't found one just yet. We've visited three different churches so far, and we understand that this isn't something that happens overnight or even in a few weeks. But this can be a frustrating process, too. As Christians, we hunger for fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ and we are praying earnestly that God would show us where He would like for us to lay roots. If you can, please add this one to your prayer list, too. So, that's what's been going on around here lately. That, and a bunch of watching Hulu/Netflix, drinking coffee, and checking out the Christmas light around our new little town. They are quite lovely. :)

All I want for Christmas is..a nap.

So. Tired. Can't...hardly...keep...eyes...open...

This week has been crazy, to say the least. My job doesn't get much busier than at the end of a year. And not only is 2011 wrapping up, but 2012 is looking good (as in busy, loaded, packed with work to be done!). I can't seem to shake the tired headache my body is holding on to. Between working long hours, Christmas shopping, baking for friends and family, attending Christmas parties, and planning one of my own on Friday, sitting down is not an option. Sitting down = falling over = my eyes shut and do not re-open. :)

Yes, you heard me right. We are hosting our first party in the new house! We will have about 20 Hintons over on Friday night (Christmas Adam) to celebrate Christmas, family, love, and new homes. I'm really excited, but the stress of cleaning, decorating, and cooking is getting to me. I'm sure everything will be spectacular, but it's my house so of course, I'm a mess!

{Via.}

I'm thinking about putting a few of these guys around my house and the deck outside, but with red and green ornaments at the bottom, for decoration. What do y'all think? Thanks Pinterest for the idea!

Also, I'm so excited to announce that a very special package is out for delivery as I type and will be joining us at our new house this evening! Luke is on his way to San Antonio to pick up the newest member of our family, Boss!! Boss is an 8-week-old maltipoo puppy and our new baby. He is a first generation maltipoo. His momma is a purebred poodle and his daddy is a purebred maltese. We are THRILLED for Brooklyn to finally have a playmate and we just know that they will adore each other. I can't wait to see my new baby when I get home from work today!

{Expect many, MANY more pictures soon!}

I am sure that with two babies and working half a day Friday, this dog momma has no chance of that nap. I am taking off next Tuesday though, so somewhere in my 4.5 days off for the holidays I hope to squeeze in a little snooze time. Wish me luck!

P.S. Have any of you hosted Christmas parties so far this season? If so, any tips for this first-timer?

Christmas Reflections

{Christmas Eve 2010} 

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever, even though it has only been a little over a week. But I mean, I guess I should cut myself some slack. It has been a little crazy with Christmas and all! I just want to start this post out by saying that I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and are looking forward to a blessed and happy new year. Both accompanied by family, friends, and other loved ones, of course. :)

The last few days have been filled with of some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life, holiday traditions that have continued to be some of the last constants from my childhood to now, my four "sides" of the family (including Luke's), and I must admit, some very fabulous Christmas presents! It has always been a personal goal of mine to take some time alone during the holidays to reflect on what this time of the year truly represents for us as Christians. More than good food, family, traditions, or presents, I'm in awe that God would so perfectly plant Himself in our flesh on Earth to save a people that didn't understand or want to accept who He was and still is. This love moves my soul and overwhelms me in a way that nothing else can. Most of all, I have been thankful for God's perfect gift this holiday season.

This year, I can proudly say that this was a Christmas full of "grown-up" presents! Luke and I had a great time opening joint gifts that will go in our future house! My parents bought us a flat-screen TV that Luke has (of course) already set up and plugged his Xbox in to at my apartment (don't even get me started, ha!). I was also given a wonderful vacuum that has worked wonders in my apartment already. Thanks mom!! Emily bought me the most perfect wine rack and Claire gave me a bunch of knick knacks for my kitchen from Ikea. My Aunt Amy gave me a gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond, which I proceeded to spend the day after Christmas. It was already burning a whole in my pocket! I bought a blender and some organizing racks for my kitchen cabinets. Don't worry now. I know that I need to be patient because with getting married comes wedding showers with which you receive many of these gifts. But these were a couple of things I've been needing for a while. Just call me Susie Homemaker. :)

Speaking of wedding, Christmas day was exactly 6 months until mine and Luke's wedding!!! Mom and I did a little wedding planning/talking over the break, so be looking for some wedding updates soon! I'm getting really excited because all of my ideas are coming together. Now, I just need to get some of my to-do list checked off!

For those of you that still have more time off from work or school, consider yourselves extra blessed (and envied!). For those of you who, like me, have to go back to work tomorrow, God bless us all. I know I'm going to need an extra boost in the morning! It's always so hard to go back to work or school after such a fun holiday.

Have a blessed last week of 2010!!!

My First Peddlers Show!

Today I was introduced to The Peddlers Show in Robstown, Texas. Multiple times a year, a ton of vendors set up at the Richard M. Borchard County Fairgrounds to sell anything from gaudy jewelry to Christmas and Thanksgiving decor to soup and dip mixes to just about anything someone can carve out of wood. Hundreds of people attend and its a good time for all.

Aubrey was given a couple of free tickets to the show from one of her bosses at work, so duh...we went! It took about 2 hours for us to walk around the entire building. We sipped on samples of fabulous coffee, I definitely tried the same pretzels and dip a couple of times, and we ooooed and awwwwed over about 10 baby girls with the largest bows on their little bald heads.

I'm sad that I didn't take any pictures at the actual show, but Aubrey and Brooklyn modeled for me (for your enjoyment!) as I took these pictures of the Christmas decor I bought for my apartment at The Peddlers Show.

 {My items of choice from left to right: a snowman ornament, two wooden tree stand-alone cutouts (for lack of a better title??), a county santa ornament, and a bell ornament}

{My models with the Christmas decor}

{Brook is mostly a fan of the bell. Because it makes noise, obviously}