SNOW!!

51 inches this month in CDA/Spokane....ahhhh!!!

Very Exciting NEWS!!!

So, after months of waiting and expecting nothing....I have been granted an interview with the University of Washington Masters program for Physician Assistants. My first thought was praise Jesus (in a deep southern baptist way) followed by joy at the opportunity to continue my education. I am very excited. Jordan will attest to this as I broke out in tears when I tried to tell him. I would would like to express my gratitude for those of you who were praying for me during this waiting period and request more prayer. Those of you who didn't know to pray or didn't pray...start now. My interview is on January 7th. This is very complicated because I am in Boston working full-time and still on probation because I am a recent hire. This means I am not truly allowed any time off until I have been here for 3 months. That doesn't occur until the end of January. Please pray that my boss will be understanding of this situation especially since so many people have already requested holiday time around this date. Pray also that I would be prepared for the interview and in all things that God's will would reign. Many blessings friends and family.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Christmas Traditions - Family Pics

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Hot Chocolate with whipped cream.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa's big hands could not create the complicated bows (knots) we have on our gifts.

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white?

Depends on the look you are going for that year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

sadly we don't decorate our home because we are never there for Christmas. We spend the whole season in other places.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

We decorate my parents house whenever we can all make the trek into the mountains to hunt up a tree.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Ham

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

No specific moment, just the general feeling of family and comfort, being truly blessed.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I honestly don't know that I ever believed in Santa. Having older siblings brings the truth out really quickly and I don't think my parents ever really put forth the idea that Santa brought the presents.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

No, we are at church all day and night

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With the ornaments we’ve collected over the years but now there are so many we only get to choose like 10 each not including all the angels, joys and balls. Julie is in charge of the lights (colored) which I usually assist her with. Then we put the balls on and then the other ones. The finishing touch is the angel on top which I usually put on because I am the tallest :). I still have to stand on a tall stool and use a walking stick to get her up there. We get really tall trees :).

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?

Love it.

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes, backwards, forwards and in circles. I am not so good at the jumping though.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

My family

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?

Jesus.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Pumpkin Pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Christmas Eve service and Christmas day lines up of family events.

17. What tops your Christmas tree?

An angel

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

being

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

O Holy Night

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?

I love them...especially the cherry ones

21. What do you want for Christmas?

Quality time with my family

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

Yes, but the location is always changing. So, annual but not the same party.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?

We dress up for church.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?

Yeah, my dad got us all hats for Christmas one year.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

My fabulous family.

Christmas decor in Boston

Quincy Market with all the lights!!!

This is the tree at the Market. I don't know how tall it is but it is really tall as you can see in the picture to the right. I went back to get night photos and was in ah over all the lights on every tree and building.

Below is some of the decor and Macy's was having at street fair with a petting zoon. Jordan pointed out the animals and was probably really sorry he did because I spent quite a while ooooing and ahhhing over the bunnies and goats. I missed the fair this year. There was a really friendly sheep who wanted to hop right out of the pen and snuggle with you. She is in the picture below.
We are headed to NY City this weekend to fufill the life long dream of seeing the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and lights in Central Park. I also plan on ice skating if possible.