greetings from outer space

It seems like maybe outer space is where I've been for the past month, considering the overwhelming number of posts I've made (2 for those of you who weren't counting). I feel like maybe that's where I've been. Or at least lost in the pages of a book.

This past month I re-discovered my love of reading. I went to the QC Library for the first time on December 12 and got a library card. Since then, I've read 7 books, many of them within a day of starting them. I forgot how caught up in stories I get. The characters almost become real to me, inasmuch as they are well-developed. Anyway....here's what I've read so far:

1) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2) Kingdom Come by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

3) Emily Ever After by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

4) The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

5) Consider Lily by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

6) Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury

7) Just Beyond the Clouds by Karen Kingsbury

I'm at the beginning of Deadline by Randy Alcorn. I've found I really like the Christian fiction section of the library, and that many of these authors write either series or multiple stand-alone titles, hence the repeat authors on the list. Once I find an author I like, I keep reading titles by them. Also, I have a thing for book series. For instance, Kingdom Come was the 16th and final title of the Left Behind/Before they were Left Behind books (amazing series, I must say). I've been working on getting through those books for over 5 years. The Harry Potter books were another 5 year work in progress, though up until the summer of 2007 I'd read only the first two titles. The Anne Dayton/May Vanderbilt books are chick-lit modern retillings of Bible stories, like Esther and Job. It seems like all Karen Kingsbury writes are series, but I can understand getting attached to characters and wanting to continue telling their stories (like the Baxter family saga...). One series I won't go near is the Twilight series (unless compelled through brute force and threats on my life). I'm not a big vampire fan, and from what I've heard they wouldn't be my cup of tea. They have their target audience, and I fall outside of it.

Beyond all the reading - which at this point I am realizing is why I've been in outer space - December was pretty eventful. I suppose that's as it should be. December is always a busy month (thank you Christmas). Christmas this year was nice, quiet, and 400 miles west of Phoenix in sunny southern California. Steven and I spent it at Disneyland, enjoying each other and the magic of all that is Disney. Going to Disneyland is like visiting an old friend. I've been going there since I was 4 years old, which means that I've been going to Disneyland for the past *gasp* 20 years of my life. Each time I go, it's almost like I never left. I know my way around the park well enough that I don't need a map, and I've gone on the rides enough times to have them committed to memory. I have so many great memories there (multiple family vacations, trips with orchestra in high school), and I am glad to finally add some new ones with Steven...like this one here:

Steven and I on Toy Story Midway Mania (great new ride at Disney's California Adventure)

The Final Score on Midway Mania (I'm blue, Steven's red - this was redemption for his KILLING me on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters)

Chilling at California Adventure before the Electrical Parade (a Disney Classic must see!)

See what I mean? Great times. And these three pics are almost the entire collection of pictures we took while we were there. Seriously. I don't know why I pack a camera sometimes. =)

But anyway, time for me to get back to outer space. That Randy Alcorn book is just starting to get juicy.

love and marriage

Is there anything in the world that is more amazing than sharing life with your best friend?

I have been reflecting lately on how beyond all expectations marriage has been. Marriage is the earthly model of Christ's love for the church, and being a part of it has really helped me to understand the love Christ has for His bride. Beyond that, there are so many "here and now" reasons why its a great thing to be a part of. I had some time last night with Steven where we shared some of the best things about being married to each other, and here's a sampling of my list of reasons (in no particular order) why I'm glad Steven is my one and only.

1. I love that I get to wake up next to him every day. The way he looks right after he wakes up is my favorite "Steven face."
2. I love that he always gives me a kiss and a hug before he leaves for work, whether I'm awake with him or still sleeping.
3. We get to be completely silly and ridiculous with each other without fear of embarassment or judgment.
4. I get to share things with him that no one else gets to be a part of. He gets to see my best, my worst, and everything in between. He gets to know my deepest, darkest secrets; he gets to know and share in all of my hopes and dreams.
5. I love that I get to be there for him when he's not at his best. It's not fun to experience the worst or see him at a personal low, but it's fulfilling knowing that I'm the one he trusts and loves enough to show that side to and allow to support him.
6. He's caring, generous, and a man I am proud of.

Thanks for reading. Here's wishing you the best with your one and only!

Thanksgiving....

This Thanksgiving was fantastic. A very relaxed dinner at my mom's house - filled with much mirthful goodness and quality time with the fam - kicked off a great 4-day weekend. Since the kids now far outnumber the parents in the family, we had a blast at the "kid" table making a paparazzi-inspired combo of all of the last names represented (Persanfidialaberto-Shuggallen for those of you who are wondering) and conspired to harass Steve (Shugg, not Dial) while he was on-air Thursday afternoon. We almost called in to request Rick Astley on The Edge, which would make about as much sense as using grape jelly to season your macaroni and cheese. It would have been good for getting crazy laughs from all the people in the family who watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, though.

Jess, mom, and I went out on Black Friday to do some Christmas shopping. We started at 8:30 am and were done by 11:00 am after going to only 4 stores. I finished my shopping completely without my highly structured system (don't need it when there are only 5 people to buy for), Jessi got 90% of her shopping done (her estimate), and mom got a new Christmas tree. The best part was we all spent waaaay less than we expected. After the shopping, I met up with Steven for a lunch date at In-n-Out Burger. Aside from the insanely crowded parking lot, we had a great time. When I got home, feeling empowered and inspired by my amazing shopping experience that morning, I got the entire house decorated and wrapped all the gifts in less than 3 hours. I got ready for a wedding and watched my friends Kelly and Steven get married. There are a lot of funny moments from the reception, mainly from comments made by me about needing to sit by the space heaters because "I'm not wearing any pants" (I was wearing a dress).

Saturday Steven and I got an early start and got all the Christmas lights up before lunch. It was scary watching Steven precariously balance at the top of the ladder, but there were no injuries and we only broke one bulb (which we replaced). Saturday afternoon we did another Thanksgiving dinner with Steven's parents and his brothers. We watched Hollywoodland Saturday night and just relaxed. It was great.

Sunday morning we finally made it to the gym to start working off the extra calories. We did a little bit of errand running, then came home and got together with the Erlandsons, who are in town for a week. It was nice to see them after spending a few days with them back in August when we went to Kansas City. We felt rested and restored after 4 wonderful days off. It's strange to be back at work after such a nice, long, much-needed weekend. Only 24 more days until Christmas!!