My Cup of Tea Sunday: New Years Eve

We might not have plans for New Years Eve but I can live vicariously through my Polyvore closet!

New Year.

I rarely make a New Years resolution because those are rarely kept.

This year I've decided to stick to a New Years Realization.

I've come to the realization that I am not a perfect person nor will I ever be ( Psst...I wasn't under the impression I was before)

I will never be a perfect wife but I can try my best and make sure my husband knows that he is loved.

I will never have the perfect home, but if decorating and making it lovely makes me happy and it is inviting to others, I'll do it. 

Everyone has their struggles. Mine just happens to be with my health. I am so blessed to have a husband who is determined to find someone who can help me. I have put all of my faith into our Lord for 2013 and I'm feeling really positive that we'll get some answers or relief.

I have the BEST family out there. We have such a great support system on both sides and we are extremely fortunate.

Having these little positive reminders to carry throughout the new year will mean much more to me than trying to reach a  goal that is either difficult to obtain or easy to push aside. 

Here's to a happy and healthy 2013!

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

Hope your Holiday is filled with Family, Friends, and Joy!

My Cup of Tea Sunday: Comfy Cozy

5 More Days!

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. 5 more days till Christmas!? Wasn't it just June?

This year I'm really looking forward to spending time with both of our families and celebrating Linus' first Christmas. He's one spoiled puppy! 

I also can't believe that I'm done shopping and wrapping! That never happens! I think last year was just so last minute and hectic that I was bound and determined to be ahead of schedule. 

Is everybody else done with their shopping or do you like the thrill of last minute shopping?

A Prayer for Newtown,Connecticut

Source

A word from our pastor at Mariners Church, Kenton Beshore:

"God, news is everywhere of the shooting in a Connecticut elementary school. I’m overwhelmed. We

 all are. Shocked, saddened, angry at the evil in this world. Lord, pour out your grace on the families

 who have lost those they love. Surround them with Your love in this time of confusion and grief.

 Please heal and restore in this seemingly hopeless situation.

Lord, how can we experience Christmas and sing about peace on earth and good will to all in the face 

of this? How can I reconcile those words with what I see today? Remind me that You are good. All the 

time. Even today. Remind me that even through unimaginable acts of evil, You are able to work all

 things together for good.

Today, it's so hard to remember You are sovereign and just. It's so hard to give thanks in all things. I

 don't understand, but God, You are worthy of my trust. You are worthy, God.

I need the words of the old Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”.

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

The promises of Christmas always shine brightest in the darkest moments. What we celebrate is that

 You will restore and rebuild everything that sin has taken. God, we cry out, “Your kingdom come.” 

We long for a time when there is no more violence, hatred, injustice, cruelty, ambulances, hospitals, 

and death. We long for a world of beauty, health, and love. God, give us what we’ve never had.

The song goes on to say,

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Lord, You are not dead. You will bring peace. You will prevail."

Remember This?

Two years ago Tim and I did "25 Days of Christmas" on my blog.

This was a fun one.

Is it December Already!?

I can't even believe it!

Time for a random iPhone photo dump...

Hanging with Aunt Devon/ Enjoying Grandpas Recliner/ The beginnings of Christmas at the Lopez Household/ New Big Boy bed/ Betsey Johnson Glasses/ Our first time hanging Christmas lights/ Our little helper

My Cup of Tea Sunday: Hot Cocoa Date

Sugar and Spice

....Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

That's what Little Girls are made of...

Last weekend was my cousins baby shower and I was in charge of decorations.

I decided on a "Sugar and Spice" theme and I knew I wanted it to be very girly since she already has a little boy. 

I bought the fresh flowers at Costco and arranged them in mason jars

I was dead set on a "Sweets" table and it turned out soooo cute! 

I may or may not have based a lot of the shower on these paper straws that I picked up over a month before the shower...

I decorated some onesies to go with the tutu and those darling leg warmers!

 It was a great day and I can safely say that little Chloe has the biggest wardrobe of any baby that hasn't been born yet!

Give Thanks.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

We spent ours at my parents house with my sister. Probably the smallest, most laid back Thanksgiving I've ever had. I successfully stayed Gluten Free! Woo Hoo! 

Now I can officially start thinking about Christmas...Bring it on!

Playing Catch Up...

Oh hi!

I'm still here just been very busy.

I have a few posts coming up that include:

-Zip lining for Moms 50th Birthday

-Designing the decor for my cousins baby shower

and

-Linus' first hospital visit

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Color Run San Diego

Last weekend we met up with my Mom, Sister, Aunts and Cousin for the Color Run in San Diego.

I was a little nervous about a 5K but it was super easy (especially after all the walking we did in New York!) because it was meant to be fun and not a competition. I suggest everyone try it when it comes to your town.

source

End of Our Trip.

After our flight was cancelled we spent 4 days just waiting out the storm and waiting for airports to open back up. I feel like I've told the story so many times since we returned that I don't really have it in me to tell it again. I'll save that for another time. But here are some pictures!

This is the morning of the storm when it was gaining speed and heading right for New Jersey

Once it got dark the water started rising over the sea wall and flooding walkways

The hotel decided we all needed to move into the ballroom to be safe.

After a couple of hours hanging out with a bunch of strangers they allowed us to go back to our rooms. There was no power so they gave us a glow stick to light up our room (which it did not)

The next day we were allowed to go outside to check out the damage.

Through the night the water rose over the plywood and came into the hotel. About 5 feet high.

Fast forward a couple days...still no power, hardly any cell reception, stuck inside for a citywide curfew, no flights, and a hotel that was running out of food we FINALLY got a flight that was in 2 days. Once the ferry started running we decided that we should move to a different hotel that had power and was closer to the airport. We ended up in the Paris hotel in Flushing, Queens and it was....an experience....

Then the best thing EVER happened! My amazing husband scored us the first flight back to LA leaving the next morning! I don't think I've ever been so happy! 

Even though this picture doesn't show it