Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2010 was a weekend to be remembered! I got to spend the weekend at my parents house, sleep in my old bed, cook tasty food, chat with my sister in law, pet a yellow lab, ride my bike, sleep, rub sister in law's pregnant belly, watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, hang out with 2 of my 3 brothers, eat yummy food, ride in the golf cart, learn about the art of meat smoking, visit a meat market, put up a Christmas tree, hold a squirrle and play with my niece! It was glorious! Here are some photos:
Golf cart rides for the G Rowe family
Naps for Uncle Brad, Willow & Ava Claire

A trip to the meat market so Greg could pick out fancy meats for his new BBQ pit & smoker. Ava loved looking at all the different meats!

The feast... Plus a little sister time!

Karo and Ava read magazines, did some online shopping, etc etc.

Dad & I put out the log reindeer while Greg and Brad cooked meat and corn on the smoker!

Brothers cookin' meat...manly man stuff!
Me & Brad with the chickens pre-smoker. They were cuddly birds!
Greg & me, and Laura & me. Plenty of family time this Thanksgiving!
Meeting Sammy the squirrel! She's Uncle Mark's pet, and Ava LOVED this little critter!

It wasn't a traditional Rowe Thanksgiving, but I loved stepping outside of our traditions and trying new things! As long as we're together we have a great time!

Tacky Sweater Christmas

Our singles ministry had a tacky sweater Christmas party this year! I had always wanted to do one of these, and had dreams of finding a perfectly tacky sweater at a thrift store. Turns out these things are hot items, there wasn't a single sweater to be found!

So, as a last minute effort I borrowed some Christmas garb from my mom, although I wish I had taken the creativity route like my roommate. Jennifer made a sweatshirt two hours before

the party and it turned out awesome!!

Lisa wore another sweater from my mom's closet, one I remember well from childhood holidays! We even borrowed some of her festive socks to complete the look!


Above is our small group, below are the roommates. Love these girls!

Merry Tacky Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Celebrating the birth of our Savior, and the eternal life He brings!
Merry Christmas!
Love, Sarah & Willow

Chris Sligh

This past Sunday our church had a Christmas worship service instead of a normal Sunday morning worship hour. The worship ministry did an amazing job of getting everyone in the Christmas spirit, refocusing our excitement on Jesus' birth! We had help from a special guest as well, 2007 American Idol Contestant turned Christian Artist Chris Sligh!

Jenni and I got to help Chris' brother Alan run the merchandise table during and between services and if the CD sales from Sunday morning are any indication, this man will go far! Here's a few pictures from the morning!

Above is Brian Stone, our Singles Pastor, Jenni, Chris Sligh & Me! I'll work later on getting a YouTube link for the songs from service. We even got free signed copies of Chris' new CD for volunteering to help at his table!

It was just what I needed, because the past week or two I've been feeling the stress that comes with a worldly Christmas. (I even had to turn off KSBJ's Christmas music and switch back to worship music to help me feel at peace!) This Sunday helped me realize it's not about all the earthly celebrations, it's about the life we have to look forward to in heaven with our Savior who lives forever!!!

Thanksgiving Tree

This year I couldn't wait to put up the Christmas tree! My family tradition is to put up the tree on Thanksgiving night, while drinking egg nog. This year mid November I was just itchin' to have that tree up so I could enjoy the twinkling lights at night. I didn't want to take away from Thanksgiving, so we found a way to put up the tree without moving straight into Christmas. Saturday morning Jenni, Lisa & I were home enjoying coffee and muffins and we decided to make a roommate bonding experience out of the Thanksgiving Tree. Here's the how to:

Each person gets several paper strips (in Thanksgiving colors of course) to record the things

they are thankful for. Next we stapled them together in paper rings and shared with each other what it was we were thankful for.

After we had shared we hung them on the tree, and made sure to leave extra papers out on the table for any guests who stopped by and had things to be thankful for.

It was a great reminder that we are incredibly blessed and that the things written on our paper rings were gifts from God! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Cookie Exchange

Each month the women in my Sunday morning Adult Bible Fellowship get together and have a ladies social. Usually it's something casual, with coffee and dessert so we can talk and get to know other women in the class. For our December social event we decided to have a cookie exchange!

This was my first ever cookie exchange, so I was excited to participate! The idea is that everyone makes 3-4 dozen of one recipe (along with copies of the recipe), plus an extra empty platter, and everyone tastes, then takes home a few of the cookies you made! Everyone left with big platters full of tasty treats, and new recipes!

I took the Balls of Heaven (aka Oreo Balls) that I usually take when dessert is required, but this time I added a little bit of crushed peppermint candy to the tops for a festive look.

We came home with all these goodies, and if we're going to eat them all there better be some serious exercising going on!

I'm working my way around the plate, but so far my favorites have been the Buckeyes that my roommate makes, the Butterfinger Fudge, and the cute ornament themed sugar cookies!

Quitter

So, you may have noticed I quit on the National Blog Posting Month 30 Posts in 30 Days Challenge. I realized the challenge was quickly consuming me, and while it was fun last year, it felt like a chore this year.

This fall my small group did a study called No Other Gods, and it really helped me realize how many things in my life have become gods, and thus have taken time and space in my life where I should be allowing God to be. Things like tv, facebook, shopping, eating, sleeping, blogging.... I could go on and on. Sure some of these things are necessary parts of life, but when you sleep too long, or you shop to fulfill selfish desires....they can turn into things that we turn to for satisfaction. Ultimately I need to turn to God for satisfaction, therefore things are changing!

So, back to blogging when I feel like blogging! I assure you this has saved you from reading random obligatory posts with little meaning. I'm back, and I'm bringing you the good stuff!

Emmy & Hayden's Birthdays!

All 3 of my nieces celebrated their birthdays in the last month, and a few weeks ago I was lucky to get to head north to spend a pre-birthday weekend with Emmy & Hayden! Emmy turned 4 and Hayden turned 2, and those girls are just too cute! I got Hayden a few really cute Eric Carle books, and Emmy her very own Caboodle with chapstick (or as she called it, lipstick!) and nail polish packed inside!

They had a great time playing with their gifts and I had a great time celebrating with them! Look at those sweet sisters! We both agreed this picture above of Em putting 'lipstick' on HK will be perfect wedding slideshow material someday!

Yes, I know the flower in my hair is extremely large, but these girls usually rock some huge bows so I figure that if there's ever a time to wear this cream flower, it would be with Em & HK!

Stay tuned for another post about these girls next week, I'll get to see all 3 nieces this weekend! Lucky me!

Table Top 2010

Tonight our church Women's Ministry hosted the annual Table Top Banquet. In years past tables were done by small groups and could be any theme, but this year things were a bit different! Each table was done to spotlight a ministry or cause that the hostess is involved in. Tables ranged from human trafficking to pregnancy help centers,and kids tutoring to pet therapy! My small group decided to focus on a safe house for girls rescued from human trafficking/sex slavery. We had super cute bird houses from Hobby Lobby as our centerpieces, and I made little swinging signs with the name of our organization. We accented the table with gold linens, and little bird nests for sugar packet holders. Overall I think it was really cute!

After table viewing and dinner, 3 women in our church were interviewed by our missions pastor, and you can read their stories here on the Go Beyond Blog! These women really felt God calling them to action in ministries here and around the world, and their stories really inspired all that attended to seek where God wants us to be investing.

I had a great time decorating, but an even better time with some of the wonderful women who are investing in my life right now! It was definitely encouraging to hear all the passions of those around me, and to see how women are using those passions to bring glory to God!

Can't wait til Table Top 2011, we had a great time this year!

Monday....

UGH! Today has been one rough Monday! I started my morning by dropping off my car to get it checked out since my Engine Light has been on the past 2 weeks...I should know by now that the engine light is no light matter! 8 hours and $627 later I picked Blaze up and drove home...feeling totally beaten down! I had plans to do so many other things with $627 dollars this month, but God is good and He always provides! I'm grateful to have a running car, and very thankful that I have a good mechanic who I know didn't charge me an extra $100 just because Christmas is coming up and his kid wants a shiny new toy. So, on that note I have to plug the awesome place that helped me out today with the repair!

Katy Auto Care is located on the south side of the I-10 feeder between Mason & Grand Parkway. The owner of the shop is a member of my church, and truly runs his business with Godly integrity! He was honest, quick & even gave me a free car wash when they were finished fixing my car! Secretly one of my favorite parts about his shop is that he brings his dogs to work! Bear, a 10 year old yellow Lab & Bama a 3 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever are the shop's mascots and will greet you at the door! Well, they'll at least be right inside the door sleeping on the floor! I think they're smart to have pet therapy in a place that can be so stressful! Anyway I took a little picture of Bear & Bama as I petted them this morning....I know, creepy!!!!!! I just love dogs!

You might remember these dogs from my VBS post this past summer, they were too cute in their cowdog skits during worship rally!

Thanks again Katy Auto Care for taking such good care of me, if you live in the area I definitely recommend these folks!

Running again..

Now we all know I'm NOT a runner. However I have several friends who are runners, and when I read about their races, or the goals they've accomplished via running (weight loss, endurance) I'm always so inspired to run! I kicked off this year by doing a New Years Eve 5K, my first ever race. I didn't make any sort of respectable time, and I'm sure I walked more than I ran, but I did it! 11 months later and I'm still not running.
That's all about to change...
This week my roommate and I decided to put some effort in and reach our goals! I'm reaching for running an entire 5k, and to get there we'll be running 4-5 times a week. Last night we went out and completed a 3.1 mile course, alternating running and walking. We'd run from one light post to the next, then walk a post, run, walk, run, walk...you get the idea!
I did pretty well alterating and only two or three times did I skip a running light post, so when I got home I was pretty proud of myself! Today I think I'll ride my bike so I get some variety, but another big problem is that I BADLY need new shoes! My old Nike shocks that I wear to work just weren't cutting it in the foot support department!
SO, I've got a goal, and I've got a plan. All I need is your encouragement, tips and tricks! By the time Christmas rolls around I'll be ready for my 5k, and maybe buying some cute new clothes!

Antiques

If you've been to my house you know I love decorating. I love Pottery Barn, but I also love antiques. Most of my favorite items in the house are antique store finds, such as this Baylor Bear piece I found in Montgomery Texas.

That same store produced the window frame that hangs in my kitchen, and the door knob that I hang my jewelry from. All fun pieces with plenty of character!

Over Labor Day weekend I went to a few shops in downtown Rosenberg, and though I walked away empty handed I found plenty of fun things while I browsed. Things like....

A white pottery collection, stacked against another simply worn window pane.

An ivory picture frame ready to be repurposed! I wanted this one to copy an item I'd seen recently in a PB catalog, they took frames and ran wire across the inside of the frame, hung it on the wall, then used it to hang all their earrings! So cute!

A Corticelli thread spool cabinet, filled with a rainbow of old thread spools!

A vintage looking gold R, which I found out wasn't so antique after I spotted it in the stores at Hobby Lobby!
A tin shelf that would have looked perfect in my front room...

Finally, I found Jesus! It really is true he's everywhere!! Once I found Him, I realized He was in almost every store!
I love the man, but I'm not sure my next antique purchase will be a Jesus statue...I'll probably just stick with home decor!

Labor Day 2010

REWIND- I never got around to this post in September, so today's post is a catch up!

This year my ENTIRE family was in town to spend Labor Day weekend together!! Since I didn't get around to blogging right after their visit I've forgotten a little about the weekend, but I did manage to make a list of the highlights...

Friday- Dinner with Greg, Gina, Ava, Brad & my parents at La Finca. Check out Ava with her little backpack, she's such a cutie!
Saturday- Gramma Rowe came to visit and we had lunch at Another Time soda fountain, a really cute place in Rosenberg. After that I did some antique shopping (more on that later), we had Willow's 3rd birthday party, then hit up the candy store & had a tasty homemade dinner thanks to mom! Of course in the middle of all that the nieces had plenty of playtime with their aunts, uncles & cousins!

OH, and we had torrential downpours that day, so when I tried to go home and get Willow for her birthday party I had to park 2 blocks away and wade through 18 inches of water to get home!
Sunday we went to church- my parents HAVE to show off their nieces to the pastor and their friends, then we had lunch at las flores. Naps followed lunch and we ended the day with dinner at Fuddruckers. Our family loves to eat! Emmy got special permission to stay up late with me so we could paint our toenails, and she LOVED it! I got her nailpolish for her 4th birthday because she's so in love with it now! I'm sure her mom LOVES me for giving a 4 year old such a potentially messy gift, Sorry Jess!
Monday/Labor Day we all packed into the cars and headed to Conroe to visit my mom's parents, Dee Dah & Paw Paw. They prepared a delicious BBQ lunch for us and Dee Dah even made us tasty pies for dessert!



The girls enjoyed playing Paw Paw's piano and we enjoyed time with our sweet grandparents!

After lunch everyone headed their own ways, and I think it's safe to say we were all pooped from a long really fun weekend! Can't wait to see everyone together again soon, with two nephews on the way between now and January it may be hard to do, but we always have fun when we are together!