Monday, November 28, 2011

Rejection Slip Theater!!!!

Oh my GOODNESS! I just found my own trip down memory lane with this. When I was little we used to listen to this radio show EVERY Sunday. It was called Rejection Slip Theater and it was on WHO. We NEVER missed it. I had been looking for this for a LONG time. Barnes and Noble used to sell it but when I got on their website they didn't sell it anymore so I did some digging and started SQUEALING with excitement when I found this website. Hope you all enjoy it!!!!

http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=35879&allEpisodes=

Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Charlie Brown Christmas - True Meaning

Christmas Time Is Here

Its hard to believe how fast this year went, now that I look back it hardly seems possible that we've lived here almost a year already. Its been a year of big changes, that is for sure.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and it seems as though Christmas is earlier every year. When I was buying decorations for our wedding back in September, Hobby Lobby had already started setting up their Christmas displays. At that time I thought to myself "its way too early for that!" but as we walked through Wal-Mart on Thanksgiving day, I couldn't help but get caught up in the Christmas spirit. Perhaps its the reason for my background change, even though I hate the snow.

Since we will be moving about a month after Christmas we decided we weren't going to get a tree or decorate since we just don't have the room for it. Its going to be weird not having a Christmas tree! We also agreed that we are not going to exchange gifts this year either. We are trying to save money. Moving is so costly, and we got a surprise the other day...the kind saying that we have to start paying back student loans next month. Oui...

Normally I don't like to talk about the economy, or politics, or anything too controversial but I have to say here that we were at Target in Brooklyn on BLACK FRIDAY and there was hardly anyone there. Granted we were there later in the morning, but all the "door buster" deals were still there when we walked in. There were plenty of flat screens and toys to go around. I wonder what Christmas will be like this year for families with little ones.

Ever since we were little it was instilled in us that Christmas was not about "getting" but "giving" and I think that is one of life's most valuable lessons. I usually love to go all out for Christmas, making things and buying things and completely and totally delighting in wrapping presents while I watch a Christmas movie and sip on cider. I just love the feeling of the season, knowing that before too long you'll be surrounded by loved ones and I love watching people as they open their gifts.

This Christmas we will be here in New York. Scheduling has made it impossible for us to go home and there is just no way I am going to leave my husband on our first Christmas together. So even though we are having to break with tradition this year, I still look forward to next year. I look forward to shopping and wrapping and setting up the tree and cooking and looking at Christmas lights, and going to candle light service...I look forward to spending time with loved ones.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Just a couple more pics ;)

Here are a couple that I wanted to add:

My husband and I at the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The weather was PERFECT!


Beau's shadow Smokey. Its our brother and sister's cat and he is always so happy when we come to visit. He's basically glued to Beau the entire time we're there. He's such a good boy.


Beau's mom came out to visit us Tuesday and she brought us these beautiful fall flowers. I LOVE them and they looked pretty great along with my special Thanksgiving salt and pepper shakers ;)

A Great Thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. This was a very special Thanksgiving for us. We had many things to be thankful for this year. Too many to list, but then again, I think every day we have many things to be thankful for. Our health, the food in our stomachs, the roof over our heads, and the love and support of many wonderful friends and family...

This year was very exciting. Ever since I was a little girl, our family tradition has been to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to see the parade in person and this year we were given the opportunity to do just that. It was such an exhilarating experience. The night before we had gone out with some of Beau's work friends and by the time we got home we were both so tired that I was having second thoughts about going. Beau was beat and I really wanted him to be able to sleep in for as many of the four days that he had off. But we both woke up early on our own and I have to admit I was like a kid at Christmas. I was so excited to see the parade that I was jumping up and down and squealing with laughter. I love that I have a husband who finds my shear excitement entertaining and not in the least bit annoying...

We got on the subway and were headed to 42nd street. There were people everywhere and the closer we got to Manhattan the more people there were boarding the trains. There were parents and kids packed on to the F line like sardines and the excitement coming from both kids and the young at heart made the event that more exciting. Their anticipation was contagious and there was one point where I looked over and saw a little girl that looked exactly like my niece and I couldn't help but wish we would have had them with us to share in the experience. I mean I am 26 for crying out loud and you'd think I was an 8 year old (then again I still die with laughter when Beau "raspberries" me, but that is another story for another time).

Once we were off the subway and up on the street I couldn't imagine the people. I knew it was going to be crowded but this was ridiculous. We stood and waited for about a half hour before the parade got underway but the wait was worth it! Here are some pictures:






It was incredible! My batteries died half way through the parade and I wanted to save them for Santa. Yes Santa, because I am 8 I REALLY wanted to see Santa. We ended up leaving though with about an hour left of the parade. We were taking the train down to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and we wanted to get there before the crowd.

Getting to the Subway through hoards of people...I bet it was how the Beatles felt when they tried to leave Shea Stadium. CRAZY is all I can say. I held on to Beau's back pack the whole way out of fear of being separated and not being able to find him. There were times where I was afraid of getting pushed over there were so many people moving in groups going every which direction. We made it to the train eventually and were on our way to Jersey.

Travis picked us up at the station and we went shopping. We made a couple of stops before heading back to their house and one of the stops was Wal-Mart. I am not a huge Wal-Mart fan, but I have to admit I was kinda getting a buzz off of all the booty they had laying around for the Black Friday sale. I confess, I am getting into the Christmas spirit.

We got back to the house and mom and Jaqui had been cooking away all morning long. Here is the amazing dinner we had:



We had such a great time. It helps so much having them close and it was an extra treat that Beau's mom was able to join us for Thanksgiving this year. We feel very spoiled.

Tonight Beau and I had our own little Thanksgiving here at our home and we invited one of our old friends over for dinner. We had the works although Beau is the one who made most of it. There is something about the holidays that knocks me out! Here is our delicious meal that Beau made:


And the guys enjoying it!:


It was a great Thanksgiving this year and I am very excited to see where the Lord will have us this time next year. Big things on the horizon for sure! We are truly blessed.

In Gods Love,

Beau and Kenz

Monday, November 14, 2011

My Favorite Holiday is on It's Way

There is nothing I love more than the holiday season. My most FAVORITE holiday is a little over a week away and I absolutely beyond excited!

Yes friends, I am speaking of that centuries old holiday we call 'Thanksgiving.' Everything is perfect about that holiday. The fall colors, the weather, the clothes, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, being surrounded by loved ones and FOOD.

A couple years ago Beau and I spent our first Thanksgiving away from our loved ones. He was in school in Dominica and he couldn't make it home so I went to him. It was difficult for us being so far away from home, but I was determined to make it a REAL Thanksgiving for him.


Even though we didn't have a lot to work with, (and no Turkey) we still had a great Thanksgiving. Look how happy he was...


Last year we spent Thanksgiving at my grandpa's. Its a tradition we have had for many years. Usually we start cooking early and take everything over to grandpas. We fill his island with all kinds of delicious things. Pot roast, ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole...oh my makes my mouth water just thinking about it!


I made pumpkin bars for the first time last year and grandpa LOVED them!

I can't wait...

This year, I am SO excited because, for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to see Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then go to the famous department store for some Christmas browsing. This year we are DOING IT!!!! And then we are headed to New Jersey to spend the weekend with our family. I truly can't wait.

We have so much to be thankful this year. So many blessings upon our family. But I think one thing I have come to realize is how thankful I am for proximity. What? When we are so far away from loved ones (especially during the holidays) I think we realize how good we have it to be so close. So I am thankful for our family, our loved ones, and the impact they have on our lives.

I have lots to be thankful for. So much to thank the Lord for. Good thing He knows my heart, because it is overflowing...my cup runneth over...

In Gods Love,

Beau and Kenz

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Greek Living

I feel like we live in a frat house lately. At all hours of the day people are stomping up and down the stairs, making WAY too much noise in neighboring apartments, or blaring music and singing along at the top of their lungs (i.e. every Monday morning, same time, same song...) and to top off the experience a couple weeks ago I went down to check the mail and there, on the wall, was a certain part of the male anatomy, drawn larger than life itself. Gotta love it...

Saturday morning and I have loads on my mind and true to form I blog. I was thinking several things this morning:

-why can't Felicity get her sh** together and just PICK ONE, Noel or Ben. Come ON girl lets wrap up the show already!

-why is it that when I go to try my hand at this "extreme coupon" thing whenever I go to the plethora of coupon websites I signed up for, none of them have coupons for things I actually buy. And if there are coupons then I have to buy 60 of anything to actually take a few cents off. Makes no sense to me and I have decided I am going to drop the whole plan til we get moved to somewhere with a little more storage room.

- there are a TON of places in New York that look fascinating to me and how did I learn about them? Through other blogs.

- (oh...there goes the downstairs neighbor again...belting his lungs out)

-I need to do something about our blog. Next year I am planning on a revamp!

-I miss my friends

-The holidays are right around the corner...SHIT

-I LOVE taking care of my husband and the pure joy he gets from me doing something as simple as making him dinner.

-I LOVE married life!

-I really want to get crafty this winter and I am hunting for some good websites so if anyone knows of any send them my way!

-I need a haircut already

-Why is it so expensive to fly?

I know these are all random thoughts but those are usually the ones you have when you are sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning. I wish Beau were home... :(

I hope this entry finds everyone well!

In Gods Love,

Beau and Kenz