2010 Begins

I, for one, loooooove a clean slate, which is why I love the New Year! I love packing away Christmas and seeing how neat and tidy my house looks after everything is back in its place. I love getting back into a normal routine and normal eating habits after weeks on end of get-togethers and parties and eating vast quantities of extremely unhealthy things. :) I love how crisp and cold January typically is, and I love looking forward to spring, to the bulbs under the soil just waiting to come up, to the camping trips in warm weather and the trees starting to bud again. I love a New Year!

On New Year's Eve we were extremely wild and crazy. We went to my parents' house along with my sisters and brothers-in-law, ate a variety of yummy snacks, and talked until 11pm, when we celebrated the ball drop on Eastern time and then promptly went home to bed. I told you we were wild and crazy! :)

On New Year's Day we went to a big family gathering at Uncle Albert and Aunt Kathy's house (Eric's side of the family). They always cook a huge Japanese feast and play games and eat and laugh all day long. It was so much fun!!! Fresh, homemade california rolls, suki yaki, a vast assortment of Japanese snacks and candies, and mochi with sweet sauce for good luck- it was heavenly! Eli loved being there, too. He had a blast playing with the kids and Uncle Albert while Eric and I just enjoyed talking with everyone and eating the awesome food. We had such a great day!

We spent much of Saturday with our dear friends Nick and Sarah, celebrating a joint birthday for Sarah and me. We ate at one of our favorite places, Istanbul Cafe, and talked forever. It was such a treat to be kid-free (thanks, grandparents, for the babysitting!) and have a long, leisurely lunch with great friends.

We went to church this morning and then came home and finished packing up all the Christmas stuff while Eli napped. Our house is super-clean from top to bottom- the only time it will be this clean all year. :) And this afternoon we watched the Cowboys beat the Eagles in a shut-out game! It was the perfect way to end the holiday weekend. :)

I hope that you are all having a great start to 2010. May we all learn much from the Lord this year and listen closely to His voice in any and every path on which He leads us.

Happy New Year!