Merry Christmas!!!

Well, as usual...Christmas was FANTASTIC!!! I love spending time with my family....telling old stories, drinking hot chocolate (even though it was 70 degrees outside) and watching our favorite Christmas movies! Who can go all the way through the Christmas season without "A Christmas Story", "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"??!! (among others)

Here I am posing in my "Suess-like" springy Christmas hat! I love being sassy...haha...



Ahhh....Christmas at my parent's house......and you wonder why I never want to come back to my place....



My beautiful Me-Ma and me on Christmas Eve




Mom and my "gangsta" dad....hahaha....or so he thinks.....what a goof...



My dad-dad and me......

The reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place....above all else.....

I suppose it's easy to get caught up in all of the "magic" of Santa and the gifts and family and food.....but, when it all comes down to it....we must remember that we are celebrating something so much more powerful and awesome! Our Lord and Savior was born on this day and we should give Him praise with all of our heart and souls!

I hope everyone had a blessed and happy Christmas!

Northpark Tradition...

It's been a tradition for as long as I can remember.....Every year at Christmastime, my parents and I go out to Northpark Mall and walk, shop, eat and talk......I look forward to it every single year.

Here's me and my momma....



And, me and pops....

I just love my parents...... :)

Christmas Spirit with Christmas Spirits.....

So...my friend Lonka and I decided to walk down the street and grab a bite to eat last night. (by the way...I looooove being within walking distance to many restaurants and pubs) We go in and get a cute little round table right by the window. We sit down.....order our drinks....and all of a sudden....I look up and see 4 men.....wearing "Dickensian" garb and top hats. It only took me about half a second to realize what was about to happen..........yep.........you guessed it!!!


CHRISTMAS CAROLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







It was truly magical.....whimsical in many ways.....and then.....as they're singing.....out of their folders.....come these signs that read "HINT".....and I realize that they are singing about whiskey!!!! LOLOL! And....sure enough......the owner picks up on the hint...hehehe....






They sang several wonderful songs as my friend and I ate our dinner.......it was really Christmasy....and well.....if you know me.....you know I LOVE anything having to do with Christmas!



HO HO HO Ya'll!

Baptism Pics....

My friend, Mark, took some pics of me getting baptized with his I-phone.......thanks Mark!!!

Here's me walking into the baptism bath.....



getting situated......




Chris telling me how wonderful my walk with God will be and how happy he is to share this moment.......I was just about crying......




I was SOAKED!! hahaha.....My clothes were dripping wet!



Afterwards.....I was truly touched by the number of people (most of whom I've never even seen) who came up to me and hugged me tight and congratulated me. I was filled with so much love and so much joy. I was seriously soaking wet...and these people were just coming right up and hugging me.....their eyes were bright with love from God....and I'm just not sure I could ever put into words how moving it was........what a truly wondrous day.....

Refreshed, Renewed......Forgiven......

This is such a glorious and happy day for me......

I WAS BAPTIZED THIS MORNING AT CHURCH!!!

I was surrounded by the love of my family and friends who came out and supported me....what a wonderful feeling to share something this magnificent with people you love and care about.

This is my second baptism.......I was first baptized at the age of 12, while in middle school. Although I knew the meaning, I didn't fully understand what I was doing. So, now that I truly and deeply feel that love that Jesus has for me and understand how amazing it is that he died for my sins.....I wanted to proclaim it to the world!

I am filled with such joy and love......

My church is not a "traditional" church....so, they do not have the baptism during the service, but rather after the service. And, they use a large wooden bathtub-thingy to perform the baptism. I wore a black long sleeve shirt and jeans (again...very different from when I wore robes at my first baptism)

Now, to give you a little back-story here.....Yesterday (Saturday), I spent the day over at my parent's house helping them decorate for Christmas, put the tree up, hang garland, etc, etc.....And, I must've gone up their stairs at least 20 or 30 times. At one point, I was huffing and puffing so hard that I felt like I just finished sprinting..haha...I am OUT of shape! (so much for that yoga commitment...phff..) I was lifting this, and lifting that....and at one point, my dad said,"Summer...you're gonna be sore tomorrow.." You know..in that fatherly type of voice that you roll your eyes at, but you know he's right....haha...

So...we made the joke that hopefully, they would get the water extra hot in the "baptismal bath" and let me soak a little longer to work on those aches and pains....LOL! Yes, yes....we're a family of jokesters...... :)

I digress....

It was a beautiful day.....I feel renewed and restored in my faith....and all without my mascara running... :)

Go Stars!!!

Went to the Stars game tonight and THEY BEAT THE REDWINGS!!! WOO-HOO...what a great game! Although...it was a bummer, because my dear friend, Lonka couldn't go because of work (she's a huge Redwings fan...hehe...you know I love ya Lonka!)

GO STARS!!!!

WOO-HOO......SNOW!!!!!!!!!

Ok, ok.....so, it's not exactly snow. But, heck...it's close enough, right? I was at Flavour (a women's bible study) tonight and afterwards found my car enveloped by a layer of icy beauty!

I just LOVE anything having to do with snow...(except ice......I don't like ice....ice isn't nice..hehe)

Snow always makes me think of hot cocoa and snuggled on the couch with a warm blanket.....and singing Christmas carols.....and watching "A Christmas Story" with my parents......ALL fantastic things!

So....I'll be knitting tonight.....with my Christmas lights on....my blanky wrapped around me, candles lit......enjoying this beautiful time of year!

God Bless!

Yucky colds.......blah....

I have had a nasty cold since last Friday......ick.......I'm all stopped up and coughing......I can't stand to be sick.....it just doesn't suit me....haha....And, to top it all off, we had our company Christmas party on Saturday. I wasn't really feeling up to it, but decided to go and try to have a good time (plus....they did drawings to win awesome prizes....although..alas...I didn't win any) Then, on Sunday, me and momma went to church, then had to leave a bit early because I just started feeling so yucky. I went to my parent's house and my daddio made some yummy stew and I just laid on the couch all day long.......a lot of fun I was! We watched Wall-E.....what an adorable movie!

I just hope that I get to feeling better SOON! Because........drum roll, please.......................................................................

I'M GETTING BAPTIZED ON SUNDAY!!!!!

I'm so stoked about this! I could not be happier!!! I am so excited to share this joyous moment with my family and friends! I was baptized when I was 12 years old....but, didn't understand the true and complete meaning of what I was declaring to the world. So, now....I have that understanding and I'm ready to SHOUT IT OUT!!!

Hope you all have a great week......

The Countdown Has BEGUN!!!

Only 24 days until Christmas!!!!!

What a joyous and wonderful time of year!!!