Thursday, December 18, 2008

So, we've been in the house almost on month and I figured I'd give an update on how things have settled down so far.

On Thanksgiving, we headed over to Craig's mom's house for lunch with his family. Shortly after, while perusing the newspaper ads, Craig decided he wanted to get a Christmas tree - RIGHT THEN. So...off we went to Garden Ridge to get a 7 ft. Christmas tree for our living room. I took this opportunity to get some new silver, turquoise and baby blue Christmas ornaments. That evening, we went to my parent's house for dinner and the A&M/tu football game. I was wearing my Aggie shirt while Craig was in his Longhorn gear - needless to say, there were a few tense moments but I think that he'll still be allowed in my parent's house in the future.

So, we have the Christmas tree set up in all it's perfectly matching ornamental glory. There are several presents underneath, all wrapped in turquoise, baby blue and silver wrapping paper, courtesy of Target. We have stockings that have been hung by the fire with care - mine being brown velvet and fur that matches the living room, while Craig chose a red and green stocking with a teddy bear in a Santa hat sticking out of the top. I made a mistake when I told him he could choose the stocking...but whatever makes him happy. In addition to our stockings and tree, we also have two 3D Advent calendars (also courtesy of Target) which are filled with clues that lead to treats each day. So far, I've gotten lots of candy, ornaments and two tickets to the Meyerson Christmas concert on Sunday evening! I must say...being this close to Christmas vacation, the promise of a treat hiding somewhere in the house has definitely gotten me out of bed and moving on some of these cold mornings!

As far as the rest of the house goes, there are only a few more boxes to unpack and they're all hidden in a closet or the mancave, waiting for Craig to unpack them. All the rooms are set up, with the exception of the mancave and the trophy room...because as previously stated, they are still waiting for Craig. I managed to get everything put in it's proper place by the time my brother Mike and his wife Laura Renee came in for their annual holiday visit last weekend. It was very important for me to have the house in order when they and the rest of my family came over after a satisfying dinner of Anamia's mexican food.

Sadly though, I can feel the novelty of living together already wearing off. I think the honeymoon period is officially over...with the constant schedule of basketball practices, games and tournaments, as well as Cross Country season looming all combined with lesson planning and Christmas shopping?! We definitely come home exhausted and needing our "alone" time - me up in the bedroom watching tv and reading celebrity gossip and him downstairs on the couch, zoned out watching any sort of sporting event. I truly did have aspirations of home cooked meals, but we just don't have that many free evenings...or energy for that matter. Hopefully over Christmas vacation, I'll be able to try out some new recipes for us to eat. Wish me luck!

I did ask him the other day if there were any moments when he was really reminded of why or how much he loves me. (Yes...I fish for compliments. I'm okay with it and he complies...most of the time.) He answered with "waking up to you in the morning." It took me back to that time when he answered my question of why he loves me with the simple "because of who you are." So simple...but yet so telling. Although he doesn't always express it in the way that I do, I know that he is truly happy and content in this house with me. I really have tried to provide a "homey" atmosphere for him - I just want him to be happy.

5 comments:

Chelsea said...

Laura-will you please write a book? You are the best writer...I love reading your blog and you always have something in all of your posts that I can relate to and something that makes me laugh.

P.S. I am a compliment-fisher too!

Ali said...

I totally agree... you could write many novels, ones that would make great movies as well!! Thanks so much for the Santa comment. It's so funny that someone who is suppose to be so happy for little ones causes such trauma! :o) I hope you have a very Merry Christmas Girl!!

The Voskuil's said...

Your posts crack me up. You just lay it out there right on the table and don't skip a beat. I love it!! It takes me back to the days of sitting on the end of the bench at Bell making the most random comments and laughing until we got stared at by the evil coach!

Chelsea said...

Laura, I don't have your current email address so I'm using this- will you email me your mailing address:
chelsea_townsend@yahoo.com

Thanks!!!
Chels

Laura said...

Thank you all! I love reading all your blogs as well...they always provide much needed entertainment and brief relaxation during hectic school days wrangling the youth of America!