Well, 2010 is rapidly coming to a close. A little over 8 hours left, depending upon your time zone of course. With it ends another decade as well. So, I thought what better way to end the year via blog than to revisit, review, and update some of the information covered in the posts of our blog's inaugural year. There were 181 (182 counting this one) posts this past year. Not too shabby for my first year if I do say so myself. So, on with the review (yes, I have anally put it in alphabetical order of events).
Adoption - This was the big reason that we started this blog really. We wanted to keep everyone informed with all the happenings of our lives, but it was also our intention to document our journey to our daughter. We have extensively discussed this and we know that this is how we are going to expand our family. We have looked through the lists of special needs and have noted the ones we are capable of accommodating. We are still fully into the adoption, but with our current lives it has gotten pushed a bit further back. Right now we plan on fully entering into the process no later than next January 2012. With the possible move in the future and the financial aspects of the adoption, we feel this is the best choice for our family. We are super excited about the process, especially the trip to China, but we have to be realistic about it all and do what is best for us all.
Amy - Of course there is the big news about Amy's gastric bypass surgery this past summer. It was a big decision she made for herself, her health, and our family. Honestly I could not be more proud of her. She has done remarkably well and has lost 80 lbs thus far. She looks amazing and we are both super excited to see how well she continues to progress over the next 6 months until she hits her 1 year anniversary.
Dave Ramsey/Debt Snowball - This was a big year for us financially as well. Thanks to Amy (and Dave's program) we are happily on the road to financial freedom and being debt free! It has not been without some bumps and setback here and there, but we trudge forward knowing the pay off is going to be totally worth it! The biggest victory possibly came this Christmas as it was a totally "Cash Christmas" here in Drosche Land. No credit was used for anything and we are super proud of ourselves. 2011 will undoubtedly bring further success in this adventure!
Lady Gaga - Of course I had to include this event! Amy scored me tickets to the concert and this summer traveled to Dallas for an amazingly fun concert. A mini road trip and kid-less fun was just what the doctor ordered for the adults in Drosche Land. She comes to Houston again in the spring of 2011, we will see if I have any luck with the radio contests that are sure to happen!
Masters - We are almost done, the end is near, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! I have just 2 courses left, Amy has 4 (sorry Am!). While it hasn't been hard work we are definitely done with being students. Let's just say that I will not be pursuing another Masters, or Doctorate for that matter, any time soon. I cannot wait until we graduate and one thing is removed from our over-crowded plates! On a positive note we did get some postcards from GCU in the mail the other day stating that graduation was near and we should log on for more information about getting ready for the big event. I think I'll do that once this is posted.
Moving - The latest adventure here in Drosche Land. We made it 3 years into our planned 5-year stint here in beautiful Cypress. The house has only been listed for about 2 months but we have had no interest whatsoever. You may recall the showing that never was or the Open House where no one came. What's next? Well, after much debate Amy and I have decided to keep the house on the market until Spring Break. If it sells before then, we will obviously make the choice to move. However, if March rolls around and we are still here in Cypress struggling to maintain a clutter-free home we will have to make a decision to stay or go. Right now we are combining the wait & see and prayer stances on the move. Amy thinks that we will have no offers or interest in the house at all, I am working to remain positive that something will happen. We will see what God has in store for us concerning this adventure though!
Scentsy - Amy started her own adventure this year as she became a (quite successful) Scentsy consultant! This started quite innocently when she was introduced to this awesome product by some friends (Thanks Taryn & Dedrick!) and quickly turned into something super fun and super rewarding. Amy has already enjoyed success as she moves up the ladder and builds her team. 2011 should be very exciting as she is going to be traveling to shows and conferences to run a Scentsy booth and spread the scentsational joy that we have come to love. *Shameless Plug Alert* Remember you can always visit her website here. I personally am proud of Amy for doing so well and I cannot wait to see how she continues to amaze me this coming year!
30
Does that cover it? I think so. Those seem to be the biggest adventures from the past year here in Drosche
All is well, bidding 2010 adieu, in Drosche Land.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Pay Off
So I thought that the Christmas vacation would bring with it tons of time to blog and catch up. However, I have found it more important and rewarding to just relax and hang out with my wonderful family. Awwwwww, right! So here I am to blog a bit. So, on with the post.
You may be thinking - "What 'Pay Off'?" You might also have noted that in the previous paragraph I mentioned the word "vacation". You might also have put two and two together to surmise the topic of this post. That or you are just frustrated with me for not getting to the point. Ok, ok. So, I don't know if the higher-ups at GCU read my prior blog post (here), if God answered my prayers, or if it were always in the cards and I just didn't know. Regardless of the reasoning (although I like to believe that my venting post had something to do with it!) Amy and I actually have a BREAK FROM OUR COURSEWORK! Yes that is right. Ironically, beginning the day after said venting post, we began a 2-week break. Yes, 2 weeks! That means that as of today we still have 1 week left in our break! WOO HOO! Let me say, it has been AWESOME! I have loved not worrying about posting replies to discussion questions, putting off work, working last minute, etc. Ahhhhhh!
Obviously I am enjoying myself. We have not done much during the break so you know it's been good. I think it might just be the break we have been needing to revitalize ourselves, at work, with coursework, and as a family. It has definitely been a great way to end a good year. One of the best parts may be coming tonight as Amy and I send the boys off to spend the night with my parents so we can have a relaxing date night! We've picked out a new restaurant to try and are ready to have a relaxing evening together.
All in all we have been thoroughly enjoying our vacation and it's not even over yet! What's up for the rest of our vacation? More of the same! Just family time, relaxing, watching TV, and a whole bunch of nothing! The only thing I have planned is to do some much-needed laundry so we will be able to leave the house (fully-clothed) once the vacation is over! But since I seem to have an odd affinity for laundry, it's not really that much work! :)
All is well, ON VACATION, in Drosche Land.
You may be thinking - "What 'Pay Off'?" You might also have noted that in the previous paragraph I mentioned the word "vacation". You might also have put two and two together to surmise the topic of this post. That or you are just frustrated with me for not getting to the point. Ok, ok. So, I don't know if the higher-ups at GCU read my prior blog post (here), if God answered my prayers, or if it were always in the cards and I just didn't know. Regardless of the reasoning (although I like to believe that my venting post had something to do with it!) Amy and I actually have a BREAK FROM OUR COURSEWORK! Yes that is right. Ironically, beginning the day after said venting post, we began a 2-week break. Yes, 2 weeks! That means that as of today we still have 1 week left in our break! WOO HOO! Let me say, it has been AWESOME! I have loved not worrying about posting replies to discussion questions, putting off work, working last minute, etc. Ahhhhhh!
Obviously I am enjoying myself. We have not done much during the break so you know it's been good. I think it might just be the break we have been needing to revitalize ourselves, at work, with coursework, and as a family. It has definitely been a great way to end a good year. One of the best parts may be coming tonight as Amy and I send the boys off to spend the night with my parents so we can have a relaxing date night! We've picked out a new restaurant to try and are ready to have a relaxing evening together.
All in all we have been thoroughly enjoying our vacation and it's not even over yet! What's up for the rest of our vacation? More of the same! Just family time, relaxing, watching TV, and a whole bunch of nothing! The only thing I have planned is to do some much-needed laundry so we will be able to leave the house (fully-clothed) once the vacation is over! But since I seem to have an odd affinity for laundry, it's not really that much work! :)
All is well, ON VACATION, in Drosche Land.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday Snapshot - Christmas Present
I know what you are expecting. Fabulous Christmas pictures from the festivities of 2010. Well, you won't find them here in this post. I took them. I have them. And I was originally going to post them here today. However, a curve ball came my way this Christmas and it's name is A BRAND NEW CAMERA! Boy oh boy have I been wanting and waiting for this. I have always wanted one of those big fancy cameras that does about a bazillion things. But they are expensive and thus I have been waiting and biding my time until I could get one. Well, thanks to my wife's online deal finding self and the collaborative funds of my wife and my parents I have to wait no longer! I am the (very) proud new owner of a Canon Rebel! Of course I played with it instantly this afternoon and am in love with it! I have some lengthy manual reading to do though so I can take full advantage of all it has to offer. But for now, here are some of the pictures I took today with my BRAND NEW CAMERA (I'm still a little excited!). I didn't even play with or edit them yet, I cannot wait to start that part! The first subject was, of course, my beautiful wife!
Amy, my beautiful wife!
The boys obliging me to "just one more picture"!
I love the way Braeden's eyes turn out in pictures!
I take full advantage of the rare occasion when Jack will stand still and pose!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
The presents have all been opened.
The food has all been eaten.
The clothes have all been tried on and placed in the closets.
The toys have all been unpacked and played with.
Christmas 2010 has officially passed. Christmas is by far my most favorite holiday and time of the year, however, I have troubles when it's over. Although I haven't been professionally diagnosed, I do believe I suffer yearly from PCSD (Post-Christmas Sadness Disorder). It begins about 4:00ish on Christmas Day and continues through the day after. It should fade here soon. I just miss all the magic and fun of it all once it is over. If only I could somehow slow time down for Christmas Eve through the day after, I think it would help. For the mean time though I will just look back fondly on the events of the past few days. That should help. Another fun thing about this Christmas is that it very well might be the last one we have before the adoption gets into full swing. By Christmas next year (HOPEFULLY!) we could have a picture and name of our daughter who is waiting for us in China! That right there is enough for me to wish it were next Christmas already!
It was a wonderful Christmas. I think I say that every year, but honestly it just seems to always get better. It all begins Christmas Eve when we spend the day with Amy's family. This year Amy made gingerbread cookies from scratch (Can we say delicious?!?!). The kids all decorated one for themselves and one for Santa. Then we head to church together where we divide our time between wrangling the kids and worshipping. After that it is back to Amy's Mom's house for the standard fare - crackers & cheese and eggnog. Then it's time for the presents! Once it is all over comes what very well might be my favorite time of the year. Driving at home in the dark on a cold Christmas Eve with the kids beginning to doze and Christmas music playing. Ahhhhh, melts my heart just thinking about it. Granted this year it came with a little drama (Jack had a meltdown (HUGE) due to a blanket crisis). But once that passed I was able to have my moment! After we get home it's time to leave Santa and his reindeer their treats and put the last piece on our Advent calendars! Then it's off to bed for some visions of sugar plums (what are those anyway?) while we wait for the big guy to come and deck our halls with presents (fa la la la la la la la la). Before bed I have one last tradition of my own - A Christmas Story!
Christmas morning comes and brings with it the birth of our Savior! We also get to glimpse pure joy and excitement in the faces of the boys as they take it all in before letting loose on some meticulously wrapped gifts. After the ravages of the morning are cleaned up it is off for some quick visits to both of our parents' houses to share the joy of the day! Returning to home brings a Christmas nap and vegging for the remainder of the day. Oh and playing with new toys of course!
The day after Christmas is the time we celebrate with my parents. We head to their house where we enjoy a Drosche family tradition of sausage squares (my Dad makes the best (although mine are pretty good too). We snack on a variety of treats while opening the presents and hanging out. A little playing with the toys while we relax before heading back home for a repeat of the nap, vegging, and playing routine.
That in a nutshell is my favorite time of the year. Family, food, fun, and remembering the greatest gift we could ever receive. Makes the other 364 (365 if it's a Leap Year) days pale in comparison. So, as I sit here remilogging (reminiscing + blogging) I think I have found the perfect treatment for my PCSD. It's there in the photos I just uploaded to Facebook. It's sleeping peacefully in the bedroom down the hall. And it's sitting right here next to me. I hope that the holidays have brought you the same joys, wonder, merriment, excitement, and bliss that they have brought to me and my family. I also hope that looking back at the last few days helps you get over your PCSD, I know I'm not the only one who suffers from it! :)
All is well, MERRY CHRISTMAS, in Drosche Land.
The food has all been eaten.
The clothes have all been tried on and placed in the closets.
The toys have all been unpacked and played with.
Christmas 2010 has officially passed. Christmas is by far my most favorite holiday and time of the year, however, I have troubles when it's over. Although I haven't been professionally diagnosed, I do believe I suffer yearly from PCSD (Post-Christmas Sadness Disorder). It begins about 4:00ish on Christmas Day and continues through the day after. It should fade here soon. I just miss all the magic and fun of it all once it is over. If only I could somehow slow time down for Christmas Eve through the day after, I think it would help. For the mean time though I will just look back fondly on the events of the past few days. That should help. Another fun thing about this Christmas is that it very well might be the last one we have before the adoption gets into full swing. By Christmas next year (HOPEFULLY!) we could have a picture and name of our daughter who is waiting for us in China! That right there is enough for me to wish it were next Christmas already!
It was a wonderful Christmas. I think I say that every year, but honestly it just seems to always get better. It all begins Christmas Eve when we spend the day with Amy's family. This year Amy made gingerbread cookies from scratch (Can we say delicious?!?!). The kids all decorated one for themselves and one for Santa. Then we head to church together where we divide our time between wrangling the kids and worshipping. After that it is back to Amy's Mom's house for the standard fare - crackers & cheese and eggnog. Then it's time for the presents! Once it is all over comes what very well might be my favorite time of the year. Driving at home in the dark on a cold Christmas Eve with the kids beginning to doze and Christmas music playing. Ahhhhh, melts my heart just thinking about it. Granted this year it came with a little drama (Jack had a meltdown (HUGE) due to a blanket crisis). But once that passed I was able to have my moment! After we get home it's time to leave Santa and his reindeer their treats and put the last piece on our Advent calendars! Then it's off to bed for some visions of sugar plums (what are those anyway?) while we wait for the big guy to come and deck our halls with presents (fa la la la la la la la la). Before bed I have one last tradition of my own - A Christmas Story!
Christmas morning comes and brings with it the birth of our Savior! We also get to glimpse pure joy and excitement in the faces of the boys as they take it all in before letting loose on some meticulously wrapped gifts. After the ravages of the morning are cleaned up it is off for some quick visits to both of our parents' houses to share the joy of the day! Returning to home brings a Christmas nap and vegging for the remainder of the day. Oh and playing with new toys of course!
The day after Christmas is the time we celebrate with my parents. We head to their house where we enjoy a Drosche family tradition of sausage squares (my Dad makes the best (although mine are pretty good too). We snack on a variety of treats while opening the presents and hanging out. A little playing with the toys while we relax before heading back home for a repeat of the nap, vegging, and playing routine.
That in a nutshell is my favorite time of the year. Family, food, fun, and remembering the greatest gift we could ever receive. Makes the other 364 (365 if it's a Leap Year) days pale in comparison. So, as I sit here remilogging (reminiscing + blogging) I think I have found the perfect treatment for my PCSD. It's there in the photos I just uploaded to Facebook. It's sleeping peacefully in the bedroom down the hall. And it's sitting right here next to me. I hope that the holidays have brought you the same joys, wonder, merriment, excitement, and bliss that they have brought to me and my family. I also hope that looking back at the last few days helps you get over your PCSD, I know I'm not the only one who suffers from it! :)
All is well, MERRY CHRISTMAS, in Drosche Land.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Grrrr! Argh!
I'm here to vent. You've been forewarned.
Ok, so it's the Christmas break right? Vacation right? Right. Apparently no one told Grand Canyon University or my professor for this course. They must have missed the message. That or maybe it hasn't been on their calendars for the past 2,000ish years. Regardless of the reason, the coursework continues, despite the holiday season being in full swing with the big day rapidly approaching. I have another assignment due tonight. To top it off, I have a discussion post and responses due by Saturday, you know Christmas day! Enter the grrr and argh from the title.
Now I do take some responsibility for the frustration since it is due in part (albeit a very tiny part) to my habit of procrastination. However, I shouldn't be procrastinating or not procrastinating any homework this week, in my humble (and valid) opinion. I mean seriously?! It's Christmas. A break would be nice. Especially considering we haven't had one since last Christmas when we had a one-week break in between courses. Since then it's been nothing. Nada. Zip. No breaks! While this does bring the benefit of finishing early, it does bring the frustration of never having a down moment from it all. Not that the work is hard, it's just always there to be done!
Ok, so I think I am done venting now. See, it wasn't that bad was it? Who knows, maybe a Christmas miracle will arise and my professor will bestow upon us a break of some sort! Until then I will just stick out my lip and stomp off to do my homework. I'll try to make the most of being home all day and get it finished early so I won't have to do any (or much) tonight! Ok, I'm better. Thanks! I'm off to (grudgingly) do some homework!
All is well, grrr argh, in Drosche Land.
Ok, so it's the Christmas break right? Vacation right? Right. Apparently no one told Grand Canyon University or my professor for this course. They must have missed the message. That or maybe it hasn't been on their calendars for the past 2,000ish years. Regardless of the reason, the coursework continues, despite the holiday season being in full swing with the big day rapidly approaching. I have another assignment due tonight. To top it off, I have a discussion post and responses due by Saturday, you know Christmas day! Enter the grrr and argh from the title.
Now I do take some responsibility for the frustration since it is due in part (albeit a very tiny part) to my habit of procrastination. However, I shouldn't be procrastinating or not procrastinating any homework this week, in my humble (and valid) opinion. I mean seriously?! It's Christmas. A break would be nice. Especially considering we haven't had one since last Christmas when we had a one-week break in between courses. Since then it's been nothing. Nada. Zip. No breaks! While this does bring the benefit of finishing early, it does bring the frustration of never having a down moment from it all. Not that the work is hard, it's just always there to be done!
Ok, so I think I am done venting now. See, it wasn't that bad was it? Who knows, maybe a Christmas miracle will arise and my professor will bestow upon us a break of some sort! Until then I will just stick out my lip and stomp off to do my homework. I'll try to make the most of being home all day and get it finished early so I won't have to do any (or much) tonight! Ok, I'm better. Thanks! I'm off to (grudgingly) do some homework!
All is well, grrr argh, in Drosche Land.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday Snapshot - A Country Christmas
Yesterday we traveled to my aunt's house in Mount Enterprise, TX for my family's Christmas celebration. According the sign, Mount Enterprise is home to 575 country-lovin' people. I will admit the Piney Woods of East Texas are beautiful and it was quite peaceful. We had a great time and the boys enjoyed playing outside with their cousins and doing other country-esque activities such as riding 4-wheelers, petting horses, and sitting on bulls. I didn't get many pictures, again I forgot my camera (a bad habit lately). But luckily I had my iPhone (of course) and was about to get a few good shots. A great beginning to the 2010 Christmas celebrations!
Braeden playing on the playscape!
Jack playing around!
Jack petting the horse
Braeden petting the horse, you should have seen his face light up!
Not So Much Mingling
Well, the busyness of the season has kept this post from being published earlier, but it is here now. So, as you may recall, this past Friday was the Jingle Bell Mingle at TLCC. Every class does something, but the Pre-K students are the big stars since they get to dress up as members of the Nativity. Braeden was assigned the role of Shepherd. We bought the costume materials and I began hoping and praying the performance would not go the way of every other performance and dance recital, i.e. Braeden crying and sitting with me while we watch everyone else perform and I turn a slight shade of green at all the other click-happy parents reveling in the joy of their child's performance. Well, the crazy week was coming to a close. Amy and Jack returned home and everything was getting settled Thursday night in preparation for the big event. Then at 11:00 p.m. Braeden came into our room to tell us he threw up. From then until about 4:00 a.m. he threw up about every 30 minutes and none of us got more than an hour of sleep. I'll admit, I was sad at the thought that his big moment wouldn't even come up to give him the chance to try. Lo and behold he spent Friday morning in Amy's office since neither of us could take off of work on that crazy day. After my 1/2 day I went to get him and he seemed better, so I got my hopes up. Turns out it was just the Tylenol and he crashed in my room, remained asleep as I carried him into the sanctuary for the Mingle, and only woke up to watch. He fell asleep on the way home and didn't wake up until Saturday morning.
So, the moment came and went without even the possibility of him performing. I got a good picture of him sleeping in the church pew and then one decent one of both boys in front of a Christmas tree at church. On a side note Jack did remarkably well and thoroughly enjoyed shaking his maraca to Feliz Navidad! Of course in all the insanity that was that morning I forgot to bring the camera so that moment lives on only in my memory and two blurry iPhone shots. Oh well, luckily Jack has 2 more Jingle Bell Mingles so I have plenty of chances left to get good shots of him. Plus once we adopt our daughter she will have her chance at the Mingle too! So I am slowly getting over the great 2010 Jingle Bell Mingle fiasco and am putting it behind me. Slowly but surely I'll move on. Until then, enjoy the few pictures from this year!
All is well, performance or not, in Drosche Land.
So, the moment came and went without even the possibility of him performing. I got a good picture of him sleeping in the church pew and then one decent one of both boys in front of a Christmas tree at church. On a side note Jack did remarkably well and thoroughly enjoyed shaking his maraca to Feliz Navidad! Of course in all the insanity that was that morning I forgot to bring the camera so that moment lives on only in my memory and two blurry iPhone shots. Oh well, luckily Jack has 2 more Jingle Bell Mingles so I have plenty of chances left to get good shots of him. Plus once we adopt our daughter she will have her chance at the Mingle too! So I am slowly getting over the great 2010 Jingle Bell Mingle fiasco and am putting it behind me. Slowly but surely I'll move on. Until then, enjoy the few pictures from this year!
All is well, performance or not, in Drosche Land.
The proof that he was in fact cast as a Shepherd in the 2010 Jingle Bell Mingle!
The little Shepherd that wasn't
2010 Jingle Bell Mingle!
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