So today was my 29th birthday.

Jared planned a very cool party for me. It was nothing elaborate, but he put in a lot of hard work...just for me. I had a theme party, which I don't think is something I've ever had before (not within my memory at least). He planned a Ticket to Ride party. He put the America and Europe games side by side and we played with 6 players on teams. It worked better than I'd thought it would. We had a great time--even though we didn't have time to finish the game. Then there were presents--a Micky Mouse shaped Christmas ornament that Rucht and McKenna got for me on their recent trip to Disney, a Christmas Cookie deck (cards with cookie recipes on them--pretty cool) from Robb and Edie (and Mahto and Kaya), and Ginger and Tony gave me the Shadows over Camelot expansion (we'll have to try it out soon!), and Jared gave me the new Ticket to Ride with a map of the Nordic countries (we have a date to play it on Sunday afternoon). So not only a Train theme, but nearly a Days of Wonder theme!

Jared also spent a lot of time this afternoon building a little gingerbread train. It's so cute! And he did it all by himself! And there was turtle pie and ice cream to eat (as well as other snacks brought our awesome friends).

A good time was had by all, and we decided we need to do it again sometime!

So it was a good day. Mom called, Papaw and Mamaw called, Melody called, and Jared's mom called to wish me a happy birthday--some singing was involved.

I was asked if I feel older...no not really. I never really feel any different after having a birthday. I will admit that my life isn't what I thought it'd be at 29 years old--which isn't necessarily bad, but isn't necessarily good either...It's just...different. This past year as been full of ups and downs. Starting off with high hopes, with a mid-year depression, and heading into the end of the year knowing I'm loved and with hopes and prayers for the new year to come.

~The Bunny

So it was another busy December weekend. Friday I did some laundry, went to the Christmas reception at work (after I was off of course...), and went and did a little shopping with Ginger. Then we went to the coffee house and played a game and just hung out in general. Yesterday I went to the chiropractor, had choir practice, Love Circle met to put together the 'care baskets' for the girls at the children's home. Then Jared and I did a bit more shopping (we're nearly done now). We were home all of a half hour before going on to a friend's birthday party. Today was a fairly normal Sunday--Church and choir practice (they're sounding very nice!)--but then we also had the annual carol sing at church. That was a lot of fun. Jared and I did the "Little Drummer Boy." Then there were fellowship and snacks afterward. One of the ladies from my choir got everyone to sing Happy Birthday to me--A little embarrassing perhaps (and she told everyone I was going to be 22! ha! Partly as a joke and partly because she couldn't remember how old I'll actually be!), but it was nice nonetheless.

So it was a busy weekend. It was a pretty good one though.

On the way home this evening I was sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep humming "Angels We Have Heard on High" to myself and looking out the window--just kind of relaxing, while looking at the stars. It's such a beautiful crisp (and cold!) night. The stars were sparkling so bright in the sky. And I marveled at the 3 stars that were almost in a perfect vertical line in the heavens, and at another very bright shinny star 'nearby.' What a night to be singing "Glory to God."

Well, it's been ages since I last blogged. Now that might mean I've been incredibly busy, or that I've done nothing exiting enough to merit blogging about. Overall I think that it is in fact both. I've been busy, but not really doing anything exciting.

This past weekend was Thanksgiving weekend. Jared and I stayed home. I cooked a little (well...5lb.) turkey breast. I made homemade dressing, yeast rolls, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and cranberry salad. Jared made ribbon salad (one of the Shoemaker family traditions). Mostly everything turned out pretty well. Turkey was good. Sweet potatoes were heavenly...and so on. But my yeast rolls still weren't right. They turned out better (in taste, but still off), the texture was still not right, and this time they didn't rise very well.

Most of the holiday we spent doing absolutely nothing. After eating on Thursday we did put up the Christmas tree. Friday we did nothing but watch movies and go feed Ginger's cats. (They were happy to see us!) Saturday we picked Ging up at the airport and then hung out with her. We went to Hobbytown and to WoodYou, and then, for Jared, ToysR'Us (so he could look at the legos and nerf guns).

Sunday was, as usual, long. But it was a bit longer than usual. We had the kids' program practice at 2:30, then adult choir at 4, then the 5th Sunday All-Sing at 6, and were headed home a little after 8. So we got home and watched White Christmas for about the millionth time in the last few days.

Today I spent part of my afternoon making cookies. Well, more specifically trying to make Peppermint Candy Tarts. I've wanted to try them out for 2 years, since I first saw the recipe. A week or so ago I thought to myself, "It might be nice to make some cookies or something for Sara." (my student worker) and then the lightbulb came on..."Oh, I could try those!!" Yeah...right. It was not working. They keep rising and they're not supposed to. I've read and re-read the recipe, but I can't find where I might have made a mistake.

And so, alas, my cookies are broken. It is a sad sad thing.

~The Bunny