Where did December go?

If I'm not mistaken it was ME a few weeks ago asking if December was over yet, and now here I am still talking about it. I didn't realize how fast life goes even when I'm not in school. Silly me, I thought things would calm down when I graduated, but just like everyone said, I've just found other things to take up the time that school did.

Anyway, the question I get asked often about the holidays is how I celebrate. I was raised with a little bit of everything and I've taken that into my adult life. My dad is Jewish and my mom was Baptist, but as a family we decided to live as Jews. But, living right in the center of the Bible Belt of the United States we were definately alone in our quest. So, my parents not wanting me to feel like an outsider, they allowed me to believe anything I wanted and to learn what other children learned at church and anywhere else.

When the holidays roll around people are usually looking my direction and wondering how I celebrate, and the answer is simple: I celebrate both! Some say it's not fair, but Jason and I are a blended religion family; he was raised Mormon. And, my dad's wife is not Jewish either, and I think she brings in a little of her Christmas spirit in with the holidays. No big deal though. My dad and I have settled it with having "Hanumas". This is our combination celebration that incorporates both.


I sometimes get a hard time about celebrating both, and people think I get extra presents, but let me be the one to tell you here and now, once you hit about 16 or so, holidays aren't about you anyway! It's all about the little kids, and I love that!

I want to be honest and say that due to my own personal beliefs I really only celebrate the bright lights and shopping part of Christmas, you know, the commercialized part. I respect anyone that believes the religious part of Christmas and think it's beautiful that America can come together and think about what they value and spend time with those that they love. And, I've been lucky enough to experience the real joys of Christmas in my life, but once I walk through my front door, it really comes down to what I believe and feel and what Jason believes and feels. And, can I just say, Jason feels nothing about the holidays. He is SCROOGE to the max. Not me! I want it to look like Santa threw up on, and in, my house. Lights everywhere! Although, I have toned down a bit on the glittery everything and kind of just started sticking to the basics. So, wanna know how a Jewish girl and a Bah-humbug husband decorate their house:

First, meet Santa Nacho. I really don't dress her up, but my aunt gave this to me last year and I just had to do it for the picture. Doesn't she look so happy?



I think I interrupted her from putting gifts under the tree



The tree leading to our bedroom




The Mantel



The tree (in case you've been counting, this is the 4th tree!)


And I know you can't tell by some of the pictures, but where you see a tree, there's usually a Menorah not too far from that:



And of course there are lights in the house


And we still celebrate Hanukkah



And, this is how Jason's family celebrates Christmas: (It looks like alot, but there are about 20 of us)


We spent New Year's Eve at our friend's Michelle and Erik's house. It's always a good time there, and I'm glad we could ring in the New Year with some good friends and some good laughs!

(PS...I know, I still have Grad pics to upload! I'm still working on it!)

There's No Place Like Home

Jason and I decided that taking a job with Homeland Security right now is not the best idea. Not that it wasn't a great job offer, but there's this thing called "bad timing". Of course now would be the perfect time to go, no kids, I just finished school and haven't started my career yet, and other things I'm sure I could think of if I needed to. But, with the economy the way it is there's no way we could make it work. First, we'd have to sell our house, and for those of you that don't know, the house next door to us has been for sell for at least a year. And there's a house right behind us and a house around the corner that have all been for sell for the past year. That doesn't count the houses that have been up for sell and gone off the market because of no buyers.

So, that said, looks like we're staying where we are. Maybe one day this opportunity will come up again and hopefully we can take advantage of it. Until then, there's no place like home!

Homeland Security

Before I continue with the graduation updates, I just wanted to talk about Jason's new job offer. His Chief Deputy at Wise County got a call from the Director of Homeland Security and asked if Jason could come work for them. Under normal circumstances this is a great offer, but it puts Jason in Georgia for training for 3 months and a move for us to Tucson, Arizona for at least 4 years. As it turns out we actually know someone in Arizona (Tommy who we went to school with and his wife and children), but from Tucson they still live about an hour away. Also, Jason's stepdad has lived in Pheonix part-time because of his job, but that's still not near where we would be. And we would have to sell our house in a market that doesn't exist.
I would like to point out something very sweet that has come from this. Jason actually called my dad today for advice. He said he didn't wnat to take my dad's baby girl away from him if that's not what my dad wanted. And in good'ole dad fashion, he just told Jason to weigh the options but that it wasn't his decision. Haha. Funny if you know my dad because even if there is a straight answer to be given, he's never really given me one. He just talks through the thought process with me and then lets me choose what's best for me. Sometimes I just need a decision to be made for me!
Anyway, Jason and I are torn about what to do. It's hard to leave your comfort zone, and with all the good that we've gone through recently we can't tell if this is another "good" step or if it's a step back in the wrong direction.
I know that in the end we will make the right decision, but getting there is the hard part. It's all about the fear of the unknown.