Top 2 Tuesday...Things I've Learned from My Parents & Grandparents!

Today I'm linking up with The Undomestic Momma's Top 2 Tuesday. The topic for this Tuesday is to list two things you've learned from your parents and grandparents.

What I've Learned...

May 30, 2008

1. From my parents, I've learned that all things are possible through Christ and to trust God with every facet in life, no matter how big or small it may be.  
2. From my grandparents, I've learned that marriage is one of the most special relationships shared between a man and a woman on earth. Marriage is not easy, but takes work. It's not always 50-50, sometimes the spouse may have to put in 100%. Marriage is not about the self, but serving, meeting the needs of, and loving the other person unconditionally. When I look at my grandma, I see someone with a servant's heart, faithfulness, and love for her husband. My grandpa has always been pretty stubborn, but my grandma always stood by him and loved him. She was there caring for him through his constant battle with cancer, surgeries, and lots and lots of chemo and radiation treatment. She was definitely there to be his support, when he couldn't. Now that my grandma has Alzheimer's, the tables have shifted a bit. My grandma can no longer care for herself nor for anyone else and grandpa now has to be her support. My grandparent's have been married for about 65 years and I admire their marriage and commitment to each other. 

Grandpa & Grandma Anderson Summer 2004

Christmas 2010 Recap

Hello everyone, I'm back! Sorry I've been MIA for awhile, but for the past few weeks I was caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and then some. I don't know about you, but Christmas seemed to come out of nowhere for me. I definitely pushed the wire as far as Christmas gifts are concerned, but I got everything made, bought, and wrapped just in time (Christmas Eve to be exact). Aside from being a bit behind on things, I had an amazing Christmas with friends and family! Ray's sister and her husband were in town and I'm so glad we got to share a few days together. I love them so much.

I also have to say that Brittney's 30 Day Blog Challenge ended up being an epic fail for me. This month I just didn't have time, but with anything I start, I'm always determined to finish them. I'll knock out a few days in this post, but they will be a little out of order - I left off on day 21. Now getting back to Christmas. Here are some pictures from the holiday season!

Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant Concert

On December 14, I took my little sister and her friend to the Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant Concert at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay. There were three other bands that performed: Shoreline's End, Secondhand Serenade, and Forever the Sickest Kids, but I came just for Family Force 5. Family Force 5 is a Christian crunk rock band from the south and I absolutely love them! We had a blast at the concert and surprisingly it wasn't too packed. I would show you some pictures from the concert that I took, but they came out so bad they're not worth showing.

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Jessi's Baby Shower

Jessi's shower was on December 19th at my house. The theme of the shower was nautical, which is also baby Isaac's theme for his room.

Diaper Cake hand crafted by my mom-in-law.

Basket of goodies for Isaac from The Baby Price is Right game.

The Captain's chair!

The Flag Banner spells out Isaac's name.

I was feeling a little ambitious, so I decided to bake a boat cake.

Yummy mini brownies I made, topped with fish ring pops.

I made a quilt for Isaac and I think it turned out pretty good for my first time making one.

My theme for the quilt and the entire gift was Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Morgan & Bridges Girls' Luncheon at Cuginos Italian Deli

Last year the Morgan & Bridges ladies decided to make it tradition to have lunch a few days before Christmas at Cugino's Italian Deli. This year was so much fun, and the food was delicious! I had the chicken parmesan toasted sandwich. Yum o!

Christmas Eve at Bucca Di Beppo

Every Christmas Eve, the Anderson family and our close friends the Poole family eat dinner at Bucca Di Beppo. It has been our tradition to go here for at least 10 years. We had an awesome time, and we finally got into the Pope Room as you can see. This Christmas Eve we had a few new things happen - Pope Room, Katy Poole brought her new boyfriend, and I got to drink wine with all those who legally could. I tried a Pinot Noir and Lambrusco. I'm not a big wine drinker, especially red wine, but I have to say the Lambrusco was delicious and is an excellent choice for anyone who isn't into drinking wine. I think it just tastes better.

Earlier that afternoon, my family and I attended the Christmas Eve service at Hope Baptist Church. One of the best things said that night, "I submit to you, that when the Creator steps into creation it is time to celebrate!" ~ Pastor Vance Pitman. You can go to the Hope Baptist Church website (Day 22- A Website) and watch the sermon video (Day 23- A Youtube Video) here. Later on that evening, my husband and I opened our gifts to each other.

Christmas Dinner with the Morgans

Christmas morning is spent with my parents (The Anderson's). We typically begin with opening presents first, just because it takes a pretty long time. In our family, we go around and each person opens one gift at a time and repeat until all the gifts have been opened. After opening gifts, we had a wonderful lunch complete with ham, nanna's taters, salad, and rolls.

Christmas evening, is spent with Raymond's side of the family. We had another amazing feast, filet mignon, green beans, and glazed carrots. We opened gifts, which is completely opposite of Christmas morning with my folks. It's pretty much a free-for-all when we open gifts at the Morgan household. We also spent literally the entire night playing The Beatles Rock Band. It was so much fun!

This Christmas was definitely awesome! My favorite part of it all would definitely be the amount of time spent with family, friends, and focusing on what the real meaning of Christmas is. Christmas is not about the presents, but His presence!

I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas. Do you have any unique family traditions? What was your favorite part of Christmas this year?

Day 26: A Picture of My Family

My Beautiful Family!

My Family, May 30, 2008

Ray's Family, May 30, 2008

My grandparents

Raymond and I, and our first home!

Me and my baby sister

My brother-in-law and his family

From left: Jessi (sis-in-law), my hubby, Joe (father-in-law), and Craig (bro-in-law)

The Family at Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Christmas 2009

Day 5: My Sister

This lovely lady right here is my little sister.

My little sister, Sarah Anderson, is 16 years old and is a junior in high school. She is currently going to CSN high school here in Henderson, NV where she is not only completing high school classes but is beginning to take college courses as well. Sarah is an amazing young woman and is so in love with God. She plays the piano & guitar, sings, dances, and loves to create things, and in each of these areas she is excellent in what she does. I look up to her and admire her in so many ways. Sarah recently got her liscense and the fact that she can now drive me around is so crazy! She is growing up and it is so exciting for me!

When we were children growing up we argued a lot, but now that we are both growing up, our relationship is more than just sisters, but best friends for life. Sarah, is truly my best friend - we can laugh and cry together, spend hours together and not get annoyed, and we rarely get into fights. She has always stood by me and supported me through the thick and thin. She gives me honest advice and I learn from her everyday. I have watched her grow from a baby to a young gorgeous woman passionate for the Lord. I am eager to see what God has in store for my sis. I love hearing her speak of wanting a Godly boyfriend and Godly husband. Hearing that makes me so proud of her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful sister and I thank God everyday for her. I love her so much!

Check her out on Bluefish TV!

These girls below might as well be my sisters.

Ms. Megan (far left) and Ms. Katy Poole (far right)

Ms. Suzi "Q"

{Megan, Katy, & Suzi grew up with Sarah. Like Sarah, I have watched them grow into beautiful young women and I love them too!}

My best friend "Britty B" Brittney Erickson

My sister-in-law Jessi

{Jessi is such an amazing woman. I have learned so much from her and look up to her in so many ways.}

Day 4: My Parents

This lovely couple are my wonderful parents!

I am so blessed that God has given me such amazing parents. Together they have worked so hard to provide for their family, raise and instruct my sister and I, and raise us with strong morals and beliefs in God. And, for that I am so thankful for them and everything they have done for our family. My parents and I have always been super close. I feel that I can tell them anything and they have always been open to listening, teaching me new things, or simply just giving their shoulder for me to cry on. My parents have been there for every important moment in my life from high school and college graduations, to teaching me how to drive, to the dozens of dance recitals and performances, to my wedding only two years ago. They have loved, supported, and encouraged me every step of the way. And, though we've had our share of ups & downs we have learned to always forgive one another, talk things threw, and work to build a stronger relationship. I thank God everyday for blessing me with my parents. I love them so much!

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them to your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

~Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (NIV)~