A new tradition!

Over the summer Mom, Dad, Nick, Christy, Luke, Layla, Michael, & I went to Spring Mill State park. Spring Mill is where my parents went on their honeymoon and has been a part of our family outings for as long as I can remember. Here are a few pictures of our trip:

So, you're asking what is the new tradition I speak of? We got to thinking while we were there about how cool the Inn at Spring Mill was.

We had been talking about how big the Hammond family has gotten and how difficult it is to accomodate everyone at a family house for Christmas dinner. We also have so many other places to go that it has gotten hectic. Especially when you factor in Christmas being on a Sunday this year!

Nick and I got together and found out infoabout Clifty Inn in Madison. We put together a brochure (I'm such a nerd) and presented it to the entire Hammond family as an option for Christmas dinner. We also mentioned that we'd want to do it before Christmas so that we will get to spend lots of time there.

Everyone LOVED the idea, and we will be spending a stress free evening at Clifty Inn in December. Our dinner will be buffets from the hotel restaraunt! There is a pool, hot tub, game room, fire pit (outside), and all sorts of gorgeous scenery. Some have opted to stay the night while others won't. I am more excited about Christmas dinner with the Hammonds than I have been in years!

LifeGroups

Michael and I decided to go to the Family Matters Lifegroup Valentine's Day party. We had a great time and decided to give getting up early on Sunday a chance. We are so glad we did! We love our LG class! It has become such a part of our lives since then that we feel like we have missed out on something big if we happen to miss a Sunday!

We feel like this class has really helped both of us to grow in the Lord. Also, for me it has been a nice experience to attend this class with my brother. It has been such a positive impact on our brother/sister relationship.

Adam & Jess do a great job both teaching, as well as coordinating events outside of the class.

I know that a year ago I would have said "Lifegroups? I don't want to get up that early!" Now it doesn't feel like a chore, but a priviledge! I strongly encourage anyone who is in their 20's & 30's newly married or with kids to check out this group!

To my faithful readers...

I apologize for my lack of blogging. I'm going to attempt to make a go of it...again.

Let's start with some of the important things to know.

This past Spring Michael's mom, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her spring and summer were all about chemo. She had an MRI taken yesterday and actually got some pretty good news. The tumor is gone. She will still require surgery and radiation therapy, but no tumor=good tumor.

Michael has a full time salaried position in Louisville witht the company that he interned with before we were married. We will not be going anywhere anytime soon.

We had started to look at houses when we suffered a significant setback, which we cannot discuss. It is still ongoing and we would love any prayers! As a result of this setback we are now looking into moving into an apartment in January.

My parents have been wonderful hosts but we REALLY need to move out! Please pray that all members of the household will maintain their sanity until we are able to move out, when I am sure that we will be sad and lonely b/c my parents won't be there.

I started back to school at IUS. I am currently 46 credit hours away from my Bachelor's in communication!!!!

In May Layla came into our lives! What a joy that little girl is!!!

Specific posts to follow!

I guess I should blog?

Sometimes I feel like no one really reads these things, which I guess is why I really haven't posted much lately! Anyway, here are a few things you might like to know about.

I am working at Jay C in Sellersburg (again). The floral lady that I used to work for needed help, so alas I am helping.

Dad's shopcat had kittens. The kittens are all old enough that we have sent them to their homes. Also my dad has decided to keep the mama cat!

Layla Hammond will be born in like 13 days.

My other nephew, Lincoln is 1 now.

Michael is working...when it isn't raining.

We are saving to buy a house around here.

I will try to post pictures of specific events shortly!

Quirky

So, Michael and I have pretty much known since day 1 that Templeton was...different.

She has developed some rather loveable, cute, and often obnoxious habits. Here's what she has been up to:

~Her food bowls are kept in the kitchen. She will push them all around the room until she gets them in the right spot (this changes daily) and only then will she proceed to eat out of them.

~When the whole family is watching TV she will jump onto the tv stand and lay on it. Can we say attention seeker?

~She licks the walls. I don't know why...weirdo.

~Her litter box is located in our bedroom. (Yeah, gross, I know. When we have an apartment again it won't be there. Yes, we clean it out daily too) Templeton will not go #2 unless we are in the room. She particularly enjoys doing so to wake us up in the morning.

~When she gets sick, she does hack like normal cats, instead she makes an otherworldly yowl. The plus side is that I can normally get her off of the carpet in time.

~Nowadays when she sleeps with us she prefers to sleep on one of us.

~She responds to "TURKEY" like Smokey did.

~Her nicknames include: Tempy, Tempster,Temple-rock, and Simpleton.

One sick bunch

About a week ago Michael's sister Maria called and asked for help. She had been down all week with a stomach bug. It had gotten so bad that she wasn't able to take care of her son, Lincoln. (Her husband was in meetings that he couldn't get out of) I went, because it was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, Michael woke up with the same symptoms and stomach bug that she had. I spent the week lysoling, cleaning, washing, and sanitizing things. Thankfully, I have yet to see any of the stomach symptoms, Hallelujah!

Yesterday was Michael's first day back on solid foods. We were going to head over to his sisters, until I started feeling dizzy. Yep, I had a fever and wasn't feeling well. I think I am on the mend now, but I am praying that no one else will have either of our sicknesses!

Date night!

In mid January Michael and I went to see his parents play a Louisville Orchestra concert! We heard Beethoven's 5th symphony live. (the one that goes dun dun dun daaaaa)

It was delightful to have a free event to go to. Thanks Debbie & Joe!!!!!!!

New Jersey!

Me in front of a pretty church.

The view from the back of Astrid & Roger's house, yup those are Turkies! :-)

We took at trip to Riverton, NJ with Michael's parents! We figured we ought to seize the opportunity since we don't know where Michael and I will be next year, nor do we know whether he will have the time off. We enjoyed lots of family dinners, collaborative solitaire, shopping, and even a special dinner in downtown Philly!

I really loved getting to see everyone, and I even found the purse that was sold out everywhere around here and online! All and all, a successful trip!

Christmas Day 2010

Michael and I woke up TOGETHER on Christmas morning! (If you think that sounds silly, remember that last Christmas Michael was on an internship in Louisiana.)

We had a beautiful morning opening gifts, having a big breakfast, and spending time with loved ones.

Michael surprised me with a Kindle wi-fi! I looooove it!

At 2PM we went to Aunt Becky's house for the Hammond family dinner. Don't take my word for it, as I eat next to nothing, but I hear it was delicious!

Me holding up a gift

Michael holding up a gift

Marlena, Me, and Marissa

Dad. Elizabeth, and Luke

Christmas Eve 2010

Sorry this has taken so long!

Michael's family has several Christmas Eve traditions.

Traditon 1- A seafood Christmas eve dinner. Including fish, crab imperial, and Shrimp. (I had Richo's pizza.)

Tradition 2- Christmas Eve church service at St. Francis of the Fields Church in Louisville. This service however was unique and will resonate in my mind for a long time I'm sure. Let me set it up for you:

If you recall it began to snow on Christmas Eve late in the evening. We arrived at 10:30PM with a light dusting of snow on the ground. The service ends at 12:00AM on Christmas morning. Naturally they ring the church bells on Christmas morning. So...try to envision what the scene looked like as we walked out of the church!

Michael and I walked hand in hand down the steps of a beautiful old church set in a field in the outskirts of town. Snow was cascading down from the sky like confetti at a birthday party. As we walked the church bells sounded, as if to tell the world "It's Christmas morning!" "Unto you a child is born!!!"

See, doesn't that sound magical?! It was a beautiful night, to celebrate a beautiful child!