Christmas photos

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a good one--we did. Here are some pictures.
David playing with the cake.



Happy Birthday Jesus!

David enjoying his Fisher-Price airport.

David getting a dvd of his new favorite show, "Blue's Clues"

David loves puzzles.

Truly manly Christmas gifts


David sledding

A snowman we made.

We made a lot of snow balls and brought them inside to make a snowman.

David enjoying his easel.

One of David's paintings.

David painting some more

David painting some more

Good news

Three pieces of good news:

I have a job interview at the American Historical Association Conference, which will take place January 6-9 in Boston. They will also have some open interviews there so I hope I can get a couple more in while I am at the conference.

My adviser and one of my readers approved my dissertation. So now I'm just waiting to hear from my second reader. Once he gives his approval, I can submit it for external examination and schedule my defense. Hopefully I can defend and finish up in April of 2011.

Yesterday I weighed in at 225 1/4. I'm sure I'll go up when I weigh in today, but still, it was nice to actually get that low. I'm hoping to be below 225 for the interview. I want to eventually get down to below 215. My doctor wants me to be at 200. I figure I'll reassess at 215 and then go from there, but it would be nice if I could at least get to be between 200 and 205 and then maintain that.

Winter Fun

Arlene and David, getting ready to make smores.

David and I sharing a smore. He turned out to like the chocolate on its own more than the smore itself.

If it weren't for the fact that they always use cows in their advertisements, I think think this would make a good advertisment for Chick-fila.

The library had a photo with Santa Claus opportunity. They printed one photo for you and then had stickers and things for the kids to decorate. I really like our library, they always are having fun activities like this.

David decorating his envelope.


Working together on the envelope.

More of the same.
I dream of a world of peace, where the penguin and the gingerbread man can hold hands together.
David has been playing with the playdough Sylvia and William gave us. Play-dough + cookie cutters = fun. Arlene and Mom helped him with this.
Bells and hearts which normally do not have smiles do here. In contrast, the little person, who should have a face, does not.
Merry Christmas!

Me being a bad example.



Snow angels. Needless to say, shortly after this David got cold and we went back inside.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Arlene, David, and I went to morning mass. This feast is connected with one of my favorite songs, "Immaculate Mary" and so I cannot help but post it:



This seems like a good time to mention something interesting about our parish. We attend 11 am Mass (which is when David's Sunday school is) and sit on the left center column of pews in the church. There is a very elderly lady who sits in the front row on that side and during communion shakes each person's hand and says "God bless you." She's really sweet. We were worried one week because she came in and had oxygen! However, the last couple of weeks she hasn't had it so that's good. What's funny is that last week, she started saying "God bless" you really loud. So when I took the wine, though it was far away, I could hear her clearly saying to a little girl "God bless you, you sweet thing!" I'm sure her prayers win many graces.

Visit to Manang Loida's

Manang Abel, her husband Tom, their newborn son AJ, and Arlene's niece Erma (one thing fun about extended family is that even though Erma is Arlene's niece she is only about two years younger!) all came to visit Arlene's cousin, Manang Loida (Manang is Visayan for aunt) at her home in Santa Claus, Indiana. It's only about an hour away from us so we piled into the car for a visit.

Me holding AJ.

Manang Loida's daughters, Brittany and Lindsey playing on David's car seat. David loved playing the piano.

Arlene and Manang Abel.

The girls, AJ, and Tom.

From left to right, Erma, Manang Loida, AJ and Manang Abel, Arlene and David.

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Karaoke is awesome!

Thanks to all for their concern with mom. She's holding up well.

Right now I'm just doing some research and waiting to hear back on my job applications, my dissertation (my adviser oked it with minor revisions but I'm still waiting to hear from my other two readers), and my Canadian visa renewal (a little complicated since I'm not residing in Canada currently).

Mom's Surgery

Mom's surgery went well. Thanks for all the prayers. Please keep them coming as she begins physical therapy.