Christmas

This year when I was asked what I wanted for Christmas, I couldn't really think of anything that I really wanted. It is all just stuff. I have been reading a blog on Chron.com, the Houston newspaper website, of a women who rescues special needs and injured dogs. She loves and cares for them until they get well or pass way and go run and play in Heaven. Her blog has really helped me remember what Christmas is really all about. It is not all the stuff we get, it is about Jesus' Birthday and what God has given us through his only son. So this Christmas think, do I really need that stuff or could I donate to a charity to help others. For me, I pick helping others because that fills my heart more than the stuff does.

Fall!!

Well it is starting to feel like Fall here in Houston. At least for today. Tomorrow may be a different story. Last week we headed to Philly! Fall was really in the air there. The trees were changing color and it was cool and rainy most of the time. I really do miss the cool weather. The heat is getting old.

Running!

Today I took the dogs for a walk like we do at least every other night. After our walk was over I wasn't ready to call it quits for the night so I headed out for a run. I think I made it about a mile but felt really good. So tomorrow I am going to go again. Hopefully I can get back into running. Maybe even one day I will race again.

Dogs!

So we have two dogs with two very different personalities.

Dash is lab/mini Australian Shepard and it go, go, go. He always wants attention to be play ball. He loves the pool at the dog park and will go after any tennis ball that is thrown. Dash loves to trick the golfers into playing ball and has even made friends with the weekend golf course marshal as he now stops by and gives out treats!

Daisy is just the opposite. She is a Beagle mix and loves to sit on the couch and nap. She is pretty lazy tell it comes to the sight of a rabbit or the words "treat" and "walk". Those things get her off the couch in record time!

Both have changed our lives forever!

Long Time Coming

So it has been a while since I have posted to my blog. A lot has happened since February.

- The little boy I prayed for no longer has a dairy allergy. God is so amazing and wonderful. HE can make all things possible.

- Adam and I headed to Colorado for a long with weekend with his college roommates and had an awesome time. So guys where are we headed next year?

- My mom, dad, and sister surprised me for my Birthday in March. I love my family and any time I get to spend with them.

- My mom, sister and I had a girls weekend in Vegas in April and had a blast! We went to Le Reve and saw Elton John in concert at Cesar's Palace. Elton puts on a great yet odd concert. Not to surprising as most of the music is from the 70's.

- In May my parents made a trip down for Memorial day and brought a car full of my stuff with them. I really had a lot of stuff in one bedroom!

- We made a quick trip back to Kansas in June for Mandy and Travis's baby shower. Everyone was surprised we made the drive but we wouldn't have missed it. It was great to get to see all the gang again. Dogs are great car riders and love Grandma and Papa's backyard, they have squirrels!

- At the end of June we headed to Mexico with my family. We spent a week in Puerto Vallarta on the beach. It was an experience. Note to readers: don't get sucked into the freebie overs of a timeshare. Most are not worth it. Note 2: lunch in Mexico is around 3pm. Take snacks!

- At the end of July Adam's parents came for a week to celebrate Mason's 2nd Birthday. (Mason is our nephew.) We took Graebner family pictures. Hopefully I can post some of them soon.

- Finally we are to August. Last weekend college friends were in town so we headed to Galveston for the day. I didn't realize how warm the water in the Gulf was during the summer. Almost bathwater temps. :(

- In big personal news, I have a new Job and I LOVE it. I started on Monday with TMD Engineers here in Houston. I am really enjoying work and the work environment. Big plus I have work to do everyday!

That about sums up the last 6 months in hopefully a somewhat short blog.

Stay tuned for more frequent posts and Graebner Going-Ons!

God Is Good

Tonight I prayed over a little boy I know. What an amazing and moving and touching experience. God is Good.

Life Groups

Tonight I meet with our Life Group. It is our bible study group from church. We meet on Sunday nights for bible study and dinner. I look forward to attending Life Group each week. Our group is a great group of people and I love spending time with each and every one of them. They are great people that love God just as I do. They are a very encouraging group and make me want to know more about God and grow closer to God.

New Year New Blog New Goals

This year my boss asked everyone to send him a list of goals for the year. Here are mine:

1. I am relieved that have successfully complete the Professional Engineering Test and passed.
2. Over the past year, I have grown in my profession by being an active member of a professional society.
3. I have reached my ideal weight and feel happy and healthy.
4. I have found joy and pleasure in my new hobby.
5. I have grown spiritually and meet many wonderfully people through my active involvement at West Houston Church of Christ.
6. I have read the Bible and have grown closer to God in the process.

Please help me achieve these goals in year to come.