The Last Post of 07!!!!

Well, I'll be flying the friendly skies tomorrow morning...and will be out of pocket for the rest of the year, so I thought I'd write my final post of 07 today!!

Last year this time, I was counting down the days until Ruby's wedding! I was a nervous wreck because it was the first wedding I had ever planned...and didn't want to screw things up on my friend's special day!...not to mention, 2 days later, I'd be off to India to meet MY future hubby. Happy almost-anniversary, Rub and Abu!

This year was filled with lots of changes...like getting engaged and saying goodbye to singlehood...and landing a wonderful job that I love! Things seemed to be changing and moving so fast...that I officially named 2007 the year of CHANGE.

Looking back there were many happy events....beautiful babies were born...like the twins, Sai and Sia, my lil' Snugglebug Thomas, and baby Madeline....and babies turned ONE...(Landon and Micah!) Many of my friends/relatives discovered the happy news that they were pregnant!!...(so more babies in 08!) Many of my friends got married and started new chapters in their lives...I had fun-filled showers, a Sue Day, and a bachelorette party that CCL will ever let me forget. ;)

But of course...along with the good, comes the bad. Matt and I both lost members of our family...Matt's dad died right before he left to come to the states...and my cousin, Shijo died very suddenly and unexpectedly in July. Both losses reminded me that things can go from good to bad with out any warning...so, it's always important to trust the Lord at all times....not just during the harvest, but in the drought as well...He has all things in control, even when it doesn't seem like it....that's a lesson I've learned through out the past 33 years...not just 07. It was a hard lesson to learn, but it's something that's finally sunk into my thick skull. ;)

God's been so great to us this year...although we scarcely deserve it! There's no words that can thank Him enough for opening doors for us that were sealed shut for years, providing for us, and for strengthening us during the hardest of times.

Finally, I can't think of any other place in the world where I'd like to say goodbye to 2007. We're elated to be going to NYC...a place that both of us are just CRAZY about!...We're definitely excited to ring in the new year in Times Square and watch the ball drop!...what a fabulous way to start 2008!!...I think it's a sign that the coming year will be an exciting one!

I have lotsssss of resolutions...but I won't bore you with details. I will say, that I've named 08 the year of FOCUS. With all the change in 07...I've seemed to lose a lot of focus on a lot of things...and I plan to change that this year. I definitely look forward to all the possibilites in store for 08! Deep down in my bones...I feel like this is gonna be a good year.

God bless all of you...thanks for reading my rantings this past year! I hope you have a wonderful, safe, prosperous, and blessed new year!

Christmas 2007...

Well, Matt survived his first Christmas in the states...or should I say his first Christmas with me. =/ He really doesn't get all the hoopla for one day...and thinks that Christmas traditions are just a way of sucking money out of the pockets of hard working Americans. But, he also learned that I'm a sucker for Christmas traditions...so he's just gonna have to grin and bear it in the years to come. =) Now we're getting geared up for New Years Eve in NYC!!The Snow Man cake I made. I think this is going to be my new tradition for Christmas. Every year, I'll figure out ways to make it better than the last. I figure this will be more fun when there are some little ones running around to help me. I made this one with Red Velvet cake...so when I cut into it, it looked like Frosty was bleeding. =(

Andrew kissing Bailey, my aunt's cat and/or 4th child. This pic looks all sweet and natural, but really the kid was coerced and bribed by Uncle Matt.

This wasn't a pic from Christmas...it's a picture I found on my aunt's fridge from my wedding...I thought my cousins looked quite lovely and so took a pic of a pic.

my maternal unit with the grandkids...minus Aaron and Mousse.

me and my Andrewji

Christmas Eve...I can't believe it's already here! The month has flown by...What am I talking about? The YEAR has flown by! I get off at noon today, and I'm going to go home and try to drag Matt out of the house in order to take part in some Christmas cheer. We've been recluses all weekend. When I got home from work on Friday, he had a 104 temp. I spent the entire night giving him meds every 4 hours to bring his fever down.

Friday night, my friend the Furball (i can't say neighbor anymore because we're not) came over for the first annual Furball/Thomas Christmas dinner. Matt was quarantined in his room, so Stacey and I spent the evening chatting about deep and meaningful things like we usually do. =) We were both incredibly excited about giving each other the presents we had gotten for each other. I got her a name necklace like Carrie Bradshaw wears in Sex and the City....since Stace was the one responsible for getting me totally HOOKED to the show! She got me a stuffed Dronkey. Yes, I'm 33 years old and I have a stuffed Dronkey. She and I had taken the kids to see Shrek 3 earlier this year, and we couldn't get over howwww cute Dronkey was. So, she decided to get me my very own Dronkey. Of course, I will not be playing with it or cuddling with it at night. I'm way too mature to do that. ;) I keep it perched high above on a mantel out of Mousse's reach. I think she has found her new nemesis.

Saturday was craft day in the Thomas house. Matt was still recovering from his fever...and I had my friend Rashetta and her two lil' ones over at the house....we worked on Christmas crafts and had Reindeer cupcakes (recipe courtesy CCL). I loved having the munchkins over...it made me realize how fun Christmas is when you have kids around to share in the festivities. After they left, I was spent the rest of the evening working on a painting...My cousin Jess sent me a beautiful wedding card, which I tried to replicate on canvas.

I ended the evening, watching Princess Moussey curled up on her royal throne.
I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. May the love of Christ fill your hearts not just on Christmas...but always! Until Wednesday, my friends...

The Words We Never Hear...

A friend of mine told me some wonderful news this morning. He had finally achieved a goal that he's waited a lifetime for. I'm not sure if he wants me to share it with the world wide web, so I'm just gonna talk in circles for a minute, and you'll just have to forgive me. This "thing" he accomplished was a career goal. It's not the career that I...and many others would choose...or that we would choose for him. It involves risks and danger and the thought of it makes my stomach turn a little bit. But, I also know that my friend has wanted it, took a chance to pursue it, and now he has finally achieved it!

I was curious to know what his parents' reaction was...and I must say I wasn't surprised when he told me that the worlds "I'm proud of you" did not come out of their lips. They are wonderful parents and sweet people....but I guess it's a bit hard to express pride in someone when they are pursuing passions and dreams that you rather them not have. Heck, sometimes kids pursue exactly what their parents wanted them to and still don't hear the words "I'm proud of you."

So, although my words probably will never mean as much to him as that of his father...but...friend, I am so proud of you....for so many reasons. I'm proud of your bravery and courageousness....I'm proud that you took a chance and achieved your goal...I'm proud of you determination and commitment...and I'm proud to call you my friend!

Just When You Thought They Were Finally Over...

they're back! Wedding pics from the real photographer have arrived. I thought I would share a few of my favorites. I promise...this is the LAST of it! ;)

A beautiful summer morning and a beautiful church!Me and my lovely girls...
pink n' yellow paradise!

Shines was caught being Shines! ;) Mr. Fine...er, I mean, Romel getting pinned by that girl...er, I mean, his wife, Sangita.

The prettiest girl there...baby Madeline

Somber Sue ;)

Headless Sue ;)

They may have hated hot pink n' yellow...but they totally rocked it! ;)

This looks like an old high school year book pic....

I wonder what I was thinking....

He picked a good angle...

Sweet...(ha! it looks like I'm longing to get a kiss on the cheek from Matty/Dains)

Despite the fact that I specifically said...NO BABY'S BREATH...they still turned out pretty

My rockstarz!

T Minus 10 Days...

Ten more days until I'm in New York City! Typically, I'd be typing up an agenda right now, searching the internet and asking my Newyorkers for advice on where to go and what to do. But this time, things are a little bit different. This time, I'm not the ring-leader...I don't have friends to convince that what they really want to do won't really be as fun as what I want to do. ;)

This time...Matt's with me. This means that we'll have his family to visit. The thought of this is a little nerve-racking. I'm used to fun-filled New York trips...not trips that I have to worry about first impressions, speaking my village-idiot Malayalam, etc..etc. Hopefully we will still have enough time on our visit to meet family and still have fun. ***crossing fingers****

One thing is for sure...If you're watching the ball drop on tv on New Year's Eve...Keep your eyes peeled for me because I will definitely be braving the weather to go watch it live!!!!!!!!!!

I'm beginning to appreciate Mousse more and more every day. I used to be so annoyed and fed up with her behavior, but I know now that she only acted out because she wasn't getting the TLC she needed from me.

People without pets don't really realize the bond between pets owners and their beloved pets...Some may think it's a lil' silly how we often humanize them. But, sometimes I just look at Mousse, and I don't know what I'd do without her....

Why I'm a Weirdo...

Welp, it's one of those days when I'm too tired and my brain is too frozen to think of something clever and/or profound to write about today. So, instead...I followed Scorpsy's lead....
7 weird things about me....
I could listen to Christmas Music 365 days a year... something about it is cheery and/or peaceful. I prefer listening to it rather than hearing about shaking rumps or pumps and bumps.

If I touch something with my right hand: I have to touch it with my left hand. I prefer that both hands are even. Does that make sense? No? I didn't think so.

If I read a book...no matter how dumb it is...I have to finish it. I'll go 3 years with out reading, but by God...I will finish that dumb book before I move on.

I can't drive home after work without falling asleep. I can't drive period with out falling asleep. So if I'm driving and alone...I'm ALWAYS on the phone...(usually with Tee or CCL)

I never call a baby by it's given name. I usually make up alternate names that form when they're babies and then stick....(Micahji, Landy, Lola, JP, Aaronius, Missa, Andrewji...to name a few)

I am addicted to reality TV.

If you ask me where you can find a particular item at Hobby Lobby, I can lead you there with my eyes closed...and most of the time, give you the exact cost as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ORIGINAL SUETEE!

Happiest of happy birthdays to my favorite double cousin and namesake, Susan T.

Sue, I won't go into a whole schpeel about how much I love you to pieces and make you blush and be embarrassed...because...well, you already know andddddddd I don't want to make CCL even more jealous than she already is. I wish I could spend your birthday with you...like you spent mine with me (see picture below)....if I was there, I'd sing a "Happy Birthday" solo...I'm sure Viby, Matt, and JP would silently sing along in their heads. (hehe...) Have a fabulous day...treat yourself to something special!!...because you are special and you deserve it!!!!!!

LOTS of love...SueV

Warming up....

It's been a very crazy few days. Oklahoma was hit by an ice storm on Sunday night, which led to a few unforseen problems. The ice weighed down limbs of trees that either forced the tree to fall or heavy limbs to break and down power lines. We were out of electricity both at home and work. Luckily our electricity at home came back Monday night, but I had to go to work today with no heat and minimal computers that were actually operable. There are over half a million Oklahomans with out electricity. I'm one of the lucky ones, who didn't have to be with out heat and electricity for more than 24 hours. It's been really weird to see entire shopping complexes closed and larger stores like Walmart and Target running on generators. Some parts of the city look like a ghost town. Below are a few pictures I took of the ice in my backyard.

It's pretty, but such a mess...

Finally...this is what we do when we're bored and stuck in the house...we read....yep, even Mousse is becoming a voracious reader! =)

Pictures from the weekend....

The festivities were kicked off Friday night with a fondue night at my house. It was nice to hang with the girls again after a longgggggggggg time. Ahem...where was I in this picture??? Staic and Wins
Joby and Staicy...it's always nice to have these two around. I hardly ever get to see them...so when I do, it's always a treat!

Sunu and Shines

Saturday~Sheryl and Sujith's Baby Shower the adorable cake!

Staic and Joby flew all the way out from NYC to be here for the festivities...
Subi and me...I've known this little once since she was about 4 years old...she's grown into quite the lil' beauty!

Future parents to be...JK and Janet with Shirley girlie

Silly games...

More silly games...

Matt and one of his favorite lil' ones...Micahji

Shirl, Sunu, Me and BF (correction Sonia...I guess we did take 1 picture together this weekend)

Me and my absolute favorite ...

After the shower festivities, Matt and I rushed to get ready for my work Christmas Party...Here is one of my favs from the evening....the big cheese and us gals.

All I Want for Christmas is....

The weekend went by so fast. Maybe because we were running from one festivity to the next! I have tons of pictures to upload and will do so this evening. So, I'll save the weekend buzz for tomorrow. In the meantime...let's discuss my annual Christmas list, shall we?? (Not that I ever expect to get any of this stuff, but sometimes it's just fun compiling a list!)

Polkadot Pj's-Victoria's Secret

Sephora make-up brush kit in cool gator pouch

A Thousand Splendid Suns- I think my hubby is gonna get me this one! *fingers crossed*

An electornic frame...u can upload pictures to it.

Diamond solitaire earrings!!!

This pendant used to be a spoon at one time. The artist has gorgeous designs...this one is called "cupcake"...can be found here.

The dirt devil cone....I want this for obvious reasons...it's sleek design and the cute colors...oh and cuz my friend Terry's getting one for Christmas. ;)

A heart ring from Tiffany and Co.

I'm sure there's more....I might have to add to this as time goes on!!