nThe day after Christmas my hubby and I went to the Immigration office in Dallas with Robert, Shelly and Josh to take care of my papers to lift the conditional status of my permanent residency here in the US. Robert drove for us. Imagine, I filed the form last May 22 and it got approved Dec 5. They’re too slow in processing papers. It says in the letter that I have to appear in there office to present my passport and submit 3 photos. It was not stated that I have to make an appointment before going there so we decided to go after Christmas since it’s a shorter trip going to Dallas from Alvarado rather than coming from Wichita Falls. There were quite a few people in the line when we got there.

When it was my turn the lady in the window asked me if I got an appointment and I told her no because it did not say in the letter to make an appointment before going there. She said I have to make an appointment in the Infopass thru the internet and they’ve been doing that for 3 years now. I know that they have this Infopass to make an appointment but since it did not say in the letter I decided not to. I already felt disappointed at that time, then she asked me where I came from and I told her from Wichita Falls. She asked how far is it and my husband answered maybe about 200 miles. She then wanted to see an ID as a proof of our address so my hubby showed her his driver’s license. So she let us in because we came from a far place. Oh man! I was glad that she finally let me in. All the rest in the line had to come back.

Just after I got in, my number was called so I went to the window. The lady only asked me 2 photos but in the letter it said 3 photos. That’s a waste of money for the photos since Walgreens do it by 2’s or by 4’s so we paid for 4 photos. Then after everything is done, they got my signature, fingerprints and my old greencard and marked my passport the lady in the window told me that they will mail my greencard good for 10 years within 3 to 6 months. Isn’t that too long to wait and to think that everything here is computerized? They’re slow as turtles. The good thing is I still can travel outside the US because they marked my passport but I don’t intend to unless I get my new greencard. After everything is done Robert drove us back but we stopped for lunch in a fastfood restaurant in Euless and Robert paid our lunch. Robert by the way is Shelly’s husband and he makes good and delicious beef jerky and I really like it.

I was really glad that everything went on smoothly and our trip to Dallas didn’t go to nothing. I thank God for that because the night before, I prayed that we will accomplish our purpose in going there and that everything will go smoothly. To God be the glory…

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We had a good Christmas celebration in Alvarado, TX. We stayed there for a week and we just got back home yesterday afternoon. My hubby and I didn’t do a lot of things there, just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company and had a good time with the kids and grandkids but unfortunately, Steven’s kids were not there. Only Josh and L.A. were there, the oldest and the youngest grandkids.

Soon another baby will be added in the family because Stacy is pregnant on her 2nd child now.

We also went to see some of our friends but unfortunately Tonja was not there when we went in their house to give her lumpia. She went on last minute Christmas shopping with her husband. Only her 2 lovely daughters were there. We didn’t stay long, then we went to see another friends of ours, Bro. Jesse and Ms. Sue. It was good to see them again and then the Higleys came by also and we had a good time talking to each other. We had also the chance to go to Taco Bell when my hubby took Stacy to work. Her son and her hubby went with us too and all of us ate there for free. Stacy is an assistant manager in Taco Bell and her family gets free food whenever we go there. I ordered my favorite chalupa and tacos so did my hubby. Both of us like chalupa. We had also rented movies and I got to watch 3 good movies that I’ve been wanting to watch which my friend suggested to me, love story of course. We exchanged and opened gifts on Christmas day after our lunch and my hubby and I got Christmas presents from his kids. We took photos and also video.

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We’ll be leaving for Alvarado today to celebrate Christmas there. I’m excited to see the kids and grandkids and our friends there. All the gifts have been wrapped and ready for Christmas. I’ve done all the giftwrapping because hubby has been busy working. He just went with me shopping for the gifts. The other day he gave me my Christmas gift from him. It’s a micro digital camera, a lot smaller than my regular Sony cybershot digicam. He knows that I love taking pictures and this one is tiny and I can even wear it like a necklace because it came with a long strap and a CD called phototags express wherein I can put captions in my photos and make cards and calendars. It’s so cool! He also bought me 1 box of photo paper so I can print pictures in my printer and I don’t have to go to Wal Mart and have it developed. I’ve been having fun printing our photos since then.

Okay I will have to prepare our things and get ready. We’ll be back a day after Christmas. Until then…

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The other day my husband was asked by one of his co-workers if he can bring some finger foods in the school for their snacks. The teachers and staff bring foods their alternately since the beginning of this month so my husband asked me if I can cook lumpia (eggrolls) for him to take in the school. It's a good thing that I had 3 dozens of lumpia in the freezer that I made previously. Some are made of chicken and the rest are made of beef. I had to get up early to fry them because my hubby will go to work at 6:45 AM. I told my hubby to wake me up early so I can fry the lumpia. When I woke up I heard the pan is sizzling and he is already frying them. He didn't want to bother my sleep so he didn't wake me up early. He didn't fry it good though, so I had to take over and do the frying. I fried 25 pieces of lumpia and put it in a big plastic container lined with paper towels and covered it and it was ready for him to take it to his work. After my hubby left I went back to bed and continue my sleep. Then at around 9:00 AM I was having my morning devotion when the telephone rang. I didn't go and answer the phone thinking that it was just one of those telemarketers trying to sell something. Then I heard a lady leaving a voice message in the answering machine. Her name is Cathy, the school receptionist. She called to tell me that the lumpia I made were sooo goood and delicious!!! So I had to return the call and I talked to her on the phone. She was so thankful for the lumpia and she said she already ate quite a few of it. I was so glad that she like it and I appreciate that she called and thank me. When my husband came home he told me that Cathy and some of the teachers were asking him to bring more next time. They were also asking him if I can make some and sell it to them. George said the lumpia were all gone so quick but the other foods were still there in the office. My lumpia was a big hit in the school.

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We had a Cristmas Banquet at the church today at 6:00 PM. There were lots of foods, desserts and drinks. I just ate moderately though and I have to stop eating when I’m half full. That’s the secret of not gaining weight this holiday season. I enjoyed the food and the fellowship with our church members who are so friendly. My hubby ate a lot though. He can’t resist the foods and had to return to the banquet table for a second serving. I was teasing him that his belly became bigger after eating too much. After the banquet, at around 7:00 PM we had a worship service and the ladies in the choir rendered Christmas carols. After that, the guest preacher gave his message which is about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. His text verse is Matthew 1:21, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Christmas is all about Jesus who was born by a virgin in a manger. He knew no sin but he became a sin for the world to save us. The preacher has delivered his message well and I was really blessed.

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Time flies so fast. Christmas is just around the corner once again. We can feel it in the air. It’s chilly. Yesterday, my hubby had put up the Christmas tree and then when it was already standing, he put the lights around it. Then after that, it was my turn to put the decors on it. We used the same Christmas tree that we used last year, a 6 ½ ft. tall tree. I had also hanged a Christmas wreath in the door and also at the porch.

Today, my hubby and I went to church and after lunch I asked him to take me to the mall to buy Christmas gifts for the kids and grandkids. We went to JC Penny because somebody at work gave my husband a 20% discount coupon and it is only good for today. We need to buy some more gifts but we will wait on the 15th because they will have a midnight madness sale at the BX inside the base. Christmas happens only once a year and I really want to buy gifts for the family. It’s a way to show our love for them. For me, it’s not really the gift that matters, it’s the thought that counts. It’s a good feeling to know that somebody remembers you on that special occasion and I want them to know that we think of them and we love them. We will be spending Christmas in Alvarado and we are looking forward to that day. My husband will be off 4 days from work so we can have a good holiday celebration.

Ever since I was a kid, this time of the year excites me most. It’s the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. It just disgust me that in this country, wherein it’s supposed to be a democratic country, most places now won’t allow the word Christmas, instead they used the word Holiday. Others also used the word Xmas and removed Christ in it. How disgusting! Jesus Christ is the reason for this season and they should honor Him for that. I just pray that whoever thought of this thing that is happening here in this country will be awaken and will realize that without Christ there's no Christmas to celebrate.

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Winter don’t start officially until the 3rd week of December but it started early here in Texas. We had snow yesterday and early today. Early in the morning yesterday, my hubby has been watching the news. He told me that he gonna go to work later that morning because they opened 10:00 AM yesterday according to the news because of the snow. Unlike other states that they are used to having snow, here in Texas it doesn’t snow that often that’s why they don’t have those tools to clear the road and according to the news there were minor accidents that happened yesterday. It’s really weird because the other day the highest temperature was 71 and then the next day it was snowing. Today my hubby didn’t go to work because they closed the school where he works because there is still snow. The temperature this morning dropped to 14 degrees. I’m happy because we gonna spend the day together and still they gonna pay him even though he didn’t go to work today. This morning the view was so nice, all the surroundings were so white so my hubby and I took pictures infront of the house.

The snow is not really that deep but still it was so cold outside and my hands were like frozen so I have to put them inside my pockets.

While I’ve been looking at the white surroundings, I glory in God’s wonderful creation. I’m so thankful for the glory that God has poured upon us. Only Him can create snow and no one else have the power to do that. Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who showed us that He can make all things beautiful in His time?

But this afternoon the sun is shining so the snow started to melt already. The temperature went up to 45 degrees now. Isn’t that weird? Snow here only last for a day. This is Texas, wherein the weather changes so fast. I don’t really like the snow to stay for a long time, I prefer dry winter. According to the news, cold front is coming again on Sunday and who knows, snow might come again. More photos here.

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