Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

We had a white Christmas Eve (and probably Christmas day but we didn't get to see it). It started snowing at our house around 10 am and was still snowing when we left our house at 4:30. Ranger loved the snow and Riley was scared to death. The roads were pretty bad on our side of town but were much better in North Richland Hills. We spent Christmas Eve with Kyle's side of the family and had a wonderful time. We took some family pictures, enjoyed good food and opened lots of presents.
Kyle and I left around 9 to make head to Ennis for midnight mass. Many people were worried about us traveling to Ennis in the bad weather but I honestly think it would have been more dangerous to go back to our house because we got a lot more snow in our area. We eventually made it to Ennis and there was just a dusting of snow on the ground.
Kyle and I went to mass with my parents and Melisa, and Trent. We missed Angela, John, and Annelise this year but thought of them in Japan. Last Christmas Annelise was only 4 weeks old and we passed her around like a football the entire mass.
We didn't get to bed until 3am so we slept a little late Christmas morning and opened presents and had brunch at my parents. We eventually went to Granny and Papa's to visit and play cards.
We also went to visit our new cousin Quinn (Carla's 3rd child born on Monday). He is so cute and sweet. We enjoyed playing with Carleigh and Carsyn. Carsyn showed me ALL of her Barbies which was adorable because I love to listen to her talk. We helped give the girls a bath and then went back to Granny's to play a few more games.
Saturday morning Melisa, Mom, and I got up at 5:15 to do some day after Christmas discount shopping. We love getting Christmas decorations and stuff for next year half price. I enjoyed the shopping and bonding however Melisa and I found a surprise when we left Target. After being at Target for an hour we walked out of the store to realize that Melisa had left her car running and unlocked the entire time. Yes it was still in the parking lot running!! Our guardian angels must have been with us that day (Thanks Meme!!) My heart was racing for the next 30 minutes thinking about how lucky we were and thinking of everything that could have happened. Melisa on the other hand was like "oops..oh well at least nothing bad happened" and brushed it off. My heart still races thinking of what happened!!!!
We went to Granny's for lunch and to open presents with my Aunt Neva's family. Kyle was unable to go because he was going to Shreveport for a bachelor party that evening. Since Kyle wasn't going to be home my mom drove me to Fort Worth and stayed the night. Sunday we went to church and did some more after Christmas shopping. The rest of Sunday was spent putting our house back together and doing lots of laundry.

As you can tell we had a busy weekend. I need a nap now!
I will post pictures of the snow and pictures from the Cline family Christmas later.

Have a great week!

I passed!!!! 25% a CPA

I have been waiting to find out the results of my REG test that I took Nov 30th and I was kinda hoping that it would wait until after Christmas. But I got the email this morning and decided I couldn't wait to open it. Then I couldn't remember my password so I was frantically trying to remember then I finally had to have them email it to me.

Finally I logged in and it said CREDIT RECEIVED!!! I passed!! I am so excited and so relieved!!!

I was bogged down after taking audit and then had to study for reg. I almost didn't take reg because I didn't feel prepared. I had gotten really behind in my studying and had to cram during the Thanksgiving holidays. I missed out on a lot fun and family during the holidays.

Then I found out that I didn't pass audit. Though I wasn't surprised I was holding out hope that I would pass.

Passing REG makes this all worth it. I now know that I can do it. I am now motivated to keep going and becoming 100% a CPA.

I will retake audit in January and hopefully take BEC in Feb. Then I will try to take FIN in Apr/May (you can't take tests in March).

1 down 3 to go!!!

What a week!

Monday morning we got an email that XTO is going to be acquired by Exxon Mobil. We were all completely shocked. I never thought this would happen. I knew XTO was an attractive company to others but if this ever happened I thought it would be down the road. I honestly thought that if I ever left XTO it would be my choice. I saw myself here long term. I am a planner and this was not part of my plan. This is a good thing for XTO but not sure how it will workout for the employees.

I am concerned because Exxon's accounting department is in Argentina and Houston. My mom thought it would be fun to visit us in Argentina however it isn't that kind of a job. It is in Argentina because it is outsourced for cheaper labor I believe. I also do not want to live in Houston (unless the offer is right!)

We have not been told anything besides the press release. We had a 10 minute or less meeting on Monday morning but it pretty much just reiterated the press release. Any other information I have is through the media. I am hoping that Exxon will let us remain as a subsidiary but at this point we don't know. Right now it is just a waiting game and it is likely we won't get anymore information for several weeks.

I know that overall everything will work out but I can't help but be a little nervous/scared.

Sorry I was kinda rambling!!

The news on Monday has made this a long week. I am looking forward to the 3 day week next week.

Tonight Kyle and I are going to do some shopping ( we are done with other people's gift but now I am trying to find a specific style/color of pants to wear for Christmas). Tomorrow we are heading to Ennis with the dogs. Then Kyle and I will go to Sandra's house for Sylvester Christmas. We are staying Saturday night and on Sunday my mom and I are going to make Christmas treats for coworkers and friends. It will be a busy weekend but I am looking forward to spending time with family!

Christmas!

Company Christmas Party!
(you can click on the pictures to see them larger)


Who knows what was so funny

Oops too close!

Still too close!

Close but cute! (he does know how to smile!!)

On Christmas tree Oh Christmas tree!

Our little Christmas dogs-

Ranger loves sitting under the tree

Riley on the other hand was enticed with treats

Trying to get them together

Our gorgeous Christmas lights! Thank you to Kyle, Larry, and JW for putting up the lights.

An attempt at taking a cute Christmas picture with the jeep-

Kyle successfully fixed the brakes however it appears that there is another issue. We made it halfway there and had car trouble. Since we couldn't make it to the spot we had picked out Larry took these on the side of the road. I am very proud of Kyle for all of his hard work. The pictures didn't turn out quite liked we hoped so we took some in front of our Christmas tree that turned out well. You will have to wait until you get the Christmas card to see that pic.

I have a great husband!

Friday we went to the XTO Christmas party and had a good time. Kyle doesn't really like going to the party because he has to wear a suit and tie and make polite conversation with people. He often goes and grumbles the whole time. But luckily I don't give him a choice and he eventually gives in.
I loved dressing up and I have a couple of coworkers that Kyle gets along with pretty well so that makes it easier. The food was really good this year. And Kyle really like the chocolate peanut butter dessert. Kyle had a little too much to drink but no big deal because we don't do this often. I also didn't mind too bad because I got him to dance with me once and I only had to ask twice. I love dancing with Kyle but unfortunately he usually has to be tipsy to get out there so we don't dance often. We didn't stay for casino night but hopefully next year. I appreciate Kyle going with me because it is something I always look forward to.
Saturday we slept in and got Whataburger taquitos on the way to Allen. We went to the Coach store which was crazy crowded but totally worth it. I got a cute purse 70% off. We also went to the Polo store and got Kyle a new polo and got Melisa and Susan Christmas gifts. We were only there for about 2 hours but it was a nice outing. I am lucky that Kyle enjoys shopping and can actually be pretty patient while I shop (which is surprising because he isn't known for his patience). We enjoyed spending the time together (once again great husband!). Saturday night we went to dinner together and relaxed at home.
Sunday we did chores around the house and grocery shopped. It was a low key day but the plan was to put the Christmas tree. Unfortunately I don't really like putting up the Christmas tree and either does Kyle. This sounds kinda Scroogey but I have never really enjoyed putting up the tree. My mom used to have to make us help her because it isn't her favorite thing either. I put it off for as long as I could and finally told Kyle to get the stuff down to put it up. Kyle told me he didn't want to help but I finally got him to hand me the ornaments as I put them up. We actually got it up pretty quickly thought it isn't that pretty (I hate fluffing the branches so it may have some holes). Ranger, our little Christmas dog sat under the tree the entire time while Riley walked around with her tail between her legs. She is such a scaredy cat. The entire time I was putting up the tree I kept thinking one day I will have a Christmas tree closet like my mom!! So once again though Kyle didn't want to mess with the tree he helped me!
However now I have to work on getting him to decorate the outside of the house. This is our second Christmas in the house. I have always wanted a house with lights up because living in the country we didn't put lights out (except a couple of times when my mom was hosting Christmas at her house). Last year we didn't have any lights so we didn't worry about it. So day after Christmas last year I bought lights half price to put up this year. When I pulled out the lights this year Kyle looked at me like I was crazy....maybe next year.
I also couldn't get him to put up the wreath on the door so I am hoping my dad will do it next weekend when he comes up. We need a nail or hook put in the door for it.
We had a nice weekend but now it is time to get back to the work week....

What a week....

Our Thanksgiving weekend was ok but pretty uneventful because I was studying for my test. Kyle and I were both stir crazy by the end of it. So Monday Kyle took a half day of vacation and we went to the mall and did some shopping. After shopping I ran a ton of errands and didn't get home until about 5:30 or 6 which made for a long day after my draining test.
Since then every night this week we have been busy. For weeks now I have been putting things off so I could study and now that I am done studying I need to get all of these things done. I am so unbelievably tired of errands.
Part of my Monday shopping was to find a cheap dress for our company Christmas party. I absolutely love our party because it is a great excuse to dress up. I didn't find anything at the mall that I liked in my budget. So I ran to Marshalls on my way home without Kyle. I found a lot of cute dresses and because no one was with me to give their opinion I ended up buying 4 dresses ( I know 4 is crazy but the total was still less than $100!!) I got home and tried them on and narrowed it down to two. Then Melisa came over on Wednesday and I finally picked out my dress. Then because I got it for $20 I was thinking about getting new shoes (again if I could find some cheap enough). So I spent the next 2 days looking for shoes. I finally found some last night at Payless that I liked. I will wear those or a different pair I already have. Shopping for the party took up a lot of time this week. Now on Saturday I will have to return all of the things I don't wear.
We enjoyed seeing the snow on Wednesday. It was really coming down at our house when we left for work but by the time we got home there was no sign of snow.

Tonight is the XTO Christmas party and I can't wait! Now I just have to make it through this day.
Saturday we are thinking about going to the Allen outlet mall. And Sunday we are going to finally put up the Christmas tree! Busy weekend without studying!!!!!

I don't know a title....random

This past weekend was pretty relaxed and uneventful. We pretty much hung around the house. Kyle worked on the brakes for the Jeep quite a bit and I think he is making progress. I have learned that the Jeep is Kyle's outlet for stress. He cusses up a storm when working on it and at first I told him not to but I then realized it is just what he does. Jeep=cussing so beware.

My parents are in Japan visiting Angela, John and Annelise for a week which includes Thanksgiving and Annelise's first birthday. They are having a great time. My dad is having to learn to be more open to new foods (some he likes and some he doesn't) and they are enjoying seeing all the sites. It sounds like Angela is a good tour guide.
I got to get on web cam with them on Saturday night which was Sunday morning before church for them. Annelise is now walking so it was adorable to see her walk around. Though she loved to walk back and forth between my parents, she also seemed perfectly content letting them hold her (which of course they would do all day everyday if they could). You can tell that she just absolutely adores her Grandaddy and Babi.
The BEST part was when I was talking to Annelise and I said " Hi, Annelise, I miss you, I love you." She the said "I love you" to me. TWICE. It was the sweetest thing. I couldn't help but get teary eyed. Though I know she was just mimicking me it still meant the world to me. After that she gave us (Kyle came in and talked with me) kisses. Then my mom noticed that she would lean toward the monitor and specifically give Kyle kisses. I think she did it 2 or 3 times. I don't think Kyle really knew how to react to it, but we all thought it was adorable. She loves her Uncle Kyle!!

Ranger has been sick this week. We decided to take him to the vet on Monday night when he didn't seem to want to eat. They don't know exactly what is wrong with him but instead of running expensive tests we decided to give him some medicine and see if that helped. It has helped and he seems to be doing fine now.
Even though Ranger is sick Riley shows no mercy. Riley can be a bully to Ranger and Ranger just takes it. He loves to sit in the middle of the yard and just smell around. Riley will be on the other side of the yard and charge and him and just smack into his head/neck. He just looks at her and walks away. He is such a good big brother.

We finally got gutters on our house. We have been meaning to do it for almost a year now. I got estimates back in July and we even picked who we wanted to go with but we ( I mean "I" because Kyle doesn't like to call and take care of these kind of things) never got around to scheduling it. Last week I finally decided I would call and schedule for them to come out. Who would have guessed that when we got home that day Kyle saw and 10% off coupon on our door from that exact gutter company that we planned to use!! So I decided that it was a sign to call the company and have them taken care of. I hated to spend the money this time of year but the 10% off coupon made the decision a lot easier. So the gutters were installed today and they look great. I am glad I can check that off of my to-do list from nearly 6 months ago!!

One more day of work this week then it is a 4 day weekend. I wish I could say that I will enjoy my time off but my down time will be spent preparing for another exam. I am so over being a CPA.....