Merry Christmas from the Allen's

In lieu of sending a Christmas card out this year, I've opted for "A Year in the Life of the Allen's" blog update. This is efficient on so many levels and allows me to feel less guilty for not getting around to doing cards this year. So, here we go. In review ...

January

* I obtained licensure in the state of Louisiana and officially became a Licensed Professional Counselor. I accomplished this feat in the recommended three year time frame and feel much more confident in my skills as a counselor.
* We started/joined a Supper Club which has become one of our most anticipated nights each month. We take turns hosting, we play games and we have a great time hanging out with some of our closest friends in Ruston. I hope to continue this tradition for many, many years to come.

February

* We got the word that Grayson successfully passed level one of the CFA exam. In an attempt to protect our marriage, we decided he would take level two in June 2011 to give us more time together and less time studying. We hope to have this test completely finished by June 2012!

* We purchased our first television! This really was a big deal b/c we had gone 4 years without one, so to finally take the plunge and make the purchase was amazing. We had no idea what we had been missing in life.

* As part of owning a tv we also purchased cable, something we hadn't done before either, and fell in love with the show Yard Crashers. It became our new obsession and started us off dreaming about how we would love to makeover our backyard one day.
*Saints win the Super Bowl!

March
* We celebrated my 28th birthday.
* I think I made a quick trip to San Antonio for the rodeo. If I did, I had a great time.
* Grayson decides that purchasing Power90 is a good idea, we begin working out together.

April
* We headed down south to pick up Brinley and Barkley. With two puppies in the house, we quickly learned we got way more than we bargained for and re-realized how much we both value our sleep!

May

* We went to San Antonio to celebrate my 10 year high school reunion. It was a blast reconnecting with old friends and hearing how everyone is doing.

*I decided I really really wanted to train for a half-marathon and began the work.

June

* Celebrated many weddings of family and friends.
* Completed our committment to doing Power90, thank goodness!

* Took another cruise b/c it's what we do.July
* Pretty sure we just worked.
* Grayson celebrated 4 years at the bank.

August
* We attended some pre-season Saints football games and anticipated a great season rooting for them.

* Attended Financial Peace University, set some personal financial goals and began living in financial freedom thanks to revived self-control with our finances.

September
* As the new Panhellenic Advisor at Tech, we completed sorority recruitment successfully. This was a huge deal, staying up late, orchestrating events for close to 200 women. It was a success and something I'm already looking forward to for next year. October
* Celebrated four years of marriage by planting some pansies.
* Attended TCU's homecoming and caught up with lifelong friends and their kiddos.

* Ran 13.1 miles without stopping.

November
* Celebrated 1 year as home owners and enjoyed having everything situated, finally.

* The Magic Carpet rolled over 90,000 miles.

* We found out that baby Pedroza #2 is due summer 2011!

December
* We celebrated Grayson's 30th birthday.
* We watched the Horned Frogs ring in the new year with a major win at the Rose Bowl.

We hope you had a fantastic Christmas season with family and friends. We are very much looking forward to a great 2011 and wish you and your family nothing but happiness and health this new year!