It's A New Year!

A new chapter is beginning. It's crazy to think we're beginning a new decade. I woke up this morning feeling different. I can't really describe it. I just sat in my bed wondering what this year would bring. While many things will stay the same, a lot will change too. I have a love/hate relationship with change. I love it when I'm the one changing things, but the unknown scares me. I think this year makes me a bit anxious because I know things will change that I'm not even aware of yet.

Last year was pretty calm for us. I think that's because we needed to be stable so that we could carry those who were facing change (Todd's mom's cancer, my sister's challenges, etc.). The older we get, the more change scares me. I wasn't afraid of moving to Nashville. Buying a house didn't worry me a bit. But this year I'm unsure. I'm not expecting anything big and scary, but because life has been on auto-pilot lately, I have this feeling God may shake things up a bit.

This morning I read my devotional, seeking some insight into how I should face 2010. The first sentence: "Come to Me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed." Yep, that's what I was afraid of. Tears streamed down my face because I think that change needs to begin with me. I need to give more, serve more and be a better friend. I need to listen more and think about myself less. I need to be aware that my kitchen being clean is far less important than my sister trying to move on from her first serious relationship. I need to change so that those around me are blessed. I need to change so that I can accept the big changes that God brings our way. 

I'm also a bit excited. While change can be hard, it has also always brought abundant blessings. I have no reason to be afraid. Why? God says so. "I know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." That is exciting!

So here's to 2010 and the changes it brings. Maybe they will all be internal. That's okay too.

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Enough seriousness. How about a recap of our New Years Eve festivities?!

We spent the evening with our closest friends. Dinner began at our place. One of my favorite places to be is at the dinner table surrounded by those I love.

It also doesn't hurt to attend parties with the most handsome man in the room. (I might be a little biased!)

Happy New Year. Let's make this one the best yet!

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Christmas Memories '09

I'm really behind. Christmas was almost a week ago and I'm just now sorting through our pictures. But, it's a little more fun taking pictures around here. Santa brought us a great new camera!

I think our family may have started to feel like they couldn't turn around without a lens in their face!

Before we left town, we decorated the house and put gifts under the tree. We've never been in our own house on Christmas day to enjoy it, but it's definitely worth all the work.

On Christmas Eve we packed the car and headed to Missouri. It was great to wake up to a white Christmas. It's been a few years since we've had one!

We opened lots of fun presents and spent the day playing games with our family.

I got the final season of Newlyweds. I watch old episodes on all of our road trips. I think there's a small part of me still holding out hope that they will get back together!

My Dad - he's probably thinking, "Tara - get that camera out of my face!"

We played Bingo...

We posed for family pictures.

We celebrated the holiday with two people we never thought we would see back together...

We held lots of babies!

And we wrapped up our holiday at home where my sister made her famous homemade chicken noodle soup.

Todd and I had a great time with our families. I always get a little sad when we leave. I had a tough time dropping my sister off at the airport this morning. She has had a rough year. I'm praying for a new start in 2010 for her. If you think about it, I'm sure she would appreciate your prayers for her too.

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I've officially had this blog for a year now. In fact, this is my 100th post. As I look back, I see God's hand on every part of our lives and am thankful for this little blog...it reminds me of my blessings and those I need to continue to pray for. I'm excited to see what He has in store for the New Year.

See you in 2010!

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His Gift to You

The Birth of Jesus...


At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.


Wishing you a very Merry Christmas...

Love,
The Stepps

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

This year Todd and I decided to host our first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. You never know how parties like that will turn out. Will everyone dress up? Will they think it's silly? Will they embarrass themselves by showing up at our house looking like they just stepped out of the '80s?

Oh yes!

We had the best time and now know our friends are up for anything. And I mean anything!

What's a party without food? I think we all walked away stuffed.

But enough about the food. Let's get to the attire!

I hate to single anyone out, but our friends Jason and Renee looked incredible. We've learned our lesson: don't go up against these two in any costume contest! Hilarious.

The whole gang. I mean, how good do we look?

Now just the girls...

I think it's safe to say the party was a success. Can't wait for next year!

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The Nutcracker

Last weekend I went to my first ballet. After experiencing Broadway during my trip to NYC, I was really looking forward to seeing The Nutcracker in Nashville. The night was perfect. The girls and I kicked things off at Bricktops for dinner, getting so caught up in the food and conversation that we almost missed the ballet. We showed up with exactly one minute to spare. Thank goodness for valet!
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The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC)
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Jackson Hall at TPAC (photos courtesy of tpac.org)

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I am beyond blessed to have these girls in my life. They are some of the best Christmas gifts I could ever receive. Plus they all like to do girly things (like see the ballet) that I would never be able to get Todd to do, unless the ballet had a football theme. Even then it might be impossible! But that's what girlfriends are for. So thankful for them!

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