Wow. Christmas is over, my two week hiatus from work is nearly over and we begin a new year tomorrow. Everything about this year has completely whizzed by. Crazy, huh?
 

2013.

    That should be a sentence enough to suffice. Without question, this has been the best year of my life. You guys know the big changes: I planned my wedding, kissed my family goodbye, married my sweetheart, moved into another state, began a fun nannying position, picked up a traveling bug, and finally became confident that I have truly reached "Adulthood".

    I am grateful for all that I have, all that I have been through, all that I have yet to experience. Sometimes I worry that I sound like a broken record typing that same phrase onto this blog- but I can't help it. I have so much, sometimes I feel so utterly undeserving of it, so I must express my gratitude. Also, I have read other bloggers who say they don't write about spiritual matters because that isn't the direction they want their blog to go... Well, I must say that my blog is a reflection of who I am- it contains my thoughts, my allegiances, my hardships, my relationships- everything that I feel prompted to write. So I will continue to put all of who I am on this blog, with the hopes that others will appreciate them. :)

    As Graham and I resolve to make New Year's Resolutions, I am stuck reliving this past year. In honor of that, I have created a super quick collage of the past year, with the link below. This has been my year in a nutshell, and the song lyrics that share the exact message I hoped. 

--->      http://flipagram.com/f/DWeJe0iZO4#   <---

    I love each of you so much. Thanks for continuing to read and offer encouragement. Happy New Year!

Christmas Done Right

    Christmas! It is only 6 days away... Is anyone's mouth hanging open as their mind frantically scrambles to realize how this has happened- or is that just me? (Virtual sigh) I am not even finished Christmas shopping for everyone yet. I am not prepared for this happy season to end, either. In fact, I think we (as in Graham and I) have really celebrated it with style! I've decided to dedicate this post to our various merriment.

-Disney's Christmas activities. You already know I love it, but they truly go all out for Christmas! We had a blast looking at Cinderella's castle and the dancing lights at Hollywood Studios- well worth the visit. 

-Christmas movies. The sheer number we have played! Almost nightly Graham and I have laid up on the couch reminiscing as we watched a few classics: Frosty the Snowman (please note that I drank out of a Frosty cup as we watched), How the Grinch stole Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, etc etc.

  

-Hot Chocolate! Being the chocolate lover that I am, duh, this has been happening since the weather has began to turn cooler. Actually the best "recipe" I have (through trial and error) made is as follows: boil water, after boiling remove from heat whilst allowing 5 minutes to cool, pour into cup with two packets of cocoa, swirl, and lastly add a hearty amount of whipped cream on top for added flavor. Voila, the perfect holiday drink.

-Christmas earrings! Flashback: as a little girl I was fascinated that my Mama has two dangling glass Santas for jewelry; I wore them during the Christmas season when she wasn't. All of these thoughts rushed into my head as I happened to come across these babies, and was not willing to pass them up! C'mon, it is little Christmas tree ornaments!!

-Ice skating! Okay, here is the truth: I have always wanted to go ice skating, but as I grew up in Georgia, followed by a move even further south, I did not have high hopes for this- until- yes, lo and behold, an ice rink less than 5 minutes from our apartment! I was very timid at first, considering I have busted my tail in roller skating so many times, although I am a decent skater. Well, it turned out to be very similar and I was (excuse my pompousness) awesome for it to be my first time. After a little bit of skating, my confidence grew as I whizzed past Graham, won a race and even was able to skate backward (it's just like roller skating!). I had so much fun, even though during the last ten minutes I became too brash as I danced towards Graham and fell hard! I was so shame that I didn't even realize how bruised up my knees were from landing on them until the next day. 

-Christmas wrapping. I usually enjoy wrapping gifts, particularly if I am wrapping a gift I purchased, but this year I feel so much more- girly? I don't know. I am trying my best to make each of my presents look as attractive as possible. Each has pretty paper, bows, ribbons, matching name tags. It has been so fun getting creative with it.

-Service. I feel as if I constantly emulate my lack of compassion and, in turn. service. It's very true, I find no need to put on airs when I shouldn't. Yet, I am immensely proud that Graham, my family and I have been able to provide other with various types of service during this Christmas season. "It is better to give than to receive," has been a phrase I have heard in many occasions, and Ivan say that that certainty does seem true.

-Christmas lights. Not just any Christmas lights, might I add, trees lined with them in St Augustine. We went on a triple date earlier this month to see te lights and it was so nostalgic. Last year Graham and I went to take Engagement pictures there during all of the festivities. Anyways, the massive Christmas trees, the candy cane stripped gazebo, a goose on a leash with a tuxedo, it just feels to dainty and homey. We went off on an excursion to the Fort afterwards, we even managed to take a few sweet pictures.

-I became a brunette. To Graham's dismay and my joy, I have successfully colored my hair, though it does appear to be one shade too dark. Then again, I think I am having difficulty remembering after 6 months of light hair. 

-I cried with Kellan. Ha! This little man makes me so happy. I was able to spend lots of time with him on my last trip home, hallelujah! He is simply a perfect baby with the jaws only the heavens could of placed on him. 

-Christmas concerts. Graham's beloved Grandma Cathy is apart of a choir which offered a special Christmas convert, full of caroling and testifying of the divinity of Christ's humble birth. It was pretty amazing witnessing a 70 year old blind man improv a song on the piano after a member in the audience shared a 10 second Christmas story. The only downside was that I didn't realize that I should have dressed nicer; I ended up wearing skinnies with one of Graham's sweaters, oops. We had so much fun though, and we appreciate you inviting us Cathy!  

-Graham's work Christmas lunch. Weird, huh? But his company had a midday lunch where he was allowed to invite family; I was grateful to be able to switch my hours at work to be able to go! Although before going I received a message from him saying: "Hey try to look nice (I know you do anyway, but just make sure to get the squirrels out of your hair and the crusties out of your eyes. Lol, Renee (a coworker) wants to meet you."

-Christmas attire. You know the kind: hideous beyond all reason. After we were invited to a Ugly Christmas Sweater party it was crucial that I find something worthwhile. Did I hardly succeed? Graham's shirt would sing of pressed and, my shirt had little my embellished Santas, while my dress was patterned after a tree. It'll be hard to top that next year.

   I am so in love with this time of year. I dread for it to pass! But in the meantime I will savor it for the next six days....

Christmas Time is Near

    Hi there, wonderful people who I adore. This is just a wonderful time of year isn't it? Everyone is cheery, we're all singing carols and social media sites have been filled with newly decorated trees, ginger bread houses and Christmas countdowns. I love it. I can't help but to fully immerse myself in the Christmas spirit. 

    December first our tree was assembled, December second the furniture was rearranged to make way for a nicer view of tree, December third we bought the last of the home decorations. It's just so fun! I've made a wreath for the door, decorated the tree to my liking, admired my festive coffee table with the colorful lights glowing. As I finish up every task, I shake my head, just amazed: This is just too much. Do I dare to believe that this is mine? That, for once, I am in control of every aspect of this holiday? That this Christmas feels much more real than the previous two spent between Graham and I?

    I am, in all the sincerity I can relay, in awe. It's all because of this time of year: Christmas. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

    Now, I must admit, as much as I love this time, I realize I have to restrain myself. If I don't watch out Christmas will be nothing but presents, Santa, hot chocolate, Rudolph, presents, stockings, figgy pudding and more presents! (I am obsessed with presents!) But- yes, but, that is not the person I want to be. I refuse to allow myself to forget the true reason for the season (although I am the first person to struggle with it). I just hope to do better than I have in the past. I am pleased to have my sweet husband who feels the same. Together we try to remember why are we celebrating this anyway.

    So now for the fun part! Since every holiday is new for us, Graham and I are really trying to use this year to develop new traditions. I would love for everyone to share how they celebrate the season, particularly ideas how to keep Jesus Christ's birth at the center of it. 

    Once again, thanks so much for all of you who do share your thoughts and ideas with me, I appreciate it. Well I hope you'll enjoy my pictures, I will catch up to y'all real soon! 

    Wreath! I know it looks lopsided! Oh well. 

    My tree! I am determined to take a better picture, but after 15 tries, this will have to do.

    So my entertainment center is so sweet to me. Christmas lights, signs, bells, photos, and a snowman! Please don't giggle at my small television. Our larger television shorted out last month, so it is at the manufactor's getting fixed. In the meantime, we are stuck to our 19 inch. But that won't get my spirit down!!

Thanks for All I Have

    I have slacked something terrible lately! I feel guilty that I never got around to finishing up my "30 Days of Thanks" status posts on Facebook. I just got so busy, began to forget and 2 weeks passed without my knowing! So, I did accumulate my remaining thanks into one spot, after a little contemplation. Just know I don't plan on always doing lists for my blog (I realize my last one was as well). Thanks so much to all who indulge me by continuing to read my blog. I hope you'll enjoy this as you get ready to get leave the Thanksgiving attitude behind for the Christmas Spirit! 

Day 18. I am thankful for the being a citizen of the United States of America. I truly love our country. I love our freedoms, our agency, our desire to better lives- such a grand blessing.

Day 19. I am thankful for babies. (Is that weird?) I can't think of many things that make me happier than a little bald head with no teeth. All sizes, colors- all babies bring me great joy! 

Day 20. I am thankful for my health. So exceptionally thankful. I haven't ever experienced a broken bone or any extreme sickness. I have ony been in the hospital once, after my birth, for a simple tonsil removal procedure. I am so glad that I have been able to bypass that! 

Day 21. I am thankful for my childhood. I remember playing in the woods, drinking out of spigots and truckloads of other children. I always had fun, felt exceptionally safe and went through so many fun experiences. 

Day 22. I am thankful for my education. Some days, I just have to sigh and feel resigned to the fact that school is in my future for the next few years. Then I remember that is a privilege others would give anything to be able to do. (Google: Malala Yousafzai - her story is so bone chilling inspiring.) I am blessed to be able to have the time, money and the people  pushing me to do so.

Day 23. I am so grateful for the full time missionaries serving all over the ward. Sadly, I wasn't able to serve- but come on being wed to my man is well worth it- but I can hardly imagine how difficult it must of been. Doors slammed in your faces, being spitting on you, horrible threats (in America for crying out loud!), all while leaving home without communicating with family except through letters. But imagine- the feeling of the Spirit testifying what you're sharing, the knowledge of the scriptures, the joy of seeing others coming to Christ. Why yes, I am exceptionally thankful for missionaries: past, present and future. 

Day 24. I am thankful for always feeling secure in my home(s). Living out in the woods in Georgia, living in an apartment complex in Florida- it's all the same. I come home to a warm home, packed with good food and the people who I love most and I know without doubt that I am being taken care of. 

Day 25. I am thankful for ambition. Sometimes hearing a uplifting quote or thinking about a better future can really offer the drive to succeed. I aim to have a future that Graham and I can be proud of. (Spiritually first, followed Mentally/Physically, then Financially.) 

Day 26. I am thankful for experiences that can bring change. As I've gotten older I think back to some experiences that I went through, and how they have helped me changed my views. I think sometimes all it takes is an open mind, coupled with a different environment that can help bring other interpretations. 

Day 27. I am thankful joyous memories. My baptism, my first time in the temple, the day I was married... So many wonderful memories that help me realize how blessed I am.

Day 28. I am thankful for my testimony. I can't remember even gaining it- rather that I've always had it. (I have definitely had instances that have helped develop it though!) I rely desperately on my testimony, it means more to me than any material gift, it can never be taken away and it is mine alone. 

Day 29. I am thankful for Thanksgiving, a time that others are encouraged to show gratitude. I am blessed to be able to spend it with my wonderful family (blood and by marriage), they are more loved than they know. I am thankful for this holiday. 

Day 30. I am thankful for Jesus Christ. Every bit of his life was monumental- his birth, childhood, ministry, death, but mostly his resurrection. I am thankful to know of His gospel. He is my elder brother, my Redeemer, my Lord, my Savior. I invite all to learn of Him. Every ounce of my happiness comes from Him.

                 Thanksgiving Pictures 

    That's a wrap up on my thanks, for this post at least! I hope everyone is listening to Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate and admiring their darling tree like I am right now. There is just something special about this time of year, am I right?