anticipation

The title of this post encompasses a couple of things on this snowy Michigan day...the first being a trip with my husband to the Smoky Mountains--aka our honeymoon! :) We will be leaving Sunday to take a road trip down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where we will spend a week exploring the mountains and all the town has to offer. A little cabin is where will be lodging and cozying up in front of the fireplace. We're both very excited about our little adventure! And I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to post as one of my Christmas presents was a cute little digital camera. ;)

The second anticipation I have is that of the year 2008. Honestly, in reflection this has been one of the fastest years of my life. I still have to hesitate before I write '07 on my checks! (or maybe that's just old age...) I actually am kind of glad I started this blog one year ago as it will be a good "diary" of the things I've lived and learned in this past year--and in years to come! Worst of 2007? A sad & personally challenging event at work... Best of 2007? Marrying my best friend. :)

Overall? God has blessed me greatly and I am thankful that He decided to call me His Child.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Jason & I are appreciating all the well-wishes on this, our first Christmas together. This has been one of the most relaxing and wonderful holidays that I can remember. With the exception of missing my brother, we are thoroughly enjoying the day(s) of celebration of our Christ's birth.

white christmas

One reason I love Michigan is for the snow at Christmas. I could not imagine having no snow at Christmas time. And right now we've "battened down the hatches" as we get dumped on with about 6 to 8 inches of lake effect snow. (gotta love Lake Michigan!) It's blowing & drifting--making it treacherous for driving, but perfect for staying cozied in the house under a blanket in front of the Christmas tree. It will officially be a white Christmas here--one of my most favorite things this time of year!

christmas traditions

I don't know how long this link will hold out, but I found it kind of a fun little read for this Christmas season. Charlie Brown Christmas is one of my most favorite programs to watch. My favorite part is when they are all dancing to the piano music--the cartoon graphics crack me up!


And, you can't help but love it when they all break into a rendition of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!" at the top of their lungs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!! :)

christmas card

So, this year, being it our first Christmas as a married couple (and family) we thought we would send out Christmas cards to friends and family. However, first we needed the perfect picture...so we went for a photo shoot in my mom's backyard. A good time was had by all! ;)

christmas chuckle

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeers grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeers retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost. ;)

*sigh*

At about 8:00pm last night, I began to breathe again! This past week has been so incredibly busy, I wouldn’t even know where to begin relating everything that has been going on! Work has been busy, but I’ve also been at my second “job”—i.e. church—every night this week as well. Our Christmas program begins tonight and we’ve been diligently rehearsing (and memorizing!) the ten songs that are in the program. In addition, I took my final exam in statistics last night.

It is not something I would recommend to anyone trying to be effective in life. Cramming your head full of nursing skills, song lyrics & music, and graduate level statistics information leaves you with a messy house, a neglected dog, and with an overall grumpiness with your husband. ;-)

Therefore, after the exam last night—I seriously felt as though one huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I slept well last night, am thrilled it’s almost the weekend, and am now feeling excited for Christmas. I’m excited to clean, walk the dog, relax, and have fun with my husband!