Reflecting

The end of another year cannot help but bring about some reflection on the year that is ending and hope and desires for the new year to come. While I have never been one to really make a New Year's Resolution I have felt some stirings in looking at how life has been going for me and how I would like for it to go. I think part of this is in light of Grandmother's passing as well as looking forward to starting my married life during this next year.
During the last couple of months I have realized more about my own personal limits. I know more of what I can and cannot handle and am getting better at not trying to load my plate down.
I have also realized how valuable my friends and family are to me. I would not be where I am AT ALL without them. They have been there in ways I cannot even begin to describe during this last year. They have helped to shape me into who I am today. Losing a loved one brought me to a place of cherishing those that I love! More than ever I want to make time for people. To actually call them and hang out instead of saying I'm going to do so. To travel to see friends that are far away.

Other "goals" for the year (hopefully longer) are to grow in my relationship with the Lord and with Aaron. And also to be more consistent with taking photographs and putting them to use instead of just on the computer. I would also like to get back to blogging and adding photos to the blog--feel free to hold me accountable to that!

love you all and thanks for checking in

Christmas wrap-up

This certainly was a Christmas I will never forget. Things have not been traditional in the slightest. Well....at least not most things. We did Christmas eve as usual at my grandparents; although that has changed a lot over the last couple of years as we have gotten older, some of us have married and others now have kids. Altogether the evening was wonderful as we simply enjoyed being around family. It was nice to see everyone, since it had been nearly six months since the last time I saw some of them. I really enjoyed being around family, I needed to be around family. I needed for some part of Christmas to be "normal".
After my grandparents we went back to my house instead of my parents to spend the night. Aaron and I decided not to go to Christmas eve service since we got about 3.5 hours of sleep the night before. My family allowed me to watch A Christmas Story one time as we played a few games before heading off to bed. I love that movie and could not imagine Christmas without it!
I slept in Christmas morning later than I have ever slept on Christmas before.
The rest of the day was interesting and in many ways very un Christmasy. We ate breakfast as a family (including Aaron!) and then got ready for playing games at Lynn's. We got to her house around 3 and played games until 12:30 that night. By the end of the day I was exhausted!
Today we have been at Aaron's parents, enjoying Christmas with his family. The day has been filled with great food, family, and fun.

More to come over the next couple of days and I promise that it will not be so boring and list like. And hopefully will include pictures!

long awaited (maybe?) update

It has been quite awhile since I last posted. I have either been very busy or too tired to manage posting recently. Tomorrow is my last day of school until after Christmas break. This weekend has been wonderful since I have done nothing but relax and be with the ones that I love. I have played games, relaxed, finished reading my book, spent time with friends/family, and enjoyed a little Christmas baking. Now, because I don't have a lot of time and energy here are photo snapshots of the past few weeks.

Fun with friends at Dollywood :)

We graduated!!! Finally!!!

Cooper's baptism