Recap

I am still having a hard time believing that Christmas is over and tomorrow is the last day of 2011.

I've had a very up and down week.

Not just because we are approaching a new year, but because there are some things going on around me right now that have me feeling a bit emotional. It's hard to know how much one should really share on a public blog, but I know that many of these things are too much of my life to be put out into cyber space.

I'm one of those people that tends to hold things in and push them to the back of my mind when I am busy and have other things to focus. It's definitely a blessing and a curse. And this busy holiday season, as enjoyable as it has been, has also been a nice distraction from the things threatening to spill out.

In many ways, I am sad to see 2011 go. A lot of wonderful things happened this year.

We took our second trip to CO to see our dear friends.
We took a trip to Disneyland to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
We welcomed two beautiful nieces into our family.

(Top left: CO, Top right: Women of Faith conference, Bottom left: Disneyland, Bottom right: Josh's ugly Christmas sweater party)

We went to a few weddings, wedding showers, and baby showers... just a few.
We went to our first ever murder mystery dinner party...and it was a blast.
I started working again at a job that I love and am so very thankful for.
We went whale watching for the first time.

(Top left: a friend's wedding, Top right: a friend's baby shower, Bottom left: murder mystery party, Bottom right: my sister's birthday party)

We went to a couple of baseball games.
We celebrated many amazing people's birthdays.
We had a few friends get engaged.

(Top left: Disneyland, Top right: my birthday dinner, Bottom left: a friend's baby shower, Bottom right: Christmas with my hubby's family)

In other ways, I am so ready to welcome 2012. I know that in spite of everything around me, God still has a plan, and I know His plans are going to be great for 2012.

(Top left: Christmas, Top right: Niece #1, Bottom left: Niece #2, Bottom right: White elephant Christmas party)

Yet one thing I truly love about looking back on a year is that, no matter how hard it was, the good always seems to outweigh the bad. And that, my friends, is a wonderful blessing.

Be safe and enjoy celebrating 2012!



(Since GFC is disappearing in March for all non-Google users, you can either follow me through bloglovin' or fan me on Facebook to keep up to date with my posts)

Blessings

We had a very busy Christmas weekend.

We had a few different celebrations over two days. It was quite the adventure.

We stopped by my grandparents's house on Christmas Eve...

A Christmas Eve service at a different church (ours did not have one this year)...

Christmas Eve dinner with the hubby's family...


Christmas morning opening presents with the hubby's family...

(My sisters-in-law and my nieces)

Christmas brunch and dinner with my family...

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with our friends, followed by trying out our new Kinect...

(Two of the hubby's childhood best friends and their wives)

I spent most of this weekend thinking about how blessed I really am.

I hope you were able to do the same.

(Since GFC is disappearing in March for all non-Google users, you can either follow me through bloglovin' or fan me on Facebook to keep up to date with my posts)

Greeting Cards Have All Been Sent...

(Can you tell I've been listening to a lot of Christmas songs this week?)

I'm pretty sure all our Christmas cards have arrived to their recipients now, so I thought I'd share it with all of you...and wish you a blessed Merry Christmas!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time...

I've been a little melancholy this week.

I love this time of year. It's my favorite, in fact.

I love everything about it: decorating Christmas trees, hanging lights, receiving cute Christmas cards, wrapping presents, candy canes and hot chocolate, Christmas parties, and Christmas songs.

(At a white elephant party. So fun!)

But, this year it all went by too fast. All of November, I was waiting for the day after Thanksgiving. We even cheated a little and watched Elf before Thanksgiving.

And, as the days went by, filled with fun Christmas activities, I kept thinking I had so much more time to enjoy it all.

(This picture was photo bombed)

Instead, it dawned on me this past weekend that I only had one week left...and now, even less than that...

It makes me a little sad. Maybe because people are so much more willing to give and show kindness to others this time of year. Maybe because there's just something almost magical in the air this time of year. And, soon, it will all be over...

I've heard quite a few people make comments recently about how much they are looking forward to Christmas being over.

I couldn't be more opposite.

So instead of being sad about it, I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few days. Savoring the moments spent with family and friends. Watching the last of the movies I need to see, and listening to the songs I haven't listened to yet. Putting extra care into each package I wrap. And, taking the time to thank my Savior for coming to earth all those years ago...for someone like me.

Wherever you fall on the line, I hope you enjoy this week and the festivities they bring. Time moves too fast and you never know what tomorrow may bring. Cling to the happy things and try not to focus on the negative. Life is much too short for that.



(If I don't have time to get on here before this weekend, have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!)

Rediscovering Christmas

I am not sure if you are in the same boat as I am right now, but I've definitely allowed myself to get caught up in the commercial side of Christmas this year.

Oh, not that I'm going out and spending tons of money on gifts or anything like that...but my focus has been more on the things that have nothing to do with Christ.

We've been watching our favorite Christmas movies, we decorated our tree and put lights on our house, we've been consuming Christmas goodies, we've listened to a lot of Christmas music (a lot of which is about Christ), and we've participated in some fun Christmas activities. And yet, other than the Christmas musical this weekend at church, I haven't really stopped and thought about what this season is really all about.

The message at church tonight was called Rediscovering Christmas. As I listened, I couldn't help but realize that I've been putting the real meaning of Christmas on the back burner this year. Of course, I know that the reason we celebrate at all is because of the fact that Jesus came to this earth, as a baby, to eventually die for our sins. Yet, that has not been my focus in all of my Christmas happiness. I've been focused on keeping my traditions alive and creating new ones, instead of focusing on what Jesus may be calling me to do this season.

I love so many things about Christmas and this time of year. And, I know there is nothing wrong with that...as long as I'm keeping my focus on what it's really all about.

We were given a print out tonight with the Christmas story in chronological order, taken from passages in Matthew and Luke.
My sister-in-law suggested this afternoon that since there are more kids in the family now, that we should read through the Christmas story on Christmas morning.

I think God's timing is pretty grand.

I hope you are able to take some time in the midst of all the busyness of shopping, parties, and preparations to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

'Tis the Season

I didn't realize December was going to be so hectic.

But, then again, 'tis the season...

I am in the musical at my church this weekend. I got asked to sing in a trio, and it's been a lot of fun. Though I will be thankful when Sunday evening rolls around.

I started my Christmas shopping today. I know, I'm a little late in the game, but I just haven't had much time to think about it. I am really excited about the two gifts I picked up today. I'm hoping to post pics of them after Christmas. I think they will be super cute!

I got a new-to-me phone...which meant I needed a new case. I'm pretty much in love with it. It makes me all sorts of happy.

(Don't mind the shower head in the background. I had to take the pic in front of the bathroom mirror)

I've been seeing a chiropractor for some neck problems I've been experiencing for quite some time now. Unfortunately, the issues don't seem to be going away. I will post more when I know more of what this could mean.

I bought some mint M&M's the other day. They are definitely one of my favorite candies for this time of year. They've changed them since I first fell in love quite a few years ago. They used to be in the shape of regular M&M's...now they are big like peanut butter M&M's, which are also a favorite of mine.

My mantle is slowly filling up with Christmas cards. I love receiving them in the mail. I need to get my cards figured out and mailed soon!

My DVD of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original cartoon version) is not working right. It makes me sad...because I haven't been able to watch it yet this year. It's one of those movies that I have to watch every year.

We put Christmas lights on our house this year! First time we've ever done so. I love driving up to the house at night and seeing how beautiful they look. We are the only ones on our street with lights up, though...so they definitely stand out...which is not necessarily a bad thing. Kind of symbolic if you think about it...

I've been making myself a cup of hot tea just about every night this week before bed. It's been so cold! One of the things I love about this time of year...

I'm pretty sure I have at least 8 different Grinch ornaments on my tree, if not more (I collected them when I worked at Hallmark).

The baby is not what Christmas is all about...Christmas tells the story of God coming near... Hallelujah!

(I finally bought white lights to put in my Uppercase Living cube)

Have a blessed rest of the week!

Leaning In

A beautiful friend shared a touching story tonight at church about the last week of her father's life here on earth.

Even though, at the time, she didn't know she was spending her last moments with him, she said she savored every moment they spent together. He shared with her how important it was for him to pass down his faith to her, as his father had shared with him just a few weeks prior.

She said that she leaned in...she soaked up all she could...and she still remembers that week fondly...even though it was 15 years ago.

I love that term: lean in. There are things that people will share with us that we need to lean into...really listen to and digest.

I had someone share something with me over the summer, in front of a group of people, that spoke volumes to my heart. A friend that heard it...and saw my reaction...came up to me and told me to write it down as soon as I could...so I wouldn't forget those words. I did so as soon as I got home. I leaned in.

I'm also learning that it's important to have this same concept in my relationship with God. Many times I say my spiel and move on...or I read a couple of chapters in my Bible and get on with my next task...without taking the time to listen to what He may have to share with me.

I shouldn't treat my relationship with Him any differently than I treat my relationships with other people...but I so often do. Sometimes I will go days without talking to Him at all...when I would never do that with my husband.

I want to lean in...I want to open up my heart and listen...and take in all that He has for me.

It's time to make that step, my friends. Lean in...you just might hear something profound.