Friday, November 25, 2011

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!!!

CARDS!!!  I've been making Christmas cards, tags, decor, etc. and I'm really getting in the Christmas spirit!!  I adore this time of year and simply cannot wait to be home with friends and family!!!

So obviously, the only way to show how much I have gotten into the spirit would be to share pictures!  :)

Merry Christmas ornaments



Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer!!  

He's just so cute... this is with the flash on

Santa Clause is coming to town!!!




My Christmas wreath!!!  It's a lot more sparkly than the picture gives credit!


Thank you Chrissy Lux for sending me this wonderful stamped image! 

Such a cute snowman! :)
So yes - I'm loving that it's Christmas time right now.  We're about to decorate the apartment, so I'll have to post more pictures when that's done! 

Thankful

It's thanksgiving, so I figured I would take the opportunity to write a blog about the things I'm thankful for in life.

I am very thankful for my husband.  He has supported me through so much, especially as an optometry student who's trying hard to be a good wife and friend all at the same time.  He also encourages me through my creative endeavors, which help relieve the stress of day to day optometry school!

Next, I am thankful for my health.  It's so nice to know that I can chase my dreams without limitations from cancer, serious injuries, or mental disorders.  I have the capacity to perform skills and work hard, which I can't thank the Lord for enough! 

Of course, I am VERY, VERY thankful for my family!  Without them I would not be the woman I am today, and no matter who comes and goes in your life, your family will ALWAYS be there to support you, encourage you, help you out, and tell you when you're being ridiculous :).  My family has shown me so much care over the years, and I'm glad I'm old enough now to truly realize and appreciate everything they've done and still do for me.  Every year, the love for my family grows, and I can't wait to be able to once again call North Carolina home, so I can be with them more often!

Next, I am thankful for my God who has given me all of these things for which I'm greatly thankful!  He's also blessed me with the beauty of the changing seasons, and eternal life through His son!

I'm thankful for creativity and inspiration! I've begun to mature the creative side of my brain through decorating, making cards, and crafting.  It's wonderful to feel like I have talent in more places than just school!

Finally, I am thankful for Friends!  Without them, I really don't know what kind of person I would be today.  I would probably be very narrow-minded because I have learned so much about the world through interacting with friends.  I'm very thankful for the ones who have made an effort to stay close with me even when many miles separate us.  We learn who our true friends are as we get older, which is a bittersweet blessing that I'm still thankful for!!

So this Thanksgiving, we did not drive home, but went with our neighbor's family to share in their Thanksgiving festivities.  Here are just a few pictures from our redneck Thanksgiving complete with a wedding (that's right - a nice lil' country "I do," and "I do, too") and 2 complete meals! :)

Tyler shooting with Ashely's pink gun!

Chris's dad's backyard view!  Awesome!

Gotta love that pink gun!
So all in all, it was a thanksgiving to remember, and I'm ready for Christmas.  Too bad I have to get through finals first!