Christmas is coming

I love this time of year and not just because this is the only time I let myself be as cheesy as possible! (Although that is a plus!).

Winter. I love winter and am constantly begging the sky for snow. I love being cold...well rather I love being cozy because of the cold. Brenden and I both love a crackling fire, hot chocolate, and a warm soup cooking in the crock pot with homemade bread in the oven. Heaven.

Giving. My "love language" is gift giving. It delights my heart to prepare (whether by making or buying) a gift for a loved one. I love to wrap and curl as many little bows as possible. It's so important to remember what is constantly being given to us (forgiveness, grace, salvation) and have a similar heart to giving (whether by sacrifice of time or money or both). Christmas is about giving and doing so in honor of Christ and His gift and sacrifice to us.

Food.Oh.my.word. I love food.

This weekend, Brenden and I are heading towards the mountains to cut our own Christmas tree (a wonderful tradition we started a few years back). We will spend the time listening to Christmas music, drinking warm hot chocolate or Starbucks pie in a cup coffee, smelling like pine needles and being merry and bright.

See how cheesy I am during this time of year?

Giving Thanks!

As I look back on this last year, I am so thankful for so many things!

1. Brenden! My husband continues to amaze me and the life we are building is more than I would have hoped for. I love and adore him, he is my best friend!
2. Job! I do not like every single second of my job (but who does) but it is a great job, steady, great benefits, fun people, etc. I am very thankful for it!
3. Family! My family continues to grow! We welcomed lil Jax and are soon to welcome a new niece/nephew. PLUS we get to spend Thanksgiving with my dad and his lady companion!
4. Health!
5. Bandit! I just love my little, wild puppy. He brings so much laughter to us!
6. Future! I am so thankful for the future that lies ahead of us. It won't be without its struggles but the joys ahead far out weight the challenges.

I could go on and on.....

My First Thanksgiving Prep

This year I am making my very first Thanksgiving meal! I feel so grown up! Ha ha. As I am mentally thinking up a fun menu, I realize that I need more ovens! I want to keep it simple, (there will only be four of us) and I am not so keen on leftovers (weird, I know). So I am thinking ham instead of turkey (Brenden and I don't care for turkey), seared green beans with pepper garlic and almonds, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato biscuits, and a cranberry/blue cheese salad. Oh and pie (pumpkin and pecan)! Hm, maybe I'll buy the pies (shhhh don't tell).

Can't wait!

My Fav Quote from Brenden

"Why do lazy people always claim to be perfectionists?"

Camping June 10

There is nothing like camping in the PNW. We love it!

Hard Times

We've hit some hard times professionally. Financially, we are hanging in there but the down-turn economy is bearing its weight on us. I know that some of you will nod in understanding while others will thank God (or your karma or your lucky stars) that you don't understand. But I thank God for these hard times. It's through times like these that I see the strength of my marriage. It's through times like these that I realize how much I trust and love my husband. It's through times like these that my faith is strengthened. No, I will not thank God for what He has spared me, I will thank Him for what He was brought me through. It is an honor.

Excellent Reminder

"Keep life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have for He has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.' So we have confidence to say 'The Lord is my helper, I will not fear.'" Hebrews 13:5-6