Merry Christmas!!

This was actually taken on Christmas Eve- before I had really scary looking pink-eye! Merry Christmas to my poor eyeball! =(

This has been an amazing Christmas my friends. I feel so blessed and full of gratitude after spending such a wonderful day with loved ones. To have my parents here would have made it perfect. Between the presents they sent, the presents that Nate got me, and the presents that my in-law’s had for me- I feel like the most spoiled girl in the world! I actually made a little section in my closet for new clothes and scarves so that I can see them all together! That’s a sign of a pretty fabulous Christmas if I ever I heard of one! It’s funny because everyone knows my style so well now that I think certain things just jump out at them and say my name. There is not one thing that I received that didn’t warrant some kind of jumping up and down. It wasn’t all clothes, though! I can’t wait to do a little recap of my gifts. I am so, so thankful for my husband and his sweet, caring personality. You don’t even known. He just amazes me with how well he knows me. I mean, how many husbands purchase a dress for you from your favorite online retailer without any hint or help? =) I just love him. I feel like I did a pretty great job on his presents too- for maybe the first time ever! ;]

Of course, all of the gift giving is nice but it’s certainly not the reason we (personally) celebrate Christmas. For us, today is the celebration of the birth of our Risen Savior, Jesus. Our church’s Christmas sermon this morning was a really great reminder that God is with us during the most impossible of times. It was kind of perfect, because I think Nate and I (and his family) feel like we’re facing hardships that feel quite impossible right now (cancer). But, there’s no doubt that we’ve grown stronger and been made more aware and thankful for our time together because of these hardships. It’s easy to take things for granted when nothing is threatening to take them away from you.

I hope you spent your Christmas being thankful for the people and things that you have right now, no matter what you’re facing. I can say very honestly that we certainly did! And now- it’s off to bed. We (the adults) ended up scootering around the neighborhood on the kids’ new razor scooters all afternoon and I’m beat! (PS: this is obviously a sign that I need to get to the gym if I’m this exhausted..)