Well, I do hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! This year was quite strange for me. I could never seem to get into the Christmas spirit, and kinda never wanted to listen to Christmas songs or watch any Christmas movies leading up to Christmas. Call me Scrooge, but Christmas seemed a little bit annoying at times. I honestly don’t know what has gotten into me, because I LOVE this time of the year. I was talking to a couple friends, and they said they were both in a funk, too. My theory is that since we had a late Thanksgiving we “lost” a week in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it was a little harder to not be completely stressed out. My mind was also very preoccupied with the Spartan Race we ran on the 15th, so after that I felt like Christmas kind of slapped me in the face. Regardless, I did end up having a very Merry Christmas, and I do love that we get some quality time with family. We stayed in Houston for Christmas this year, with Ryan’s side of the family. Though I miss my side of the family, it is nice to get some time with them and to really rest and slow down for a few days in our own home as we pray over the next coming year.

Note: you can read our Christmas Letter by clicking here or at the far right tab on the top of this page!

I just want to make it known that I didn’t have to step into a mall one time this year for Christmas shopping. I avoid malls anyway, and braving Houston malls in December is just a nightmare. I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase everything on my list from Amazon, and the rest from Target (I feel like I should get an award). I managed to get my Christmas wreath up a whole 2 days before winter officially began. I told you I was in a funk! I have this problem where if I see something that I feel like I could make, I think it ridiculous to buy (cuz I could make it!). But given my limited free time, I have about a gazillion projects waiting to get done, so it would probably be better for me to just buy things. Hence, the wreath.

Last Saturday, Ryan and I rented Just Dance 2014 from Redbox because we didn’t want to spend $40 on it (that’s how we roll). Just want to throw it out there that I completely dominated that game. I’ve got one thing I can say I will always be better at than Ryan: dancing. Seriously, it was sad. ;) Ryan tried a song out by himself while I was taking a break (I was sweating guys… serious stuff), and watching him play this game was just about one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen in my life. We had great fun.

Sunday we got to attend a party thrown by Ryan’s boss at their home. It was so much fun, and these people know how to throw a party! We laughed a ton and played Christmas trivia games (Ryan and I are pretty knowledgable in the Christmas song department, just FYI). After the party we joined Ryan’s family in Christmas light… looking? There were at least 12 of us piled into the back of a pickup, and we snuggled up in blankets and sang Christmas songs on the top of our lungs. Good memories made. :)

Tuesday (Christmas Eve) we went to the candlelight service at our church. I always love seeing all the lit candles filling the room at the end of the service. Such a beautiful, still moment to reflect on Christ’s coming to us. Over the past few years I’ve become more sensitive and found a new thankfulness for Christ’s act of love in His meeting us on earth. I do love time with family and days off of work, but I’ve grown a deeper admiration for our Lord. I’m not really one to cry much, and have often even felt bad for never feeling as much emotion as I feel a woman should, haha. But God has given me a soft heart for His redemption, and I love times like this that we are reminded of His goodness to us. We are truly blessed by His grace.

(this is not my photo.. I stole it from my sis-in-law)

Later that evening we got to Skype with my family, and opened gifts “with” them. Just want to say that I’m really thankful for technology. It makes not being with loved ones a little easier around this time of year. Seriously thankful.

This Christmas, I was super surprised with my hubs and his gifting me with a super awesome camera! I’m so impressed. He said he’s been doing research and tracking that camera since July (what?!). He got some advice and input from friends of ours and got a great deal on this gift. I am so pumped, and really excited about the great adventures in store. I’m still working on a name for her. :)

He also made this Jar O’ Dates for me. It’s so cute, I’m leaving it out on display (again, very impressed – this time with his craftsy-ness). He wrote 12 date clues on popsicle sticks – one for each month – and I’m supposed to draw a different one at the beginning of every month this year for a date night. This man has caught onto quality time being my love language. Adore this!

Ryan definitely outdid me this year. It was easy to do, though. He begged everyone to just give him money so that he can go back to the MMA gym (poor guy quit when we got engaged to save money). We all complied, and gave him cash as he wished. He was pretty excited about it, though. Now he gets to enjoy a full year of being beat up, and I get to endure a full year of my husband coming home with war wounds.

In the afternoon, we went over to Ryan’s parents’ house and gathered with the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas). You can see all our Christmas pics on Facebook. We had a lot of fun, and our cousin Kate taught us a new game (we are a very competitive family, so games are quite an adventure). We of course ate way too much, and I ate chocolate off and on from 8:30a – about midnight. Yes, I do remember that I have a half marathon to run in 25 days. You can pray for me.

That about sums up our Christmas adventures. Tomorrow Ryan unfortunately has to work, so I’m going to attempt to get started on a couple projects that have been waiting on me for a very long time. If I am successful, I’ll post some pics of the said projects.

I hope that you had a great Christmas, with lots of love and joy to tell of. Remember to pause and give thanks to such a gracious Savior, and reflect on His goodness in your life. I’m excited to start a new year, and I’m even more excited about all it holds for us to learn of the Lord. Be blessed!