Good Tidings of Great Joy

Justin and I went on an adventure this Christmas. On December 23rd, at approximately 5:30 in the morning, we loaded up our luggage and our dog, Ellie, and we began the long drive to Michigan. And I do mean long. We made great time, and arrived in 12 hours flat. Ellie was so good in the car; sometimes we even forgot she was in the car with us. We really enjoyed being together, too- we talked, sang, laughed, and slept (well, he did). It was smooth sailing all the way there.

UNTIL...

No, just kidding. It really was a very enjoyable trip. :) Gotcha!

We arrived to find my parents' house empty. We had let Dad in on the surprise ahead of time, but nobody else knew, so no one was in a hurry to come home that afternoon. But, one after the other, they all came in, and were ecstatic to find us already there, two days earlier than we had originally planned. Mom's reaction was priceless. Justin and I were hiding behind the Christmas tree in the living room, and we heard the door open, followed by a high-pitched "Is Katie here?? ... That's Ellie, isn't it? Are they here?!?" (Our Ellie had been standing in the front bay window. She gave us away!) When we came out, Mom hugged us about 5 times in a row and said something like "I'm so glad you're here! I can't believe it! You're early! I thought we weren't going to see you for two more days! I can't believe you're here! Ohhh!!"

Our 9-day trip was a bit of a whirlwind. We spent time with my family, laughing and playing games and eating and taking pictures and laughing some more. We saw SNOW, which, of course, gave me the warm fuzzies. We saw old friends and made some new ones, and my siblings and I lead worship at the church my Dad pastors. We also attended the humongous Christmas party for my mom's side of the family (if you don't know, she is one of seven children, and the family is constantly multiplying!) It was such a huge blessing to be able to see everyone. We had a great time!

We also celebrated my most favorite time of the year together, and that was the best of all. Even though we aren't kids anymore, Dad read us "The Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve, and we each opened one gift. Christmas morning, Justin and I were the first ones up, and we woke everyone up to have breakfast and open presents. It felt just like my childhood, except that this time, my darling husband was there with us. :)

Our last day there was on New Year's Eve, and we rang in the new year with good food, hilarious party games, and of course, a midnight toast and some kisses.

I don't know why, but this trip was much more meaningful than some of the others we have taken. We always have a great time with my family, but this time I really savored every moment, and made mental notes about the family house, the family dog, and my hometown, which just happens to look its best underneath a blanket of fresh, sparkly snow.

Maybe it's because I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be big. I can't wait to see what God has in store.

Not Me!

Good things come to those who wait. I have no idea who said that, but whoever it was, he or she was right on. I worked hard this past week at my job, and finally, before I knew it, Friday had arrived. I worked right up until 5 pm, offered a "Merry Christmas" to my boss, and flew out of there as soon as I could. Finally... Christmas break! It was a great feeling.

I blinked, and suddenly it was Saturday. and then Sunday. The church service at Friendship Baptist was great; awesome music, uplifting sermon, Christmas carols sung by adorable kiddos.

After church, Justin and I had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant with Tim and Shannon, Justin's brother and his wife. Tummies full, we all headed to Justin's parents' house to practice target shooting with Tim's new pistol that he got from his loving wife for Christmas.

I did not, on Sunday afternoon, shoot a handgun for the very first time ever in my life. I *certainly* did not scream like a little girl after it went off, and you KNOW I didn't turn around and point it haphazardly in the direction of the crowd of onlookers while it was still loaded. Nope, not me. I am MUCH too smart for any of that business.

The good news is, I didn't shoot anybody. :) And I learned my lesson: always, always be aware of where you're pointing a loaded gun. Don't worry guys, I'll do better next time. Promise.

What have you not been up to this week? Go ahead! Go write a "Not Me Monday" post of your very own and link to MckMama's blog. Come on, you know you want to!

For Your Enjoyment

Does the chilly winter weather ever make you want to just curl up in front of a nice, cozy fire?

Well, here you go.

You're welcome.

One week 'til Christmas! :)

Christmas Confessions

As you already know, I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. If I could move to the North Pole and live with the Clauses, I would. The only problem is, all the joy and cheerfulness always comes with one little problem: the FOOD. This is always the time of year when I get the mentality that "Christmas calories don't count" (as I saw so craftily painted on a cookie platter at Cracker Barrel recently). I cook and bake more, and I sit my booty on the couch with something delicious and munch, and munch, and munch some more.

Now, if you are one of those people who is lucky enough not to have to count your calories, please take a moment and thank the good Lord for your good genes. I most definitely do not fall into that category. Since I was young, it has been a struggle to keep that number on the scale in a healthy range. And it sure doesn't help that I love to eat - especially sweet things, and especially during the holiday season! It's hard to find that balance where you can still enjoy the things you love, and not overdo it. I'm thinking the secret is either moderation, or exercise, or maybe a combination of both.

So, why am I sharing this little confession with all of my blog readers? So glad you asked. Well, I have found in the past that when I let others in on these types of things, I am more likely to follow through and be accountable. Know what I mean?

Since no time is better than the present, I'm not going to pull my usual "Well, I'll start doing such-and-such on Monday, blah blah blah" deal. I'm starting with right now, today. My original plan was to take my dog, Ellie, on a walk around the neighborhood this afternoon (Daisy, my little girl, can't quite handle the chilly weather for long, so she gets most of her exercise inside), but then it started raining, and who wants to walk in the rain? Not this girl. So, I think Plan B will be to bring out the Tae-Bo DVD that has been gathering dust for the past however-many months since I last used it.

This time around, I'm leaving the "d" word out of it, because I hate the whole "diet" mentality, where you kick your butt for a temporary length of time, and then finally break down and go nuts, falling right back into your old habits again. I'm still going to enjoy the holidays, and sample all the things I love; I just don't want to gain all the weight back that I've lost over the past couple years (about 20 pounds, give or take a few). I want to be healthy and happy, at the same time.

Aristotle was on to something when he said, "Everything in moderation." From here on out, I'm going to do my best to live up to that motto, and not overdo it during the remainder of the Christmas season. Sprinkle in a little exercise, and hopefully I won't kick off the new year by making yet another health-related resolution.

Who's with me?!

TGIF!

Enjoy! Happy Friday, all. Have a fantastic weekend!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not Me! Monday

I first discovered "Not Me! Monday" from Melanie at Adorkable Me, and once I started reading MckMama's blog, where the whole "Not me" thing originated, I found myself glued to her site for hours. I just had to know more about this lady's incredible journey. If you've never been to her blog, you really should check it out!

So, without further ado, my very first Not me! Monday post.

*ahem*

I definitely did not come home from work tonight and immediately slip into my jammies at around 6 pm. Nope! And I most certainly did not eat so many homemade Christmas cookies that I didn't have room for a proper dinner. Not me!

I sure don't have so much love for the holidays that I practically sing Christmas carols in my sleep, and I don't complain about the warmish weather in South Carolina this time of year. Nope. I would NOT much rather be bundled up like an eskimo, waddling through a foot of snow. Not me! I am totally NOT a silly, giddy little child on the inside when it comes to Christmas. :)

If you want to write your own Not me! Monday post and link to MckMama's blog, click the adorable button below!

Santa Came Early!

This beauty is at home right now, waiting for me to come introduce myself.

I. am. so. excited! More to come. ;)