Projects

Since I am a teacher and I get a wonderfully long break this week is dedicated to projects. Yesterday our project was to de-Christmas the house. Our tree has been dead for about 2 weeks...so much for cutting down a nice Christmas tree. I've been terrified that it would catch on fire, so it had to go. We took down all the decor, drug the tree to the curb, and cleaned up in about 1.5 hrs.

Today I must finish thank-you notes from the wedding. I've been procrastinating way too long. I love my gifts, but I'm not so good with the note writing. After that is finished I've determined that I'm going to teach myself (and my husband) how to knit. I have decided that I must have a hobby that has a product. (The only other thing I do is read). I started the process last night, and I figured out how to cast on, but step two was a failure. By 12:30 I was very frustrated and gave up. We will see how today goes.

I have also set up my new sewing machine, but I can't decide what to make. I'm a beginner, but does anyone have any suggestions?

A look at our year...

Since I haven't put up any pictures yet here is a snapshot of this year...

Getting Engaged!

 Graduating from college!

 Getting married!

Honeymoon to Cancun!

Halloween

Thanksgiving in the mountains

Cutting down our first Christmas tree!

Our first Christmas together!

Our First Christmas Together

After searching long and hard to find an ornament that said something about "Our First Christmas", we ended up receiving 5. And they were all cuter than the one we found! It was truly a wonderful first Christmas as newlyweds, and it felt much like the wedding day in that it was over before I even knew it. We spent a wonderful few days celebrating Christmas in Virginia with Scott's family. Then when it was time to leave on Thursday our car would not start. (This is the fourth time we've had car trouble after driving to VA). We had it looked at, nothing was wrong, but we didn't leave until 7:00pm. After spending half of the night singing obnoxious Christmas carols in the car, we arrived home at 3:00am. I had one day to prepare for everyone coming to my house for Christmas, and we had church at 4:00. Somehow everything got done, and we fit everyone into our little house. We opened presents and ate dinner on our china plates (Thanks Jordyn!) in the living room. It was a fun time with the whole family, all topped off with a snowfall!

Full

As we were leaving a wonderful weekend with friends, this was the word that came to mind. I was literally full from all the great food we ate, and overwhelmed by what a blessing my friends are. Looking back over the past year my life has been so full. This time last year I had no idea where I would be now. Married to a wonderful husband, grateful for fulfilling jobs, close to my family, and three couples who are amazing friends. God is so good.

On another note, my family is preparing for a large event tomorrow. Erin will receive a new kidney, kindly donated by my dad. :) Thank you to everyone who has/is supporting us through prayer, meals, and everything else. We cannot express how thankful we are for your generosity. Please keep them in your prayers over the next two weeks.

Merry Christmas to all! Don't forget to thank God for all He has blessed us with!