December books (with the year total)

via 

 via

 via

Historical Christmas Stories 1991 by Lynda Trent, Caryn Cameron, and Deloras Scott
Crossed by Ally Condie
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Ruthless by Sara Shepard
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
Devoted by Hilary Duff with Elise Allen
Experiencing God Through Prayer by Jeanne Guyon
The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
A Place of Quiet Rest by Nancy Leigh DeMoss 
The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
Escape From Warsaw by Ian Serraillier
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
The Well-Educated Mind by Susan Wise Bauer 
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

I took a lot of time out days with books this month. Thanks hubby for being cool with me being a nerd and non-productive every now and then. So, the total is 126 books this year. Of this month, Violets of March might have been my favorite. It was better than I thought it would be. I'm reading the Matched and Elixir (as well as the Delirium and Abandoned) trilogies. They all of a heroine, and kinda twisted reality. Abandon has the best writing probably, although I think I enjoy all :)

Reflection - where are we headed?

via

Do you make  New Year's resolutions? I like to at least use the year-change as a time to reflect, remember things I loved, don't want to repeat, and where I'm headed. I feel very aware that my decisions impact and are impacted by my husband. It's exciting and a little scary. I find myself wanting to plan out our big decisions over the next 5 to 10 years, yet also find myself craving to fully rely on God. I know there's a balance, and I'm praying for direction, peace when things are right, and enjoying the little moments.
Over the next few days, I plan to make a list of a few things that I think would be fun to work on or include in our lives. :) 

  

 via

 

 via

Fa la la la

 

 

 via

This morning, sure felt cold enough for snow! 

It's the quiet days between Christmas and New Years. First day back in the office and it's a ghost town! Christmas was wonderful :) I loved seeing all my family (even via video chat), all the dogs play together, and spending Christmas evening with my new husband. We got to extend Christmas with a visit to his family Tuesday night, took care of my new name at the bank (officially Mrs. C!), and starting to get the house back to normal.

Merry Christmas!

 via

 

via

to you and yours :)

Merriest Eve

 via

 via

via

 

 via

Practically Christmas!! The progressive dinner was a huge success. Apparently we have a lot of fantastic cooks and decorators in our family. It was really fun to see everyone's trees and updates to their houses. We got to pop crackers and sit with candles and I liked seeing everyone's dishes.  Today I'm (trying to) giving blood with my dad, last minute shopping, Christmas Eve service (my parents are doing 3!), and hopefully looking at lights. With all of our new families, traditions aren't the same, but I almost like it more - I feel like we're more focused on the real reason and seeing each other. Merry Christmas Eve!

Eve of Christmas Eve

 

via

via 

 via

via

Today I get hubby all day (unfortunately the only day over the Christmas holidays). Tonight we're celebrating as a big family with progressive dinner. We'll go to four houses for appetizers, salad, white chicken chili, and dessert (we're the dessert house!). I'll miss my brother and sister-in-law but I'm glad her family gets to get together :) I'm thankful for the time we do have!
  

 

 via

Christmas Eve Eve Eve

via

via

I got off work early yesterday, and after finding out I'd be hosting our wrapping party, I was inspired to clean up. We have more pictures hung, and I used our vacuum for the first time. There was a special loud button that did an amazing job. It was fun to catch up and be productive.

Tonight, I'm going over to my sister's to make Christmas cookies and watch White Christmas - especially for the Sister, Sister song. It'll feel good to get out of work today for the break!!

  

 via

Wrapping Wednesday

via

 via

via 


I have no idea why I haven't done this before now, but I finally filled up my cd changer with Christmas music. All I want to do is drive now. It was really fun to drive into work on this wintery (rainy) day to Michael W. Smith. Tonight I'll be rearranging our mantel in preparation for family visiting on Friday night, and heading over to a friend's to wrap Christmas presents. My friend is a teacher and I'm wondering if I'll learn some creative methods from her :) 

Hallelujah We’ve been found
A Child is born to save us now, Jesus! Halleluiah Light has come
A savior set us free!

-BarlowGirl

Tinsel Tuesday

via

It was so nice having Monday off and the hubby home! We got some shopping done, some house stuff done, and it was so nice to spend lots of time together.  On Saturday night we tried out a Ab Ripper video, and man oh man, I'm just feeling back to normal today! We'll have to try it again sometime soon. I have a few more ornaments on the tree from Saturday, and baked my Christmas mug to get the paint to set. We had a good time at a Christmas party on Sunday and visiting with family and friends.

 via

Tonight I get to see my friend Molly - I haven't seen her since I've been married! It's still kinda weird to think that two years ago, I had no idea I was about to date the right guy for me. A year ago, I was just his girlfriend, and I've had this ring on my finger for about a year. All fun thoughts. I'm so thankful God has a plan!

Silent Saturday

 via

 via
Bible Study craft afternoon! Looking forward to making some ornaments, and spending most of my time with hubby :) So thankful for what time of the year represents!

Festive Friday

via

 via

 via

It's very quiet in the office today, but it's kinda nice. I'm excited to get home and spend a weekend with my husband! 

Twinkling Thursday

 

 via

We're having a Holiday Lupper (Lunch/Supper) at work today. We're making ornaments (writing on the ball ornaments) and eating Maggiano's. I'm excited! Only 6 more days of work before Christmas (including today), and 10 overall, yay! PS, I'm loving these hats with a big ball on the end. I might have something similar wrapped under the tree. (thanks hubby!) 

Wintery Wednesday

 via

Isn't it interesting when you learn a detail about person that makes you kinda go "ohh." I love understanding the people I love better.  We're getting a brief visit from my in-laws today :)

Twinkling Tuesday

 via

via

 Quiet and productive, both at home and at work :)

Merry Monday

 via

This is the type of weekend I'll look back on and smile. J and I got lots of time in together, we got to eat dinner at friends', be hosts, cook breakfast and a dinner together, go to church, go for a walk in the cold, look at lights, our tree is decorated, started our Christmas shopping, and mainly, had lots of time together.