ode to break

There is nothing better than Christmas break.  No work, no school, and lots and lots of family time.  I know I'm on break when I live in PJ's and workout clothes.  Even if I haven't worked out yet or don't plan to they are what I'm most comfortable in.  The other day I was thinking about how I see life now compared to a couple of years ago.  One thing I realized is that married life has made a huge impact on me for the better.  There aer things I used to swear I would never do, like going out in public without makeup or in my work out clothes.  Some people have the saying "You've let yourself go".  I have not by any means let myself go, but I've learned to relax and not stress over these little things.  Trust me, I still take care of my personal hygiene and make myself nice and presentable by the end of the day.  I've learned that it's okay to not (seem to be) perfect all of the time.

Case in point: This morning we were out of coffee which a huge tragedy in our household.  Things don't function properly without coffee.  The husband had to be at work by 7:00am so this girl woke up early, grabbed my uggs and a sweatshirt, did not touch my hair or anything else and headed out the door.  I'm pretty sure that the barista was just as horrified by my appearance as I was.  My hair was wild a crazy and my face was painted from my makeup the night before (don't tell my mom!).  I'm pretty sure my look screamed, "I definitely just rolled out of bed for a cup of coffee and you're lucky that I brushed my teeth". 

Let's move on to the other joys of break:

Christmas break also means wearing red lips to go see The Nutcracker Ballet downtown with your mama.

Spending the morning with a beautiful friend while walking around the lake is one of my favorite things to do on break...

And gazing up the the beauty God has made.

Christmas break also means realizing how long your hair is getting and sending a picture to your hair dresser.  It's almost at my "wedding hair" length, and yes we do refer to it as this. 

I hope you're finding the little joys this week!

a little thing called love

love

 /lʌv/ Show Spelled [luhv] noun, verb, loved, lov·ing.

noun

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

 

Love is asking your husband to get you little gingerbread man cookies from Trader Joe's and him coming home with a giant gingerbread man and shortbread cookies. 

 

Love is your husband knowing that you're preparing to make gingerbread houses with your students, so he found the cutest gingerbread man shaped marshmallows at the store for the kids to use.

Love is making your own traditions and doing things very untraditionally.  Like, Christmas 8 days early.  And putting your present inside of a crate you found in the cloest and wrapping that so your wife can't tell what it is.  

Love is buying your husband the game he's been dying for, and hot apple cider with ice cubes so he doesn't burn his tongue.

Love is a brand new camera and perfume!  He wanted me to be able to take pictures of our family Christmas so we just had to open our presents early.  Our previous camera was free therefore it took horrible pictures.  Basically my phone took better ones so that's all I've been using lately.  Now I have to sit down and figure out how to take better pictures!

Love is having a hilarious family and an inside joke, therefore giving us a rooster for Christmas every year.  This year they might have overdone it just a little bit, really guys?!?

Love is watching your husband with his niece, it will warm your heart how adorable they are together.  And the laughter is infectous. 

We did Christmas a little early just the two of us and this past Sunday was Christmas with Daniel's family since we will be out of townn on the actual day.  There is nothing better than being together with family and your belly hurting from laughing so hard. 

whew!

Whew!  I made it!  I don't think words can describe how good it feels to finally be able to breathe and relax.  Since I've been a little MIA lately I wanted to share some fun happenings around these neck of the woods.

Last weekend was my school's holiday party.  I loved getting dressed up, taking my new shoes out for a spin (so sorry I forgot to take a pic, I guess I'll have to wear them again very soon!), and spending the night with some of my greatest friends.

 

 

Last Sunday I helped host a cookie exchange party with my favorite co-workers.  I've always wanted to do a cookie exchange so I was thrilled that my first was a success. Ann has the cutest condo downtown that was decorated beautifully for Christmas.  

Our cookies included ginger snaps, chocolate coconut, date bars, sugar cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip, chocolate peppermint crinkles, and oatmeal cookies with white chocolate, pistachios, and cranberries.  

 I tried this recipe and they were amazing!  Colleen even said that if she could marry a cookie she would marry these.  If you're in need of a good cookie to bake you have to try these!

We also had cheese and crackers, bruschetta, and quinoa stuffed cucumbers.  Our tummies were so full and happy by the end and we each left with a giant box of cookies to take home.  I can't wait to make this a yearly tradition.  

Super exciting news...Kylee was in town this week!  I can't wait to share with you the fun that took place over this past week!