Another year has come and gone

Can you believe it is already almost 2010? I remember starting college saying "I will graduate in 2010...that sounds so weird!" And now, here it is! The year of new beginnings and exciting finishings. 2009 has been such a bumpy year. I am ready for a change of pace, and 2010 is exactly what I need!
Tonight was another family night. We had a delicious vegan meal, and it was such a joyous night. The room was filled with laughter and fun, and I couldn't have asked for better company. This is exactly how I want to be spending my last week of 2009!
I got new boots today. That is such a side tangent, but isn't it funny how a great pair of new shoes can totally change your whole day into nothing but smiles? Jeez I'm a total girl. ;)
2010: I will try to be less of a control freak. I will live in each moment and enjoy more of the beauty that each day brings. I will take more time to be with family. I will get a job. I will pick up some positive habits {running and going to bed at a reasonable hour} and I will drop some negative habits {eating way past my bedtime and spending money I don't have}.
It is going to be a beautiful and eventful year! I can feel it :)
Peace and Blessings for a happy 2010 everyone!

Christmas Eve...

I LOVE Christmas Eve! I think I sometimes enjoy it more than Christmas day. There are so many beautiful memories linked to Christmas Eve that will always stick with me, and I still get that giddy feeling when crawling into bed this night. There is something about the day that is incredibly magical and wonderous. We went to church as a family, like we do every year, and mass was just lovely. It reminds us all of the true reason we celebrate. It is humbling, really, to hear the hum of silent night within the decorated church. The warmth that the church is filled with is so different than any other day. We came home to open some snazzy new pajamas, another delightful tradition!
Tonight, I am thankful for my family. I feel really blessed this holiday season. My family has been so strong and supportive for me, especially this past year, and they are always a soft place to land when life is too bumpy to handle on my own. I am blessed to be falling asleep in a warm home. I am blessed to be able to wake up tomorrow to fancy gifts wrapped and tucked under the tree. Tonight, look around. What are your blessings? Count them :)
I look forward to a morning filled with gifts and smiles. Dad puts on a Santa hat and passes out our gifts, and for the entire morning, we are all 5 years old again {just as it should be}. We will then make our way to Gramma and Grampa's house to exchange more gifts, laughs, and memories of Christmas past. How beautiful the day will be. I am bursting with excitement and anticipation!
Have a blessed, merry, and happy Christmas! Please let your heart be filled with childlike wonder and warmth! <3

So I used to be a college girl...

I am officially graduated! That sounds so incredibly weird to me, but I do indeed have my bachelors degree in Liberal Studies. Monday was my first and last final, and I literally skipped out of the classroom. I felt incredibly giddy! I think it was a combo of being done with my bachelors and the Christmas spirit. So, I am now an alumni...am I even old enough to call myself an alumni? So strange, but still kind of cool. ;)
I now will spend the spring finishing up my teaching credential. I have been slowly working on this credential for about two years, and I am excited to finally have time to just focus on that! Full time studnet teaching will keep me completely busy, but hopefully in the end of it all, I will have myself a happy little job that will eventually begin my happy {big} carreer. Teaching bring a joy to my life that I cannot even begin to explain. You know that feeling of constant wonder and amazement in learning new things? I get to experience that everyday :) So thrilling, so moving, so incredibly perfect!
Saturday I head to my parents house to spend some time with the family for winter break! I get six weeks off from school, and I am ready to get more into the Christmas spirit! I love the traditions that take place in our home the week before Christmas, and there really is no other feeling like being home for the holidays. :) I do, however, still have to do some crazy last minute Christmas shopping! The picture above is my sister and I at Christmas time at some point in high school. So long ago, but still one of my favorite pictures. Christmas brings out the happiness in everyone. :)
I'm happy to be back to blogging. My burns are healing up nicely. I even got a really pretty pink glove to wear on my hand. So fancy ;) Expect more updates now that I am on break!
Hope you are staying warm with cups of hot chocolate, tea, and apple cider!