Random Overload

This weekend was full of wonderful happenings.

Jeb was given the weekend off and was able to spend some extra time with his parents, brother & his brother’s girlfriend.

We were able to go to the Springs on Saturday and found everything I needed! (That rarely happens to me!)

My two sisters and Jeb’s brother & girlfriend met us for Breaking Dawn Part 1 Saturday night. I enjoyed looking down our half a row at some of the most important people in my life, all sitting & enjoying a movie together. That rarely happens to us anymore.

Sunday we visited both wedding locations and were able to brainstorm, plan and dream with each other and both of our parents. (This also rarely happens!)

We ended the weekend with a steak dinner and watching the Eagles win!

Lately I have been constantly reminded of how blessed I am.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner things are about to get real hectic around my parents’ house, lots of creating, cleaning, & cooking.

As I have said before I love it all.

I have made myself a vow to take every bit of it in and enjoy as much as possible.

The next few days already have full schedules and none of which include tackling the 10 or so Christmas presents I need to have done by Saturday.

But, I’m not the least bit worried. I have found that I work best in the wee hours of the morning… usually under pressure (aka: Friday night, after spending the majority of the day shopping probably starting out wayyy to early.)

Bring it on!

The past few days I have had a cute little student council camp chant stuck in my head.

“I’m a nut”

-snap snap-

“I’m a nut”

-snap snap-

“I’m crrrazzzy”

It pretty much sums up these last few days and the next month or so to come.

Most days I catch myself thinking about what I want to be doing, instead of focusing on what I need to get done.

Most days I feel like my emotions are about to run out all over me in all forms.

Tears

Laughing

Pure excitement

Frustration

Anticipation

Fear

The list would drag on forever if I let it.

I keep thinking about Bernice in Hope Floats saying: “My cup runneth over”

My Pandora stations have consisted of a mix between 60’s, Christmas and Disney.

I’ll just remind you that I am in fact 20 years old.

… I just realized I will be 21 in less than a month.

I’m blaming this holiday for bringing my “inner child” out of me.

Or maybe, this is just the effect of less than 7 hours of sleep a night for the last month.

I’m hoping my “crash” doesn’t happen until my mile long to-do list is done.

Gosh.

I haven’t visited Pinterest in over a week by the way. That is one site that could get me into a lot of trouble this next month…

I’m sort-of, kind-of half-heartedly thinking about not visiting the site until my presents are all made… too bad the patterns and guidelines I need for every single one can be found only, on that site.

Countdown to Christmas

You know those people who listen to Christmas music starting November 1^st? The same ones who watch every Christmas movie on TV starting… well, November 1^st.

I have to be honest here…

I’m one of those people.

My sisters and I last Christmas

I absolutely LOVE the heck outta Thanksgiving to January 1^st.

CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF IT

The Santas my grandpa has carved

My grandma's Christmas candy recipies

I love the whole dang process of getting ready for Christmas too.

I personally enjoy thinking about what to get my loved ones, shopping for them and wrapping the gifts.

I love making yummy foods that we save for just this time of year.

I love decorating. I think it is such a shame that lighting up your house isn’t as popular as it once was, kindof like hanging the American Flag… but that’s another story.

All the hustle and bustle, I LOVE it. Last year was the first year we ever ventured out early black Friday morning, and I must say I will be doing it again, and hopefully again and again and again.

I honestly think that this blog is not doing my excitement justice. Seriously.

Every year my family goes and purchases a permit to go cut down our own Christmas tree and decorate it together hot chocolate, soup, and carols included. Our tree is filled with memories, Santa brought my sister’s and me a new ornament each year, it usually had something to do with a memory or trip we took the year before.

Cutting down Christmas trees one year with my cousin and her husband

When we went to Disneyland one summer, that Christmas each of us got an ornament of our favorite Disney character.

The year we were baptized we received a wooden lamb that my grandfather carved for us, signifying we were children of God.

One tradition that my mom started when we were just little girls was tying red, white, and purple ribbons on our tree. Red is for God’s love for us & White represents our sins being washed white as snow when we ask God for forgiveness.

Purple, is still to this day my favorite. Each one of us only ever puts one purple ribbon on, and you have to do it yourself. So when I was away at college, my ribbon waited for me to be hung when I got home.

Those ribbons are a reminder. Before the purple ribbons are put on the tree each one of us has to think of something, or someone we want to pray for during the holiday season. Then, every time you look at the tree or a purple ribbon catches your eye, you pray your prayer.

When I was in late elementary school, my best friend had a Christmas tree that was decorated right out of a catalog with wrapping paper to match. I remember it was just beautiful, and thinking, “I wish we would do a tree like this.” I know I went home that night and told my mom exactly what I thought about our tree versus my friends. She told me that those trees are very beautiful and classy looking, but our tree has meaning and memories.

I cannot wait to start a tree with Jeb, & to build traditions with each other and our future children.

This year, has been sort-of bittersweet.

This year will be the last year that my childhood traditions will be the same.

Don’t get me wrong I can’t wait to go cut down our own tree and light up the outside of our residence (tastefully not tacky!)

But, I won’t get the infamous socks and underwear bag next year, and I won’t have to clean my room spick and span next year, because all of my belongings won’t be in that room anymore.

Jeb and I made plans months ago to fly out December 24^th to Pennsylvania to spend Christmas with his family.

Secretly, I don’t want to.

I am so excited to spend Christmas with Jeb and meet all of his family. To learn their traditions and become a part of his family, but there is a selfish part of me that wants Christmas like it has always been.

Christmas Eve with my Dad’s parents with my Grandma dressed from head to toe in Christmas and my Grandpa shaking his sleigh bells telling us that Santa is on his way. Going to bed in our new pj’s after each of us reading the new children’s book we were just given.

Lacy reading her new Christmas Book

Notice my dad is asleep in both pictures!



Christmas morning at our house with my Dad’s parents again opening our stockings from Santa and enjoying home-made cinnamon rolls and fruit salad. Then the afternoon and next few days with my Mom’s family.

one of the last christmas mornings at my grandparents house

Opening presents, snacking on home-made foods and goodies all day, playing games with my cousins, aunts and uncles; Just enjoying one another.

But, those traditions have not happened for a few years now & I know that this year is just another year getting used to the changes.

Spending time with the Stoltzfus's (this was a tradition before we started daiting!)

This year I have made the conscious effort to hand make almost every present.

Crazy I know, completing the many DIY wedding projects that are still waiting to be started isn’t enough. No, not at all. Why not throw in 10 to 15 presents to make into the mix. Ha! Honestly, I have been trying to start the presents since Halloween, but with all the recent car trouble I have had lately and the frustration that comes with not being able to find the supplies I want and need, has been a real set back.

Last week during one of our nightly phone calls I expressed my frustrations to Jeb through tears and sniffs, he calmly replied with the best plan.

This weekend he is taking me and my sisters to see the new Twilight the second night it is theaters. Then, on Sunday he is taking me to the Springs to gather the numerous supplies I need for my gifts AND fronting the bill because thanks to the automobiles in my life I have slim to no money these days.

Personally, I think any guy who is brave enough to take not only his girlfriend on a date but her two sisters as well is most definitely a keeper. Top it off with taking them to Twilight on the second night it is out, oh yeah he isn’t going anywhere!

Dang I love that boy.

Dang I love this time of year.

Dang I love that after November there are only 7 months until I become Mrs. Stoltzfus

Dang.

Wedding update: Things are getting done! I had to ask the two girls I wanted to join my sisters as brides maids earlier than I though and without the creative idea I had, because my grandma said its TIME TO START DRESSES!!!!  I’m so excited, if you couldn’t tell.

I made an appointment with the place we are going to use for flowers.

We have pretty much finalized the finger food menu for our reception!

I talked to the wonderful lady we want to make our cake, turns out when you ask your “vendors” 10 months in advance in Westcliffe, usually they are wide open!

I am 4 months behind on my list of DIY projects, and strangely very okay with that. Although I know I need to get my butt into gear!