Some Countdowns

December is always an exciting and busy time of year. There always seems to be something to look forward to, and the wedding plans just give me even more things to do and look forward to. Therefore, I present some countdowns.

• 4 days until Christmas
• 11 days until New Year's
• 15 days until we move Andrew into our new apartment
• 22 days until I do my bridals
• 54 days until I go through the temple
• 60 days until I get married!!

More things will come up, I'm sure, but that's what I can think of right now. And it isn't including all the little wedding things that still need to be done. But we're at less than two months now! I can't wait. It's coming faster than I thought it would, but it's still not fast enough.

Merry Christmas!

A day late, it's true. But better late than never, right?

This is the first Christmas since I graduated college that I am staying at my parents' house for more than a few days. I took the three days between Chirstmas and New Year's off of work, mostly just because I could. Provo is pretty empty, and my dad and I are already planning on eating Godfather's mushroom pizza while watching BYU's bowl game on Friday, so I figure there's no real rush for me to head back to my apartment. 

I've spent the last three days lounging, visiting family, opening presents, eating junk food, and blowing my weight in snot out of my nose. (I've been sick for two weeks now, and my nose is the last thing to clear up. It's super annoying.) I'm planning on spending the rest of the week sleeping, playing with my Kindle, watching movies, taking pictures with my new camera, eating a lot of candy, and maybe doing some shopping. Sounds like a good way to spend the holidays.

I may get a little bored, but I'm not too worried about it. I'm very much looking forward to the break from work. It will be nice to just relax and not worry about anything. Then I'll watch BYU take on Tulsa before heading home and wrangling up any stragglers in Provo who want to do something for New Year's. 

I've already had a great Christmas, and I'm sure New Year's will be fun too. Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you've all had a fantastic holiday so far.

Giving Thanks Day 26: Christmas

In my parents' house, the weekend after Thanksgiving is always full of Christmas decorating. My dad pulls the seemingly countless bins of decorations from the basement while my mom sorts through what she has to figure out what she's going to put where (and to remember all the decorations she bought dirt cheap after Christmas the year before). Christmas music fills the house as mom replaces pictures and sets up nativity scenes. Dad goes outside to put the lights up on the house. I help with whatever I'm called to help with, whether it be putting up the tree or giving Dad an opinion on something outside.

I love how much my family gets into Christmas. There has never been a year that I can remember when Dad didn't put lights up outside or when the house wasn't bursting with nativities and Santas and snowmen. My future husband better be ready—I'm going to make him put lights up on the house and help me decorate the rest of the house. There is no negotiating. I will have lots of Christmas decorations.

The whole reason I love decorating so much is that it helps bring the spirit of Christmas into my life. I love Christmastime. I love Christmas music and Christmas trees and Christmas lights. I even love snow for Christmas, though after Christmas it could all just go away and I'd be happy. Most of all, I love how most people, regardless of religious beliefs, seem to embrace the spirit of Christmas. For the month of December, no one complains when they hear songs like "Silent Night," "The First Noel," or "O Holy Night." During Christmas, fewer people seem to balk at the mention of Christ. And I love that. It brings such a feeling of togetherness. For one month of the year, people make a concerted effort to forget their differences and be generous and kind to those around them.

I'm so thankful for this time of year when the Spirit of Christ strikes more deeply into the hearts of men. I'm thankful for the chance to remember Christ and His birth all month long. I'm thankful that I know the true meaning of Christmas and the true reason behind the magic of this time of year. And most of all, I'm thankful for Christ, without whom we all would be lost.

I Love Christmas

Christmas is probably my favorite time of year. I know a lot of people say that, especially little kids, but I still love Christmas. And as I have gotten older, I have realized that I love it more for different reasons. As a kid, I loved Christmas because of the presents (of course). Let's be honest, that's the reason every kid loves Christmas. However, I also loved the feeling that I got around Christmas. I don't think I fully understood what that feeling was, but I loved it nonetheless.

Dad always puts Christmas lights on the house. He loves making the house look festive because he loves this season just as much as I do. When I was little, I would fall asleep looking at the window, where I could see the red and green lights on the roof glowing through the blinds. I absolutely loved Christmas morning. Matt and I would usually be the first ones awake. We would go and wake up Chelly and Ben, then we'd go to the Christmas tree, which was always lit with white Christmas lights. It was dark outside, and we wouldn't turn on any other lights, so the living room was lit by the tree alone. I loved opening my stockings by the light of the tree.

Then, once we couldn't take it anymore, we'd finally get up the nerve to wake up Mom and Dad. They'd stumble out of bed (or tell us to wait twenty more minutes) and we'd all gather around the Christmas tree, wrapped in blankets. Dad would hand us gifts one by one and we'd unwrap them one at a time. As it grew lighter outside, the piles of gifts next to each of us kids grew larger, until we finally opened the last and biggest gift from Santa. Then we'd eat Christmas Morning Casserole (the only day of the year Mom ever makes it), play with some of our gifts, and, after opening more gifts at Grandma and Grandpa Brown's house, watch a movie or two.

I love these memories. I love remembering how I felt as a child and letting the excitement of Christmas engulf me again. I no longer wake up before dawn on Christmas morning or scour the house for gifts that Mom and Dad have hidden. It no longer feels like the month of December lasts an eternity. (Instead, it passes in the blink of an eye.) I no longer sit on Santa's knee and tell him what I want for Christmas, nor do I leave cookies and milk for Santa to eat. But it seems that no matter how old I get, Christmas is still special. I love Christmas lights and decorations. I love nativity scenes and advent calendars. And I still love seeing wrapped presents under the tree with my name on them.

But most of all, I love thinking of Christ. I love being able to mention Christ's name often, and to hear his name spoken often. I love knowing what this season is about. I love watching the excitement in little kids' eyes when I ask them what they asked Santa for. I love listening to Christmas music and feeling the importance of this time of year. I love singing in Christmas programs and feeling like I've contributed to the spirit of Christmas.

There is nothing like the feeling at Christmas. It is such a wonderful and peaceful spirit, and I only hope I can keep it in my heart all year 'round.

Being Thankful: Day Twenty-Six

I grew up knowing that the Christmas season doesn't start until the day after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is its own holiday, and just because everybody else skips it doesn't mean our family has to. Thanks to that upbringing, I am a bit of a stickler about that. I only start listening to Christmas music once Thanksgiving is over.

For some reason, it was much harder to stick to that this year. I have wanted to listen to Christmas music for a couple of weeks now, but I was good and didn't. (Okay, so maybe I played a couple of songs on the piano earlier this week, but that was it.) And I'm glad I didn't, because now that it is actually the Christmas season, Christmas music is so much better. I'm not sure why it works that way, but it does.

I love Christmastime. I love Christmas music. I love having white Christmases and seeing Christmas lights on houses. I love Christmas trees and decorating for the holidays. I love how Christmas brings out the generosity in people. I love the Sub for Santa and Angel Tree programs that give people opportunities to give to those who are less fortunate. I love watching little kids get so excited about Santa's visit. I just love everything about Christmas.

I am so thankful for this time of year. I'm thankful that for at least a few weeks, we hear songs like "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." When else are we inundated with reminders of the Savior's birth? The spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. It's the one time of year when most people allow that Spirit in willingly, when they might otherwise eschew it. This is why I love Christmas. It is a holiday completely about our Savior and Redeemer; how could anyone not love it?

Being Thankful: Day Twenty-Three

I got off work early today because of a (supposed) blizzard of the decade. I came home, grateful for an early day, and eagerly awaited the storm to blow in. I made plans with some friends, and we were all going to weather the storm together—playing games, watching movies, eating food, the usual. Unfortunately, no snow blew in. And I mean none. The "blizzard" blew out by the time it hit Utah Valley, so Provo got squat. And I was upset.

Which made me think about how thankful I am that I live in Utah, in a place where we (well, usually) get four distinct seasons. The cold of winter melts to the warmth of spring, and the heat of summer fades to the chill of fall. I love the feeling I get when seasons change. Each season brings a different emotion, a different spirit. I wanted a good, solid snow storm today because I wanted to feel the upcoming Christmas season. It's not Christmas without snow.

I think one of the most comfortable things in the world is sitting at home, bundled up under a blanket, reading a book and watching the snow fall. It's especially nice when I know I have nowhere to go and nothing to do. I love it when the white of the snow on the ground matches the white of the snow clouds above—when the sky blends into the earth and it feels like nothing exists except you and the snow. The silence during those storms is so peaceful. The world seems to simply stop moving.

So I'm thankful for snow. I'm thankful that I live in a place where we get snow, Where nearly every year I get a white Christmas. I'm thankful I know that at some point, Provo will get a good storm, and that I will get to watch it fall and feel the quiet from it.

You Know You're an Adult When...

...you get a hand mixer, a cupcake cookbook, a cupcake pan (complete with cover), an electric blanket, and a tool set (including a 15-in-1, which my old boss [who also happens to be my mom's cousin] brought me) for Christmas and you're incredibly excited about them all. Ten years ago I would have thought those were the most boring gifts imaginable, but when I opened them yesterday, I was pretty ecstatic. Especially about that 15-in-1; it's the coolest tool ever. I'm also pretty excited to try out some of the cupcake recipes. I've never been much of a baker, but my co-workers have gotten me interested in baking. Now I just have to start avoiding Williams Sonoma.

But to temper all of the rather adult gifts I got, I did get a Mikey (from Sherwood) bobblehead that will soon be adorning my work desk and Super Mario Brothers for the Wii. It's too bad I didn't bring my Wii home for the weekend, or I'd be playing right now. Oh well...I'll just have to try it out when I get home tomorrow.

All in all, it was a good haul, thanks to my awesome parents. Oh, and Santa. ;) Merry Christmas, everyone!

Just a Little Update

Merry Christmas Eve's Eve! I'm at 97 posts for this year, and I want to make it an even 100 before the year's out. 100 just seems like a good number, you know? That means that I have three more posts to write in the next week (for all of my fellow arts majors who can't do math).

I thought I would write a bit of an update post. Not the most exciting of posts, but hey, a post is a post, right?

First of all, I finally got a full-time job! I got offered a full-time position at my current company, KLAS Enterprises, and I'm so happy about it. Not only will I be working more hours (therefore making more money), but that also means that I get paid vacation time and paid holidays! Woo hoo! This is the first time in my life that I've had a real, full-time job with benefits. It's pretty exciting. Though I must admit, I never thought I would get excited about working more. Ah, the joys of adult life.

I also got a new nephew last week. His name is Aiden Benjamin, and he's adorable. He's so tiny! I always forget how itty bitty newborns are. Especially when I'm used to my smallest niece or nephew being 17 months old. This is nephew number four, totaling seven nieces and nephews with two more on the way.

Now I'm just spending one more night in Provo, all by my lonesome, and then heading out for Magna tomorrow morning. I'm getting excited for Christmas. I just love this time of year.

Music Break

So I saw Anna do this on her blog forever ago, and I thought it was a fun idea, so I'm doing it too. This is a list of some of my very favorite songs. These are in no particular order; I'm just typing them as I think of them. This list is not inclusive by any means. I'm sure later on I'll think of other songs I should have put on the list instead.

Since we all know that I'm in love with Sherwood, my first three will be from them. I'm going to force myself to narrow it down to one song from each of their albums, but you should know that I love, love, LOVE each one of these albums so by mentioning them at all, I'm telling you to go check them out.

"The Town That You Live In" by Sherwood, Sing, But Keep Going. I seriously love this song.

"Song In My Head" by Sherwood, A Different Light. This was the song that got me into Sherwood in the first place. Listen at your own risk. You might just end up like me.

"Worn" by Sherwood with Molly Jenson, QU. Awesome song. I can play it on the guitar—now I just need to find a guy to sing it with.

"Let It Be" by The Beatles, Past Masters. I could fill this whole list with Beatles songs, but I won't.

"The Lion and the Teacup" by Bishop Allen, Grrr... This song was stuck in my head for about a month straight, I swear.

"The Jitterbug" by Harry Connick, Jr., Songs I Heard

"Does He Love You?" by Rilo Kiley, More Adventurous

"Whatever It Takes" by Lifehouse, Who We Are

"Two Points For Honesty" by Guster, Lost and Gone Forever. This is one of the many albums that my sister introduced me to when I was about 12, and I still absolutely love it.

"As Lovers Go" by Dashboard Confessional, A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar

"Lovers in a Dangerous Time" by Barenaked Ladies, Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits. "Gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight" is probably my favorite song lyric of all time.

"Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts. Every girl needs a favorite angry-girl song. This one happens to be mine.

"Superman" by Five For Fighting, America Town

"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, Rockin' the Suburbs

"Fever" by Peggy Lee,  The Best of Miss Peggy Lee

"Do You Realize" by The Reign of Kindo,  The Reign of Kindo EP

"Under Pressure" by David Bowie and Queen, Classic Queen

"Cold, Cold Heart" by Norah Jones, Come Away With Me

"Stoppin' the Love" by KT Tunstall, Eye to the Telescope


And because it's Christmas, here are five of my favorite Christmas songs:

"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole, The Christmas Song. It's a classic.

"Hanukkah Blessings" by Barenaked Ladies, Barenaked for the Holidays. I know it's not a Christmas song, but since the guys in Barenaked Ladies are Jewish, they wrote a song about why they celebrate Hanukkah. It's an amazing song.

"I Pray On Christmas" by Harry Connick, Jr., When My Heart Finds Christmas. Harry has some amazing Christmas albums.

"Stille Nacht" by Mannheim Steamroller, Christmas. I love this version. It immediately puts me in the Christmas spirit.

"Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas. This whole album is amazing. If you haven't heard it, you're completely missing out.

Thanks Day Twenty-Seven

Today I'm thankful for the Christmas season. I know it's still November, but it's the day after Thanksgiving, which means that Christmas is now fair game. I'm a traditionalist, so I don't listen to Christmas music or put up any Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving, but that's only because there's something about only have about a month of Christmas that makes it more powerful for me. My very favorite part of Christmas is the feeling that comes with it. I love that December is the only time of year when just about everybody acknowledges that Christ is our Savior who came to this world to save each of us. I wish that the feeling of Christmas could persist all year long, but for right now, I'm thankful that it's just starting.