Joy..

Yes, it is official. The holiday season is among us. :) Radio stations are playing Christmas music, and there is snow on the mountain tops. I always forget just how much I love those songs until I hear it each November. It's almost refreshing!

Alex and I have been almost giddy this year about our anticipation for the Christmas season. I am determined to enjoy every moment of it... to savor each song, each experience, each Christmas concert, each snowy afternoon. When you are a kid, you can't wait, can't wait, can't wait for gifts and then it's over in the blink of an eye. As I've grown older, I've realized I need to enjoy each day as it is, and not always look forward to "what's next!!" Especially this year when I will not be flying home to Oklahoma to spend with family. I have never spent a big holiday away from home, and this year it will be not only Christmas, but Thanksgiving as well. Thankfully, I have a new husband and another family that I love to spend them with.

We both want to make our first holiday season memorable, so we're going to try and make the most of it. How could it go wrong?? With blankets, hot chocolate, "White Christmas" and eachother... it's just short of heaven itself.

Just remember to celebrate what's most important this year. The true meaning of Christmas, family, friends, being together, and enoying each day as if it were your last.

Pumpkin Carvin'

Alex and I had our FIRST pumpkin carving experience. (That is the great thing about being newlyweds... everything is a "first" together, therefore everything is more exciting.) We took pictures of this blessed event.

This is Alex's pumpkin.

This is Rachel's pumpkin.

[Note: While in the decision making process of which pumpkin to choose, I saw a little pumpkin on the ground that someone had dropped and decided to leave. I did indeed feel sorry for the little guy, therefore he is the pumpkin I carved. So it may look like he has some dents, but in reality- they are only the battle scars in the life of an unwanted pumpkin.]

Now, here our pictures of Alex and Rachel with their pumpkins.


Dont'cha wish you could have come?? :) That night was a lot of fun. It was filled with rolo cookies, pumpkin carvin', The Godfather, Dominos pizza and making out. Could life get much better??

Best Friends

Well, my best friend is getting married. We've been close since I moved to Stillwater in my sophomore year. It seems that we always do everything together, so it's only natural that she get married shortly after I do. :) I love this girl. We've had our ups and downs, but it's ultimately made us into what we are today. Older, wiser, and not quite as stubborn. ;) I'm very excited for her, and I wish her all the happiness in the world. Here are some photos of our good times through the years... because I know you're dying to see them.

These two pictures are my favorite in the world.

Love it.

We've grown up together, been through the same experiences, and I will always love her like a sister.

Warning:

Don't read this book if you're not willing to listen to her guidance, if you're a feminist or easily offended. Eh, on the other hand, maybe you should. Dr. Laura is one feisty woman! She speaks how she feels, and I love her all the more for it. She's got a good head on her shoulders.

I've always had the attitude that when you marry, you treat your husband like a king. You live to make his day just a little bit better. You don't criticize or belittle them. You help lift them up. You are affectionate with them, you allow them guy time, you love them for who they are.

My brother bought me this book as a gift. I think he knew how much I loved self-improvement books, PLUS he is a current huge fan of Dr. Laura. I have been waiting for it to come in the mail, and I got it just last night and have already read half of it. I love it!!

I'm so glad that my parents taught me the way they did. We rarely saw them fight. They were always affectionate and always loved eachother. They raised us in a loving, secure environment and it has directly affected my marriage to Alex. To be a wife is a wonderful thing. I haven't experienced being a mother yet, but I know that when I do- I will work at my marriage just the same. I recommend this book to ANY woman. These days there is such a "feminist" movement. Women who are mere housewives or treat their husbands well are weak, and are missing out on what's "truly important."

"How many women's mags talk about women's obligations to their men and children? Not many. The typical article is about deserving freedom: Day care vs. child rearing, sex out of wedlock vs. marriage, affairs vs. fidelity, and solo parenting vs. two parent homes are offered as entitlements for women." -Dr. Laura

I love my husband, and therefore want our marriage to be successful. I want there to be love and commitment. I want us to be eachother's first priority always. I'm determined to live that way to the best of my ability.

Al's Birthday. :)

Happy Birthday to the most intelligent, handsome, hardworking, thoughtful, generous, loving, romantic person I've ever known.