Reflecting on 26

Tomorrow, I turn 27!!! It has been a great year being 26...but I think 26 was that "eye opening" year for me. I have always heard that everyone has a birthday where they feel like they are actually getting older...well, turning 26 was that year for me. It was finally where I felt that I wasn't playing "house" anymore! Ha! So, after 26 being so dramatic for me, I think I will just glide right on in to 27. :-)

This year really has flown by so fast for me. Luci has changed so much. She is no longer looking like a "toddler" anymore...she is transitioning into "little girl". And I am no longer looking like an 18 year old anymore! Ha! Mitch and I are both getting older...both changing...The years really do just fly by. The saying "The days are long, but the years are fast" has never rang truer for me.

I have never been one to have a "bucket list". That just really isn't my style. (Although, I'm pretty sure Tasha and I created a list back in the 8th grade...I wonder if we accomplished everything on that!) Sure, I have things that I would like to do or like to try...or places I would like to go...but a list is not what defines me. If I never did anything else ever again in my life besides come home to Mitch and Luci, I would still be the happiest girl (I think I can call myself woman now that I am 27!!) in the world. Not even just content, truly happy.

I guess my point of this reflection is... I don't really have a lot to say that I accomplished or figured out during 26...I was just happy. Happy with my family...and happy with myself. I think that is important to have that satisfaction so young in life.

I have prayed more than I ever have before during 26. I have worried. I have stressed. I have cried. I have laughed. I have sang. I have worked. I have played. I have screamed. I have smiled. I have kissed. I have talked. I have listened. I have loved... And I am truly happy.

So, 27 I am ready for you. I am ready to see what you have in store! As long as I have God in front of me leading the way and my family beside me, I am ready!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

December Snow!

We were in Paris on Christmas when it first began to snow. We woke up to quite the Winter Wonderland on the 26th! It was gorgeous!! We got all of our gear on and went out to build a snow man...well, this snow was not the type of snow that would pack. It was literally like cotton fluff!!! So, we just "splashed" in it for a while at Mimi and PePaw's! They got almost 10 inches.

When we went back to our house in FSM, we figured that we probably got a good 4-5 inches or so. Certainly nothing to scoff at, but not the 10 inches we had just came from! We waited to go out again until the 27th. We suited up and went outside for 15-20 minutes. The snow had melted some, so it had enough liquid in it to pack pretty well...so we built a snowman pretty quick!

Luci was a little scared of our giant snowman! lol!

Snow Angel!

 Not too sure about being on top of the giant snowball!!

Christmas Afternoon + Snow!

We arrived at Mimi and PePaw's about noon. Once the Hoskyn's arrived, we started opening gifts!!! We all got so much fun stuff!! We are truly blessed!

I was a very good girl this year!!! ;-)

Shortly after we arrived in Paris, it started snowing!!!! I couldn't believe we actually got a "White Christmas"!!!

After opening presents, we set down to a great dinner of turkey and all the trimmings and then spent the rest of the evening watching the kids play and watching Christmas movies. The Hoskyn's were planning on leaving before bedtime while we were staying the night...well, the Hoskyn's got snowed in!!! Not only did it snow, but it snowed almost 10 inches!!!

This is what we woke up to the next day!!!

Yes, Christmas was a little busy...and at times a little stressful...but I wouldn't change getting to see all of our family for anything. I am glad I have a family that even with all of the food and all of the gifts still keeps Christ in Christmas!!!

Christmas Morning 2012

We woke up about an hour before Luci did on Christmas morning. We were both so excited, plus we had to start getting breakfast prepared for the Hoskyn's and Mimi and PePaw who were coming to join us later that morning.

Luci finally woke up around 7:30. I brought her a cup of milk and had her watch a short Calliou. I wanted her good and awake for when she saw her presents! Once her short Calliou was over, I told her to walk down the hall and see what Santa brought!!!

After she opened her Santa gifts and her stocking stuffers, she waited on Mimi and PePaw to get to our house to open the rest of her gifts!!!

Once presents were over, I finished up breakfast and the Hoskyn crew came over! We had eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and PW's apple dumplings!!!

After we cleaned up, Mimi and PePaw headed back to Paris while we got ready for the day. Later that day, we headed down to Paris to celebrate at Mimi and PePaw's house with the Hoskyn's!

Dec 23 and Christmas Eve-2012

We drove up to Broken Arrow on December 23rd to spend some time with Mitch's folks. On Sunday night, we visited with everyone, ate some chili, and then went to see the gorgeous light display at Rhema Bible College. It is soooo beautiful. It was really cold that night, so we hurried through!!!

On Christmas Eve we woke up and had a great breakfast and then spent the rest of the day getting ready for the afternoon/evening festivities.

An afternoon nap was essential, so we drove around in the car for a while!!

We had a great dinner and then opened gifts!!

 So, excited to unwrap some gifts!

The kid's table...so cute!!!

Shortly after we finished opening gifts, we loaded up the car and headed back to FSM for our little family Christmas Eve traditions.

We set out milk and cookies for Santa...

and Daddy read us the Christmas story.

We tucked Luci in bed, and then put together one last toy. We finally settled in for the night around midnight. I tossed and turned all night because I was sooo excited to wake up and see Luci's face the next morning!!

Santa brought Luci a new high chair for her babies, a Dora gymnastics doll (it was the only thing she really requested), a pretend puppy, a new stroller for her babies, and a stocking full of random, fun things (chapstick, toothbrush, cup, colored pencils, etc.) In our house, Santa presents are unwrapped and already put together. I did wrap her stocking stuffers, though!

Mommy and Daddy brought the rest of the presents that are set out and wrapped under the tree! Hey, Santa can't get all the credit! :-)