Slowly progressing...

I know I haven't updated in a while. I had a very good and lazy vacation. We enjoyed visiting my brother and his family in Tulsa, but I was glad to come back to Portales. When I have more time, I will post pictures from Christmas.

I started student teaching today and it was one of the best days I have ever had. I am so lucky to have an amazing cooperating teacher. I am not going into to much detail tonight because it's late, but again when I have time I will post more about my first day probably with pictures!

In the meantime,  watch Twitter for my daily updates on student teaching and, of course, life in general!

Merry Christmas

It's funny how different Christmas is the older you get. Last year we opened gifts a little after midnight on Christmas Eve. This year we didn't even make it to midnight! Besides the fact that my dad is like a little boy, he has to work tomorrow so there is a chance he won't be home til later in the day. Waiting that long would be pure torture....for him. Even the way we buy gifts is different. My parents buy gifts for themselves and give them to each other to wrap. I picked out all my stocking stuffers. We had out big gifts weeks and weeks ago. Christmas still means the same thing to us and I love every minute of the holiday with my family, but it's definitely different as the years pass.

I have also never spent such a short time in Roswell. I came last Friday and the original plan was to be here until the 26th and then we would drive through Portales to leave my stuff and head to Tulsa to see my brother and his family. Well...not anymore.

This week away has been really hard this time around and I don't know why. I have spent more time away before and been fine. I know it's part of growing up, but I didn't expect it this year. So, I am going to Portales tomorrow and staying the night, and then my parents will pick me up on Friday morning. 

Who would have ever guessed? 

So, our Christmas presents are opened and breakfast is in the fridge, ready to be put in the oven. I should be sleeping, but I am too excited. I have enjoyed my time at home and I am excited to go to Tulsa, but tomorrow I get one of the best presents of all. I get to see Josh and spend Christmas night with him. 

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Time!

On Saturday I cleaned the apartment (extreme!) and decorated for Christmas! It is by far my favorite time of year and I can't wait until I have a real house to decorate and family can come, stay, and enjoy my Christmas wonderland!

If you know my mother, you will understand just why I decorate the way I do. I'll post a few pictures of the best parts!

The decoration on the front door! A dear friend gave me this snowman sign last year and I made the bow to spice it up!

My Gingerbread House nightlight.

The shelves in the entry way.

The back door.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

Window (Mom, check out the bead garland! It's cute!)

Corner of the living room.

Dining table with the Gingerbread Village.

Gingerbread Man apron.

Entering the Kitchen.

The other side of the kitchen.

So as you can probably tell, I collect Gingerbread men and anything related. That started from a family tradition of collecting things. My mom collects Santas and Snowmens, other family members collect many angels and other things. One year my mom asked me what I would want to collect. Gingerbread men seemed really popular that year and they are really cute so I decided to collect them!

Besides the decorations, I put out the yummy smelling candles so my apartment smells as good as it looks!

Hooray for Christmas!