As I drove to school this morning, my hands were freezing cold and there was a layer of frost on my windshield I had to try to look through. Winter is here and Christmas is just around the corner! I love Christmas time! I get so sappy this time of year! I love getting 2 weeks off of work, I love spending time with family at Brownwood (20 something people all staying together playing games, eating, talking...it's wonderful!), I love skiing with Brandon's family (read his blog for a detailed and humorous account), I love Christmas music (especially Dave Mathews Christmas Song), I love picking out gifts for people, I love church services and singing "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night," I love lights on houses and trees...I love everything about Christmas, and I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
Only a few more days of school, and Christmas will be here! I got the finals written and copied yesterday, and we are coasting through to the end of the semester. This weekend I'm going with my parents to Seminole, the home of my Papaw and his wife Jane, to eat lunch with them and my aunt and uncle and cousins who recently moved to Lubbock from California. I haven't seen them since my Nana's funeral about 2 years ago, so I'm looking forward to the visit.
Brandon and I will spend Christmas with my mom's family at Lake Brownwood. It is so much fun when all of the family gets together. I have wonderful memories of being at Brownwood at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and during the summer. My grandmother always cooks a wonderful Japanese meal instead of the traditional American turkey or ham. It is delicious! And this year it will be so much fun with Ava starting to talk and play with everyone! I'm glad they're moving to Abilene so I can see her more; she will have plenty of attention at the lake!
Then the first week in January, Brandon and I are going skiing with his parents are another family. As much as I hate to be cold, I absolutely love to ski! I love being in the mountains whether it is backpacking in the summer or skiing in the winter, it is just so beautiful! We're going to Breckenridge this year. I've never been there, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like. I think we might even try night skiing one evening.
I am so blessed with close family that loves each other and gets along well, so holidays are not stressful, but full of love and laughter. I take that for granted too often, but I appreciate so much the friends and family I have and the wonderful blessing they are. To the friends and family who read this, thank you for your love. I cherish the relationships I have with you.
I told you Christmas time makes me sappy!
