It's Christmas Eve

It is Christmas Eve at my house tonight! The most exciting night of the kid year. Laying in bed and trying to sleep but being way too excited about all of the fun that would come with Christmas morning. Wanting it to hurry up and just be morning already! I remember being so jittery and excited in my bed and occasionally looking out the window for Santa's sleigh. I also remember feeling like I needed to go to the bathroom so badly (a side effect I had when I got really excited), but staying in bed because I couldn't face the risk of seeing Santa in the hallway. Every kid knows if you see him then he won't come back. So I stayed in bed with my legs criss-crossed like a pretzel, trying to hold it til morning and trying to fall asleep.

This is the excitement I feel tonight! Ryan comes home tomorrow!!! He has been doing an away rotation through UT in Jackson. I had to stay in Atlanta for work. He has been there for FOUR WEEKS!!! We got to see each other the first two weekends but last weekend Ryan had to go to Louisiana to be in a wedding and I had to stay in Atlanta because I couldn't take off work. SO, I haven't seen him since Sunday, October 17th! And I am dying. And to top it off, Bauer has been in Jackson with him. Bauer had to make a few visits to Mr. Danny to get a little surgery and have a follow-up visit. So I have been in Atlanta alone. By myself. Totally alone. And it ends today because tomorrow Ryan and Bauer come home!! Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so lonely when Ryan is gone. It doesn't matter if I'm around a bunch of other people or if I have a lot of fun things planned - life is just off when he's not around. There are spots in my heart that can only be filled by spending time with Ryan and Jesus. And no one can fill those spots but them. Thank goodness Jesus can go to Jackson with Ryan and still stay here in Atlanta with me!!

Well, goodnight blog world. I'm off to lay in bed and try to fall asleep...

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya! Tomorrow! We're only a day away!!!!!!!

Sunday Night Smiles

Tomorrow may be Monday, but tonight I am smiling because...

1. I have a new niece! On Friday, Holland Belle Stephens was born. 9 pounds 5 ounces and healthy!

2. I get to meet this little pumpkin head and hang out with her momma in a few days. Emily, Andrew, and sweet baby Alice are coming to Atlanta!

3. My dog is the happiest puppy in the world right now. He got to spend the weekend with his only cousin (Adam & Theresa's dog), Shelby. These two are bff's.

if you like crying happy tears...

watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyL9UjLrdM&feature=player_embedded

Sunday Night Smiles

I have always had a chronic case of the Sunday night blues. Happens every Sunday night. I start feeling sad about how fast the weekend went and tired thinking about the work week that lies ahead. In an attempt to fight off these blues, I am going to try to start thinking about things that make me smile, big things and small things.

So, a few things that make me smile on this Sunday night:

1. One month from tonight I will be on a plane with these 6 girls on our way to Naples! I've been missing out on this annual trip because of Dominica in 07 and 08 and NYC in 09. I can't wait for this trip!!!

2. Ryan's high school reunion was last night and we had a great time! It was great for me because I'm friends with so many girls from his class.

3. Last week had some cold days but this week the high is in the 70s and 80s everyday!

There you go. Three reasons why I am smiling tonight.

Disturbing

Guess what fast food item this is:

http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/mechanically-separated-chicken-nuggets?gtl=47001

http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/msm.asp

A friend of a friend

One of Andrea's friends is fighting cancer. She is 26 and has a baby. I've been praying for her and following her blog for a little over a month. Her post tonight has led me to request anyone who reads my blog to please begin praying for her as well.

http://libbyryder.blogspot.com/

Even though I may never meet her, she is part of my christian family. So I will continue to pray for her because that is what the body of Christ is about.

Confessions of a Rapaholic

Well, I didn't really intend to start this whole "confessions" posting, but after last night's post the title just kind of came to me. Those of you who know me at all know I love rap music. I'm a closet rapper. It's true. I'm sorry if that makes me a little less lady-like, because I consider my self a lady-like rapper (if it's possible for such a thing to exist). Anyway, I love this video. Emily T. and Katherine found it and so if anybody hasn't seen it yet, here you go. I could have performed right along with Jimmy and JT - and actually was rapping along in my living room. When the JCS girls came to visit me in NYC we went to Jimmy Fallon and he had Snoop on and he rapped for us and we were all singing right along. How could you not like it? Turn it up and then get up and dance along!

Confessions of a poor shopaholic:

Since one of my hobbies is an expensive one (shopping), lately I just shop on line for about 30 minutes (without actually purchasing anything). I get my new & pretty things fix and keep all my money. Here's what I "purchased" tonight, on my pretend shopping trip to Anthropologie.

1. Love Letter Sheets - $248
2. Poppy Wallpaper - $148

3. Black Trench - $188

4. Flower Lamp Shade - $98

5. Upwards Boots - $358

Total saved by skipping the checkout part: $1,040 (plus tax)

What else can you do when you have great taste and no money? :)