We just couldn't wait...

Christmas came a bit early for us this year. We are going home this friday to be with our families, so we decided to do our Christmas this week. Originally we planned for Thursday, but we were sitting around Tuesday night and just couldn't wait any longer. We had a great time, and really enjoyed surprising each other.

Before we got started. Yes Aladdin was on!

Loving all of my socks.

Got my scarf!

Unfortunately I got the wrong size.

Kev got an xbox game.

Well I was trying to show the wrapping before he ripped it open, but I was too late. I seriously enjoy wrapping too much; only to have it taken apart so quickly.

This shirt fits!

I was so excited to get a standing mixer!!!!! I've already made some cookies!

 My favorite thing is to open the stocking. It always has the perfect things.

He had these made for me. The smaller ones are for my nursing IDs. How sweet. I got a belt and some boot socks too.

He had a full stocking too. He got some golf balls, socks, and gum!

This year my family has decided to not exchange presents. We each were told to do something for someone else. My sister proposed this idea last year, and I think it makes a lot of sense. We celebrated our birthdays a bit bigger this year, and for Christmas we are celebrating the birth of Christ and what he has done for us, by doing/giving to others.  We are blessed, and so thankful for what we have. We can't thank God enough for how he has provided for us through our first year of marriage. I can't wait to be with both of our families for Christmas this weekend. It gets crazy going to 4 or 5 different places, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Christmas

Christmas has definitely come quick this time. I think as I get older, it comes faster and faster each year....
I finished all my shopping about a week and a half ago, and all the present are wrapped under our tree, for our first married Christmas together!

Out from our kitchen, there is a ledge that is currently serving as our makeshift mantle. Works just perfectly.

Since I have ample time over this break, my goal is for us to start eating a bit healthier, and to be a bit more savvy with when we are purchasing certain items at the grocery. I searched many hours online for websites and blogs to help me out with this. I came across one that allows you to choose which store you want to look at and it lets you know what items are best to buy at that specific time. I'm trying to make smart menus one week at a time, using leftovers or extra meat from the previous meal. I'm aiming to get into this routine to make it a bit easier when school starts back. I don't know about you guys, but it can seriously be one of the biggest pains sometimes when we are trying to figure out what to eat every night. I like variety, but Kev is totally cool with eating the same ole thing. I get frustrated when he doesn't have an opinion, but that's only because he could honestly eat whatever. For real, I need a solution... I've got to figure something out.

Here is are just a few websites that I'm trying out to help me get started:
I use this to give me ideas when I know the ingredients I want to use. Comes in handy when you are trying to use the extra meat from the night before.
This blogger is awesome. She is a christian women who aims to "equip, encourage, and empower good stewardship." She is the one who lists the grocery stores with information on them. She also posts weekly meal plans and coupons.
This blog is just another weekly planner.

A lot of the crazy blogging women have this down to a freaky science. I just hope I can figure out something that works...

It's been quite some time since I have been on here... I just finished my last Fall semester of college and couldn't be happier! I'm excited to get some down time over the entire month of January! Although I will be taking the hardest class (archery), it shouldn't be too strenuous right?

A couple of months ago, for fall break, Kev and I went to visit Southeastern Seminary and stayed with Shane and Alicia Shaddix. We had such a great time (thanks again ya'll). North Carolina is beautiful and the seminary was great. We stopped at an estate sale one day and we found a steal!  We got this chair, thinking to eventually reupholster it, but for now the green is not hurting anyone. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love the pop of color it adds to our little apartment. The best part about the chair is that it was only $10. We went back to the sale the next day to pay for it and pick it up, and everything was half off, so we ended up paying only $5 for this chair!

The arms and back are bordered with nailheads, which I love!

Kev and I are still praying about where the Lord wants us to be for the next few years. Within the next month or so we are hoping to go visit Southern in Kentucky. Kev has been there before, so I want to see the seminary and we want to get a feel of the city as well. It's a tough decision, but we aren't too worried about it. We are excited to see where we will end up more than anything.

I'm thankful for this break and the time to relax and be with friends and family before my last semester in nursing starts in full force!