Christmas Morning

Gifts were handed out by Santa (aka my dad), our traditional breakfast of sausage egg casserole and cinnamon rolls was eaten halfway through opening presents because we just couldn't wait, smiles and "thank you's" were shared, a holiday scavenger hunt occurred, home videos of Christmas' past were watched and the Christmas spirit was alive!

That is, until I had to pack everything I own to fit in my car so my brother could drive it to Salt Lake, get ready to leave, head to the airport and board my flight to Tampa! It was hard to leave my fam on Christmas day, but my dad had a meeting in Sarasota the next day so luckily he was able to fly with me!

^^Christmas dinner with daddy at Pappas Burgers in the Houston airport. Festive.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year was really different, but still festive. I loved that Stephen and Rachel were able to come down, which made being in Albuquerque for the holidays a little better. 

We slept in, had an amazing breakfast of German pancakes, did some last minute shopping, got treated to pedicures (Stephen's first one!), had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, watched Home Alone, visited two houses that were decked out in lights and set to music, played games, opened up matching pajamas, and then wrapped gifts all night.

Don't get me wrong, I loved spending it at home with just my immediate family, but there were times where I reeeeallyyy wished I was in Salt Lake, in my grandparents quaint little house, with the rest of the fam celebrating. Nothing beats tradition. And that's what lacked a little bit this year.

Pictures from Christmas Eve last year....

38,000 feet above you..

...or something like that. HOW CRAZY IS THIS?! Right now I am currently sitting in an airplane somewhere wayyyy above Round Rock, Texas and we're going 547 mph (or so the flight tracker tells me) Technology is seriously insane these days! Like..how am I blogging right now? My computer is incredibly smarter than me and it literally blows my mind. Anyway..just thought I had to blog this awesome fact! See you soon Tampa!

A sad goodbye and Christmas baking

I have this problem. And I am very aware of it. I wish I wasn't this way, and I wish there was a solution to prevent it from happening...but it is what it is and I guess that is just what makes "me" me. 

With that being said, the problem is that I get attached to people WAY too easily. I think when I first moved to the ABQ in September, I told myself I wasn't going to make any friends because subconsciously I didn't want to have to go through saying painful goodbyes....again. I didn't go to church activities, dances or any other social outings I was invited to because of this reason. Therefore, I spent most of my time with my parents, shopping, cooking and becoming BFF's with the fictional characters on Grey's Anatomy and Friends. That was working for awhile, but then at the end of September, I got hired at Kohls. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to make some extra money before going back to school and would save me from the laziness and boredom I was currently demonstrating. Little did I know, I would love working there! A lot of my co-workers complain about the job, customers, management, etc. but I can sincerely say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for this great company and I am SO sad to leave. Sad enough that I've even been contemplating staying in New Mexico and enrolling in classes at UNM for school, instead of going back up to Idaho. My life here has resulted in an extremely long roller coaster of emotions over these past four months. There have been several days where I've felt lonely and friendless, but I know that is only my own fault and an outcome due to my actions. Friendships take time to build, and right when I feel like I've finally made some good friends at work, I have to leave. Last week when I was in the office informing my manager that I had to quit, tears couldn't help but form around my eyes (no, I did not actually cry...). I'm truly going to miss the friends I've made and my managers who have taught me in more ways than they probably realize. Tonight is officially my last night as an employee, and I wouldn't be surprised if I shed a couple tears on my drive home. (Told you I have a problem..) It breaks my heart, and I wish I could stay. But I know I am supposed to be studying at BYUI next semester and although I'm sad to leave, there are exciting opportunities and experiences awaiting in the future!

On another note, Christmas baking this holiday season has swung into full gear! I swear I've already gained 10 pounds just from cookies, candies, toffee, etc. Thank you neighbors and ward members.

**Photo Booth quality..I think it's funny that the angle makes it appear I'm taller than the fridge.

Not only have we been getting plates after plates of treats delivered to us, but my mom and I have been having fun baking up a storm in the kitchen as well.

Peppermint brownies I made for the work potluck

And this cake will be made for tomorrow night's dessert. Mmmm :)

I think it's safe to say Lindsey will be going on majorrrr diet starting in January. Wait, don't I always start a diet at the beginning of the year?? Yep. I sure do. Last year me and Beth determined to live a "No-junk January", a "Fat-free February", and so on and so on. All I can remember is that it didn't last very long. Merry Christmas everyone, and I hope you're getting your baking on just as much as I am. It's the most wonderful time of the year!! (p.s. there's snow on the ground outside right now...LOVE it!!)

Waiting and waiting and waiting...

Yep. This video pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas morning. I am guilty of being "that" kid who always ate all the chocolate candies from the advent calendar before the middle of December hit, and tracking Santa's progress, starting way back in October. I am a little kid at heart..and the anticipation is killing me. Only six more days!!! (Also, I got my parents the best gift and I am SO excited for them to open it..I agree with the adorable little boy, giving is almost always better than receiving)

John Lewis - The Long Wait from Blink on Vimeo.

Do you have room?

Every Christmas season, the thing I look MOST forward to is A Night in Bethlehem-where my church recreates the city of Bethlehem and everyone is dressed in costume..you can visit the shops, get water from the well, eat some hummus and pita, etc. Following your journey in the town, you're directed to the fire where you see Joseph and Mary traveling on a donkey searching for a place to rest and birth their baby. After being rejected from the several inns, they travel behind to a stable. Then, you are guided to the field where you witness the birth of our Savior, as the story is recited from Luke. There are live animals, the angels, shepherds and wise men appear and the music is incredible. It is such an outstanding and humbling performance, and I am moved to tears almost every time as "Oh come all ye faithful" is playing and all the towns people/shepherds are walking toward the baby Jesus to show their respect. I have an immense amount of appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication my church leaders have put in each year to create such an amazing event for the community so that we could all celebrate the true meaning of Christmas together. I am SO sad that I won't be there this year to participate/witness my favorite activity of the holiday season. It always makes me truly reflect the purpose of Christmas, have a deeper love for my Savior, Jesus Christ and enforces the desire to strive to be more like Him. This is the first year since the stake started it that I haven't been, and it is truly heartbreaking. If you are in or around the Odessa area, I HIGHLY recommend going! They ask for you to bring a canned good to donate, but if you can't that's totally fine. I promise you won't regret it. Or at least, go and take pictures/videos and send them my way so I can somewhat feel like I'm there :(

"Do you have room for the savior? And do you seek Him anew? Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you? Are you as humble as a shepherd boy, or as wise as men of old? Would you have come that night, would you have sought the light? Do you have room?......

Will you come tonight? Will you seek the light? Do you have room?"

**This is the song that is sung around the fire as Mary and Joseph are struggling to find a place to rest. One of my all-time favorites!!

A Very "Christmasy" Week

The week started with sipping hot chocolate and listening to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional-this is always something I look forward to at the beginning of each holiday season. The MoTab sounded phenomenal (as usual), the decorations were beautiful and the messages were inspiring.  

"The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and generosity and of goodness"-President Monson

"You can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would"-President Eyring

"When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit"-President Monson

"Like the Wise Men of old, we should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit."-President Uchtdorf

On Wednesday, Jonny came over and helped put up our outdoor Christmas lights (after some bribing that took place that I would cook him whatever he wanted for dinner) Nahhh just kidding, he's actually just nice and offered to do it.

1. Jonny putting his electrician skills to good use and hanging all our Christmas lights 2. Us trying to recreate a pose I saw on pinterest...didn't work out so well

I couldn't get the whole house in...but these were the trees I was in charge of. Jonny's job (the house) looks a wholeeee lot better than my side. I declare hanging lights is defffff a man's job. It's way harder than it looks!

We got a real tree, unpacked all of our super old and homemade ornaments and decorated it while watching ELLEN's 12 days of giveaway (I don't care what anyone says, I love Ellen DeGeneres and refuse to miss her show)

Me and my mom went to a Relief Society event, where there were special appearances from "Mary and Elizabeth" (the mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist) Stories were shared, songs were sung and tears were shed. The best part though, was that it was also a cookie exchange...so we came home with a huge assortment of cookies! Later, Amy and Jonny came over and we watched Elf. Amy fell asleep within minutes, and Jonny a little later..but I laughed like I never had seen it before. Will Ferrell is perfect, and there are soooo many quotable quotes in that movie, like:

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup"

"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite"

"I thought maybe we could make gingerbread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe...even hold hands"

"Son of a Nutcracker!"

Friday night, my mom and I were invited to go see Christmas Joy- an AMAZING performance by the Performers' Ballet Company. Words cannot even begin to describe the talent of these girls. The entire production was the story of Jesus' birth, His ministry and resurrection, portrayed through dance. It was truly spectacular!

And this is my view right now...as I watch The Santa Clause. Another classic! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!! :)

Back to December

FINALLY! It's my favorite month. I've made it. When I moved to Albuquerque, I just kept telling myself "you only have to make it til December" and well, it's now December and I couldn't be happier. This month includes:

-working like crazy to satisfy the crazy holiday shopping madness

-watching a Christmas movie every night until the 25th (or at least attempting to)

-getting a real Christmas tree and decorating it

-listening to J. Biebs' Christmas album on the daily

-drinking hot chocolate every morning for breakfast

-decorating gingerbread houses

-lots and lots of baking

-ice skating

-spending Christmas Eve with the fam

-flying to Tampa!

-moving to Idaho

Wow, what a crazy busy month!!! (but that's the way I like it) I seriously love this time of year, and everything it entails. I love dropping a few coins into the Salvation Army red buckets outside of the grocery store, I love the Christmas station on Pandora, I love sitting by the fire reading through our collection of holiday books, I love singing Christmas carols at church, I love the general human kindness that is displayed more frequently, I love the true meaning of Christmas, and rereading the story of the birth of our Savior as told in Luke...I really just love it all. Time to get in the holiday spirit. Only 23 days until Christmas!! Woop woop!