I am probably the laziest blogger.... ever.

Whoa, kids. Where did the last month go?

Between work, moving, and Thanksgiving, I am wondering if I'm just really busy, or have early early onset memory loss. It even seems like just a little bit ago we were celebrating Christmas.

I'm trying to think of ways I can savor this season... it's really cliche, but the days before Christmas are some of my favorites. I want to make sure that I don't stress my way through them between making plans and getting gifts in order. I don't want to forget how lucky and blessed I am!

Tim and I are so lucky to have found each other, made it through a deployment, and been blessed enough to buy our first home and have jobs. He's the best husband a girl could find for herself, and I find myself regularly amazed and how fortunate I am.

I am grateful to have two loving, supportive parents and three siblings who are built-in best friends (even though we have the same issues I'm sure many families do, we find always way back to each other. Family = foundation.) I'm also pretty lucky to have such a huge extended family -- four living grandparents, a few dozen aunts and uncles, 60ish cousins. We don't see each other often, but it's pretty great to be surrounded once a year (at least) by the biggest group of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've ever met. And the family keeps growing through marriage and this year, birth. I have a nephew now and he's better than yours. Just sayin' :)

Friends aren't a given, and Tim and I have the best crew. Each of our friends brings something unique to the group and we can't believe how many good memories we've made (and will continue to make!) I just realized this the other day, but we are also pretty lucky to have the kind of friends who like to make friends. Tim and I never have to argue about which friends we'll spend time with.... either our friends have become one group, or they are the "more is merrier" kind!

I always love the Christmas season and all the togetherness and celebration. It also makes me realize that there are people out there who are lonely this Christmas or haven't been blessed to celebrate the holidays the way we do. It breaks my heart every time I think of it. If I'm ever lucky enough to become a wealthy woman, I would do more, but this Christmas (and last year) my mom and I will adopt a family through HACAP's Adopt-a-Family Program.

Volunteers through the program  receive information about a family in need in the area and, essentially, give them a holiday celebration through gifts and food. Last year, my mom and I shopped for a family with a mother and four kids. The gifts they requested were really practical -- clothes and other necessities. We went a little nuts... we tried to meet the practical needs but also give everyone something that is just "nice" to have (toys, movies, etc). Same with food... we just imagined it was us. We got canned goods that would save for later, but LOADED up on pancake mix, a few fresh things, etc. It was really hard to stop throwing things in the cart when we remember how good we have it. We wanted someone else to feel that way, too.

If you are thinking of giving this season, it's a great program.

Anyway, that's enough for one post. I might be a traitor for saying this, but I wish it would snow a little around here. Since we're going to get snow anyway at some point (and a lot of it), a little for a White Christmas couldn't hurt.............

Happy Holiday Season!