rambling.

 well y'all, i survived christmas and the new year!

christmas is really one of my favorite times of the year, not just because i get to be blown away by the incredible sacrifice our Lord made for us by coming down from heaven, but also because people are just a little friendlier (except -- not in the stores!). the older i get, the more i believe in the idea of "holiday cheer". i love new years too, because there is nothing like a "clean slate".

we didn't do much this christmas. it didn't even feel like christmas. it was hot. the sarge and i went outside with gracie and hung out on our back lawn for a while before the sun beat us into submission. then we went and had dinner with a new-ish friend. this was the first christmas that i didn't go to church ON christmas or the day before -- which was weird. our church had services starting on thursday. 

other than that, we didn't exchange gifts, really. except gracie -- she got greenies because her breath is so bad haha. but it's time for a new year. you know surviving the holidays is a big deal for my high-anxiety, but i even met some nice gals along the way.

have you made any new year's resolutions yet? i am committing to trying new things in 2012. off the shelf in 2012 -- that's my motto. why not be great this year? i'm praying for the sarge every day -- 31 one days to pray for your spouse. how are you kicking off the new year?
 

Source: 31daystopray.com via aleasa on Pinterest

random updates

so, now that things are less hectic and i'm in a better place, i decided i should get back to updating everyone on my random life.

i know.

you're excited.

i'd like to blame the layout that i made: it's cute but uninspiring. so i'll be updating that soon. here are the things you'll want to know to catch up with me and the sarge...

1. we took a three week vacation to arkansas. we drove. gracie came with us... AMAZING.

 she saw her first snow...

2. we adopted a baby.

ok just kidding... that's our nephew. but we did decide we want to adopt, rather than go the fertility route. maybe, just maybe, i'll get one of these:

Source: kinkycurls.tumblr.com via aleasa on Pinterest

3. we are getting a new couch... praise the lord. this is the one i love the most -- it's SO comfy!

4. we had our two year anniversary! yay! the sarge did SUCH a good job. he SURPRISED me and took me to catalina!

Source: my-photo-blog.com via aleasa on Pinterest

5. we decorated our FIRST christmas tree. it's REAL. it's the sarge's first real tree, ever, and my first one in a long time. it smells HEAVENLY in this house!

well, merry christmas. (hopefully) i'll see you WELL before christmas :)

what better way to re-appear?

 ...than on my favorite link up?

 okay. this is a double duty wilw. i will update you on my life and tell you how great things are!

first. i'm loving a house FREE of puppies. i mean. REALLY loving it. i thought the puppies were precious and cute and sweet and funny and all those good things, but they also pooped on my floor and woke me up in the middle of the night. and wouldn't stop nursing (what?). and almost drove me literally out of my mind. so i'm glad it's just us three again.

so cute. but glad they're gone.

second. i'm loving a new found joy. i needed a refresher and somehow, i got one. as you know, we have had trouble conceiving and well, that whole journey has been one big disappointment but you know what... sometimes God is SAVING YOU FROM SOMETHING... do ya'll know what i'm talking about? i don't know if that's the case but i trust the Lord and that means i have to trust his timing and his plan.

third. all this joy has brought me to a place where i am a] not avoiding leaving the house (for the most part); b] not dreading social interaction; c] not ditching work; and, most excitingly -- WORKING OUT. and this means.. i am LOVING the c25k app and that last tuesday, for the first time in many (many) attempts, i ran all the intervals! last night (also a tuesday) i ran all the NINETY SECOND intervals. that's a minute and a half ya'll. what what?!?! ...and my mantra?

Source: beprettythinkpretty.blogspot.com via aleasa on Pinterest

fourth. i'm loving true blood. and homeland. these helped me while i was depressed :) hello premium television!

via

via

fifth. i'm loving my dog. she is finally spayed and we are no longer at risk for family expansions!!

sixth. i'm LOVING my small group. my women's small group is studying the tabernacle and let me tell you... diving into God's word is the quickest way to refresh yourself. seeing his unfailing love for us, consistently throughout scripture--from eden to end times--has no parallel on this earth. how i thirst to know him more! plus, i met a fun new friend. 

and as always.. i'm loving my supportive, sometimes not-knowing-what-to-say, sweet, strong, southern MAN!! :))  

life is good heree. i hope all is well for you guys. see you soon (very soon)!