It's not you, it's Mii...

For Christmas TJ and I got a Wii. It's pretty much amazing. I don't know who thinks of all this crap, but kudos to them!

I've gone through major gaming stages in my life (Not something I am proud of)
For Christmas one year when I was like 7, my parents got us a nintendo. I rocked little mermaid and I could play forever. Then in 6th grade my mom and I found a sega genesis at a garage sale. I played countless hours of toy story and sonic and knuckles - beating both games - and laughed like crazy playing toe jam and earl with my cousin Christine. One summer while I was in high school, TJ let me keep his N64 at my mom's house when he went back to Washington. I wasted all of his tetris scores, and my summer.

Then I stopped for a while. Later, I discovered the magic of internet games early in college when all of a sudden I had a lap top and free internet in my dorm room, but kicked that habit pretty quickly.

I had decided to swear off video games. I had a history of wasting time and brain cells and this addictive nature of mine didn't help.

But I could not refuse this Christmas gift. And maybe it's because I'm growing up, or my priorities have changed, but now I am able to enjoy it for a little while, put down my remote, and continue my day. It feels good.

His Ways

are higher than my ways.

Long Distance Christmas

Honestly, this Christmas was a little hard on me. But there was one thing that helped ease the pain.

Skype.

Skype is a downloadable program that allows communication over the computer. And it's FREE!

While my family was opening gifts at my mom's house, I was listening in and getting commentary by different people in my family. It almost felt like I was there. I was able to talk to Elizabeth (in Cambodia) and my mom at the same time for the first time in over 2 months. I got to hear Rachel's reaction to finding out that she's going to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Kevin's loud and happy yells when he found out he was going to the Vikings game AND Wild game on Sunday. I got to laugh with my mom as we opened up some of the quirky gifts she gave me and TJ. This may sound strange, but I really felt God's presence through it all. And I am so thankful to Him for giving our family this opportunity and bringing us all together, even though we're still so far away.

Wrapped around her little paw...

I was just about to get up and make me some Christmas Eve french toast, and my lovely Ella decided it was the perfect time to snuggle.

I can never refuse a good snuggle. I guess my french toast will have to wait....

Merry Christmas Eve and I hope you also get to enjoy some good eats. I would recommend french toast.

"Get Behind Me Santa..."

A few blogs ago I explained that while it seemed like everyone else was decking the halls and decorating the Christmas tree I was trying to figure out why I wasn't experiencing the same kind of yuletide joy.

A few things have changed since then.

1. I did get my hair cut, but that's irrelevant.

2. I purchased a Christmas Album and loved it. Sufjan Stevens - Songs for Christmas -

3. It snowed. A lot. And Continues to snow. A lot.

4. I did a little Christmas shopping. I had to be on top of my game this year since most of my purchased gifts required shipping.

5. My mom sent me tinsel and the most wonderful tree ornament ever. If I can ever find my camera cord, I will post pictures. Because it was so wonderful, I probably cried. And I probably have it sitting on my night stand instead of hanging on the tree, because then I can look at it before I go to bed.

I'm not quite sure Christmas Eve is actually tomorrow, but again, my calendar tells me it is, so I suppose it is appropriate to say, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"!

=D

IT'S SNOWING!

I mean, seriously snowing. Like record-breaking snowing. We've gotten 19+ inches of snow in the last 24 hours. It's the most snow Spokane has seen in 40 years ....

The goofy thing about Spokane is because they don't loads of snow very often, the road care is terrible. I heard it once said that my hometown of about 60,000 people has more snow plows and workers than the 200,000+ population of Spokane. So needless to say, the entire city of Spokane is shutting down. I love it.

Praise God for the BEAUTIFUL snow! It's totally uplifting.

I will post pics later

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... or not...

Today I went outside in a sweatshirt and jeans. It is 40 degrees on December 6. Seriously. What is going on. There are 5 things that usually let me know Christmas is coming. 1. Halloween - We drove for 15 hours on Halloween through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. No trick-or-treaters, no orange and black, no candy, just a car ride. 2. Thanksgiving- We left at 3:30AM to get to Seattle to see more of TJ's family, and nor was it a 'traditional' Thanksgiving. We ate 'Chuck-Luck', which included mustard crusted ribs, beets, celery root soup, braised turkey with mushrooms, citrus fruit salad, turkey leg cooked in duck fat...just to name a few. No football, no movie theater, no Grampa eating one plate in an hour, no pumpkin pie, not really Thanksgiving. 3. Snow - We had one day where it snowed. The next day it melted. No winter coats, no mittens, no scarves, no hats, no snow. 4. Finals - I graduated in May. No classes. No projects. No studying. No anticipation of Christmas break. Not that I'm complaining. 5. Christmas music- There has been a serious lack of Christmas music. Mainly due to the fact that since the previous 4 things haven't occurred, I don't really feel like Christmas music should be played. Which is sad. Because I really love Christmas music. So as far as I can tell, Christmas is not 3 weeks away. But my calendar keeps telling me it is. I think I'll get my hair cut today. Then maybe it will feel like Christmas.

How 'bout a revolution?

TJ and I are in the process of reading this book. (A very slow process, may I add...)

I am inspired by this book. The author-Shane Claiborne- presents a whole new way to look at what it really means to follow Jesus. I've really had to take a step back and seriously look at how I am following Jesus. Honestly, does my life look any different from those who choose not to follow Him? And I'm not talking morality. Morality does not equate salvation. It has to be deeper than that. What is it that makes me different? How has God transformed my life? What really does it mean to die to self daily and pick up my cross? Did Jesus really mean when he said to sell all I have and give to those who are in need? These are just a few of the questions this book has presented to me. It's definitely worth the thought.