christmas tree, oh christmas tree

So Reagan and I finally finished decorating our very first Christmas tree together.  I thought I would take a picture of it while the tree was lit.  It turned out really pretty... it has his favorite childhood ornaments, my favorite childhood ornaments, colorful ornaments, gold beads, and wedding ornaments.  It turned out wonderfully!
It is so weird to think that we are starting traditions together as a family! We have been loving every minute of it!!
We still have quite the Christmas shopping to do, but tonight we have decided to be lazy-- so I guess it will get done eventually!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful day and has enjoyed decorating for the holidays.  I will post more Christmas decorating pictures soon!

Our First Christmas Tree!! (More pictures to come soon!!)

"Traditions are those that are made with the ones you love."

Humbled by God's Love

Today was just one of those days where I could see and feel God in places that many may not on a day to day basis.  Today I had to do something that I do not like doing at all but I did it with the courage God gave me, and it made me a positive experience. I felt God through that entire meeting giving me the words to say, keeping myself accountable, and allowing myself to be open and honest.  God has given me a gift and heart for children and I love them with everything I have to give.  I felt God move in my Pre-K classroom today... through a hug from a little boy with a big smile on his face, to rocking a precious baby girl to sleep in my arms and looking at her and knowing God made her just the way she is.

I also got to experience the overwhelming joy of watching people from our church get baptized today.  It was incredible to watch a 6 year old, a college student and a middle aged man show their love for God without hesitation and it overwhelmed my heart.  God is definitely moving in me and I can feel it.  When I look at children in our church all I can do is smile and know that God holds all of them in His hands and has a special plan for each one of them.  I pray in the days, weeks, months and years to come I live out God's plans for my life and help impact and change the lives of children for the kingdom of Christ.  I have a gift, an incredible gift, one that I would never give up.  The gift of loving on an innocent precious child is one of the most incredible things that demonstrates God's incredible love with just one hug or smile.

I hope everyone was blessed today and saw God's love in one way or another!

"God your love never ceases to amaze me."

I am in need of a break...

Life has been a little too much for me this year.  Being newly married, figuring out how to live with a boy, school, work stuff, the list could go on and on.  To sum it all up 2010 has exhausted me and I do not know how much more of it I can take. I simply need a break and I am hoping that 2011 brings some wonderful things that allow life to be taken a little bit slower so that I can actually put one foot in front of the other!

I am ready for life to make a little bit more sense, for my plate not to feel like it is overflowing all of the time, and for their to just be a peace about every decision we have made for our life.  I am just exhausted thinking about all we have endured this year.  I was telling a friend today that if I could sleep for an entire week I most definitely would.

Without hesitation, this year has taught me how to need God even more than before and that my husband is truly a blessing from above.  We have been through it all-- happiness, sadness, tears, frustrations, laughter-- the good and the bad.  We are ready to move forward, get out of this season and see what God has in store for us in 2011.  I need a break and more than anything I cannot wait for that to come.  December 16th you could not come any sooner!

When you think of us in the weeks to come continue to pray for us.  Pray that we have endurance, that God keeps us physically healthy, that we have patience and understanding, and that more than anything we continue to turn to Him for everything.

"God grant me the wisdom and peace to know that I do not endure this life on my own."

Hello December, I am so happy to see you!

I cannot believe it is December 1st already-- I am so excited!  I cannot wait for this 18 hour semester to be over... it has been a long one but it is finally coming to an end!

A little recap of Thanksgiving:
It went really well-- both our families celebrated today so that was nice to have everyone in one place-- though we did miss Reagan's mom and Step-dad and little sisters who were celebrating with his side of the family.  The food was delicious and we spent a lot of time just hanging out with family which was such a wonderful blessing.  We are so grateful for our family and it was definitely hard for us to leave!  Cannot wait to go back for Christmas!!

The Farish townhouse looks like Christmas has exploded.  Reagan loves decorating for Christmas so we have had a good time decorating together.  Pictures to come soon... we are still waiting to receive a few decorations from my mom!  We did a little Christmas shopping last night and we are hoping to finish by the end of this week so we can get it out of the way. 
I am not looking forward to studying for finals-- but the time is coming so I am ready to just get it over with!

The countdown in our house has already begun for our visit to Nebraska.  We are both super excited to visit his mom there and play in the snow and celebrate Christmas with them!  It is going to be a lot of fun and she has a lot of fun things planned for us to do so I am definitely looking forward to the time we will get to spend with them!

Well off to studying again... story of my life.  I cannot wait to be officially done with school in the spring!!!

Oh-- and be praying for me-- I am applying to be a sub next semester because I have some days off from school and I am going to be begin the Texas Teachers program online to get my certification to teach elementary school.... So excited!  Just pray that I am able to get a job when I get out :)

"Today is a new day--- embrace every precious gift God has given you!"