The holiday season is upon us

I don't care what Nordstrom says, when the weather gets chilly I put on some Christmas music, light a few candles and spend my weekends BAKING!

This is my FAVORITE time of year. It's the time to be thankful and realize how blessed you are. It's the time to cuddle and do puzzles and watch movies with your family. It's the time for festive dresses and hot chocolate and twinkle lights. 

But the best thing about Christmas is, in my opinion, Christ. Now is the time to realize you are free from the penalty of sin because of Him coming to earth as a humble infant. Jesus came to rescue Israel and bring forth the new covenant. He came to defeat Satan, if that isn't a reason to celebrate, I don't know what is. (Unless, of course, you don't believe in any of it, and then I guess you can just celebrate presents or time off work or something). 

But really, 'O Holy Night' is just around the corner, and I can't wait for the skies to open up so we can all rejoice with the angels in remembrance of such a sacrificial event in the birth of Christ. 

Here is hoping your holiday season is full of joy & not stress, thankfulness at your Thankgiving feast & not exasperation. Here's to silent and holy nights & not chaotic and fretful ones. 

And here's to lots and lots and lots of Christmas cookies. 

Catching Up

So, in the past few months a lot of things have gone down.

#1: Jonathan got into the Psychological Operations program and we found out we will be moving to Ft Bragg, NC

#2: We went on a cruise in the Mediterranean, going to Rome, Sicily, Ephesus, Athens & Crete.

#3: We spent a few days in Geneva visiting some beloved friends

#4: We went on a few weekend trips to Luxembourg, Bastogne, Tubingen (where I "studied abroad" in college), Stuttgart, Heidelberg, and a few other small towns.

#5: We realized we were leaving sooner than we thought, and have started the leaving process. We have shipped one of our cars and I am getting all of the home goods ready to go while Jonathan is spending his last month in Germany doing training. (Note my frustrated tone about them sending him away his last month.)


And here are some picks from our cruise & visit to Geneva: