Addicted to Coffee and Miss my Running

I'm  on a flight right now from DC to LAX.  Now, I know LA isn't usually considered "on the way" home, but I decided it was my safest bet.  So, here I am half way to LA, I just paid an outrageous amount to use this internet so I wouldn't be bored, and I'm writing this blog.  I had such an awesome week with Alicia who didn't have school even though Gigi did.  We went to the National Aquarium, we shopped, and we stayed busy....so busy, in fact, that she fell asleep every single day in the car.  I really had fun, and am so glad that I was able to spend that time alone with Alicia.  She needed some fun. 

To explain my title.  I have a crazy bad headache right now because I was so busy packing that I didn't take my coffee with me this morning.  There is nothing like forgetting your caffeine to remind you how desperately you NEED your caffeine.  This is the first time in my life that I can honestly state that I am addicted to my coffee.  I might try to change that...but right now I don't care to put forth any effort.  Maybe that will be my new year's resolution.  The other part of the title is that I haven't been able to go running since Sunday because I haven't had any time off during the day since Alicia hasn't had school.  It's been nearly 5 days now that I haven't gone for a long distance run, and it is the longest amount of days since I started this run/walk/workout  program.  I not only miss my coffee, but I also miss the endorphine kick from the running. :(

I can't believe how quickly the holidays have arrived.  I'm totally not in Christmas mode.  I'm sure the next 48 concentrated hours will have to suffice, but it just doesnt seem real.  Even when I was packing last night, or when I was at the airport I kept thinking, "wow, it's already the 23rd"  I was sure someone was going to hand me back my ticket and tell me that my flight wasn't for another week.  It can't possibly be Christmas already.  I'm happy for it, and I opened some presents last night from my work family which helped remind me that we're almost there.  Christmas day!!! 

I love Christmas.  Tim always wakes up super early, there's breakfast cereal and cinnamon rolls, presents, family, a fire blazing.  This year being together will mean more than ever.  I haven't seen anyone, except for Molly, since August.  August!  I've never been away from home for this long.  Europe was only 2 months, and during college I was rarely away for more than a few weeks.  It's been 4 months since I've seen all of them, and I miss them.  I know that I need to be prepared though.  It'll most likely be 6 or so months before I make a return trip, barring any unfortunate circumstances.  So, Christmas is going to have a much bigger impression as I look forward to more aspects than I ever have before. 

Merry Christmas to everyone as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and enjoy some time with our family and friends.

A Season of Joy

December is usually my favorite time of the year.  I've always been excited for Christmas and love spending time with all my family.  Maybe it's because I'm an extrovert and love parties and seeing people.  This December has been so different, but good in its own way.  I have a hard time believing that this is the Sunday before Christmas, or that I'll be spending all of Thursday in airplanes and airports with millions of other people fighting to get home.  I've been praying for the weather, and that I'll be home safely, as well as praying that God will help this trip refresh and encourage me.  If I'm being perfectly honest I would have to admit that I'm afraid to come home in some ways.  Afraid that I'll be reminded how much I love it, making coming back to my new "home" a new level of difficult.  There is peace, however, in knowing that I am where God wants me, so I'm approaching this vacation with that attitude.  I've been blessed in so many ways by my church family here who listen to my woes and pray with me and for me.  I do love them.  

I am looking forward to my week at home. 

 In so many ways it still hasn't hit me that I live so far from everything I know and love.  I'm learning to know and love DC, and Maryland, but it is still not the same as being home.  I can't wait to eat at Majors, talk with my dad, shoot a gun, hang out with my brothers, see how tall Kurt has gotten, hold my growing nephew, gaze at the barren hills, look at the mountain in awe, and thank my Savior for all He has given me.  A season of Joy is what I titled this blog, and as I remember why we celebrate I remember that more than ever this has been a season of joy for me.  Jesus came.  He came for me.  He took my sin and removed it.  There is joy in understanding who Jesus is on an even deeper level, and also joy in truly taking advantage of my time with my family.  This is a joyous season.

 I've been slack in updating this blog.  I've had a very busy few weeks since I last wrote on here, and so I'm going to post a few pictures.  I've was blessed to go see Hilary and Tim in Florida.  It was an awesome weekend, and not one I'll soon forget.  I also spent quite a bit of time with my dear friend Sandra.  She is easily my closest friend here in DC.  She lives in Alexandria but I met her through our mutual friend Emily Hoover.  Emily has been a friend of mine since I was very little and we became even better friends in college.  She met Sandra in Michigan during an internship at the University.  Sandra moved here at the same time as me, and we've been going through similar phases as we adjust to living somewhere so foreign to where we grew up.  She and I do our best to go on adventures and explore our new surroundings.  I love her a lot.  So, here are some pictures.  They are random, but enjoy. 

I was finally able to make my coconut cream pie!  I made it when I was with Tim and Hilary in Florida.  It was sooooo good.  :D

Merry Christmas to you all.  I'm looking forward to 2011!