10 Reasons this month is great

In no particular order:

1. CHRISTMAS!

2. Romantic-y Christmas date days with Tyler, like driving around looking at lights and ice skating in Bellevue :)

3. Christmas cubicle/office decorating contest at work! Our office literally looks like the north pole right now. :)

4. An actual prototype of my wine label comes back this month! HOORAY!

5. Making up with a friend of mine I'd sort of been fighting with. After about three weeks of not talking she apologized and we were able to make up. I am so thankful things worked themselves out -- I hadn't realized just how much I valued her friendship until I actually had to consider what it would be like if I didn't have it anymore. This time of year especially it is so nice to be back on good terms with everyone - Christmas is all about family and friends and love and appreciating what you have, and I am so, so thankful this year.

6. Elf on the shelf-ing! If that doesn't make sense to you now it will soon - pictures to come!

7. Girls Christmas weekend in Seattle with my mom, my aunt, and my cousin Molly!

8. Old Christmas records on the record player!

9. Gingerbread cookies! After waiting for a YEAR they are finally back!!

10. THE BEST NEWS OF ALL: Nic is going to be fine! He's going to be okay. After a truly horrible month where everyone in my family was prepared for the worst, his tests came back about a week ago and he is okay. The relief I feel is absolutely enormous -- I didn't want to say anything to Nic, but based on his first set of test results my family was really worried that he had cancer. What with my aunt Kelsey dying in October and Nic getting the scary test results, November was a terrible month for my entire family. A lot of stress and fear and crying has now been replaced with hugs and laughter and tears of joy.

I really have to thank God for all the blessings he has given me over the last month. I thank Him for the support of my husband, my family, and my friends who checked up on me and my brother to make sure we were doing alright. I also am so thankful this year for a job and a way to pay our bills, feed ourselves and keep a roof over our heads. Tyler and I have really realized that even though we struggle sometimes to make ends meet, we are still so incredibly fortunate, what with a home, good health and some of the best friends and family in the world.

If I don't blog again before the year ends, Merry Christmas everyone! We love you and wish you a joyous and peaceful holiday.