Merry Christmas!

I've decided that this year Phil and I need to start some traditions of our own so that when we get married and have a family we can continue with those special memories.

This year started off with going to a tree farm and cutting down a Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun and I think we have the best tree ever! It is so perfect and is adorned with ornaments from when we were both children and some new ones too.

The second tradition was that we each gave each other stockings and opened them on Christmas Eve. Phil was right on target with the stocking stuffers and really did a fantastic job! I got an 8gb memory card, rechargeable batteries (I asked for them for the wii fit board), Wii fit plus, a scarf and mittens, a kitchen timer, and a beautiful ornament. Oh and one more thing...an Nsync's greatest hits because apparently I have no shame with still liking them...don't judge me (lol).

The one tradition that I really wanted to do, but didn't get a chance to was to make Monkey Bread for Christmas breakfast. Last night after the Christmas Eve service and stockings we realized I didn't have enough biscuits to make the whole thing and was thoroughly disappointed since all of the grocery stores in town were already closed. Oh well, there's always next year!

We had a great Christmas Eve and are hoping to have a great Christmas Day too. I stayed over at his parents for nostalgic reasons and am awaiting opening presents. Apparently, we are waiting until after lunch which isn't going to even start until 1pm...yes, I am seriously disappointed because I love all things presents and giving them too!

I hope your Christmas is super fantastic! Let me know what you got.

Something's a little fishy here...

Normally I am right on the ball even to the point of knowing what I'm getting for Christmas. It has been this way for a couple of years now. I have been able to always guess and know what my friends and boyfriend was getting me. This year was just like the rest..or so I thought.

My friend and her boyfriend came over for a gift exchange the other night and I knew what they were getting me. Of course, this year Phil and I went shopping for my gift so there were clearly no surprises there. The only thing left is my stocking. This year we decided to fill each other's stocking and exchange the gifts on Christmas Eve just he and I.

I was thinking that he would be going out on Christmas Eve to do the shopping for my stocking, but he may have pulled a fast one on me. Today he went into work and told me that the trains were running on holiday schedule because of the snow storm, but it would be back to the regular schedule tomorrow. He let me know that he would be on a later train and I didn't question it. The guy is super honest and not capable of coming up with a good cover story...or so I thought.

When the kids and I stopped by his parents to drop off my laundry today and get their treats from his mom I mentioned to his dad that the trains were on a holiday schedule and he would be on this one train. His dad mentioned that there was an earlier one he could have taken, but that one makes more stops so he might have wanted to avoid it. Again...I thought nothing of it.

While I was sitting here reading his last email where he told me he was leaving work and getting some shopping done before the train leaves it got me thinking...Where on earth would he go shopping by his work since his car would be at a train lot over an hour away? I've been there and never saw a mall or any kind of store/shopping center within walking distance to be able to go to.

Then I decided to do some sleuthing because I'm nosy like that. I looked up the website for the metro and found no story on it running on a special holiday schedule. It also said that the train should be there on time and gave specific times as if it was running on a normal schedule.

This makes me wonder...did he use that as a cover story and drive to work? If not, how could he go shopping with no car and no shopping center within walking distance? Seems a little fishy to me.

Nativity Set

It's been a while, but I finally have pictures! Phil came over for a gift exchange this past week and we were able to get a picture of our new nativity set.

Christmas Time

Christmas is quickly approaching and I feel that there is so much more to be done. I need to clean the apartment and pick up all of the random things that are laying around from the trip we just took and wrapping presents. Aside from that we are having two Christmas dinners that we are hosting which means that we need to go grocery shopping and have everything done by Saturday.

We have a gift exchange/possible dinner with a great couple on Thursday of this week. Friday is family night dinner. Saturday is lunch and games with Gram in the afternoon followed by dinner with Phil's friends and a gift exchange. Sunday is Phil's dad's side family get together for Christmas. I work Monday-Wednesday of next week and we are having Phil's parents over for dinner Wednesday evening. Thursday is Chrismas Eve and Friday is Christmas. Saturday is his mom's side family get together in which I am supposed to make a pumpkin roll to bring.

As you can see we are super busy for the next week or so. I am a planner by nature, but there's too many things to plan and if I try none of it works out the way it is planned so I have decided to try to "go with the flow" for the time being and hope that it works out well.

I put up my new nativity set and I adore it! It is the Willow Tree nativity set and I bought it at Cracker Barrel in Iowa this past weekend. It had been on my wish list and Phil was not entirely on board with it. He couldn't see me spending my Christmas money on something that costs that much when it is only going to be displayed for the Christmas season. Silly boy! He seriously should know better. It looks so cute I might have to display it year round...lol. Is that even allowed?

Anyways, I'll have to post some pics when I get a camera to do so, hopefully this weekend!

Graduation.

It's official...I've graduated! Well, the ceremony makes it official, but I still have two more weeks of class after Monday, but it still counts.

Phil and I with my diploma after the ceremony.

And yes, that cord around my neck signifies that I have received honors with distinction! I'm not really sure how that happened, but I've decided that now that they have announced it, gave me a card that says so, and a cord, I'm taking it and not looking back! It was a great surprise and I'm super proud of myself either way.

I now have a bachelor's (technically in January) in Social Science with a concentration in Education. It has been a fun trip in Iowa for the graduation, but it will also be great to be back home and in my own bed.

On our way

We are sitting here at BWI airport heading to Moline, IL to then drive to Clinton, IA for the graduation ceremony tomorrow.

Today also marks our one and a half year mark of our relationship!!!

Ouch

I am seriously lucky to have Phil and his family in my life. I do not take him for granted for one second. I fully appreciate him in every way.

Today I went to the orthodontist to see if they can upright my wisdom tooth so that it will come in straight. The procedure they need to use is to put braces on four of my back teeth on one side to get it to come in straight and should take six months. The damage cost for this...$800.

I seriously wanted to cry as that much money means a lot to me. It took a long time for me to finally get on my feet and have enough in savings to feel "comfortable enough" with how much is in there for the time being. I just used a good chunck of it for the personal trainer and it was a decision that was thought through and discussed with my frugal logical boyfriend.

We are going to discuss the options for payment tonight and he has told me he is willing to help me so that it can be taken care of. Neither of us wants me to owe a business and he would be much more flexible to pay the money back to (if he let me).

I am so thankful to have him and to know that he will step in and help me when I need it no matter what. He is the most supportive and loving man in every way.