I love holidays!

This past 4 day weekend sped by! Thanksgiving was spent in Bonney Lake and then West Seattle and was a nice day with family. Friday I braved the overzealous crowds and incapable Seattle drivers (which includes steering carts through crowded isles) and hit Target. I know, bad idea. I had to search the parking lot for a cart because they were all out inside. And I didn't get there until 11:30 so, of course, everything I wanted was already sold out. I still managed to leave with a cart full. Go figure. Then that night, Jon and I headed downtown for the Westlake Center Tree Lighting!! I've never been and have always wanted to go. There were 30,000 people, live music, Brad Goode and Joyce Taylor from King5 :), Santa (not the real one of course), and a wonderful spirit of Chirstmas cheer. We all counted down from 10 and then they lit the tree, the carousel, Starbucks, and finally the Macy's star. Then there were fireworks!!!!!! I didn't even know they had fireworks. I was in heaven. Saturday I spent time down in Federal Way dropping some stuff of with mom and painting pottery with Renee! As creatively challenged as I am, I find painting pottery relaxing and I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I'm done. I think it's my artistic release. And Nee painted a beautiful bowl ;)

This weekend we're heading to Issaquah with our Sunday school class to go chop down our very own Christmas tree. I did this once with my parents and I remember it to be a challenging task. We'll see if we come home with a Charlie Brown...

Puppy

Jon and I decided that we REALLY want a puppy (ok I decided, he's been decided for a while now) and last night we discovered our love of pocket beagles. The hard part is finding them anywhere in the pacific northwest. :(

*Renee Christine Campbell*

There are officially 16 days, 12 hours, and 18 minutes until my best friend's 23rd birthday!

Prison Break = Awesome

This summer, Jon and I became obsessed with Prison Break. We have Blockbuster Online so our queue would be stacked with the Prison Break seasons. We eventually caught up to what's currently on tv and now live for Monday nights. Can I just say, I believe that Wentworth Miller is physical perfection. Seriously. Just try to argue with me. Oh, and Jon thinks so too so don't worry. :) This show combines thrilling suspense, heartbreaking drama, and incomprehensible male beauty. Try it and trust me...you'll agree.

Christmas!!!

As I write this, there are exactly 45 days 13 hours 34 minutes and less than 40 seconds until Christmas! I can hardly contain my holiday cheer!

I like this picture because it reminds me of how I'm always looking forward, away from what I'm doing in the present and towards the next thing. I was thinking about this last week when November 1st rolled around and it was time to make a new calendar to hang in my cube. I love crossing off the days that have passed and anticipating tomorrow, next week, next year. I like having plans. I like counting down the days until Christmas. I like dreaming about the life I'll be living in 10 years. And I have yet to decide whether this is a blessing or a curse. Believe me, I do try to live in the moment, carpe diem and all that. Something inside me, however, is always restless, seeking the morrow. It is the prospect of what is to come that keeps me motivated in the present. There are so many things I want to see and do. I want to travel the world, which I know a lot of people claim, but I actually yearn for it. I want to more fully understand our world and be in a position to change things. I want to pack up everything and move somewhere completely new and just start over. I want to go to graduate school because I love to learn and be challenged. I want to counsel because although I don't have infinite wisdom, I have experienced pain and want to help people heal. I want to be a mother that my children will be proud of. I understand that where I am right now is preparing me for this future I dream of but sometimes it seems so distant.

Autumn

When the trees their summer splendor

Change to raiment red and gold,

When the summer moon turns mellow,

And the nights are getting cold;

When the squirrels hide their acorns,

And the woodchucks disappear;

Then we know that it is autumn,

Loveliest season of the year.

~Charlotte L. Riser~