Thoughts on Christmas

"Somehow, in the weakness of a baby born in a lowly stable, the power of the Almighty had come to earth. It was a mystery that would occupy my mind on many nights as I nursed God's Son and kissed His tiny face." ~Mary (from Charles R. Swindoll's A Bethlehem Christmas)

My favorite part of the Christmas story has always been the way God chose an "ordinary" yet faithful young woman as the vessel for His physical entrance into the world. I cannot imagine what Mary must have felt when Gabriel showed up and told her she would give birth to a son. And not just any son...the Son of God. As a Jew, she must have understood Gabriel's prophetic words: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:32-33). She knew that the baby she bore was the promised Messiah, but she couldn't have known how all of the prophesy was to be fulfilled. All she knew was that she wanted to obey the Lord's will for her: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

What would it have been like to be the earthly mother of the almighty God? She certainly experienced normal motherly instincts, desiring to nurture and protect her son out of her deep love for him. Yet she was probably reminded constantly of her son's divinity as well. Her child, the baby boy she delivered in the humble environment of a stable, was also her Savior. The thought blows my mind! Tears come to my eyes as I think about the creativity and wonder of my God!

At Christmas time and all of the time, I want to be open and willing when God seeks me to perform His will. Just like Mary, I want to be a part of His awesome and perfect plan. "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished" (Luke 1:45).

Merry Christmas!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

After a fabulous Thanksgiving with plenty of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and pie, I am now sitting contently in my house and admiring some of my newly set up Christmas decorations. I don't know if I have ever been as excited for the start of the Christmas season as I am this year. Maybe it has something to do with being in our own house, or maybe it's because of my Christmas-obsessed friend who decorated her home weeks ago. Either way, I could not be happier that December 25th is rapidly approaching. Even being in Florida, with weather in the 70s and 80s, I am in full Christmas spirit. Today, I woke up early for the first time in my life to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. I can't remember the last time I got my Christmas shopping done this early. What's happening to me?! :-)

Though I won't be going "home" for Christmas this year, I am thrilled to spend the holidays with my wonderful in-laws in Washington. And I will still get to see my much-missed family in January! I certainly have a lot to look forward to! While this blog post may seem like I've skipped the Thanksgiving mindset and gone straight to Christmas cheer, I am deeply aware of how much I have to be thankful for. I praise God for the blessings that He continues to pour over my life! I can't wait to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year, remembering all of the things my Savior has done for me!

"Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

She had been searching and seeking the waters of serenity, of purification. She leaned over the edge of an aged fountain, peering into the aqua liquid that rested silent and still. Her reflection was clouded; it was not the clear reflection for which she yearned. She desperately splashed the water onto her face, hoping, pleading for a new image to appear once the ripples subdued. But the reflection remained; she was the same. This fountain was dead; it didn't flow with the refreshing and cleansing water that she needed.

She crumpled to the grass in despair, not knowing where else to look for the water that would nourish, fulfill, and transform her. She had traveled far and wide, seen everything from the fountain of youth to this forgotten monument which now stood before her, and still, she was unsatisfied. None of these waters flowed with the energy that she so desperately needed or the absolution that she so desperately desired. She looked at her hands; they were filthy from the dirt and grime of her journey. Her throat was parched and her lips were dry. She was thirsty, not having discovered the fountain she had set out to find.

How did she get here? How did she get so lost? She had started strong, with assurance, with determination, with Someone to help her along the way. But as distractions emerged and doubts surfaced, she had left her Guide behind. She had abandoned him on a dusty roadside, deciding to fend for herself.

Her loneliness consumed her.

At the base of the ancient fountain, she let her head fall to the ground, and she gave way to the overwhelming exhaustion. Sleep came fast, and the tears dried in salty streaks on her face. She dreamed of her thirst and the many miles she had traveled to quench it, only to fail in the end. She dreamed of her unwashed hands, of her murky reflection, of her unmet longing for purity. The darkness behind her eyes deepened as her regret rooted itself, destroying any chance for a new beginning. But then...

A rain drop.

The crisp, clean water fell on her lips. She heard a familiar voice through the hum of the steady rain. "Wake up. I'll give you a new beginning." Her eyes opened to see the face of the Guide she had long since abandoned. He reached down to help her to her feet. For the first time, she noticed the scars in his hands. Something told her these wounds were her doing. But his smile put her mind at rest. She surrendered herself to his warm embrace and to the revitalizing rain that poured around them. She was washed by the water. Her Guide's gentle words echoed through her ears: "I'm here with you, and I've never left you. I'll show you to the fountain of living water...if you would only follow me."

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

It's been a few weeks since my parents came to visit, and I'm already looking forward to the next time we get to see one another. I feel incredibly blessed to have the parents that I do. I admire them in so many ways, and they never fail to give me the support, love, and encouragement that I need. I thank God that he put two such amazing people in my life, who helped make me the person I am today.

During the short time that both of my parents were here, we were able to squeeze in a handful of fun activities. We went out to dinner, walked around downtown St. Pete, and went to the beach. My parents were also kind enough to help me with some landscaping on a very hot day. I wouldn't have pretty flowers in my front yard had it not been for their hard work.

Sadly, my daddy had to leave after the long weekend to get back to work. But Mama got to stay the rest of that week, and we had a blast spending time together. We had great girl time, touching up the decor in the family room and shopping in Sarasota. It was wonderful to have her there to keep me company while Ryan worked in the evenings.

The end of the visit for both of my parents arrived too soon... as usual. But I am thankful that we shared such a fun and memorable time together. Every time I say goodbye to my parents after a visit, it feels bittersweet. I always hate saying goodbye, but I'm also always reminded of how blessed I am to have them in my life at all. Indeed..."How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Another year

In about two hours, I will officially be 23 years old. I still haven't gotten used to saying that I'm 22, so when people ask how old I am now, most likely the response will be, "Um...let me think...Oh! I'm 23." On the eve of another year in my life, I decided to share some of my favorite things about my 22nd year and some of the things I want for the 23rd.

The best of 22:

Being newly married to the man of my dreams.

Moving into a house that I love.

Making new friends who have become very dear to my heart.

Remembering and staying in touch with the old friends that still mean so much to me.

Growing in my faith and my personal relationship with my Savior.

Getting my puppy who steals more of my heart every day :-).

Gaining opportunities to write for wonderful people.

Learning how to make a few more meals.

Staying close to my wonderful family, even though we're far apart.

Bonding with my new family members.

Hopes for 23:

Grow even closer to my husband.

Increase my love for God each day and be a constant display of His love.

Get a job, preferably one that I like :-).

Develop deeper relationships with new friends and stay in touch with the old ones.

Bond more and more with my own family and my amazing in-laws.

Learn more about photography (with my new camera from my hubby!).

Serve others.

Experience more of Florida.

Be content and thankful in all circumstances.

I'm sure there is so much more I could include for this past year and for the next one. But these are the things that float to the surface of my mind. Thank you , God, for giving me another year!

Tears of Real Joy

Tears ran down her face as she soaked in the words on the page. She had been reading her daily Bible study, and today's message hit her harder than anything had in a long time. For months, she had been striving to draw closer to God, sometimes feeling his presence and peace and other times wondering if He was even real. But these words set a flame in her soul and captivated her heart, making it impossible for her to deny the very real and personal King of Kings.

Her tears were not only the release of anxieties, frustrations, and doubts; they were also an outpouring of true joy that she had not experienced in some time. She had felt happiness and gratitude for all of God's blessings. She had understood the richness of her relationships and of so many other aspects of her life. But for weeks, or maybe months, she had not experienced the real, overwhelming, undeniable joy and peace that come from trusting in the Lord's love and goodness. And now, she felt the shedding of her petty worries and fears as the joy of God's presence filled her. The tears fell, cleansing her heart of all the needless doubts and making room for the truth within these words.

"...God is not only the answer to a thousand needs, He is the answer to a thousand wants. He is the fulfillment of our chief desire in all of life. For whether or not we've every recognized it, what we desire is unfailing love. Oh, God, awake our souls to see--You are what we want, not just what we need. Yes, our life's protection, but also our heart's affection. Yes, our soul's salvation, but also our heart's exhilaration. Unfailing love. A love that will not let me go!"

She read the sentences over and over again, sensing the weight of their message yet also feeling the lifting of a burden long carried. She didn't understand why such words were touching her now, when she had really known this all along. She had known... but she had not absorbed the reality of God's unfailing love. She had not been going through her days with the idea that He was her soul's exhilaration! And in this moment, she cried for joy knowing that He had never let her go and He would never let her go!

Yes, these were tears of real joy.

A Very Special Day

Engagement, May 2008

Tomorrow is a very special day. It's special because 23 years ago, on August 19, the man to whom I am now married arrived in this world. I always love celebrating people's birthdays because they are such wonderful reminders of God's incredible gift of life! Not to mention they give me the opportunity to rejoice over the presence of loved ones in my own life.

I truly feel blessed beyond words to have Ryan as my husband. Even though I am sure I take him for granted throughout our days, weeks, and months together, I realize how much he adds to my life. Eleven years ago, when I first met him at youth group, I would have never imagined that I would someday be happily married to Ryan Foster. But now that I am, I could not be more grateful to God for carving this path for our life together.

August 2008

I love so many things about my husband. I love his adorable smile, his amazing green eyes (which I really hope get passed down to at least one of our children!), the way my hand fits in his and the way I have to stand on my tip-toes to kiss him. I love his adventurous side, his role-with-the-punches attitude, and his ability to calm me down. I love his understated sense of humor, his willingness to serve, and his desire to be a good and godly man. I love the way he looks at me and how he tells me every day that I am beautiful. I love his dedication, hard work, devotion, and encouragement. Basically, I found all that I wanted from a husband in him, the boy I dated for an hour during middle school, ate lunch with as a high school freshman, and fell in love with once my college years began. It's crazy the turn both of our lives took, but thank God things happened the way they did!

July 2010

Happy birthday to the best husband I could wish or pray for! I love you more than all the stars in the sky and fish in the sea, and I couldn't be more thankful that you love me :-).

Back Again

After more than a month, I'm finally deciding to update my very neglected blog. We've had a lot going on over the past month: a trip to Colorado, our one-year anniversary, a visit from one of my best friends, and more.

To start, our two weeks in Colorado during July were incredible! Not only were we able to spend time with family, but we also shared a perfect weekend in the mountains to celebrate our anniversary. One of our friend's family owns a cabin in Red Feather, and they were generous enough to let us use it for a weekend while we were in Colorado. Ryan arranged the whole weekend getaway, and I was completely surprised and thrilled. We had so much fun relaxing with each other, going on hikes, canoeing, and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I enjoyed every minute with my husband of one whole year!

The view while driving in Red Feather

Enjoying a fun hike together

During the rest of our visit in Colorado, we enjoyed seeing family members and friends. Almost every day that we were there, we were able to see another much-missed loved one. We also had fun seeing my sister's boyfriend (also named Ryan... funny, I know) and going to one of his baseball games in Wyoming. Because his parents were also visiting at the time, it was a full house at the Burks's residence, but we loved the energy and the constant fun of it all. Toward the end of our trip, the whole gang made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a breathtaking summer hike. I was certainly reminded of why I want to move back to Colorado someday!

Daddy and his girls in Rocky Mountain National Park

The ladies of the family

Ryan and me with Jordan and her Ryan

When we got back to Florida, Carol, one of my best friends from high school, came to visit us for a week. She arrived the day after we got home, so there wasn't much time for unpacking or settling back in. But it was so good to see her and to have some one-on-one girl time. The weather cooperated enough for us to have several sunny days on the beach, and we also got some shopping squeezed in while she was here. During Carol's visit, I decided that she must be my good luck charm. We went bowling with some friends one evening, and I bowled over 100 for the first time in my life (135)... I even beat my husband! Ssshhh... don't tell him I told you :-).

Carol and me at St. Pete Pier

After Carol left, it was back to reality, which was not easy I must admit. But I'm extraordinarily grateful for our amazing vacation time and our chance to catch up with the people we love and miss so much every day. I'm already counting the days till I get to see my wonderful family again :-). Until then, I'm looking forward to sharing the rest of the summer with my loving and adorable husband. Even though I miss Colorado and my family, he makes Florida my 'home sweet home.'

Doubts

I was doing some research today for one of my internships, and I came across something that blew my mind. In the middle of reading about a very talented and accomplished writer named Donald Murray, I realized that EVERYONE doubts themselves at one point or another. And sometimes people that seem incredibly brilliant or beautiful or gifted from the outside really feel insignificant or incapable on the inside.

Just to give you an idea of who Donald Murray was, I'll list some of his accomplishments.

• He won a Pulitzer Prize at age 29
• He received an honorary doctorate from the University of New Hampshire, where he also established the school's journalism program
• He wrote for the Boston Globe for 20 years
• He published more than 10 books about the writing process, as well as fiction and poetry

Clearly, the man had talent. He knew how to write, and he was good at teaching others to write. But in his last column for the Boston Globe before his death, Murray wrote these words: "Every time I sit down to write I don't know if I can do it. The flow of writing is always a surprise and a challenge. Click the computer on and I am 17 again, wanting to write and not knowing if I can."

When I read this in my research, I could hardly believe that someone so gifted could have the same doubts that run through my mind. I constantly lack confidence when I go to pick up a pen or type up a story.

My sister-in-law, Jenna, was visiting recently, and she and I talked about a similar subject. We talked about how we often compare ourselves to others. We sometimes assume that certain people have huge levels of confidence in their appearance or in their abilities. But the truth is, almost every person has doubts. We all feel insecure at times, and we all have to summon the courage to be ourselves and to follow our dreams.

I think one of the only ways I can find to conquer the inevitable doubts and insecurities is to recognize that only one opinion really matters: God's.

Donald Murray may have experienced the same doubts and feelings of insignificance that I often face, or he may just have been a very humble human being. Either way, I think there's a good lesson.

Daddy's Little Girl

On this Father's Day, I want to take a minute to share some of the reasons why I love my my daddy so much. (Yes, I will always call him "Daddy" and I will always be Daddy's little girl). God has blessed me exponentially by giving me such a wonderful man to call my daddy. I love him more than words can really explain, but I'll still give it a try.

I love my daddy because...

My hand always fit perfectly inside of his.

He always gave me goodnight kisses.

He was never too busy or tired to play tickle monster.

He took me hiking, camping, backpacking, and fishing.

He abandoned some of his "manly" duties to braid my hair.

He played diving games with my sister and me until we were pruney.

He always encouraged me to set high standards and go for my dreams.

He chose to stay committed to his family.

He exemplifies faith and devotion to God.

He's not afraid to be goofy.

He taught me how to throw, catch, and bat.

He danced with me to Sleeping Beauty.... "I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream."

He treated me like a princess but also taught me the value of hard work.

He loved me no matter what, and he still does.

Thank you, Daddy, for being everything I could ever want in a father. I love you!

Words

I was reading back through little journal entries and random stories I have written over the past couple of years, and I found this. It reminded me why I try to keep writing, even if it's brief updates on my blog or scattered prayers in a notebook. It reminded me of the power of words.

I love words. I love the way language can move, inspire, captivate, and express. The way a certain word can convey an idea that is entirely unique based on its context and connotations. Words are the windows to how we see the world. The words we hear escape the lips of our loved ones can shape the way we love, the way we learn, the way we live. It may sound cheesy or idealistic, but words have paved paths in all directions of my life. My love of words began early on. For as long as I can remember, I have been writing. Writing my prayers, writing my thoughts, writing my experiences or lack of experiences, and now writing a combination of everything, including the daydreams that consume my days and nights. My mother says that I inherited my love of words from my grandfather. When he passed away several years ago, she found numerous pieces of scratch paper scattered around his apartment. These bits of paper contained everything: inspirational quotes, my grandfather’s own insights, unusual words and their definitions, and questions. These questions contained extensive subject matter: life, death, joy, sorrow, peace, friendship, love, hate. My grandfather loved words. He was moved, inspired, and captivated by language. He expressed his wishes, his fears, and his passions through words. Near the end of his life, he began to forget his words. Looking back, it’s as though his fading words marked the onset of his fading life. Yet he kept the important words until the end: "Hello," "Goodbye," "I love you." I still keep an envelope with my grandfather’s handwriting. It reminds me that I inherited my grandfather’s love of words. And I am glad.

More and more each day...

I can't always understand why God has so richly blessed my life. He has guided my paths from the very beginning, and He has sometimes diverted my own inferior plans to complete His all-knowing ones. I never imagined that I would be married to a childhood friend and living in St. Petersburg, FL. I have fretted about failing to graduate "in time," but I have seen that His time is what counts.

I recently started a writing project for Roy Peter Clark of the Poynter Institute (the company that owns the St. Petersburg Times). This opportunity fell in my lap by the shear grace of God, and He is allowing me to build my writing, researching, and editing skills through it. My connection with Mr. Clark has since led to another internship opportunity, this time doing research for an author regarding her second book. I can almost hear God gently whispering to me, "I told you so." Why do I worry when He is constantly telling me and showing me that He has a plan? When Ryan was first stationed in St. Petersburg, I worried that the universities wouldn't be good enough and that I would never get established in writing or editing. Now I see that God brought me to a place filled with opportunity.

Not only has God poured out his blessings on my writing and editing aspirations, He has also given us a home to call our own. I love our new house more all the time. Again, I feel like God is trying to prove his overwhelming love and provision for us. He is on His throne, He is in control, and I have nothing to fear.

More and more each day, I am seeing and experiencing how His plans will always transcend my own. Thank heaven for that!

The End...And The Beginning!

I am officially done with my first semester at USF! I literally just emailed my final paper to the professor. It feels fabulous to be done with the hectic school schedule... at least for a little while. So it is the end of one thing, and the beginning of many others!

Vacation. My sister is coming to visit in two days, and I can hardly wait to enjoy the sunny weather with her! It will be so wonderful to relax together and enjoy one another's company. She will be here for a week, and then I have a few more days of real vacations until...

More School. I know, I just finished school. I shouldn't have to go back right away! Luckily, I am only taking two summer classes that last until mid-June. And taking summer school will lighten the work load for my last semester in the fall. But at least I have something else to look forward too...

A house! We will close on our newly purchased home by May 24th. I am getting thrilled about decorating our adorable bungalow, and Ryan is anxious to have a big garage... of course. We feel so blessed that God has given us the opportunity to buy a house. It will be a fantastic experience and will make Florida feel a bit more like home. And guess who our first house guest will be...

Jenna! My sweet sister-in-law will be the first to stay with us at our new home. I am so excited to see her! I know that we'll have a blast soaking up the sun and talking about her wedding plans! And guess what? The list doesn't end there.

Colorado. Ryan and I are going to spend twelve magnificent days there in July. We will feel beyond-words delighted to see family and the beautiful mountains again! Ryan also has something special planned to celebrate our one-year anniversary while we are there. He won't give me any hints, so I have a couple months of anticipation ahead of me.

I don't know how much more beautiful my life could get! Thank you, Lord, for endings and new beginnings

A Quiet Sunday Night

Ryan has been gone just a few days on his first deployment, and I am already feeling so lonesome without him here. It's strange how quiet the apartment gets when he's gone. Even though I've spent much of my time doing homework, I still wish he was here sitting on the couch next to me... just for the company. At least his trip only lasts two weeks, and my mommy is coming to visit in just a couple of days!

Because Ryan is away and because I woke up with an extremely sore throat this morning, I have barely ventured from the house today--except to take the dog out--and as I write, I am still wearing my PJs from last night. Yes, I am a complete slug. I decided to watch Julie and Julia to fill some of the quiet and to get away from the boredom of homework. And of course, the movie made me hungry. So I searched my pantries and found all of the ingredients for peanut butter cookies. Now, I have a plateful of cookies sitting on the kitchen counter...tempting me in all of their deliciousness. Why I chose to bake when my husband is gone is beyond me. At least they satisfied my sweet tooth.

Moving on to more important subjects... (I know, what could be more important than cookies!?) Ryan and I have found two houses in St. Petersburg that we really like. We submitted an offer for one, but because it's a shortsale, it may not go through in time. We continue to pray that God will lead us where he wants us to go.

The house-search and the beautiful weather are making it very hard for me to stay motivated in school. Indeed, I have major spring fever, and I can't pull myself away from HGTV. But I am at least thankful that I now have an end in sight. I will graduate from USF by December 2010...only 15 credit hours to go!

Now that I have provided this brief little update on life, I just have to share how blessed I feel to lead such a life. It may seem silly, but having Ryan gone over the last several days has reminded me how much I love him and enjoy being with him. Watching Julie and Julia tonight, I was touched by the loving line: "You are the butter to my bread and the breath of my life." At first it sounds funny, but then you understand what it means. The one you love tops everything off. They add that little extra flavor or spark. And they always give you the encouragement you need. I'm so incredibly grateful to have a husband who does all of this and more for me! I can't wait for him to come home!

Weekend in Chicago

First of all, I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted something on my blog! Life has been very busy with school, new friends, house-searching, volunteer work, and a weekend in Chicago. Yes, I have much to update you all on from the last month or so.

School is going well, and I am especially enjoying my Shakespeare and Adolescent Literature courses. Many hours of reading and writing, but it's okay... as long as I graduate by Fall 2010 :-). Ryan and I have been having so much fun getting more involved with our life-group at church, a group of young married couples like us. When we first started spending more time with these people outside of church, Ryan and I joked that we were going to be poor and fat (because of how much we all go out to eat), but at least we would have friends! Our schedules have also become busier with our search for a house. Originally, we were planning on looking for a house to rent, but the real estate market in the St. Petersburg area is much better for buyers, so we are now officially hunting for our first home. We'll see what God has in mind for us! Last thing on my update list before I move on to my Chicago trip is my new position volunteering at a local adult literacy center. I will be a tutor for adults who never had the chance to learn how to read well, use grammar properly, etc. I am so thrilled that God has given me this chance to bless others with the abilities he has given me!

Now for the funnest part of this post: my wonderful weekend in Chicago. On Friday, the 19th of February, I left for Chicago to celebrate my sister, Jordan's birthday with her. My parents were also able to come, and the four of us stayed in a lovely hotel downtown, just a block or two away from Michigan Avenue. It was such an incredible trip! I spent Friday eating a delicious breakfast at a Swedish restaurant, touring Jordan's college campus, settling into our luxurious hotel room, and enjoying a dinner of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza with the family. Saturday--Jordan's actual birthday-- we spent time shopping on State Street and Michigan Avenue and eating more divine foods at the Grand Luxe Cafe and Harry Caray. Sunday went way too fast, but we were able to have a day of family fun again, walking around the city and buying Jordan a few birthday presents. Seeing my family again was an unbelievable blessing, and it reminded me, as always, of how much I love and miss them. I can't wait for the next family reunion! Happy 19th birthday, my sweet little sister!

Back to School

I am now half-way through my second week of school at University of South Florida, and things are going well. The first week was pretty stressful, as I spent the first couple of days trying to get all of the classes I needed. But thankfully, I was able to register for everything required for me to graduate by the fall. I can't wait! I must admit, as I hear many of my friends talk about their upcoming graduation in May, I feel a little sad and discouraged that I still have two semesters (and possible some summer classes) before I finish my degree. But then I remember the reason I decided to transfer, and it's worth it. I get to see the cute face of my loving husband every day!

My course load is pretty full, and I am definitely going to be reading a lot this semester, but I am looking forward to getting back into my Major and building my writing skills. I am blessed to have a respected university close to my home, and I really like how much smaller the campus is compared to that of Colorado State University. I know that God has brought me here for a purpose, and I trust that He will continue to bless me as I follow where He wants me to go.

Our First Christmas

This year marked the first Christmas (and New Year) that Ryan and I shared as a married couple. We were so blessed with an incredible and full holiday season. Ryan was able to get leave from work to travel with me and our little dog to Colorado.

Even though we knew we would be gone over Christmas, Ryan and I still decided to buy and decorate a real tree for our first home together. We loved picking out the perfect tree for the apartment, stringing the lights around it, and carefully placing ornaments and paper snowflakes over the branches. We also opened our presents to one another and filled our stockings before we left for Colorado. I felt so content sharing Christmas traditions with my wonderful husband for the first time.

While we were in Colorado, not only were we able to spend time with my family as we stayed in my parent's house, but we were also able to see his family members over the course of our visit. My parents-in-law and one sister-in-law traveled to Colorado this year as well and stayed with Ryan's sweet grandma, who happens to live within 10 minutes of my childhood home. It was such fun seeing everyone over Christmas. Being with family always makes the holidays special to me, and this year, I was lucky enough to spend Christmas with both of my families! My younger sister's boyfriend (ironically, also named Ryan) accompanied her to Colorado for a few days as well. I really enjoyed getting to meet the boy that my sister is so crazy about and of course having quality time with her too. We all had fun celebrating the joyous time together.

Ryan and I returned to Florida just in time to celebrate the coming of 2010 together. My adorable cousin, Colleen, invited us to a private party at a restaurant near Tampa. It was great to have special plans for New Year's Eve and to spend the evening with two people I love. We got to dress up and welcome the new year in style :-).

I hope you all had an equally magnificent Christmas season! Enjoy the pictures of our holiday fun!

Decorating our tree!

My cute, tall husband putting up the star

With my lovely mama at "home"

I love my daddy :-)

Enjoying beautiful Colorado. We loved having a white Christmas!

Rusty and me with Jenna, my sweet sister-in-law

Yay for sisters and their Ryans :-)

With Colleen at the New Years party

Having a blast!