This Christmas was, without a doubt, the best Christmas I can remember since I was little and still believed in Santa. I would never have believed it, if someone had told me a few years ago, that I would enjoy watching someone else open presents more than I enjoy opening my own, but it's true. This year watching my nephew, Cooper, tear the paper off his gifts and trying out all his new goodies was way better than opening mine. Not that I didn't get great presents because I did. I have very thoughtful friends and a generous family. I loved my gifts, but sitting back watching Cooper with his took me right back to when I was about six years old. I guess, as we get older, Christmas tends to lose some of its luster. We get too bogged down in all the things we have to do and forget to enjoy the meaning of Christmas. This year with Cooper brought all of that magic back. There were a couple of times I actually got a little lump in my throat. To watch his eyes glow with each new toy he opened. My Christmas spirit is renewed.
So, Christmas has come and gone, but I will leave this Christmas season behind with a new understanding of the season. I use this quote a lot, but it just fits so many situations, especially as we get a little older: "In youth we learn; in age we understand" (Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach). The truth of that statement becomes more and more apparent with every day that passes and this Christmas season was no different. I have always known the meaning of Christmas, but this year I could actually feel it. The love of family and friends is one of, if not the greatest gifts we could ever receive.
I hope everyone had as blessed a Christmas as I did. Another year is upon us; more lessons to learn, more memories to make. Have a happy and safe New Year.

White Christmas in Texas...Go Figure

Yesterday, the weather here in my small Texas town was sunny and warm. The temperature was about 70 to 75 degrees. Then this morning, at about 9:30, I looked out my window, and what did I see? SNOW. That's right, snow. I couldn't believe it. Not only did we have a White Christmas Eve, but it snowed for close to about 6 hours. The wind got up and snow was blowing everywhere. We even had snow drifts. As far as I can remember, this is the first White Christmas I have ever experienced in my 31 years of life. It was definitely a Christmas Eve to remember.
I spent Christmas Eve with my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Christmas is so much for fun with children. My nephew is 17 months old and, though this isn't his first Christmas, it is the first that he can really participate in. It is amazing to watch him discover Christmas lights, the Christmas trees and the presents under the tree. I made a ton of decorated Christmas cookies. It was the best thing I have experienced in a long time to see him perusing the cookies on the plate, trying to decide which one he wanted. It was so worth all of the time I put into them.
Tomorrow morning we will open presents and stockings. I can hardly wait to see my nephew rip into his packages. There is just something so much more merry about a Christmas with a child you love; finding the perfect gifts, decorating cookies just for him and then watching the look on his face when he opens his packages. I'm charging my camera battery. I wouldn't want to miss a single photo opportunity.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year. Get your resolutions ready everyone. It's almost that time of year.

Buying Christmas Gifts

Ok, so I am done with my Christmas shopping already, and all but one of my gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I am just waiting on the last gift to arrive in the mail. I just love finding the perfect gifts for my friends and family. This year I had a hard time coming up with ideas for people. I don't like to just give people random gifts that I didn't put any thought into. I like to get something that goes with their personality or hobbies. I try to remember back to conversations we have had about different things to see if I can get gift ideas from those. Usually it works pretty well. This year I just seem to have a mental block or something. It took me forever to decide what I was going to buy for people, but once I did, I was very happy with the gifts I purchased.
Now, when it comes to giving gifts, you could ask any of my friends and they would tell you, I am horrible at waiting until it is time to give them. So many times I have said something along the lines of, "I got your present. Do you want it now?", several days before the actual gift-giving event, whether it be a birthday or Christmas. They always just laugh at me and tell me I have to wait to give them their gifts. I am like a little kid on Christmas Eve begging to open gifts early, but mine is in reverse. I am usually so excited and know they will love their gifts that I want to give it to them the minute I buy them, even if it is weeks before they should. So, that having been said, it is killing me to have the gifts just sit under the tree for the next 10 days. I am having to make a conscious effort not to give hints that would ruin the surprise.
So, that's what is on my mind at the moment. Happy shopping!!!

My First Blog

For months now I have read many of my friends blogs and debated writing one of my own, but I wasn't sure I would have anything to write about that anyone would want to read. Then it dawned on me, I am not the only small town woman whose life may not be as she thought it would be. If I write something and it helps just one person then it would be worth it, so today I created my blog.
So, to begin, I am a 31-year old woman that was born and raised in a small town in Texas. I am single, and though most women my age would be a little worried about still being single at this age, I can honestly say I am not. I know I will meet the right guy when it is time. I have a Bachelor's of Business Administration degree in Interdisciplinary Business which has proven useless other than to get me the same jobs I could have gotten fresh out of high school. So, I am back in school getting an Associates Degree in Nursing. While I am doing this, I am still living with my parents, in the town where I was born, which is among many other things, embarrassing, frustrating and degrading. I just happen to be lucky enough to have wonderful parents that are understanding and generous, so I try to make the best of my situation until I can make it better.
Last year, when I turned thirty, my thought process changed like someone had flipped a switch. I guess getting older puts things into perspective. Things that use to seem so drastic or crucial to my life just aren't important at all anymore. The things that I use to take for granted are now the most important things to me. Spending time with my family (mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and sweetest nephew) has become so important with me. I remember a time when it would have killed me to stay home on weekends. Now, I am a homebody. I would rather stay home and spend time with the people I love.
Another thing that changed for me last year was that I started kind of feeling my life pass me by. I had always thought that I would be happy living in my small town for the rest of my life, enjoying a simple life. Now, I want so badly to get on with my life, finish my nursing degree and get out into the world and experience different things. That having been said, I do realize that lots of people probably have this little epiphany in their early twenties, but not me. I just don't want to wake up thirty years from now and realize that I let my youth pass me by without trying out new cities, making acquaintances out of different kinds of people, and living my life the way I want to live it.
So, that is my first blog. It feels a little bit more like my first ramble, but I wanted to try to explain where I feel I am in my life at this point. I can't wait to blog more and I hope you will follow me.