The first Christmas to come

So this Thursday marks mine and Will's first Christmas as a married unit. Wow. I can hardly believe it is already here. So much has changed in such a short amount of time.Thanksgiving came and went, and now the end of another year is approaching quickly. Last year this time, I was working at Ruby Tuesday, had just finished up school, and was baking with my mom and grandmother for Christmas Eve. This year has been quite different. I have done everything on my own this year, and in some ways it has been sad not to have family around to bake and decorate and shop with, but it has also forced me to go out on my own and get things done. Will and I are looking forward to creating our own traditions, and since we leave on Christmas Eve afternoon, we are having our Christmas on the night of the 23rd. We are making our own homemade pizza, baking cookies, and opening our gifts from each other :)

As many of you know, I work at an extension center for A Woman's Choice Resource Center, which is an anti-abortion clinic. At Necole's Place I get to work with moms and their children, as they come to get their GED, take parenting, pre-natal, stress management, or relationship classes, and basically encourage and walk life with them. Will was off the afternoon of our Thanksgiving Banquet, and helped chronicle the day for me. Here are a few pictures from the day:








You can't begin to imagine some of the circumstances these moms and their children come out of, but they are the reason I get up every morning. I want to bring them all home with me!

On a more recent note, Will and I came home this afternoon and took a few Christmas pictures to document our first Christmas, so enjoy!


These are from my sweet mother in law! Aren't they gorgeous!
They have brightened my last 2 weeks every time I've walked in the door :)






3 more days and we will be in Tennessee!

I've been away from the blogging scene for awhile, but no worries - I am alive :) Some might be wondering, if they happened to see me on Thanksgiving. It was a great day followed by a horrible night. Thank goodness for my sweet Mom#2 and Dad#2 because without them, I don't know what I would have done. Apparently I caught some type of stomach bug and spent the drive from Will's family in Cookeville, Tn. to Clarksville, Tn. with my head in a bag. Oh how I love the holidays! :) Truly though, sincere thanks go out again to Mr.Bill and Mrs. Nebbie. Oh, and thanks to the boys too for not losing their cookies over me losing mine :( Sorry.

Since then, Will and I have both had a clean bill of health, and we intend on keeping it that way. I've been working more at Necole's Place, and staying busy at the house as usual. It has been so much fun decorating for Christmas in my own home this year! I'm working on getting some pictures up real soon. Will finished finals a week ago, and it has been so good to have him around a little more! Praise the Lord for another semester behind us! He is taking a class in January during Southern's Jan-term so be praying for him as he spends a solid week, 9-5 everyday, in a classroom. I also Will be starting a new venture with a second job. I will be working weekends at Bridal Warehouse, taking in brides and setting up their appointments. Pray for me not to go crazy :)

One of my dearest, oldest friends from home came to visit last Saturday with her other half Jonathan, and the four of us had a great time running up and down Frankfort Ave. and catching up on life. Here are a few pics from their visit!




We just celebrated our 5 month mark, and continue to feel God's grace and blessings falling upon us daily. Will and I are both looking forward to seeing our family in just a matter of days, and are even more excited about his upcoming Sunday at Grace Baptist Church in Springfield, Tn. It will be a great time of fellowship with our dear friend and minister Bro. Steve Freeman, but also a great time of worship, and allowing God to use Will as he preaches. Lift him up as He prepares for their evening service January 31st.

Thinking of you all this Christmas season! God Bless!