that's over the $12 limit!!!

So, I'm getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow, and I'm totally not looking forward to it at all. The only good thing about it is that Jake is here and will be here to take care of me afterwards. Otherwise, it's gonna be zero fun sir. I've heard so many stories about how crazy people act after they leave because they're all drugged up and have no idea what's going on...haha so I guess we'll see how that goes lol. I know for a fact that I'm gonna be eating a ton of jello and soup and milkshakes over the next week. Fine, maybe I'm totally okay with that :)

Christmas this year has been SO good! Just everything about it has been amazing. My grandparents flew Colby home and surprised us all and it was so awesome. I started crying when he came in the door...after I screamed and gave him a huge hug of course :) The whole family has gotten along, there has been minimal arguing, lots of laughter and plenty of good food and fellowship :) I will say one thing though, my family is ridiculously crazy. I never know what to expect, that's for sure. My brother and my 2 cousins bought tacky Christmas sweaters at Goodwill and wore them for pictures. Here is a little preview:

Our family decided to be economically friendly this year for Christmas, so we decided that whoever's name that we drew, we had to buy their present at a thrift store, and it had to be under $12. That way, we would be able to enjoy our time together more and remember the real Reason for the season and not worry about money. So, after we had all opened our presents, which actually was really fun to be able to see all the treasures people found, my mom decided to make a statement. She calls Colby over to her and announces that she got the best Christmas present ever, and that was having her son home for Christmas, to which my cousin Whitney responds, "Yeah, you can't get that at a thrift store."

Then, my other cousin Brian, the one featured above on the far left, shouts, "Wait, that's over the $12 limit!!!!!!" and everyone busted out laughing....it was hilarious! :)

Jake and I had a wonderful Christmas too, and even though we didn't spend as much on each other as we have in the past, it was special just to spend Christmas Eve together at my house. I am beginning to realize what things are really important...and the things that are not. I have no guarantee of the future, but that's okay because I know that my Jesus is in control! I am just glad that Jake will be here with me this week to take care of me after I get my wisdom teeth out. He has a way of making me smile when I am down or upset :)

ok...one last thing.....I respect the heck out of Santa's elves.

let's just say that I learned my lesson this year. When I have kids, I will never, ever, buy a toy that has to be put together and has a bajillion pieces. Holly bought a play kitchen for Savannah, and at 11pm on Christmas Eve, after everyone left our house, we decided we should probably put it together....it was absolutely ridiculous and we wanted to shoot ourselves. 2 1/2 hours later, we realized that IT WAS MISSING A PIECE! good heavens are you kidding me?!?! anyways, here's just a peek at our madness:

this is probably not surprising, but afterwards, or maybe during the process, the two children pictured on the box ended up with holes in their faces from the screwdriver...haha needless to say it was quite a frustrating process. But, it was worth it, because my niece absolutely loved it. But, she will never know the pain and anger we went through to give her that gift. We'll spare her ears for now, but maybe we'll tell her the truth one day.

So, my life is wonderful, and I love my family and I love my Jesus. I am so thankful for the fact that he chose to become a human and live a perfect life in order to die as the perfect sacrifce and be raised to life to cleanse us of our sins and offer us the free gift of salvation and eternal life! Praise Him! :)