Ahhhhh!!! Holiday Stress, Holiday Relaxation

So, I have discovered that I seem to be -- let's just say overexcitable -- about alot of things. Lately, it's been about my house. I want everything to have a place, and it to be where I will know where it is. I love when John asks me where something is and I can tell him exactly -- even to what it's behind. It's in the second cabinet to the left behind the glasses or something like that! Ha ha...it makes me feel like I have a real handle on things. I am not really a control freak, or maybe that makes me one! Anywho, I have realized that my house is nowhere near where it needs to be. So what do I do? I sit at work and think about what I need to do at home.....this causes me to stress ALOT!!

The dear husband/boss that I have has let me come home 2 days this past week which was a LIFE-SAVER! I got my upstairs DONE!! I am so excited. I also got laundry done, which meant that I was able to do other things this weekend. The only thing on my "to do" list of regular items is vacuum. For me to not have a to do list a mile long of regular household chores is not typical.

That said, John and I got most of our Christmas shopping done this weekend. Yes, yes, yes, I know -- "it's not even Thanksgiving". BUT, with work, this next weekend is our last one off until ohhhhhh, February! So, needless to say, I am psyched that I only have about 3 more gifts to buy, 2 of which are gift cards. :)

John has been so good with my crazy lady outlook lately. He just hugs me and says, it's not that bad. The house looks good, nothing is that bad. LOL. I seem to feel like if I don't get things done, I haven't accomplished anything. But, he's so good to just calm me down (try to anyway).

I'm not saying that I don't have a mental to do list of more organizing. I am trying to not worry so much. There are still plenty of rooms and closets I need to go through. Right now though, I'm working on decorating for Christmas. I will not put out my Christmas wreath or the lighted trees until AFTER Thanksgiving. So the inside will be decorated, but no one else will know! Tee hee.

I'll put up pics when I get the inside decorated.

Life goes by so fast!

Here it is, a Sunday night in November, and I think back to what I was doing 2 years ago. Two years ago, I didn't even know the man I am now spending my life with! Two years ago, I probably spent the weekend with my parents in Gurdon and never thought that I would be here at this point in my life. At that point in time, I was content where God had me. I was happy to live and work in Little Rock. I was happy to be a single woman. I enjoyed the time I spent with friends and family -- my family was what I cared about most.

A year ago, I was barely married for a month! Again, I was content with where God had placed me. I had met and married the man He brought into my life! I moved to Oklahoma without a second thought and instantly felt at home (with a little bit of homesickness). Again, little did I know what the year ahead of me would hold. I was happy to be married to my best friend. The one person that I tell anything and everything to -- without any fears. I still enjoyed the time I spent with my family -- only I also had another family that I enjoyed to be with!!

Today, I have been married for a little over a year. I still find myself content where God has placed me. I grow to love Oklahoma more and more and look forward to life ahead. I love John more today than the day I fell in love with him -- and the day I married him. My family has again changed since Carrie has now gotten married, which brings another person into the family and changes the family time. :) I continue to enjoy the time with my family. It seems to be less than before, which means it's more precious than ever.

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John and I got to spend the past 2 weekends with family. It has really filled my heart to have the ability to go and do and see family like we want to with little stress.

We spent the weekend before last marrying off Carrie ;) We enjoyed time with my family -- parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles. It was so great, lots of stories and laughs! I can hardly put into words what it was like to see my older sister marry her best friend. I know how I felt on my own wedding day, so I can imagine her feeling the same way on hers. It was beautiful and I was honored to stand next to her as she stood by me! That day just made me love John even more.

This weekend, having spent the weekend before with my family, John was missing his parents. We made the drive to Arkansas to see his parents. I cannot tell you what great people my in-laws are! They are the sweetest people you will ever meet. We had fun staying up late talking on Friday night. Saturday morning, we gathered around the bar (the grown ups had coffee -- that means everyone but me) and just talked for a good 2 hours. I heard stories about John and Katie as little kids; we talked about the changes in the country, etc. Then, we made the adventure to the Gentry Safari. We had the best time looking at the animals, avoiding being licked and bitten when we rolled the window down (against the rules of course). John needed a fix of chicken, so we ate at one of the best Chicken houses ever -- AQ chicken!! If you get a chance to ever go, the "over the coals" is the thing to order! I konked out at 6 that night, so I don't really know what went on....but this morning, we spent more time just talking and visiting last night and today. I heard some of the best stories about John this weekend (like him falling asleep in his mashed potatoes because he was so sleepy). HA HA

My trip down memory lane only confirms that the future only holds more change -- good change I'm sure!

This is my first post -- so bare with me as I don't have a knack for it yet....