Hi.

I haven't been posting - in fact, apparently I was only checking this blog every few days so I missed becca's IMPORTANT post ENTIRELY and heard the big news from Angela today!  Pfft, when becca was pregnant with Shea, she was like "look at my Facebook" and it had a pregnancy countdown and that's the only reason I found out.  Miss understatement.

Becca, I am sorry your news didn't get the reception it deserved.  I am SOOOO JEAL--EXCITED for you!  I really want to see you soon but I know you're super busy!!!!

Where have I been?  Well, I've been posting a lot on my other, deeper, more introspective blog.  I've been hanging out with my Bible Study girls who often get a lot more of the "day to day" news.  Angela and Becca, you know Heather, and I've been daily emailing with her and being accountability partners with her, so she gets a lot of the news too.

Let's see - Cottage Group Christmas party at my house on Saturday!  Ack!  Angela helped me get a LOT of things organized today.  I am beyond grateful to that woman.  She is so inspiring!  I want to be just like her!

Okay, here is Joe playing with the cats with a toy I crocheted for them, after getting the idea from a toy Angela's cats had (which Angela's mom made).  In the background is the tree we ended up returning because it was defective.

Despite our bad experience with this artificial tree, we were determined to find one that would last us for a long time, except for during the years we decide to get a real tree (that was the compromise for getting a fake.)  Here is the one we decorated tonight:

 We have red ornaments too, but I decided to go all white and silver.  And I am going to find a white round tablecloth for a tree skirt that won't look so...clashy.  Becca, remember when I tried to crochet a tree skirt? For the tree we got at your Renton house without telling your mom?

Below is the prettiest present I have ever wrapped, a gift for my dad.  It doesn't look all that impressive in the picture, but I bought a bunch of super cute tags, and I made ribbon into that bow (it took me like half an hour) and I did a great wrapping job.  I am not crafty, not good at making things look nice because usually I don't care enough to put the time in, so I'm very proud of this.

 Sooo...what will I do tomorrow?  Probably try to get Angela to come over and tell me if we need more ornaments or not.  The tree looks pretty good with what we have though.  Then I'll go to Puyallup to get my allergy shots and then my parents' to get a picture off their computer for our Christmas cards.  Then I'll order those.  My other MUST DO task tomorrow is vacuuming, which you all know I love.  I think each of you have, at some time, vacuumed my house for me because you know how much I hate it.

I bought a new tablecloth today, it's red like Christmas!  We had dinner by Christmas-tree light.  It was teriyaki chicken.  I also wore a dress that I bought today with Angela (because all you girls know how much I love clothes shopping).  She was great.  She was like, "Let's go to Ross."  And I was like "I hate Ross."  And she was like "But I"ll be there with you and I'll pick out stuff for you and all you have to do is try it on."  It was a lot of fun, because we are the same size and we both tried on all the dresses!

Joe laughed at the sleeves and said I look like a peacock.  He likes the dress, I think he's just a guy or something though.  =)  It's super comfortable too!  I could wear it to bed.

I just want to say, Angela is a person that everyone wants to be friends with and hang out with, and I get her for a sister in law.  Yes, I know you're jealous.  She picked the brother of my husband to marry.  She gave me so much confidence today and so many great ideas about things.  I wish I could have a little Angela perched on my shoulder (like an Angel, get it?  haha) to say "I know you don't feel like cleaning the kitchen, but think how much better you'll feel when it's done!" and "I love the way you look in those jeans!" and "You are so good at (whatever it is)."  She's so encouraging and inspiring and she is honest.  I am not the most uplifting person to be around.  She pretty much is, though.  I feel flattered she actually wants to spend time with me!  Ahhh I love her.