’twas the week before thanksgiving…

It’s quiet over here, I think nap time should last another 30 minutes or so.  This is my preferred writing time, and I really don’t do it as often as I should.  I made a little cuppa coffee and have my pine scented candle burning.

We’re over here counting down the days to Thanksgiving and the whole Christmas kickoff.  In a few days we’ll be at my family’s beautiful home, and it’ll feel like we’ve stepped into a Christmas movie.  Food and lights and SNOW everywhere.  (Sidenote: I realized that after a few years of living in Alabama, we don’t have cold weather gear anymore.  I just ordered myself this gorgeous coat from J. Crew Factory at a great price)

I don’t know what, but this year I feel like everyone is decorating early, urging Christmas on.  Usually I hold out, annoyed at the Whos down in Whoville, and maybe its that Thanksgiving falls late in the month, but maybe it’s that this year has been particularly hard and we need to bring some beauty and hope.  I set up a tiny tree in Hugo’s room and it has been so much fun to watch him decorate (and un-decorate and then I trip on tiny ornaments in the middle of the night..)  These last few weeks with him have been my favorite.  He doesn’t really remember his other Christmas’s so its all new.  He’s learning the carols, watching the new animated Grinch and is so excited for the trees and lights in our neighborhood.  I showed him a snow globe last week and I promise to goodness, I’ve never seen him more full of wonder, his eyes lit up and my heart hurt in the best way.

Josh and I are still killing it with our diet, as if anyone needed an update.  It just makes me feel better to be able to record the good work we’re doing.  Haha!  We’ve survived eating out, dinner parties, take out pizza, travel and more.  We’re both nervous heading into next week, but I’m an optimist and naturally, not concerned.

We booked a photo session with my dear, dear friend Kathryn Grace Photography as a gift for my parents this year.  My awesome sister in law, Rach, came up with this idea and so we’re all (ALL is now 18 people!) getting together to get our photos done in time for Christmas.  I’ve changed my outfit about 3 times but am really looking forward to it!

Have you started shopping yet?  Golly, I really aspire to be an all-year Christmas shopper, but I’m not.  Mainly because theres hardly ever room in my suitcase and because I’m always afraid I’m going to lose the items and have to re-buy.  Oh, and because I have the worlds hardest to buy for people on my list!  Josh & I have been trying to PLAN a “Christmas planning night” for a week but I feel like we’ve had something going on every night and we keep having to bump it.  I’d like to get a head start as soon as I can.

I don’t know that theres a graceful way to end this ramble, so I’m just going to scoot now…  Have a happy Thursday!