Peace

It was such a peaceful dream, the snow was coming down gently, and my parents and I stood there, knowing he was gone yet feeling peace. I awoke to a gently falling December snow outside my window, the world still. It felt so real. When the call came I stood at the window and talked to my dad. As I watched the snow fall, I knew he never would fall again, yet a few tears slowly fell down my cheek and all I could feel was peace. He left with a smile on his face, a smile of peace. No more pain, no more hurt. Just peace. I've been prepared for this. From the beginning I knew something was coming, something big, something life changing, and it came. And I'm stronger for it. And I'm better for overcoming it. And it still hurts, and tears fall as I type this, but now with the funeral over and the flowers fading all I'm left with are memories of yesterdays. And peace. So much Peace.

Taking A Break

Five upcoming finals....

It being a "reading day".....

The fact that I can't get a real Diet Coke anywhere on this campus....

A HUGE lack of sleep (mostly due to having fun, but still no sleep is no sleep)...

A serious need to work=a serious lack of time to get beautiful.....

All these things add up to this.....

Leggings, polka dot shorts, a Hill Cumorah Sweatshirt, red and white striped toe socks, and air dried hair= my studying look

For obvious reasons, finals better hurry up and be over....

On a better note...

Look at the view from my room!!!

Thats right, we finally got some Christmastime Snow!

Oh and when I took a break from all that studying for lunch, I got a real Diet Coke! Maybe finals time isn't so bad after all!

My Christmas List

What I want for Christmas:
Time, time is so precious, and I want more of it to spend with my family
Late night Christmas movies with my sisters
Sugar Cookies made with love and the special memories that come with making them
Dinner at Aunt Debbie's with everyone around
My Pops to go home, be free of pain, and to be happy
Finals to be done, and over
To just relax and look at the lights on the beautiful tree all night
Laughter that comes so hard and so fast my stomach aches
To sleep in my own bed and wake up to fresh beautiful snow
A break from everyone and everything here
To just be completely comfortable, like I only can be at home
To dance around the kitchen with my dad
To read books with my mom, and talk with just her
Snow to build a snowman with
To sit by the heater vent with a cup of cocoa, after being out in a beautiful snow storm
Time to hold still, late in the night when I'm just sitting in the living room with my family talking about life, our dreams, and our hopes.
A fresh new year, a chance to renew, begin again, and be better
To be surrounded with those I love and care most about
Time... more time surrounded by all the things I love most, in the place I love most

Its funny how things change as you grow up. I used to think that as I got older Christmas would lose its luster, but now I see that as you get older and leave home you look forward to it so much more, and need it more. I don't care about the camera or clothes I asked for. I'll live without the extra socks and candy. I wouldn't even care if there wasn't one gift for me when I woke up on Christmas, all I want is to be home with my family surrounded by love. Only 8 more days till I get to come home, and stay home! I can't wait!

Decorating the Dorm

Everyone who knows me knows that I love Christmas and all the little things that come with it! I love all the lights, I love the treats, I love wrapping presents for people, I love the beautiful white snow(still waiting on that part) I love the smells, the music, I love laying on the living room floor staring up at the Christmas tree, I love how I totally become a little kid again... I just love it all. More than anything I love the smiles on peoples faces, the willingness throughout the world to love and serve your neighbor, the spirit of kindness and peace and most importantly the focus on the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ.

When I was home for Christmas we decorated our house! Which is not an easy job. Not because our house is large or anything, but because with the amount of Christmas decorations we've accumulated we could probably decorate an entire small country for Christmas. OK that might be an exaggeration, but we could at least decorate the entire state of New Jersey with them. My mom's love for decorating for Christmas and my loving parents made sure that I have Christmas decorations to put up in my dorm!

Ever since I was little I've loved to hang extra lights around my room during Christmas! It just makes me so happy. I'm not sure I should share this picture since I did take a box of never before opened lights that my dad doesn't know about! Oh well!

This is my first nativity. Last Saturday my Dad took me shopping and told me that I couldn't go back without a nativity so he let me pick one up. I love this cute little one I picked out! (ya, thats my lotion and stuff behind it, space is limited here in the dorms!)

This is my cute little Mickey Christmas Tree I got in Disney World this past summer! Its so cute and I love having it right by my computer to keep me sane while getting all ready for finals!

Mom also sent me back with tons of other decorations, and when I see them I think of my Pop, thanks Mom, Dad, and Pops, for making my dorm a little more Christmas-y!