Black Friday

Any day I get to sleep in is a gift, honestly. I also got to film today, without the pressure of a deadline, so it felt good. I like when I get to use new things for the first time, so wearing my new shirt and using my new mug gave me the simplest pleasure. In my video, I mentioned that PINOF was coming out soon and SURE ENOUGH it came out this evening. I've already watched it twice. I love Dan & Phil, in case no one noticed. Michael came over today! I'll be honest it was a bit odd just because our dynamic is so different from basically every other time we've hung out alone. But not weird in an awkward way, weird in a wow we've grown as people kind of way. We watched Atlantis, which is vastly underrated, and we agreed that he's absolutely Milo and I'm absolutely Audrey. Except she's way cooler than I am, especially at 14. Then we watched Lemonade Mouth because I insist that everyone needs to see it and he actually enjoyed it so I call today a success. We went to the mall which I've never done on Black Friday. I tried to return a dress but since I waited so long, they could only exchange it, so I took advantage and got a different dress, along with some PJ pants AND Jess' Christmas present! We went into FYE and I finally saw Pumpkin Pete's cereal in person. I was tempted to buy it but ya girl isn't about to spend $13 on a cereal box. We really had a great time. And now I'm home and I will start editing soon. Whenever I stop rewatching PINOF. It's a good day, guys. Do you know how long I've wanted a day off? How long I've needed a day that felt completely mine? Yesterday and today are better than anything I could've asked for. Seriously. My body needed this.

Ugly Turkey

We had our Thanksgiving women's bible study. Lovely as always, with good word and lots of fun. Everyone got a cute little turkey made of a fall leaf, paper, marker, and a clothes pin. It's super cute. But it was apparently meant to be ugly. The idea was that we always thank God for the great and wonderful things He does in our lives. We should also be thanking Him for the ugly, unpleasant, dark, difficult things. He's in control of all of it, and we should be grateful. Especially because we know good comes from it in the end. We were meant to write something on this little turkey. We could throw it out or keep it, as long as we remembered to give thanks for it. Admittedly? The first thing I thought of was Trump. I almost thanked God for that awful man, because I knew that even he is God's creation and even though I knew he inspired so much hate and violence and judgement and malicious action, there's been an outpouring of peace and compassion and assistance trying to drown him out. I wanted to think about the negative things that changed my year. The depression. The stress. I was very close to writing my job down, if I'm being honest. But then I decided on something that has inspired a lot of my bad decisions and hardest breakdowns in the past year. Something that I am still not 100% at peace with, though for different reasons now than initially. Something that I pretend to see God's hand in but really just kind of hope with all my heart and faith in Him that this was the right decision and that He made it this was for some reason completely unknown to me. I'm annoyed at how pathetic this option was. But it was just cryptic enough that my manager couldn't get offended and my friends would have no clue what it meant. I wrote 7.17.16. And it's going to sit on my shelf. And if it's the last thing I'll do, I'll learn to be grateful for it. And for the fact that where I am now is leagues beyond where any of us were then.

It's Thanksgiving Weekend

To make long stories short: Getting out of work early is so very beautiful. Driving in daylight is not fun, but much better than the dark. Christmas music is fun. Food is so good. Family is amazing. My small ones make me happy. Days off from work are much needed. And I'm just blessed in a million ways. My Thanksgiving video is up on my channel. And, as grateful as I am for all the kind messages I received yesterday. I will never ever ever get over these texts from my mentees. It warms my heart to no end.

The Right Words from the Right People at the Right Time

Welcome to the Family

Reason 117: I'm thankful for all the wonderful additions to our family. Those who have married in, and those who entered the world as little bundles of joy. And even those on their way :)

Teehee. Happy Thanksgiving!

All I Want

Reason 109: Dining Hall - Thanksgiving Lunch. OH MY GOODNESS the food was fantastic. I had to grab some to take back to my room because it was ALL so amazing. I was in serious food coma haha. Also, they were playing Christmas music. Do you know how ready I am for Christmas music?! I seriously cannot wait. Eek! People always ask me what my favorite Christmas song is and every year, I forget again! I think it's either Believe by Josh Groban or Carol of the Bells... hmm. Well, I know for a fact my favorite Christmas hymn is O Come O Come Emmanuel. I'll find out later. Teehee!

Right on time, Pentatonix has a new video out :D

 

Edit: The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole. Gets me every time!