It's the most wonderful time of the year...almost.

I hope everyone has been doing awesome because even through "hell week" at ECU, I have still managed to keep positive no matter what.

My niece Tyler Anne just turned 1 years old this past Saturday! She had an awesome birthday party (JJ and Jim even dressed up as pirates because it was a pirate theme). Kara made her an adorable owl cupcake cake. The whole day was so relaxing. Aunt Danielle and me got in the hot tub and soaked away the Thanksgiving holiday in style. Speaking of Thanksgiving, I think this one was the best one yet! We started by leaving EC Wednesday after JJ got off of work. We dropped the doggies off in New Bern and Jim came with us to my parent's oyster steaming and crawfish etouffee night. They started this sort of tradition last year the Wednesday before Thanksgiving but JJ couldn't go because Kara went into labor with Tyler Anne! How time has flown! We all had a blast at my parent's and Lauren joined us too. Many people enjoyed a cold beer but I had strep throat and felt like death so I opted out. We stayed at my mama's house and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family in the early afternoon. JJ helepd Aubrey "beeuild" with Legos. We then headed to Emerald Isle to celebrate with the Mead's where Tyler Anne, Jim, Kara and Tom had arrived. The whole day was beyond fun and I loved getting to spend time with our families. Friday Kara and I toughed the Black Friday crowds for a little while then made a Mexican feast for dinner. Sunday we went to Annunciation with the Mead's and then enjoyed breakfast at Bayside (Thanks again Aunt Mitzi!). We headed back to EC late Sunday night.

This week has been CRAZY! I headed back to Greenville on Tuesday morning and this is how my schedule went: Computer lab for 3 hours, class, KON initiation, class, Lauren's house (best part!), internship where I had the worst headache of my life but did my last lesson, helped Jessica make a swaddle for Nathaniel, Lauren's house where I did my presentation, final exam, presentation, computer lab, presentation, computer lab, class and then turned in 2 big assignments then FINALLY- on the road again back to EC! Came home to my house decorated for Christmas, swept and room rearranged all thanks to my hubby! :D

I just wanted to do a little shout-out to my buddy Lauren. If it wasn't for her, all this back and forth would have been dreadful! Thanks for opening up your house to me- it truly made a huge difference in my attitude and comfort in Greenville! You are such an amazing friend to me and I thank God for putting us back together. I think we make a pretty unstoppable, hilarious team.. definitely one that the world couldn't handle missing! I love you!

While I am on the subject of feeling sappy, let me just point out a couple of things. I am working on writing my Christmas letters to go in my Christmas cards (corny..I know) and I got to thinking...wow, how am I going to fit all of my overflow of blessings onto ONE little page!? It will go something like this: getting engaged, JJ's graduation, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, our wedding and now marriage, JJ landing a wonderful job, us moving to EC, me finishing up my last "semester" at ECU...I just got exhausted thinking about everything that happened. Not many people can say their year was the best year ever but I know wholeheartedly- ours was! Thank you to all the people who supported us unconditionally (my parents, Jim, my three amazing sisters, all of our family members, my bestest friends (Lauren, my bambeanie Ashley, Alli, Kaitlyn, Yolanda, Janna) who stuck by my side through it all. I most importantly want to thank my hubby who always keeps me calm, works hard for our new little sprouting family and prevailed through all the obstacles this year brought (can't have a rainbow without the rain, right?) He is a motivating factor to push through my traveling and school because come May, it will all be worth it! I can't wait to take our delayed honeymoon this summer. It is going to mean so much to me to get to spend that relaxing time with you and I feel we will appreciate it a ton!

My parents are the best parents in the whole world. Point blank. No questions. They would do anything for their children and even their grandchildren now. They have been so supportive of all the changes in mine and JJ's life this past year. We couldn't have done any of this without them! My mama has been the bestest friend I could have ever asked for. When I am feeling lonely or sad or mad or happy, she is always there to lend a listening ear. I don't know what I would do without her. They sacrifice so much for us kids and I hope that as JJ and I venture into independence, both of our parents can finally start doing things for THEMSELVES. Both of our parents have given so selflessly to us and I hope as we start to build our family, we can do the same for them! Mama- I was serious about of Vegas trip by the way!

I haven't had anytime to post any tutorials because I haven't been able to exercise my creative side in awhile. I hope I can catch up and not disappoint soon but for now, I am going to continue to watch the Rachel Ray show drinking my hot cup of coffee with my dogs by my side in my newly placed bed with the heat blanket soaring. Have a good day everyone!

Sincerely,

Marcy Beth