Christmas with the Campbells

So with my last day being the day after Christmas Jared and I decided to go ahead and take off and add a few days to our trip. It turned out to be a great idea. Now instead of four days we're spending nine days with our extended family in Nashville.

Yesterday was Christmas and 'Secret Santa'. The nieces and nephews spent the night with us and the grandparents. They got to open their new pjs and made a fort next to the tree. As tradition we had cinnamon rolls but my mother in-law decided to try a new twist and made a casserole with the cinnamon rolls. Very good!

my lovely Lauryn

Dustin, Tristan, and KT

my better half

I love these two together. They are so close and take good care of each other.

Grandpa putting Christmas music on for KT

 

opening stocking stuffers

My in-laws gave this sweet and thoughtful ornament.

 

 

 

After opening presents we got dressed and ready for church and spent the afternoon shopping and relaxing. I love this family that I've married into and I can't help but feel so blessed to have great relationships with them.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Goodness. I'm finally able to have a chance to come here and talk. Work has been so crazy busy especially with the weekend before Christmas with all the last minute shoppers.

our first Christmas photo by the fireplace.

This year Jared and I are spending Christmas alone and decided to keep it simple with the gift-giving. We are still keeping up with our traditions. For my side of the family we always receive new pajamas the night before Christmas so that we can wear them on Christmas morning. We also have stocking stuffers as well. For Jared's family they always have cinnamon rolls and eggnog for breakfast before they open gifts.

After Christmas we plan on leaving a few days before New Years to go up to Nashville to spend some time with J's folks. We are so excited to see the kiddos. I've already decided on a date night with them.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year!

Making Progress

I'm thrilled to say that we are making progress with Misty. Today she did great with the bit. I got her to take it on the first try, and then I realized I got it all backwards and, shockingly, got it on the second try! Usually she's very stubborn and fights us with it.

I was really surprised she did so good because about a week ago Jared and I saddled her up and I hopped on her to give her a go around the backyard. Jared lead her along and I just steered her; she responded beautifully considering I'm still learning how to ride. But then I noticed that I was tilting to the side and I realized that my saddle was slipping. I immediately jumped off and sure enough the saddle slipped underneath Misty. She freaked out and bucked and kicked. Thank the Lord Jared and I were ok and out of the way. She takes off to the other side of the yard and kicked the saddle off of her. The next minute she was fine and grazing on the grass. Misty was fine; just a little spooked.

I was a little nervous she would freak out on me when I brought the bit out today but she was just fine. I like to think she was in a good mood was because I brushed and groomed her beforehand. I was told by her former owners that she loves grooming.

We also got her hooves trimmed and cleaned out. They were starting to look a little rough around the edges (no pun intended) and I wanted that done before Jared and I take off for Nashville. I think she was very happy because as soon as I got home and went to the backyard to say hi to her she neighed at me. Her ears were perked up and she trotted over to me. It made my heart leap. I love this horse and I'm so lucky she is mine.

Because It's Monday

Here's a video of a cute pygmy goat dancing. Hope this perks up your Monday.

http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/babygoat-dancefunny/

The End of 2014 Is Upon Us...

...and with that in mind it's time to make some changes.

For the past few weeks I've come the conclusion that I don't want to do retail anymore and decided that I want to do something with my degree. I've put in time and money into and I think it's time that I buck up and get on it.

In a perfect world I would work with an online magazine or book publishing company. It would be even better if I can work at home.

So I gave my boss my two weeks notice but I told them I can stay to help with Christmas. After that I'll be done and unemployed. I've been looking around locally and although I haven't seen anything yet I'm not going to get discouraged.

Change is good.