Thankfulness: Christmas Day

Merry day after Christmas aka First Day of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity)!!!!

Yesterday was a really nice and relaxed Christmas.  I spent the day hanging out with Lamar and his family.  We watched a few movies and the boys played catch in the back yard.  See... chilled to the max. (Yep... I just thought and wrote that. >.< )

The biggest impact this Christmas had on me was an increased value of family.  I loved watching everyone enjoying the company and just being together.  We sang carols and played games and of course opened gifts.  Lamar's family does this thing where they put gifts inside boxes that don't fit the gift.  So you never know what's in them.  I really like that because there's always genuine surprise at whatever is actually there.  Which is very cool.  At one point, I started crying because I missed my family so much.  But Lamar, being ever the sweet-talker, reminded me that I'm gaining a whole new family and they love me already *.* I'm glad to be blessed to have been accepted into Lamar's family and he into mine.  It really means a lot.   Family is everything.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Much love to you!

Christmas cuddles with Lamar & Kiva.  Toot was under the bed like a grimlin ^.^

Reading: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

So... back in January, I decided to actually make a few goals for 2013.  One of which was to read 15 books.  Needless to say, I pretty much failed miserably at that particular goal, but I did finish more books that I would have without that thought in the back of my head.

The book I just recently finished, and thoroughly enjoyed, was Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  As I read it, I couldn't help but draw similarities to The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  Anyway, Wonder is about a 5th grader named August who was born with a facial deformity.  The story follows him as he goes from homeschooling to mainstream school for middle school.  It deals with making friends, bullying, and feelings about being different... (different being an understatement).

As I got further into the story, I couldn't help but to think about my future children and their possible experiences in school.  I also reflected on my own.  Luckily, I wasn't bullied, but being a pastor's kid, I was regularly the 'new kid' and that is not fun.  Especially when you come in the middle of a school year.

Anywho, at the end of the book, there is an awards ceremony and this particular quote touched me.  I mean really... I cried.   It made me feel like... "this needs to be printed out and passed out as pamphlets or hung on the wall.  So here it is.  I hope it resonates with you as well. :)

Better luck next year for that reading goal! ^.^

Not So Blue Monday #26: Regenerative

Working in the photo studio during the holidays has started wearing me down.  Now I'm not complaining about the hours or anything because the pay is better, but the longer I'm there, the more people are getting on my nerves.

I'm SO TIRED of parents telling their kids that they're ugly in pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is this normal behavior guys!?

Anywho, today was one of those days when I literally couldn't focus in on my thoughts.  My mind was super fuzzy and I'm not entirely sure why.  "Luckily" enough for me, we had some no-shows and I was able to leave early.  It was nice to have a surprise afternoon off.

Provided... I def slept it away.  *shrug*

After my much needed and regenerative nap, I went to the library to get some movies and stopped by the Goodwill.  While there I found a red sweater that I'll be DIYing into my "ugly Christmas sweater" and I also found an awesome pair of boots!  Too bad I can't wear them to work -_-

So yeah, today ended up a good day.  Ended up relaxing.  Ended up finishing the laundry. 

Peace & goodnight ^.^