There are so many people going through so many different stages of life. I have found myself so aware here lately.

Watching Jordan and Jessi going through the fun, yet sometimes frustrating dating relationship - giddy, loving, happy. I think back on mine and Caleb's dating relationship and think of how much fun it was and how much I grew in that period. I gained a new perspective on love and respect and joy than I have had before.

Kevin - a boy who I grew up with and our families were close - just got engaged. It made me remember the pure excitement of planning the wedding, the stress of time, the joy of knowing you're about to spend the rest of your life with your love, and the change of leaving your family to make your own home. That time was so exciting. There were many stresses of planning and tears of change and laughter/giddiness at bridal/lingerie showers. I felt the suspense of the unknown, the excitement of marriage to come, the wishing for the days to pass by faster.

Abe & Sierra - dear friends of Caleb and I - got married a couple of months ago - newlyweds. You throw yourself fully into each other and learning each others quirks and compromising different family ways of doing things. Its a time when you're heart feels like it's going to burst - you feel love you've never imagined was possible. You struggle to balance the new schedule of life and new "chores" and the pile and piles of never-ending laundry. You feel like this is the best place you could be in life - but have no idea how your love grows everyday.

And here I am: married 2 years to the most amazing man. I am blown away that my love continues to grow and that I am continuously amazed by how much of Jesus I see in him. The laundry stills seems to never end and somehow the dishes still keep piling up - but it begins to become a joy (very small light of joy - like a match - but we're getting there.) Although my life seems to keep going crazy - and there are the stresses of school, work, etc - the moment I come home and Caleb hugs me and kisses me on the forehead - I feel like a load has come off my shoulders. Knowing that no matter what is going on in life - if we're dirt poor or we're eating steak and pasta every night - there is no one that I would rather live it with than Caleb.

I know this is an odd way to break my silence on xanga - but I've been thinking of the change in our relationship from the beginning until now and I am so thankful that he picked me to be his wife. He puts up with my hormonal changes, my stress, my joy, my girly tv shows, my attempts at cooking, and laughs at my quirks. He embraces me completely and inspires me to love. He loves others in a way that humbles me and gives me a glimpse of Jesus.

I say this all to say - I get joy from looking at the past, I'm excited about what the future will bring - but I'm loving the present. Don't miss out on what is amazing about the present because tomorrow will come soon enough and right now - I'm enjoying football, pajamas, and my hubby's contented smile.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Yes - today was my first Sunday to work - ever. I sit here exhausted after a 6 hour shift and am glad to be home with my hubby. Today has been hard. I didn't realize how much I cherish my Sunday afternoons and evenings at home.

But, I LOVE my new job at Starbucks. It is amazing. The people I work with are awesome and it is so professional in the way that they handle everything. I really feel blessed to be at S'bucks. Not only because it's a great job but because they support a lot of charities and efforts that I feel are important and they have great benefits.

Caleb likes it too because I come home smelling like coffee instead of bananas and protein powder. haha! It's great. And I get discounts on yummy coffee and tea - what more could I ask for? haha!

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Now, Finals week is running towards me way to fast. I'm freaking out. Tonight I have to rewrite 2 papers and write a 4 page paper on my history as a writer and have it done before 11 am tomorrow. I'm flipping out. haha! Pray for me to stay sane! Ahh - I'm so tired and do not want to stay up.

But don't only pray for me - but for Caleb and for all of us College Students this week and those that have finals next week (Jaycob and Jordan).

Thanx!