{ christmas }

We were able to have Christmas in Dallas at Katie and Adam's house. They were so nice to host all of us! It was lots of fun to all be together. The holiday was full of all the good stuff- family, friends, good food, ticket to ride, minute-to-win-it games, a puppy, presents, the Christmas Story, and lots of laughing.













This was the first year we had a real sized tree in our apartment and I loved it! I loved having a house full of Christmas music and decorations.

I really love Christmas time! I love that we get to celebrate Christ and the wonderful life he lived for us. I love how easy it seems to make him the center of our home at Christmas time and I hope to try even harder this year to make that last. This last year I was able to understand the atonement more fully and feel my Savior's love for me so deeply. I am so grateful for my Savior.

{I definitely missed my family lots though. I don't think I'll be going a whole December without a trip home to Utah again... I'm a little spoiled I know.}

{ Mouse in OUR House }

One day when Jared and I were taking a nap back in December we woke up to what sounded like someone typing on a computer. It sounded like it was coming from right under the bed. We were certain there was some critter somewhere stirring about. We searched everywhere but didn't find anything. We only heard it once more, and then we'd sort of just put it out of our minds.

Well while I was gone last week Jared saw a little mouse's tail hanging out from under my nightstand. NASTY!!! After he told me I literally had nightmares about mice. Naturally I'm thinking Jared would go buy a trap, clean up the poo, and take care of it before I got home.

Not so lucky. My husband, who usually is not one for emotion, is a huge softie! He kept begging me to give him one more night to CATCH the mouse and let it free outside. He kept saying, "I'm not sure why you are so set on killing the mouse."

He didn't catch it before I got home and I made him go buy a trap! Sorry I don't have a soft place in my heart for a little nasty critter that has been running around my house peeing, pooping, and probably eating stuff.

Last night the trap went off! HOORAY! Jared felt so bad that he could hear the little thing struggling that he took it on the patio and drowned it.

He just informed me that he used to have a PET mouse named Pete. Maybe that's why it was so emotional for him.

I love him. He adds so much to my life every single day.