Texas, Elk, and Layered Jell-o

Oh what a glorious week away!


Our vacation to Texas began with a 20 hour car ride to Texas through windy Colorado mountains with deer and elk ALL OVER the place!! Uh- SCARY! I felt like we were tromping through uncharted territory with 2-lane freeways and no civilization to be found. It's a strange feeling.

We LOVED our trip. A few highlights:
Some much needed sister time!
So. Much. Food. (Including the best puppy chow I've ever made).
Warm Dallas weather
Running a 5K with Sarah
Thanksgiving shopping... cooking... dinner... leftovers...
Pedicures (manicure for me- my feet are ticklish and nobody sees my feet in the winter in Provo!)
Mario Kart
Family pictures
Quality family time with everyone, which I love
Mom and Dad's 50th birthday celebrations
Playing with Madison, Jaxon, and baby Colton!!!
Christmas with my side of the family (we will be in Las Vegas for Christmas with Trev's family)
Time to just RELAX
Reading
Colton's baby blessing
NOT going to school or work :)
Football for the boys
Ping Pong

Classic Porter family vacation! I was definitely not ready to leave... I always wish I lived closer to my sister. But we left with good memories and plans to see each other again in not too long, which makes it better. Also- 3 weeks until we are on our way for Christmas vacay!

'Tis the Season!

IT'S HERE!!

I'm officially feeling the "holiday spirit" already, and I love it. I feel it much last year what with certain events...

And holiday spirit is not something that can be forced.

In fact, there have been other years where I didn't feel it as much either.

But this year, it's holiday time and it feels like it.

So this week:

I'm putting up a Christmas tree! Yes, it's early, but I want it to be up already when we get home from Thanksgiving break and before we leave for Christmas to Las Vegas. And yes, I will most likely listen to Christmas music the whole time. 

And along with Christmas tree comes our few various other Christmas decorations (basically all given to us for our wedding, including stockings and a nativity scene). And perhaps some paper snowflakes? I might get a little crafty... 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS are goin' up!!

Also, I got a holiday-smelling candle (vanilla, because it's the closest wintery smelling candle Trevor would accept without saying, "that kind of makes me want to throw up").

I'm finishing Christmas shopping for my side of the family because we are celebrating Christmas over Thanksgiving break .

Trevor is turning 23 on Thursday!!!!! Last night we had a little family party at our house with Trevor's brother Kyle, his wife Whitney, and my brother Garrett. Thursday he gets to open his presents from me. And Sunday we are having a Trevor birthday cake at Sarah's. I LOOVEEEE birthdays!!! 

And the main event of the week: WE LEAVE FOR TEXAS ON FRIDAY!!!! Unfortunately we will not arrive until Saturday evening ish due to a 20+ hour drive (ew). But I keep telling myself it might be fun driving across the country because Trevor will be there with me this time? 

I can't remember the last time I felt this Christmasy. I'm thinking it probably has something to do with the fact that I feel more "at home" in college than I ever have now that I'm married. And it's our first Christmas, so I'm feeling very "tradition" oriented I think. And I have my Trevor to enjoy it all with me, which I couldn't be more excited about :). I love, love this time of year and all the family!

One of those days...

So far, it's been a relatively low stress semester (for me).

Not too many exams, not too many papers, everything moving at a fine pace with time leftover.

But this week? 

Not the case. 

It really just hit me last night that I was ready to be done with the insanity.

After days of {endless} exams, I finally realized...

I didn't want to take any more! which is not an option, of course.

So today, it all caught up to me. 

I finally stopped and realized that it's been a crazy week...

and when I stopped, EVERYTHING ELSE ran into me!

And I started feeling anxious... I don't like feeling anxious.

Study for another exam.

Finish take home portion of different exam.

Take previously mentioned exam (find two hour block of consecutive time to take exam).

Write a paper.

Work out.

Write swim cards.

Go to work.

Go to class.

Christmas plans.

Grocery shopping.

Clean the apartment.

And the thing that put me over the edge?

I'm getting sick. 

AAAAAH!!!!

BUT! In a matter of only 8 days we will be on our way to Texas, relaxation, physically and mentally far, far away from school with my favorite people. I. Cannot. Wait.

But for now... I'm going to go catch up with my education.