Catch up, or Ketchup? :)

I think I've officially been kicked out of blogging world. It's been about 3 years since my last blog. Shoot, sorry! Life has been great, so I guess I have a lot to catch you all up on...
-I went home for Christmas. Home being in Humboldt County (Arcata to be exact). Usually this is an all too familiar experience which usually leaves me in tears on my birthday, and aching to leave a day early. This year, however, I was pleasantly surprised by my Christmas visit. I enjoyed playing a few different board games with the fam (Apples to Apples and Scategories) and got to spend a few extra hours with my very best friend (since Kindergarten).
-On the 24th of December I turned 24 (my golden birthday!!) and spent the day with the best friend and the family.
-On Saturday I drove back over the mountains to Redding. For the record, this was the first time EVER that I was actually scared while driving home. The entire drive was slushy, and the road was totally iced over in some spots. Driving over Buckhorn was the worst. There were a good two inches of slush on the top of the summit, and my poor little Nissan was sliding all over the place. Lucky for me I've driven the road a time or two, and knew that I would be okay if I waited for the snow plow to pass me :)
-Sunday we had one gathering for the Stirring. So weird. I left the church at noon, and honestly didn't know what to do with myself. I kept watching the clock, waiting to head back for the 5:00 service... it was strange. I've got to admit, as much as I enjoyed having the afternoon/evening to myself, I really kind of hated it. I'm such a creature of habit!
-I've been off of work and out of school for over a week, and I'm really getting used to it.
-I'm half way done with book 4 of the Twilight saga. As Meghan once said I'm "addicted to vampires!"

That's about life for me right now. My New Year resolution is to TRY and train for a half marathon. I know it will probably never happen, what with the back surgery four months ago, but I need a goal, and this sounded like a good one. I'd also like to FINALLY get my tattoo that I've been dreaming about for over a year... does that count as a new years resolution?? I'll leave you with the picture I sent out with my Christmas cards. I hope it brings you much joy :) :) :)

isn't it lovely?!

Top Ten Reasons Why Life Is Good:
1. Finals are over
2. Finals are OVER!
3. I'm off work for two weeks
4. I'm going home (to Arcata) for Christmas
5. I turn 24 on Wednesday
6. The pressure's off
7. I get to see my best friend in two days
8. It's finally Winter weather out!!
9. I have THE MOST amazing team of helpers for the Stirring Kids
10. I got a french press for my Birthday... hellooo amazing coffee!!

So check out the Nativity scene the 1st-3rd grade class from the AM Stirring service made. Ava and Elizabeth are showing off their hard work. Great idea Erica. Seriously, so creative! I'm so lucky to get to work with such smart and inventive group of kids (and adults too!!). It's funny because they aren't even my kids, but I love bragging on them.

YIKES! I apologize for the lack of blogging lately. This is going to be a quick one because I promised myself I'd be in bed by 11:00 on the DOT. I have exactly 16 minutes to get you all up to speed on my life... ready, GO

-I started my new job. LOVE IT! Working with kids is WAY better than servin' burgers-n-fries at the Bird.
-I'm almost done with my first semester at Chico. It was a bit crazy, with a rocky start (I had JUST had back surgery when school started) but it was a pretty good semester overall.
-I'm almost 24. (Exactly 14 days from today!) What the heck? Where did the last year of my life go? I guess some pretty monumental things have happened... but still, WHAT THE HECK?
-I am now officially a morning person... not by choice. I wake up at 6:30 each morning. Some of you are probably rolling your eyes, laughing out loud at me for thinking that 6:30 is actually early enough to be considered MORNING, but to me, it's the crack of dawn, okay?!
-Life Groups are winding up. I love my Life Group. We've all become great friends... I've learned a lot from the girls who show up at my house on Wednesday nights.
-As of today, I am CPR certified... and I have a bruise on my hand to prove it. Careful, I don't mess around with chest compressions!!! Nobody's dying on MY watch!!!

That's really all I've got. Life is good. A bit stressful at the moment, but good nonetheless. Now I'm off to bed, to dream of Christmas trees and carolers with spiced cider.