We've officially entered the years where only the upper half
of our tree is decorated thanks to Charlie ;)


I don't know if there was any child more mesmerized by the zoo lights than Charlie. If it hadn't been 21 degrees the night we went, we would have tried to stay longer but I lost eight years off my life that night freezing to death.

These are the only pictures I have from Thanksgiving in Arizona
where it was 70 degrees (!!!) I'll take it every year please.

Charlie asleep on Christmas Eve. Is there anything sweeter?

The holidays this year were welcome with especially wide open arms as Max finished up his night shifts right before the break, and we finally got two weeks worth of time to spend together as a family of three. We spent our Thanksgiving down in Arizona with family, and our Christmas together at home. I couldn't have asked for anything more this season, besides maybe snow, a car that didn't break down Christmas Eve, and a little bit more sleep ;) But even then, this season was full of loved ones and memories and service and trying our best to remember why we celebrate it in the first place. 

I don't talk a lot about my testimony online, but as Oprah would say, one of the things I know for sure is that we have a Savior who lives. A Savior who was born in a manger, for you and for me, and for everyone who has ever lived. Through the highs and lows of life, most especially the lows, I have felt His love for me, which is greater than any possible gift I could ask for.

what i've been reading lately...

 “Know this one great truth: you are in control of your own life. You get one and only one chance to live, and life is passing you by. Stop beating yourself up, and dang it, stop letting others do it too. Stop accepting less than you deserve...You, and only you, are ultimately responsible for who you become and how happy you are.”

“Your life is supposed to be a journey from one unique place to another; it’s not supposed to be a merry-go-round that brings you back to the same spot over and over again.” 

“You are more than you have become.” 

-Girl Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis (these quotes might sound repetitive in nature, but gosh dang it this book spoke to me)



I don't have a quote to share, but I just wanted to add my two cents. Crazy Rich Asians was entertaining enough that I read the second book in the series, China Rich Girlfriend. Unfortunately, I kind of lost interest after that (the only story line worth reading imo was Astrid and Charlie). I also have to say this is one of the RARE cases I liked the movie SO MUCH MORE than the book. That wedding scene though... I was crying.


-Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan





“Bella can't bring herself to talk about these things, though. Her grief is larger than words."

“Months later, in a different world, Nechuma will look back on this evening, the last Passover when they were nearly all together, and wish with every cell in her body that she could relive it. She will remember the familiar smell of the gefilte, the chink of silver on porcelain, the taste of parsley, briny and bitter on her tongue. She will long for the touch of Felicia's baby-soft skin, the weight of Jakob's hand on hers beneath the table, the wine-induced warmth in the pit of her belly that begged her to believe that everything might actually turn out all right in the end. She will remember how happy Halina had looked at the piano after their meal, how they had danced together, how they all spoke of missing Addy, assuring each other that he'd be home soon. She will replay it all, over and over again, every beautiful moment of it."

-We Were the Lucky Ones, Georgia Hunter