Just bought my tickets for the Rodeo and

Extreme Bulls this weekend!!

I get to see my sissy in THREE DAYS!

Counting down the days until our next visits has become a regular (and important) part of living with my sister in Nashville.  Typically, each summer I visit her and at least once a year she visits here.  We're lucky to get to see each other twice a year (sometimes more), I know there are others who see their loved ones less often, but still goodbyes never get easier. 

The weeks leading up to our next visit become bright spots in the year.  And this time we only had to wait a little over two months between our trips.  It made saying goodbye in Nashville this past July a little easier.  It was truly just a "see you soon." 

My sisters started going to the Ellensburg rodeo together back in the early 2000's.  And soon brought me in on the annual trip to begin a sister tradition.  The last time we went was just after Kim & Jason were married.  When Kim mentioned flying back for a little renewal this year, I couldn't have been happier.  This little heart feeds on family traditions and the ones that have nothing to do with a holiday are kind of like Halloween candy in September.  (early candy, not old candy. let's be clear.)

The Red Sox happen to be in town over Labor Day as well, so Jason was even more supportive of the idea.  Three more days and I'll have a weekend of festivities with my sissies and our beaus - and some amazing time with my crazy wonderful family all together.  A treat usually saved for Christmas. 

Sister trip to Vegas - 2010

Christmas Spirit?

Bring it!

I am the self-elected Christmas Spirit for my family. They refer to me as the Tradition Nazi. (offensive? Yes, kind of. Sorry.) All I have to say is, I've been behind, busy, stretched across the board and kind of in my own world the past few weeks, but now, I'm ready!!! I'm not actually ready, I'm just emotionally and mentally ready.  My eyes on the ball.  My heads in the game.  (All these analogies would be way funnier to you if you knew some family background stories about me, dad and pre-game visualization.) 

Tuesday night I spent Christmas shopping, watching Holiday Inn and wrapping presents. Wednesday, mom and I spent the evening making presents, wrapping presents, and watching countless cheesy TV-Holiday Movies. (Mom gets the holiday spirit, and I love it! No Grinch inclinations there.) This year we're even more excited than most, because Kim and Jason are coming - and they'll be here tomorrow!! I can't wait. I'm still very unready, with half-made presents, let alone unwrapped presents, a messy room, a full dirty laundry basket and lots more! I haven't even come up with a good spin for the dinner table (which usually I get to do, but lately my mom's been reclaiming the task)! So much to do, and so little time.... but I don't really mind. The worst that could happen is we'll all be together, and I'll be living in my sweats not by choice but by necessity, and that's not so terrible after all. :) Still, I must admit, I'm tempted to skip work tomorrow to stay home and clean, craft, wrap, sip coffee and count the minutes until Kim & Jason walk in the front door!!!!!

I love my family, and my hearts getting pretty stinking excited to all be together for the first time in 2 years!  Not to mention, I've got a GREAT book for those moments when we all cuddle up in the family room with a fire and drinks and get lost together in our own worlds.

My mom's concerned about what this communicates
to neighbors and friends. 

I told her it will inspire people to ask, "Where is Jesus?"  And that's a very good question.  She's worried it will tell them, we don't have Jesus.  Or that we've lost Jesus.  I told her not to worry, it will simply tell them we are deep and we're introducing a very important conversation.  It's now not only a nativity, it is a piece of art, a social conversation.  It inspires questions and infers seeking. 

Thanksgiving Traditions:  Last Year's Christmas Pajamas and Coffee

I'm stealing this from Megs because my entire family will love it!!!

Kim and Kristin started going to the Ellensburg Rodeo when I was in Junior High, and then began taking me.  It became a sister tradition.  And then Kim moved to Tennessee. 

I want my wedding to be a tribute and honor to my parents and my husband's parents. There are already little details that I've been keeping close to my heart that reflect my parents' wedding. I can't wait to one day hear the stories of my future-husband's parents. What the colors and flowers were like. Their venue. To see pictures of her in all her beauty, what kind of dress she wore. And all the reasons behind. (Guess how I love this! I want this for guests arriving at my wedding (maybe)!!)



In short, I can't wait to plan my wedding... with him. I'm curious to see it.

Photo Credit: Sean Flanigan