Back in SoCal with a Secret

I'm back from my whirlwind Christmas tour of the southeast--Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama in just a week and a half. My husband and I saw both our families, including extended, tons of college friends, and even some high school friends. It was great! I'm glad to be back home though! It is so nice here!
My big news that I've been hiding is that I'm pregnant. I'm going to have a baby in late June. The first trimester was really, really tough. I barely made it out of bed and the bathroom long enough to go to work, let alone any blogging.
So, I'm feeling better now--thank goodness for the 2nd trimester. While I was home, I bought some maternity clothes because my normal clothes are getting too tight around the waist. It's fun, but scary to see your figure changing. I can't stop the feeling that I'm getting fat, not just growing a baby.
So, if you are any good at math, you would realize that I conceived like the minute my husband came home from over there. We didn't waste any time. That's good though because he'll be going back over there this fall. We timed it pretty perfectly.
So, now my blog might change to soccer mom in socal. Just kidding! I still drive a VW bug, so I have some big changes ahead!

Everyone's Busy, So I Don't Have a Real Excuse

Actually I do have a pretty good excuse for my absence from blogging, but that will be another post for another day. Everyone is so busy this time of year.

For me, this has not seemed like Christmas yet. I put up my decorations, but I haven't bought any gifts. Every house on our street has light displays, but ours is the lone dark house. People probably think we are athiests or nazis or something. For some reason, I can't get into the spirit of the season this year.

I only have one more week of school. I can't believe that. How time flies! I'm looking forward to going home for the holidays. The saddest part is that we can't bring our dog with us. She has to stay here, all alone with the care of a petsitter.

I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in a place where it actually feels like winter. I'll be wearing sweaters and boots and drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire. I'll enjoy going to church and singing the familiar hymns of Christmas like "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" and "We three Kings" and "Silent Night." I'll be able to see family and friends who I miss desperately.

Isn't it funny how little gifts matter when you grow up? I really could care less what I get from anyone this Christmas. I just want to see people. It sure wasn't that way when you were a kid. Then you got your heart set on something, and you HAD to have it.

I remember one year when I was about 10 years old. I wanted one of those electricity plasma globes that you put your hand on, and it sends lightening to your hand. I told my mom a million times that I wanted one. I guess they were pretty expensive. So, Christmas morning comes. I ran downstairs. There was one gift that was about the right shape. I ripped it open first. My mom said, "are you sure you want to open that gift first?" and I was like, "oh yes!" I was sure I had my plasma globe. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of those plastic Hamster balls that they exercise in. That tells you a lot about the cheapness of my mother. Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone!!