Merry Christmas!!!

I'm posting early today, because I don't know if I'll be able to post at all tomorrow. I want to start off by saying - THANK YOU AMY FOR THE ALMOND ROCHA! :D

My Christmas morning looks to be a little packed. We're to be at my Aunt's house at 11 for Christmas Brunch, which means we have to be up and ready and doing presents before that... that's early... haha. I'm determined to make it fun... I'm sure if I fill the day with games of Apples to Apples and Pictophone, it'll turn out to be a hoppin' Christmas Brunch indeed!

We'll probably spend a few hours over there, then head on back home to chill and make Christmas dinner... which I'm looking for. I might even talk everyone into finishing up Band of Brothers (Oh my heck I can't begin to tell you how much I love that series!!! What I wouldn't give to have Easy Company under my Christmas tree!) - we only have 2 more episodes left, but they're the hardest 2 to get through. Nix and his transformation, Winters and his requests, the photos, and of course... the concentration camps. BUT - as much as it tears my heart to shreds, I do so love this era of our history. I firmly believe it was the point at which America was at it's most majestic.

BUT - I digress. Friday morning holds in store for us an epic breakfast - I'm already making plans for the left over ham!! Haha! And, as Christmas comes and goes, it becomes time to make the resolutions... I had tons at the beginning of the year but as I type this, I realize I have none, and should probably think of a few.

And I think I should throw this out there - I'm prepared to accept the end of 2008. As much as I hate to see it go, I've found myself each and every day EAGERLY anticipating the new year. I kind of get like this near the end of every year, but I wasn't expecting it this time around. 2009 holds a lot of things for me - more auditions, possibly more plays, more opportunities to step into the director's chair... more job opportunities, more memories, and - of course - more FACE TIME opportunities. It's strange to see how fast and yet how slow everything passes... To wake up every morning wondering what lies ahead, only to wake up once again on January first knowing you've been here before. Knowing you've been here before, but knowing this is something completely fresh and new.

I hope writing, and blogging, remain as therapeutic as they proved themselves to be near the end of this year. I guess everyone has an outlet, and I hope this one remains mine. It's a unique outlet - not like stage or dance or singing or anything like that. It allows me to calm myself, but at the same time record everything I'm feeling, what's happened, what I'm going through, offering me the opportunity to look back on my life and see how I've changed or grown. See what I've accomplished.

I can only pray that, as we celebrate our Lord's birth, He watches over me and guides me, and that I hear Him as best I can. Maybe that will be my resolution - grow in Him, follow Him more. That's one that can never end badly, right?

And as I finish this off, I'd like to wish all of you and your families a VERY Merry Christmas - may you remember what we are celebrating, and may you enjoy the times you can spend with family. May the Lord be with those that can't be with us, be it one way or the other, and may he smile upon you all. May the New Year bring you many blessings, as well... I know Christa's got one already in the works. :) (I am SO jealous!)

AND - David - IF you read this, I just want to wish you a Merry Christmas, as well. It sucks you can't be with us for what I think is the first time in forever. I hope everything goes well and you keep yourself safe!! Have a great time!! Miss you!! *hugs*

...hmm... despite the fact that Lt. Lipton's episode makes me cry every time I see it, and despite the fact that I just watched Lt. Lipton's episode, I'm in a rather chipper, giving mood right now. Mayhaps I'll leave out a piece of Almond Rocha for the ants in my room - it's the least I can do for killing their Spider Centurion on the Eve of Christmas (It was his fault, though, he jumped on me while I was getting laundry to wash, I reacted as any person would when a HUGE brown spider jumps on them).

Merry Christmas, blog readers. Get ya minds right, and enjoy your time with your families. A family is a priceless treasure, and the time you spend with them could be the best gift you receive this year. :)

~Lauren