some catching up...

brace yourselves folks, this might be a long one. i feel like it has been a really long time since i have posted anything. i was just getting into this blogging thing, and then time just seemed to fly by and i hadn't posted.
the holiday season is here and with that comes a lot of chaos. but fun chaos. i love this time of year, so much. it's so fun to be with family, and reflect on all the blessings we have in life. not to mention the change of seasons and the snow fall. it's so beautiful. but let's not forget the frantic nature that comes with this season.
i have never been good at getting my christmas shopping done in a timely matter. i'm usually the one at the malls 2 days before christmas trying to buy something for everyone. and then add to it this year, trying to plan a wedding, oh yeah, and buy a house. it's madness! but i love it. it makes me so excited for the times ahead.
i am so excited for christmas. for decorating, baking. for spending time with family and friends. for reflecting on all the blessings in my life, and how grateful i am for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. for the Atonement, the sacrifice He made for me, for all of us. I can hardly comprehend it. for how grateful i am to be a member of His church.
i am so excited to see all the christmas trees and lights decorating the houses. i can't wait for some good snowfall, to play in the snow, to go up to snowbird and take in those beautiful mountains we have in our backyards.
i am so excited to start the new year, with my love. and to start a family when we are finally married! i am excited to buy a house and make it our home. i just can't wait! 91 days for those of you who are counting... :)
so, to catch up on what's been going on in life...
i have decided to go back to grad school. it's something i have always thought i would do. i just didn't know which degree to get or when i would go. but in thinking about it, it seems like a pretty ideal time to go. i have been working for a couple of years, have some good experience under my belt. i don't have kids yet, but want them in the next few years, so i figure it would be good to be done with school before that time comes. this spring, i am taking a couple prerequisite classes, and then, if all goes well, i will start the program in the fall of 2009. i am planning to do the DNP program at the U. and then, someday, i will be able to make more money. woo hoo!
the wedding planning is coming along. looks like we have chosen february 28th for the big day. now if only i can plan the wedding by then, all will be well! i am so excited to be married to him. i feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be with him and to be able to spend forever with him.
thanksgiving was great. my mom has been in town to celebrate with us. my sister made an awesome feast for us all. it was so good, and i felt like i never want to eat again.
the house search is taxing, but i think we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. we have found a few places that might just work for us. it will be so nice when we do find a place and i know we will have a place to live after the wedding.
other than that, nothing new going on. life is good. stressful, but good. i'm loving every minute of it. i really have so much to be grateful for. i look forward to the rest of the holiday season so much and i hope everyone else enjoys it as much as i do.
and i promise to make more time to keep you all updated on what is going on in life. stay tuned!

these guys have a special bond.
dinner at melting pot for steve's birthday. sooo yummy!
coldplay concert with my sister. they sure put on a good show.
some baking we did. the giant cookie was an experiment, but very yummy. sorry, i can't figure out how to rotate the picture :(
all bundled up and loving the season!