My Christmas Holiday....

This year's Christmas has been by far the most different to me, but at the same time probably the best! Here is a run down of how things went for me this season...

My Dad's side of the family come to my parent's house the Sunday before Christmas. It is a lot of fun to play 'dirty santa' with them and celebrate the holiday.

I then drove back to Kennesaw for the week because I had to work! I got back in town Christmas Eve and my Mom's side of the family came over! We all exchange gifts, eat yummy food and enjoy each other's company since most of us don't get to see each other a lot. There were a few families missing and it wasn't the same without them, but it was still nice to enjoy the ones who were there!

Once everyone leaves, my immediate family does Christmas on Christmas Eve (not quite the traditional way, i know) . We've done it like this my whole life because Santa brings all of his gifts Christmas day, so we enjoy the family gifts the night before! Danial was a new addition to our family Christmas and it was really nice having him around! I can honestly say, that having him was the best Christmas present I could have gotten!

We also have an exchange student staying with my parents for a year, her name is Saliha! She is from Germany (she's actually Turkish) and she has been a fun addition to the Therber family events! I really enjoy the time I spend with her when I get to go home! Christmas Morning Danial and I got up early and drove to his parent's house in Calhoun, which is about 30 minutes away! We opened presents with his family, had a delicious breakfast and then took a nap, hung out with the family and then his mom's side of the family came over to exchange gifts!

This year was different for me in a few ways. I have been working a lot this semester and have not taken out the normal loan that I would other semesters and so I've had to rely on working to pay my bills. Most semesters I would be able to be home all of Christmas break, but because of my dedication to work, I was only able to be home a total of about a week. Since I had to work so much, I didn't have much time for Christmas shopping and had to do all of it last minute, although I knew in my head what all I was looking for. Danial and I didn't spend much and were actually blessed with a few of the things we wanted to get our families! This year has really made me understand what it means to value the true meaning of Christmas and not get so caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas!

I think things have hit home with my family and I. Things are never going to be the same because I now have responsibilites and commitments to other things that keep me away from home more so than not! It's going to be something we'll have to get use to, but it really allows us to enjoy and appreciate the time we do get to spend together!

I have fallen in love with my soon to be second family. Danial has a great family and I feel so blessed to have such great future in-laws! They treat me like their own and I feel so at home when I'm with them! Nothing can take the place of my family, but they would definitely be my pick of a second family!!!!


Once Christmas was over, my mom, my sister, Tabatha (getting married in Sept), Tab's mom, Megan, Erin and I went wedding dress shopping :) It was a lot of fun and I think I found the style of dress that I like! I'm really excited to start the planning now that Christmas is over and I look forward to all the fun adventures of being engaged to Danial and planning our wedding!!!

p.s. The date has been set to November 7, 2009..... more to come :)

The 'not so healthy' me....

is GETTING BACK INTO SHAPE!!!

I have officially become disgusted with my body(not that I'm not satisfied with what God has given me, but the fact that I have stopped taking care of myself)!

Over the past year (not quite that long) I have allowed myself to gain about 13 lbs due to a lack of working out and eating whatever I feel like!

Danial and I have gone back and forth with wanting to work out and eat healthy the 7 mos that we've been together and finally decided that today would start our "honeymoon diet". We've decided to work out together so that we'll get into the habit together and hopefully continue to work out together when we're married because to be honest, when I'm actually in the rhythm of working out, i really enjoy it. I'm also going to stop eating my routine bowl of ice cream each night, potato chips and soda.

Danial came over at 9:00 this morning and we went and worked out. Can I just say, that it took all I had to do the stair stepper for 15 mins and the elliptical for 10. I have never felt so out of shape and grose!!!! We then came to my house and had a healthy lunch! My goal is to lose 3 to 4 lbs by next Monday!

My long term goal is 16 lbs (and i know some of you are thinking that I can't afford to lose 16 lbs, but trust me, I CAN!!!).

I can still wear most of all my clothes, although none of them fit the same and I have lost the energy that I use to have when I was working out on a regular basis! So...hopefully I will stick to this and get back to my lifestyle of working out on a regular basis and at the same time, not eat junk food all the time!

Let me know if you want to join me :) and I can't wait to tell you when Danial and I have both met our goals.... we'll keep you posted!

Life long friends...

Saturday afternoon, Danial and I ventured down 85 to visit Meredith and Craig! Meredith has been such a close friend of mine since middle school and between her and Craig being in Gainesville and me being in school, it's been hard getting together! We went to dinner at Olive Garden, stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way home, watched a little football and their wedding video and went to church with them this morning!

On the way home Danial and I talked about how much we enjoyed getting to talk to them and spend time with friends that will always be there when you need them! Craig and Mere had some great advice to give us "Mr. and Mrs. to be". It so great getting to see their new BEAUTIFUL house.

Mere and Craig have been so blessed and I'm so excited to witness their future adventures and blessing!!!! I love them so much and am glad that I get to share their friendship with Danial!