Post Thanksgiving, Pre Christmas update

I can't believe how fast time has gone. I can't believe how much has happened in the past few months........

Dave and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. For the past two years, I have gone to Oregon to visit Dad and Pam for Thanksgiving, but this year we opted to stay home in light of maybe doing some traveling this summer when we had more time. Mom's house is always warm, relaxing, and full of memories. I only hope that I can create such an atmosphere in my home for my children as she has created over the years for us. Dave and I stayed Wed evening at Mom's so we could all wake up and be together on Thanksgiving day. Mom made a wonderful breakfast, and then while the turkey was roasting, we went for a nice long Thanksgiving day walk to work off the pie we would be eating later. A fantastic feast was laid before us at about 4:45, and as usual, mom outdid herself on every dish. As I continue to learn in the kitchen, which I am loving doing more and more each meal, another one of my hopes is that I can inherit some of her culinary talents.
Friday brought some shopping at Garden Ridge for some Christmas decor and home decor for the new duplex we will move into this weekend, as well as an endless amount of packing. I am so excited to move....this place really feels like a home to me....not sharing a building with 10 other families, not hearing the endless drag racing that goes on at all hours of the morning on the road behind us, the smoke detectors of our neighbors going off at least once a week causing fear of all our belongings burning down to the ground.....nope...not going to miss all of those things at all. Hopefully, this will be the last lease we sign, and we can be homeowners in a couple of years. Moving day is Saturday...pray for safety for us and all our "things" as we move them 20 miles down the road.
Just two papers lie between me and the end of my first semester of grad school. No finals, just papers...which I would much rather do then cram for a test. I can't believe how fast, and fairly easy, this semester has gone. It makes me wonder what is around the corner for me as time goes on in school.
Christmas will bring the Norvell family from Arkansas here to celebrate with all us kids. I love when Mary and Walter come, and I just adore my brother and sister in law, so I am looking forward to some fun family time as we all visit and catch up. I will of course post pictures of all the festivities.

Miss all of my family so far away.....can't wait for a little reunion at Christmas!