for crazy schedules and making up for lost time

Wow. What a crazy-busy past few weeks this has been, and it isn't over yet. I feel like the worst blogger ever. Forgive me? It would make me feel oh so much better. :)

So, to make up for some lost time, my family had a lovely Christmas that we spent in Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and then finished up with a trip to visit some family in Florida. We then ushered in the new year with thoughts on the previous year and resolutions of eating better, having consistent quiet times and spending more time in the Bible, getting our priorities straight, and [atleast for me] trying not to get so caught up with the internet and social networking that are forever distracting me from what I really need to focus on. So far 2012 has been requiring my constant attention. School is more demanding than ever, with tests every week, trying to catch up on an entire semester of Latin in very little time (it's a long story), and pretty much endless studying. Then there're those random things that always seem to come up-- preparing for my driver's test, a trip to SC for an orthodontist appointment, a weekend trip to FL for a cousin's wedding, and the homeschool winter formal-- all within about a week. But, regardless, I can't help but be hopeful in the new year and what it may hold.

the Christmas photos:

A few instagrams:

studying with coffee// flower in my hair

new shoes// going on an adventure

hot chocolate on a cold day// moccasins

snowing!

I'll do my best to post again soon. Love y'all!

P.S. Much thanks to my lovely friend MaryRachel for the new header. :)

--Rachel 

the Christmas rush and some baking

Besides eating {a lot of} cookies, doing endless Physics as well as some government, and finishing up drivers ed (it turns out that I can get my license now! *dies of excitement*), Christmas break has been laid-back so far. It's been nice. And the dozens of cookies my mom has been baking? Yeah, definitely a factor. I wanted to be the helpful, baking-adept daughter, but I had to try and make some Physics headway instead. That, and I'm usually pretty incompetent/blundering in the kitchen. My mom once said that she prays I find a husband that can cook... She was joking, but not too far off. Ahh well. I love food, so I suppose I'll just have to force myself to be good at making it. :)

I have been confronted with the realization that, no, Christmas isn't still months away and, no, I don't have plenty of time to finish up all my Christmas gift shopping/creating/wrapping. I really and truly only have several more days left! Time flies by so much quicker than when we were little kids. Or is it just me?

So now, I only have one more day to finish all of my Christmas preparations. The day after tomorrow we're visiting my grandpa in Townsend, Tenessee (Never heard of it? Yeah, most people haven't), and on Christmas Eve we're heading down to Greenville to eat food/celebrate/go caroling my uncle, aunt, and some cousins. Then we're heading back to North Carolina to spend Christmas day and home, and then driving down to Florida to visit more family. 

Sometimes keeping up with this time of year is a struggle. There's so much to do and so many friends and family to see in so little time, so many traditions, so much commercialization, and so many people stressing and rushing--trying to simply "get through" the holidays. Sometimes I have to slow down, block out all of the noise and busy-ness, and remember what it's all about. But you know what? I love Christmas. :)

I hope your week is going spendidly!

--Rachel

it's the most wonderful time of the year

Yeah, it's been a while since I last posted anything. I blame it on school work's annoying tendency to fill every waking [and many a sleeping] hour with tests, studying, extensive reading assignments, papers, ect. But it's all good now, because Christmas break has arrived. Well, at least it has mostly arrived... I still have my Physics and Pre-cal classes this Monday, along with a midterm exam, but let's not focus on that. :)

I'm the biggest kid when it comes to Christmas. I'm one of those people whose whole year pretty much centers around Chrismas. I spend all of the Fall months [very] eagerly anticipating it, and once it's over my world feels crushed. Hot chocolate, snow, Christmas music, classic Christmas movies, and all that? My favorite. And then there're the many traditions. The present shopping and buying. The getting together with friends and family to eat all sorts of delicious things and exchange gifts. The Christmas caroling. The decorating of the Christmas tree. The hanging of the stockings. The stories of Santa Claus and the night before Christmas. And remembering the true story of Christmas. Of Bethleham, the star that guided the wisemen, the shepherds in the field, the manger in the lowly stable, and the little baby Jesus who was born into the world to save all who believe in him from sin. I never get tired of hearing that story.

There is nothing more magical as a child than sleeping next to the Christmas tree.

I hope you're having a blessed, magical December. :)

--Rachel