Reasons to celebrate:

I have been alive for seventeen years and counting. I was privileged to spend time with the people I care about most. My Laurel leaders came over bearing gifts in the morning, I had lunch with my parents, and my two best friends took me for manicures and made breakfast for dinner. We celebrated and laughed and did what teenage girls do...talk about boys, of course. I also got to talk on the phone to some of my closest friends and my grandparents, who are serving a mission in Australia! My grandma has been keeping an eye out on missionaries because she wants to set me up with all them. She advised me to keep out of trouble with boys, but I don't think that will be much of an issue, considering I have survived seventeen years without kissing one. That is quite an accomplishment if you ask me.

I swear, I will be ready for Christmas by Thanksgiving next year...Max and I did all of our gift shopping in one day, but came out successful, so it wasn't all bad. I continued my tradition of attending Christmas Eve Mass, this year with my dad, Grace, and the lovely Cutler family. It is always an awesome experience; I love seeing how other people worship. We stand together and sing about the Savior, not to mention, everything is more fun at midnight!

Christmas was different this year. I didn't really want anything, besides the usual socks and underwear, so opening gifts was nothing special. Or so I thought... 

My parents made a shocking discovery last October when the mission age change was announced. Us four oldest kids are very close in age and thus have overlapping mission dates. And honestly, as soon as Max leaves, it's a domino effect. We will never be around at the same time, ever. So in light of this news, we are going on a cruise! I cannot wait, I tell you. Other highlights of Christmas Day include grapefruit for breakfast, scones at Nana and Papa's, a long nap, and just spending time with family. My nana put together Journal Jars for all the older grandkids so we can start recording our life history. I love how invested she is in genealogy and family history, and hope to continue that. I think I will use her prompts on this blog occasionally. Merry Christmas!