presents 1.

i put this picture on my facebook page a few weeks ago.

which makes me feel rather guilty to post about all the presents and cool things that i received over the holiday season...but i am doing it more out of grattitude for the thoughtfulness of my friends and family.  plus...i can say with all sincerity of heart, that my favorite part is getting presents for other people. christmas shopping can be emotionally and physically exhausting but only because i always want to get the PERFECT gifts, not because i hate the gifting, that is the most fun part! sometimes i forget to show my excitement when i receive presents because i am still just so excited for people to see what i got for them. 

these are some of the things that i received this year (not including those from jared, that will be in a separate post).

i was given a lot of things that i needed and had actually asked for. i already showed you my new gold watch. and that blanket has been my best friend since the moment i opened it. i am wearing a little juicy and my organic sweatshirt right now and i cannot wait to wear my cute new shoes to church on sunday...plus my teeth are sparkling. it may seem lame to be excited about getting toothbrush heads for christmas, but that is one $23 expense i can spare myself. perfect. i love my running jacket (it is a rain slicker!), yoga mat bag and my water bottle has a credit card, cash and key holder in it! and who doesn't like monies and gift cards...not to mention when your parents pay for your plane tickets. i am spoiled. but i do love and appreicte the things that were given to me and will use every single one of them....well maybe not the disgusting gag gift (a gaudy, freaky clown pin).

the day after christmas i went to hobby lobby with my family to snatch up some deals and crafts to do with the kiddos....lookie at what we found:

someone stole baby jesus. seriously. i asked them. so they had to mark it like 80% off and sell it as is. take that how you will but it struck me as rather interesting. luckily i have a great mama that put together a cute little nativity skit for our whole family to participate in. it was really good to see the kiddos get so excited to be a part of it and to see how they are learning the story more and more every year. of course the wrapping paper explosion happened immediately after, but the efforts are definitely there.

anywho...it was a great time of gift giving and receiving and spending time with everyone. just wait until you see what j did for me...