The Month of Christmas Cheer :: Personal

I've been waiting for this day for the past eight weeks. I began listening to Christmas music sometime in October and started drinking hot cocoa in holiday mugs when it was still 75 degrees outside. But alas, the month of Christmas cheer has finally arrived and I've celebrated by bringing out our {one} holiday decoration. Weak, I know, but we haven't been married long enough to collect nativity scenes in true American pack-rat form. The following tree-carrying-Christmas-mouse is so ugly {and chintzy} it's cute but more importantly it makes me happy. And festive. And although a reminder is the last thing I need, it keeps me from forgetting to listen to the Nat King Cole Christmas station on Pandora.

Cute, right?!

Happy Christmas, Ya'll.

Michelle

The {Other} Cross Family :: Personal

A few weeks ago, in the midst of the Colton graduating / moving to an unknown state / packing up our life chaos, we had the opportunity to spend some time in the Shenandoah valley with Colton's family. In attendance were Colton's parents, grandparents, brother + sister in law, and, the newest addition to the family, our niece. While I'll be the first to admit that small children intimidate me to the fullest {they're tiny, flawless little deliveries from heaven} after a few days in a cabin in the woods I was begging for my own sliver of snuggle time with Fiona. She's super cuddly, sleeps in excess, and hardly ever cries - which, quite frankly, is the perfect combination for an amateur baby holder like myself.

And on that note, it's my joy to introduce you to Tristan + Jackie with their precious new girl, Fiona. Let's just say I'm pretty blessed to have married into such a wonderful family.

Jackie, you are gorgeous and your laugh is stunning.

This is happiness.

Congrats on your new bundle of perfect. She's wonderful.

Michelle

A Happy Thanksgiving :: Personal

Today was a good day. A great day, really. At 9:15 last night I decided I wanted to have a real Thanksgiving - complete with cranberry, and pie{s}, and homemade rolls, and stuffing. At 9:20 I made a shopping list and by 9:32 we were on our way to the store where I sorted through over-picked shelves to fill our cart with turkey day goods. Except for, well, a turkey. Colton and I can't put away a full bird on our own and the single cornish game hen in the freezer was screaming to be the perfect substitution anyway. I awoke this morning to the ocean breeze and the sound of waves crashing against the sand. And I was thankful. For today, for this home on the beach, for this handsome man sleeping beside me, and for this crazy adventure of a life I've been given. Sometimes I want to stay in bed longer just so I can soak it all in. But then, on days like today, Mimosas and the Macy's day parade call my name and I get up from beneath the covers to make green bean casserole. Because for me? For me making green bean casserole sounds like the most wild and bizarre adventure around.

After eating our miniature turkey we took a much needed walk on the beach. And again, I was thankful. For the sand on my toes, for the endless abyss of ocean, and for the warmth of the sun on my face.

Today was definitely a good day.

I hope you've had a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Michelle