it's been an adjustment being back in the states to say the least. i remember the grocery store gave me anxiety when we first got back when i had to go alone. so many choices and options. after living in asia with very little choice, it was overwhelming.
the cool part is being able to celebrate and have fun in the weeks leading up to christmas. normally we would have arrived jet lagged after 30+ hours of travel around a week before with a giant list of things to go and shopping to complete before family festivities got underway on the 24th. this year i have been able to do my shopping at leisure and really wallow in the holiday season. yes, i consumed my fair share of some form of a pumpkin like latte from various coffee shops. :) i got a tree for our apartment, wrapped all the pressies in fun coordinating graphic like paper, and made my own gifts tags from card stock. not even to mention the fun it has been to take james to see santa and take pictures with jolly old saint nick. our tree is sparse since many of our ornaments are still in texas, but i am growing to like its simplicity with all the white lights and a few (read: 4 ornaments) ornaments. james's first christmas ornament is on there and really that's all that matters this year it seems. i bought a fun, festive christmas scented candle to burn in the evenings when we are home. paul has queued up the christmas music on spotify to listen to in the car and at home. we are ready and seriously enjoying being "home" for the holidays. we're nerds, we know. we are proud.
all the shopping is completed, most of the pressies are wrapped, and we're just waiting on a few more pressies to arrive. oh, we also received our first christmas card. so fun! thinking of way i can display them in our house since we hope to get more (hint, hint). maybe string them up on the door in the kitchen....still not sure. i might just pinterest some ideas in all my free time...right. did i mention i have an active 6 month old?
