Obsessive Christmas Disorder

You could ask anybody that knows me, and you would quickly find that I suffer from OCD (Obsessive Christmas Disorder). I am an absolute freak when it comes to anything Christmas-y.  I just can’t help it! Everything that comes with the holiday season makes me so happy, so why would I not go overboard?!  

For me, the first day of the Christmas season isn’t the day after Thanksgiving, but instead November 1^st!  It takes a good 2 hours into the month of November, and I’m already blaring all of the Christmas music, and starting to put up all of my Christmas decorations.  In my mind I think of it as “why waste time in the awkward waiting time between Halloween and Thanksgiving sitting and doing nothing?! CHRISTMAS TIME IS AMONG US MY FRIENDS, LETS GO!  

The only problem with my “slight” obsession with Christmas is that not everyone feels the same way on this topic.  If you’re anything like all of my family members, then you think that Christmas isn’t meant to be celebrated until post-thanksgiving.  In fact, if you do feel that way, you probably are cringing as you read this.  The thought of me blaring Christmas music without headphones probably makes you want to punch me through your computer screen. THE BEST WAY TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER IS TO SING ALOUD FOR ALL TO HEAR! DUH!!!

I do apologize for my annoying obsession with the holiday season; trust me I know it’s a lot to take in.  I do warn you though, because this is one of the many Christmas blog posts I plan to cram into the months of November and December (You have been warned! J)  Tis the season friends! Let the holiday blog posts begin!

Fall Photographs

Autumn is finally here friends! As of yesterday the best time of year has finally begun, and I couldn't be happier!  In honor of this very special occasion; here are some autumn inspired pictures I have taken.  Enjoy!

Autumn

I don’t know about you guys, but my favorite season BY FAR is definitely autumn/fall.  I just love how everything is that time of year!  Let me give you some examples.

The Smell

There is something about the smell of fall that can get me every time!  When I’m outside it’s the smell of the cool crisp air.  Then when I come inside it’s the smell of the pumpkin spice candles my mom is burning.  It’s a smell that is so comforting to me, and it just makes me so happy when I smell anything like it!

The Color

Orange, Red, Yellow, Golden, and so many more beautiful colors come around in the fall.  It’s the kind of colors that make you want to just smile and take it all in.  It’s the kind of colors where I could sit there on the ground and stare at them for hours on end…and I don’t even like being outside!

The Weather

Ahhhh yes…sweater weather.  The perfect time to break out all of your sweaters and sweatshirts and jeans and boots and scarfs and just cuddle up.  To some people bundling up like that may not sound pleasant, but to me it’s the best!  I love that cozy sweater feeling, and wearing scarfs and UGH just thinking about it makes me smile!  That feeling getting to walk outside and have it be chilly, but not freezing is just perfect!

Football

If you know me at all then you would know that I am not a fan of sports at all, but football season means marching season! (Yes I know I’m a geek)  Getting to spend Friday nights cuddled up in blankets with all of your friends cheering on the football team is definitely something I look forward to. 

The Holidays

I personally love Halloween and the idea of dressing up and walking around outside in the fall weather.  Then a month later getting to celebrate Thanksgiving!  I just love how everyone during these holidays shares the same love for fall as I do.  Now don’t get me wrong, Christmas is by far my favorite holiday, BUT if the season of fall were a holiday…we would have a winner! 

Now I’m curious…

What is your favorite season?

What is your favorite part of that season?

The Top 10

Recently I have been discovering a lot of amazing music…which makes me happy!  Music has always been in my life, but the older I get the more it means to me.  So here I am today ready to share my current TOP 10 FAVORITE SONGS!!  I have no idea why I felt compelled to share this with you, other than maybe you will all enjoy it!

Side Note: These songs are not in any specific order, they are all equally incredible.

• To Die In L.A. by Lower Dens

• England Skies by Shake Shake Go

• Nothing but a Heartbeat by Say Lou Lou

• Daffodil Days by Oscar 

• Fast In My Car by Paramore

• Take a Walk by Passion Pit

• This Side of Paradise by Hayley Kiyoko

• Run Run Run by Catey Shaw

• Holding On To You by Twenty One Pilots

• Satellites by Mew

That’s it folks!  If you enjoyed seeing some of my music, and you want to see more just comment below. I have plenty more where that came from!  Also feel free to comment some of your favorite artists or songs below!

5 Reasons to Look Forward to School!

It’s that time of year again, ah yes back to school.  The time of year when everyone realizes how sleep deprived they are going to be for the next 9 months.  When everyone realizes how difficult all their classes are going to be.  BUT I’m not here to make you dread school more than you all ready are.  I’m here to tell you 5 reasons why you should be excited that school is back!

Number One:  You get to see you’re friends again!

All summer (for some of us) it seems as if you plan to hang out with your friends all summer long…but you never actually get together.  It’s like you mean it to happen, and you all genuinely want to hang out, it just never happens.  So even though you aren’t all that excited, you can look forward to seeing people you love!

Number Two: It’s a new start!

I don’t know about you, but for me a new school year is like a new beginning.  You can decide to devote yourself to studying, and even if you didn’t the year before, it’s a whole new year!

Number Three: Having a schedule!

Some people may not like to admit it, but it is a good thing to have a schedule!  It will help you get more sleep, and just help you feel more productive.  Though getting up early isn’t all that fun, it lets you get a head start to the day!

Number Four: Healthier Habits!

What’s great about going back to school is that you have the option to pack your lunch!  Yes, it is kind of time consuming making a meal, but it definitely has its benefits!  When I pack my lunch I tend to eat healthier, which leads me to feeling better.  You have the choice to pack foods that are not only good for you, but that you love as well!

Number Five:  The Memories!

I have a challenge for you, sit down and think about your freshman year of high school.  For some of you it may have been 10 years ago, and for some of you it may have been yesterday!  Think back and see what you remember.  I know for me I think about how many great times I had with my fellow band geeks.  I think about how much I laughed at football games.  I think about my favorite class that I took.  In the moment it may seem like school really stinks, but when you look back you’ll be so glad it happened.

Continue to be inspired and motivated friends!  It will be over before we know it!

You Are Here

Hello!

I feel like once again I have been slacking on my blog…sorry guys!

Last week I had the chance to once again attend a summer conference called CIY (Christ In Youth) and it was amazing!  There were so many fun times and so many emotional times.  This week’s theme was “You are here” which focused on the fact that God is always here, no matter where we are.  I didn’t really think I would enjoy CIY, as much this year when I found out we would be studying the book of Daniel.  Boy was I wrong!  Come to find out…the book of Daniel isn’t just about the story of the lion’s den! (Some of you may be shaking your head at me right now, trust me I know I sound dumb)  I was blown away with all the awful things that we learned Daniel went through and just the fact that he stayed faithful the entire time!  All in all it was an amazing week of learning and finding out what I need to change in my life! 

Now…let me just talk about the campus for a second.  The CIY I attended was located at UNL, which is a BEAUTIFUL campus, and as the “campers” we got to eat at the cafeteria for all of our meals.  OH MY GOODNESS THE FOOD IS SO GOOD!  Everyone I met on campus were some of the nicest people, and the cooks always had a smile on their face! It was the perfect place in my opinion! 

What I love about CIY is the fact that they have a balance of very serious times, but they also have lots of goofy and fun times as well.  For example on the first day the band that was playing (Carrollton) came out and told us that they were supposed to get us pumped up for session! So logically they start playing Royals by Lorde.  It was SO much fun to have 1500 kids singing all at the same time!  Then on the 4^th day of camp, everyone was supposed to dress up as animals, and when we went to morning session we had one giant animal dance party! The coolest part was that they would be able to tie all of these goofy moments back into the lesson!  It was amazing!

Now for the “scary” part.  On the last day of CIY every kid gets a kingdom worker card.  A kingdom worker card is a challenge that you choose to take.  It’s a little piece of paper inside an envelope, and it has a challenge on it that you are committing to do for God.  I personally have not opened mine yet, but I will soon.  Some people rip theirs open as soon as they get them, but I prefer to really sit and pray about it first!  All the cards are completely random, and once you open it…its go time! 

If you ever get the chance to attend a CIY then go for it!  It’s a week full of inside jokes and God changing people’s lives.  God is doing some really cool things through this conference, and I can’t wait to go next year!

Have you ever been to CIY?

Where was yours located?

P.S

I will be posting pictures from CIY soon!