joy to the world!

this week we celebrate thanksgiving in the united states of america. i have a lot to be thankful for, and i shall share a few of these things. Sweet husband and darling little girl. my family. gregory's family. sugar cookies. snow. snow globes. church. epidurals. (this was top of the list last year after birthing a small human, but i added it again this year after witnessing the dreadful pain michelle suffered when hers didn't work, i am now extra glad that they work for me) nail polish. being able to travel home. (finally!) good friends. Raffi. slippers. hot baths. hot chocolate. parks with swings. Taylor Swift. friendly neighbors. cupcakes. books. movies. flowers. love. candles that smell like cookies. rain boots. naps. excitement. laughter. monopoly. date nights. cell phones. snuggling. making snow angels. creativity. guitars. pasta. and because it's that time of year, i'm really thankful for the feeling of joy that takes over my entire soul at christmastime. when christmas music is playing and i get a burst of excitement, i keep asking greg "are you happy like i am right now!?!?!!" and he always tells me that no one gets happy quite like i do over this time of year. bummer. i mean, i'm sure i could find some crazies just like me, but most of the folks i've encountered find me a little overboard and i just feel sad for them. who wouldn't want pure bliss for 2 months straight in their lives? oh martha!! oh christmas!!

happy holidays love the nielsens

and counting.

my fireplace DVD is playing on my tv with christmas music, i just baked sugar cookies, i have some decorations up, and i cannot stop smiling!! i've even come to a compromise on the christmas tree dilemma. although it makes no sense to have one this year, i figure we can go get a real live tree of the charlie brown variety to satisfy my needs. it will be fun to go pick one out as we normally just pull branches out of a box each year and assemble a very fake fur in our livingroom. our house will be filled with the fresh scent of pine and i won't feel like a complete failure of a christmas lover.

forty.

one.

days.

it's beginning.

i was going to try extra hard this year to hold the christmas cheer until after thanksgiving. i can't do it. i am physically and mentally incapable and i'm not even sure why i set such impossible goals for myself. not only did i bust out the christmas tunes today, but i think i may just decorate this weekend and i have two valid reasons for doing so. one. we are leaving for ohhhhh canadaaaa on dec. 19th, so i need to start early this year to be able to enjoy my decorations for a good solid month, and two. because a little human who appreciates pretty lights and sparkly things has taken over my life and i can' t be holding back on something that brings great joy to both of our souls.

seriously though, Emmerson is embracing holidays like a champ. she was so excited about pumpkins (or "pumpools" in her words) at halloween, thought costumes were great and loved being able to eat her trick-or-treating loot. Now for Lights, christmas music, hot chocolate, snowmen and mr claus!! she will be thrilled about the festivites that consume our lives during the holiday season. this is one part of me she has inherited.