Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!

The title, of course, comes from one of my favourite classic Christmas cartoons, How the Grinch Stole Christmas: "He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!"  You bet it does.  So on this, my 27th Christmas, I am taking a moment to express my thankfulness for my awesome life and the people in it.

I just finished a great semester of teaching at Rivier (in my 5th year already - where does the time go?!).  I have amazing students who left me super great cards and thoughtful gifts on Friday before we headed out for the Christmas holidays:

This is why I love my job.

I have a house in a safe and friendly neighbourhood, the means to renovate it and make it my own, and a brand new deck that I got to build with my mom and dad this summer.... and on beautiful winter mornings the view from my kitchen deck door looks like this:

Canada: Freezing but beautiful!

I have the cutest twin nieces in the world, and I love them more than I could ever imagine.  2 days ago we got to paint sugar cookies with them in their jammies.  They were so adorable, and were busy busy busy making their beautiful creations!

Picasso(s) in the making

I got to spend this Christmas morning with my beautiful sister and her husband, and the sweetest little ladies around.  My parents were both here too, and everyone is happy and healthy (aside from little Emily who has a double ear infection... poor beaner!  After some Tylenol she was her regular happy self though, thank goodness.)

Santa came with lots of presents!

This month I booked 2 flights to Athens, Greece for this July.  A couple days ago I bought 2 flights from Athens to Rome.  My friend Scott and I will be embarking on a crazy 10-day adventure together where we will be visiting Athens and Rome and seeing some of the most amazing sights while having tons of friend bonding time and outrageous shenanigans.

The Sistine Chapel, Rome

The Parthenon, Athens (atop the Acropolis)

Life is good.  Period.  Here's a quick snapshot of my life in photo form.  

Optimism: It's contagious!

Saskatchewan... home sweet home. :o)

My 2 loves, having a snooze on our couch (so bad but so cute!)

One of my favourite quotes ever.  LOVE Emerson!

Amen!  And with sheet music at that!

I get to meet up with some of these crazy wonderful people in 2 days.... winter getaway Pt. IV!

Merry Christmas to everyone reading this.  I hope you have many reasons to smile, today and every day, and that you carry happiness in your heart wherever you go.  Be conscious of your blessings and the wonderful people and opportunities that surround you.  Tell people that you love them.  SHOW them.  Be kind to others.  Try new things.  Take risks.  Laugh.  Take care of yourself.  Take care of others.  Be vibrant.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!