Happy Almost New Years!!

Tonight I got to hang out with some wonderful friends: Garrett, Summer, and Jason. It was so fun; we ate some great Mexican food then went up to the church. Our youth group was having a Dance, Dance Revolution party, so we thought we'd boogy down. Can I just say that I am NOT good at that game?! I did however beat my little brother in a sweet game of pool. : ) I love good friends.

New Years. Wow, what a huge responsibility to be given a new year! So many opportunities, so many chances.

I HATE New Years resolutions. I don't think they are for real. I've never seen someone successfully finish a resolution. I've even tried it: lose weight, read my bible every single day, exercise regularly, do my homework weeks ahead of time. They have never completely happened. I like to start things in August! There is no pressure to succeed in August, just sheer self-discipline and pride. August resolutions are the way to go.

Oh guess what, my cousin called today to ask me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding this June!! I'm so excited! I feel so honored!

Goodnight my friends; I love you all!!

Christen

Happy 50th Birthday to my gorgeous mother!!

Life is funny and ironic right now. I'm so unsure of some stuff, but I know that everything will work out like it's supposed to. I got to talk it over with my mom today, which was nice. *sigh* Sorry so vague.

This weekend is New Years!! I haven't had a good New Years in a very long time. I can't remember for the life of me what I did last year though. If I was with you, let me know. haha But for real, I think this year will be good. I'm getting to spend it with some wonderful friends.

Last night I reread the first year of my xangas. (I've been at this for 2 1/2 years.) It's interesting to see where life has taken me. : )

I really love your comments. Thank you!!

Christen

Have you ever told someone something that you never in your entire life intended to tell? Yeah, that happened to me tonight. hahaha!!

Christmas was fabulous. I love my family so much! We hung out, ate great food, played Shang Hi and Nerts, and exchanged presents. I got my digital camera!!!! YEAA!! I've asked for one for like 3 years and finally got one! You'll be seeing pictures soon enough. I also got Friends Season 2, Arrested Development Season 1, some perfume, an iTunes gift card, some killer jewelry, and a couple of cute hats.

Thanks for all the Christmas wishes. I love you!!

Christen

Here's a cute picture of Eli at Christmas:

I'm so frustrated right now. The first time in 3 years: I typed a really long xanga entry and then my computer froze. So...I'll try to recall what I just said.

During Christmas time I get very nostalgic. I like to think about where I was, who I was with, what I was doing from all the Christmases passed. It's even nice to think about the low times because I get to see how far I've come. For instance, yesterday I was thinking about 3 Christmases ago when I missed my family's Christmas because I was stuck in Missouri with my now ex-boyfriend. It was such a terrible time both mentally and emotionally, but I've had a chance to see how much I've grown. If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing because I've learned so much about myself and about relationships in general.

Then there are the great times. Like last night, I got to spend some much needed time with two of my dearest friends, Mark and Ryan. I've known Mark since 4th grade and Ryan since 11th, so we had tons of memories to talk and laugh about. It was wonderful just laughing and hanging out.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone who I love and care about. I hope your Christmases are wonderful. We are leaving for my grandparents' in a few minutes, so I won't be around for the next 3 days. I love you all!!

Christen

Carter Family Christmas went wonderfully!

My dad, brothers and I went to see Walk the Line today. It's such a well made movie yet so sad. What a terrible life he lead until he got saved, but I do have a new appreciation for Johnny Cash. Then, we ate some amazing steak and infamous Christmas cake. Yumm! Presents included: black slippers, gorgeous jewelry, beenie, Mean Girls, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, iTunes Gift Card, and a scarf. I love them all! Now I'm watching a movie and hanging out with my nephew...yea!!

Have you ever thought about what you completely dislike? I hate to clap. I've known this about myself for a while, but I realized last night at youth that I really, really don't like to clap. I also hate it when parents allow their babies to cry during solemn events like weddings, graduations, etc. It's a huge pet peeve. Sorry, know that was random.

Merry Christmas in 3 days!!

Christen

Garrett: my computer won't let me go to your xanga. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!

Happy Birthday to my super cool little brother!! 14 years old!! WHOOO HOOO!!

I got to hang out with some great friends tonight: Ikea, Allison, Julie, Brandon and his fiance Chelsea. It was so great getting to see Brandon who is leaving for the Army next week. Crazy, huh?

I slept til 3 pm today! Sad, huh? I don't even know why. I went to bed at a decent hour, but I guess I was catching up.

Merry Christmas!!

Christen

Life is so wonderful right now...almost hard to describe. Being home has been nice: time with friends, movies, wrapping presents, hanging out with my nephew. I love it.

I love Christmas time. Tomorrow Mom and I are going shopping then Mark, Sheila and Eli are coming into town on Tuesday for a whole week!! We're going to my grandparents' on Saturday for Christmas. I love my family, and I'm so excited.

I had nothing of substance to say, huh? Haha!! Sorry loyal xanga readers.

Christen

Christmas Break!!

Ground Rules: Type 5 weird habits of yourself. Then tag some friends! They have to post the rules on their site and state their 5 weird habits. Have fun!!

1) After I listen to a CD long enough to know all the words, I make up human videos in my head for each song.

2) I do not talk the first hour that I am awake. You may talk to me all you want, but I will not respond.

3) I HATE having lotion on my hands. I will put lotion on my legs then go wash my hands so that it's off my hands.

4) I sleep in the same position every night: on my right side facing my body pillow with my knees pulled up into the pillow; my forehead touches the pillow and the covers are up over my head so there's a little pocket of air between my face and the pillow. : )

5) I have to read something before I go to sleep, be it People magazine, a book, a letter...anything

This game has been circulated amongst my Master's friends, so I'm taking it to the GU and L-town. I tag Angie May, Melissa Hall, Garrett Goode, and Lindsey Taylor.

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It's over!! It's over!! I'm currently sitting in Longview looking at the beautiful Christmas tree! Ahh! I love no stress!

Well, the semester ended well. I made A, A, A, A, B. I was disappointed with the B because it was definitely preventable. I was just lazy. Oh well, I'm just so glad this semester is over.

Christen

My two finals Friday went okay. Both were a lot harder than I expected. Here's hoping for the A. I have two more Monday then I'm THROUGH!! I head back to Longview on Tuesday for a ton of rest and relaxation.

How excited are you that I figured out how to post pics from Photobucket? Yeah, I may have had xanga for 3 years, but I sure did not figure out the picture thing til this week. : )

Here's little Eli at 2 1/2 weeks:


Sheila, Eli and Me:


My roommates!! Jeanene, Shelby and Me (Karissa was there in spirit...haha)


I love you, friends!! And Merry Christmas!!

Christen

Had my first exam today. It was pretty easy. Why couldn't it have been tomorrow or Monday? I'm going to be slammed tomorrow and Monday. ahhh!! Tomorrow I have Intro to Psych and Intro to Theology (yeah, they are supposed to be intro classes, but I have the hardest/best teachers possible).

I got to see Eli today!! Mark and Sheila were up here for a meeting, so I got to hold my precious little nephew!! Photobucket's down, so I'll post pics later.

Good luck on finals, in love, and in life.

Christen

I know it's going to work out because God is a big fan of me.
Jeanene Justin, roommate

Tell me you don't love that quote.  My roommates and I talk frequently about our futures, be it careers, churches, marriage, children, or even just Christmas break, as well as who we are and who we are becoming.  And we've come to the conclusion that we are great.  I mean, we're not being conceited, we're just great.  haha  We are strong, funny, happy, life-of-the-party, wise, beautiful, smart girls.  Basically, we're well-rounded, and we know it.

Also, God is so much more crazy about us than we can ever realize.  He knows what I dream about, what I hope for, and what I want, and He cares more than anything!!  "It's going to work out because God is a big fan of me!!!"

If you know me at all, you know I'm not conceited, so I hope you understand this post.  It's time to have some self-confidence and realize that you're great!!  I love you, my dear friends.

Oh, and here's another adorable picture of Eli:

Christen

Today has been wonderful: hung out with great friends, baked Christmas cookies, ate a good meal. I love the holidays and good friends!!

I have 3 days of classes and 2 days of finals left!! Can you possibly believe that this semester is over? I can't wait until Christmas break. I have full intentions of visiting several good friends during the break.

I began a challenge back in September (the one that I couldn't tell you about). Well, I'm half way through, and then I will tell you. Just know that it's going beautifully, and I think I'm going to win.

Love you, my dear friends!!

Christen