Thoughtlessness, moving, and a Christmas party

Y'all, let me preface this with I'm not fishing for compliments with what I'm about to say. Please don't think I am.

Anyways....One thing I've had to come to terms with about myself is that I don't have the gift of thoughtfulness. I wish I did, y'all. I think I always thought I had it, but I'm not so sure. I'm actually pretty sure I don't. I'm also kind of ok with it. While it's a bummer, I'm glad I at least know, so I can work on it. Don't know what I mean? Here are some examples:
My friends/fam/husband are so good at birthdays and gifts. Justin swears he got me the best Christmas presents ever this year. (I don't have his or anyone else's gift and won't for a couple weeks). Chelsea is so great writing me letters, and she's the one in India. My sweet girlies always get me something I love or have mentioned for my bday and for everyone elses, and I'm lucky if I remember the day of much less the week of their birthdays. It's not like I think of stuff and don't do it, I simply don't just think it. I have to put a LOT of thought into stuff like that. Gift giving - also not my strong suit. That's it. Just a revelation I thought I'd let y'all know.

In other news, we're moving in 20 days! Just down the road...literally about 200 yards. Our current apartment has other creatures living in it, and I just can't deal with it. We're breaking our lease and moving on. (Thank you Jesus that we found a place that would give us the first month free). That makes me think that I've never shown pictures of our first home on here. Here are a festive few.

Sorry I didn't clean off the table from the party...

 Our tiny, but useful kitchen. Not much to see other than the pot rack. 

Our tiny but useful bathroom. 

I love our shower curtain, and it's called Jaipur. Bonus. 

This is us with John, Justin's bestie and our current roommate. He's on furlough from India and is staying with us while he's in Fayetteville. (Yep, we both have besties in India). 

On another Christmasy note, we had a Christmas party here last night! We went to the Square (which was lovely) and took pictures then came here and ate, hung out, and played games. Y'all there was at least 46 people in our apartment at one time. Yea. Wow. Didn't know that was possible. It was great though! People made and brought delicious snacks and dressed festively. It was so great. Here are a few photos from that. 

With sweet, Sarah. Love love love her. 

It was our (Rachel left - Natalie right) 3 year friendiversary! 3 years ago when these girls were wee little freshmen (they're seniors now!) they came over to my apartment and we went to the square to take pictures. (Nat brought Rach. That was when we met.) I have had the privilege of discipling these girls and being their friend for 3 years now. Words can't express how dear they are to me. 

Y'all. Last time Jusitn and I took pictures on the Square it was for our save the dates. Now we've been married for 6 months. Wait, what?!? Who am I?! Happy, that's who. 

This is Sarah and Jason (and Josh pretending he's not in the picture even though he knows he is, and Tim really thinking he's not in the pic). They're sibs. Sarah's my bro's age (and they're friends) and Jason's my age and we have worked together for the past year and half or so. He actually played a part in getting me my current job. I like you Biggs (how do I make that plural?)

Blog fail

Y'all. I am a blog failure. So sorry. We've been pretty busy the last couple weeks. I've what feels like a billion weddings/showers. Who knew fall was wedding season?! Not me. I think after the next wedding we are officially half way through our weddings for the season. Whew. And I have 2 baby showers in the next two weeks...not for me, like, I'm going to them. When did I become so grown up?

Anways, Justin ran a half marathon last weekend with Sara's husband (whom he uh-dores). In Kansas City. He got 91st in his division (age 25-29 I think) and 699th overall (there were like 7,000 people there). He finished in an hour and 49 minutes.

 The guys pre-race...very early in the morning. 

 Soooo many people got up sooooo early in the cold to run. Crazies. 

 There they are, about 2 miles in.

 This sweet boy looked up when I said, "This is for Miss Chelsea." So, Miss Chelsea, this is for you. Sara, I'm obsessed with your kiddos.

I didn't get a picture of the guys crossing the finish line, but this is what it looked like. 

Sara and her mother-in-law are a pro at these, so I was happy to have someone tell me when I needed to be where all weekend and play with some of my faves. 

Subject change: We bought a Christmas tree yesterday!!!! And it's already up. Don't judge me. Don't you dare judge me (that's for you Sarah Allen). Anyways, we live in an apartment. Without an attic. Or much storage at all. So, it was just easier to put it up. It's not decorated or anything, but it's up.

Guess what else? We got a new couch a few weeks ago for $40 on craigslist. Y'all. I love craigslist. I could look at it forever. Plus, we sold a ton of stuff on it, and that's how we paid for a lot of our honeymoon. Anyways, the couch isn't fancy, but she's clean and comfy. I am so thankful for it.

My job's going great (that's what people typically ask me about these days). I love it. Really. It's so fun to just be a little helper all day. My bosses seem super grateful, so that's encouraging too. Most of what I do (since people usually ask that as well) is schedule, call, email, social media (yep, part of my job is facebook and twitter), and a whole bunch of other random stuff. Currently, I'm trying to find Dallas area style blogs. Cool? I think so. Not everything is that fun, but I do get to google/research a lot of stuff and that's neat. And, I'm learning a TON. That's always good...especially for non-school learners like myself.

No one likes to read a novel (well, on a blog that is), so hopefully I'll keep you posted better in the next few weeks. Here's a preshy picture of my husband as a baby to make you smile. Y'all. A sailor. So great.