Abby’s Saturday // Two Hundred And Seventy-Eight

Highlight of the Week

Last night, we went on our first date night in.. I literally can’t even remember the last time Derrick & I went somewhere without Braelynn & Leander (is that bad?) And, if a “date” is defined as “a social appointment or engagement arranged beforehand with another person, especially when a romantic relationship exists” (thanks www.dictionary.com) than it wasn’t even technically a “date” because it wasn’t with a singular “person”, it was with a group of “people” – Derrick & I went to see the new Star Wars movie with some of my siblings (and of course, a whole movie theater full of Star Wars fans).

Semantics aside: Derrick & I went to see the new Star Wars movie last night & for the first time in a long time, I find myself wanting to go back to the movie theaters to watch it again. I haven’t felt that way about a movie in years (like, over a decade – woah, am I old). I felt like, I went into the movie with super low expectations – pardon me while I get a bit Star Wars nerdy on you here – but I have been a Star Wars fan since I was a little girl. My Dad loved the movies – so obviously I loved the movies. I grew up watching Star Wars, I remember when Episodes 1, 2, and 3 came out, and so far, I haven’t been thrilled with Episodes 7 & 8. In fact, we watched Episode 8 in preparation for going to see Episode 9, and when it was over I said to Derrick, “How is it possible that I like this movie less and less each time we watch it?” Needless to say, I had pretty low expectations going into this movie – but I was shockingly impressed. I can’t wait to watch it again!

Yes, This Happened

• So, if today’s Abby’s Saturday photo looks familiar, it should! I have taken a “Silhouette” photo at the Christmas tree (almost) every year now & of course, this year is no exception! If you’d like a stroll down memory lane, here are the other Abby silhouette photos in front of the Christmas tree that I’ve taken! #74, #124, #177, #230
• Derrick hit a pretty big milestone this week: 5,000 followers on his YouTube channel!! That was hit goal to reach by the end of 2019, and with 2 weeks yet to go – he hit it! I’m SO proud of him & how much work & dedication he’s put into building his channel!!
• I wrote out our “traditional” Christmas letter this week & posted it on my blog! I am so long-winded, I could never write a Christmas letter & print it out to send in my Christmas cards (like so many of my friends & family do). So, my “digital” version is the best I can do! I honestly love sitting down & thinking back over the year – it’s been such a fun & exciting year for us!
• We got this crazy, weird snowstorm this week – it snowed 2 inches in about 30 minutes – it was insane! Braelynn, of course, went absolutely bonkers!! She has been dying for snow & when we looked out the window & saw a white-out, she literally went crazy!! We got those 2 inches & that was it – it’s been slowly melting ever since, but that doesn’t stop her! Half of our yard is green again & it doesn’t matter – she still went out today, dressed like a marshmallow, to play in the “snow”.
• I took my sister Amy & her fiance Nathan’s engagement photos this week!! They have been waiting for snow for their engagement photos & striking out on every pitch – so when we got that freak-snowstorm, she texted me & basically said: “Photos – NOW.” We ended up waiting until the next night – but thankfully, the snow stuck around! By the time Nathan got off work, the sun was just about setting, but that just meant that I got to try out a new lighting trick that I’ve been meaning to try for a while – it was a lot of fun (just, freezing)!

Feeling Blessed

Alright! We’re at 4 days until Christmas & I am officially done shopping & I’ve wrapped everyone’s gifts except Braelynn & Leander’s (I plan on tackling that tonight)! WHEW – is it just me, or has Christmas arrived super fast this year? I feel like we should have at least one more week of anticipation! But, here we are – 4 days away!

I am SO excited this year! Braelynn is insanely excited & that just makes me more excited!! I have been dying to give her the gifts I bought for her for months now!! I absolutely cannot wait – this week is going to be the absolute best.

That being said – I’m officially taking the next week off!! We’re going to bake cookies, relax, go to Kennywood one more time, watch Christmas movies, and of course, enjoy the holiday with our families. I hope you are doing the same! Merry Christmas!