The Arnolds

I do NOT like New Years.

I never really have. People make a huge deal about it and it really gets on my nerves. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I don't like moving on. Or maybe it makes me sad to think about the past year and that it will never in the history of the world be 2009 again. Maybe it's that I am nervous about what will happen this next year. Maybe it's that Christmas is over. Who knows.

This whole notion of "starting new" or "wiping the slate clean" is bs. If you are waiting until January 1st to do something about your life then you probably won't do it. What I really don't like is that people try and make it this big holiday. UGH.

I like to consider myself a realist not a pessimist. Others would disagree.

It was a white Christmas in Texas.

We had Christmas in Decatur. Lane and I got in the Christmas spirit early in the week by going Christmas shopping and decorating the tree. The best night was when we were listening to Christmas music, wrapping presents and just really enjoying the spirit of Christmas.

I did a lot of baking some good, some bad a few weeks before Christmas. I made some cookies and a cranberry almond crunch thing. It was pretty good.

We did a lot of hanging out and that is about it. Trent had to work and Connie got sick so we waited until the night of the 26th to open presents.

What we realized this year is that we can't wait to have our own traditions with our kids at our house. I can't wait to set up Santa things and stockings and wait for them to wake up. That is a long time away but it is fun to look forward to.

I missed my family so bad this Christmas but will get to do it with them next year!

Well, I got in.

I will be starting Nursing School on May 17th and be done the following May. It will be an intense year in which I probably wont have much contact with the outside world which makes me sad and scared.

I am nervous but excited to get this degree so Lane and I can start the next part of our lives.

I am hoping once I get my degree, we will move to the hill country or somewhere closer to my family. I will miss our friends SOOO much and really have no idea WHAT will happen so of course NOTHING is 100%. I just feel like I am missing some good quality years with my parents - it's just not the same when you live 4 hours away as opposed to 1 or 2.

SO, I know no one really reads this but let me just clarify - NO, we AREN'T MOVING! It is just something we have thrown around. We might stay here and add on to our house. Who knows!?

I'll post on Christmas hopefully in a bit.

I didn't blog for Father's Day and have felt guilty about it every day since.

One, if not the most important relationship a girl can have is with her dad. I don't care what anyone says, there are so many lessons learned from watching your father. If you don't have a great father my heart aches for you because to have one that is truly great is something special, really really special.

My dad and I have an increible relationship and that is because he was always there and has a sensitive side. It is because he has given it his all and that is what it takes to raise a daughter.

There is a list a mile long of things I love about my dad but here are a few things that come to mind instantly:

I love that you are fair and see both sides
You can talk about anything (even girl stuff!) and make me feel ok
You are Irish
You are kind
You are supportive
You are the hardest worker
You love and would do anything for your family
Your sense of humor
How you would take care of all my car issues any time I ever needed it
You are inspirational
You make me want to work hard and make you proud
You are solid
And stand up for what you believe in
You talk about the hard stuff which is what really matters
You are a provider
You are social and love people
You are opinionated (wonder where I got it!)
And tall (so am I!)
You can sometimes be a hot head
You like to talk
You are a Christian and a man God
You make people feel safe
You give everyone a chance
You expect the best from people
And want the best for people
How you love Christmas
You love to have fun and are unselfish.

I love you Dad!! Thank you for taking me to basketball tournaments and practice and writing notes of encouragment for games and leaving them on my car so I would read them before a game. Thank you for not judging me for not taking the basketball scholarship even though I know you really wanted me to play in college. Thank you for all the calls during college when I felt overwhelmed and telling me to "finish strong". Thank you for helping me see the "guys side" of things when I was having boy troubles. Thank you for making me feel safe and provided for at all times.

Thank you for making me feel beautiful and for making me feel loved. I know that guided me to make smart decisions my entire life.

I love that you are my Dad and wouldn't want anyone else in the entire world.

Love,
Your Daughter Lolly-ban-looshki-papooshki