It's the "Final" Countdown

It has finally arrived...the last week of the semester! What a wonderful feeling to know that another chunk of time has gone by and you are that much closer to graduation! I already had two finals last week...my Drugs final and my take home Epidemiology final. What a relief! This week I have my Principles of Health Education final (tomorrow morning) and then my dreaded Anatomy final (whenever I find time and feel confident enough to take it). I don't want to go too much into my feelings about Anatomy, but the bottom line is, the whole class is really unnecessary for the Community Health major. It's super hard and I am just praying that I pass. Please pray for me as well :) I think I will take the test Wednesday or Thursday. What a joyous day that will be!

As for the rest of the week, Josh and I are so excited to be going to Connecticut. We leave Saturday and don't come back until Jan. 3 (both of our dad's birthdays). It will be such a nice, long, relaxing break that we both feel like we need (and deserve). This semester has been pretty mellow for me. As for Josh, from my point of view, this semester was so much better than the Junior Core. He usually is done at night and had a lot more free time on the weekends. There really have only been two times this semester where I felt like Josh was so busy...recruiting week and now, finals week. He is handling all of his papers, projects, and exams very well and he will do great. I just keep saying to myself, "A few more days and then I get him for two weeks straight." I keep telling him, "Are you so excited for two weeks of straight cuddling?" Oh yeah...his absolute favorite (as my eyes roll). We will be visiting NYC while we are back east, seeing the Rockette's perform. I am thrilled!!! We may also splurge and see "Wicked," but I have not convinced Josh yet. It is really funny to see Josh have his first married Christmas. I guess there is no right or wrong way of doing things, but he is just so funny to watch.

Last night our home teachers came over with a message of thinking about Christ during this holiday season, and that sometimes we loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. I would love to start a tradition with Josh now, of something we do every year. Then when we start having children, it will just be something we do at Christmas. Because I will admit, I love thinking about the presents and what I hope to get. But it would be really neat to go to a soup kitchen, or homeless shelter, or doorbell ditch treats to random people. The possibilities go on and on. Now we just need to decide what we are going to do. It's easy to say we will do something, but to actually follow through is different. Once we get to Connecticut we can talk to his mom or look up service opportunities in the area. What will you do this season to remember Christ? If you have any ideas, please share!!

Going back to the original idea of this post, good luck to all those who have finals this week. It is such a great feeling when we finish that last question on the last test. Hooray!

My grown up Christmas List

In my life I go through phases. I went through a Tommy Hilfiger phase. All my clothes were T.H., my bedroom (my wall was the logo), my bathroom, and my purses! I was a little obsessed. Well recently it has been COACH. Now that I am older and more frugal with my money, I don't spend more than $20 on any article of clothing (besides shoes). But there is something that is just stunning about a brand new COACH purse. I don't know where I got this taste...not from my parents.

Right now at Macy's, there is a COACH cosmetic bag for purchase with an Estee Lauder fragrance. It's bright red, with the classic "C" all over it. Isn't it the cutest material item you have ever seen?? I could only find a picture on ebay. And I wouldn't mind all the stuff that comes with it!

http://health-beauty.shop.ebay.com/Makeup-Bags-Cases-/36413/i.html?_nkw=coach

My current phase is cross-body bags. And I have my eye set on this beauty ;)

http://www.fossil.com/en_US/shop/women/handbags/crossbody_handbags/sasha_large_top_zip-zb2987p.html?departmentCategoryId=30000&N=0&Va=186&Ns=p_wsc2|0||p_weight|0&rec=12&pn=c&imagePath=ZB2987710

It would not let me copy the image. I am a little obsessed with it. I just think of how practical they are and how great it would be to always have my hands and arms free, nothing in my way. I can leave it on when I want to get something out, it goes with all of my outfits and would be great to carry around at school as well. They most definitely go with the next thing on my list...

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3149667?origin=category&resultback=912

They are so comfortable and light weight. I tried them on and did not want to take them off. The girl helping kept saying, "they're ONLY $100. Can you believe that?" Umm, is it just me or is $100 a lot of money? I guess it's a reasonable price for boots... Any way, I absolutely love them. I would use them all the time in Utah!

Now of course I didn't put any of these items on my Christmas list...what was I thinking?

Other things I asked for...J. Crew card, basically anything from the GAP (http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=57090&vid=1&pid=789200) , "Despicable Me" movie, knock-off Ugg's from Costco (I love my Ugg's soooo much), and Black TOMS (everyone should have a pair).

And maybe this is just a selfish post or it's for Santa to see ;) or it will be fun to reflect back to see what I wanted for Christmas this year.