Favorite things of December

These are a few of my favorite things this month...

Harney & Sons Paris Tea-

They sell this good stuff at Dutch Bros, and oh man it is good!

If you like tea, that is. It's a black tea with a different hint of flavor.

It's really good plain, with honey or with a little sweetener.

Redken All Soft Aragon 6 Oil-

The salon I am going to sells Redken, so I have been trying to get to know the products better.

This stuff, I am obsessed with.  You can put it on your hair wet or dry. It makes your hair so soft with no frizzies, and smells absolutely wonderful.

 Curl Sticks-

These are a new style of curing iron. They create really soft, flow-y curls, and I love that look!  I use them a lot on my clients for styles, or updo's.  I like the smaller one for myself too since I have short hair. The ends of the curls aren't as tight, so they look a little different. So fun!

Bridesmaids The Movie-

It never gets old.  It's that good, and hilarious.

Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara-

 I am super picky about mascara, so when I find a good one I get really excited about it.

Doll lashes is a keeper, and you can get it at good old Macy's.  It is soft, smooth, and totally enhances your lashes.  My lashes suck, but you would never guess that when I wear this stuff.  Sold!

Revenge-

This show is so good.  I mean, so good!

It's like "The OC" on steroids, and oh boy I loved that show.

Don't start watching it unless you are prepared to be completely addicted. 

I mean staying up until 3:30 am on a school night addicted.

Sex God by Rob Bell-

This book is really great. 

 It's about all the similarities between sexuality and spirituality.

  Super interesting stuff!

Rob Bell is the man.

Sucrets Lozenges-

I have been fighting a nasty sore throat for weeks now.  These things totally help. 

They taste pretty good (even though I really don't care for cherry).

Sometimes I even pop one in before I go to sleep. Yes, I've woken up to them stuck to my pillow...but if it makes my throat feel better then who cares. 

They kinda numb the back of your throat, totally awesome.

TOMS Shoes-

I love TOMS. You can get them at Nordstrom. They are a little spendy for casual shoes, but super comfy and cute. Every time you buy a pair of TOMS, the company sends an additional pair to a child in need of shoes. That makes my heart melt. And if I could afford it, I'd buy a million more pairs.  My Aunt did buy a pair for everyone for Christmas though, so I do think the Rudolph family made a dent. :)



Happiness

"Happiness is the key to success"

I love that quote.

Right about now I am so happy I can barely stand it.

School is going by so fast, my beautiful family is growing,

and I am being treated the way I should be by a really sweet/handsome/amazing boy. 

I've always been afraid of being "too happy," but right now I have this feeling that everything is going to be alright, and things are exactly the way they should be.

A while ago I decided to let God take complete control of my life, because obviously the way I was planning it wasn't exactly working. It has been absolutely incredible to sit back, relax and watch how He is paving a future for me, and everyone around me.  I know that He has thrown me all of these crazy, difficult curve balls because good things are coming from them.  I have become the person I am today because of the experiences I have been through, and even though I would never wish some of them upon anyone...

I am so thankful for every struggle I have ever had.

I know there are many more struggles to come,

and life will not always be filled with rainbows and sunshine...

but it's all about how you can better yourself from these experiences.

I only have a couple months left at school and then I get to start a new chapter in my life.

New years is coming up, and my good friend is getting married in McCall soon. 

There are so many things to look forward to this time of year. 

It feels really good to just breathe and realize how blessed we are.

Reagan and Harper

The twins are here!

Harper Claire (left) and Reagan Marie (right)

They are so beautiful.

And of course, they will be best friends forever.

They are strong little boogers!

Each weighing in at 5.5 lbs.

Although Reagan did have some eating and breathing issues,

they had to spend a couple extra days in the hospital.

But now they are home,

and they are perfect.

 I am so proud of Chelsea.

We have been friends since 4th grade,

and I have never been so impressed with her.

She was born to be a Mama, and she is the best at it.

I can't wait to have her by my side when it's my turn.

And big brother looooooves his "two babies"

Can't wait to spoil them rotten.  <3

I am so thankful for the "Not so little anymore-Blewett family"

Tattoo

Today I was feeling adventurous.

I had some Christmas money burning a whole in my pocket,

so I decided to go ahead and do something that I've wanted to do for a long time.

Get a tattoo.

Although I do already have one, I wanted another. 

Not just any tattoo,

but a tattoo that sums up who I am in one little symbol.

A fish. 

A Christian fish, to be exact.

Every time I see this symbol it gives me warm, fuzzy feelings. 

I really love it,

and I love this story...

After Jesus was resurrected to heaven, Christianity grew like crazy. 

It became dangerous to be known as a Christian because they were becoming persecuted by both the Romans and Jews. If two strangers met and had a feeling that they ran into a fellow believer one of them would draw the top half of the fish, and if the other person recognized it they would add the second half to the symbol.

My sister came for support, but decided she was brave enough to get one too.

We'd been wanting matching ones for a long time, so this was perfect.

She was a complete wimp.

John, Tasha and Jay were there too.  They would agree with that statement.  

But the foot is a painful area, so I'll give her that.

We were both super happy with our new tattoos.

Joseph at Aggressive Nature in Lewiston does a great job. 

I've made his coffee a million times and he pierced my nose for me,

so it was no question who I was going to.

He is super funny and chill... we like him.

So there you have it, I now have a permanent piece of art on my body,

and every time I see it or think about it, I think about how great it is to be a child of God.

Giving Thanks

It was that time of year.  Time for family, food and faith. 

Also time to be thankful for our wonderful lives. 

It's true:  Life really is quite wonderful. 

So the Rudolph family got together (as per usual) at Dan and Rusanne's. 

We had a great time with some even greater people.

The boys (Danny, John, Jason, Dreysan, Dan and Brady)

did "manly" things.....like chop wood.

and played some basketball.

The ladies stayed inside.

Along with the babies.

Lots of reading and playing for Cannon and Ellie

while Dreysan and Brady were out in the cold doing their "manly" activities.

The little ones weren't too happy about it at first,

but they got over it pretty fast.

This big sister was happy her baby sister was home.

And I am so thankful for this woman.  I love her a lot.

and this little Turkey (get it? haha) was thrilled to have 

an endless amount of deserts on his plate.

He's too funny.

and of course... it isn't Thanksgiving without Olive fingers.

Our tummies were full and our hearts were happy.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Blewett Baby Girls

Why did I take a picture of the back of Chelsea you ask?

So you can see how completely normal she looks.

Until...

BAM! 

Two little princesses all curled up in there.

Isn't she adorable?

This weekend we did the baby shower for them.

She had family come in from Portland and it was

all around a really great time.

"Welcome Girls" Banner

The Treat Table. 

Complete with chocolate truffles, mini pumpkin pies,

pumpkin muffins, and caramel apple cider cookies. 

Oh yes, it was decadent.

I made these onesies for the girls and we displayed them. 

(Okay...I just ironed on the embellishments, shhhh.)

But I did put together these fancy-schmancy diaper cakes.

Complete with rhinestones and little owl booties on the top

Note:  There were two of these. One for each girl, duh.

Then some little centerpieces for added decor.

And of course, favors!

Caramel corn from Klings.  Yum!

Sugar booger had a great time socializing and

melting peoples hearts.

The best part?

Getting to spend time with really great friends.

You know...the kind of girlfriends that God forgot to make your sisters,

but magically placed them into your lives?

Yeah, that's what kind of girls Chels and Jayme are.

And Jayme and I can't wait to post up in the hospital waiting room with our Red Bulls and Cosmo magazines to meet our two little new nieces. 

Come on December!

Life Is Fabulous

So not too long ago I was stressed to the max.  But I took that leave from school at the perfect time and ever since life has been so great.  I have been working out more, started being a youth group leader at my church, reading (that is weird for me), and hanging out with some really great people. 

I love fall!  Especially at my house.  My Aunt decorates everything so cute, makes lots of soup and we get all cozy to watch movies together very often.  The weather/season change has been wonderful. 

I go to an amazing church.  My eyes have been opened to a whole new way of looking at life, and God has worked in really awesome ways.  I try to go on Sundays (if I can get out of bed, but it's my one day I get to actually sleep in).  And they started doing a Wednesday night service as well.  Josh Bruns is the man.  I work with Junior and Senior girls in the youth group and they are all so fabulous, and fun.  I cannot wait to connect with them more and get to know each and every one of them better.  Plus I get to go to Camp Spalding (The Greatest place on earth) with them for the winter retreat!  Sooooo excited!

I decided to take some time off at Dutch Bros.  That was one of the hardest decisions ever, and my last day I cried three different times.  I don't really cry, it is very rare. I have been going to school 6 days a week so I can power though and finish up because I have a really great job waiting for me.  But Dutch Bros will always have my heart and I realllllllllly hope they will let me come back when me schedule isn't so crazy.  

My family is amazing, and my friends have been so great. 
I am such a blessed girl and life just keeps getting better.