Merry Christmas!

Alright, alright, so I am a little late.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday.  I had a very nice Christmas and I got a ton of sweet stuff from my loved ones!  First let me tell you about the awesome crap I received.  I GOT A KINDLE!  Which, if you know me at all I have been wanting one for about a year.  So I was pretty stoked to unwrap that Christmas morning, and may I add that my mom rocks.  My mother-in-law (it is down to three days so I can officially call her that right...?) got me a new coat and a fab new purse along with some cute clothes and a rocking ring I had picked out for my wedding.  I got some other stuff from other family on Jeremy's side, and overall it was a really nice day celebrated with family.  Jeremy and I had decided not to do gifts this year, because really, we have enough on our minds. Which, we actually have only bought for each other one year since we have been together.  We are in full swing of wedding mayhem.  It is now only 3 days away.  I think that I have almost everything done, and I just have a few strings to tie up and I will be ready to get my dress on, marry the man of my dreams and dance my tail off.  I am excited to spend a fun night surrounded by the people we love the most.  I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate with everyone.

Going into the new year and through the holidays I also have to add that this year has been a year with a lot of ups and downs.  We moved twice, I started two new jobs and we are getting married.  But, I am so thankful for everything and everyone I have.  I cannot go without saying that my family has also lost a very important part, and I will be think about Grant not only on my wedding day but for every day of my life.  He was a very special person, and he had a bright future ahead of him, and he was taken from us too soon.  We all miss him so much.  My heart is with my Aunt Uncle and Chase at this difficult time of year.

I also want to tell a little story about my first matchmaking success. I worked at Jack's with a girl named Marcelle a few years ago.  One night as we were working together she commented that she thought this guy sitting at the bar was cute, I looked over and this guy looked exactly like someone I would picture Marcelle with.  He was wearing a band tee shirt and was drinking a beer with his friends on a break from the military.  I told her to go get his number but she sheepishly said no way (which if you knew Marcelle you would know "sheepishly" is not a word that describes her).  So, I went over to him, pointed at Marcelle and said "That girl wants your number can I give it to her?"  I think he was flattered and he ended up taking her number.  Now, I guess as they say the rest is history. I have to add that I have a special connection to this couple, I feel oddly bonded to them, and I feel honored that I helped Marcelle, in some twisted way find Eric.  Marcelle and I have kept in touch through facebook and she got married to Eric this summer!!  She showed me her wedding pictures, and has talked to me about their house that they moved into after the wedding in California, where he was stationed for the Marines.  He went to Afghanistan shortly after they moved and Marcelle stayed in California.  On December 22, 2010 she had gotten news that Eric had been killed by an IED, and that his body would return to America in a few days.  She told me of his death and I was devastated. What do you say to console a 20 something year old widow?  How do you comfort her?  As I drive around Lancaster county and see the flags flown at half staff my heart aches for her.  I am going through so much joy and excitement with the wedding and she was just doing this months ago, and now she is burying the man she vowed to love until death do us part.  I am so proud of her fr not only having the courage to marry a military man, but for having the strength to endure what she is going through.  Today he is being laid to rest.  Please pray for peace and understanding for Marcelle.  And, count your blessings this new year.