It's My Favorite Time of Year Again

The last couple of days, I have been excited to look outside my office windows and see the trees changing colors!

This is absolutely my favorite time of year! 

It's taken years for me to figure it out, but when I was in my early 20s, I finally realized it.

One key character trait of mine is that I really love Christmastime. It's magical! I'm the girl that loves the ABCFamily Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas - because it means the Christmas season is coming! I get sad on Christmas day, because it means that all of the wonder, magic, and special decorations are going away for a whole year. When I was in middle school, on of my favorite boy bands came out with a song called, "If Every Day Could Be Christmas." I listened to it on repeat forever!

That being said, there are some special reasons that I adore autumn.

• When the leaves start changing color, I know the crisp air is coming.
• When the crisp air arrives, I know it's almost my birthday! (Sept. 23)
• When my birthday comes, I love spending my day with my family and friends, talking and having fun. After my birthday is over, I know it's almost time for the annual Awana Conference.
• I get so eager in anticipation of the Awana Conference! When it finally comes, I rejoice for the fellowship and encouragement that can be found there. Then when it's over, I get excited for colder weather, scarves and jackets!
• Once I start bundling up, I get even more giddy for the holiday season, which kicks off with Halloween (which we don't really celebrate in a huge way).
• Halloween comes, and I'm beside myself with joy, because that means that Thanksgiving is near!
• For the entire month of November, I always try to find something I'm thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. When the week of the holiday arrives, I usually go to my mom's and my in-laws' and help them prepare for the big meals. I love that! My mom usually puts me in charge of baking and desserts, because she's not a big fan of baking. This makes me so happy!
• On Thanksgiving, we're usually at 3-5 different places, celebrating a season of thanks and blessings with as many family & friends as we can! I usually nap a bit that night, so I can be rested for late-night shopping!
• For several years, my cousins and I have made a tradition out of going shopping late on the day after Thanksgiving. Because Robert and I have purposed to give practical, homemade or home-baked goods, we don't always spend money on gifts anymore (because all of our shopping is done already!) Instead, I use this opportunity to pick up a couple small items at great prices for us here at home. 
• Oh, and then the magic of the holiday season really sets in! The Christmas specials on TV, the wintergreen candles, and the holiday drinks at Starbucks - oh, it's simply amazing!

So that's pretty much me in a nutshell, right now. :) I'm completely giddy and super excited about everything! I can't wait for Awana to start tomorrow night and all the stuff we're doing with choir and our friends and family - seriously!!

I simply love this time of year.