Brand Me Brandt: Hello 2013. Part I.

Happy New Year everyone!

So, I'm about a month late on the new year, and the last time I actually posted was the beginning of November, so... I LOVE TO BLOG.

The last couple months have been really crazy for us, so that's part of why no blog posts. I also get really discouraged when I see all the beautifully designed blogs from my friends and real bloggers; I know my itty bitty blog is just not even close to classy, but I'm beginning to accept that I have no design sense and that I'm pretty happy being one of the thousands of admirers :) Where would they be without those admirers anyway, right?

Since I left off at the beginning of November, we'll start with Thanksgiving. It was wonderful! Andrew and I got to spend some time with his side of the family and have a giant, delicious Thanksgiving meal with a bunch of little kids tearing up the place. There's nothing better.

Gotta watch the game!

Playing with some Legos.

I was able to get a job with a little store called the Amish Cupboard early in December. It was a great job and everyone that works there is so friendly. Despite how wonderful it was to get out of the house and make a little extra money, the job added a lot of stress to a number of stressful things that unexpectedly happened later in December, so both my employers and I decided right now just isn't a good time for me to be working for them. It's a little disappointing and makes me feel like quite a failure, but I have a good job to look forward to in the spring as part of the coaching staff for the Southern Virginia University women's softball team. Hooray!

Before Christmas, Andrew and I were able to go to DC to visit the temple and see the Christmas lights as well as a little concert that was held in the Visitor's Center. I was really excited to go, not just to see the Temple, all the Christmas lights covering the trees, and hear some beautiful Christmas music, but also because one of my best friends is serving a mission in the DC area and is often in the Visitor's Center. So I was just PRAYING she would be there while we were there. Boy, were my prayers answered! I walked in, looked to my left where the desk is, turned my head, then said wait a second, double take! And there she was! It was all I could do to hold back the tears. Well I didn't, actually. I cried. I was so happy to see her!

She's such a great example to me and always has been. I've always been thankful to have had her as a roommate and housemate. I love you Jenna!

On our way home the next day Andrew surprised me with an early Christmas/Birthday present. And let me tell you, I was SO surprised. We drove two of our nieces back with us, and even they knew about the surprise! They did such a good job hiding it. Andrew told me we had to pick something up for his mom on our way home. So we drive up to this random house and I'm just thinking great, I have to pee, I don't want to get out of the car, just get what you need Andrew and let's get out of here. He makes me get out of the car and then in his sly little way says, Ok actually we might be here to get a kitten. I froze, my jaw dropped, and then I almost started crying.

For all of you that know me, I love animals. My family has always had cats (seems like we've had hundreds and thousands...) and I can remember every single one of them. I technically have my own cat back home in New York with my parents, but she's one of three and I just couldn't separate them, and I think Mom and Dad would never let us take them, because they secretly love them, especially Dad :) So I have been without a little cuddle buddy since I started school in Virginia, about 6 years ago (gross). And it has been killing me. I had been begging Andrew to let us get a cat, or a dog, or a pony or something, even another fish after my long-time fish friend Alfred died- RIP. So this, my friends, was a HUGE surprise and just about the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. So that wonderful day in December, I gained another best friend.

Meet Piper.

I'm crying. She's so precious.