Christmas Break (:

There's nothing like being home for the holidays. When you go off to school or move out, you forget how much the little things mean to you. Simple things like giggle outbreaks in family prayer, bathrooms you can walk in, full cupboards, a jug of milk that is not labeled...etc.

This break has been especially amazing because I've had Luke here with me to share it. There's nothing quite like a Falter family Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we have the Belnap Christmas, complete with the nativity scene and Christmas hymns till our throats are too sore. This is the night we remember why we are celebrating Christmas. We asked Emmalee: What is Christmas about? Emmalee: PRESENTS! Obviously she's been watching the Grinch too much, because last week she told us it was about Jesus, our Savior. She has to be the cutest, smartest five year old in the world. :) I am a tad biased though.

Then that night, we crunch into one room and wait patiently for Santa Clause. This year we went to bed a little later than usually because we went on a last minute shopping run for my dad. We felt bad for him because we thought my mom had more. Too bad he didn't appreciate any of it and now he's trying to take it all back. It's the thought that counts, right?

Well us three big girls were in the bed laughing and talking until Austin left to get sleep and Adam and Emma were in tears, scared that Santa wasn't going to come. And Luke was probably crying too...just quieter ;) No matter how old you are, Christmas Eve is definitely the hardest night in the world to sleep too, especially when your little sister kicks your face all night. You got to love the 6:30 AM wake up call from your little brothers and no matter how hard you try, you can't convince them to sleep any longer.

Then, we all line up on the stairs and listen to each child run down and find what Santa brought. That's the best part of Christmas morning. It's fun being the oldest cause you hear everyone else's happy screams while you wait. And this year, I wasn't the last one, so I didn't get lonely. Christmas morning was successful, we made my mom cry at least three times, my dad cry and I made Luke cry. That's the goal... get a gift that makes them cry. It's the best. Then we celebrate all together with a big Christmas breakfast and lay around watching movies the rest of the day.

On Sunday, our family was asked to sing in church. We were going to sing this amazing version of Silent Night, until the week before when the ward choir sang it... so we sang Angels We Have Heard On High because our family sings that amazingly together. Well, we sang the first two versus, messed up and laughed the entire third verse. It was a tad embarrassing and very awkward walking back to our seats. The entire congregation was laughing or trying really hard not too... but it was fun. I love my family, laughing and singing. Great combo :)

Christmas at the Falter's was great, as always. We had Luke's initiation...sitting with Uncle Eric. The Falter family is so funny!!! There is such a variety of personalities. All mixed together they are hilarious!

Grandma Falter: What's 90 feet long, green, bumpy and lives in the ocean?

(Punchline: Moby Pickle.)

Grandma Falter: (on accident) Pickle Dick.

It was a special treat having the Darin Belnap family with us this year. We had fun reminiscing on old times like throwing rocks at people's windows, sending old woman to the hospital, crashing into wood piles, learning new vocabulary (book), wearing face-paint to the reservation, backfired plans to scare our siblings and sleeping on our parents floor in a thunderstorm. We always have great times with DJ and Mckell. This year we watched a thousand and one movies, went bowling, had an "adventurous" night at Walmart, and made mud masks.

Kylee: *Saying Family Prayer*

Mom: *Whispers* Darin!

Kylee: Please bless Karen.

Mom: Darin!

Kylee: Please bless Garin....?

Mom: UNCLE DARIN!

Kylee: Please bless Uncle Darin!

Dad: MAREN!

This was definitely the best Christmas break I've ever had. Thank you to my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, best friend and fiance, for making it so amazing :)

Too young.

I keep hearing these statements:

1. "You're too young to get married."

2. "You're only eighteen."

3. "You're just out of high school."

4. "You're inexperienced with responsibility."

5. "You need to slow down."

6. "You have the rest of her life to live."

I'll admit that a year ago, I would have NEVER pictured myself engaged my first semester in college! I never would have pictured myself engaged at all my freshmen year. (Even though I knew I was coming to a Utah school). I can see where people are surprised or shocked because I was too, but I just wish people would stop judging and start believing.

When you find the person you know you are supposed to be with for time and all eternity, there's pretty much not a lot that can stop you. I don't think you are ever "too young" to find your true love. Some times thing are out of your control. As for my life, fate kind of took over...

It was a series of unfortunate events that led Luke and I together. If it weren't for lots of pain and heartache through divorce, sickness, disease and broken families, Luke and I would have never met. This is why I KNOW that our Heavenly Father brought us together. He knew Luke would be strong enough to make it through all his trials and find me. And He knew that I would have the faith to know it was right. Through answers to prayers, I know that I am making the right decisions in my life.

You may be 18 and feel "too young" to get married. You may be 25 and still feel "too young" to get married. You may even be 40 and feel "too young." It's not because you are "too young," it's because you haven't found "the one."

When you find "the one," everything changes. It won't matter that you feel like you're "too young." It won't matter what the world around you thinks. It won't matter if your parents or friends disagree. It won't matter that everyone wants you to slow down and live your life. All that matters is you found the person that makes you the happiest. The person that you can raise a family with. A person that will always take care of you, always love you, and always be there for you.

I don't want to slow down. I don't want to live the single college life. I don't want to be free and wild. I want Luke Maughan. And there's no advice or opinion that can make me change my mind.

So....to all those who sincerely believe in me and believe in us: Thank you :)

And to everyone else, I hope when you find your true love, you'll understand.

Another Lazy Saturday in Logan

All year I have been looking forward to this day. The day I get to board the beav. I set out all my snowboarding clothes last night, picked up my snowboard, picked up my sister's snowboard and got a brand new helmet from my fiance. :) At one o'clock last night, I called my sister to make sure she came home soon so we could wake up at 9:00 and go. Then, I went to sleep.

I woke up this morning at 10:00 and jumped over to her half of our dorm to wake her up. And this is what she said: *drum roll please* I'm not going.

That is when my heart broke. :) And now I am sitting in my bed, making a blog and eating left over japanese food. Hmm.....