Christmas is over and we’ve finished the first leg of our trip. Arkansas felt like a whirlwind–we spent our first three days in three different homes! All of the Christmas preparations left us hustling and bustling for the most part, but never before 11 on most days. We stayed up late and enjoyed every moment of the day. We got to see my Papa, my Granny and Pa, my Aunt Robin and her boyfriend, my cousin Heather and her fiance, my cousin Chuck, my half-brother Oliver and his wife, Meredith, and their son Layne. We got to see Justin’s sister and her husband, as well as his parents. We stayed with my parents, my brother, and my sister. We got to see my sister’s boyfriend, and he taught me to play about 5 songs on the bass guitar. We saw my other brother, some hometown friends from church and school, and Marvin and Judith Crowson. I got to see my cute little cousins (all 4) and my aunt Lori and uncle Craig. My mom took my sister and I for manicures (my mom’s first!), and Justin and I got to go to Searcy and see the new additions to campus. We ate a lot, caroled, went to Wal-Mart (no fewer than three times) and Sonic (also three times), went to my family’s church a couple of times, and ate at the local Chinese restaurant. I went to a yarn shop, I went running, and Justin and I stayed in a bed and breakfast. Whew. I’m tired already.

I haven’t graded many papers, and I intend to while I’m here, though I have done everything I can think of to avoid grading. I even finished a book on the plane rather than grade.

We’re in Idaho now–we got here last night and slept really well. I went for a walk with Justin (almost 2 1/2 miles) this afternoon around downtown Pocatello and we went to Justin’s parents church tonight after a homemade veggie alfredo lasagna. They’re expecting snow tonight!

Tata for now…..