Caio Bello... its Spa Night :)

So, I woke up this morning and crawled out of bed wishing I had another 6 hours of sleep...

(thats not an exaggeration.)

As I put my feet down on the cold basement floor (of carpet) I slowly walked to my door.

Creaking noises rushed thru out the living room as I opened my door...

then i saw it.

a sign.

a note.

i loved this.

This is what it said:

Sista, Lets do these things...

1. exercise

2. a sweet avacado facial

3. a 50's photo shoot (dressed up with red lipstick)

sooo fun.

I lover you,

Britt

Whatta wonderful way to start a day.

I called it "me day".

Because as soon at 5 o clock (somewhere) hit I knew I would be in my car on my way to spend time with... well.... me. (and brittany would be there too).

JUUUUUST kiddding.

So i came home to my wonderful sister and she surprised me with my biggest dream (hot oil treatments for your hair)....

just kidding I was scared and had never heard of it...

but it smelled fab-u-lous.

Then came part numero dos. Facial Masks.

this was refreshing but disgusting.

no avocado because.. well, brittany so kinda ate them.

So we used oatmeal instead. and honey. and egg whites. its okay, i guess.

Its currently marinating on my face and im starting to itch. (this cannot be good.)

here is a picture (aka momento) of our sister night....

Wonderful way to end a night, now I'll bask in my soft skin and hair and watch a movie.

ps: i see my best friend soon, cant wait... New years blog to come!

pss: christmas was good.

Wise words from the Grinch.

So, I have a new favorite book. Its been a favorite for a long time now.

But I'm lovin it more and more as each year passes.

How the Grinch stole Christmas.

looo-hooove it.

I have been picking a line to memorize every week. some are silly. All rhyme.

Some are insightful.

I think Dr. Seuss and i would have been friends.

Line for Last week:

"And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly, Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimbley."

(i laugh)

Line for this week:

"Every who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all."

So, its christmas time. Which in my family means shopping and lists.

The older I get the more gifts I buy.

side note: I am the worlds WORST gift giver. Im really good with the people closest to me, horrible for the rest. And by the people closest to me I mean, family and jess :)

Everyone else: sorry. I stink. many apologies.

Anywhoo... back on track...

Gift giving is where I lack.

Im not good at it, and I tend to stress over what to buy.... how much to spend... blah blah blah.

I was having a "gift giving conversation" with my mom yesterday when she made this comment.

Mom: I've been thinking about what would happen if I just didnt do it.

Me: Didnt do what?

Mom: Go christmas shopping, I havent even started and what if I just didnt do it.

Me: ooooh (thinking of the pair of toms, the nikon lense, the purse and the million other things I suddenly didnt just "want" for christmas.. I NEEDED them)

Mom: I just think thats not what Christmas is about and we got all wrapped up in it.

Me: Thats sad.

Mom: that we get wrapped up in it?

Me: no, that you dont want to buy presents.

Mom: I just dont think thats what Christmas should be about.

*** silence ***

I have been pondering what she said. And so I made a list. :)

a list of the things I enjoy most about Christmas.

It consisted of 8 things.

The first 4 being the MOST important...

allow me to share:

1.) Every sibling is home, family is ALL together

2.) Christmas Eve church service and Christmas Eve tradition

*this consists of oyster stew, chili and shrimp cocktail.*

3.) all my siblings and I sleep in the same room and stay up late

* I'm honestly not sure if this will change once we are married. this could make christmas awkward for the spouses.. eh, who cares.)

4.) Christmas Day dinner, going around the table sharing what we love about eachother.

Thats the list.

The rest does consist of opening presents, giving presents, getting pjs on christmas eve (tradition).

But the top 4 are the things that I would be broken hearted if we didnt do.

It made me realize the Christmas is NOT about presents. Its not about catching the sales. Its not about black Friday or the brand new purse.

Those things are so silly.

Its about Jesus.

Celebrating His birth.

Its about Family.

I'll still buy gifts for the people I love, because I love them.

But Im not going to stress over it.

I'm not going to go into debt over it.

And I'm not going to make a list of the things I want.

I have everything I want.

(except a boyfriend. crap.)

So, regardless of what i get I'm certain I'll have the best Christmas yet.

Because of what I already have.

As the Grinch said: "maybe christmas," he thought, "doesnt come from a store."

"maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!"

thinking of the future...

there are some days when I think of all the things i think i could do. I dream, if you will.

this is my dreaming face:

Allow me to share.

I think I could be a photographer forever.

Im really loving it more and more.

Its so fun to capture a moment.

To have a memory on a piece of paper that takes you back.

I looo-hooove this. ----------------------------->

I also think I could be a nanny forever.

I really do love this more than words can explain.
I love being in a home, being with kids. taking care of lunch and snacks.
thinking up fun projects or field trips.
Most of all I just love loving those little youngins :)
They brighten my life up.
(i honestly cant get enough of you G, Addi and Paigers)

it makes me think of being married and having kids.

I realize more and more everyday

Especially during Christmas time.

Maybe its common for the average single 24 year old girl to think of getting married around the holidays.

Ok ok ok... so maybe i think of it more than just christmas time.

but more so christmas time.

I cant wait to decorate my own place with my little family.

that will be so fun.

ooooone daaaaay my priiiiiince will coooooome..... oooone daaaaay we'll...

ohh sorry... lost myself in the moment there.

Although I do spend a lengthy amount of time day dreaming about my future I have to admit that I'm really enjoying the present.

I have such wonderful people in my life.

And for the first time I'm allowing myself to try new things.

Example: photography.

this = love.

* side note: thankyou Jozette. You may not know this but a conversation that I had with YOU is what made me decide to try photography! **

Plus editing pictures has now taken the time I used to spend looking at wedding dresses.

I have decided this is a good thing.

I'm sure one day I'll get married and have kids and a house and thoroughly enjoy the Holidays in my own home...

but for now.

Im loving myself. Adoring those little Dean

girls. And the basement isnt half bad. :)

mom even helped me decorate.

Happy holidays from Brooke.

Maybe its good to think of everything we have now and not dream so much about what could be. :)

Life is Good.
God is Gooder (yep. I said Gooder).

And i'm thankful for the present of the present.

(you got it).

its the most wonderful time of the year.

Ok... I was starting this blog with the intention of writing about the holidays...
but as I finished my title sentence i heard Ryan Seacrest's voice (im watching E!) say something that rocks my world.
i cant believe it.
why cant he always be single.
ugh....
Jake and Taylor.
really?
weird.
Does anybody agree???
Jake Gyllenhaal (or as I call him.. my jake)
and Taylor Swift.
(really jake?! She is 12 and has dated a jo-bro)
whom i also was in love with... but that's besides the point.
I liked him better with Reese.

Okay... I, Brooke, will no longer care about celebrities lives.
I think I can.. I think I can... I think I can.

uugh.

Anyways...back to what I originally wanted to blog about.
I LOOOVE the holidays.

I just got back from Tennesse where I saw these people in the picture above:
(approx. 5 people had left for home before the picture was taken.. so they are missing)

Theres a pic of Grams and Gramps too :) looking awesome!!!

there was lots of us. and it was a blast.
Laughing so hard our stomachs hurt.
It was wonderful.
A week full of games, smiles, old movies,
home movies. thankful time. running around. golf cart races.
football games. food. pie. pool table. ninja game. pictures. food.
barn dances. and more food.

i already miss family time :) it was so great. :)
i have a good family. Really, I do. I realize this more and more as i grow up.
I also realize that I have the best life. Such great friends.
So much love in my life :)
and to make matters better.. christmas is here.

ahhhh.
As i speak there are christmas decorations filling my house placed perfectly in every spot (done in a way only mom can do it)
I have already watched White Christmas 3 times... and will probably watch it another million more :)
i love the holidays.

Mostly because I love spending time with the people in my life!
so here is a little shout out.
I love you mom. :)
I love you dad.
I love you brit, brandon and Brad :)
I love you Nish.
I love you Jess.
I love you Brit, Kel and Les :)
I love you Grams and Gramps and B.
And i really really Love the DEANS :)

Love love love love love love love.