Merry Christmas!

 

Every year it seems Christmas time gets more and more busy. That not only means that life becomes a little more full of the 'hustle and bustle' but it also increases the likelihood that we are forgetting the real reason behind the Christmas celebration.

So, today take a moment to reflect on the amazing story of the birth of Jesus. God sent his own Son - the Son of God and Son of Man to this earth. Even when God did this he knew the life Jesus would live and eventually the death that he would suffer. Yet, God sent his Son anyway so that he could take away our sins.

I love the Christmas Story. I love Mary's willingness to allow God to use her even though she risked losing much in order to do so. I love Joseph, who accepted Mary as his wife, accepted she was carrying God's son and raised Jesus as his child on earth.

I love the shepherds, the three wise men, the guiding star, the animals, the manger, all of the love that was born on that night so many, many years ago.

 

I adore the video below. It tells the story of Christmas from children from a church in New Zealand. A gentle reminder of the reason we celebrate this season.

 

saying goodbye to 2013.

I won't lie...I cannot wait to wish 2013 farewell. This year has been miserable terrible awful rough. At Thanksgiving a few weeks ago we went around the table and said things we were thankful for. This year, I said I was thankful to leave 2013 behind. And I meant it...and I still do. 2013 was filled with heartache, heartbreak, trials, tribulations, tears, more tears, and disappointment over and over again. It was filled with emotional, spiritual, and financial struggles. Coy and I battled through difficult situations and difficult decisions. Our marriage faced some tough things. And this past year I dealt with loss in a numerous ways.

Yet, as much as a I cannot wait to start a new year and leave the old behind, I also must stop and give 2013 the credit it deserves. Despite the trials and despite the tears I was blessed. Despite all of the disappointments (which sometimes felt like they happened over and over again) I can look back and see many miracles and see God's hand in so many things that took place.

Although certain circumstances have not changed we have been blessed time and time again. Today, while I wrapped Christmas presents for all nineteen of our family members, I couldn't help but take a moment and weep. No, we still don't have a baby and no, Coy still does not have full time employment but despite this, I have so many reasons for joy. Despite over seven months of unemployment we have never been unable to pay our bills. We have even been able to pay for a broken furnace, a vacation to Florida, and gifts for all of those family members listed above. We have drained our savings and we don't have much...but we have always had just enough. I am joyful because God has provided time and time again. Despite a tough year...I have a husband whom I love, family whom I love, friends whom I love, a job, a home, a car, and food on the table each night.

Although a great deal of tears fell over the course of the year I must also remember all of the laughs I had. So while all of these blessings do not take away the fact that I am thankful to say goodbye to 2013...I am oh, so thankful for God's faithfulness and provision.

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing.

Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland"

Isaiah 43:18, 19

Christmas is in the Air.

 

 I can't believe it is only one week until one of my favorite days of the entire year!

I feel like the time has just flown by and I haven't had as much opportunity to soak in the season fully. I am hoping that over the next seven days time slows down and I can sit back and enjoy all that Christmas has to offer. Only a few more hours of work in 2013 and then I can just sit back and enjoy this view for the rest of the year!

 

 

 

Christmas Questionaire

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Coffee of spiced cider. However, if I had to pick between eggnog and hot chocolate I would definitely go with hot chocolate. I actually just bought some hot chocolate pods for my Keurig and so far I am pretty impressed.

 

2. Does Santa wrap your presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa definitely wraps all of our presents.

(Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree for Christmas at my parents)

3. Colored lights or white lights?

WHITE.

 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Sadly enough, no. I guess hubs and I don't really need an excuse to kiss.

 

5. When do you hang up your holiday decorations?

The last few years we have done it the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Never, ever before Thanksgiving and we have chosen Saturday because recently I have taken up Black Friday shopping and am too exhausted to decorate on Friday.

 

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding desserts)?

Mashed potatoes. Okay, don't know if they qualify as a holiday dish but I feel like they should because they are typically served during holiday meals. (and because they are my favorite food!)

 

7. What is your favorite holiday memory from childhood?

One year when I was in high school my parents were not in the best financial shape. Because of that they had decided that we would forego a Christmas tree that year. (I am sure this was discussed with my sisters and I but I don't remember that part of the story!) My sister Tamara came home from college and one night when my parents were at the church for a meeting we called my friend Brian up, who had a truck, and together we went and bought a Christmas tree. By the time my parents got home we had the tree set up in the living room and had begun decorating.

I have so many wonderful Christmas memories...this is just one. However, the reason I have so many is because my parents always went above and beyond to bless us during the holiday season. Even when things were hard financially we always had presents, always had laughs, and always were able to forget about the troubles of life for a few days and enjoy being together. They still do this today for my sisters and I and our families.

 

8. What is on your Christmas wish list?

This year I had some trouble with my Christmas list! This year I really just want clothes.

Oh - and a blender.

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?

With the exception of a new pair of pajamas we do not. Since the beginning of time (or my life) my parents have gotten us 'Christmas pajamas' on Christmas Eve. Now, even with 15 of us, my parents have carried on the tradition and it is one of my favorite holiday traditions.

10. How do you decorate your tree?

We have two trees. Our main tree is decorated with white lights, red and silver ribbon, and red, gold, and silver ornaments.

Our second, smaller tree has white lights and is decorated with our fun and festive ornaments.

 

11. Snow - love it or dread it?

I would classify it has a love/hate relationship. I love looking at it, hate being in it.

(If there wasn't snow we wouldn't be able to get adorable pictures like this one!)

 

12. Real tree or fake tree?

For the first two years of our marriage Coy insisted on having a real tree. After our second year and a rough time with our real tree hubs finally agreed to a fake tree. Hallelujah!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

Although my hubs didn't propose on Christmas, he did propose on December 17, 2009, which to me is close enough to be classified as a pretty great Christmas gift.

(My dad got this ornament made and it gave it to us on the night of our engagement. On the bottom it has the date of our engagement!)

 

14. What's the most important thing about Christmas to you?

Of course I love the gifts and the hustle and bustle. But more than anything I love the time with family and the reason that my time with family is so enjoyable. I love being able to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect upon the impact this had on my life and the world around me. I truly believe that it is because of Christ that my family is what it is today. So, Christmas to me is a great time to love and cherish those around me and be thankful for all that Lord has blessed me with.

 

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Pumpkin roll.

(Although this isn't my favorite dessert, I do love baking and decorating Christmas cookies each day)

 

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Oops...I answered this above in #9.

 

17. What do you put on top of your tree?

A big sparkly star.

 

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

As much as I love receiving I love giving even more. I love buying for other people and seeing them open my gifts.

 

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Coy and I just had this discussion recently. I LOVE Christmas music...but if I had to pick one it would be O Holy Night.

 

20. Candy canes - yucky or yummy?

Yummy - but preferably the cherry or Starburst ones.

 

21. Favorite Christmas movie(s)?

Ohhh another tough one because I love soooo many. I really love White Christmas though.

 

22. What do you leave for Santa?

As a child I would leave Santa cookies and milk. I just told hubs the other day that I still wished we did this. Maybe one day if we have children it will be acceptable once more.

 

23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

On Christmas morning hubby and I wake up, he goes and lights a fire and I start getting coffee and breakfast ready (so it can bake while we open gifts). We then read the Christmas story, followed by gifts, followed by 'yummy breakfast casserole'. Growing up my family always had coffee cake on Christmas morning and Coy's family always a full blown breakfast with eggs, bacon, etc. When we got married we chose a new breakfast tradition for the two of us.

 

24. Do you prefer to shop online or at the mall?

I prefer both. My goal is to always try and get the majority of my shopping done on Black Friday. Typically whatever I have left to buy after this time is done online or in quick stops here and there.

 

25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Neither! I keep wanting to start doing cards but up until now I cannot seem to convince Coy.

Giving Thanks in 2013.

Thanksgiving 2013 did not disappoint! Although the day was jammed packed from start to finish, it was a great day.

We started the day out with the Drumstick Dash, followed by Thanksgiving with Coy's family and then Thanksgiving with my family. The day ended as my parents and two sisters and I headed out to brave the night and Black Friday shop. Even though I dreaded a night that did not include sleeping warmly in my bed, it was an extremely successful night and I didn't get tired until the last stop of the night, well day at 5:30 am. Luckily Target was our last stop of the shopping event, because after that I was useless until at least 24 hours later.

 

I hope that your Thanksgiving was as enjoyable as mine!

 

welcome the newest member of our family...

Macy Mae.

 

Although hubby was adamant after Sophie passed away that we would never be a family with two dogs again...this only lasted about two months!

Several weeks ago a coworker showed me a picture of her new dog which she had just gotten from a local breeder. The instant I saw this dog I knew that I had to have one.

A week later we visited the breeder and met our would-be-puppy and I was instantly in love.

She is one of the best birthday presents I have ever gotten and I am so happy that Coy decided to take the plunge and get her for me.  

 

And before we have a Macy photoshoot...take a moment to appreciate

the big brother posted above! He has adjusted so well to having her around...he even lets her lay beside him, gnaw on his tail, and play with his toys. 

Debuting as a purse dog in Target. 

 

30 Day of Thankfulness.

Although I try to be thankful every day of the year, let's be honest this just doesn't happen. So this November, along with a million other people, Coy and I decided to write down something each day that we are thankful for. We did this each night before we went to bed and would share what we wrote before we fell sleep.
Here are my 2013 November Thankfuls..even there is much more than 30 things!

On this day I am thankful for:

1 - My husband. Because although some of our prayers are currently answered my greatest gift and answered prayer is him.
2 - My parents, because no matter what they are always there.
3 - That no matter what the circumstances or the outcome Jesus is still King.
4 - My job. For the flexibility I have, the room I have to grow, the experiences I have gained, and the ability I have to make a small difference in the lives of others.
5 - My sisters, who are also my best friends.
6 - Our home which we prayed months for and truly feel like God's timing for this house was perfect.
7 - The crockpot. Life is so much easier with it around.
8 - Hope that only comes from the Lord.
9 - My ability to be active.
10 - Good books.
11 - My friendships and being able to pick up with friends right where we left off.
12 - That I live in America and even if I don't agree with everything in this country I am free to voice my opinions.
13 - Our small group.
14 - Carmel Brule' lattes.
15 - New opportunities and the hope of new and exciting things to come.
16 - Lazy days and DVR.
17 - True peace that I get through my relationship with the Lord.
18 - Our church, which is finally starting to feel like home.
19 - Our opportunity to vacation and visit the beach.
20 - The gift of life and the adventure that it is.
21 -
22 - Good times with good friends.
23 - Unexpected surprises.
24 - For my new pup and that she and Murphy are getting along.
25 - For God's grace and patience with me, that he allows me to grow and broaden my faith and trust in him, even after failing so many times.
26 - relaxation.
27 - The comfort that family brings.
28 - The love and constant support that I get from my sweet family and friends.
29 - Good deals and the ability to buy gifts for others.
30 - Christmas music.

Hopefully my thankfulness with continue in the months to come and

not just for the month of November.