Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!!!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing!
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.


Merry Christmas! 

Friday, December 21, 2012

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

We have been doing a lot of celebrating the season over the past few days. I absolutely love it. Being festive is a hobby of mine, I think.  As we all know, patience is simply not my virtue. I think that I only matured to the equivalent of a 5 year old in the "wait on the surprise" area. With that being said, Bubba and I have already had our Christmas exchange. Partially due to travel plans, but mostly due to my 10 day nagging and begging fest. I am not proud, however I am certainly happy it paid off! 



We did small, fun Christmas this year. Mainly because we did exciting things like buy a deep freeze and car insurance. Oh adulthood how you be so awesome. Anyway. Bubba's big gift was a game that he wanted and some soft pants and some books. He got me a cute shirt and sweater as my small gifts. My big gift was this....

Yes. An Umbrella and a Spoon and Sugar.

It was more of a clue than a present.  Turns out it was an umbrella and a "spoonful of sugar." We are going to see Mary Poppins in Memphis in a few months! I am SO excited!! Mary Poppins is my absolute most favorite movie of all time. I love love love it. I cannot wait!

Mary Poppins Broadway Poster

The Pups also got presents because I am crazy like that. Gunnar and Gertie got a candy cane bone, tennis balls, and new stuffed toys to destroy and leave white fuzz ALL over the place. This hasn't happened yet. I am just coming to terms with my future.

Loves her bone more than life itself.

We have also done a good bit of Christmas movie watching, going to look at all the pretty Christmas lights, and baking. I made Christmas Bark for some neighbors, co-workers, and friends. It was a huge success! So easy and so yummy! I used this recipe.  Seriously the easiest thing I have ever made. This is a terrible picture, but it tasted lovely.



Lastly, we have just been hanging out with good friends, who are kinda the same as family. And that is truly our greatest blessing. Last night we went to dinner to celebrate life and Will's new JOB!!!!!!! and ate and laughed and cried (well, just Whit) and laughed because Whitney was crying :).  I can't wait to celebrate this week with our families. This week has been a pretty great pre-game warm-up! 

Will finally got his facial hair he always wanted!

This month has been a great one! I cannot wait for it to finish out strong. The best is yet to come.

The best being this baby girl! Caroline, I am coming for you!!!

Oh. And it is worth mentioning... I have been married to this guy for 7 months. Best 7 months to date!

Such a softy
Have a Merry Christmas!!

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6



Monday, December 17, 2012

When Darkness seems to hide His face

I like everyone in America am so saddened by terrible events that happened on Friday. I obviously don't have children, but I am an aunt, friend, babysitter, and human, and I think every single one of those titles made me feel such a depth of sadness for all of those families.  That whole community is experiencing such a loss and tragedy that I pray wholeheartedly never comes near my family or anyone that I love.  I cannot go on Facebook or Yahoo or watch the news without tears welling up in my eyes and getting a huge lump in my throat. This is a time of year that joy is supposed to abound. I do not understand this.

Yet, in all of this sadness, I do have hope and peace. In church on Sunday, I was reminded of the peace and hope and yes even joy in the midst of sadness and pain that my Savior brings. I couldn't help, but cry. Some of my tears were shed for all those families that are affected, but some were tears of gratitude that I worship a Savior who is Lord of all.  I do not understand how or why that terrible thing happened, other than the fact that we live in a fallen and broken world. But, in all of that I know that death has been defeated.



"Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power."  
1 Corinthians 15:54-56
I think that this truth is all that I can focus on because all the other what ifs and whys are simply too complex for me to comprehend.  I think in some ways that the best thing we can do to honor all of those children who lost their lives in a terrible way is to reach deep down and find our childlike faith. And trust that although darkness is out there and evil exists and terrible things have happened that we have a God who is bigger and stronger.  I hope and pray that all those families find peace and comfort. I hope that they know that their sweet babies are with a loving Savior who has defeated their death.

We sang this at church yesterday. I have always loved the hymn that these words come from, but for some reason yesterday it said what my heart was feeling.

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all

When Darkness seems to hide His face 

I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil


I pray that this week and into Christmas, we don't allow Darkness to hide His face. Peace and Joy to you this week. I hope that you all have a great week filled with all the Christmas goodness you can muster.  We did find time this weekend to have a Christmas date with three of our favorite girls.

Carriage ride with her Bubba. Love that girl.
For that, I am very thankful.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Pancake Pajama Palooza

Nothing says Christmas like friends coming over for pancakes in their pajamas.  We had our 2nd Annual Pancake Pajama Palooza on Wednesday, and it was so much fun! We love all our friends and this was such a fun time to get together and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

This tradition will definitely be one that sticks around for years to come. Or as I said to Bubba, "I want to eat pancakes in my pajamas until I die." And while that does sound appealing, I think I was dramatically trying to say that this tradition should stick around for a long time. But who knows, I may eat pancakes from here on out. Only time will truly tell.





Please note that A needed high heels to accessorize

Pancakes clearly are lonely without a big ole ham
Until next year, Happy Pancake Pajama Palooza!!


Monday, December 10, 2012

Weekend Wrap-Up---Bubba Goes Hunting Edition

This past week/weekend Bubba hit the road to Kansas for a little Father/Son bonding trip to pheasant hunt in Kansas. He went with his dad and two of his dad's friends and their sons. They killed a million birds (or a little over a 100) and had a blast. So I am told. Bubba told me that this is one of his favorite things he has ever done. I am so happy he got to have a mini-vacation to do manly hunting things. 

The hunting crew.

While Bubba was hunting, the dogs and I had a very low-key weekend. My mom came over on Friday night and we did some Christmas shopping. I am almost done! This is a huge, huge improvement considering last year I began shopping on the 22nd and the year before on the 24th. I don't know. It's like Christmas sneaks up on me and I never know when it is....even though it comes on the 25th every year. I'm a smart one. 

Saturday morning I met Rebecca and the Girls to see Santa and eat breakfast. It was so fun! The Girls looked adorable and aside from Little Bit discovering that Santa is TERRIFYING everyone had a great time!

Just a little donut love on her face. Saving it for later.

Recovering from Santa
My mom and I shopped the rest of the day, and then I wrapped all our presents.  Saturday night I went back over to Rebecca's for dinner.  We ate Mexican and had the best time visiting. I am so happy/blessed to have fun family live about 5 minutes away.

Sunday, we spent time gearing up for this week of fun! There are many great Christmas parties and fun things coming up.  I love this most wonderful time of the year!!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Do you see what I see?

Christmas is officially here. Our cheer has arrived, and I love it. I figure that since this is my first big girl married Christmas I should document how the house looks. I really do love Christmastime so much and love all the fun and sentiment that comes along with it. Celebrating our Savior's birth is both so humbling and so joyous. This whole season truly sparks something inside me (and hopefully all of us) that makes my heart simply glad.

I also realize at Christmas that since I am not naturally sentimental I have to work really hard on remembering to make things tradition. Then I realize that's sad. I wish I had a heart. Maybe I will be like the Grinch and my heart will grow three sizes. Traditions will be made!

Now, a commentary on the decor. I unfortunately take after my Daddy and love all things bright and gaudy at Christmas. I couldn't simply inherit my mother's love of white lights and silver and gold. No. Give me color or give me death. Preferably Griswald status.

Enough talk. Let's have some pictures.