Chill Pill

Christmas is just around the corner and I can't wait! I feel like it snuck up on me this year. I'm behind on family gifts...I do apologize :)

 

 

I tried to run errands today, but I didn't get around to all of them. Zipping three little ones in and out of stores is an accomplishment, even when it ends in a fit and when I say "ends in a fit," I'm not talking about our 5 year old...our 3 year old...or our one year old...Mama had one today. It didn't really have anything to do with the kids at all. They were getting compliment after compliment from the store workers (makes a Mama proud). My hands just felt full today. There were about a million people out today and they all were exhibiting their best driving skills, and everywhere you looked were glistening breakables dangling on the isles, screaming break me, break me. Made me a nervous wreck. Ha!

 

On my way home, I turned up the Christmas tunes and in between songs, a lady started talking about the end of the world tomorrow chatter and she said, "If today was your last day, how would you spend it?" Wow. My answer came so quickly and was the very opposite of what I had spent the last hour and a half doing. So now I'm home...Ahhh...I spoke with the honey, my dear sweet friend, and am soaking up my children. They're my little loves and they're just perfect in every way. It's been a good day.

 

This year will be a quiet Christmas for us, which is just how we like it. Well, as quiet as it can get with three little ones bouncing around with screeching happiness :)

 

 

I found this really neat post titled, The Hush Among the Hustle, from Candace Cameron Bure (AKA: DJ) and I'm thinking of doing this...

 

 

And I pray that you, bring rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Science

A few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine mentioned how amazing this book was...

 

 

It seemed familiar, like I had seen it before... I figured I had seen it online somewhere, but when I went through all the homeschool story books we had purchased through Sonlight's preschool curriculum, I was happily surprised to see this book already on my shelf!

 

This was a super interesting book with lots and lots of cool pictures, facts, and math. It was also not too long and not too short, so it was able to successfully hold everyone's attention. It's definitely not a Christian science book, but the end of the book leaves things open for some really neat discussion opportunities, even for my little guys.

Afterwards, we did this art project and talked about how God is BIGGER! I think this will be read again and again.

 



Dancing In The Mine Fields

I think one of the most important gifts we can give our children is for them to see you and your spouse making each other a priority. Every single day. It brings them a sense of stability, comfort, and love. Love that radiates from the parents on to them. It's a beautiful thing, when you think about it. Our children were created in love and for them to remain in complete love within the home, it needs to remain in us, the parents. We have the greatest responsibility to show them Christ's unconditional love.

 

 

When you add in the craziness of life... work... extra commitments... children... It becomes so easy to forget the importance of making our spouse a priority. The marriages that you hear about falling apart when they become empty nesters totally make sense... they had their priorities somewhere else for all those child-rearing years and one day they woke up with a roommate. I know none of us stand at the alter, bearing our souls to the one our heart desires, yearning for them to be our roommate. Of course not! We yearn for them to be our priority, our best friend, our love. What a treasured, delicate relationship marriage is. It must be nurtured and cared for daily.

 

 

 

I think that is why my trip away with honey to Florida was so important to me. To us. It was our way of showing our little children that mommy and daddy love each other so much that we desire to spend time alone together. It's not only for us, but for them as well.

 

 

Do you need to take a vacation alone together every year? No. Would it be nice? Do I even have to answer that? :) Though you may not be able to have a destination getaway every year or ever, it is possible to spend quality time alone together to nurture that relationship. Sometimes it requires creativity,locked doors,strict bedtimes, and good friends who will take your children for you, but it is totally do-able.

 

What will we do today to show your children where our priorities lie?

 

For the past couple of days, I just couldn't get into the blog writing mood. And yesterday...it just didn't feel right. Talking about my planned Christmas post seemed disrespectful. What words can be said? Today my heart is heavy and my children will be held tight.


Gun control?...


Can I get a hell yeah?


I felt comfort in Linsey's post, Hope for a Heavy Heart, from LLH Designs.

 

 

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Isaiah 9:2

Happy

My son and I just happen to have birthdays just two days apart. Whenever my birthday approaches, instead of thinking about getting older, I start thinking about going into labor with him...all the excitement leading up to his birth...it's always so fresh in my mind. Such sweet memories (except for all that excruciating pain and vomiting).

 

Crockett turned five this year. Yes, five. I think that's the official big age, don't you think- when you reach a full hand. When I look at him, I can still see that baby. It's gone by in a blink and I'm hanging on tight to those little boy moments he has. Just for a little longer :)

He had a small birthday celebration this past weekend. He's been planning his George Washington-themed birthday party for nearly a year now. I hope it was everything he had imagined!

 

 

Wonder what it will be next year?...



~Linking up to Savy Southern Style~

Flo Rida

 

 

Last week the honey and I went to St. Petersburg, Florida. He had a two day meeting, so I tagged along and we extended our trip so we could make it a mini vacation. It was so much fun and exactly what I needed!

Our second full day there, I woke up, had coffee all by myself on our balcony, while I sat silent, listening to the waves crash onto the shore. What a breakfast!

 

It felt weird, at first, the honey being in all day meetings... me... all by myself... However, it didn't take me long to get use to it. If you can't tell :)

 

I turned 29 last Friday, so I treated myself, a little, while I was there. Of course. I got a massage, a facial, a manicure, and a pedicure.

 

It was totally over the top, I know, but in my real life, I promise you, fancy is replaced with all things mommy. Like, right now, I'm sitting in my jammies, robe... my hair's up in curlers, and I've yet to put in my contacts. It was nice to splurge for my 29th. But I realized when you tell people that you're 29, they think you're lying. Next year I will be lying.

 

The last full day we were there, was so much fun. We went paddle boarding, which was a blast! I totally recommend it!

 

 

We also went on a dolphin cruise, which may sound corny, but ended up being a really neat experience. I may have been the most excited person on the boat.

 

 

Plus, the boat took us to a tiny little island where we were able to get out in the water and play and hunt for seashells.

 

 

 

We had a blast!

 

More about the trip to come :)

Christmassy

 

I thought I would share a few pictures of my house decorated for Christmas...

I'm in love with this wreath I found at Trader Joe's! It makes me happy.

Each year I try to get one new Christmas thing. This year I purchased burlap ribbon from Ballard Designs to drape on the tree and I love it!

Ho Ho Ho!

 

 

The mantle is always something I struggle decorating...I hear that a lot, so that helps. I pinterest the crap out of mantles, but I'm never able to execute the stunning ones I see. I have some topiaries and a big family photo...that's about it. It needs something, but for this season, twinkle lights, berries, and Santa will do just fine :)

 

My mom gave me this nativity scene for Christmas when Tim and I were engaged. It's so special!

 

 

It was given to her by her aunt and I always remember it being displayed at Christmas. So delicate... I also remember playing with it. My kids do not get to do that :) They have their plastic little people nativity scene for that.

 

As my boys are older, and we're doing homeschool, I've had the wonderful opportunity to devote the month of December to learning about the birth and life of Jesus and what it means for us. I would love to commit to doing more advent activites next year. We still have fun with Santa and Dobby (our elf), in fact, I think Tim and I have just as much fun as the kids. It's been a neat experience to circle it back around to Jesus every day. Something I should be doing every day of the year, right?

Back in the saddle again

After a much needed break, things will be getting back to normal around here this next week and I have a slew of things to talk about! I can't wait! I feel like I have some traction and can really dive into the blog and I'm super excited.

Stay tuned!

For now....I'm going to relax some more :) I hope you're doing the same this Saturday!