December Daily: Day 16

Woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to pile our sweet girl and our stuff into the car to head for Greenville, SC for a flight to Florida. When we walked off of the plane onto the jet-way (this little airport reminds me of that old show "Wings" where 2 people check you in, load your bags, and everything else!) the warm sun KISSED my face, and I wanted to kiss it back! ;) It was about a 35 degree temperature difference and it was GOOD, y'all. Even Hannah Reece was so happy that she could strip her outerwear and put on her sandals! I'm a happy prego today, all decked out in my shorts and flip-flops.

And as you can see above, Nana surprised Hannah Reece with a box-full of new dress-ups for she and her cousin Kailey to enjoy. She was thrilled with this bride number! Isn't she a sight? My momma's house is bliss-the decorations, the smells... I'm home.

December Daily: Day 15

Dan made a wonderful discovery this morning...a cheap flight for Hannah Reece and I to Florida...the only catch-we'd have to leave EARLY the next day. So, I scrapped the to-do list for that day, thanked my dear husband profusely for having mercy on his pregnant wife (13 hour car-rides just don't agree with me lately!) and laundered and packed for the rest of the day.

I also finished up a few last-minute projects like these gift-card holders for Graham's teachers (see above). Good 'ol M*rtha Stew*rt provided the inspiration here. Oooh and this site has some super last-minute gift ideas if you need 'em!

Realizing today that I wouldn't have time to do the "home tour" in full this year so I took a picture of my FAVORITE spot in the house this December. I scoped out this gem of a rocking chair (on left) at our local Goodwill. Dan picked it up for me as an early birthday present! I love it and can't wait to rock our baby there. We paired it up with Dan's chair, a hand-me-down from his parents and a little side table I picked up at a consignment sale. The toss pillows came from Nester's yard sale. Threw on a (folded) table cloth and topped it with a sweet red and white gingham quilt crafted for Hannah Reece by Aunt Carrie. I don't know if you can see it, but the little nativity to the left of the lamp is made of wood and crafted by Dan's grandfather. This cozy little spot just beckons me to sit and rest during this busy season. I found the stars last year at J*Ann's on clearance...and there you have it, my favorite little nook!

*I can't figure out how to drag these pictures around on my Dad's computer, so they'll just have to hang out at the top, for now! ;)

December Daily: Days 12-14

Friends, food and fun pretty much sums up the last few days. :)

Three of Dan's buddies from high school youth group and their (adorable!) families came over to play on Saturday night. When you mix pizza, brownies, old friends and their silly kiddos you get this:
While the wives sit and eat pizza and brownies like civilized humans...see!? ;)

These are the times I look most forward to during the Christmas holidays!


Sunday was a day for rest and re-grouping...starting to think about packing for our travels, plus preparing our home and my list for the busy week ahead. We went to church in the morning, and though it was SO hard to get going because the weather was wet and cold....we would've missed out on an awesome time of worship and reflection if we'd stayed in our jammies! So we went, came home, got back into our warm jammies :) and took LONG naps.


Today, Hannah Reece and I went to a cookie decorating party with some sweet ladies from church and their little ones. Look at this lovely spread!


And my sweet girl creating one of many delicious masterpieces (she had such a good time!):


Tonight we drove to this cute little town to look at lights. Our tradition began two years ago: bundle the kiddos up in their jammies, pile into the car with hot chocolate and a snack (popcorn last year, Dunkin' donut this year) and drive around listening to Christmas music while we "ooohhh and aaaaahh" at all of the beautiful lights.

I hope to post a Christmas home tour later in the week...stay tuned! :)

December Daily: Day 11

It's c-c-cold in these parts! On a grocery run to T*rget this morning, Hannah Reece chose this extra warm hat and gloves...since she lost hers in the toilet at S*a World. :)

Spent the afternoon cookin' in the kitchen with my yummy husband, er-I mean cookin' yummy food in the kitchen with my sweet husband! He can tame my "Martha-ness" when I start to get frazzled at the last minute before company comes. I am so thankful for him. In fact, my busy-body self was so tamed, that I actually left all of the dirty dishes out for later (the next morning!) so that I could sit and enjoy the wonderful company!

And though I do wish I had pictures of the spread, even better-I have a sweet pic of our beautiful friend and her new baby girl, who I couldn't resist photographing with her little yawns and smiles. Dan met her husband several years ago at seminary, and she and I connected through MOPS at the church we attend...and connected the dots that our husbands were already friends! We are grateful for provisions of friendship during this season of change and transition.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time." Proverbs 17:17

December Daily: Day 10

In Graham's words when he walked in the door from school, "Cookies!!!!"

Today was no work and all play. :) MOPS cookie exchange...Dan's last day of class until the new year...the kids and I read Christmas books and played our favorite game until it was time for bed. It's a wonder they even went to sleep with all the taste testin' we did this evening!

December Daily: Day 9

*sigh* Christmas cards are in the mail....the last "major" project on my list of Christmas to-do's.

My mom brought a huge bag of pink grapefruit when they visited for Thanksgiving...so many that I'm still enjoying that sweet 'n sour juicy Florida bliss for my morning snack.

And while we're on pink happiness...it has been SO cold at night, and I'm outgrowing my jammies! So off to Goodwill I went...$1.99 for these fuzzy sweater jammie pants, y'all! I love how they're extra long and drape around my feet like a comfy house robe. A good thrift store bargain makes my day.

Made some cookies today...Hello Dolly's...layers of graham cracker, chocolate chips, coconut, pecans, topped with sweetened condensed milk. I promise, it's gooey goodness! I'll post a picture on day 10 of my MOPS cookie exchange haul. That is, if there's anything left on the plate to photograph. ;)

December Daily: Day 8

We are worn out. Graham went back to school this morning, and the rest of us...

Hannah Reece continues to enjoy our basket full of Christmas books. Today, I found her reading a book about Santa Claus to her baby doll. My late grandma made this Cinderella doll, on one side it's the "princess" Cinderella, with a shiny satin dress-when you flip her over, she becomes "maiden" Cinderella in her rags. This image warms my heart. So many of my Christmas memories as a child revolved around spending Christmas in southern Indiana with our extended family at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma had some type of decoration or light in every nook and cranny of that house. It was a wonderful place! I miss her smile, her laugh, her attention to detail and the special way she tenderly doted on us grandkids. Precious, precious memories that flood my heart this time of year.