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.

December Daily: Days 4-7

What a weekend. Even in the cold and rain, when you get 9 little kin-folks together at a theme park...there's fun to be had! Donned in our plastic ponchos and layers, we did Sea World. It feels good to be home...and I'm tired.

This post ministered to me tonight. This statement really struck a chord:

"Why is it so easy to forget that Jesus is our Emmanuel, the God who is with us? When life is loud, He is in the midst, and ever-so-softly, He calls to us to run to Him for patience and peace, for direction and strength, for deliverance from our own brokenness."

Jesus, Emmanuel, God who is with us...comforts my weary heart and body!

Without further ado, here's a little taste of the weekend in photos and stories. It did pour down rain at Sea World, so the only pics I have were taken at the hotel during fun and the gift exchange. Fun times together...

Graham getting a whoopin' from his Uncle Matt...
Cousins excited to exchange gifts with each other...
The whole gang!

I just have to tell you this story...and those of you who know me well will get a good laugh!

On one of many potty stops (mostly initiated by my big pregnant self!) Hannah Reece accidentally dropped her sock-cap in the public potty there at Sea World. She cried pitifully and was just devastated...I almost fished it out...what is WRONG with me?? I can no longer call myself a germ-o-phobe, I think I've officially OVERCOME! ;) I came running out and said "Dan, the hat is in the toilet, should I get it? He looked at me like I was positively insane and said "NO-OOO!"

Grandma and Grandpa read this story to the kiddos on Friday night and presented them with a little bell, just like the one in the story. Then, they marched down the hotel halls together tucking each child into bed. This was a highlight for Graham and Hannah Reece.
Oh, this totally cracks me up. We dropped Miss Charly off a the doggie camp in Orlando and this is what they presented to us when we picked her up:
The kids just were so tickled about this photo! They are so proud that their puppy got to meet Santa. ;)

Tonight, we read Luke 2: 8-10 as a family and lit the "love" candle. I loved how Dan described the shephards visit to worship Jesus in the stable like "a party in the stable"....a birthday party for Jesus! :) This passage in verse 19 stood out to me tonight:

"But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over."

Even Mary, mother of Emmanuel, God with us...treasured these amazing, holy, precious, moments with her son...God's Son.