Christmas Tree # 2

The Christmas Tree in our sitting area/living room is a Santa Clause inspired tree. Last year, Annie helped me decorated it with several different colored glittered balls. This year, I did the same and added touches of Santa. I love that Benjamin believes in Santa. He is so excited about Christmas. So...I fixed up this tree just for "Santa". Perhaps, we will leave his milk and cookies on the table, beside this tree. I still have a few more trees to show....check back! I *heart* Christmas Trees! I hope you are enjoying your Christmas Tree.

Our Santa, who sits on the tree.

I found this sign at a local shop, last year.


These are the ball ornaments that inspired me.

My Mom passed these on to me.

I added several of this Jingle Bells. So Cute!

The Nesting Place is hosting a Christmas Garland "Show and Tell". I am "showing" my kitchen garland. I love the bubble lights. Somthing about these great lights--reminds me of my grandparents. In years past, I have hung these lights on our tree. This year, I simply attached them to this garland and added the red beaded garland. There are so many talented ladies who have posted pictures. Go and check it out here. Hope you enjoy!

The Christmas Trees

Our Christmas Trees are up and decorated! I am so happy. I feel like the season has arrived at our house. The trees are my favorite part of the Christmas Season. I would totally leave them up all year...only if that was appropriate, of course. It is our traditional tree which is filled with ornaments from vacations, handmade treasures, and gifts from friends. It is standing in our foyer. I love weird and eclectic ornaments. I took a few pictures of some of my favorites. Check back to see our other trees. Hope you enjoy!

View from the front door.

The lights.

View of the top.

I love this frog...he is carrying his letter to Santa. I just think he is so funny.

I really like this one. My mom gave it me, for my birthday.

I love the little white church.

Isn't this adorable. My friend, Collen, gave this me when Allen and I announced our engagement. What girl doesn't want a huge diamond ring?!


I bought this at a craft fair, a few years ago.
I love the simplicty of this sweet nativity.

Such a sweet little reindeer! Benjamin made him, last year. I hope I can always hang this on our tree. It is his first handmade ornament.

I love this funny fish. Allen and I bought it at a gift shop in Hawaii.

It's a Parade...

Allen agreed to drive one of our local pageant queens in the Christmas parade. And....Benjamin got to help drive. He was so excited. Afterwards, they called me as they were driving home. I asked Benjamin if he threw candy to the kids. He was quick to inform me that he didn't have time because he was driving.

"Daddy, are you ready?"

Yes, Papa....he rode in the car with his booster seat.
They stayed on the side streets....I promise!

On their way....

Here comes the Christmas Season....

Ready for Christmas can be exhausting! The week has been so busy, at our house, as we get ready for the Holiday Season. Here comes the Christmas season....ready or not.

• Friday, we took down the outdoor fall decor and began the Christmas decorating.
• Saturday, we attended a baptism for Baby Marc, the son of my friend, Rebecca.


• Saturday Afternoon, I helped host, at my friend, Annie's house. Annie's home was featured on our local Christmas tour of homes.


• Monday Evening, we helped decorate our church for Christmas.


• I can't even remember Tuesday and Wednesday .


• Tonight, we had our family holiday pictures taken.


• Tomorrow Evening, we are attending Allen's office Christmas Party.


• Saturday Morning, we will participate Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Evaluations. Our church sponsors our local league. We really enjoy the season.


• Saturday Afternoon and Evening--Allen is driving in two different Christmas Parades.
  

Is this really just the first week of the Christmas season?! And I have only purchased a few Christmas gifts. I still need to wrap all the gifts, address and send our Christmas cards, bake cookies with Benjamin as promised, attend all the other upcoming events, finish decorating the trees....and in the midst of all the chaos...remember the real reason for the season.

"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."
Luke 1:31 (NIV)

A few Pictures

Just a few pictures of Thanksgiving Day... Benjamin at Lunch.
Benjamin and JP at Lunch. JP, along with his parents, Ricky and Megan joined us for lunch.
We are very thankful to know them.

Hailey, my neice.

Benjamin and Georgia-Kate.

Georgia-Kate is 9 months old.

Georgia-Kate is 9 months old, today. She is so sweet. She laughs easily and is babbles a lot. Georgia-Kate isn't crawling yet. But, she always finds a way to travel where she wants to go. She loves music. She went to the doctor, today, for her 9th month check-up. She weighs 15.5 lbs and is 28 1/2 inches long.

Happy "9 months", sweet girl!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My friend, Kathryn, posted a sweet little picture of her son dressed as a Pilgrim to celebrate the holiday. Just a few days ago, Benjamin came home from church as a Thanksgiving Indian. So to continue to the celebration of our country's history....I thought I would add the picture of our "wild" little Indian.

Happy Thanksgiving~May we all remember we are blessed to live in this country.

Simply Yours

I love my new blog design by Hilary at Simply Yours. Hilary is very professional. She has a great personality. She listened to my ideas and was very helpful. She created a perfect design for me. Check out her website!

Happy Birthday DAD!

Today is my Dad's Birthday! I adore my Dad. If you have read my blog much...you know how I feel about him. I am thankful for the way he and our mom raised us.

Here are just a few things he taught us and still accomplishes in his own life:

• to be thankful


• to be respectful


• to be giving


• to love others


• to think, before we speak


• to work hard


• to love the Lord and serve in our church

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!

Mom & Dad


Dad with Georgia-Kate

Dad & and I


Mom, Dad & Benjamin

My first Award!

The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites that:~ inspire you ~ makes you smile and laugh ~ gives amazing information ~ is a great read ~ has an amazing design ~ and/or any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

Wow! Thank you to a great lady over at Nette's Niche for sending this award my way. Her blog is adorable...check it out. Thank you, Nette! I know it may seem kinda of silly, but this sweet gesture--made my day!

The rules of this award are:

• Put the logo on your blog or post.
  
• Nominate at least 5 blogs that for you are Uber Amazing!
  
• Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
  
• Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Okay, I am passing on this award to these blogs:

Aimee

Kathryn

Erica

Shannon

Coco

I enjoy reading each of these blogs for different reasons. But, all of them--make me smile and inspire me. Check them out!

Thankful on a Thursday.

Today, I am thankful for Allen. Allen and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary, in October. I am thankful that God allowed me to be the lucky girl, who married Allen.

Here are just a few reason I am thankful:

• Hard worker: Allen works hard at the office and he is a huge help to me, at home. He is always willing to give Benjamin or Georgia-Kate a bath, change a diaper or empty the dishwasher. Some mornings, he cleans the kitchen before he leaves for work.
• Patient: Allen is slow to anger and very patient. I am a little bit high strung, (okay a lot high strung). Allen does help calm me.
• Humble: He is probably embarrassed by this post.
• Fun: Allen enjoys life. He has a good sense of humor and likes to laugh.
• Kind: He is friendly, and nice to all.
• Messy: Allen is a messy and is a total pack rat. I just try not to look behind the closet door!
• Smart: Allen is very smart.
• Supportive: He listens to me ramble about things...I am sure he could not care less about. I feel important, even if he is just pretending to care. He even laughs at my jokes.

These are just a few of the reasons that make me thankful for Allen. Why are you thankful, today?

Christmas Card Giveaway

Wow! Okay, I am so addicted to these blog giveaways.
Skip to My Lou is giving away a digital personalized Christmas Card file. Wouldn't that be an easy solution to my yearly card decision. I spend weeks--trying to make a decision. Anyway, check it out! Maybe I will win.....

12 Days of Junkie

Tip Junkie is hosting the Mom-Preneur Shopathon. Check it out! So many different sites with great christmas buys. What a idea to support other moms this Holiday season. It is one way we can all help each other.In order to promote the Mom-Preneur Shopathon, Tip Junkie is doing a 12 day giveaway. Each day for the next 12 days, she will be giving gifts to 2 lucky winners.

So go on over to her site, you've got to see all these neat stores.

Happy Holidays!
Don't miss out on this fun give away at Tip Junkie.

Sweet Boy.

Tonight as I tucked Benjamin into bed he hugged me and said "Thank you for being my best friend." If he said that to me very often....he could get away with lots of stuff. I love that little boy!

A new favorite thing

I have been looking for pillows for our family room, for several months. I wanted some pillows that I really liked. I bought some and they were okay....but I was just still looking for the right pattern and texture. While grocery shopping, I bumped into these pillows from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Wal-Mart. And I really like them. So, don't forget to check out the new Better Homes & Garden line at Wal-Mart.

GO VOTE!

GO VOTE!

I took Benjamin to the voting table with me along with my ballot. He kept announcing to the full room of our fellow citizens..."I want to vote for Bryan!" "Mama, did we vote for Bryan and John DaCain (aka McCain)?"

Yes, we voted for our dear friend and Arkansas State Representative, Bryan King. Good Luck, Bryan.

Razorback Football

Saturday, We took Georgia-Kate to her 1st Razorback Football game. We had a great time. We were able to take the kids thanks to our gracious gameday neighbors, John and Joyce Bland. They sit next to us and were not able to make the game. They gave their tickets to Benjamin and Georgia-Kate. It was a beautiful day. Thanks John and Joyce!

Followers?

Okay...so I added the "Followers" (see sidebar) link to my blog...now you can follow my blog. If you want to?!