2010 Christmas Cards

I always love helping my sister get her Christmas cards ready to send each year. We had a great time today trying to capture that perfect image to place on their cards. Thanks Shutterfly for offering such an extensive collection of cards for all occassions! Below is the final result:

Giggles And Grins Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Sunday Song: Grace

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Being Thankful: Day Ten

Day Ten - Today I am thankful for all the "little" things in life I take for granted on a daily basis. Things like food, clothing, transportation, running water... How many people don't have these things? I am so blessed in my life and as I get older I take more time to reflect and be thankful.

Being Thankful: Day Nine

Day Nine - Today I am thankful that I live in the USA and have the freedoms I do. How often do we take for granted where we live? I am thankful that I can attend church and worship with other believers, and that I don't have to hide my faith. I am thankful for those men and women who are serving our country during this holiday season so that I can be with my family.

Being Thankful: Day Eight

Day Eight - I am thankful today for my home. It is comfortable, cozy and a place of refuge for me. I am so thankful that I am able to provide myself with housing and have a place to make memories with my family.

Being Thankful: Day Seven

Day Seven - Today I am thankful for my health. I have several close friends who are facing illness or have a family member who is ill. I am guilty of taking my own health and well-being for granted.

Sunday Song: Starry Night

Being Thankful: Day Six

** I scheduled these to post each day this past week because I knew it was gonna be a hectic week! In the chaos I call life, I scheduled them to all post in 2011. Day two through six will post over the course of today so that tomorrow's post will be right on time! Oops!

Day Six - I am so thankful for my job. Not a day goes by that I don't count my blessings for working at a school and for all the wonderful faculty and staff members that are apart of my extended family. We have amazing students and families that I get to work with each year and my job as development and marketing director allows me to be involved with all aspects of our school life. I love going to work everyday!

Being Thankful: Day Five

** I scheduled these to post each day this past week because I knew it was gonna be a hectic week! In the chaos I call life, I scheduled them to all post in 2011. Day two through six will post over the course of today so that tomorrow's post will be right on time! Oops!

Day Five - Today I am thankful for my nephews - Connor and Cooper! Growing up as a little girl, I had a special bond with my Aunt Celia and I never understood how she could love me so much. Now I know the special love an aunt has with her nieces or nephews.

Connor

• Is now four years old and still gets excited when I drive-up
• Lovingly named me Aunt P and it stuck!
• Love that he always has to give me a hug and a kiss when I leave
• Before we hang up on the phone he says "I love you - Bye!"
• Always need a "prize" when I am coming to visit
• Has one of the most tender hearts
• Loves Jesus!

Cooper

• Is now twenty months old and now gets excited when I drive-up
• Can now say "P" and cries for me (drives my sister crazy!)
• Is learning to give "sugar" when I leave
• Loves to snuggle when it is bedtime
• Loves to dance
• Shares his crackers and juice with me
• Is in love with "the mouse" (Mickey Mouse) and "Melmo" (Elmo)

Being Thankful: Day Four

** I scheduled these to post each day this past week because I knew it was gonna be a hectic week! In the chaos I call life, I scheduled them to all post in 2011. Day two through six will post over the course of today so that tomorrow's post will be right on time! Oops!

Day Four - Today I am thankful for my grandparents. My life has been influenced by the love of my Papaw, Granddick, Mamaw, Papa and Grandma. I lost my Papaw and Granddick during my sophomore year of college, a week apart, but was so lucky to have had them in my life for so long.

My Mamaw is my prayer warrior! Her knees have to be calloused for all the times she has knelt in prayer for her family. She is one of the strongest women I know and is so giving. I learned compassion and service to others because of her example during my childhood. She is a breast cancer survivor and my hero!

My Grandma and Papa have been married for almost 60 years! I share a very special bond with them as their first grandchild. Growing up, I spent most Friday nights and Saturdays with them. My grandmother and I shared every Thursday together when I was a little girl and that was our "girl time." They have always been there for me and have been my biggest cheerleader throughout my life. I am thankful for their example of love, marriage and family.

Being Thankful: Day Three

** I scheduled these to post each day this past week because I knew it was gonna be a hectic week! In the chaos I call life, I scheduled them to all post in 2011. Day two through six will post over the course of today so that tomorrow's post will be right on time! Oops!

Day Three - I am thankful today for my sister - my confidant, best friend and partner in crime! Wow at all the great memories I have of sharing my life with my sister. I am so thankful for her husband and two great boys, and that she is raising her family in the same way we were.

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." ~Clara Ortega

Being Thankful: Day Two

** I scheduled these to post each day this past week because I knew it was gonna be a hectic week! In the chaos I call life, I scheduled them to all post in 2011. Day two through six will post over the course of today so that tomorrow's post will be right on time! Oops!

Day Two - Today I am thankful for my parents. They are two of the most giving, unselfish, hardworking people I know. They raised my sister and I to be God-fearing, independent young women who could achieve anything we set our minds too. Their marriage of 36 years has been a shining example of marriage and love between two people. As I grow older I seek their counsel and friendship in all areas of my life, and realize that they were always right! I love watching them in their new role of Nana and Pop with my nephews!

"The love of a family is life's greatest blessing."

Being Thankful: Day One

With ten days left until Thanksgiving, I thought I would post over the next few days ten things I am thankful for. I hope you will visit each day! (Sorry this one is so late... I hope to get the other days posted earlier.)

Day One - I am so thankful for the love of the Lord, and that a sinner like me is saved by his grace. I love that his mercies are new everyday, not just when he feels like it. I am so thankful for my relationship and personal walk with the Lord. I am truly nothing without him.

I ask you how many times will you pick me up,

When I keep on letting you down?

And each time I will fall of your glory,

How far will forgiveness abound?

And you answer, "My child, I love you.

And as long as you're seeking my face,

You'll walk in the power of my daily sufficient grace."

Sunday Song: My Redeemer Lives

Saturday Hodge Podge

• Christmas is only six weeks away and I don't know about you, but I always feel like this time of the year flies by! I have all but two gifts left on my list to get. I know, I know... I am one of those people. But with everything I have on my calendar the next six weeks I had to make myself get the shopping done. Have you started your shopping? If not, here are a few of my favorite shops and sites to inspire you:

Doodle Bugs Paper - Lacey has some of the cutest personalized stationary items I've ever seen. I love stationary and my family gives me a hard time because I have so much. Go check out all the Christmas items, kitchen items, teacher goodies, and all the other fun stuff she has!

Photo Credit

Say Your Piece - This is one of my favorite Etsy shops. All the ceramic pieces are handmade, and can be customized and personalized by Eileen. I ordered all the women in my family a mini monogram bowl for stocking stuffers this year. I love the Cookies for Santa plate, the Snowman and Snowflake ornament and the Little Angel ornament.

Cutie-Patooties - I have a round initial ceramic pendant necklace and get so many compliments on it! The ceramic crosses, wine stoppers, or any of the other pendant necklaces would make a great gift for Christmas!

Photo Credit

Designs by Jessie - I discovered this cute shop and ordered one of the CD visors as a sweet 16 birthday present! It was adorable. Jessie also has iPhone pockets, camera straps and notebook covers among other things in her shop.

Photo Credit

Vera Bradley - Vera Bradley online has been having some great sales lately! All the girls in my family have a pattern and we love to get new pieces. I have been so lucky this year that both my sister and grandmother's patterns have been on sale. There current offer is an additional 30% off already reduced prices in the sale section - plus - free shipping on online order of $100 or more. But hurry... The sale ends Sunday!

Pandora - I love my Pandora bracelet! It is so much fun to add charms on special occasions. They just opened a store in our area and I have a long wish list for Christmas.

• We don't exchange gifts in our office but I do enjoy taking a small gift to all of our office help. I am so blessed to work with an amazing group of people and just want to let them know how much I appreciate them. I think this year I am going to try make Chocolate Chip Shortbread. Do you make baked goods as gifts? What is your favorite recipe? Share in the comments below and I will be sure to post all the ideas on my recipe blog.

• I have a to-do list a mile long to try and get done before Monday. Thank goodness my Bama boys don't kick-off until 6:15 PM. Getting an early start this morning! Roll Tide Roll!

• Don't forget to go enter my giveaway! You have until Friday, November 19th. I am giving away a package full of my favorite things.

A Prayer

Heavenly father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Amen.

Happy Veterans Day!

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!
This video was shared with our students at our annual Veterans Day program. Support our troops and thank a Veteran today who gave you your freedom! We are blessed to be Americans... each and every day we are blessed.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! {and a GIVEAWAY!}

Ever just have one of those days...?? Did you answer yes...?? Oh good! I don't want to be the only one who wishes the day would end and tomorrow would start.

It was an absolutely crazy day! I don't feel like I got anything done I needed to, yet I didn't sit down for more than 5 minutes. I started out by waking up late and being a few minutes late to the office, which totally throws me off, and then it was chaos and craziness from there. When 4:00 pm came I thought "on to church for a fun night with my three-year-olds." Had I been able to check my personal e-mail today I would have read that my co-teachers were both going to be out with the stomach virus and I was on my own. What?!? I didn't have a snack planned or a craft! But we survived! Here is the cute craft we made -

The turkey body is the outline of their shoe and the feathers are their hands!

So glad tomorrow is a new day and that I can start over. Tomorrow will be a better day!

On a blogging note - I just surpassed 250 followers on my blog! Wow! When I started blogging, I never dreamed people would want to read my blog. I did it for myself to journal this journey I am on in life. Thank you to all of you who read my blog!

In honor of all my followers I am going to giveaway a package full of my favorite things! (I promise there will be some cute and fun things included!) To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and say hello. Be sure to leave an email address I can reach you at if you are the winner. The giveaway will end on Friday, November 19, and the winner will be announced the next day! Good Luck!

Holiday Cards for You and Me!

Can you believe Christmas is less than six weeks away? Wow! Have you given any thought to your Christmas cards this year?

I love receiving Christmas photo cards each year and watching my friends and their families grow and change from year to year. I pack them up each year with my decor and love discovering them as I unpack it the next year. Christmas cards have come a long way and this year is no different. Have you checked out all the designs at Shutterfly? I use Shutterfly for both my personal and work photos and have never been disappointed with the quality of their products. Here are three of my favorites from their Christmas/Holiday Collections:

Christmas Holiday Tags - These would be great to attach to homemade gifts!

Christmas Invitations - Cute invitations for all kinds of Christmas cheer!

Christmas Family Letter Cards - The best of both worlds... family picture and an update all in one!

My Christmas cards will be coming from Shutterfly this year. Go check out this awesome deal - Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly... sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010.

Disclosure: In exchange for writing this post, I will receive a promotional code for a package of 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly.

Top 2 Tuesday: Things Your Thankful For

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is two weeks away and we have less than six weeks until Christmas.. Wow! Where does the time go nowadays?

During this time of the year I reflect on all the blessings in my life. I am joining in with other bloggers over at The Undomestic Momma's blog to list the top 2 things I am thankful for today.

Top 2 Things I am thankful for:

1. I am so thankful for the love of the Lord, and that a sinner like me is saved by his grace. I love that his mercies are new everyday, not just when he feels like it. I am so thankful for my relationship and personal walk with the Lord.

2. I am so thankful for my family. I have been blessed with the most amazing mom and dad! My sister and her family always keep me on my toes and I love that we live so close to each other. I am surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who love me and support me no matter what.

What are you thankful for?

P.S. Go check out this great giveaway Tay has going on at The Undomestic Momma as well. Leave her some "get well soon" wishes as well!

Sunday Song: Let My Words Be Few

Friday Fives: Christmas Wish List

Disclaimer: I am joining in late on this Friday Five list. I traveled a football play-off game yesterday and just couldn't get all my ducks in a row to get this done too!

A new journal - I keep a journal with my daily devotions and bible studies. I am running out of room in the one I am currently using.
An elephant charm for my Pandora bracelet
A tiny initial necklace, personalized with a "P", from Cap Creations

Ruffled wool coat from Old Navy in Red


Purse from Vera Bradley in the Baroque pattern
Go over, visit Beth and link up your Friday Five list! I'm sure she won't mind if you are a little late... Have a great weekend!