December Daily | Christmas Day















Merry Christmas!  I can hardly stand it as I type I'm so excited to finally wrap up ....December Daily 2011!  I had many snapshots to choose from, my favorites were all the blurry...."be still, don't jump up and down ones"  ha!  Above all my favorite of all my favorites... {the words}....
the words I chose to use as the titles for my pages.  I added a third page to Christmas day in order to display them all clearly.  As a gentle reminder the love that surrounds each one of us if we stop and be still.  Here they are one more time...
imagine, sparkle,remember, hope, joy, magic,enjoy, moments, goodness,  treasures, memories, laughter, happiness,  embrace, love,  faith,  giving,  blessings.
Thank you,   for looking, sharing and caring.

December Daily | Christmas Eve


Christmas Eve... OH MY GOODNESS!  This December Daily has been truly an adventure of
GOODNESS... Goodness for Goodness sake... YES indeed!  A crazy, busy project that requires time and time one must commit in order to complete this baby.  Whew! So happy to have said all that,  It definately needed to be said so the weight can come off.  hehe.  Ok, Ok, seriously, I really really really learned so much about... the importance of documenting not only the big moments throughout the season but the little things as well,
  1. the cup of cocoa..
  2. the time cuddling watching a Christmas lol movie..
  3. the meaning of giving..
  4. the appreciation of now..
  5. the excitement watching presents grow under the tree..
  6. the anticipation of advent..
  7. the daily dose of chocolate..
  8. the saying "Merry Christmas" to everyone you meet..
  9. the art journal turned Christmas 'wish list'..
  10. the Christmas twinkle lights..
  11. the hot cocoa drinking during a Christmas light tour..
  12. the hope of Christmas to others.
  13. the begging to eat unlimited Christmas candy..
  14. the mess in the kitchen after cookie creating..
  15. the wrapping... and more wrapping..
  16. the checklists... ugh, the checklists..
  17. the love..
  18. the thoughts..
  19. the hugs..
  20. the smiles..
  21. the laughter..
  22. the family..
  23. the JOY..
  24. the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas!
{For the journaling on my pages I added the timeless poem...}

Twas the Night Before Christmas
Original by: Troy Sentinel 1823

1 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
2 Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
3 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
4 In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
5 The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
6 While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
7 And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
8 Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap-
9 When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
10 I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
11 Away to the window I flew like a flash,
12 Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
13 The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
14 Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;
15 When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
16 But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
17 With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
18 I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
19 More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
20 And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
21 "Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen,
22 "On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
23 "To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
24 "Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
25 As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
26 When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
27 So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
28 With the sleigh full of Toys - and St. Nicholas too:
29 And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
30 The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
31 As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
32 Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
33 He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot,
34 And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
35 A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
36 And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:
37 His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry,
38 His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
39 His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
40 And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
41 The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
42 And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
43 He had a broad face, and a little round belly
44 That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
45 He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old  elf,
46 And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself;
47 A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
48 Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
49 He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
50 And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
51 And laying his finger aside of his nose
52 And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
53 He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
54 And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
55 But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight-
56 Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

I do wish you all a very very happy Christmas Eve and a blessed Christmas Morning!
~Melanie

Digital December Daily | December 23


Shopping trip... one final checklist... When I mentioned one more shopping trip,
your nose squished up in...disbelief.
"Mom", "Why can't we be done already?"
As a Mom, one would think that a nine year old princess like Raeleen would be thrilled to go on yet
one more shopping trip. I must admit shopping on the 23rd of December was a bit much after such a crazy busy month already. Regardless that we left early, the roads were bumper to bumper.  The stores, Oh, the madness in the stores. What seemed like hours standing in line, and what seemed to be only the stores we were shopping at. Needless to say we did have a great time,  I got my Starbucks.. a couple in fact.. Raeleen got her hot cocoa.. a couple in fact. At the end of the day, our checklist was
complete.

Happy December 23rd!

Digital December Daily | December 22



SNOW!!!  Woot!!! Just they other day I... tweeted...  "Looks like my #decdaily" will not include snow"  Guess what... I realize it's not much just a few flurries late last night. But here they are....A small collection of flurries that settled on the deck.  And there ya have it... snow flurries in my December Daily! I'll take it!

Digital December Daily | December 21


Christmas Gift Cards are simply.. the bomb!!  Literally, as the kids, including yours truly, rips the envy to discover a shiny gift card. OH the excitement, the squeals! Perfect moment and Perfect gift for everyone to get that special something they have been wanting all year.

Digital December Daily | December 20


December 20th... Wowza... December Daily is quickly... coming to a close. So happy to have taken on this project.  I adore all the goodness of December.  This snapshot needs no journaling, no words, just one glance is all that is needed.

December Daily | December 19

Hello electric meter! Ruger helping the big boys dig.  Play in the dirt... Work in the dirt... Live in the dirt... d-a-i-l-y!

Digital December Daily | December 18

Sweetness, this is.  Writing out her 'wish list'.  Always helping her Mama to not forget.

Digital December Daily | December 17

Our first Christmas cards from Oklahoma..Sitting on our new front porch, staring into the glaring sun.  Forgive the squinting. Cards galore. Honestly this is the most cards ever sent from us.

Digital December Daily | December 16

I need a Silent Night.. Guess what I really really.. had one, a real live Silent Night!
Jeff and I were able to have a date night tonight that was so needed. Stress free to say the least.  Calm and quiet, no kids, just us two.  Doesn't happen very often. Jeff shopped for the three boys and I shopped for our little princess. Needless to say Jeff had much better luck and was so better focused than me. He just Rocks!  Ok, so I have some shopping to do still.  Gosh, I have my hands full with one girl, I cannot imagine any more .....  eeek.  Don't get me wrong ..  LOVE my girl!  But boys are so much easier. 

The page I made for today was an awesome moment.  I sneaked up on Raeleen rearranging the ornaments (seems to be her newest obsession).. the lights were down and the tree just sparkled perfect she appeared to glow.  Thrilled I was able to grab my camera and catch this moment.

Right here,  Moments like these,  are why I love December Daily. 
There are unlimited amounts of "Goodness" to Remember!

The journaling is simple: I Need A Silent Night  by: Amy Grant 

I've made the same mistake before | Too many malls, too many stores | December traffic, Christmas rush | It breaks me till I push and shove | Children are crying while mothers are trying
to photograph Santa and sleigh | The shopping and buying and standing forever in line | What can I say? ....
I need a silent night, a holy night | To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise | I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here | To end this crazy day with a silent night | December comes then disappears | Faster and faster every year | Did my own mother keep this pace or was the world a different place? ....
Where people stayed home wishing for snow | Watching three channels on their TV | Look at us now rushing around | Trying to buy Christmas peace | What was it like back there in Bethlehem
with peace on earth, good will toward men? ....
Every shepherd's out in the field | Keeping watch over their clock by night | And the glory of the Lord shone around them | And they were so afraid | And the angels said "Fear not! For behold I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people. | "For unto you is born this day a
Savior, who is Christ the Lord and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace."

Digital December Daily | December 15

Life Moments.. Snapshot of the day meant so much..
I couldn't resist this moment.. Raeleen stared out the window..silently wishing the raindrops sliding down the window pane were snowflakes of December. She had no idea I snapped this shot with my phone, but when I was done she and I had a talk about waiting out the rain and soon the rain would turn to snow if we stay patient. As we chatted about this and that I grabbed my journal and asked her to tell me about moments that mean so much to her.  This is what I compiled together, a collection of thoughts straight from my journal...

Life MOMENTS.. 
are like RAINDROPS on a window..
They SPARKLE and SHINE
with the SUN..
when the day is DONE..
true happiness is REVEALED..
only if there is LIGHT.. from WITHIN..
If we can IMAGINE.. RAINBOWS.. as
we set out the RAIN.. we can know HOPE..
This MAGIC..  of LIFE.. is as WIDE..
as a SMILE .. as NARROW.. as a WINK..
as LOUD.. as LAUGHTER ..
as QUIET.. as a TEAR..
 as TALL.. as DEEP.. as EMOTIONS..
so STRONG.. it can lift the SOUL..
so GENTLE.. it can TOUCH..  the HEART..
It is the MAGIC.. that BEGINS..

HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

Digital December Daily | December 14

Anyone care for something C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E-Y?  From Chocolate Pudding to Hot Cocoa and everything in between.. Love this snapshot of Ruger, which displays his licking head dunk into the pudding bowl. We do love us some chocolate goodness, dark unsweetened goodness for yours truly! YUM!  Nothing better than that dark chocolate kiss Starbucks places on every cup! 
Secret alert:  I have a stash of dark chocolate kisses to go with my first cup of dark roast every morning.  

As the kids grow older, I find it useful to have a fresh pot of 'hot cocoa' ready for morning kitchen rush.  Reality alert: "What I'm I to do when they start asking for mochas?"

Digital December Daily | December 13

Super easy paper candy canes.. here's how.. 
Whatcha need: 
*a white piece of paper (preferably plain printer paper or construction paper) we used regular notebook paper to practice with 
*crayons or markers 
Whatcha do: 
1. color a border around all four sides of the paper, you can use different colored layers if you want
2. turn paper over
3. start at one corner and begin rolling the paper up. we used a straw to get it started, you can use a pencil too.
4. after you have finished rolling it up place a small strip of tape to close it.
5. bend one end of your rolled up paper to make a 'hook' and there ya have it, a paper candy cane.

Digital December Daily | December 12

Honestly?  Who is truly in need of Christmas music inspiration this time of year?  I thought I would share some of our favorites.  Around November every year the stores start advertising what new Christmas CDs will be stocking the shelves.  This is the boys thing.. they enjoy standing at Mardel's or our Music Store and listen to the new tunes, so when it comes to finding the best Christmas music they are all over it.   Riley is working on a Christmas song to play at church on Sunday.  Here's to loving Christmas music!

Digital December Daily | December 11

gift giving - wrapping presents - how ever you .. say it - maybe even the stress and chaos of shopping - deciding - need or want - ok.. wants are the 'always' of Christmas. when I wrap presents, I hide away in my bedroom, put the Christmas music on and not your ordinary 
Christmas music, I like the soft, sappy ones.  They seem to calm my nerves a bit while I'm wrapping and tagging. My favorite is "I need a Silent Night" by Amy Grant. 

Digital December Daily | December 10

Paper Snowflakes are gently hung on the tree.. I do wish.. we had collected real snowflakes on black paper then looked through a magnifying glass to spot the seven basic snowflake shapes.  {a post for a snowy day, coming soon, hopefully}  Until then paper snowflakes in seven basic shapes will have to do. 
My Favorite Snowflake Quote:  "The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists."  Francis Bacon

Digital December Daily | December 9

We love reading Christmas books throughout our 25 days of Christmas.  Almost always we choose books that will relate with our Advent daily readings.  Let me introduce..one of our favorites: "Songs of a Christmas Night" by B.J. Hoff.  If you have a chance to get your hands on this little devotional treasure, I highly recommend this one. It is a true keeper. 
The gift box includes a little prayer card.. Lord, lift our eyes above the trimmings and tinsel....
Let us look past temporary things | To see the lasting gifts which you have promised | The joy and peace that life in Jesus brings. -B.J. Hoff

Digital December Daily | December 8

A Story Worth Remembering... Straight from my Journal... 
December 8, 2011 
Good morning Mr. Frost, 
This morning I held my coffee mug, fingers clasped together, as I stood in front of a frosty window.  My mind wandered quickly as I was reminded how God is always at work in our lives. How he continues to breathe life into our souls. God breathing on our window pane, the breathe of life, the reality of frost. Gives us something to 'see' .. something to grasp ahold of.  As I stood there my right hand slowly left my warm coffee mug. My finger made it's way to the window and wrote GOD. Then I turned, refilled my coffee mug and continued my morning quiet time in my favorite chair.   An hour later, the children awoke and eagerly entered our living room with hungry tummies. Up from my chair I sprung, even though I wasn't at a satisfying 'stopping' point.  To make pancakes I went.  As the first pancake hit the hot grease on the griddle, my two youngest, Raeleen and Ruger tugged roughly at my sweater.  Mom!  They repeated.  Mom!  My mind wandered to think what could be wrong.  They grasped my hand and said,  Come quickly!  They both took me, stumbling feet,  as they pulled on my hand,  to see...  Mom!  Look!   God! Wrote on our window last night! ~Melanie Britt

Digital December Daily | December 7

Writing a letter to your children.. 
Today I chose.. to write a letter to Rodney, Riley, Raeleen and Ruger.  The photo collage is filled with snapshots of our favorite ornaments hanging from the tree.  I made the Christmas tree mask in the background and added some glitter. 

The letter reads:
Dear Rodney, Riley, Raeleen and Ruger,
Decorating the Christmas tree was the one thing I grew to 'relax' about.  Having 
four children past the age of five, your Mom has learned to let it be.  Let all
of you children love your own creations, homemade ornaments and even the 
stringed popcorn you string all over the house.  Let you eat candy canes in
cocoa, no matter the sticky fingers and mouths.  As your Mom, I choose to remember
what Christmas is truly about; Advent.. which means a season of expectation.
Advent describes your heart throughout the twenty-five days of December
as you look forward to Christmas day.  The one thing that remains about Christmas
to you my child,  is the memories you keep.  The things you did, the things you said,
the things you ate, the things you made and most of all the ornaments you 
hang on the tree every year.  Even at your tender ages my prayer for each of you at 
Christmas is that you would hold Christmas so close to your heart, you will never take thetrue meaning of giving for granted! 
I love you, Mom.


Digital December Daily | December 6

Christmas Magic..Ruger was found..under the tree staring up into the lights. I managed to sneak in this quick snapshot.  This photo is a perfect example why this is one of my favorite projects.  This is also a perfect example to show the true meaning of.. Christmas Magic! 

Digital December Daily | December 5

Coffee.. Truck.. Lights.. Camera.. Who?.. does that?  Every year.. Yes we do, how about you?
Our favorite thing to do throughout the month of December is jump in the truck, stop for coffee and drive around till we find the perfect Christmas lights and I do love me an awesome nativity scene! 

Digital December Daily | December 4

The stockings are hung.. the bows are sorted officially we are ready for the stockings to be stuffed with care and the bows to top the presents. 

Digital December Daily | December 3

Saturday, December 3, 2011.  A day filled with.. balloons.. presents.. hot dogs, chips, pop, cake and the best part the company of a sweet friend also a cousin! So much fun. 

Digital December Daily | December 2

Enjoy the process...December Daily really got to me LAST year. The craziness, The shopping, The stress, The general idea of a DAILY snapshot.. The list could go on and on... This year, 

I am determined to display this project on a 'brand new' digital photo frame! 
Bring on December Daily! :) 

Digital December Daily | December 1

Here we go.. December 1st.. Oh! Confession: I have.. NOT bought a single present!
If you choose to have mercy on me then you could count the Advent goodie bags I made.
Simple. Easy. Quick.  That was my Advent motto this year.  I took dollar store goodie bags.. 4 packs of 6. Filled with enough treats for each child.  Printed my December Daily labels.  Attached them as the closures.  Printed my 25 scripts of Advent. Attached them to the back. Advent for us has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember.  I have changed things every year.  This year I wanted to be simple as simple as possible.  I wanted my children to remember the story of Christmas in a way that would surely speak to their hearts.  Having said all that, I compiled 25 scripts that best tell the story leading up to Christmas day.


Here are my December 1st Pages.  Click on the image to view larger. 
One more confession: "It was December 2nd and I finished my December Daily pages for December 2nd... So SIMPLE - NEAT - EASY...I did a double take as I saved them to my December Daily Pages file...At that moment I GOT IT...So SIMPLE - NEAT - EASY...I'm in to KEEPING IT SIMPLE!"

Digital December Daily | Foundation Pages

So looking forward to this project.  Last year I made..
some pages, only about half way before I let the December 'craziness' get to me.  Not this year.  I am committed to checking December Daily 2011 of my to do list!  The preview shows all my foundation pages.  I created the templates and word art.  Leaving 'white-space' for some extra journaling.  I have some of our favorite activities, songs, poems and scriptures that will be added throughout as they relate to the day.

This is a 100% digital project.  However, I will be scanning items as needed.
The two - page spread includes a 6x12 and a 12x12.


Love all the goodness this project captures.  If you are participating in December Daily, leave me a comment and link to your blog post.....I would love to see your pages.

A Season to be Thankful | November 24

Happy Thanksgiving!


Homemade pumpkin pie.. O my GOOD ness! After a late ..night last night getting all the prep ready for a very early morning start to preparing all the fix ins... We were able to eat during the second half of the Lions / Packers game.  It is now a quarter till 9... I am braving the black Friday -midnight- madness!  Yes I am. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you are joining in the black Friday madness - keep safe!  My two older boys are going with me this year ... I'm so blessed to have two bodyguards. 

A Season to be Thankful | November 22 and 23


Happy Thanksgiving Eve!



Today I spent our morning finishing up our final Thanksgiving feast list.  Raeleen and I successfully went to the market before the mad rush.  Manage to get everything on our list as well.  How is that even possible?  This has never happened before, usually we end up at 2 or 3 markets before we find that certain item. OK, the clock just changed to 10:45 pm. Thanksgiving dinner prep all put away,
kitchen all clean and now we are on the couch in our pj's reading. 

Tonight we prepared:
Cornbread Dressing - Mama's Recipe
Bread Stuffing - Grandma's Recipe
Orange Salad - Grandma's Recipe

Morning duty includes:
21 lb. Turkey in Roaster at approx. 5 am
*Make a quick run to the gas station to get Thanksgiving paper* important note: this is after I put on the Turkey
Dressings in the oven
Baked Beans
Corn on Cob
Mashed Red Taters
Gravy lots....of Gravy

Desserts to make:
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Chocolate Pie

Well Good Night Ya'll.





A Season to be Thankful | November 21



Today I'm gonna post about Lexus ... He's doing well.  So much better than I had anticipated.  It has been a long weekend, a weekend full of worry and routine. Well, I do believe the routine setting part has worked out for the good.  Lexus has made his pathway... sometimes I worry when he wanders around in the yard to far from the house during the day.  He answers my whistle and follows my call.  Tonight I picked up this fluffy pet bed, while I was a the market, Thanksgiving dinner shopping.  He looks rather content don't you think?  Thank you Lord for answering prayers regarding -even- our family pets. :)

Today I'm thankful for Routine.

A Season to be Thankful | November 20




What is most fun about making a homemade pie?  Crustos!  My Mom used to let me make these with the left over crust dough, cut into strips then cover with sugar and cinnamon.  Yum!

Today I'm thankful for Family Traditions.



A Season to be Thankful | November 19



Awe... I do love me a peaceful Saturday... I'll do about anything to stop... a Saturday from being filled to the extreme.  I love to fill Saturday with family focus time. All about our week time.  Getting things done together time.  And probably even playing a game or two together.  Ruger's newest game "Lego Battleship"....
Today I'm thankful for Peaceful Saturdays.


A Season to be Thankful | November 18



Friday afternoon, I always plan on a field trip of some sort.  A sight seeing adventure, a park or sometimes the river walk or the zoo. Today we made a slight schedule change during our day. 
Today we...





(Raeleen and I} were able to sneak away after lunch out to get a quick haircut!  How fun!
Today I'm thankful for The Small Details that Means So Much!

A Season to be Thankful | November 17



 November 6th .. I wrote about being thankful for pets, the dog Princess Goldie and my cat Moon.
Hey, I have a special cat .. Lexus!
Lexus has been around ever since I have really lived on my own... he was my buddy.  16 years with Lexus, he has ... been an indoor cat. been an outdoor cat, after our first baby. really soon after we had our first baby along came baby number two. stayed an outdoor cat until after our third baby. returned back to being an indoor cat and my buddy once again. returned back to being an outdoor cat for our fourth baby. About two years ago Lexus returned back indoors. Last year he made the big move from WA to OK with us. He has discovered grasshoppers and flying bugs. He has spent all summer enjoying the summer heat. Well, maybe not enjoying. Tonight I write with a heavy heart,  the last couple of weeks we have been watching him as if he has been losing his eyesight.  Last night he scared me so bad,  our other cat Moon was scratching on the back door, when I opened it I seen Lexus looking as if he couldn't move.  I got Jeff, he scooped him up and brought him inside, after warming him up he is moving around fine, eating and sleeping. We think his arthritis was acting up since the weather has turned cold. Also, he is partially blind and can't see really any at night,  so he gets lost if he gets off the deck at night.  Today, after some consistent coaxing, he has found a pathway to his food, his bed, the door and a little spot in the yard. I took these photos of him today, doesn't he still look purrfect?
Last night I was up most of the night staring at him like I did when my first baby was laying next to me in his cradle.  I am so happy to say, Lexus is still with us and tonight..and prayerfully he'll hang in there a few more years.  This cat has been loved and has lived a full life.  He has been my steady rock for many years. So here's to Lexus.  Tonight...We don't know how many purrs he has left but RIGHT NOW..... I am thankful to hear him p-u-r-r loudly!

A Season to be Thankful | November 16



"A cheerful heart is good medicine,  but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength." Proverbs 17:22 NLT
It is both a bible truth and a fact of life .. a positive, cheerful disposition has a positive impact on our health! Tomorrow my Aunt Becky - a five year cancer survivor - will start... chemo again in the morning.  She has been such an amazing inspiration to so many while on her journey. She was given two months .. {2} months to live five years ago .. {5} years ago .. and has been fighting this thing ever since.  By the grace of God .. and the power of prayer she continues to beat it.  We never welcome sickness, pain or weakness.  But are thankful for the fruit that often comes from these things .. patience, reliance on God's strength, and gratitude to God for what we do have. Any prayers and good juju you care to pass her way would be appreciated.  Today I am thankful for: answered prayers.  I'm truly blessed to say, I get to spend another day with my Aunt Becky.

A Season to be Thankful | November 15



Stamps...today I'm thankful for stamps!  I have gone 100% digital and love the change from dirty, messy, clutter, and chaos to clean neat organized chaos computer files! *wink*  However, regardless of the fact that I gave all of my supplies,  including all my stamps and mounds of paper to a dear, sweet friend, I managed.... to save a box of stamps and ink pads.  Raeleen and I still get our 'stamp' on!  This year we have been maintaining an art journal.  I gave you all a tease in an earlier post, so you can just let this be your second tease for what we are putting together for 2012.


Yes, I gave up the dirty, messy, clutter and chaos but don't mind it a bit if my sweet Raeleen is having a blast getting her 'stamp' on.  Nothing wrong with a little creativity chaos!

A Season to be Thankful | November 14



Writing in the Sand... one of my most favorite things! I didn't get my word LOVE perfect, but still the snapshot turned out okay. There is a little story I like to tell...  I haven't a clue when or where I came across it, but it spoke volumes to me...  A story tells that two friends were walking through the
desert. 
 During some point of the journey,  they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.  The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face.  They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to cool off.  The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and
started drowning, but his friend saved him.  After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a
stone: Today my best friend saved my life. The friend, who had slapped and saved his best friend,
asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?"  The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.  Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your
blessings in stone.
Author Unknown

A Season to be Thankful | November 13


"Fall" is not the end of the gardening year; it is.. the start of next year's growing season. A search for purpose and peace in life, through the inner beauty of God's nature. Today I'm thankful for each season life brings.

A Season to be Thankful | November 12



1st game: 11:30 about 30 minutes away
2nd game: 1:30 about 45 minutes away
3rd game: 5:30 about 1 hr and 20 minutes away
Carry out picked up at 8:30
Home by 9:00
What a day full of.. highs and lows, noise and quiet too.
Yes- indeed we enjoyed every kick of the ball, every scream from the stands, every atta boy given, every intense moment the entire day... ALL worth it! Moments to remember again and again.
{Atta Boy Ruger! We are all proud of you!} Mom and Dad

Today I'm thankful for Opportunities!

A Season to be Thankful | November 11



Happy eleven - eleven - eleven!!  Soul Surfer Blu-Ray + Popcorn and Peanuts = Family Movie Night
If you haven't seen Soul Surfer yet.. O My GOODness!!! Every Friday when we stay in for Family night.  We watch a movie and.... have the perfect combo (popcorn and peanuts)  the kids say (peacorn and popnuts) as a way to make fun of me for accidentally say that one night.
Have a happy Friday Night...Oh wait, tonight is a special night!!  It's ....eleven - eleven - eleven....How cool is that?

A Season to be Thankful | November 10


So in love with story time...  dressing up is all the rage! Funny hats are our FAV! Even a Tutu on the head will do! As long as....the funny looking one can READ!
The reader may even recieve a flower on the cheek as a reward! 

Today, I am thankful we make READING FUN!!