Christmas Eve...Food, Family, and Awesome Gifts

Every Christmas Eve we have my mom and stepfather, and my brother and his family over for presents and dinner. We always have way too much food and probably way to many presents, but boy we have fun. I love getting together with my family. My brother is one of my best friends and I love the time we spend together. And, of course, my mom is well, she's my mom. What else can you say. She's a great mom and I love her so much.

I have to show you what she made me for Christmas. I think she is one talented lady and very creative. I wish I could do just a little of what she does. Thankfully, she shares her talents with me by giving me what she's made. I have always been, and still am, a little spoiled...maybe a lot spoiled, by my mama. Just being real here. Forty one and still spoiled; I hope it never changes.

We had a huge breakfast for Christmas Eve dinner. I love breakfast for supper.


My mom and stepdad. Mom always loves to watch us open the gifts she has so thoughtfully picked out. It excites her to see our expressions.

My brother, nephew and his wife.

My sister-in law and neice.


The awesome, incredible, wonderful placemats my mom made from Coffee Bean bags. Can you tell I love them?


Didn't she do great?

And my bag. I lOVE this bag.

Again, I say, LOVE...Thanks mom, for knowing just what I like.

Phone Call From Mrs. Claus

Faith gets a phone call from Santa Claus every Christmas Eve. I know, isn't that so cool. I would love to have Santa call me, but I guess he's just too busy or I haven't been nice enough. Well, this year, not only did Santa call Faith, but Mrs. Claus called her also.

On Christmas Eve Eve, Faith got a phone call from Santa's better half. She told Faith that she was on the "very nice" list. Not the nice list but the very nice list. You cannot imagine what that meant to her to hear that she had been that good. It was so funny because later Faith told me she was very surprised to hear that she had made the "very nice" list because she really didn't think she had been that good this year. She's just being real... (seven year old sister with seventeen year old brother=not always so good)

Mrs. Claus also asked about Keith and Beth, which just solidified in Faith's mind that this really was Mrs. Claus because she knew her brother and sister's name.

And, evidently, Mrs. Claus is a little concerned about Santa's weight because she asked Faith not to leave out as many cookies this year so that he wouldn't eat so much.

Oh, Mrs. Claus, thank you for calling our house this year. You made a little girl's day by getting an unexpected phone call from such a neat lady. And, thanks, Mrs. Claus, for letting Santa be gone all Christmas Eve night delivering presents to little boys and girls around the world. You are very unselfish to share him on such a special night.

Questions for Santa

Every year our children try to stump Santa with their questions. We have a tradition of writing a letter to Santa Claus every Christmas Eve night. Well, a few years ago, the kids decided there were some things they needed to know about Old Saint Nick. There have been questions like: Santa are you a Christian? Do you go to church and if so, where? Did Rudolph get his feelings hurt when all the other reindeer laughed at his nose? Did his daddy really not like his nose either? What about grass? Is there grass at the North Pole. Are the elves really children or are they grown ups that are just shorter. Were you really dropped off on the porch at the Kringle's house and have the name Kris Kringle before you became Santa? And for the last few years, my children ask Santa for hoof prints of his reindeer. This was something my now fourteen year old came up with several years back and has now prompted her little sister to ask for the same thing. This year Faith asked for six different copies of the hoofprints so that she could share them with her friends who don't believe. She is going to give them each their own copy.

Now, you're probably thinking there is no way to get Rudolph or any other of the reindeer to take time out of their busy flight and delivery schedule to leave their print. But, oh my friend, you are wrong. We got the proof that Faith wanted. She has their muddy footprints ready and waiting right now to give out to all "unbelievers".

Oh yeah, Faith also asked for Santa to wake her up this year so she could go out and see Rudolph. Sadly, Faith is a very sound sleeper and evidently Santa came in to the room and gave her a kiss on her cheek to try and wake her up, but it didn't work. She slept right through Santa's kiss. At least that's what Santa said in his reply letter to the kids.

By the way, Santa is a Christian and does go to church. He also said that there is grass at the North Pole but it is always covered by blankets of snow. As for what she has seen in the old classic movies, well, he told her not to believe everything she saw in the movies.

He also said that our family had been very good this year and to continue to be kind to one another and make sure that the kids mind their mommy and daddy throughout the year. He also enjoyed the cookies and milk we left for him and the carrots were all eaten by the reindeer.

Boy, Santa sure is a good guy. He was very generous this year in his giving and we sure do thank him for all his hard work and for all the awesome gifts.

Thanks, Santa Claus, see you next year.

Merry CHRISTmas

I have to admit that I do get caught up in all the excitement this time of year. I love the shopping, decorating, baking, wrapping, and all the other "stuff" that goes along with Christmas. I love the anticipation and the preparations for the big day.





But, I want to tell you that I love the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas so much more. I love that their was a precious, innocent babe born in a manger. I love that this baby loved me so much that He was born to die for me. An innocent, spotless, perfect little baby. This baby, King Jesus, is why I celebrate.




He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings. He is my Savior, my Redeemer. He is my Father, my Daddy. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong Tower. He is my Counselor, my Teacher. He is who I have found freedom in. He is who wipes my tears away and keeps my standing. He is my shoulder, my strength. He is ever present. He is dependable. He is my true love. He is who died so that I could live.




THANK YOU BABY JESUS AND HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!




I have to add that as I sit and write this, I think about being in heaven and celebrating Jesus' birthday with Him. We have a son that is in heaven, and I can only imagine him being at Jesus' birthday party. Can you imagine? A birthday party for The King!!! What excitement...what joy...what jubilation...what shouts of hallelujahs!!! I can only imagine!!!





I love you this morning, Jesus!! I love you each and every second of each and every day. Thank you!!

Faith's Added Touches

Faith added her sweet touch to my sleigh flower arrangement on my dining room server. She put Santa on top and turned her Build A Bear puppy into a full fledged reindeer with antlers and all. She even made a harness out of yarn so that Santa could direct the reindeer to all of our homes.

I have to admit that my first reaction was to take Santa off my pretty, put together arrangment. And then I came to my senses and decided I was crazy to undo such a sweet thing that my little one had done. What's more important; decorating or Faith? I vote Faith, hands down.

We Talked to Santa

We took the kids last night to see Santa and let him know our Christmas wishes. Faith had her list all put together. She asked him for a real drum set, Barbie stuff and surprises. She is also going to ask for a dog, but she is not letting her daddy know this request because he has nixed that idea for now. She has the idea that she can bypass daddy and Santa will bring it anyway. I guess we'll see.

And, for the record, I still make my big kids sit with Santa and have their picture made. They are very good at making mom happy and satisfying my need for them to still be "young".

Faith said this Santa didn't learn very much at Santa school because he didn't have the right laugh, nor did he talk quite right. She knows this is only Santa's helper anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

Santa will be here soon. Only 3 more days to go, and the big guy in the red suit will be coming to our house. I, for one, can't wait. I am still on the nice list and can't wait to see what he has for me. What about you all? Are you on the nice list or the naughty list?

Faith filling Santa's ears with her Christmas wishes.Of course, Chloe also got to sit on Santa's lap.

Wonder what Santa told her? Maybe, that Daddy and Bubby were on the naughty list.All of my babies with Old Saint Nick.

A Song I Love

I have to share a song with you guys that I absolutley love. I love the words. I love the beat. I love everything about it.

Hope you enjoy it!

This is the actual music video for it.

http://www.needtobreathe.net/video/lay-em-down/

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Mary

I have to give a big Happy Birthday to my precious, sweet friend Mary.

Mary, I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. You truly are the sister that I never had. Nine years ago God brought you into my life and gave me a friend that would forever change my life. You have been to me exactly who God wanted you to be. Let me explain...You have been honest with me when I probably would have rather heard something else. You have opened my eyes to truths that I had never thought of. You have held me in check and kept me accountable. You have cried with me when I thought my heart was going to break into little bitty pieces. You helped keep me strong through the absolute hardest time in my life. You were there for me every step of the way. And then, when my world seemed to be caving in a second time, there you were again. Remember the day when I called and told you what had broken loose that day? Yes, yet again, you listened to my cries as my heart was torn apart. You were there all those many miles away, yet you seemed like you were in the same room. Your prayers have seen me through so much. How wonderful it is to know that no matter what is going on in my life, I can call on you to listen, give advice or simply pray for me. And to know that you will pray and not just say you will, means the world to me. Thank you for that. And thank you for being one of the most straight forward, real, honest people that I have ever known. You are who you are and I love you for that. You are also one of the funniest people I know. You can tell stories like nobody's business. I love to laugh with you. (fried rice, white rice)

You will forever be my sweet Mary, because you, sweet Mary, have made my life better. You are my sister, my friend, my confidant.

Happy Birthday. I love you so much.

Ornament Swap

Every year at Christmas I host an Ornament Swap. This has become an annual event that I so look forward to. It is my one time a year to have a "ladies" party. There are no men invited and only ladies can come except for my two daughters. This year I also asked the ladies I invited to invite someone themselves. Bring a snack, an ornament, and a friend. I figured this would be a great way to meet new people that I would not know to invite. It was a great idea, if I must say so myself, and I loved meeting and visiting with new friends. We even had a precious lady here from Ireland. How neat that was.

It's always fun to see different personalities at work. You have the ever so sweet ladies who would never "steal" an ornament from someone and the other ever so sweet ladies who come up with sneaky little plans to get the ornaments they want. Little plans were devised that night, that's for sure.

We had great food and plenty of it. Beth fixed a wonderful Christmas punch that she fixes every year and great White Christmas coffee that I got at TJ Maxx. Yummy!! I love me some good coffee and the more choice of desserts, the better.

I was lucky this year because I got two beautiful ornaments. I won a pretty red ornament that now lays on my mantle and a sweet friend left me the Jim Shore snowman ornament that she won because she knew how fond I am of Jim Shore's work. I truly didn't mean for her to leave her ornament here, but how sweet it was that she did. She even hung it on my tree for me. What a nice surprise. What a nice evening.

Sweet ladies who came from near and far to "swap ornaments" and fellowship with friends.

Watching as gifts are unwrapped. Plans are being formulated already as to how to take home the ornament they wanted.

Karla, a sweet friend of mine in the red, brought a visiting friend who was here from Ireland. I loved listening to her talk. She probably likes our southern accents as well.

Faith had a ball being a "big girl" and getting to party with the ladies.

This was the lovely red ornament that I won fair and square. Isn't it pretty? Thanks, Kim.

And, this is the awesome Jim Shore ornament that my friend, Lee, left hanging on my tree just as a nice surprise. I love surprises!

Redneck Wishes

One of the Christmas wishes I had this year was to buy a real Christmas tree, tie it to the top of the van, and then ride around town watching everyone smile as we passed by. You see, it thrills me to see this very thing when other people do it, and I always honk and smile at them. Silly, little girl things make me happy.


Well, I got my wish. Donnie, I and the kids went to a tree farm and bought a live Christmas tree. We noticed when we got there, however, that they didn't seem to be exactly the kind of tree we wanted and really looked like they would be extremely difficult to decorate. It was a White Pine, by the way. Most of you are probably saying that I should have known better and not gotten it, but here I was, caught up in the moment and so looking forward to the tieing down on the van part. We tried very hard to pick out the fullest, fluffiest tree we could find. And, we thought we had done pretty good, until...we got it home and got it inside.


Let me back up a little bit. We did tie it down and we did drive all around town with our tree on top. I even rolled the windows down so that I could see the smiles on the passers by. You know what, I really don't think I saw one person smiling. I don't think it made anyone else as happy as what it always makes me. Am I weird, or what? Nobody even honked their horn and gave us a thumbs up. Yes, I have done that too. You know what, it really doesn't matter what others thought, because I had an absolute ball making my "redneck" (what my family calls it) wish come true. It made my day and that's what matters, right?


Now back to the pine. When we got it inside and tried to determine which side to put in the front, we (the girls and I) realized there was not a good side. This was not a pretty tree. No bones about it. But, we tried. We wrapped lights and more lights. We put ornaments all over it. We even put ones way down deep inside to try to make it look fuller. We tried our hardest to make this tree work. And, then you know what we did. We took it down. Yes, my friends, we decorated it and undecorated it all within a matter of an hour or so. Then, after explaining to my sweet laid back husband what had just taken place, we went upstairs and brought down the artificial tree. The girls and I were so happy to get our old faithful tree set up and decorated. Donnie thought I had lost my mind. I must say that he wasn't very happy about my decision, but he never gets really mad, only a little disturbed.


Let me add that the tree only cost $12. Very inexpensive. Thank goodness the cost made it not be so bad that I had completely changed my mind. And, I have to say that the joy I got from riding around town with that Christmas tree on top was absolutley worth $12. No doubt.


Where is the live tree now, you might ask. Well, today Donnie and Faith took it to the front yard, right beside my sidewalk at my front porch steps, and strung lights all over it. They also placed some of Faith's toys all around it. Okay, it's not the exact place I would want it to be, but I cannot and will not complain. Faith is thrilled to have decorated it with her daddy and loves exactly where it is and how it looks.



I'm not sure if we are redneck because of the whole tree on top of the van or not, but we might just be with this tree right in my front yard. Who cares, right? Not me. :)

Beth started chopping down our tree.



Beth finished chopping down our tree. Yes, except for a few swings by the rest of us just so we could say we tried, Beth chopped down this tree. Swinging her softball bat certainly prepared her for this job.




The part I had been wishing for. Maybe, dreaming of. Yes, Donnie got out in the parking lot of Kroger and took pictures of me driving so I could always remember this moment in case he never let me do it again. :)


Almost entirely decorated. We actually got it all the way done minus a few ornaments and the star on top.


Now it's undecorated and waiting to be taken outside.

Here we are putting together the artificial tree. Major fluffing has to go on here. We have had this tree for many many years, but it still looks good to us.










Second time is a charm. The star wasn't on yet, but oh happy day, the second Christmas tree is doneDad and Faith decorating the tree outside. Isn't that a sad little tree?The finished tree right outside my front entryway. Faith even put toys around it to look like Santa had been here. And, yes, Donnie and Faith informed me that it is all staying. Do you think I could sneak it away for a few hours on Monday night for my party? No, I don't think so either. A child's wishes....very important. A mommy's decorating pride....not so much.

Yes, We Believe

Our home is full of believers. Yes, we do believe in Santa Claus and the Polar Express 4D Adventure in Dollywood was great, but that's not what I am talking about.

We believe in God the Father, we believe in Christ the Son, we believe in the Holy Spirit, Trinity, Three in One. (this is from a song we learned from a Christmas musical last year) We believe that God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We believe in eternal life and that we will spend eternity in heaven because of our belief in Him.

Yes, we do believe!!

Our First Snow

We had our first snow of the season this past Saturday and, of course, we were all so excited. There is no doubt who gets the most excited though.

Faith wanted to build snowmen, have snowball fights, and make snowcream. About the only thing she could actually do was to make snow angels on the deck. It wasn't a lot of snow, but sure enough to make a little girl very happy. And, if Faith is happy, mommy is happy.

The New (Snow) Man In My Life

I absolutely love snowmen. They always look so happy and fun. I also like that I can leave them out for awhile after Christmas is over.

I also like a woodsy, natural look. A little subdued yet great looking is what I like to go for. Well, I found the most wonderful snowman ever. Maybe not ever to most people, but oh how I love this snowman. He is woodsy, natural, handsome, glittery, and he is now mine. This snowman makes me happy.

He has taken a prominent position in our family room and will remain there as long as I can possibly allow him to. He just fits.

I got him when we were on a family vacation in Pigeon Forge this week. He was at one of my favorite stores, Kirklands. Thanks, Kirklands, for the new (snow)man in my life. He's a keeper.

Rocketts In Music City

Man have we been busy these last couple of weeks. We traveled to Kingsport for Thanksgiving with my in-laws and then went to beautiful Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for a few days after that. We have had so much fun just playing.

Last night, Donnie took me and the kids, my mom and his parents to see the Rocketts in Nashville. It was just as the title says, "Spectacular"! Let me tell you how amazing these dancers are. What precision and flexibility these ladies have. Oh, if only....

Not only was the dancing and singing incredible, but at the end was an amazing live Nativity. That just completed the night for us.

This year makes the second time that the girls and I have gone to the Christmas Spectacular with the Rocketts. I took them last year by myself and we had second floor balcony seats. Good seats, but a long way away from the stage. This year, Donnie had different plans for our seating arrangements. He purchased tickets on the floor, second row from the stage. We were so close that not much was left unseen. "I'm just sayin"..... My kids were afraid that their Papaw was gonna have a heart attack sitting that close.

No heart attacks were had and I am so glad we got to go again. I love taking my girls to stuff like that and it was great having my mom with us this year. If you ever have a chance to go, make sure you do. It will be well worth your time.

I would love to share photos of the show, but picture taking was not allowed. We did get a few photos afterwards though.

Keeping Up With My Hubby

My husband starting hitting the Black Friday sales about four years ago and I, personally, thought, he had gone mad. Now, don't get me wrong, I am the shopper in the family and I actually love shopping a little too much. I just don't like losing sleep...for any reason. And shopping was no exception.

Well, after a couple of years of his going bargain shopping (by the way, he doesn't really like to shop, he just likes bargains) and coming home with major good deals and all kinds of treasures, I decided I had missed out long enough. I decided I could lose a couple hours of sleep to be able to go out on the hunt with my hubby.

This year, as in the past two years, we have gotten up around 3:30 am and headed out for our shopping adventure. The funny thing is that now two out of three of our children have decided they don't want to miss out on all the fun mom and dad are having, and now they go with us. We leave our little one at home with the grandparents, and off we go.

We have sooooo much fun. We usually split up with our lists and sale papers and set out to conquer the stores. I get lucky because I get Target and this Target has a Starbucks in it so I get to have my Pumpkin Spice Latte after my shopping is done. OOO LAA LAA

This year was no exception to the fun and bargains. We all had a blast. Yes, I lost some sleep, but boy it was worth it. Family....shopping...Starbucks...Memories!!!!!!!!!!

White Lights

While I was at Goodwill the other day for 1/2 price shopping, I found a perfect size tree that would fit just right in my foyer. While I was debating on whether to get it or not, Beth suggested that I get it and it be my tree and that I could put on it whatever I wanted.

Here's the story...since we had children, we have always had a "fun" Christmas tree with all colored lights. My kids informed me a long time ago that white lights were not an option as long as they were home. So that was that. We have had colored lights ever since and that has been really just fine with me because Christmas is about my children.

Well, this year I will actually get to have clear lights again. And this tree is mine all mine. Do I sound selfish? I don't mean to. I just love that I got to decorate it just like I wanted. Guess what I decided on? No, it's really not fancy shmancy. It's not decorated with ribbons and bows. It is decorated with my favorite thing; snowmen. I even found the most wonderful tree topper at Hobby Lobby that another blog friend had bought. It is a snowman hat tree topper and can I just tell you that I adore it. I don't know why it brings me so much pleasure to look at it, it just does. This tree is just one of those things that makes me happy to look at. It really doesn't take much, friends, to make me happy.

I am going to show you my Goodwill snowman tree and Beth and Faith's trees also. Keith did let me put a tree in his room, but I had to decorate it and there is not a lot to it, so I guess I will skip his. We also have a tree in our play/school room. The girls love to set it up and decorate it usually in early November. I also have a sweet little tree on a cafe table in my living room. I love it because it's kind of burlappy, rustic. It makes me smile too with all it's simplicity. Outside of the kids rooms, we have decorated a small tree that we wanted to look like colorful candy and then I can't forget Chloe's little tree. (remember Chloe, pink and furry) As for our family tree, well, that will be put up right after Thanksgiving. That is the only Christmas decorating left. We have done everything else but decided to wait on that. So, I will show that one later.

Hope you all enjoy taking a quick look at some of our Christmas goodies. I sure wish that each one of you who are reading this could just drop by for a real visit and have some cookies and cocoa with us. Wouldn't that be fun?

See my wonderful Snowman hat topper. I love this!!

Love me some snowmen. They make me smile. Have I already said that?

This is my other little tree I got at Goodwill. Love the burlap bottom and the rustic look.

Okay, yet another Goodwill tree. This one was pre-lit, which I loved. I had to take the photo from the back because I couldn't get a front picture unless I hung from the ceiling or took it from the bottom of the stairs and then the railing was in the way. Anyway...enough about that.

This is Beth's pretty Christmas tree. She loves to decorate her bedroom. See the white artwork above the tree, she put that together. Most of that stuff came from the Dollar Tree. Can you tell that we like bargain shopping?

This is Faithy's tree. What fun she has getting it all set up and getting all of her other stuff all put out.

This would be Chloe's tree and all of her Christmasy friends.

And, lastly, this is the tree that the girls put up in the play/school room. It's lots of fun doing school work in here with all the Christmas decorations up.

One more tree left, but that will be later after we get it up. That tree is for the whole family to do. And the star we put on top is the star that Donnie and I bought and used our very first Christmas almost twenty years ago. As for the ornaments, I think I could tell you a story about everyone that will go on it. They all have a special memory or story behind them. We also have ornaments that we buy every year for our baby that is in heaven. These are very special in memory of ornaments that we love to buy. Can't wait to put up that tree as that will hold all of our presents.

Sorry for how long I went on tonight, but it was fun sharing these photos with you. Hope you find a little pleasure in looking at them. I will love looking back years from now and seeing all of these special little trees.