Christmas Cookies!

I love Christmas cookies. Really, how can you not? Cookies are great on their own, but cover them in icing and sprinkles and they just get better. 

Today was cookie decorating day with my niece, Alaina.

She is all prepared....

and excited!

The finished products.

I think the sprinkles on her plate match the amount that made it on the cookies!

Uncle Andrew has some vacation time, so she was very excited to spend time with him too.

She got to watch Wild Kratts...

hunt for Oliver...

and draw with chalk!

It was a fun day. I think this could be a new tradition, and next year maybe Ruby can join us!

Magnolia Farms

I don't know how many of you have watched the tv show Fixer Upper, but it is one of my favorites. I love Chip and Joanna. They have a great relationship, not only with each other, but (from what I can tell) also with God. I love their style. I would love to have them redecorate my house. Since I can't have that, I always try to get things that they might use. 

I have always wanted to visit their store down in Waco, but as money hasn't allowed that, I have done the next best thing and bought from their website. 

In the holiday spirit, and since we didn't have any, I bought some mistletoe. It ended up being larger than I anticipated, but I still like it!

I also saw this cute little desktop calendar and couldn't say no. It is just too cute!

I also made a purchase not from Chip and Joanna. This is something I put on my Christmas list. I don't have a cookie jar and have wanted one for a while. My mom saw this one and thought of me. 

Isn't it cute? 

Christmas Tour

I love my job. I have great co-workers and a great job. It does have some drawbacks, though. I see way too many things that I would like to buy! I have added to our supply of Christmas decorations this year.

Our tree is still in need of a good topper. We haven't found one we like yet, so we stick with the santa hat.

No Christmas is complete without our little santa carving from dad. 

I love the splash of red from the sign. 

I had to find some Christmas filler for my table centerpiece.

Our reading nook got some Christmas cheer, too. I got a new pillow. I love the little bells on it.

And a new little tree.

I have yet to write on my new chalkboard, but I think it will stay out all year. The little stuffed animal, Snowball, is something that I saved from my childhood. He was always out every Christmas growing up and I just couldn't see him gotten rid of.

And finally, this window is also new. I am going to find a place on the wall and keep him out year-round. 

Tree Skirt

We have finally found a tree skirt that we like. This year will be the third year that we have had our tree and have been without a tree skirt. I grabbed the last of this design from work last night. 

Guess who else likes it?

After I took this picture he decided to burrow underneath the skirt. At least this is all I have to deal with. He doesn't really care for the tree or bother it at all. I consider myself lucky!

Thanksgiving

I'm sitting here on this cold November morning thinking about Thanksgiving this week. I'm very much looking forward to being with family and enjoying the day. 

I think all too often, though, we make light of giving thanks. Maybe your family goes around the table and everyone says what they are thankful for. That is a great practice, but do we really take the time to stop and think about it and are we really thanking God for it?

If you are anything like me, there are always things you want. I want a new camera, a new couch, new clothes, something for dinner that isn't what we have in the fridge. I want to buy a house, have kids, have the option to not have to work when we do have kids. I'm sure you all could make a list of things you want, too. 

But then I think about what I have. I have a warm house, plenty of clothes, food in the fridge so I never have to go hungry, money in the bank, a car to get to my job, a cozy warm bed, an amazing husband who loves me, a wonderful family, a church family that cares for and loves me, and a heavenly Father who blessed me with all this and loves me no matter what and gives me grace in every circumstance. How can I not thank Him? 

Have a wonderful thanksgiving!

Baskets!

As many of you are aware, I work at Michael's. While it is a great place to work and I love my job, it can be dangerous. Yesterday, while I was at work, I was cleaning up the basket section. There are a lot of great baskets, but one in particular caught my eye. (It didn't help that the baskets were on sale 50% off!)

Since we moved, I have been wanting something to put the toilet paper in. We have two bathrooms now and making sure that there is enough tp in both has been a small issue. When I saw these, on sale for $10 each, I couldn't resist. They are perfect, One in each bathroom, so no one runs out!

Questions

I just saw this on my mom's blog and thought it was interesting and fun, so I'm sharing it with you with my answers!

1 - Did you have an accident last year?  No   
2 - Do you have any famous relatives? Not that I'm aware of
3 - Did you ever have a kiss under the moonlight? Yes!
4 - Have you ever been jealous? Unfortunately, I have.
5 - How can you prove your love to someone? I have to agree with my mom; they just have to trust you.
6 - What are you thinking right now? That I could use a nap!  
7 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?  Yes  
8 - Can you live without internet? Yes, but it wouldn't be easy.
9 - Have you been so emotional that you can’t find words to explain how you feel? Yes  
10 - Did you ever badmouth someone? Yes, unfortunately I have
11 - What do you prefer, jeans or skirt? Jeans!
12 - Do you have trust issues? I wouldn't say I have trust issues, but it does sometimes take me a little bit to trust new people
13 - What's something that you made all on your own and are incredibly proud of? I don't know that there is something I am incredibly proud of, but I have made some jewelry and I enjoy that.
14 - Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”? Andrew
15 - Who was the last person you hugged?  Andrew
16 - Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”? I believe that, while God gives us free will, He also has a plan for our lives.
17 - Do people praise you for your looks? I am incredibly lucky to have a wonderful husband who does so often!
18 - Do you believe in destiny? I believe in God and His plans for my life
19 - Have you ever thought “I already found my soulmate”? Yes  
20 - Do you like nicknames that are from your name? Nope
21 - Could you ever be a vegan? No, I love meat and I love dairy. I couldn't live without meat and cheese!
22 - Do you currently have bruises on your body? No  
23 - What should you be doing right now? Nothing. I've been up since 3am for work. I think it's time for me to relax!
24 - I read in a magazine that shoulder pads are coming back. Are you happy to hear this or do you not find them to be very attractive? No! That was not a good look!
25 - Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough? I did when I was a bit younger, but I know that God loves me and sent His son to die for my sins. I try to remember that when I feel like I'm not good enough.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed answering!