Chesnuts Roasting..

My Christmas season just can't officially start until we put up the tree and decorate our little house. So today, after church and round table, we pulled out all the Christmas stuff from the attic, put the Christmas playlist on, toasted some yummy Starbucks and got to work. Here are some pictures of us in action, and our results!

Unpacking decorations. Note my wonky melted candle...

I need to make a Michael's run for some new ones!

My new favorite ornament, an early present from Shanna and Billy.

( Note the dogs and cat are on there too!)

And, of course, Gigi and Winnie were VERY involved. Involved in their naps that is...

So, in other words...

Christmas time is here.

Happiness and cheer.

Fun for all that children call

Their favorite time of the year!!!!

Perfect Ending to a Perfect Weekend..

Here are some pics we haven't posted yet, from my birthday a few weeks ago. :) Enjoy!

We had an incredibly busy weekend. Herb ( our pastor) was talking at church today about how Thanksgiving is going to blow right by us, and it will be Christmas madness once again. This weekend was no exception to the busyness. Friday, after a pretty nut-so day at work, Kristin, Sarah and I enjoyed some really really good ( and loooong overdue) Little Szechuan. Oh my. Sarah, you have won me over with your orange peel beef! Good call. Of course, after feasting our tummies, we went to feast our eyes on some Twilight. Well, I have to say, the movie wasn't bad. No way it could live up to the hype. If you want a really good revue, see my friend Leah's blog. ( see our favorite spots ) I think the funniest part was being SURROUNDED by major teenage girl fans. So the crowd was pretty hyped up with clapping and screaming..... That was quite entertaining.

We spent most of Saturday with our "Asylum" group. ( ie, teenagers from our church) I got the amazing opportunity to share some of my story of bitterness and resentment, and how God revealed all of that to me. Even more so, that he showed me freedom in the midst of it. Even though I went through the "grown up" version of this, its like I am learning all over again. God is funny like that!

Fast forward to Sunday, church was awesome. I love our funny, sweet community of believers. Then a bittersweet lunch at the Varsity with Lor-ie and her family. I love Lori. I love her family. I hate goodbyes.

I ended my weekend vegging on my couch with Amanda and Sam... I love when friends don't have to say anything. It is just nice to relax and laugh, and just "be".

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!

Transiberian Orchestra

So, we got this great idea to go see the Transiberian Orchestra at Phillips Arena last night. We LOVE their Christmas Music, "Wizards in Winter " is such an awesome song. So we thought surely it would be a couple of hours of amazing music, lights, FIRE! Well, there was music, and lights, and even some fire, BUT, well, lets just say it was a cross between Newsong and Meatloaf. I felt like I had been picked up and dropped into an eighties big hair band concert with a Christmas touch. Not to mention the weird monologue about an angel at a bar....
Hmmmm, moral of MY story is to get the CD or better yet, download your CHOICE of songs from itunes. Now if you ask Mike "It was aweeesoommme"

Fireproof, the movie

So, Mike and I went to see "Fireproof" on Friday. I must say, we had our qualms. We aren't super huge fans of Christian movies, only because they are often low budget, high sap, and mediocre acting. However, we heard from more than one person the movie was worth it. Plus, it was filmed in Albany , Georgia, and I had a thing for Kirk Cameron back in the day.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Even though there were some amateur actors who made it clear they weren't super experienced, most of the performances were good, especially since most of them aren't even actors. AND, Kirk Cameron did a really nice job, I actually FORGOT he used to be Mike Seaver. I really liked the performance the actor who played his friend Michael. Very solid! Even better, it wasn't one of those movies that makes you think if you have Christ, your life will just "work out." Um, it doesn't say that in the Bible. I thought the situations the couple went through were so true to life. From the fighting, especially the money arguments, the struggle with pornography, and an emotional affair, they cover alot of what Christian marraiges are faced with. There were so many moments in the movie that were so "hit the nail on the head" that I couldn't breathe. I literally have been there, and it knocked the breath out of me. It is so beautiful and miraculous now, to see the other side. To know that we, like fictional couple, made it through.. I think the coolest part of the movie is that it showed the couple seeing each other how God sees them. To look past the fleshy, self absorbed, self-righteous crud and see God's workmanship in each other. Wow, that is the miracle that He gives us daily in our marraige (if we let Him) and I thought they portrayed it beautifully here.
So, if you haven't figured it out yet, we really did like the movie. If you go see it, don't expect high quality blah blah, but they did really well with a 500,000 budget, and this movie has grossed over 20 million!! Here is a link, go see it!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

I am thankful...

Defintion : "Showing a grateful heart, a state of thankfulness"

So, inspired by Real Simple's article on Gratitude, and the upcoming holiday, I decided to take a minute, and make a list of a few things I am truly thankful for. You know, before everyone else does... Here goes.

1. Laughter. The ability to laugh at every day situations and most of all, myself. To be able to see the humor in every day life, and a reminder not to take myself so seriously all the time. For that I am truly thankful.

2. Changing Seasons. How awesome that God new we would need things to change. That we are so fickle we would get tired of heat, and then cold weather. How amazing it is to see leaves changing, or snow, or flowers blooming :)

3. Internet. Ok this one isn't as shallow as it may seem. I love the ability to so rapidly communicate with people I don't see often. My sister being the most important. What may seem like silly back and forth messages are giving way to a deeper relationship that means the world to me!

4. My friend Jen. I love all my friends, I know I am a blessed woman to have each of you. Jen, I single you out for a ton of reasons, mostly that it is such a miracle to be able to work side by side, day in day out ( well except Wednesdays, but usually we talk then) with someone that I count as a best friend. How grateful I am that God put us together. I think He knew we would need each other, and Lord knows we do.

5. My husband's patience. So for those of you who know Mike, you have to give him kudos. He puts up with ALOT. I don't think we would survive if he weren't so patient, and so giving, umm and humble, and FUNNY, and it goes on and on......

Alright, so I challenge you to take a minute out of your busy day and think of some things you are truly thankful for!!!