Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful:

--for a curious child.  I love watching her figure things out and explore new territory.  She is able to keep herself occupied and plays well, even alone.

--that my daughter is a Christmas trooper.  We had seven family Christmases and two parties for church within a week and a half span, and she did awesome for all of them.  Her routine has always been flexible which makes her a fairly laid back child--I am especially thankful for this at times like these when we're bouncing from place to place.

--that we got to spend so much time with family this past weekend.  We were able to actually spend time and visit instead of rushing through all of the holiday festivities, and it was fabulous.

--for companies and organizations like World Vision.  My family decided to donate gifts through them this year instead of exchanging gifts for the adults.  Such a blessing.  Look into it--give an offering, donate a gift, sponsor a child.  You will be blessed.

--for my sewing machine!!  My mother-in-law got it for me for Christmas, and Hunter and I are both SO excited about it!  I have been wanting to learn to sew for a while, and now I'm jumping in with both feet!

--that I get to see my best friends this weekend, hopefully all together.  It will be quite the reunion, and I. Am. Pumped!

--that my husband helped me clean the house last weekend.  I still have to go through the mess of my dumping grounds  the guest room, but the kitchen and living room are clean--not just picked up, but clean.  That was fabulous to come home to and has made this week a lot easier.

--to love and be loved in return.

Be grateful, offer thanks.

love, angie

An Arabella Update

Here are some tid bits about our bug lately:

Disclaimer:  you may not care about these, but I'm writing them more for a memory for myself anyway :P

• She walks all the time and everywhere.  This started about the first week or two in December.  Before then she had been walking and crawling about 50/50.
• She waves hi and bye, as well as blowing kisses (talk about melt my heart!).
• She's almost weaned off of the bottle--still gets one at night to go to bed.  We've been going out of town and staying all over the place too much for me to worry about trying to take that one away too.  That's our goal for next week.
• Her vocabulary is growing:  daddy, mama, GIGI (what my nieces and nephew--and now my daughter--call me), KK (her youngest cousin's nickname), bye, hey, thank you, mmm, dog, eat, and uh-oh.
• She also says thank you and uh-oh only at the appropriate times, which makes it even that much more adorable.  We have also reached the point of dropping things on purpose for the sake of saying uh-oh (this happens most often on her changing table...).
• She not only blows kisses, but she'll lean in and give you one if you ask for it.  She opens her mouth wide and leans in to yours--sweetest thing ever.  She has also become quite snuggly and loves to give hugs.
• She has 8 teeth in fully (four top, four bottom, all in front) and is working on her first four molars (the ones behind the eye teeth/canines).
• She loves to build things and tear them apart, fill something up and empty it out.
• She knows what a dog and a monkey "says".  (Christmas morning as she was opening a gift, I told her "Open that puppy up!"  Immediately she replied "woof!"  Made me smile).
• She still sleeps 11-14 hours every night--and I still LOVE that :)  (as well as a 2-3 hour nap everyday).
• She's very friendly and will go see just about anyone.
• It's time to move up to a size 5 diaper.
• When she sees something neat or pretty, she says "Ooooohhh" with a raised inflection in the middle to show she's impressed.
• She "talks" on the phone, holding any small flat toy up to her ear saying "hey!"
• She loves stuffed animals--squeezes them tight and snuggles them close.
• She is quite the little Linus...very attached to her blanket.  She's even gotten to the point of going into her room, pushing her bumper down, and pulling her blanket out of her bed.
• She's tall enough to reach things off of the table...oh boy.
• Her favorite snack is Teddy Grahams.
• She can be quite feisty and independent (the number of spankings are increasing...).
• She loves to be chased.
• The girl opens presents like a champ.  Gift bags, wrapped boxes--she'll take either one.  Loves it!
• She is still the most beautiful and perfect little thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

Remember everything.  

They grow up too fast.

love, angie

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Wishing upon you the blessings of grace, peace, and hope which are only truly brought through the love of our Saving Jesus.  We pray that you not only hear His story this year but also experience His presence.

Bask in your blessings; take tons of pictures; eat a lot of good food; take in every second you're given with those you love; and remember and care for those who need it most.  

Love, 

Hunter, Angie, and Arabella

Christmas Card display

One thing I love about this house are the archways in my living room.  For a small, builder-grade house, that feature adds a little character that I love.  

And they're perfect for Christmas!  I absolutely love Christmas cards--it's a great way to keep up with those friends and family members you don't get to see often.  Plus, who doesn't love getting a little something in their mailbox that isn't a bill or junk?  Sometimes the old-fashioned things warm the heart the most.  

So since I love these little morsels of love so much, I had to find the proper way to display them.  Here's where those arches come in...  I got a red and green tinsel garland that is the perfect length to drape around the arch leading from the living room into the kitchen/dining.  With some simple ornament hooks and clothespins, it was transformed into a fantastic display for my cards :)

*Sidenote: ignore my messy table and desk area.  They have become my catchall for the craziness.

You can also get a glimpse of the ornaments on my dining room light fixture (thank you, Pinterest!). This is the first year I've done that, but I love the extra flair it gives to the space without having something on the table.

Keep 'em comin' peeps--I'm ready to fill that garland up with your beautiful faces again!

Merry Christmas!

love, angie

Some favorites for Christmas time

As I mentioned in my "Thankful Thursday" post, I am grateful for Christmas music and it's reminder to focus.  So here's a post with a few of my faves for this time of year:

• Probably my favorite Christmas album is Casting Crowns' (surprise, surprise).  They're voices are beautiful, and again, their song lyrics carry such meaning.

• The Kenny G Christmas albums are in-cred-uh-ble.  I love them.  One of my favorites on his album, "Wishes" (and the bonus track on "Faith"...slightly different) is his rendition of Auld Lang Syne.  The dubbing over of the historical moments gets me teary every time I hear it.  (there is also a millennium mix with more current events dubbed over.  powerful.)  But both of his Christmas CDs are fabulous.

• This may be a shocker, but I love the entire N'SYNC Christmas album.  Guilty pleasure...  Reminds me of my youth...  Should be embarrassed, but I'm not...

• I love these next two songs because of their points of view--one from Mary and one from Joseph.  To understand the weight of this honor on them, carrying and raising the Messiah, and yet, just being able to be his parents.  

• Something about Judy Garland's voice makes my insides stir, and she sings this song like no other.  This version and this song bring the Christmas spirit to my inner core without fail.

• Who can get through Christmas without this one?  We've had the pleasure of seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas performance twice and would go back without question.  They're talent is incredible.

• And then the classics, sung by the classics...irreplaceable.

• And a few newer ones...

• And of course you can't have Christmas without this dose of fun and love!

Get caught up in the beauty of the season.  Be full of faith, full of servanthood, and full of love.

Enjoy!

merry moments, angie

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful:

--for vacations.  Sometimes, it's not only nice to get away from all of the busy-ness, but also the speed and distractions (cell phones, computers, television, hobbies, to-do lists)...

--for my husband who loves Jesus and refuses to settle for traditions and mediocrity.  His curiosity and hunger keep him studying and learning.  I love to witness him grow; and his growth spurs my own.

--that my child sleeps--a lot.  This is a biggie.  See, she gets that ultra love of sleep from me, so since we both get to rest enough, we get along really well :)

--that I have lost some weight--double thankful that I've been able to do so without trying!  I had gotten up to my heaviest ever after having Bella and stopping nursing.  That number was getting too high for my height and body type--and I'm 12 pounds less than that ultra high number!  I feel good and my clothes are fitting correctly again, giving me a little more self confidence.

--for my mom and sister who are willing to keep sweet Bella bug while we are away.  HUGE help, and we're so grateful.

--for Christmas music.  It touches my heart and resets my focus.

--for my Sassy Stampers (monthly stamp club) and the opportunity to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  These ladies and my time with them each month are my version of therapy.  I love it.

Be grateful, give thanks.

love, angie

Ornamental Elegance Kit

The ornament on the front of the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog has been quite the buzz in the crafting community.  Well now, there's a kit being offered to help you create those beauties a little more simply!  Hurry and snag this deal--it's a "while supplies last" offer, so I have no way of knowing how long it will last.

In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive.

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

• Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
• Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
• Natural Linen Thread
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Order these now so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas giving--or your own family tree!  Available only while supplies last.

Visit my online store to order this kit or other Stampin' Up! products anytime.

happy crafting,
angie