2014~Be Still

New Year's Eve, already???

The older I get, or what I really should say is, the older our girls get...the faster time seems to go by.

2013 brought a lot of the same, and then some very big changes as well.

For the past several years, I have chosen just one word for the New Year.  In years past, I would make the long list of resolutions like most only to find that by mid-January I already felt like a complete failure.  So, I decided to be a little easier on myself. One simple word.

I realized last year that several of the "BIG" changes we all experienced in our lives came after we took time to stop and listen, to just be STILL.

After listening to ourselves, our hearts, our bodies, we made several changes.  Our oldest left a good paying job to pursue her dream of being a teacher, the youngest and I finally decided to quit taking our doctor's word for our health issues as the final say and found new doctors whom diagnosed many of the things we had already "known".  And in a rare, quiet moment over the Thanksgiving holiday...I took the time to listen to a gentle nudge from God...and because of that a little boy was diagnosed before any long term damage to his heart was done.

I chose to be "STILL" this year because I have found everything else just follows suit.  When I take the time to calm my heart, my mind, my body...the other things that normally would be on the "list" fall into place.  I am a better person, I am happier, I am more focused, I am more mindful of what I say and do, I am more prayerful, I am more intentional, I am healthier, and the list continues.

"The Lord will fight for you, you only need be still."  Exodus 14:14

Thank you for following along on this journey with me.  I love reading your comments and following along on your blogs as well.

Wishing you all a Happy and Safe New Year, and many blessings for 2014!

Homemade Gifts are the Best!

I pray everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  So hard to believe it has come and gone, and we are awaiting yet another New Year.

We enjoyed having our girls at home.  Fortunately, our oldest got over the flu in record time (thank goodness for Tamiflu) and was able to join in on all the festivities.

After attending our Christmas Eve church service, we headed back home for hot oil fondue.  This started out as a New Year's Eve tradition, but as the girls got older and had plans of their own to ring in the New Year we moved it to Christmas Eve.  Our oldest's boyfriend joined us for dinner as well before heading home to his parents for the rest of the night.  The girls then decorated their gingerbread houses.

Christmas morning dawned, and I couldn't get over all the of the wonderful homemade gifts that my girls put together for hubby and I as well as for each other.

Here's a glimpse...

Lap desk made by the youngest for her sissy.

String art signs made by oldest for her sister and I. (youngest's says BU LOVE, sorry only picture I got)

Jute wrapped J made by youngest for me.  (both of these pieces will be a good start to a gallery wall)

The youngest took her dad's favorite picture of her ("Griffining" after a big Baylor win last year) and added the original of RG III underneath along with his quote. (the pink is just a sticker I added to block out her name for posting purposes)

The youngest etched wine glasses for her dad and I.  She also made a set of beer glasses for her sister's boyfriend with the Boston "B", as that is his favorite team.

The oldest knows her dad LOVES to cook, so homemade spice mixes were the perfect gift.

And, the youngest made me an Anthropologie inspired tote bag.

These will truly be cherished for years to come.

I also gave hubby one special gift this year.  It is a cutting board that I had engraved with the recipe for chicken divan I shared awhile back.  It was the very first dish he cooked for me when we were dating, and is still my favorite.

The engraving is a bit difficult to capture in a photo (again the pink is just blocking our names).  I ordered this from Damian's Woodworks on Etsy.  He was fantastic to work with, and local.  I love being able to support local businesses especially during the holidays.  The recipe is engraved in my handwriting making it extra special, and signed "The dish that won my heart".  Damian has so many beautiful products available for weddings, anniversaries and such.

But, I have to say the most special gift came last. I guess I should say "gifts" because not only did I receive one, but both of the girls did as well.

Our very first blue box...but what makes it so special is that each of us, the girls and I, received the very same necklace with the 3 keys..."the 3 of us" or as hubby refers to us "his girls".  Now that we aren't always together, it is a nice reminder that we are never far from each other's hearts.

I feel truly blessed to share my life with all of them, especially this time of year.  Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Santa's Christmas Prayer~

Wishing you and yours a

very Merry Christmas!

Santa's Christmas Prayer

On Christmas Eve the other night

I saw the most amazing sight,

For there beneath the Christmas tree

Was Santa kneeling on his knee.

His countenance was different than

That all-familiar, jolly grin;

His head was bowed, with hand to breast,

And slightly tucked into his vest.

For there in a nativity

Was Jesus and His family,

And as I heard him start to pray

I listened close to what he'd say.

"Lord, You know that You're the reason

I take pleasure in this season.

I don't want to take Your place,

But just reflect Your wondrous grace.

I hope You'll help them understand

I'm just an ordinary man,

Who found a way to do Your will

By finding kids with needs to fill.

But all those centuries ago,

There was no way for me to know

That they would make so much of me,

And all the gifts beneath the tree.

They think I have some hidden power

Granted at the midnight hour,

But it is my love for You

Inspiring the things I do.

And so when they begin to open

Gifts for which they have been hoping,

May they give You all the glory,

For You're the One True Christmas story."

May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas this season!