I’ve been looking for some inspiration for Christmas, and while I’ve already started decorating, I put my own take on these bits of inspiration. I can’t wait to share all of it with you! In the mean time, I’ll just share with you my inspiration!
All of these bits of inspiration come from none other than Southern Living!
So, go get your Christmas on!
Today has been a steady reminder of all that I am thankful for. I got up this morning to get ready to spend my first Thanksgiving with my husband. Since he had to work though {booooo}, I had to go to him.
Don’t you worry though. We ate just like we would at my grandmother’s house {if not better}. The food was amazing!!! Everyone pitched in and brought something. I am so thankful that Colby works for a fire department that is so family friendly and really cares about their workers.
I am also thankful for these little Indians.
This was my first Thanksgiving experience with my kids at school. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT!!! However, I have to say that it went pretty well. Next year, I think I’ll be able to prepare a little bit better.
I am so very thankful for the job I have. I would have never pictured myself teaching kindergarten, but it is so much more than I imagined it would be. Kindergarten is not what is used to be folks! I feel blessed to even have a job because I know there were so many out there competing to get the same jobs I applied for. I work with outstanding people, and I feel truly blessed to enjoy my job.
As for the little things I’m thankful for:
I hope you all had a terrific Thanksgiving! I’ll have more to share later, but my pictures aren’t quite ready.
I have so much to be thankful for this year. This year has been so eventful and full of happiness that it would be ridiculous of me to not express my thanks for all of the blessings in my life.
To begin, I’m thankful for the abiding love that God has for me. A self-less man gave his life for our sins so that we would have eternal life with God in the riches of heaven. I sit in amazement each and every time I read the Easter story and imagine the pain he faced all for us. If we all could be so selfless…
Second, I’m thankful for this man….
He is the most amazing husband and best friend to me. He pushes me to do my best and gives tough love to me when I feel like I can’t go anymore. Yet, he loves me unconditionally and is always there to make me smile and laugh to brighten my day. He gives me attention that no one else could fulfill and knows just when to give a little extra. Events in the past few months have really brought to life how lucky I am to have him by my side each and every day. It has truly made me aware to not take for granted a simple “I love you.” It may be the last.
I’m also thankful for these people…
My family. My immediate family. My in-laws.
They are all absolutely wonderful. They always provide insight into the unknown and share their experiences to light the way for me. I couldn’t ask for a better family or in-laws. Amazing! That’s exactly what they are.
For the rest of the week, I’ll be sharing what I’m thankful for. I really have so much. It can’t fit into one post. I encourage you to do the same. What are you thankful? Think past the negative and focus on the positive.
So, I’m venturing out again to try to attempt updating the look of my blog. I want bigger photos! I’m tired of those tiny things! Not to mention that I hate the new template designer on Blogger.
After finally searching and trying to figure out a way to get what I want, I have finally found it. I’m aware that the header is WAY too big. Give me time. It is a work in progress.
As for me, I’ve been trying to get this house clean. The Christmas party for my friends is at my house this year, and I would like for things to look presentable. I know what you’re thinking. Brenna, it’s not even Thanksgiving. Yes, but if I don’t get a start now while I have a break from school, it is very unlikely to get done.
I must say I’m thoroughly enjoying my Thanksgiving break. It’s been nice to knock out some projects that I’ve been wanting to do, but have just simply been too exhausted to do.
I’ve also been able to do some reading of blogs, and I found this great idea from a friend of mine over at Walking By Faith. Her blog post led me to discover the wonderful world of Sips and Strokes. I, however, do not live near one of these places, and I have no artistic ability to do something like this no matter how much they say ANYONE can do it. Theirs, however, turned out great!
This is what I’m thinking I want one lovely person I know to paint me {with her own personal touch of course}! You’ll have to check it out here though.
I’ll be giving you a peek into what I’m thinking for Christmas this year! Oh, I can’t wait!
It is officially Thanksgiving holidays! Major break from school! I cannot tell you how happy I am to see this break. I am SO EXHAUSTED it is ridiculous.
Tonight I’ve been trying to finish some things for school that are super important, so my ultimate goal of cleaning the house right when I got home did not happen.
Three rooms are all I have done in the house. I am at the point where I feel like a bit of failure for not being able to get everything done and KEEP a clean house. I suppose it is all just wishful thinking, but I’m sure there are some people out there who can make it happen.
I can’t imagine what it is going to be like one day when I have kids. Craziness!
Now, I’m sitting on my couch, and I’m hardly able to move. My whole body seems to ache. I’m trying to figure out how in the world I’m going to get things done and rest since we’re going out of town tomorrow to celebrate a wedding. And, I’m trying to hold these eyes of mine open, so I can talk to my husband again to find out the plans.
You know when you feel like you’ve gone and gone and gone until you can’t go anymore??? That’s me. I’m so far beyond exhaustion that I can hardly stand anyone or anything.
Silence right now is actually a joy.
Now that I’ve typed this though, I’m not actually proud of this. I shouldn’t be complaining. I should just be thankful for having a job, a roof over my head, and great friends.
Sorry for being a downer and for my rant. Just keeping it real.
For the first time in a very long time it seems, I actually had a day off on a day that Colby was not working at the fire department. For some reason, that seems to seldom happen.
Veteran’s Day broke the trend we had going on though, and I had the opportunity to keep my niece, Aly, that whole day. Surprisingly, it was a pretty easy day.
She’s really taken a liking to her Uncle Colby and lights up when she sees him or knows that he’s going to take her somewhere.
For the most part of the day, we stuck around the house only to leave for some BBQ for lunch. We watched Uncle Colby fix some things, we played with the cat, and we argued about having to go back inside to take a nap.
With a little coaxing and deal making, she very easily went down for a nap. It went a little something like “if you want to go see the cows, you have to take a nap.” Nice, huh?
Aunt B on one end of the couch and Sis on the other. She was asleep in a matter of minutes.
She woke up just in time for Uncle Colby to take us out to my parents’ farm. Since they’re out of town, their cow feeding, mail-checking, dog-feeding duties were passed along to us.
Sis didn’t mind though. It was the highlight of her day.
She has her very own feed bucket thanks to Nana and Pop Pop.
She had a terrific day with Aunt B and Uncle Colby! I can’t wait to give her a try in an overnight stay. That should be interesting =)
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
I’ve mentioned it before on here that I was desperately trying to find some bedding that I felt suited my taste. If there is one thing I’m VERY picky about, it is bedding.
Not a fan of comforters. Hate duvets. Don’t like weird designs on quilts.
I wanted a quilt. I found a quilt. Then, it was time to save money for this quilt.
I promise you. I shopped around but found NOTHING I liked. Not even the least little bit. This one had won my heart. After ordering it last week, it finally came in.
Now, the rest of the room has to up its game. New curtains. Nice blinds. Some Euro shams. New lamps. Bedside tables. And the list goes on.
At least this is a step in the right direction =)
………………………………………………………………………………
Now, I’m going to switch gears. I would like to thank all of the service men and women who have served our country and continually fought for our freedom.
I have lots of family and friends who have served our country and currently do so. I am not near brave enough nor selfless enough to give up time with my family and life to make the service to our country my life.
We shouldn’t just appreciate them today. We should appreciate them everyday. However, if you haven’t said thank you to a Veteran, please take the time to do so.
…………………………………………………………………………….
To switch gears again, I’ve got to get off of this and get busy cleaning our nasty house. Cluttered and junky is how I feel right now. Type A personalities don’t deal with that too well. Ha!
I’ve also got to get it done before this little girl wakes up!
Happy Veteran’s Day!
I try not to get too ahead of myself with the Christmas spirit. It’s kind of crazy. All of the stores have all of their stuff out. Christmas commercials.
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!
Don’t get me wrong! I love Christmas just as much as the next person, but I’m trying to enjoy the most of each holiday at this time of the year instead of jumping ahead.
However, I can’t say that I’m not already preparing for it.
My heart leaped for joy when it say this magazine in the mail. It is the first of many to come. {I’m a magazine junkie…forgive me}
I have a few ideas roaming around in my head, but instead of jumping ahead of the Thanksgiving season, I’ll save it for a few days more. After all, we have to get prepared. Then, when it is the day after Thanksgiving, we can hop on those decorations!
Don’t forget to make your list of what you’re thankful for =)
Happy Wednesday! Enjoy your day off tomorrow!
After our stop by the Community Rummage Sale, we ventured on our way to the plains in Auburn, Alabama. The home of Auburn University.
Colby’s parents have a home there, and they tailgate there at every home game. This weekend was not quite as crazy as the traditional tailgating weekend since it was homecoming, and it was a really early game.
However, we still had a good time seeing friends and family, especially some kiddos that stopped by the house before their 1st game experience in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Yep, that cute little boy was my ring bearer. The very first photo is his precious little brother.
This cutie will be celebrating her 1st birthday on the 14th of this month. Happy Birthday, Ellie!
Cole was loving the kids! He’s such a good sport!
Can you tell it was rather frigid this weekend?
I’m glad that we FINALLY got to come up after many tries, and I’m glad we got to see our family and friends!
Yes, it is. It is the time of year where every weekend is filled with something to do and people to see. Event after event. Traveling here and there.
This weekend we started off by visiting the Quarterly Community Rummage Sale, which took place where our reception was. I couldn’t help myself. I HAD to go!
These are my finds for all of $15….
A tarnished silver-plated bowl. $10. Has an insert to protect it from acidic foods.
Two cute containers. $1.50. Don’t know where they are going to go. Don’t know what’s going to go in them. I do know I love them!
Picnic basket. $3.50. I’ve really been wanting one. Who could turn this down for that price???
What are these inside the basket? Part of the $3.50 deal? Why, yes it is!
A cute little whale clip? Yes, yes it is. It is also a picnic blanket holder.
The stakes go in the ground, and then the whales open wide and clamp down. How cute is that!!!!
So, what do you think? Did I come out on the good end of the deal? I think so!
I have much more to share from the weekend, but I’ll save it for tomorrow.
happy monday!
It’s still a work in progress, but I couldn’t help but share what I’ve done so far. The things that are left to do are just a few finishing touches….
….Twine with what we have to be thankful for
….Stemware
….Flatware.
Here’s an idea of what I have going on in my dining room!
And remember that tree that held the baskets for Halloween? It’s getting a facelift, too!
I’ll share some more photos when it is all done!
I had a terrific weekend minus the fact that my husband couldn’t be with me for the greater part of the weekend. However, I was kept busy with visiting friends and preparing for my little trick-or-treaters!
I always look forward to this. I was going to venture out this year and actually turn my front porch light on for random trick-or-treaters, but I backed out when Colby couldn’t be here. Too many freaks to do that when I’m by myself…
Anyhow, I had plenty of fun with my niece and my little cousins. They are way to precious!
First, my niece came along, the little bumblebee =)
I had my house all decorated for it, too. I used some tips from my SIL, and I used some ideas of my own as well.
And, I also had my classroom decorated for the Halloween season. I’ve been meaning to post these for a while, but things get a little crazy sometimes.
I hope you all had a spook-tacular Halloween!
Now it is time to give thanks for all that we have in this life that God has given us…count your blessings!
