What a Wonderful World

It's been a wonderful past month! I can hardly believe that all the beautiful Christmas festivities have come and gone and we are in a whole new year.

We had a rough start. The dreaded stomach virus hit our family and we stayed in the entire week leading up to Christmas. And although it was a tough time for us and it wasn't fun at all, I hate to even complain because we are SO lucky to have our health.

Because of our sick household, we were devastated to miss our Christmas celebration with Jason's family. Poor, sweet Ella would throw-up and then say to me, "I feel better ... now can we please go to Chesterfield?" It was pitiful. She was heart-broken.

Jason never takes time off. SO ... he took a couple of days off right before Christmas and we invited his parents over and were at least able to spend some time with our fun "Bubby and BB". We cooked lunch and had a truly wonderful, memorable, full day together in our home. It was a special start to an incredible Christmas weekend.

Christmas morning we enjoyed family time with our excited children.

Then headed over to my parent's for brunch. My parents built our home when I was only 2 and my brother was 4, so it truly is home to us. I loved watching Wilson and my adorable niece Anna Chapman interact. They are only 9 days apart.

We are so blessed. It's going to be a wonderful year.

Great Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We started off with a birthday celebration for my mom on Wednesday. All the girls (and my brother joined us) took her to Sea Captains House for lunch where we enjoyed their famous She Crab Soup and then headed over to my grandparents house for cake. Then after the babies rested, my parents and my brother's family came over to our house for more cake and presents.

Thursday morning we woke up, and scurried out the door to my dad's family farm in the country to spend Thanksgiving day. My Dad and Uncle fried the best turkey and we all enjoyed a day outside in the fresh air. Ella and Wilson were SO happy.

From there we headed to Jason's hometown and spent 3 nights with his family. It's hard traveling with a baby, but we managed to have a very enjoyable weekend together. Everyone was happy and healthy!

We left mid-morning Sunday. We always go pick out our Christmas tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I will honestly share with you that we are still living out of our suitcases, as I just haven't gotten around to unpacking and putting things in their place yet! I hate that feeling, but that's how it is right now.

We are excited to make many Christmas memories in our new (well, old) -- and hopefully final -- home.

Merry Christmas to you and enjoy this special time with your families. Remember that very FIRST Christmas.

Christmas Cards Link

I am in the process of deciding on the photo to use for our Christmas Card. I am ALMOST there ... choosing between 3 photos. Do I use the posed one, picture perfect, of everyone smiling directly at the camera, or the adorable candid one, which I LOVE, however you can't see the children's faces well??? One of our family of 4, or one of just the children???

I wanted to share with you a few websites that I like to use, but in return I would love your input on others, as I still have not found the perfect card I would like to use! Please HELP ME (and hopefully others) with some reputable online companies!!!

Christmas Card Websites:

http://www.tinyprints.com/

http://www.shutterfly.com/

http://www.invitationbox.com/

http://www.finestationery.com/

http://www.polkadotdesign.com/

You can link up below, or just leave me a comment ...

Joy To The World!

I was searching for a gift today, came across these lovely Christmas ornaments, and wanted to share them with you. I absolutely love Christmas time and can't wait to enjoy the season, as it is so quickly approaching.
These are just a few of the reasons I love it so much ...

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Stevenson, 1936

I requested a catalog. Here is the link if you would like one as well ...

http://208.77.131.66/catalogrequest/countryselect.aspx?emailList=false

Merry Christmas ... almost!!