Christmas Day...and lingering after

Jay woke up around 730 Christmas Morning and we went up to get him and woke Lizzy and came downstairs all together.

Jay was in awe and Lizzy's first words were "Ohh, Beautiful!" when they saw their gifts.

We played and opened stockings, had biscuits and gravy for breakfast then went outside so Jay could ride his new tractor and Lizzy could finally lay claim to Jay's red tractor that he got last year, but has outgrown.

We were all packed up and at Dede and Papa's for lunch by Noon. We ate and then the kids played outside before opening their gifts from Dede and Papa, and the Myers.

The boys were fast and furious and Lizzy took over an hour before she was done. They were happy and we didn't lose anyone in the piles of paper and packaging!

We came home and both kids took quick naps since we were past nap time, but they really needed the break.

I took advantage of that time to open, install batteries in and assemble all of the gifts they received at Dede and Papa's so when they got up we could play and play.

And that's basically what we've been doing ever since. Every year I always have all of my Christmas decorations down and stored by the 27th. I usually do it all in one day.

This year I'm taking my time, its the 30th and i just took down the first tree. Part of the reason is due to the fact that as soon as you mention taking the tree down Jay pouts a little and says, "but it's my favorite".

Another part is just hanging on to preserve the joy of Christmas, the birth of our Savior. I want to remember this gift a little more. Hoping that he is more present this year than ever. Hopeful that we will keep mindful of the Christmas season and our plea for Him to abide with us. Not just Christmas morning, but everyday.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at home with the Wests (us and the in-laws) the Myers, the Stokes and the Barnes all joined us.

The kids had a ball and all donned their Christmas PJs.

They played and ran and we watched for Santa.
We ate and egg-nogged and had a good time

 I love these pictures. Sweet cousins and dear friends and the hilarity that comes with group photos.

Jay was excited to leave cookies for Santa (once I told him that we needed to do it)

and we all got chocolate-covered kisses goodnight.

And just so I remember for next year--

Christmas Eve Menu-
Honeybaked Ham and Rolls
Rotel-Velveeta Dip
Sausage-Rotel-Cream Cheese Dip
Sausage Balls
Elk Summer Sausages and Cheeses
Apples with Peanut Butter Dip
Spinach Dip, Crackers, Veggies
Fudge Pie
Spice Cake
Cookies and Sweets
Tea, Soft Drinks, Egg Nog and White Wine

Christmas Cards 2013

We sent a postcard this year this was the front.

This was the back. (although it was hi res...the one i saved for the blog without our address is the one above and it looks like I did not save it right.)

I did them myself with a photo from ImagesbyNaomi and printed them through Vistaprint and they turned out just great.
I loved the postcard and (spoiler alert!) will be doing this again in the future.

The beauty of the postcard was I only had to touch each card once and I was done. No addressing envelopes, stamping a return address, stuffing and sealing envelopes, then stamping.


I was a bit late in sending them and I think most everyone got them by the 23rd, but by that time who has time to do a blog post about it? Not me. I'm still linking up with the Christmas Card Carousel because I do LOVE Christmas cards!!

I hope you had a Christmas filled with the Joy and Love of the Lord!

A few hours outside

We broke a few rules today.

Postponed the schedule.

Jay took time to explore outside.

I took a minute to breathe.

I'm working on carefully, responsibly letting him have a bit more freedom.

Build confidence.

Grow.

And I'm just breathing it all in, while teaching Tree Climbing 101.

Menu Monday #16- Let's Do Something EASY!

Okay friends, it's the week before Christmas. I'm going to go ahead and call it-there is likely pizza delivery or drive-thru in our future this week. Which is completely acceptable, just not the norm for us lately.

These recipes are hearty, interesting and best of all EASY! We're cooking a family size pack of chicken breasts one time and using it for three dinners. The other two nights are great-gooey sandwiches that are perfect for the winter weather and busy schedules!

Let's get this menu together and the grocery list done so we can soak up the great, happy and holy week ahead!

Steak Hoagies-get a skillet heating with some sliced onion, add a pound or so of cube steak cut into 1/2 to 1 inch strips. Stir occasionally until browned. Remove meat and onions from skillet add 2 tablespoons of butter to melt. Meanwhile open your hoagie buns and place them cut side down into the skillet to toast them. (2 fit in my pan at a time, so add more butter and repeat if you're serving more than 2 hoagies) Once toasted spread a little thousand island on each side of your bun, layer provolone and steak onto your sandwich and top with French fried onions. Top sandwich, wrap in wax paper and place back into a warm skillet, cover just until cheese is melted.

Chicken Alfredo while prepping this dish, I precooked for three nights meals. I bought a family pack of boneless/skinless chicken breasts, drizzled them all with olive oil and seasoned with garlic salt and pepper and baked at 350 for about an hour. This chicken will be used tonight, on salads and for Mexican later in the week.

Cook your favorite pasta to al dente then drain..  Return pasta to pot, add 1 cup half and half or cream, 1/2 stick of butter and about 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until heated through. Add 2 cups chopped chicken.  Serve with a salad. Boom. Dinner. Simple!

Meatball Sandwiches- Use the rest of those hoagie buns from two nights ago and re-use leftover meatballs (or cook some fresh--see what I did last week here) my husband likes his with a little mayo. But just some red sauce and mozzarella will make a hot and hearty sandwich for kids and adults alike!

Big Salads with chicken- We're chopping up the chicken we cooked and stored earlier this week and tossing it into a big salad with boiled egg, peas, bacon, cheese and ranch.

Mexican Chicken Skillet-heat about 1 pound (1 and 1/2 cups) of shredded chicken in a skillet. Add 1 envelope of taco season, 1 can of corn drained, 1 can of black beans, drained and one cup of water or chicken stock. Serve over yellow rice (prepared per package instructions) and top with sour cream. I put this in tortillas for the kids.This + Chips + Salsa = Dinner. Winner.

I am not planning to plan a regular menu next week, so if you need some ideas, scroll through some of the past menus and enjoy your holidays!

Christmas in Disguise

It's Christmas crunch time. I am in the midst of reading Ann Voskamp's The Greatest Gift.The emails are relentless--big savings, stocking stuffers, free shipping, must-haves, ultimate guides to everything, how to make your own perfect Christmas.

Its all everywhere. 

Frenzy is everywhere. Lists. Sales. Menus. Calendars. Budgets.

I feel like the reason for celebrating--the gift--the waiting--the hope are all bogged down, mucked up, muddled with photo-ops, cute outfits and glittering gifts.

The needs are everywhere--kids without gifts, loved ones separated, honest people without homes, warm clothes or food. Let alone money and family and joy.

Its all just so much. 

I have to admit the Christmas to-do's are weighing on me. Mainly because everywhere I look I see Christmas in disguise.

The Nativity surrounded by Santa (or at our house nutcrackers), the holy carols playing along side the endless commercials. Those working so hard and feeling as if they are not enough because they don't spend enough. How does that make sense? How can Christmas make us feel like we are not enough? God thinks each of us is enough--each one of us got the most unbelievable gift from the almighty. Sometimes in the modern-day Christmas, we can't seem to see the Miracle.

Thank you God for the blessing, the most precious gift of your Son. 

To walk this earth, to experience the life you breathed into everyone of us.

Then making him the greatest teacher we've ever known with lessons and stories that were relevant thousands of years ago and are equally filled with truth today.

Then sacrificing him, as a living and eternal atonement for the everyday mistakes we make. The daily grind of trying our best but giving in to what the world wants--the stuff, the more, the I need, the what-about-me.

When all we really need we've already been given. Before we were ever born.

Your precious Son.

Your Holy Spirit.

Your eternal love.

Yesterday, when I was really feeling the tug of the lists, budgets and stress that Christmas can bring with it--this Christmas in disguise showed itself to me. Through my nonstop three year old no less.

His grandmother had been over to bring some new Christmas clothes and go to the movies with us. As she left he stopped her and said "Wait, we have to give you something!!!"

(I had nothing to give.)

"We have to give you some apple butter!! Yeah, we made it and we'll share it with you!"

(We made it months ago, but he knows its something we do when we have visitors or want to take something special to someone)

I went and got a jar to hand him, he was thrilled to share it.

This lesson of sharing, of giving that we've been working on teaching all year long, proved worthwhile and unveiled itself at Christmastime.

When I had "nothing to give" my sweet son found something to share.

Just as I have "nothing to give" the one who shared his Son for me.

Its the giving that is the gift. 

The teaching that has been the lesson for me.

In the simple sharing, there is a great reward.

In the calm and stillness and joy and hope for everyone.

I pray we'll have more of the real Christmas experience reveal itself over the coming weeks. I hope I can see through the disguise and behold the beauty this season is.

I pray the same for you and your family, too. Thanks for sharing this with me today.

Allison

Holiday Wear 2013

When I wrote and shared my goals for the holidays, one of them included having the kids WEAR their holiday clothes instead of saving them...I would say that we're off to a good start!

One day last week it was too cold to play outside and I ended up giving the kids a bath before naptime. Since they both had on their Christmas PJ's I thought I'd get some cute pics.

I ordered these from ASimpleStitch in June. I chose a heat press monogram for the first time and I'm quite happy with it so far, I feel like its more comfy than an applique. She's in Birmingham-you can find  ASimpleStitch on facebook here or online here.

I think these Santa shirts are so fun! Totally suited to my kid's personalities don't you think?

These were done by another local gal who is just as sweet as she can be! You can find Jill's shop on facebook here or online at Sydney Kate Designs


I just got this darling dress for Lizzy and could not WAIT to get it on her. Hot off of the machine at Goat and Lulu--I think Lizzy will be wearing this every other day.

You can find Goat and Lulu on facebook or etsy. They're Georgia Bulldogs, so they are close by and Amanda was absolutely wonderful helping create this "Christmasey but not in your face" dress fir Lizzy.

Sweet Kimberlee also monogrammed some polos for Jay before she took off to Canada. They are just right for him this season. Kimberlee's about to become a mommy for the first time in a matter of minutes, but like her on facebook so you can stay tuned to what she has in store this spring.


I'm  posting all of these links just to help support these women and the businesses they work so hard on working from home. :) Some of them I know personally, some are friends of friends and others I've just stumbled upon, but I'm so glad they do what they do so those of us who can only replace buttons can still have cute clothes for our kiddos.


Dede also brought this sweet outfit for Lizzy with the nativity. Its so cute I just love it. I quickly whipped up a bow for her to wear it to church last Wednesday night right after she got it.

Sorry if there were any duplicates for my friends on instagram, I tried to use some new pics to show off our fun holiday duds!

Hey! I just saw this HollyJolly PJ Party on the good life blog and linked up! You should, too! Click over and thanks for stopping in!