Well… it’s everyone’s favorite blog of the week… our FRIDAY UPDATE!
It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas! Okay… let’s be
honest…it was ‘beginning’ to look that way about 2 weeks ago. Yes-
this year I was one of those crazy people who decorated BEFORE
Thanksgiving… I couldn’t help it, I was just TOO EXCITED!! What can I
say…I am my mother’s daughter. (and I guess this is what I get for
making fun of her for being Christmas Crazy all those years!) I finally
put the finishing touches on it all this week though, and we are very
happy with the outcome! There was lots of bargain shopping and several
‘do it yourself’ projects, but we were able to stay under budget. Next
week I plan to post a ‘Decorating on a Budget’ blog to share some of my
ideas…tune in if you (or a friend) need some direction! 🙂
honest…it was ‘beginning’ to look that way about 2 weeks ago. Yes-this year I was one of those crazy people who decorated BEFORE
Thanksgiving… I couldn’t help it, I was just TOO EXCITED!! What can I
say…I am my mother’s daughter. (and I guess this is what I get for
making fun of her for being Christmas Crazy all those years!) I finally
put the finishing touches on it all this week though, and we are very
happy with the outcome! There was lots of bargain shopping and several
‘do it yourself’ projects, but we were able to stay under budget. Next
week I plan to post a ‘Decorating on a Budget’ blog to share some of my
ideas…tune in if you (or a friend) need some direction! 🙂
PoHo
Family Christmas Party. Last night Rusty and I hosted our first
Christmas Party together. We had over all the Michigan World Race
staff, and some very fun visitors too! We ended up with a house full of
loved ones and spent the night eating, laughing, praying, and
worshiping. Our VERY FUN guests showed up with Christmas hats for
everyone and sang carols upon entering the house. I made some yummy
white chicken chili and mexican cornbread for dinner, and we finished
the night with Jesus’ Birthday Cake! (a red velvet cake with ‘Happy
Birthday Jesus’ on top! – it’s a family tradition 🙂 It turned out
being one of the most FUN Christmas parties EVER!!! A big THANK YOU to
everyone who came! 🙂
Family Christmas Party. Last night Rusty and I hosted our first
Christmas Party together. We had over all the Michigan World Race
staff, and some very fun visitors too! We ended up with a house full of
loved ones and spent the night eating, laughing, praying, and
worshiping. Our VERY FUN guests showed up with Christmas hats for
everyone and sang carols upon entering the house. I made some yummy
white chicken chili and mexican cornbread for dinner, and we finished
the night with Jesus’ Birthday Cake! (a red velvet cake with ‘Happy
Birthday Jesus’ on top! – it’s a family tradition 🙂 It turned out
being one of the most FUN Christmas parties EVER!!! A big THANK YOU to
everyone who came! 🙂
I LOVE SURPRISES!!! If
you know me at ALL, you know I love presents (giving and getting) and
you know I LOVE surprises! This week I got both – in a very special
ornament bought for me by Mrs. Darla Snyder (our friend Matt’s sweet mom).
The ornament is just too cute; it’s the world, with little children
from different countries holding hands around it. The word “HOPE” is written
on it in 6 different languages. It was a very special addition to our
tree! THANKS MRS. DARLA!!!
you know me at ALL, you know I love presents (giving and getting) and
you know I LOVE surprises! This week I got both – in a very special
ornament bought for me by Mrs. Darla Snyder (our friend Matt’s sweet mom).
The ornament is just too cute; it’s the world, with little children
from different countries holding hands around it. The word “HOPE” is written
on it in 6 different languages. It was a very special addition to our
tree! THANKS MRS. DARLA!!!
The First SNOW!
That’s right! Our Christmas party ended the most perfect way of all…
with SNOW! As we walked our last 3 guests out, we found sparkly white
flurries all over our front steps. Needless to say, both Rusty and I
were VERY excited!!! Sadly it had all melted by morning, but we are
hoping for more soon! (it’s just so pretty!)
That’s right! Our Christmas party ended the most perfect way of all…
with SNOW! As we walked our last 3 guests out, we found sparkly white
flurries all over our front steps. Needless to say, both Rusty and I
were VERY excited!!! Sadly it had all melted by morning, but we are
hoping for more soon! (it’s just so pretty!)
The
REAL Reason for the Season. Of course, we all know the
REAL Reason for
the Season is JESUS… not decorations or parties or gifts. I have some
great blogs coming that focus on that… blogs about Christmas gifts
that give back, decorating on a budget (and giving the extra money
away), and a blog coming this weekend about a VERY special little girl
who’s doing something incredible for Christmas this year. Today, I
want to let you know about a great group of women – led by our friend
Meg – who are overseas starting off the season right. They are giving
their time, money and love to ‘the least of these’ while on a trip to
Swaziland. They are truly living out scripture; “Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to
look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) Please keep them in
your prayers this week as God is breaking their hearts for Africa.
Click here to read a more detailed update of their trip: December Trip to Swaziland
REAL Reason for the Season. Of course, we all know the
REAL Reason for
the Season is JESUS… not decorations or parties or gifts. I have some
great blogs coming that focus on that… blogs about Christmas gifts
that give back, decorating on a budget (and giving the extra money
away), and a blog coming this weekend about a VERY special little girl
who’s doing something incredible for Christmas this year. Today, I
want to let you know about a great group of women – led by our friend
Meg – who are overseas starting off the season right. They are giving
their time, money and love to ‘the least of these’ while on a trip to
Swaziland. They are truly living out scripture; “Religion that God our
Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to
look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) Please keep them in
your prayers this week as God is breaking their hearts for Africa.
Click here to read a more detailed update of their trip: December Trip to Swaziland
Well, that’s all we have friends! To see ALL the pictures of our home decor,
and our Christmas party, just visit this link:
We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Your Christmas celebration looks like it was very fun. I’m happy that you like your ornament – it reminded me of you and your babies. Thank you for all that you and Rusty are doing. I pray God’s blessings over you.
The tree is beautiful and fits perfectly in that spot! I only wish you lived closer so that I could see it in person. I miss you BUNCHES and am counting the days till you’re here with us. Looks like the cake turned out pretty good too…I’m SO PROUD of YOU! I LOVE the ornament…it MUST have been created just for your tree…it’s SO YOU! Great to see the group having so much fun…where’s your hat?! Hope Rusty didn’t get sick from all that cake!! See you guys soon…I CAN’T WAIT! Love you BUNCHES! Mom