fabric cone trees

i don't know if you all have seen these but they are super cute, economical, and gorgeous. check them out over HERE.

~type to you soon~

Jesus

i can't help but ponder Mary's knowledge of the plans that Jesus was to fulfill while here on this earth. she was part of this amazing plan, bringing the savior of the world to earth as a baby. yet, did she know what would be expected of Him as He grew? the wrath that He would bear for you and me? i do not think that she did. i think that would have been too difficult a burden for a mother to take.

emotions stir within me as i think back to holding my own sweet little babies right after they were born. dreaming of who they would be and the dreams and goals that would be a part of their lives.

the most precious gift in all the world was given to you and me before we were born, before our great-grandparents were born. God, the creator of the universe and all that is in it, gave a dark and dying world His son Jesus; and Mary selflessly participated in the plan.

i am so thankful that i have been forgiven for all of my failures, unkind gestures, evil thoughts, and sin by the most precious gift that the world has ever received. the most important gift that i was ever given was the understanding that i have in knowing that Jesus, the baby born on Christmas day, died to save me from my sin. without Him, without the gift of Him, there would be no Christmas, no need for Christmas.

tomorrow rejoice with me in the GREATEST gift the world has been given, because God loves you and me, and because He still uses ordinary people like you and me to show Jesus to our world.

merry christmas dear friends. may your day be filled with love, family, and Jesus.

Romans 8:39 Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~type to you soon~

photo credit: christian.com

advent calendar

HERE is an adorable advent calendar. you can print it for free. here is a cute picture showing what one lady did with the advent calendar.

special thanks to: ciciartfactory.com and modeco kids

~type to you soon~

how i feel...what i know

I saw this post over at incourage and it describes perfectly how i feel and the blessings that I have been given. just wanted to share it with you today.

"If I were to write a list documenting people, experiences, feelings, and items for which I am thankful, that list would number in the thousands. Friendship would near the top of the list...only a few notches down from God's grace, my husband's forgiving heart, and sound of my kids' belly laughter.
And friendship begets more list items like: words of assurance, understanding smiles, insightful conversations, extract-the-air-from-my-lungs funny moments, being handed a stain remover pen after spilling purple grape juice down my white shirt, and people who *get* me.

“As iron sharpens iron, so does one man (woman) sharpen another” - Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Friendship equals blessings...both being blessed and being the blessing. I find that when I spend time cultivating new friendships and time kindling friendships that span decades (and all those friendships in between) that feelings of warmth and gratitude increase.
This occurs not only because I am thankful for specific friends and memories, but because true friends encourage and inspire me to make better decisions, give more of myself, let go of unrealistic expectations, and cling tightly to what matters above all things.While calendar squares have a tendency toward overcrowding during the holiday season, scheduling time aside for fun with friends can increase joy. "

you can find the writer of this post here

~type to you soon~

normalcy, maybe?

i am finally back to the land of the living in regard to posting and keeping up with the blog. it has been a whirlwind couple of weeks but, w is finished with school for the summer, so is n. the wedding that i was working on is finished and was the bride ever so beautiful. i am still swooning over the blue hydrangeas. all this to say that i am back. jacked up and ready to go. well that is a slight overstatement. i am not quite jack up today, a little sleepy and well sore. but, i am really looking forward to hearing from you all again and spending a little time each day writing to you.