A good, no. A GREAT holiday.

I hope everyone had an amazing, beautifully wonderful Christmas. It's day 4 of my Christmas stay-cation and I have to say it's been a great week/end. Between the holiday hustle and bustle I found peace and quiet to enjoy crocheting and cross off items on my holiday bucket list.

1. Send Christmas cards.

2. See my Grandparents.

3. Make handmade gifts.

4. Donate time.

5. Be happy and healthy.

I came pretty close to completing the list. I am just a little bit frustrated that I wasn't able to donate time. I was invited to a nursing home to bring cookies and paint the nails of elderly ladies, but the timing didn't work out. I wish I would've been able to go.

However, I am rather satisfied with the things I did accomplished. Next year I plan on sending out more Christmas cards, especially if I am able to get them at a good price like I did this year. I will also make sure that R helps me with my list of recipients. In all the rush to get the greetings addressed  I missed a couple people that he wanted to send cards to. :( I'll do a better job next year.

#2 was the best part of my whole holiday! Spending time with my grandparents and parents, with my family by my side. I realized that my grandpa gives the best hugs. We didn't stay long but just to see my Grandpa and Grandma for awhile was wonderful. I have to say this was the best gift of the season.

Coffee trip, Christmas Morning, Penny & Papa & Heading up north

Also, I completed all of my handmade gifts just in time this year. I think this year I need to start crafting in July so that I am not painting and crocheting at 11pm on Christmas Eve. But, everyone loved their gifts and I really enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces when they opened them, which makes it all worth it.

Be happy and healthy. I'm thankful to say we are all happy and healthy (minus E's runny nose)!

Once again, I hope everyone had a great holiday. See you next year. 2015 is just around the corner.

Keep Loving.

The Little Gift

I got home from work today to find a small little gift bag hanging on the door knob. An even smaller tag had my name scribbled on it. What? A gift? It's only December 1st. Who left such a cute little present on my door handle? And what for?

I was like a little kid at Christmas time trying to hurry my toddler in the front door just so I could find out where this little gift came from.

I opened it. (After R dug right in, thinking it was his. *wink*) Inside there was a little note that read: hope you have a great week! And inside was a new tube of mascara. The same mascara my sister and I were talking about just yesterday when I told mascara is on my Christmas list because I am almost out.

Tears welled in my eyes as I smiled because of her sweet gesture. She knew I had a bad Sunday.


It's the little things in life. It really is.

It's the person that lets you merge into traffic even when they've been waiting to get through the next light for an hour.

It's the person that holds the door for you.

It's a warm bed at night.

And hot coffee in the morning.


I need to be more thankful for the small things. I've been too focused on what I owe or who owes me. When, honestly, it doesn't really matter. It matters more that I was able to help someone and they helped me too.

I admit I have gotten caught up in the woes of money. This time of year can do that to people. And I got suckered in.

Starting today, I am going to appreciate the things, that at the end of the day, aren't so little. They're big.

I wouldn't trade anything for sisters that know just when a little gift means a lot.

What are the little gifts in your life? There are more than you might realize.

Keep Loving.

It's a wrap.

We're finished.

Christmas shopping that is! 10 days early! Well, 9 if you count that we are celebrating Christmas with M on the eve of Christmas. It feels excellent to be finished shopping. I am also excited that we stayed in our budget! I believe (and I am carefully saying this) that there is no reason to go into debt when giving to the ones you love on this grand holiday. When you remember the true meaning of Christmas it makes choosing a gift for a special person that much more enjoyable.

All I have left to do is to make a couple gifts and wrap them! Which is most enjoyable part, I think. Growing up I always thought Mom was the one that ever so carefully wrapped, ribbon-ed and tagged each gift and perfectly arranged them under the tree. Come to find out Dad was Santa's little helper. Interesting enough, R is the one that takes much care curling ribbon tales and wrapping packages to look picture perfect. He is very good at it. I enjoy wrapping of course, but R takes the trophy of creativity on this one.

Either way, I am already dreaming about what our Christmas will be like this year. I have such vivid memories of every year spent with my siblings and parents. I remember waking up when the skies were still dark, the rule: don't wake up mom and dad til coffee is made, no touching the gifts. I remember peering at the carefully written tags. I remember the curiosity, excitement, love, smiles and joy. I am looking forward to sharing these memories with M and E and making our own memories too.

What traditions and memories do you have of past Christmas'? I'd love to hear about them.

Keep Loving.

Sweet Surprises

I wasn't sure what to expect for my day of birth as last year was...well, less than great. But, of course, I kept my hopes up and why not!? It is my very own birthday. So, either way I planned on having a good day and celebrating my own way. And sure as shoot it turned out just as I had hoped. The last few days have been nothing short of great!

Sunday

I was still feeling a bit down (recovering from strep throat) so we took it easy the majority of the day. Ryan was SUPER Dad, cleaning, doing laundry, finishing projects around the apartment and playing with Edee in between. He even put her in her bright pink pool for some splash time. I relaxed and cleaned up a bit as well.

Ryan surprised me with gifts a day early. He bought me the striped maxi skirt I had been looking at for a couple weeks. And a top to go with the gray and white floor thing beauty. I'm in love with my maxi skirt. I wore it all day yesterday and when pajama time arrived I didn't want to take it off. Softest fabric EVER!

He also made me a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The best part was what he wrote on the cake. It was delicious!

My sister, Kacey, came over and made stuffed shells for dinner. I'm not sure her intentions were to make me birthday dinner but it felt that way. And it made me feel special that she wanted to come and cook dinner for us. Half of the shells were stuffed with meatballs and were smothered in cream of mushroom sauce. The other half of the shells were stuffed with cheeses and had a red sauce on top. I'm not sure which ones I prefer because they were both so tasty. Thanks for dinner sister!

Monday

A lack of sitter and a co-worker offering to take my shift for my birthday allowed for a very enjoyable, relaxing day with just Edee. We played, danced, watched cartoons and practiced walking. It was quite fun.

Once Ryan was out of work Edee went to spend time with Gigi and we were granted some much needed one on one time. I realized it was the first day in 5 days I had been without Edee. I felt kind of lost, actually. But, knowing she was in great hands allowed me to enjoy conversation and shopping with Ryan. We found some great deals at the GAP, our favorite, and I couldn't resist spending some birthday money on him and Edee too. Ryan looks great in his new shirt and Im dying to put Edee in the little dress I got her! I finally own a GAP scarf. Fall weather where are you?

A couple hours together was very refreshing.

Tuesday,
All though a little late our close friend Craig and his lady friend Laura came over with dinner and wine. He surprised me with a maxi skirt! Now I have 2! This one is black and white random stripes. Really neat. I am pretty excited to have another one! Dinner was excellent and we finished the night with Monopoly.

A few other sweet surprises:
My mother-in-law called and sang me happy birthday! It made me laugh and smile!
The card my Mom sent in the mail made me smile and almost cry. It was totally unexpected.
This year was full of little surprises and so wonderful! I definitely feel loved and appreciated!

Thank you all for the wishes and love these passed few days. I couldn't feel more lucky.

Keep loving.