What I'm Loving Wednesday

With everything that's happened lately in our country, I've really been thinking of what God's given me, what I have to be thankful for, and what I cherish most.

What's more perfect to post than a What I'm Loving Wednesday post? I've been reading Jamie's blog for awhile; but this is the first time I've linked up with her.

I am absolutely loving some of our Christmas holiday traditions this week like...........

Looking at Christmas lights with the family earlier this week.

Watching a Christmas movie at our house with friends. This year it was Holiday Inn. My friend, Christine, and I actually stayed awake through the WHOLE movie. Which is a feat in itself.

This is new. I made some really easy and yummy appetizers, thanks to the Pioneer Woman. Club crackers topped with either brown sugar or parmesan cheese, wrapped in bacon. Yes.............bacon.................

 

All the lights off in the house except for our Christmas tree. Beautiful.

Reading Christmas stories to Lily.

Watching White Christmas tonight with the hubs after the kids go to sleep. My favorite holiday movie.

That's what I'm loving on this crisp, cold December afternoon.

Oh What A Night!

Chili and Corn Pudding

Bundling up and looking at Christmas lights around town

Dancing with Andy and the kids to Christmas music

Making a gingerbread house and frosting cookies

Making memories with my family

What a night!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

This is what I'm loving on this rainy Wednesday.........

I'm loving that my sister is here from Colorado and that today we are just hanging out, sista style.

I'm loving Sift Bakery and a little girl's time I had with my mom, sister and, of course, my sweet Lil.

The Limonatta is my absolute favorite. I love any and all things lemon. This, my dear, rocks the house. Each bite is Heaven.

I'm loving that I was able to have lunch with friends today. My friend, Steph, is visiting from Wichita and she introduced me to Chloe's Cafe. The Curry Chicken Sandwich is Yummy. Definitely worth a second visit.

I'm loving this verse.....

       Above all else, guard your Heart, for everything you do flows from it.           
                                                Proverbs 4:23

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Advent Calendar

Happy December! This post is mainly about how we are doing our advent calendar this year; but I have a couple of random thoughts to blog out first.

Thought #1: We are sick again! ARGHH!!!! We began having the flu 2 days before Thanksgiving and just as that cycled through the fam, I caught a really bad respiratory cough/cold/sore throat combo. It was nasty and today is the first day I actually feel good again. PTL! (Thank you cough medicine with codeine.)  But now Andy has the cold and Henry has pink eye. Another Sunday at home.

I had been very blue because I had been feeling so crummy and stuck in the house with the kids for soooo many days. I am determined to not be bummed out!! I may continue to be stuck in indoors and this may just be our year to be sick. So I must find joy in my circumstances, right?

Thought #2: My sweet MIL took Lily to church this morning. Amazingly, Henry slept in just enough to let me sit quietly in my rocking chair, gaze at my twinkling Christmas tree, listen to the rain and have a little bit of quiet time with God. That's a good way to start my day.

Now on to our advent calendar. Last year was the first year we attempted to do an advent calendar. We never actually completed all the days. This year I found a website with all the verses ready for me to print and cut. I went to Target and purchased some small items to put inside each little door. I really wanted to get away with putting in a piece of candy like we did last year. The girl has so much as it is! So I picked out about 4 pieces of candy from her Halloween stash to use. The rest of the items are sugarless gum or non edible items. I didn't just want to give her more junk, though. I also didn't want the tiny "gift" to be the focus of each day. So, with my sister's help, I think we came up with some cute ideas.

She loved the sticker earrings that she got on day one.

    I got googly - eyed snowman stickers, earring stickers and glittery ornaments.

Her eyes lit up today, day two, when she saws the glittery ornament. We are decorating a small tree with those throughout the month. 

Looking forward to 23 more days of our Advent calendar.