~ A Week in Pictures:Georgia Christmas Day 1~

So...I am finally back to the world of internet, and only have about a thousand pictures to share-ha! I had a WONDERFUL time sharing Christmas with my friends and family this year! I am SO glad I was able to go for a good long visit. Despite sleep deprivation, it was a completely perfect time! There was so much fun having, I decided to divide the trip into days. This post actually includes Wednesday and Thursday of my trip, but since Wed. was mostly driving FOR-E-VER from Virginia to Georgia I thought I would just combine:).

Here goes Day 1 began with getting up early and loading up my car....

My packed bags.I did in fact pack things other than blankets-ha! I can pretty much sleep anywhere, but I HAVE to have my own blankets with me. I DID manage to pack a few clothes in there too!
Then I loaded up my car. Yes, I did say MY car! Working at a Honda dealership does have some perks:)! I was able to get a really great deal on a 2010 Honda Fit!!!

I was too lazy to go take a picture of The Fit, but she looks just like this one...so, there you go. I had some adjustment issues at first with missing my Lil' Civ-ha, but we managed to bond during some snowy travels in Virginia and the million hour drive to Georgia. I think we might work out:).

After I loaded up, I went to work a half day. Im not sure, but I don't think I have ever been so distracted on the job! I was Ready To Go!!! When NOON came I was ready! I hopped in my car and started on my way to GEORGIA!!! YAY!!!

I have to say, I was not sure I was gonna make it there for awhile. Somewhere around South Carolina some Lady Gaga came on the radio (I know, I know, Ms. Gaga is CRAZY, but in this situation it was much needed!) . It was just what I needed to perk up my drive and help me push through to home.

It was, of course, night when I actually saw the welcome to Georgia sign. But, I posted this one for you because I swear the pieces of my soul came back together upon glimpsing it-ha! I have missed this state.

When I got to my dad's, I just unloaded and went to sleep, because the next day was gonna be CRAZINESS in all the right ways!!! I woke up in the morning to find Jen, Micah, and Amelia had made it, and we enjoyed a little coffee and conversation with my dad and his wife Marcie. I was able to go for a quick run, and it was so nice to take in all the familiar places I had not seen in so long. Even though I have lived in GA the past two years, it had been about six years since I had stayed at my dad's house. Before we lived here, the land and such belonged to my Great Grandparents, and no matter life changes-I have spent every single Christmas morning in this house. The place is full of history and all the open land is just BEAUTIFUL! Walking around and taking it in was the BEST way to begin my trip!

Old trees in the front yard. In the spring it has Mulberries.

Bell they used to use to ring people in from the cotton fields. They also used it to announce Weddings, Births, and Deaths back in the day.

Muscedine Vines

Magnolia Tree

When I got back from my run I found Ms. Amelia eating up some pancakes my dad had made! My dad is basically a pancake genius, and growing up would make his girls any shaped pancake they requested. Amelia got a bunny:).

After breakfast, I got ready and went to meet my friend Angie for lunch. Angie and I were in the same youth group growing up, and became even closer through our college years. She is married now with a little boy, so she is super busy! I was so glad I was able to catch up with her a little bit! I didn't take one picture :(!

From Angies' I headed to ATHENS! Be still my heart-ha! I don't think I love anyplace better.

My first peak of Athens! Can I just say....this made me SO happy!

Got to meet up with my good friend Christopher Cook. He was kind enough to visit with me as I walked around in the COLD and just soaked it all in!

LOVE

Athens is a pretty musical city, so it is not unusual to see people playing on the street corners. These guys were pretty good actually! I have missed scenes like this one! I love how interesting and artsy Athens is....

From downtown, Christopher and I walked through University of Georgia in order to surprise our friend Wendy at work! Was nice to see the pretty campus, and GREAT to see Ms. Wendy(I did take some pics with her, but they were not blog approved-ha). Wendy and I left Christopher for some Starbucks and girl time

Pretty at Night too:)

We then headed to one of my favorite places in All The World!

The Bush Home! The Bush's are a family from our church who welcomed my sisters and I into their family a few years back! I even lived with them for a little while before I moved to Virginia. When I walked through the door I truly felt at rest!

Jack cooked a DELICIOUS meal for me:). He is such a great picture of what a godly father looks like, and his wife Susan is the best picture of a surrendered wife and mom I have ever seen. I am BLESSED to have them in my life!

The Bush's have three boys, but only their youngest Daniel was home for Christmas.

- Mr. Daniel Bush-
(aka My Favorite Little Bro:)

I don't know what this is...but I know that it is special-ha!
He is Silly:)!

Love my Athen's Family!

I spent the evening getting to visit and laugh with the Bush's, Christopher, and Wendy. They were gracious enough to let me reclaim my former room. So, after lots of much needed hang out time-I pretty much passed out. Had to get some sleep in order to be ready for A Georgia Christmas-Day 2!

~Thursday Thanks: A Break~

(I can't wait to spend time with the girls all together PLUS Amelia and Penelope-we are blessed)

So, I think I may have mentioned on this blog that I am going home for Christmas, and that I am a little excited about it!!! I know I have talked about it ALOT, but I am just that happy to get to see friends and family. I was going over my schedule the other night, and I am just so thrilled at all the people I am going to get to see and places I am going to get to soak in! Here is a peek at the Christmas Fun Time of 2010 schedule:

• Wednesday: Work half a day, Load up, Drive 71/2 hours home, Stay at my dad's house
  
  


• Thursday: Meet up with my friend Angie Moon and her precious little boy Nathan for lunch/Drive to Athens-have dinner and hang out with The Bush's, Christopher, and Wendy/Spend the night with The Bush's (church family that I LOVE!!!!)!
  
  


• Friday(Christmas Eve): Get up early, get ready, help my sister Danielle get Penelope (her daughter, my niece) First Birthday Party ready!!!/Party like a one year old-hopefully see Hope and Crosby/Get ready, go to Christmas Eve service at Crossway (super excited!)/Stay at my dad's house.
  
  


• Saturday(Christmas Day): Enjoy sweet time with Jennifer Micah and Amelia, Danielle Robert and Penelope, Dad and Marcie/Eat my weight in delicious biscuits!/Go to mom's house in Decatur (really cute, artsy town in a suburb of Atlanta)!
  
  


• Sunday: Get together with Danielle and Penelope and my old roomie Tara! Hopefully hang out in Atlanta-dying to checkout Ikea and H&M!/Stay at mom's house.
  
  


• Monday: Sisters reunited with my mom for some downtown fun Decatur style! Really looking forward to walking through the neat shops and eating some place interesting!/Stay at my bro-in-law's mom's house, so that Jen, Micah, Amelia and I can all hit the road back to Virginia the next morning!
  


• Tuesday- Get up and drive 71/2 hours BACK to Virginia/Miss Georgia like CRAZINESS!
  

It is going to be a WONDERFUL trip! I am so anxious to be on my way already:)! All that said, I have a BUSY last week here before we leave, and I have alot to get together before we make the trip! I am also not really sure how much Internet access I will have when I am in Georgia, so I am going to be taking a little break from technology until after Christmas. Just so I don't get distracted from the things I need to be taking care of (I waste MORE time "glancing" at my Facebook page-ha), and so that when I am in Georgia I can just really focus on everyone-if I was Oprah I would say-"so I could be present in the moment"-;). I have a thousand posts rolling around in my head to write right now, but I am just a little bit off centered right now too. I think a week or so (and TWO 71/2 hour road trips of solitude) will give me some time to regroup a little bit! SO, I am taking a break now. BUT, I will be back after Christmas with more pictures than anyone other than myself will probably ever want to look through, and-hopefully-some fun stories!

Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!

~Christmas Favorites: The Movies~

I thought it would be fun to make a list every week from now until Christmas of some of my FAVORITE things about Christmas! I LOVE Christmas, and truly feel like I get as excited as the kids! I don't so much care about the gifts (anymore;), but just LOVE the decorations, food, music, events, shopping, wrapping, food, movies, family time, etc.... This week is all about Christmas Movies! I know some people think they are cheesy, but I say if cheesy Christmas Movies are wrong-I don't want to be right!


My ALL TIME FAVORITE!

I have yet to watch this movie in its entirety this Christmas season:(. Something I will have to remedy this weekend I think!



I wrote about this last post, but I seriously love this movie. I was NOT a fan of the Jim Carrey version. It was just a little over the top for me, but I love how sweet and simple this movie is!



I mean...just this picture made me laugh out loud!



I know this story has been done a billion times, but this is my favorite. I remember as a little girl waiting for when it would come on ABC every Christmas. I would always be SO excited! I just love that Mickey!

Ok, so although Mickey's Christmas Carol is my favorite, I do dearly love the Muppets! I don't know what it says about me that a movie made for kids makes me laugh so much, but if you haven't seen it you need to check it out....it is pretty much HILARIOUS!

Oldie but a Goodie. I still love the part where he goes to the grocery store and has coupons and everything...I know! I am a big nerd, but it makes me laugh!

Vividly remember going to see this movie with my middle school Sunday School Class (yes, I am that old;)! Shout out to Heather Hildebrand (Long), Rebecca Aldrich, Gina and Kerry Rowe, Jeremy Johnson, Matt Rutledge, and Eric Green! We were totally awesome with our 14 yr old selves!

JUST the Kate Winslet/Jack Black story line! I could fast forward through the whole Cameron/Jude section and be able to enjoy a perfectly sweet, lovely story.

This is a fairly new Christmas Favorite (my mom and older sister Jennifer would be mortified-ha). I did not discover the hilarity of this movie until I was older in life, because my mother believed it to be "base" and "crude". I can't say that she is really wrong, and I apologize that as her daughter I have developed such a sense of humor-ha!

To be Honest I don't really like this movie, but I wanted ten movies so I thought I would give this one as an honorable mention. I know lots of people who LOVE this movie, and I am sure it is very encouraging and sweet for them. BUT, it STRESSES me completely out the whole movie! I finish the movie and have to sit for minute telling myself that everything ends up ok over and over again-it is traumatic!

*I forgot Rudolph! I usually find the Claymation movies a little creepy, but I love Rudolph! So, He can be my number Ten and It's a Wonderful Life just a Honorable Mention;)*

So, those are my favorite Christmas Movies! I have yet to see any of them all the way through, but there is still time!

~ A Day in Pictures: Christmas Wrapping by a Mediocre Crafter~

I don't know what came over me this year, but when I thought about wrapping gifts for Penelope and Amelia I REALLY wanted to do something special. As these pictures will testify , I am NOT a crafty person...BUT really believe in my heart I should be-ha! Thus, I give you a lovely example of what mediocre talent and determination will get you-ha!

The Blank Canvas

The Tools

love that they are pretty...maybe I thought they would help me paint pretty;)
Note to others: Pretty Paintbrushes does not a Painter Make!

The Colors for Christmas

-I don't know how I ended up without a true red:(!-

Pretty Tissue Paper

A Lil' Ornamentation

My Craft Spot
Wish I was as crafty as I am organized!


A Lil' inspiration

Finished Product #1

Now, think of how super cute this would be if done by someone who could actually paint!

In my mind I have how this COULD look if done by someone with some skills, and trust me it is very cute;). SO, if you are crafty you should use these ideas and let me live vicariously through your creations!

Final Product #2

When I was done with the Christmas bags, I was still feeling a little bit artsy. Apparently unachieved vision (ex:above bags) does nothing to dampen my spirits! So, using below as an inspiration-I got to wrapping Penelope's First Birthday Gift! She was our special gift last year on Christmas Eve:), and I can NOT wait to celebrate that sweet girl! I just wish I could invent a instantaneous portal between Virginia and Georgia so that I could be unbelievably rich(oh, I'm joking), and so I could see that little girl more!

Thanks InStyle Magazine for the Wrapping Ideas!

(I am addicted to that magazine! It has GREAT fashion ideas without all the inappropriate articles most magazines out there have!)

My Supplies

Finished Product#3

Turned Out a little more "Bridal" than I hoped, but still a little more special than just a bow(I think)!

To top of the Wrapping Extravaganza, I got to watch one of my FAVORITE Christmas movies in the midst of the fun!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cartoon version of this movie-cause apparently I am still five!

So, that is my attempt at being crafty! Hopefully it will be some fun ideas for someone to use who possesses the crafting talent I forget I don't really have-ha!

~Thursday Thanks: HOME~

(this photo is courtesy of http://www.kipperbush.com/blog/archives/158 -thanks Kipper)

I am thankful that in two weeks from today I will be in GEORGIA!!!! I am going to get to see my good friend Angie and her son Nathan-YAY! Then head to the beautiful city pictured above-Athens, GA! I have missed Athens like CRAZY! I LOVE that place, and what makes it even better is getting to see my Athens' "family"! I CAN NOT WAIT to see you Jack, Susan, Wendy, Christopher, and Daniel! I have really missed fellowship with other believers (I have a wall when it comes to finding a new church-a wall called laziness, judgmentalness, and fear), and am desperate for some good conversations! I LOVE these people, and feel blessed to get to spend some time with them! Two weeks could not pass fast enough!

"Where we love is home,

Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. "

~Oliver Wendell Holmes~

~Christmas Favorites: Carols~

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear"

~ Buddy the Elf

I thought it would be fun to make a list every week from now until Christmas of some of my FAVORITE things about Christmas! I LOVE Christmas, and truly feel like I get as excited as the kids! I don't so much care about the gifts (anymore;), but just LOVE the decorations, food, music, events, shopping, wrapping, food, movies, family time, etc.... Today is all about Christmas music! I am one of those people who start listening to it as soon as it hits the radio -right after Halloween (my dad would be SO disappointed! Along with morals and good behavior, NO Christmas till after Thanksgiving was something he made sure to drill into his girls-ha!), usually I get tired of it around end of November, and then listen full force till Christmas! These are my ALL TIME FAVORITES!!

• Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel- I love EVERYTHING about this song! I have talked before about living in bondage and captivity. For me it was alot of bondage to perfectionism, self-hatred, and striving to earn salvation. What a wonderful moment when the true nature of Jesus' love and cross dawned true! "REJOICE, REJOICE-Emmanuel has ransomed captive Israel!" I like this version by SELAH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPfdD3pBUig
  
• Oh Holy Night-( song by someone who doesn't' put in all the fancy voice modulations-just sings it plain and beautifully-sound like a cranky old man-ha;) Just makes me feel in awe of what the LORD accomplished!
  
• White Christmas-Bing Crosby version! TRUE STORY: back before Thanksgiving Jennifer and I were walking through Kohls and this song came on, and NO LIE I was immediately in tears-ha! I am NOT a big crier, so it was a little unusual. This song just brings back SO many Christmas memories, and I think I was feeling a tad homesick;)!
  
• Little Drummer Boy-Jars of Clay! LOVE! This was always my FAVORITE song when I was a little girl...maybe cause I thought the little drummer boy was just a kid like me:).
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lasUhPa07w
  
• Carol of the Bells-Cause it's just pretty.
  
• I'll Be Home for Christmas- Harry Connick Jr. (spelling?-I'm too lazy to look it up-ha). LOVE, and this year I am SO ready to be home!
  
• Walking in a Winter Wonderland-makes me thing of decorating the tree when I was just a little girl-I like the Nat King Cole version.
  
• What Child is This?-a different perspective on the nativity.
  
• Silent Night-again, awe inspiring for me!
  
• Away in a Manger- sang by My Mother! I have vivid memories of her attempting to sing this song while our family drove around looking at Christmas lights! Let's just say there was a lot of starting off, stopping because the song had gotten too high or too low, and beginning again-ha! In her defense, that is a TRICKY little song to try to sing!

*That's my list....what are your favorite Christmas Songs?*

~Quotes from the Classroom:#5~

*I have spent ALOT of time taking care of children! I have been a nanny, a first grade teacher, and a preschool teacher. Throughout my experience I have been delighted to hear many hilarious quotes from children as they try to understand the world around them. Many times I have been able to take a little life lesson away for myself from their observations.*

This quote happened during Bible story time-this seemed to be the best time to gather funny quotes! I love heaing how children try to understand Scriptures! There were a couple of particularly funny quotes regarding the Bible lesson about the ten lepers, but I will have to save that for another post-ha! Anyways, on this day we were talking about making good or bad choices...

G: "Ms. Michelle sometimes I make bad choices...."

ME: "You Do?"

G: "Yeah, sometimes I Pick My Boogers!"

ME: "Oh....yeah, definitely NOT a good choice!"

G:"I know...but I just want to EAT them!"

Gross, I know! BUT, it got me thinking about how alot of times I will make BAD choices. Choices that are pretty gross, but I will lies to myself about why I am making the bad choices. I am not honest like G. I will tell myself-"I am being careless with my finances, time, relationships, conversations-BECAUSE I am tired, I work and deserve a treat, I need ME time, I am not really gossiping if I only tell so-and-so, etc....

The truth of the matter is most of my bad choices are based on self-focus. My eyes are on myself and what serves me best, NOT on what serves the LORD or others around me.

Truth of the matter I make BAD choices, cause I want to EAT them! I want to taste and be filled up with them.

But, with every sin, once I am caught in the bad choices, or the consequences catch up to me they are not so tasty after all!

*These thoughts-I realize- come back again and again in posts...think God is trying to tell me something;)!?!*