Merry Christmas!
Lifestyle
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
Small groups are heavily encouraged at our church. I wrote a post about a women’s small group I recently finished here. I love small groups and I am so glad I get to do life with each and every one of these couples. This past weekend, one of the couples hosted an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. They went ALL out and it was so much fun! The night was filled with Christmas music, a hot chocolate bar, white elephant gifts, a photo booth, games, prizes, a contest for the ugliest sweater, so much food, and so many laughs.
All of the men decided to grow out their beards and shave down to only a mustache…I have no words.
And the favorite of the night…the guy’s tried to create an “awkward family photo”. I’d say they succeeded! 😉 
I hope your Christmas Eve is much less awkward than this photo and filled with so much love.
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! xoxo
Festive Holiday Favorites
1. Victoria’s Secret Flannel Pajama 2. Victoria’s Secret Fireside Pajama
3. J Crew Pajama set 4. Loft Set (found in stores)
We’re only a few days away from Christmas. I’m a planner, so if I’m being honest…most things are done. But the perks of procrastinating?! Sales, sales, and more sales! Sales on everything festive that we thought the shelves would be cleared of! The good news is that they’re still available! I spend a lot of my holiday break in my pajamas. It just happens. Stocking up on pajamas for the rest of the winter and even next Christmas doesn’t sound so bad when they are seriously discounted! Happy shopping and snuggling!
Penn State, Faith Hill, and Owning a Horse
November was a long month. A very long month. I got into a car accident the first week of November, my Grandfather passed away the second week of November, and Eric was in a car accident the third week of November. Again, November was a long month and although it was filled with so many emotions, there was also so much thanksgiving. God’s faithfulness was so evident over every situation. Eric and I came out of both accidents without being hurt and I was surrounded by so much peace after hearing about my Grandfather passing away. Eternal life is so beautiful and I found so much peace in knowing my Grandfather’s relationship with the Lord. The older I get, the more peace I have with death. Death used to be something I refused to talk about, hear about, or address. But after November, I have found so much peace.
I spoke at my grandfather’s funeral because people deserved to know what a special relationship my Grandma and Grandpa had and just how much that meant to me.
“Three years ago I had the privilege of living with my Grandparents for three months. I was student teaching close to their house and they graciously let me stay with them. During that time I got to see the daily interactions of my Grandma and Grandpa. Something I never witnessed before, to that degree. I witnessed the way they cared for each other and consistently put each other first. I listened as they reminisced about the memories they shared together. But most of all, I watched a growth in my Grandpa throughout the years of what really mattered and how faith and family became such a large part of his life. How he openly talked about the importance of having faith in a marriage in all seasons of life.
Before getting married this summer I was praying and thinking about the vows I was about to say to my husband and the importance they play in a marriage. I started thinking of living with my Grandparents and how faithfully they lived out their vows in everyday life through the good times and bad, and were constantly by each other’s side. In Grandpa’s final days, I witnessed my Grandma being by his side, while my Grandpa did everything in his power to make sure my Grandma was okay. He showed me the value of commitment, care, and loving someone unconditionally. I am so thankful I got to witness and feel his love and strength day in and day out and feel so blessed to have seen his faith through his words and actions.”
There are things I will always remember about my Grandfather. I will remember his tall frame, endless sarcasm, and how he used to scare me when I was little because of his sarcasm. He was an avid Penn State fan. My Grandmother and him would travel to games near and far. Other than my Grandma, who he loved so dearly, Faith Hill was a close second. 😉 He would make this very clear during football season or anytime she showed up on the t.v. And last but not least, my Grandfather wanted to own a horse…dreamed of owning a horse…was determined to own a horse. I’m still not sure exactly where it stemmed from, but there you have it.
I’m so thankful I got to know such a sarcastic, loving, and wise man that I got to call my Grandfather. He will be missed so much.
Couples that read together, stay together.
When Eric and I started dating, we really wanted to make Christ the center of our relationship. We thought one of the best ways to do that would be to read a faith based book. We read the five love languages first and learned SO much about each other in a very short time.This was by far one of the best things we’ve done. Shortly after, we decided to read a book together called, “The Will of God as a Way of Life.” Not only could we see into each other’s hearts but it also brought out a side of us where we were forced to dig deeper. Since we only saw each other on the weekends, we would read a chapter or two during the week and then talk about it when we were face to face. We’ve done this a few times, even since being married and I highly recommend it. You’ll be surprised by the conversations that come out of reading together as it allows you to grow closer. Couples that read together, stay together.
Happy reading!