Where Did My Weekend Go?

It doesn't seem possible that the weekend is already over!  I love staying busy, but just don't feel like there is ever enough time in the weekends to get everything done I need/want to.

This weekend I had decided I would work on cleaning out my closet, work on a craft project I have been planning for over a month, and have some time to relax with the family.

You may or may not recall I received this baby for Christmas.

 

Up until this weekend the extent of its use has been decorating a plain birthday bag with an initial and a card.  This little guy has been workin' it.

I worked Friday night on recreating and tweaking my own Pinterest inspired art for my terrible plan wall at work.

Here is the photo of the image I found on Pinterest.

Here is a little preview of what I have been doing.  I’m not finished due to needing a few other styles of paper and running out of black spray paint.  I’m hoping I will have time to finish at least one of them by working on it a little each night and then on Sunday after church.

The rest of the weekend was spent TV shopping with my mom and my sister, Jana.  We of course hit up a few stores that may or may not have sold TVs to do some other shopping.  Mom and I met my grandpa for dinner that night.  Sunday was the usual routine of Sunday school and preaching followed by Bojangles and then Sunday night service followed by some fellowship at Cookout.  I did manage to get outside on Sunday afternoon.  It was so nice!  I truly am so thankful that I am so close with my family and I get to cherish time with them.  Until recently I think I really took this for granted.  I assumed most people were like we are.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

As promised I told you earlier this week that I was in our youth and children's play at church.  I didn't include the details of what I played...

Here is a photo of me and my sister.  She did an awesome job of directing the play!

Yes, I was the granny.  For the play, it was pretty simple.  We pretended that all the youth and children were my children and grandchildren and we "shared" with the congregation our tradition of the Christmas story.  It was of course accompanied with singing.  I know through the scripture and our songs that the gospel was clearly presented.  I could feel God's presence as we were on that stage and hope we planted a seed in someone's heart.  I think the kids really enjoyed it!  I mean come on, what kid wouldn't want to be able to wear their pajamas on stage at church?

Finished up my last day of work (we got to leave early) and excited to start my Christmas break!
Only 3 days til Christmas!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday before Christmas y'all!

I'm linking up to Jamie's weekly "What I'm Loving Wednesday" post.

This week I'm loving that I have one, count it, one more day of work before I begin my much needed four-day Christmas break!

I'm loving it's only four days until Christmas!

I'm loving that I get to see these ladies tonight!  These girls I have known since my first years in college and we have been making it a point to get together around Christmas ever since.

I'm loving that I have all my presents wrapped so far.  (I still have one left to buy!)

I'm loving that Christmas falls on a Sunday.  I know that some people might view that as an inconvenience, but what better way to celebrate the birth of our King then to be in God's house worshiping him with all my church family!

Productive Weekend

I am so proud of myself for having such a productive weekend.  This weekend I wrapped almost all the presents that I have ready and they are now underneath a completely decorated tree!  I was able to finally meet up with Rici long enough to cut her hair and give little Teagan a trim.  We finished shopping for our adopted family this weekend and our Christmas play at church was a huge success.  I loved playing a special role.  (I’ll post more about this one with photos later this week.)

As I was preparing my Sunday School lesson for my 1^st graders I realized something.  As the shepherds were in the field and the angel came before them that was the ONLY sign they had of this king and of this promise.  Think about what we have today.  We have the entire bible, cover to cover.  We have the promise that Jesus came and was born to the virgin Mary, that he died on the cross for our sins, and that he rose.  Why would we not believe that he is coming back one day?  Why do people not believe in Jesus?  And what kind of faith did those shepherd have to simply believe and trust the angel?

This week is going to be busy, but I am excited that I get to have dinner with two of my college friends, I get a day off this week, and Christmas is almost here!

I'm back...

Since I have been MIA lately I thought I would share a couple of photos and tell you a little bit about what has been going on since Thanksgiving.  Gosh...it seems like December is zooming by.

1. It has been a tradition for well almost 7 or 8 years now to get up (or not even go to sleep) and go shopping on Black Friday.  This year I went with my mom and sister.  My sister has wanted some new casual boots, so when Belk advertised their casual boots for $19.99 it was a required stop on our night long adventure.  I have experienced my fair share of Black Friday shopping and waiting in lines, but let me tell you...you do not get in the way of a lady and her boots.  These women were pushing and shoving and cussing each other.  A little too crazy for our taste!

2. The Saturday after Thanksgiving we were able to go with our church to pack shoeboxes at the Operation Christmas Child operating center in Charlotte, North Carolina.  It always amazes me at the time and thoughtfulness put into these boxes.  Knowing that God already has a specific child picked out to receive the very box you have in your hands at that moment is beyond anything I can say.

3.  This past Saturday was our Singles Ministry Christmas Party.  We all signed up to bring certain dishes.  By the time I was able to see the list, salad it was.  Needless to say we had an awesome time of food, fellowship, and sharing.  We are currently exploring what direction our singles ministry will be going.  We want it to be about discipleship and outreach and not so much about activities.  Do any of you or your churches have a singles ministry?

4.  On Sunday my sister, our childhood friend L and I all attended a Zumbathon.  It was hosted by one of my Zumba instructors so I wanted my sister and L to experience what my Zumba class was like.  We had so much fun working out, catching up, and cutting up.

5.  We finally have our Christmas tree.  Although it is not completely decorated, it is up and making our house smell so good!

Now that I've caught you all back up, I'm ready to keep up with my daily/bi-weekly posts!

Top 5 Tuesday

Today I'm linking up with http://www.j-peachy.blogspot.com/  for Top 5 Tuesday!  This week the topic is Thanksgiving.

My favorite five things about Thanksgiving...

1. Spending Time With The Family

Jana, Dad, and Myself at the 100 year celebration for North Carolina Tarheel Basketball

Jana, Mom, and Myself when we visited Jana and Michael in Chicago.

2. Eating Amazing Food

I'm excited that this year my sister is hosting Thanksgiving at her house.  We have already pre-ordered our deep fried turkey from Bojangles.  (If you know my family, especially my grandpa, we have a little obsession with Bojangles)

3. Keeping a Tradition

That's right.  It is a tradition on my mom's side of the family that we all meet for breakfast on Thursday morning and then wrap things up with a trip to the local flea market.  This originally started because the flea market was only open on Thursdays, so the only time we would be able to go is when everyone was off work or out of school.

4. Thanksgiving Eve Service

Every year our church has a Thanksgiving Eve Service.  I love this service because it gives everyone a time of worship and reflection.  For me it helps me remember what I am most thankful for, my salvation.  We usually conclude the service by The Lord's Supper.

5. Relaxation

While I will not be on a beach or doing yoga, I will be off of work for TWO days for a total of a four day weekend!  I love getting time off so that I can catch up on all the things I want to do, but feel like I never have enough time.