Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

Isaiah 9:6

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

John 1:14

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:10-14

"God broke into the universe to be a holy, divine, saving king forever."- John Piper 

Merry Christmas!

What really matters....

Like everyone I was shocked by the shooting last Friday in CT.  I actually didn't even know about it until about lunch time as I hadn't been on the internet or turned the TV on all morning. After I put my kids down for their naps I sat and watched the reports for a while, it was absolutely heartbreaking.

Friday was a busy day for us so after a few minutes I turned the TV off and went about the rest of my day. I prayed a lot that afternoon!

That night my two older boys were having a sleepover at my parents house, it was Phin's (who is two) first night away from us. Stanley and I decided to go out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary, better late than never right?! When we got home I fed Isaac and put him in bed. 

Before I got in bed that night I went to close the doors to Jude and Phins rooms. As I quietly tip toed down the hallway I wondered how many parents in Connecticut were doing the same thing but for a very different reason.

My heart hurts for them.


I think that horrific situations like this make us stop and really examine what we are doing with our lives. At least it did for me. 

There are a lot of things that I don't understand or know, because 'His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts' (Isaiah 55:8). However, I do know that my time here is short. My life and the lives of my children are not in my control. I am a steward of these precious boys, they do not belong to me. 

That got me thinking....am I being a good steward? 

What am I doing with the time that I have been given?!

It's a question that I have really been meditating on the past few weeks and the answers that I have come up with are shameful to say the least.

Though life is complex and overwhelming at times what I should be doing with said time is quite simple...........love God and love others.

"'Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments'' Matthew 22:37-40


My priorities are changing........are yours?

Gifts for the foodie

hedgehog measuring cups/lemon syrup/cookbook/pie pan/knives/spices/cutting board

Gifts for baby

memory box and book/gold loafers/pillow/blanket/playmat/sweater

blocks/sweater/mustache paci/journal/onesie/shoes

Gifts for them: kids and teens

sweatshirt/makeup brushes/kaleidoscope kit/moustaches/wookie tee/pajamas/bracelet

white house block set/tabletop basketball/slingshot/colored pencils/robot/this is books/necklaces

robot kit/hooded scarf/life journals/'diamond' earrings/tattoos/makeup case/ipad sleeve

darth vader tee/vest/book/phone cover/slippers/dolls/blazer/lip set

owl watch necklace/amp speaker/us scratch map/xo earrings/choose your own adventure books/sharp tee/pj's/barrettes 

Gifts for Him

shoes/flannel/sunglasses/book/bottle opener

key fob/iphone case/nikes/pj's/carving board/gold razor holders

   
                                     watches/book/nap sack/bowtie

Gifts for Her

twin triangles necklace/black boots/crystal cave rock ring/earrings/gloves/snake ring/leather clutch/bra

belt/nail art pens/scarf/metallic moccasins/earrings/clutch/arrow bracelet/leather jacket

rose gold knot studs/leather tassel key chain/wool shawl coat/statement necklace/birchbox/pencil skirt



I'd love any/all of these just in case you're wondering  ;)   

Happy shopping!!

An eclectic entry and some paint plans

Thanks for the well wishes concerning our anniversary everyone!! We unfortunately haven't been able to celebrate yet.  I am just getting over the cold-flu and two of our boys have had the stomach flu this week. On top of that I've working on refinishing a huge dining set for a new client, which I'll be sharing soon! Hopefully we'll get a chance to sneak out sans kids soon.....Anniversary lunch or coffee? ; )

Been playing around with some paint colors in our living room and bedroom....what else is new huh!? The above wall color is Brinjal by Farrow and Ball aka 'fancy paint we don't have here'. Since I love the color so much I've been searching for something close and I did find a similar shade by Behr called Ripe Fig.

I have a test spot up in our living room and I love it, I'm thinking it's exactly what this room needs.

Also tested Behr's Realm (below) in our bedroom.

Source: farm5.static.flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

I'm loving that color too, dark and moody. Perfect for our tiny bedroom!