Frosting...

We had our first real frosting of snow on Monday! It wasn't much and it didn't last too long, but I still enjoyed it! It is freezing here and I don't think I will ever get used to this weather!

Home Sweet Home

Ethan and I had a fabulous trip home for Christmas and I cannot even begin to tell you how much we loved spending a whole week with our families! It was just what we needed! Here are a few pictures from our trip!

Ethan and I!

Ethan's dad, Mom and I!

Ethan's sister Shannon, Ethan and I!

Ethan and I with our nephew James and niece Katie Joy!

My Mama!

 My Daddy!

James and Uncle Ethan!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

We had a fun and relaxing weekend! I love the weekends because I get to spend so much time with Ethan! On Friday night we went to our Sunday school class Christmas party at Chuy's! It was a great evening of fellowship and yummy food! On Saturday we finished up our Christmas shopping and took care of some other errands and then enjoyed dinner at our apartment with our friends Brian and Ashley! We also baked Christmas cookies and that was a memory maker in and of itself :) Today we went to church and then enjoyed a chill afternoon. It was a beautiful day so we decided to go to one of the parks in our area. We used to visit this part we when went to Boyce. This was our first time returning to this park since we moved back!

 Our little snowmen :)

Beautiful but cold day!

 The water was much higher then it was a few years ago.

 This picture was taken a few years ago when we were at Boyce. We couldn't get back to this same spot because the water was too high. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and have a great week leading up to Christmas!

Born to Die

Recently I have been trying to focus my attention on why we celebrate Christmas. I have been reflecting on Jesus in the manger, but also Jesus on the cross. Christ was born to die. He knew this as a babe in the manger and His primary mission was to glorify His Father through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave! We cannot take the Cross out of Christmas.

I think that these words sung by Shane and Shane do a great job of expressing this!

"Born to Die"
When the babe was born.
In a manger on the hay.
God saw a veil torn.
He saw Good Friday.
He was born to die.

Gold laid before the Christ.
Incense, His presence is sweet.
Myrrh to signify victory over death's sting.
He was born to die.

It came in a dream.
To Joseph late one night.
That Herod sought the King.
But could not take His life.
He was born to die.

He said, "You won't take my life.
You won't take my life.
You won't take my life...
I lay it down."

We came here today
to celebrate His birth.
But let us not forget
why Jesus came to earth.
He was born to die.

DIY-Christmas Wreath

While on our outing to Hobby Lobby last week Dave was reminded of a "Do it yourself" wreath he had seen. So Abby, Dave and I decided to give it a try!

We used:

1. large foam circle

2. ornaments 

3. ribbon

4. hot glue gun

What we did:

1. wrap the ribbon around the foam and hot glue it

2. hot glue the ornaments where ever you please

That's it! It was super easy and I love the way it turned out!

On a different note: Ethan and I picked out our Christmas tree this past weekend and we love it! Its perfect for our apartment!

I am thankful

As I sit and write this post I can't but feel overwhelmed with how much I have to be thankful for. I was reminded of this over the past few days and I want to praise my Savior for the blessing He has poured out on my life. Not only has He saved me from my sins, He has also blessed me with a wonderful husband, amazing family, food to eat and friends to fellowship with. The list could go on and on, but I think you catch my drift! I am thankful.

On Wednesday night my brother Dave arrived to town and to my surprise he had my youngest sister, Abby, with him! I knew of his coming, but had no clue that Abby was coming with him! Ethan and I were so excited to have them! We had a great time catching up and visiting with them. I cannot tell you how much it meant to have family with us for Thanksgiving! We woke up on Thursday to prepare our Thanksgiving meal!

Ethan cooked the Turkey and let me just tell you it was great!

My mom sent this bag of peanut M&M's with Dave and Abby. We eat one a day until we fly home for Christmas!

Ethan and I were able to FaceTime with our families that were back home and it was really sweet to see some faces we hadn't see in a while! Here is Ethan talking with his great-grand mother!

Here is the Turkey almost done!

On Thursday night we went to an underground light show and I will say it was pretty neat!

Abby and I enjoyed our view from the back seat!

On Friday we went to the mall and left as soon a possible :) We did spent some time in Hobby Lobby and Ethan passed the time by working on his Hebrew!

Dave, myself, and Abby!

On Friday night we went and got some ice cream and then watched movies!

This was taken Friday afternoon!

Dave and Abby headed home yesterday morning and made it home safely! We loved having them and are excited about our visit home for Christmas!

I hope that you all had a great thanksgiving and that you have taken sometime to reflect on what you have to be thankful for!

Birthday Celebration!

I had a fabulous birthday weekend and am so thankful for another year of life! Here are some pictures from our weekend. They are all out of order because I was having some issues uploading them :)

Friday night birthday dinner with my smoking hot husband :)

Saturday we went to Nashville for the day! Ethan and I had never been so our friends Sarah and Jarrod we went us! We visited to Opryland Hotel and downtown Nashville! As well as Franklin, TN.

Our friends Jarrod and his sweet girlfriend Sarah!

The beautiful Christmas lights at the Opryland hotel!

We ate at Jacks BBQ on downtown Nashville!

There is nothing sweeter :)

I was so humbled by all of the love and and kind words I received on Friday and am so thankful for them! I have so many wonderful people in my life and I truly am blessed!