Christmas 2011

This year's Christmas was much busier than usual since we now have two families to celebrate with! We spent Christmas Eve with the Brannan crew and Christmas Day with Holley and my mom. We were doubly blessed!

Stockings at the Brannans. Please note the camo!

Ryan with his new driver!

 

 
We enjoyed our first Christmas Eve candlelight service together and afterward took the annual trip to Waffle House. :)

It was great to spend Christmas Day with my family. Just wish so desperately that my Dad was here too. Selfish wish, I know... Christmas in Heaven pales in comparison to our "celebrations".

God is good. And I can attest that He makes all things beautiful in His time.

Merry Christmas!!

Luke 2:8-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

A Quarter of a Century

Happy 25th Birthday to me! The day started at IHOP with the Brannan side of the family plus Holley and ended at Olive Garden with Ryan, Holley and my mom.

Thankful for a fun day with the people I love! 

Wistful Wednesday



 My19th Birthday at Macaroni Grill
12/23/05

Trip to MB

The only good pic I got from our weekend at the beach with the Hitchcock fam.
So very random but sweet nonetheless:)

Service Project

I have the pleasure of teaching 8th grade girls in Sunday school at SVBC. A few of the girls from 7th and 8th grade got together last night to spread some Christmas cheer at Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center. Ms. Patti (Daybreak's Director and my BFF's mom) gave us a tour of the center and talked to us about how they share the Gospel with each woman who comes in. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to serve and hear about Daybreak's ministry!

The girls with the baby blankets they made!

All of us in the Baby Boutique :)

"...everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts."

Proverbs 19:6

 

Wedded Bliss

Monday marked 6 months of wedded bliss for us! And today is our engagement anniversary! Hard to believe it's been one year since Ryan asked me to marry him :) I'm glad I said yes!

Just for laughs, here's a snapshot of our fail attempt at building a gingerbread house. It turned into a ginger-mess. I may or may not have eaten some of the roof ;)

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

"I am with you in all that you do, even in the most menial task. I am always aware of you, concerned with every detail of your life. Nothing escapes My notice--not even the number of hairs on your head. However, your awareness of My Presence falters and flickers; as a result, your life experience feels fragmented. When your focus is broad enough to include Me in your thoughts, you feel safe and complete. When your perception narrows so that problems or details fill your consciousness, you feel empty and incomplete.

Learn to look steadily at Me in all your moments and all your circumstances. Though the world is unstable and in flux, you can experience continuity through your uninterrupted awareness of My Presence. Fix your gaze on what is unseen, even as the visible world parades before your eyes."

--Jesus

Lunch date

I had the privilege of accompanying my sweet hubby to his work Christmas party today at the Capital City Club :)

 

Feeling blessed!

Nativity Scene

Three of the dearest women in my life hosted my bridal luncheon the day before our wedding. Ms. Patti, Dawn, and Patty outdid themselves with a beautiful shower and outstanding food. Their gift to me was the Willow Tree nativity scene!

Dawn, Ms. Patti, Patty at my bridal luncheon

Since I collect the Willow figurines, I absolutely love and cherish the sentiment of this gift. I'm so excited it can be displayed in our home for our first married Christmas and in years to come :)