How My Christmas Went...

Well I hope y'all had a great Christmas. Mine was really good. I got so many things that I wanted. Probably too much. Scarves, books, pajamas, some cooking stuff, jewelry...the list goes on and on. As usual, Austin got clothes and baseball stuff. Greg got Carolina stuff, and Mama got a massage, neck pillow, books, and pajamas...all the things she loves the most.

After we went to church and had our Christmas lunch, it was time to go to Benji's to exchange gifts. I got some really great gifts from his family. I can't wait to start crafting again thanks to the Hobby Lobby gift card.

 Benji gave me a really cute Southern Girl t-shirt and a burlap Georgia tumbler. Who would've ever thought they made those? However, little did I know the biggest gift was just around the corner. You see, for probably eight months now I've been dropping at least two hints a day about wanting to go see Miranda Lambert in concert. My friends, Ashley and Megan have backed me up (maybe a little too much) and bothered him to death too about it. After the last time they brought it up and I saw the expression on his face, I decided to give it up. I wasn't getting the tickets. It didn't even cross my mind after opening the great gifts he had already given me. But then it happened. He ducked around the corner and gave me a bag. He said, "I forgot the best gift." All I saw was chocolate so I was thinking he was just being funny. I'm good with Dove chocolate! But Miranda Lambert tickets were at the bottom. I cried.

Then we went to have Christmas in Georgia. It was a lot of fun, and now we have made volleyball a tradition. Uncle West even bought an official net. It was fun. 

Well, I hope I didn't bore y'all with my Christmas events. Hope everything was good with y'alls! Merry Christmas!

Remembering A Hero...

I've been contemplating since Tuesday night whether  or not to post anything about the police officer killed in the line of duty.  However, after watching the moving funeral today and seeing the many pictures showing the outpouring of love from the community I decided it was time. 

...

Last Tuesday night started off great.  Mama, my brother Austin, Benji, and I went to eat at a new restaurant in town and then went to bowl. With one frame left Benji got a call on his radio. All I heard was, "Officer down." He ran out of the bowling alley. I was worried for him because the location of the shooting was so close to the bowling alley, but I was praying more for the officer who had  been shot. Unfortunately, that officer passed away the next morning.

...

Since this night, our city has shown a tremendous amount of support to the family of the officer. Today, this support was evident at the funeral. I didn't go or stand along the sides of the roads, but here are some pictures I've seen.

Please pray for this family and his fellow officers.

Psalm 46:1

Merry Christmas...

It doesn't matter how old I get,

I'm always up early on Christmas morning.

I'm not sure if it's just something that happens

or the dreams I was having of my Grandma...

her little wink at me saying, "I'm still here, Angel."

Anyways, I thought I'd share something with y'all

on this Christmas morning that shows the true beauty of Christmas.

...

Last night we went to the candle light service at the church.

Even though I've seen it before it still gives me chills.

Before the candles were lit, they played a video

that I had seen during the youth's service one Wednesday night.

It's incredibly moving, and I wanted to share it with y'all.

Merry Christmas.

The Finishing Touches...

Well, it's official. It's Christmas Eve.

And, no, this is not the scene here at home. I wish.

Today has been a pretty jam-packed day of cooking, crafting, and cleaning. 

On Thursday, Benji and I went back to see the lights with our friends.  

Ashley and Colton...Megan and Jeff. 

Their pictures turned out better than ours. 

...

I took this picture at the restaurant while waited.

They reminded me of the Three Stooges. 

They proved their resemblance later that night.  

 I finally finished the stockings.

Mama wanted them monogrammed so bad.

So, I finally did it. I think it looks nice.

I even put it on Pinterest.

 Then I went to the kitchen.

Who knew I'd be in there for so many hours.

I made Naughty/Nice gifts for Benji's grandparents.

The Nice gifts are baked apple chips.

The Naughty gifts are cookie dough balls drizzled with chocolate.

Yum...

 Oh yeah, I made the monkey bread, too.

Funny story about the monkey bread.

It turned out great, but make sure when you try it you

don't use a bundt pan with the removable center piece.

The butter spilled all to the bottom of the oven .

You would've thought the whole kitchen was on fire,

and Abbie made a break for it to the back yard.

But I solved the issue, and it looks delicious.

It's always a hassle when you take food to places with a lot of people.

Everyone's always asking, "What is this? What's that?"

So, I came up with a solution.

I just printed the name out, stapled it to a piece of red construction paper,

and stapled that to a bendy straw. The bendy part slips right under the bread.

 Well, I hope all of y'all have a great Christmas.

I've gotta get in the kitchen and wash dishes.

Tomorrow, I'll take on Paula's Ooey Gooey Butter Layer Cake.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Matthew 1:18-25

Catching Up For Christmas...

Well it's safe to say that Christmas is almost here.

I've wrapped at least thirty presents, and I think I'm almost done.

I've got a couple more things to work on, but not today.

Mama bought some stockings that she wanted me to redo. 

before and after...

 I reckon all the Christmas cards are in.

I don't think our mantle can hold much more.

(This was Mama's idea. I can't take credit)

 This past Saturday, we decided to have a bonfire at my friend

Ashley's house. Well, actually it's a man cave right now, but it's a work in progress.

We had a burrito bar, and it was pretty darn good.

Ashley, me, and Megan.

...

Megan's husband and Benji's good friend, Jeff, with their "baby", Dave.

 He was like a big teddy bear. Love it.

 Monday night we went to see the lights with Benji's family.

There were so many. My favorite was probably the bridge and the pond.

 Now that Christmas is officially almost here, I've decided what

I'm making for the big day with the family.

This monkey bread recipe sounded too good to pass up.

 And for those of y'all who missed Paula Deen's Christmas special...

you really, really missed out.

I saw this magazine in Tractor Supply a month ago

and have been dying to make her Ooey Gooey Butter Layer cake.

So, I'm making it for Christmas.

It's the cake in the picture on the cover. The only picture I could find.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Remember that if it wasn't for Jesus, we wouldn't have this incredible day.