Common Ground Park With Grandma!

We enjoyed a fun day with Grandma at Common Ground Park in Lakeland. In addition to the awesome play equipment, there is also a beautiful butterfly garden!

Christmas 2013

Griffin enjoyed Christmas morning ~ he was excited to see what Santa brought! Merry Christmas!!

He changed shirt mid-way through openening gifts. :)

The Best Christmas Gifts From Griffin.

Griffin is a great gift giver ~ he chose Daddy a new camo hat and Duck Commander water bottle, plus a nifty set of clips from the Awana store. For me he chose this awesome framed chalk board and this beautiful owl necklace/bracelet from the Awana store. I will say, I have been blessed with some pretty incredible gifts over the years but this set of Owl jewelry is at the tippy top of my favorite gifts ever because I know what Griffin did to buy it for me from the Awana store. He earned it himself and I would like to share with you a little story ...

Each week when the children attend Awana Club they earn points for attendance, bringing their bible and class book, wearing their club shirts, memorizing verses, bringing a friend, etc. For each point earned they earn a 'buck'. A couple times a year Mr. Mike hosts an 'Awana Store' for the kids to spend their Awana bucks. At Christmas time they use their bucks to purchase gifts for their family members.

This year Griffin was very torn about using his Awana bucks to buy something for himself or for Daddy & me. It was a tough decision, and one that didn't come easily for him. In fact, he got a little upset about it. There was a special something on the table he wanted for himself, however he realized he didn't have enough to get us gifts and buy the item he wanted for himself. He wrestled with it, and there were tears. Maybe even a little anger was expressed. But in the end, he chose to give up the item he wanted so desperately and found it in his heart to use his Awana bucks to buy Mike a wonderful set of clips and the Owl jewelry set for me.

Griffin, doesn't understand right now how very much this means to me. It's really not about the gift, though I LOVE it so much ~ it's his selfless act that means the most. I love him so very much.

A sweet little tidbit too ~ he had no idea the owl has all three of our birthstones on it. The eyes are sapphire (September/me) and the decorative stones on the wings are peridot (August/Mike) and amethyst (February/Griffin.

Friends At Christmas!

Today has been such a blessing. We've had the opportunity to visit with many friends today, both at their homes and others stopping by our home. This is one of the cuties that stopped by today. I love when friends stop by, even for just a moment. Thank you everyone for the sweet treats ~ they are all SO yummy. {Believe me, I know I've sampled them all! smile emoticon=) } Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas ~ Santa has arrived!

Children's Christmas Program At Church

At church tonight, the Children's Christmas Program was awesome! Griffin played the role of the camel.

Duck The Halls Christmas Party

This Christmas we had a 'Duck The Halls' themed Christmas party at our house

Photo Props For Mandy

Mandy and I met several years ago online. When it was time for Mason to celebrate his birthday at school she asked me to make photo props for their photo booth. I love making these!

Target Practice

Target practicing down at the Gill's farm ~ what an adrenaline rush! My husband always has my back.

Small Group

We enjoy going to small group, where we fellowship with like minded believers and study the word of God.

Sunday School Helpers

These two are helpful when getting ready for Sunday School. They will often times help with the lesson on the board.

Gender Reveal Party - Andy + Shelby

Our dear friends Andy + Shelby had a 'Gender Reveal Party' for the baby they are expecting in the spring!

I was honored to design the party goods for them

Landon's - John Deere Banner & Cupcake Toppers

Our friend Landon celebrated with a John Deere themed birthday party!

Abby's Birthday ~ Girly Giraffe

Our sweet friend Abby celebrated her 12th birthday with a 'Girly Giraffe' themed party!

I loved making his party set for Abby!

Cub Scouts Dinner

We had a wonderful time at the Cub Scout Christmas Party last night ~ nice people, yummy food, a visit from the Marines to tell the boys about the 'Toys For Tots' program, music performed by the 'Bear Band' and lots of silly fun with balloon pops!

I Can't Find Elfie

The truth is I am unable to find Elfie ~ Griffin has asked about him a few times so I thought I better do something, quick! So, Elfie is 'here' until he can be seen. I picked up two sets of this Charlie Brown Christmas book/plush at Kohl's. Griffin shared one at the Cub Scout Party last night with the Marines Toys for Tots. He has no idea I got him one too.

This is Elfie's note to Griffin:

Good morning Griffin,

You haven't seen me this year but that doesn't mean I'm not here. I'm keeping a watchful eye out to report back to Santa and will reveal myself soon. Keep doing well in school, read a lot, clean your room and be a good listener.

I like this Christmas ornament you made last night at the Cub Scout Party.

Love,
Elfie

On Santa's Good List!

Griffin received an email from Santa today ~ he opened the email and waited patiently to see if he was on Santa's 'good list'. He actually covered his eyes because he was so excited ... and there it is ... the GOOD LIST ... he's a happy boy!

Meeting The Actresses From The Play

We met the actresses that played the 'mouse' and 'sugarplums' after the play. They were very nice to Griffin and meeting them made the play all the more special.

Visit To The Theatre - Twas The Night Before Christmas

Today we went on a field trip to see the musical 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. It is about the poet Clement Moore and how he was inspired to write the poem. It was so much fun ~ these guys had a great time! {our boys didn't suddenly grow gray circles, just wanted to cover their name tags}

Hanging Of The Greens At Church

We had so much fun decorating our church for Christmas with our church family!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We stopped by Southern States and they had this huge wreath hanging up, so we decided to take some pictures!