Grandparent Love.....

When we were at the Happiest Place on Earth last weekend (Disney World), we all ate at The Polynesian for breakfast one morning.  I snapped these pictures in the lobby after breakfast.

Nothing like some Grandparent Love.....

Merry Christmas Y'all!

~CB~

A Birthday ..........

Carter had a birthday last week.  Hard to believe he's SIX.  I think I might be getting old!  Yikes.

His party was at Chuck E Cheese and I have to say--it's worth EVERY penny!

More pictures to follow of Carter's big day, but here is the birthday boy with all his nice gifts from his friends.  (I decided to let him open his gifts at home so I could see what he was getting and we could focus on each gift rather than paper flying everywhere, etc. at the party).

We're so blessed to have wonderful friends and family to enjoy birthdays with!

~CB~

A Few Christmas Touches...

I've been working hard on putting some Christmas touches around the house this week.  So far, I've got the tree up and decorated and a few of my knick-knack type things out.  Last year, I only put up a few of our trees (I have multiple Christmas trees) and that was it.  This year, I decided that even though I don't have a lot of time (or energy), I'm decorating more than I did last year!

I just have a few Christmas touches throughout the house.......

A nightlight in the kitchen.....

A candle holder on the kitchen counter....

A few little things here and there....

 I love checking the mail this time of year--I always have at least one Christmas card a day!  I hung my Christmas card holder --now I'm just waiting to fill it up!

 Our stockings are hung....(and filled)

 My snowmen in the big windowsill of the living room...

Even my dining room has a few touches......these decorations will be used Sunday evening at my annual dinner party as centerpieces on the table.

Saving the best for last!  This is my nativity!  I just love it!  I bought it last year at Family Christian Bookstore.  I just love the little faces on the people....it's the only nativity I own and I hope I can keep it forever (without my boys trying to ride the camel or throw baby Jesus like a football--ha-ha).

All the decorations are nice, and you know how I love me some snowmen--but the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas is in this photo.  Christmas isn't Christmas without the birth of Jesus!  HE is the reason we celebrate the season!

And because he was born on Christmas Day--we have HOPE!

~CB~

Counting My Blessings

I've really tried to focus on Counting My Blessings this season and not get so caught up in the everyday stresses of life.  This is a test for me so I won't stress out so much and get the ugly "non-gratitude" attitude!

I have this little plaque hanging by my stove and it reminds me every day to Count My Blessings!

I didn't decorate for Fall this year, even though I LOVE Fall--I just didn't have the time (or energy for that matter).  I did manage to bring out my Fall plates though and use them a few times, which the boys loved!

I was reading a blog that I love a few months ago, and she did a wonderful post on Gratitude..... here's a blurb of what she wrote in the post.  I think she wrote it all just for ME.  ha-ha

"In the same breath that I complain I don't have enough time in this day, I am wishing for a different day, where I can add more to my to-do list.  I am rushing through my today so I can get to tomorrow.  What's the matter with me?!  Why can't I just be in the moment and enjoy it?

It has really made me start to question my level of gratitude.  I mean, of course I am grateful for my family and friends... grateful that we're all healthy... grateful for our home, etc.  But what about the little things?
Every moment on this earth is a chance to be grateful for something.  Why would we want to rush any season of our lives?
Yet we do.

Good things, no matter how small, are opportunities for us to be grateful. But so are bad things.  For every problem I have, there is someone who has a bigger one.  For each of my aches and pains, there is someone else who is hurting more.  Also?  With every problem there is an opportunity for me to learn something.  I need to be grateful for those moments. For each and every moment, really.

I think that when I forget to look at things through a lens of gratitude, my entire  world seems more chaotic and stressful than it really is."

I just loved all that "Viv" had to say in her post about Gratitude.  Hopefully, my "lens of gratitude" is clear, not only this season, but in ALL seasons.  Those seasons include times of sickness, health, plenty, want, stress, non-stress, rejoicing and sorrow!

Try Counting YOUR Blessings today (and every day).  It makes all the difference in the world.

~CB~

Fridge Feet

I was going through some pictures a few days ago trying to get a blog post ready, and I came across these feet that are stationed on my refrigerator.....OH SO CUTE!

~CB~

I Love a Clearance!

Y'all.  I LOVE me a good clearance sale!  It stands to reason that some of the BEST clearance deals you'll find are after the holidays.

I was out shopping last weekend when lo and behold I came across these cake decorating items that were 80% off since they were classified as Halloween items.

Anyone care to guess how "much" I paid for the stuff above?  It's 2 bottles of green decorator's gel, 2 bottles of orange decorator's gel (these I can use for cupcakes for the kids), and 1 bottle of orange cake glitter, and a bottle of purple cake glitter.

The TOTAL for the purchase?  About $2.00.  True story.

Gotta love those clearance sections!

~CB~

Field Trip

Carter had a field trip last week to a local pumpkin patch.  I wasn't able to go, but the hubs went and said they had a great time!

The kids were able to feed cows, ride some sort of barrel train, and walk through a corn maze!

Where you see one of these boys, you usually see the other, as they are "best buddies".  Carter and Austin are never far apart.  Good thing his teacher was smart enough to put them at separate tables in class.  HA!

Carter hasn't quit talking about the field trip yet, so I definitely know he had a great time!

~CB~