If you look for Me at Christmas

If you look for Me at Christmas you won’t need a special star 

I’m no longer just in Bethlehem, I’m right there where you are.

You may not be aware of Me amid the celebrations -

You’ll have to look beyond the stores and all the decorations. 

But if you take a moment from your list of things to do

And listen to your heart, you’ll find I’m waiting there for you.

You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the reason that I came

and you’ll find Me in the stillness as I’m whispering your name.

Love, 

Jesus

What Presley loves to do these days...

I can't tell you how many times a day this little girl takes off her clothes..its only with the one piece Pjs..but, it can make you a little crazy. If it wasn't a few days from Christmas, and freezing, I probably wouldn't care as much. Although, it can be pretty amusing, too. See for yourself.
On another note, Gigi got Presley her 1st Christmas stocking, it came in the mail a few days ago( and it is SOO CUTE!) it is simple and classy..I wasn't a fan of the "kid ones" just because I wanted her to have it forever :) Just need to put names on Matt and I's.
I am in the middle of putting our ornaments on the tree..better late than never right! (so the below pic, was just the beginning of the decorating)
We still have to go shopping for Matt's stocking stuffers today..and I am excited because Matt got a spiral ham from work last night for free..so looks like I am out of cooking for today :)
~Ignore the blurry pics, she was RUNNING the entire time..lol

 Gotta love this one! ;)

Someone got an ornament off our Charlie Brown Tree!

I also made some of these this morning..just to have a little Christmas goodie to snack on.. Around here they call them Buckeyes..for Ohio Buckeyes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

I am sad we aren't going home for Christmas, because it will be the 1st time for us to be away from Memphis and family..of course we will miss family, good food, and seeing everyone open presents, but, I am happy to get to relax more this holiday..Instead of rushing around from house to house..we get to go to the Christmas Eve Service at Church ( which I am super excited about) After all, Jesus is what Christmas is all about, right!
I am cooking a yummy roast with carrots and potatoes for Christmas Eve.

Yummy Roast :

Get a tender chuck pot roast and place it in a crock pot on low.
Add one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix. Sprinkle it over the roast.
Add one packet of McCormick Aux jus gravy mix or she said brown gravy mix will do. Sprinkle that packet over the roast as well.
Then, place a stick of butter on top of the roast.
Put 4 or 5 peperoncini peppers on top f the roast. These are the peppers that you see on salad bars. They come in a jar. Let the roast cook at least 8 hours. I usually cook it over night. Do not add water!!!
Stole this picture from Summer's blog..LOOKS so good, can't wait!

Then on Christmas morning, we will get to see Presley enjoy Santa at home in our PJs.. I will be making a breakfast casserole..

Sausage Crescent Rolls/ Bars Recipe

• 2  packages crescent rolls (make sure you buy these on sale with coupon)
• 1 lb pork sausage, browned & drained (hot or regular)
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  Add cooked sausage and cheese.  Mix well.
In greased 9×13, spread out one package of crescent rolls.  Pinch seams.
Spread sausage mix over crescent roll. Top with shredded cheddar cheese
Spread out another package of crescent rolls on top of sausage mix.  Pinch seams.
Bake 25 min, until top is golden.

Then we just get to enjoy relaxing. by the fire, in our pajamas watching Presley play with her new toys :)
I am also excited to read her this new book..she got last year, but, didn't understand about Christmas. It will be a great tradition to read the story of Christmas each year.
My sweet friend, Summer invited us over for lunch, so hopefully we will get to enjoy some fellowship with some friends, too. Its not the Christmas we are use to, but, we are going to enjoy it! Thank goodness for Skype!

Yesterday..

So yesterday was such a fun filled day! We did so much, I am just finding time to blog about it! Matt was off, and since we have decided to stay in Ohio for Christmas this year.. we wanted to get out and do some Christmas things as a family. We packed a bunch in one day..but, it was worth it!

First, we went to the Kenwood Mall and had Presley's picture with Santa ( hoping to get my printer/scanner working soon) to put up her picture.. She points to him, and can call him by name..So we weren't sure how she would respond. She sat in his lap, and wiggled..almost a nervous star struck kindof way, lol.. There were no tears..so that was good and she was pretty excited about her free coloring book he gave her :)
Then we had lunch at the food court, did a little Christmas shopping..
We also thought maybe we should get a Christmas Tree..so we went to Lowe's and got a tree for $7 ( since they were 70%off) lol
It is for sure a Charlie Brown tree..Matt is taller than the tree! But, it is just perfect for Presley :)
After we got home, Presley took a late nap..when she woke up, we went to Holiday of Lights at Sharon Woods Park ( a drive through Christmas light thing)
Presley loved it! We found a Christmas station, and let's just say we are now in the Christmas spirit!
Just need to decorate the tree and wrap some gifts :)

I am taking pics with my little camera, b/c my big one needs to be cleaned professional (UGHH) it is leaving a big black dot on all my pictures..just lovely!

Too bad her little dress was pulled up in all the pictures..and you can see the top of her tights..oh well, we got a smile.

Ready to see the "ights" as Presley calls them :)

Some of my favorite things..this time of year

Well, I am starting to get a little cabin fever...my car has had a flat this week..Matt has been working, (tried to fix it once with fix-a-flat) went low again the next day..so taking it in to Carmax to get a new one..so we have been inside for 5 days.. yeah, 5 whole days.
I did get to go shopping last night..after Matt got home. It was just for an hour.. which was plenty..I was ready to get home, get warm, and watch a movie with Matt..but, I had to get some Christmas taking care of..since only presents I have bought were online and for Presley:)
After shopping, I was thinking about some of my favorite things..
1. Best house slippers ever :) Worth every bit of $16! Esp. since we now live in the North, and have to take Daisy out in the snow!

2. OPI Merry Holly-Days Nail Polish.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I had no idea but, apparently its a hard color to find..so if you do GET IT! go here to see this beautiful red color..that will make you smile every time you look at your toes..or fingers.lol

BEST nail COLOR, ever!

3. GLOVES :) This girl LOVES her hands to be warm in the winter.. this are super cute :) Gotta love Target!! That place is one of the best stores on earth!

4. Rain boots..I love these.. and would love super cute with my black rain coat! 

5. My hair stylist.. SHE IS AMAZING.. she does the perfect cut, perfect blonde, ever...this is not the best quality picture.. but, she always does EXACTLY what I ask.. I seriously don't want to ever move away..just because of her. If you live in Cincy..go to Tuscany Spa and Salon..Ask for Tammy !!!

6. Love this journal.. Have had it since high school..and it is still on of my favorite reads..for a quick devotional.. Ruth Meyers is an amazing writer! This one will not disappoint!

As for a book for P..she may get this for Christmas, if not..( i put on her list with some family) I will..heard it is amazing and the Cds are GREAT :) Super excited about this..esp. since she says read Bible every night! 

7. Gingerbread Latte..need I say more. and you can't do the skinny version.. I tried. I know its 320 calories, so I only get one every now and then..a special holiday treat!

8. Best Christmas CD :) Don't laugh..It really is MY FAVORITE! 

9.  That I get to take pictures like these :) Gotta love the snow-stache :) it reminds me a little of the movie Dumb and Dumber..lol 

10. And that I get to have this ADORABLE little nativity up for Presley  ( a sweet neighbor gave it to us..we  LOVE IT!) Presley really loves the baby Jesus:) She plays with it daily, so sweet!

Please keep the Harrison Family in your prayers

I found out some horrible news while visiting in Memphis.. a sweet girl whose blog I follow, and who was a year behind me in high school, lost her precious 20 month old baby girl. Her name was Evie, and she has a twin sister named Ramsey. As a mom, the worst thing I can imagine, would be to lose a child.

I can't imagine the pain this family must be going through. Please keep this sweet family in your prayers..
and don't take a moment for granted..even the hard temper tantrum days..
I read this verse in my quiet time and it made me think of this family. Their lives will never be the same, but, thankfully they are Christians and can trust God to get them through. How lonely it would be to face such a horrible time without HIM.

"Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Her blog is linked below..again, please pray for this family.
http://threedoodles.blogspot.com

Our Christmas Card this year

Sharp Christmas Card 2010

Personalized Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

This picture was inside..IT isn't the best picture we have ever taken.. but, getting a picture of the three of us is RARE..so one with us squinting, and Presley looking off is just perfect! lol

Snow Day in Ohio

 Meet our Christmas Tree this year :)

We currently live at the North Pole.
Seriously, this snow thing is all new to this southern girl!
What is wonderful about the snow here is they actually have the equipment to clear off the roads..and our little community gets the sideways looking perfect..so you can actually enjoy the snow. It is also dry..unlike what I am normally use to..slush. It is just gorgeous!!
On a somewhat sad note, since I was in Memphis until just the other day..and just got Christmas decor out yesterday, and with our snow blizzard that came through..Matt and I decided to skip the tree this year..so that's why I made that comment on the above picture..lol
It is a little sad, and wierd not to have one, but, Presley doesn't know the difference and we will for sure get back on track with the tradition next year! :) I want Christmas to be special, and I want her to have special ones like I did..but, I also, want her to understand the true meaning and reason for Christmas..not all about the "stuff, traditions, gifts, etc" but about Jesus. Thought this was pretty cool..and the author is from TN.

I I know Christmas means to me a gift of life, I’ve been set free. When I think of how God gave his son, remission of sin for everyone. How humble at his feet I fall. He knows my heart and he’s my all. An awesome Jesus nailed to the cross, who shed his blood to save the lost. He died there, for you and me, that we have life, abundantly. When you celebrate this Christmas morn, inside with family, cozy and warm. With presents around the Christmas tree. It’s not about-- you and me. It’s not what you get, or what it’s worth. It’s to celebrate our Savior’s birth. Remember JESUS IS THE REASON-THE REAL REASON, FOR THE SEASON. Praise his holy name. Give God the praise he is due. ( C ) December 1, 2008 Clarence “Sonny” White] Clarence "Sonny" White was born in Covington, Tennessee moving to Illinois at the age of 17. He has written Poetry and songs as long as he can remember. Sonny is A born again Christian and likes to write Poetry and songs to help spread Gods word..

We had two lazy days with Matt, gotta love days off with him! We went outside for just a little bit to see what Presley would think of this beautiful weather..and she LOVED it.. she spend most of the time trying to eat it. It made me think of my great grandmother, we called her Mama Nora..I remember being around 6 or 7 and it snowed in Memphis ( which was a rare thing) and she made me snow ice cream.. so I had to look up a recipe.. Maybe I will make it for P :) I got the ruler out, and we currently have 8 inches!!


Paula Dean's Snow Ice Cream-- it is the same way Mama Nora made it :)

Ingredients

• 8 cups snow, or shaved ice
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Place snow or shaved ice into a large bowl. Pour condensed milk over and add vanilla. Mix to combine. Serve immediately in bowls.

~Here are some sweet pics of Presley and Matt.. I think she will LOVE snow ice cream, after viewing these, I think you will agree :)