Jingle Jangle

I can't get that dang song from the Chipmunks out of my head.
You know the one…
"Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas. Jingle jangle bells will ring."

Go away Chipmunks! Christmas is over! Hahaha. I still love them anyway.

Our Christmas was amazing. As usual. We are SO spoiled and so blessed to have family all around us.

It's weird that I look tan in this photo. I'm quite pasty in real life.

Josiah is such a little artist. And Ella has the cheesiest smile.

On Christmas Eve day Buddy left the boys an early Christmas gift the he snuck from Santa.
And Micah got "glued" by a fireman (made him happy)  after getting a cut near his eye.

Josiah and Ella were waiting in the playroom for Micah to wake up and go see if Santa came.

She licked off all of the frosting from her pop tart.

Pa Brian.

Big hugs after opening the gifts they bought for each other.
*Proud Mommy*

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ben bought them these awesome reversible spider costumes.

Uncle Beau picked out this fur hoodie. And check out those boots!

Merry Christmas indeed!

So Spoiled

I have been incredibly spoiled this Christmas season and I just had to share!

I won this amazing set of goodies from Kaylee at Life Chasers. If you don't read her blog you really need to, she's quite the lady!

Thank you Kaylee, I was so spoiled by you!

And then for Christmas my husband bought me this gorgeous clock for above my pantry door. I love that it's double sided too!

I also got these TOMS (which I had been dying for!)

My sister (you should read her amazing blog!) got me this amazing locket from Encantadora. The proceeds go to support Ecuadorian women in need.

And then….. I got this gorgeous antique mahogany buffet for my living room. It was a steal at $195 too! It perfect because it's huge. That's over 6 feet long folks! The pic is a bit deceptive for sure.

Sheesh! I'm spoiled for sure!

Giving Me Away

When I began to date (which was college seeing as how boys never showed interest before then) I knew exactly what I wanted in a man.
I knew I didn't want to "date around". I wanted a man to marry, and man who I could start a family with. I wasn't interested in wasting my time.

I would go on dates with guys who'd ask, but I could always tell within one date if they were "the one" or not.

Then I met James. I knew within months that I loved him and that I would spend forever with him. We were married within two years of our first date.

I have my dad to thank for that. He did an amazing job of teaching me (through his actions) of what a godly man looks like. You can read more about that here at startmarriageright.com, where I'm now a contributing author!!

I still have an amazing relationship with my dad. I'm thankful that he told me I deserved the best man, not a good man.

I think one of the greatest things my dad ever did for me was tell me the importance of purity before marriage.

When I was 15 he gave me a ring to wear until my wedding day. I wore it, and I kept my vow.
On my wedding day he took it off and handed it to James.

I doubt there were many dry eyes at the wedding when he told everybody what he was doing and why. It was such a special moment. He thanked James for being a man of honor and for upholding the vow of purity.
I was so elated to have him walk me down the isle.
I know that the moment he gave me away was hard for him, but I'm so thankful...

because then James and I could have this moment.