all wrapped up ...

wrapping 101 ...

think outside the box when wrapping your holiday gifts

this year ...

some of my wrapping favorites are ...

old brown bags

newspaper

twine

greenery off the tree

an old pillow case tied at the top

yes ... think outside the box!

stay warm today my friends

xo



eight ...

8 days ...

in just eight days i will be ...

standing in the airport waiting to run into the arms

of my husband

in just eight days ...

i will finally take a break from hearing

mama when is dad coming home

in just eight days ...

i will stand before the love of my life

and i will ...

exhale

yes ... my husband gets to come to Iowa for 4 days

for Christmas

we are celebrating at my parent's house

so he actually won't be home as in our house

but ...

i'm okay with that

*ahem*

because you see then ... he won't notice the half started projects

*gulp*

the half painted bedroom furniture

or

the half painted walls

or

 the white slip covers on not only the couch

( which we already had)

but now they are also on the chairs ...

or

 the white painted steps ...

yes... it will be just fine at my parent's house

just fine

xo

p.s ... honey if you are reading this i love you! reallllllly love you!



a project ...

the ball wreath

it is amazing how with a little time

you can make the perfect gift

i had vintage old ornaments that i had found at local

thrift store ...

and i attached them to a bended wire hanger

you can get step by step directions here

it takes a little time ..

but it is ...

the perfect project while watching that horrible reality t.v

that you love ... but hate to admit to loving

*ahem*

you will be thrilled when you are done

have a great day keeping warm

xo



The first day of the rest of our lives ...

today

i take a step and a big ole' deep breath

today

after days of waiting and flight times getting put off

my husband will finally fly out of Davenport

yes today ...

this deployment begins

and for that I am thankful!

p.s ... tomorrow i will have beautiful photos of

my home and what i did for Christmas decor

p.s.s ... i appreciate you all

xo

Psalm 62:1 ... My soul finds rest in God alone



it is Time ...

the time has come ...

tonight after the kids say goodbye and goodnight

to their dad

i will drive him to Davenport

and

this whole deployment cloud that we have been living

under since last year will finally ...

be moving along

we have had this whole last week together ...

playing, doing family things, laughing, crying

and now ...

well we both agree

now it is just time... and we are *gulp* ready

we have had our talks with the kids...

i have been instructed on how to manage the bills...

we have our skype ready

let it begin ...

but my heart ... well now my heart that is awhole other thing

my heart aches already

i will miss my best friend

i will miss getting lost in his arms

i will miss him walking through the door

i will just simply ... miss him

but

i know this ...

it is what it is and today... i am choosing to TRUST

choosing to OBEY

choosing to keep running forward in FAITH

without knowing ...

I TRUST

one day at a time

yes

one day at a time

Joshua 1:19

have i not commanded you ...

be courageous... do not be terrified ... do not be discouraged

for the Lord you God will be with you

wherever you go!

yes ... my soul finds rest in God alone ... Psalm 62:1

xo

Thankful ...

 i am thankful ...

for HIS grace that has saved me through faith ...

my husband ... who makes me see life in rosy hues

my children

my father ... who always speaks words of truth

my mama ... who just always ' knows '... without me using many words

what my soul needs

my sisters ... my bff's

my brother ... for moving home so we can all be surrounded by him

my besties ... who just 'get it'

our home

white paint

coffee

and it could go on and on ...

xo



I'm dreaming ...

ooo

 let the ideas begin ...



this year i am dreaming of a white Christmas

i can't wait to dig in to decorating this week ...

xo