My favorite week!

The week before Christmas is by far my favorite week of the year. Even though things are always extremely busy and rushed, the time with my family and friends makes it all worth it.

I had the best weekend. Saturday night Hubs and I had our Sunday School party which is always fun. I love playing Dirty Santa with this group. It's cut-throat and we're not afraid to steal~ No Mr./Mrs. Nice Guy in this group. It's good to laugh so much your stomach hurts!

Yesterday after Church we headed over to my Mama and Daddy's for a Christmas lunch and presents with our immediate family. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this day. Mama made 3 different types of soup and cooked a ham and turkey for sandwiches. I made hot baked spinach dip and Oreo balls and Mama Hen made a homemade blackberry cobbler. We ate ourselves silly before opening gifts.

(I didn't get good pictures of the kids opening their gifts because I was the hander-outer.)

We always spend the afternoon hoppin' the kids up on as much sugar as we can and then send them home with Mama Hen. I firmly believe this is my role as self-proclaimed BEST AUNT EVER and of course, we all know that's what grandparents do.

Abbie and James were our cookie decorators.

Someone was pretty proud of his creation.

Tyler is getting too big and needs to stop growing PRONTO!

Apparently, Matt was being too mischievous for a good shot because I couldn't find one on my camera.

After that, I stopped by a friends for her Christmas Open House and had some apple cider that made me smile. And if that wasn't good enough, I passed a live nativity with a real camel on the way home. It was a wonderful reminder of the real reason for the season. Thank You God for Your precious Son.

Today I'm linking up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday.

Jill Sharpe's Alabama

We spend Christmas Eve at my Grandparent's every year. We get there pretty early and spend the whole day. This year was WONDERFUL. I couldn't believe how great the weather was. It was sunny, crisp and cool. Welcome to Jill Sharpe's Alabama!

 Mama and Daddy - the BEST parents in all the world!

There was no shortage of presents. Check out Granddaddy's tree. The ornaments were a little sparse.

The kid who stole my heart 12 years ago.

Renee (sweetest Aunt ever!) and Abbie

James got a bike.

Matt and Paw Paw shooting the breeze. (That Alabama afghan has been on that loveseat for as long as I can remember.)

Hubs and my Bro -  not sure what they were doing with that basket.

You will 100% of the time find Granddaddy napping at least 3 times on any given Christmas Eve (actually on any given day).

And who doesn't do a little skeet and target shooting on Christmas Eve? Check out Mama Hen shooting the glock. Her Hubs, Mark had to hold her ears because it was so LOUD!

Marty & Casey

Have you ever seen a better homemade target?

My bro, me and Mama Hen - I think we're tough enuff. Doesn't everyone have raccoon pelts hanging on the front of their barn?

And the best part - Aunt Affie's Christmas getup. This year she paired a Christmas sweatshirt with a Christmas vest and a Christmas scarf. Well done, Aunt Affie. Well done.

I totally realize that I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Good food, good shopping

Today we had a Christmas lunch with Jay's family at The Rucker Place in downtown Birmingham. Before last week, I had never even heard of it, but it was amazing. Apparently, a General Rucker had it built for his daughter for a wedding present. Her family lived there for about 50 years before it was sold to a Doctor who used it for his practice. The current owners bought it in 2002 and renovated it for events. You can read the full history here.

It was just beautiful and I'm pretty sure I had the best-looking date there!

We also braved Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, Wal-Mart and Target. There is no doubt it's the last weekend before Christmas - the traffic was insane! Thankfully, I only have one more gift to get and I'll be done! I'm not gonna lie, shopping wears me out. It took me all of about 2 seconds to get my jammies on once we got home and now I feel snug-as-a-bug on the couch.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Bliss and Pain

This weekend was total bliss. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do and let me just tell you, it was beautiful to behold. Hubs had weekend coverage so he was M.I.A. during the day Saturday and Sunday. I lit cinnamon candles, turned on all my Christmas lights and read, and read and read as the wind actually howled outside. It was so cold going to Church - there were actually a few little snow flakes on my windshield!

I will say, I don't think I've ever been so glad to get home from Church. I wore a new sweater dress and it was the most uncomfortable thing ever. Well, the dress wasn't uncomfortable - it was what I had to wear UNDER the dress that was the problem. I think we all know that sweater dresses are very unforgiving and I have quite a few areas that need a lot of forgiveness! I thought I would be all smart and wear Spanx - OH.MY.WORD! I think next time I'll just let my stomach hang out. Oh dear, I don't need to do that either. I'll have to give that some more thought.

Just curious, what's the most uncomfortable thing you've worn?

I feel safer already

Watch out ya'll, there's a new sheriff in town.

Sister's Youngest

Christmas Copter

Jay scored this little number Christmas Eve.

It's been seen buzzing around our living room quite a bit.

Renee, you did good. I think he likes it.

Christmas Thoughts

It's only 3 days till Christmas!!!

I am beyond excited. I just got back about an hour ago from buying the VERY last present I have to buy. Now I can just relax and enjoy the "season". I love everything about Christmas. I love the festivities, the shopping, even the crazy Alabama weather. It's 61 degrees right now.

And I love the "reason for the season". I know that's a phrase we throw around casually and I must confess that I haven't taken any time out to really think about the real meaning of Christmas this year. But, I'm thinking about it now.

I am in awe of that young, virgin girl who replied, "I am the Lord's servant" when the angel told her she would give birth to the Son of God. I will be anxious to talk with Mary in Heaven someday. I can't comprehend or grasp the level of emotions she must have gone through in her lifetime. What could it have possible felt like to hold the Son of God in her arms? I'm not sure why Mary is on my mind so much today....

Christmas Tour

I so meant to join in with some of the Christmas Tour of Homes but due to my lack of preparation, I missed it. Sooo.... here's a tour of our home all spiffied up for Christmas. I wish I could leave it up all year long. I love coming home and seeing all the lights.

The first thing you see when you walk in the front door is my O Little Town of Bethelehem. I got this when Jay and I first got married. They had just retired it and I found it on my Ebay. I love to look at it when the lights are out and it's lit up.

I got my love of Nativities from my Mama.

I took some ribbon from The Dollar Tree and wrapped around these hurricanes. The peppermint thanked me for making their little home so cute!

Our dining room and living room are all open. Here's a few pics from the two.

The little reindeer were another Dollar Tree find. I think they're cute as a button.

I love this Dress-Me-Up platter so I filled it with these cute trees (also from The Dollar Tree, are you seeing a trend???).

Our mantle is pretty plain Jane but that's the way I like it. Jay's had his stocking since he was a little boy.

I LOVE colored lights on a Christmas Tree! I wish they showed up better.

From the lack of presents under my tree, you can obviously tell that I need to get busy with my shopping!