Christmas Pageant

My friend Amy hosts a Christmas Pageant each year, and this year Molly was asked to be a part of the play.  It's such a precious production, and the kids are so cute!  There is just nothing like children singing praises to their King.  Watching these children reenact our Savior's birth was such a blessing!  Getting a group shot is always - ALWAYS - interesting!  Molly was a horse, but she refused to wear her top by this point.  Lillie the pig was DONE as well.  These pictures are priceless to me, though! 

The kids had speaking parts and sang songs.  There are just no words to describe how precious it was! 

Molly, the horse, was making her way through Bethlehem before the play started....  And yes, the costume is technically a lion costume.  It's all about imagination, ya know?!?

We tried to get a picture of the whole costume. . . 

But it didn't work out too well!  Ha!!

The audience was full of parents, grandparents, and aunts.  We looked like paparazzi, didn't we?!

After the pageant, we enjoyed a pot luck supper that was super yummy!  The food and fellowship were almost as good as the play.  Almost.

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

~ Isaiah 9:6

Oh What a Christmas!

Wow!  We had an amazing Christmas around here! 

We celebrated with my family. . . 

Ellie got a nursery from Aunt B and Uncle T.  She loved it. 

And she also decided she could fit in it!?!?!

My sister and I agree that stockings were our favorite part of Christmas growing up.  Santa always rocked the stockings!  So, it's no surprise we go crazy with stockings today.

We also went to visit Tim's parents for a few days and got to celebrate Christmas with lots of family!  It's safe to say Santa found Molly. . . 

We celebrated with good food, lots of laughs and fun for everyone!

Molly was the center of everyone's world. . . . 

CiCi rocked Molly to sleep most nights.

Big Daddy was always a hit with Molly!

Ma, one of Molly's Great-Grandmothers got plenty of sugar!

Grandma, another one of Molly's Great-Grandmothers also loved on Molly!

And, we got SnOw!!!!  It was absolutetly beautiful! 

Molly, however, was not a fan. . . 

Yes, it was indeed a Christmas to remember! 

The Halls are Decked!

I just wanted to share some pictures of our home this Christmas season!  After looking at a few posts from yesterday's blog hop hosted by the Nester, I realize my home looks pretty plain jane.  But we love it.  Everything has a story and means so much to us!

Here's our home:

Our tree sits in the corner of our living room.  It's small and slender, which is perfect for our living room.  and it's just perfect for us!

Our tree is full of sentimental oranments.  FULL of them!  I am a firm believer that a Christmas tree should be full of ornaments.  As you can tell!

This is one of my favorite ornaments.  It's from an ornament swap about 5 years ago now.  It's a big ornament, so it sits towards the middle of the tree.

Our Expecting a Miracle ornament is from last year.  My precious friend Amy made it for us!

I just got this ornament at our Sunday School class' Christmas party Sunday evening.  The girls do an ornament swap and the guys do a gag gift swap.  It's always a fun time!

We also have a number of nativity scenes.  Tim and I married in December, so we were given lots of Christmas items as Christmas gifts!  This star nativity scene was one of those gifts from a sweet lady I worked with at the bank:

  

This nativity scene was also a wedding gift from some sweet friends of my mother.  I hope to one day get additional pieces of this collection.

And this nativity scene was one my grandmother gave to us.  I just love St. Nick in it!

We gave Molly a manger scene to commemorate her first Christmas and her dedication.  It's a Little People set and is in her room.  It's so precious!

Also in Molly's room is her own tree.  I just love it!  We got the tree, ornaments, and tree skirt all for a great deal!

And then there are a couple of precious picture frames that are filled with pictures of Molly (imagine that!).  This one my best friend Jodi gave me for my birthday.  I just love it!

And this frame was painted by my sweet friend Robyn:

There are also the Byer's Carolers.  This is a collection my mom had, most of which were given to her by my Daddy.  Christmas just isn't Christmas without the carolers around here!

And that's our home at Christmas!  I didn't even go into the kitchen, where there are more fun Christmas dishes, serving pieces, towels and such than you can imagine.  We have LOADS of fun Christmas stuff for the kitchen!  Love it all!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Slocum family to you and yours!

'Tis the Season. . . . to begin planning for Christmas!

It's safe to say I've never thought about Christmas cards in October.  Granted, it's the end of October, but still. . . .

And then came Molly!!!

So, this year, with Molly, I've been thinking about Christmas cards for weeks already!  I carefully planned the types of invites we are sending out for her dedication at church (which is occurring in December) based on the fact that I knew I'd want to do photo Christmas cards. 

Shutterfly has some great Christmas card designs!  I've had so much fun looking through all of the different types and designs, playing with pictures of Molly, trying to decide which card to choose!

I mean, I love the whimsical, fun look of this one.  But I really dig the brown in this one. This one is just so classic!  Ahhh. . . . too many precious choices!  Maybe we'll do a little of each?

Obviously, I have had a hay day looking at all of these designs, checking out the different options with their gift tags, and browsing their address labels!  Oh, and check out their precious Christmas birth announcements!  Too stinkin' cute!

Head on over and create your family's cards now!  Shutterfly is currently offering 20% off all holiday cards!  Click on the link now for details!

Merry Merry Christmas!

I just can’t believe it’s already here. I mean, today is the Eve of Christmas Eve for goodness sake! The shopping is done, the cooking is underway, the parties have definitely begun! And it’s all wonderful!


I’ve alluded to it a few times here and if you know me personally, you probably know that I’ve really been thinking this year especially WHY we celebrate Christmas. WHY we celebrate the birth of Christ. I get it that Jesus probably wasn’t born on December 25. I understand that in order for shepherds to have been in the fields watching over their flocks that it probably wasn’t the middle of December. And I’ve really been challenged this year especially on why we celebrate Christmas.

Here’s what I know to be true:

We’re told in Luke 2 that “ there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”

And we all know that the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Now, here’s my thing. If the shepherds could go and “see” Jesus, if they could go to worship the Savior of the world, then why can’t we? So, I choose to celebrate Christmas with my dear friends and family, with you, my blog-buddies, and with the world. I personally find myself praising God in amazingly special ways during this season as I’m reminded of the incredible, eternal gift we were given in Jesus Christ.

We’re also told in Luke 2:20 that “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

And that’s exactly what I’m doing this Christmas, y’all. With all of my heart, I’m praising God for all that I’ve heard and seen, for I know my salvation is just as I’ve been told.

Can I get an Amen?

These words are from my favorite Christmas song of 2009, Chris Thomlin's "Emmanual"

What hope we hold this starlit night

A King is born in Bethlehem

Our journey long, we seek the light

That leads to the hallowed manger ground

What fear we felt in silent age

Four hundred years can he be found

But broken by a baby's cry

Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,

God incarnate here to dwell

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Praise his name Emmanuel

The son of God, here born to bleed

A crown of thorns would pierce his brow

And we beheld this offering

Exalted nowt the King of kings

Praise God for the hallowed manger ground

 Emmanual, Emmanuel

God incarnate here to dwell

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Praise his name Emmanuel

Merry Merry Christmas, y’all!

Fun Free Desktop Website

If you're like me, you're always changing up your desktop on your computer.  I've found this great free site for desktop backgrounds and just thought I'd share it with you!

http://www.crosscards.com/

Here's my latest desktop background:

Cute, huh? 

Random Thoughts on a Thursday

It’s been a busy week at work. . . . after spending two days compiling a list of forms for our loan platform, I realized at 4 yesterday afternoon, that I was not nearly as close to finished as I thought. After letting out a very exasperated “ughhhhhhhh”, my office neighbors were in here asking what was wrong. . . . low and behold, those computer nerds were able to generate my list in, oh, 3 minutes. Yeah, two days of work down the drain for me. . . but I now have my list!!!

Ellie Grace slept through the night last night, her mommy reports!

We’re celebrating Christmas tonight with the Kozee’s, and I’m so excited! Mark’s coming home for the weekend, so that’s why we’ve waited to celebrate Christmas! I haven’t seen Mark in almost 14 months, so I can’t wait to see the older little brother I never had!

There are men replacing the HVAC unit in our building today, and it smells like a musty ole burned out metal box in our breakroom, which is right beside my office. Lucky me! and it’s kinda cloudy and the air is nasty. Ah the joys of working in an old building. . . .

I have two and a half weeks until my second half marathon!?!?! And it looks like I’ll be running this one solo. Tim’s super duper stressed with work right now, and Brian decided after our run Sunday that long runs aren’t for him. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of running the race solo and knowing that my family will be there to cheer me on!

I don’t wash my hair every day, because it’s sooooooo dry as it is. Yesterday, I washed it and wore it curly, which typically means I’d wear it curly again today and wash it tomorrow. I wanted to wear it straight today, so I tried to straighten out dried curls. It didn’t quite work so well. . . . I feel like I have lumpy-straight hair today.

Randomness, I know! Happy Thursday!!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

My my my, what a Christmas we had! Here are a few of my favorite things - or memories - from Christmas 2008.

Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina ~ Where we stayed on our First Anniversary Trip!

The Biltmore Estate, which we toured during our stay in Asheville

A tree full of presents before the opening madness takes place

My precious hubby sleeping soundly on Christmas morning. I tried to wake him up, and he rolled over and said, "How bout you go and tell me how it was?" Later in the day, he did not remember saying that at all!

Gizmo, the Slocum's dog, got toys for Christmas. A few hours later, his green bone was all chewed up. Here he fell asleep with stuffing all around him and his beloved carrot a few feet away!






Need I say more? My hubby and my niece together in one shot!

My precious sisser! Okay, so I look like I'm a little happy or excited to see her! Step off!

Precious Eleanor Grace McMenamy

Given our many blessing of 2008, I cannot wait to see what 2009 will bring!

5 Senses Wish List

So I’m becoming totally addicted to Google Reader. There are so many great writers in blogland, and I am always intrigued to read what others are experiencing, thinking, or feeling. During one of my most recent blogland stalks, I found out about 20SB’s Blog Carnival. Fun times! Bloggers may pick from one of the following topics:

1. A wish-list of 5 items, one for each sense (that's an item for sight, one for smell, etc)
2. A wish-list of things you want that are free
3. A wish-list of things you would sneak under the tree for yourself, age 13

While they all sound super fun, I choose to complete a wish-list of 5 items, one for each sense. Here goes. . .

Sense of Sight: A Fireplace! Oh, how I long for a fireplace in our home! Not only is it super comforting, but the sheer sight of a burning fire is totally captivating to the eyes! This could also be a wish for my sense of smell as there is nothing as great as the smell of a burning fire and for my sense of hearing. My goodness, isn’t the crackle of a fire so comforting?

Sense of Smell: An eternal “smell good” for our home that doesn’t bother Tim. Most of the plug-ins or candles that I prefer give Tim a head ache. I grew up in a home where you could “eat the walls” as one of my sister’s friends once said, so I love for a home to smell delicious!

Sense of Touch: I want a blanket of my own that’s fuzzy and warm on one side and silky and cool on the other. You know, like the baby blankets! Why can’t we adults have one, too? And no, please refrain from giving me one of those shlanket things that are out this season. You know, the blanket that has sleeves in it like it's also a sweater?

Sense of Hearing: a Bose speaker system for our home. I have loved listening to Pandora this Christmas season; type in Peaceful Christmas, and your computer speakers come alive with the likes of Jim Brickman and other calming, soothing Christmas carols. Only at the Slocum house, you must be in the office or maybe in one of the bedrooms to hear the music. And then this morning, Tim tells me how his hotel room (he’s in Orlando for work) has speakers in the bathroom, so he listened to SportsCenter while showering this morning. How cool is that!?!?!

Sense of Taste: Starbucks coffee brewed fresh daily in our Cuisinart coffee maker every day on its own!

There you have it! What is your wish list? Do tell!!!!

Bah Humbug setting in?

I’m annoyed that. . . .

1. I’ve waited til the 10th of December to make some decisions about Tim’s Christmas and things are either out of stock or on back order. I’m pretty much back to square one with the exception of one thing. Ick!!

2. It’s warm outside and rainy. Maybe the rain will bring cooler weather?

3. My tummy hurts and my work neighbor just got back today after battling a stomach bug for days. . . . certainly I’ve not gotten it?!?!?!

4. It’s not easy to be a faster runner

5. We have friends who are experiencing heartache – again – with a miscarriage. I don’t understand God’s plan in this. Really, I don’t. They love each other and they love God. Why won’t God give them the desires of their heart?

6. There will always be Negative Nancies at work. . . . or in life

7. I left those negative people hurt my feelings or bother me.

8. My new brown boots already have scuff marks on the toes. That’s what I get for buying cheap shoes, I guess!

9. John Tesh’s radio show is the only Christmas music radio station I can get in my office. He annoys me!!!

10. Nothing sounds good for lunch, so I’m just waiting for something to ring my bell!

11. I don’t have the patience of Job with someone who honestly can’t help it that he / she is aggravating as homemade sin. Seriously.

12. I’m letting the tiny things I’ve mentioned bother me! The big things are worth being annoyed (refer to Number 5).

Gee whiz. . . I’m going to lunch!