The Living Christmas Tree

The Living Christmas Tree is something that Chris and I have wanted to see for a few years and finally got the chance last night.  The production was excellent, with a good storyline and great reminders of what Christmas really means.  The best way to describe this event is in photos, so here goes:

Jesus' birth

Everyone coming to see and worship Jesus

Jesus is raised from the dead.  They portrayed Jesus' death on the cross which was really moving.  However, it felt like a time when I didn't want to take pictures.

The "Living" Christmas Tree

Part of the finale

I just loved the giant, sparkly snowflake.:)

We went with great friends.  

Yes, even Elvis showed up at The Living Christmas Tree.:)

Friends made it even better!

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was awesome today!  We started with a house that had absolutely no inside walls and, by the time Chris and I left, all the walls were almost built.  There was one thing though-It was COLD and rainy.  The cold was the kind that seeped into your bones and made you think that you would never be warm again.  That's what I felt like today.  I learned 2 things...1. It's hard to swing a hammer.  2. It's hard to swing a hammer when you can't feel your hands.:) Oh yes, one more thing...Lunch donated by Calhoun's is like manna from heaven when you're cold and hungry. It was awesome.  Weather aside, it was a great day and it felt good to give back.

We met the homeowner whose house we were building.  Her name happened to be Regina!  It was awesome to talk to her and get to know her and work side by side to help build her house. 

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday to you!  Hope your day was great and that you have big plans for this weekend.  Maybe your plans are to sit at home in your warm pjs and snuggle on the couch.  Those sound like big plans to me!   There's a 70% chance (since the last time I heard) of the white stuff here tomorrow.  Maybe it will look like this:

Yeah...in East Tennessee...probably not.  Oh well, hopefully we will see some pretty flakes tomorrow.  We are doing Habitat for Humanity tomorrow and I don't know how that will go down when the temp is supposed to be so cold!  Should be fun, though, and I can't wait.  I'm hoping you have a great weekend!

Almost There

Today is Thursday and I had my first comprehensive final exam out of four to complete my third semester of nursing school!  Three more finals to go and then I'm free for one whole month!  Do you know what else that means?  I have one measly little semester of school left.  ONE!  I sincerely won't know what to do when I can come home without something to read, study, or write!

One thing that makes me impatient right now is that I can hardly even think about Christmas until my tests are done.  I have wanted to get excited about it and actually do a little decorating, but there's too much school to do.  I love decorating for Christmas.  We do have our own stash of Christmas decor lost somewhere in the storage unit.  With our limited space right now, though, there would be nowhere to put it!  I will placate myself now, however, by envisioning us next Christmas, back on our own, with our own tree, ornaments, and stockings.  For now, here are a few of my favorite things:

Opryland Hotel

My husband-he is one of my favorite things.

My Bailey-boy is excited about Christmas.

 I love love love Christmas in New York City.  I was able to go during Christmastime a couple of years ago. Wonderful!

I'm ready to make some new Christmas memories this year!  We are volunteering with our church small group to participate in Habitat for Humanity on Saturday.  Man it's gonna be cold.  Feels good to be giving, though.  Then on Sunday we are going to see The Living Christmas Tree!  It's a tradition here in Knoxville (probably in other cities too) that we have not been able to attend yet.  So excited about that.  Next Saturday is pancakes with Santa a a cookie swap!  Whew-that calendar sure does fill up fast.  Be looking for new photos!

Advent

I LOVE December!!  It's such a great month filled with twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and never-ending festivities!  It just also happens to be the birthday month of two special someones I know.:)  I love that I woke up to snow today.  Yes, snow!  What an excellent way to start December.  It didn't really stick but was pretty to watch (as I sat in the dentist chair and then had a test to take this afternoon).  That wasn't a particularly fun way to start the month.  Oh well.  The whole month is ahead to me!  Anyway, I just wanted to remind myself on this day one of December to take it easy, take it slow, and focus on the important things in life-not presents or Christmas trees.

Treats

This is the view I have looking out my window today:

So this is the treat that I made for inside:

Yes, there is hot chocolate under those marshmallows!:)

p.s. On a similar note, I'm going to be making cookies for a cookie swap in a couple of weeks.  Any suggestions?  I'm torn as to whether to go with the plain-looking cookies that always taste amazing or to do a more decorative one. 

Love

Love you Daddy, and missed you this Thanksgiving.