As I was searching online this morning for some good gift ideas, I came across this little "check list" of sorts...to think about before we begin spending money, money that many of us don't have.

Here are some questions to answer before we buy gifts.....

1. Is this something they will really use?
2. Is it something that will either, be consumed, be valuable and last a long time?
3. Is it something that is needed?
What are the things that the other person would really love to receive?

I think we all get caught up in getting people things that are big and expensive, as a way to try and show our love for each other. Which is kind of funny, because especially over the last few years, I have seen each of our love for each other displayed in amazing ways. Let’s use the gifts this year as a token of that, but not get caught up in the gift itself.........

I am going to be one of the crazy ones that hit the malls this weekend. I love the hustle and bustle of the season. I love the decorations and can't wait to get the boxes out of the attic on Friday. Anyone else hitting the stores at 5:00am?

Not-Me-Monday

I love the Not-Me-Monday at McMamas. So today I am doing the entire week! I had such a busy, fun, crazy week....must be documented!

Last week, I did not stay home from work because I needed a mental health day...or possibly ate too much birthday dinner.

Last week, I did not hit 39~!!!!! That is 12 months shy of being 40! Didn't I just turn 29 last year?

It was not me that went out to dinner with friends, had pasta, bread and some more pasta at nine o'clock at night....sooo yummy...see above...no work the next day!

It was not me that let my fourth graders have a free 30 minutes of reading...because it was my birthday...and then give them candy while they read...hey, it WAS MY birthday!

This past week, I did not spend the weekend with thousands of screaming girls at the Revolve Tour and I felt like I was 59 years old, instead of 39...so fun, but I needed 10 hours of sleep that night to catch up on all the dancing that took place!

Last week, I did not make a grand total of 7 trips to Starbucks...and we're on a tight budget..hey, it was birthday week!!

This past week, I did not just purchase my one and only Christmas present...I'm running late, friends! HELP! My sidebar says 30 days til Santa comes!

This past week, I did not take pictures for Christmas, only to delete them because I had 4 chins in one of them...yes, 4 chins! MUST START EXERCISING!

Which reminds me, last week I did not run 3 days in a row with my two high schoolers, only to be left in the dust!

OHHH, what therapy!

Christmas List

Darren and I have decided not to do the normal shopping for eachother this Christmas. For one, the budget is T-I-G-H-T and for another, we have always talked about going back to basics and trying to make our Christmas' a little smaller when it comes to the gift giving. It is not reasonable that it takes hours to open gifts and to have to stop and take a break from the unwrapping and have breakfast/brunch. Over the years, the abundance of gifts seems to happen without realizing it. We do not have a big family to buy for. Both of us have relatively small families. We have one nephew and then on our kids are the only grandchildren on my side of the family. I think that is where it all started...let's buy, buy, buy and then clean it all out over the summer, put it in the garage sale and start over! Why do we do that? I am not a crafty person, nor a baker...but that just sounds fun to me this year...time spent together.....possibly baking, crafting or playing games....how about Wii Fit..that's family oriented, right?

All that to say, have no fear, I still have a list....a small list. I have added a few books on the list. Check this one off though...begged for it for my bday and can't wait to start it.

I am loving Urban Outfitters. Molly and I hit this store up over the weekend and I could barely contain myself. It is filled with fun, vintage items that I felt I had to have for my house. I fell in love with a pair of cowgirl boots.....yes, boots. I have never owned a pair of cowgirl boots in my life....but they were CUTE!

There were a few inappropriate items that I had to steer clear of but this just made me laugh. Please don't let this offend you..it's total "boy" humor that I know my son would love..apparently your BM's can tell alot about you..and they made into a book, a calendar and anything else you might be able to read......(no, I didn't buy it ; )

When I was younger, I had this cool orange owl jewelry holder, that I would put my earrings on everynight. I loved it and would die to have it now. This is the closest thing I have found that would look cool on my dresser. A necklace and earring holder in one!

I would love to have a couple of these...my necklaces are a mess and I don't really have a good spot to keep them. They often end up in a pile on my bathroom counter. Isn't this super cute!?

What's on your list?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

A Rare Moment

all three kids home

hanging out together

in the same room

CHERISH THESE MOMENTS

A Little Bit of Random

DAY OFF!

listening to worship music..LOUD!

SUN is SHINING (miracle)

screen door cracked

kids playing outside

played games all day with Haley (i rock at Jenga)

had coffee with the husband this morning! (so glad he took up the habit with me..FINALLY)

read the Bible with the husband this morning! (asking for wisdom on some tough decisions)

street ministry in Portland tonight with my whole family (and 25 other people)

dryer is going, fridge cleaned out and all dishes are clean!

breakfast with an old friend in the AM

menu planned for next week

had a picnic lunch with Haley

caught up on all my shows (love DVR)

didn't shower yet....gross, i know...have brushed teeth

helped 4th grader finish her book for her book report

not making dinner tonight

Off to the CITY and it's only 3:30

Wordless Wednesday

It was so fun to take a trip on Airforce One this past summer...one last trip with George.

Seeking....

As I sat and read the Word this morning, I became overwhelmed with all that has been put on our plate. Blessings, many, many blessings! To top the list would be a healthy marriage, and three healthy, funny, loving kids that have an amazing relationship with their mom and dad. That's a FULL, FULL life right there!

Our family has lived in such limbo that we literally do not know what will happen from Sunday to Sunday...day to day. In essence, life is like that. We don't know what tomorrow holds. I've always known that, but I have been fighting such strong feelings..that can be summed up in three words. Sometimes I wonder if this time I might not be as strong as I need to be! What if this is the time that my faith isn't as strong, I don't trust Him quite enough because the silence of anything "happening" is deafening! Why do I need to SEE what God is doing instead of resting my head on HIS chest and focusing on these words.....

THE MORE I SEEK YOU!

The more I seek YOU, the more I find YOU!

The more I find YOU, the more I love YOU!

I want to sit at Your feet, drink from the cup in Your hand!

I want to feel the heart beat of GOD!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do not let this Book of the Law

depart from your mouth;

meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything

written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Josh. 1:8

New Creation

New Creation from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

If you listen to this and don't get moved, if you listen to this and don't get excited, if you listen to this and don't cry out to be a new creation....I'm not sure what your problem is..... JUST WATCH!

Share This

I saw this here and had to share! We serve a MIGHTY God who is in control and has already won the battle...we do not need to live in FEAR but we need to live intentionally...we need to rise up like never before and be a nation the is covered in PRAYER!
Please watch and pass on!

America's Choice Now

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DUH!

Master of the Obvious!

Study links Sexual Content on TV to teen pregnancy

"NOT ME" Monday

I have loved reading McMama's "Not Me" Monday

posts each week and decided to join in this week!

I have been keeping updated and praying for her family for the last few months. What a fun writer and true lover of God... stop by and check on her family!

I thought I would join in this week, since it is SUCH a Monday around here!

*I did not go to work today without an umbrella and stand outstide with the kids after school, with no coat...or umbrella

* I did not dig into the Halloween candy and eat chocolate for lunch. stupid, stupid, stupid!

* I did not forget about a meeting after school and walked in ten minutes late.

* It wasn't me that wasted time on the phone today, instead of doing laundry

* I did not go buy a pumpkin spice latte, after school, after having chocolate for lunch!

* It was not me that had a dead battery, at the gas station, in the rain...on a Monday!

How was your Monday?