Simple Christmas Fun

In all my spare time (i.e. 9-10 at night on a good day!) I love to read up on blogs..mainly adoption blogs because I love reading the stories of God's faithfulness to care for the orphans-and of course I love keeping up with friends and their families.... but I also love this blog "The Nesting Place" that I found from my friend Rachel. She recently did a "Holiday Home Tour" and I love seeing all of her fun ideas. Anyways, I hardly decorated at all this year because we just moved (well, it's been 3 months...but I'm still incredibly unorganized and no room is completely put together yet!) but I thought I would share the little that I did- and in between are other random things... Also, speaking of unorganized, I lost my camera charger in the move so these are all with my phone :(

Ryder "made" this at mothers day out! How cute is that?

Terrible pic but there's the tree! I'm going to be so sad when I don't get to plug those lights up every morning!
I copied this magnolia wreath out of southern living...it was SUPER easy and took me about 20 minutes...which is about the only kind of crafty project I can handle! this is after it was in our warm house for 4 or 5 days and the leaves started to curl and turn brown but I think I like it even better this way (before pic is down the post a few)
Once again, I'm a copycat....saw this in the Potter Barn mag and this one also took only about 20 minutes (and the only money I spent was on the ribbon and the spray paint)- I have a magnolia tree in our yard so that made it convenient!
How cute is he? Andy said "please don't ever put my son in rainbow pants and Uggs. ever.again." I mean come on...he's a one year old right?!!!!

Loving the tree! He's actually been really good about not yanking the ornaments off...

I'm obsessed with Davis Wholesale in downtown Bham....they have such unique stuff- especially for Xmas...anyways, I had been wanting a square wreath and they had tons...I had some ribbon and gold branch things so another quick and easy project! For some reason I was obsessed with wreaths this year...I actually bought reindeer moss to make some square ones of those but I ran out of time! Maybe next year!
Below is the magnolia wreath on the day I made it...before it got brown and curled...you can keep it looking green in fresh by just drenching the whole thing in water..but that's too much trouble and effort so I'll just stick with the rustic look!
Oh my gosh, he was the cutest thing when we went to Santa! He did not know quite what to think! He kept looking back at him like "who are you?"!!!

Dollar Tree has awesome just plain ball ornaments so I got several packs of silver and mixed it with some sparkly pears that I already had.
My colorless mantle....I'll have to throw some color up there next year!
Hardly did anything in the kitchen but here's a peak!
Now, I'm just counting down the hours til December 23rd at 6pm when Ashley Mac's closes for 4 whole days and the Christmas orders all OVER!!! It's been completely insane!

I'm still trying to get a good pic of Ryder for a Christmas card but time is running out!

Hope you and your family are enjoying this wonderful Season to remember Christ and how he came to earth to rescue us! Wow- we are so blessed!

FREE cards!!

Thanks to several of my friends for blogging/informing me about FREE Christmas Cards from Shutterfly, we just might have a Christmas card this year! I've actually been thinking about our card since before Thanksgiving and here we are mid December and I just haven't had a spare minute to figure out what I'm doing. Oh, and somehow I lost my battery charger for my camera. So i've been taking pics with the iphone for 3 months. Gotta get my mom to come take a pic of the munchkin.

Anyways, I've always loved shutterfly. I've been using it to upload, print and order my pics for years. The picture at the top is our Christmas card from last year...yes, from Shutterfly! And I LOVED it. Of course I did have a pretty cute little guy to work with (not to mention a great photographer! Check Rachel out!)

I am pleasantly surprised at how many baby announcements I've gotten lately that I see and think "Wow, that is such an elegant/sweet card!" and then turn it over (thinking I would see a fancy smancy designers name)....but nope, it's shutterfly! Nice Shutterfly. Way to keep up with the Joneses! http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements

I've ordered at least 3 or 4 Christmas cards over the years. I'm super impressed by all their new designs! I love all of the monogram ones that are so classy and look like they came from a swanky boutique! http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

I've made several calendars for people and keep meaning to make more..maybe I'll try that again this year! http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/desk-calendars

Last year I made mugs for our Dads with Ryder's pic on them...I made one for Andy for Father's day too

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs

Thanks Shutterfly for doing an awesome promo and I hope it get's you lot's of biz because you deserve it!

Now, if I can just get a pic and have time to address them?!!! the verdict is still out....

25 Days of Thanks: Day 24 and 25

I'm so thankful for my two most favorite people in the whole world! Being a wife and mom is an amazing blessing!

Praying for a heart that gives thanks all year long...

"Thankfulness is a learned discipline that cures our discontent and fosters joy"

25 Days of Thanks: Day 23

I am thankful for blogs. I love being able to keep up with friends both far and near. I love making new "friends"...my most recent is this http://www.babeofmyheart.com/ Adoption has been on our hearts for years and even more lately- and I absolutely can't get enough of all of Andrea's stories she shares. I love how transparent she is. It's so evident that the Lord is THE most important thing in her life and I love seeing that play out in the every day happenings of her families life. We really are so blessed to have the opportunity to be encouraged via blogs!(:

25 Days of Thanks: Day 19, 20, 21, and 22(:

I know you've all been waiting anxiously for my "25 days of thanks" posts...and you might have thought I decided to quit....but no worries, I'm still counting my blessings over here...just got behind a few days as we watched the cute couple below get hitched in Chattanooga this weekend.
so here it goes...

Day 19- I'm thankful for FREE babysitters. I realize we are completely spoiled to have a set of parents in town and the other just a short drive and always willing to come and help. We've already decided we will never move(:

Day 20- I'm thankful for my brother Sam and his new Bride Jennifer! Oh, and she has a beautiful and sweet son, Ian, that we are so glad to have in the fam too!!

Day 21- I'm thankful that the stomach bug Andy and I got only lasted for 24 hrs. We were praying it wouldn't last long because we are slammed at work this week...unfortunately, Andy's parents and sis got it. Praying Ryder won't get it.

Day 22- I'm thankful for our bed- we got a king when I was pregnant and now I don't know how we ever fit together in a queen! Speaking of bed....I think it's calling my name.....more later!

25 Days of Thanks: Day 18

I'm thankful for food-For so many reasons...it's my hobby, my career, and because of it, I never go hungry (what an amazing blessing that I take for granted everyday).

25 Days of Thanks: Day 17

Today I am thankful for technology...although much of the time I think it hates me. But seriously, what did we do before email? How many more people do you get to keep in touch with because of email, blogs and facebook? It really is a blessing! We'll be telling our kids, "when I was little we actually had this thing called a mail man and they brought mail to a box that sits by your driveway"...weird.

25 Days of Thanks: Day 16

I'm thankful for a great day at home with my baby yesterday. With the holidays coming, I've been working a lot lately so a day at home is extra special. We had so much fun playing in the kitchen as he "helped" me cook, We watched the rain and learned a few new words. I loved every minute of it(: Oh, and how could I forget, I'm thankful that he remembered how to sleep for 12 hours again! Hallelujah!!

25 Days of Thanks: Day 15

Today I'm thankful that the Gospel is EVERYWHERE!!! Today, it was screaming at me from the pages of "The Runaway Bunny". I can't read this book without crying. It is a such a beautiful picture of God's pursuit of us. Just like the bunny, I am so "prone to wander....prone to leave the God I love". My favorite part is the very end when the bunny says "Shucks, I might just as well stay where I am and be your little bunny." Wow. How many times do I have to say that to the Lord. I run away from him all the time- every day to be exact...I run to materialism, to work, to beauty, to friendships, to hobby's etc...to try to find fulfillment and then at the end I'm left empty. Then, He gently reminds me that I can run all I want but He will always follow and bring me back.

25 Days of Thanks: Day 14

Sunday- I'm thankful for freedom to worship. I am ashamed that I don't pray very often for the persecuted church and it is mostly "out of sight out of mind" for me. When I lived in China in 2002-2003 it was very real to me and I realized how blessed we are here in the states to have that freedom. How quickly I forget. Now here I am complaining because we have to drive 25 minutes to church and wishing it was closer. Praying by God's grace I will be more aware/thankful for my blessings.

25 Days of Thanks: Day 13

Oops...forgot to post these this weekend!

This was on Saturday- I'm thankful for a Saturday that neither Andy or I have to work! Andy had never been to the zoo with us so all three of us went this morning (with beautiful weather!). It was some great and much needed family time with just the three of us.

25 Days of Thanks: Day Twelve

I'm thankful for laughter! Between Ryder and Andy, I laugh a lot(:

A Cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22

25 Days of Thanks: Day Eleven

I'm thankful for another month to celebrate Ryder! He turned 15 months a few weeks ago but we just made it to the doc yesterday. He is 25.8 lbs (60%) and 32 inches (75%). He is such a complete Joy to be around! He makes me laugh and smile all day long! He is so much fun to interact with now...he points at everything and is always talking (although much of the time I don't know what he's saying!). His latest words and obsessions are the moon (moooo) and bubbles (buhbuhs). He is quite the social butterfly and totally gets re-energized by being around people (I have no idea where he gets that from!).

(the car in the pic above (which R is obsessed with now) is from a garage sale for $4- score! just call me Deb)

Gotta love the no pants look...

He's too cool to sit all the way in the exersaucer...guess this works!

25 Days of Thanks: Day 10

I'm thankful for HEAT!!! I walked into the den to find Ryder like this...sitting on the vent drinking his milk and saying "hot". He's just like his momma...loves to be warm! In all seriousness though, I so often take for granted all the comforts we have here in the states. Air, heat, food, drinking water, etc...so many basic things that I look over every day. The Lord promises our "daily bread"....yet I think I'm entitled to so much more.

25 Days of Thanks: Day 9

I'm thankful that when your a believer, NOTHING is Random. The people I come in contact with each day, the really hard things that happen to me or someone I love, the things that make me smile, the things that make me cry....EVERYTHING has a reason- EVERYTHING has meaning. Life is hard enough when I believe that. I can't imagine not having that Hope of a Sovereign God who "watches over my coming and going".

25 Days of Thanks: Day 8

I'm thankful for "FIRSTS".....today, Ryder gave me his first real kiss (one where he leaned toward me and knew what he was doing) It was the BEST!!!! Melted my heart...and then I kept saying "give me one more" and he would give me another one...then I would clap and say "thank you so much!!"...this went on for about 5 times...and then I got a hand in my face...literally!! Guess he was tired of giving them out! Can't wait to get more tomorrow(:

25 Days of Thanks: Day 7

oops....forgot to post last night!
I'm thankful for the need a child has for it's mother....I was needed between the wee hours of 12:30-2am last night...and I was the only one that could comfort him and he wouldn't let me put him down! Now, at 12:30am I wasn't really thinking I'm thankful for that....but in hindsight- yes, I am thankful(:
Which reminds me as we remember "Orphan Month"...I think all the time about how sad it is that there are so many children around the world (147 million to be exact) that don't have the love of a mother- that want so desparately to be loved but have no one. I'm thankful to be a in church where we are continually reminded of ways we can love, pray, and support the Orphans.

25 Days of Thanks: Day 6

I'm thankful for JOY!

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I'm thankful that even though I'm not "happy" all the time, I can have Joy because of Christ and the Hope I have in Him.

I was going through some pics on my computer and found these two pics.. (the bottom one) is from November, 2008 -the day we found out we were finally pregnant and the top one is from a few minutes after we found out we were having a boy. When I saw my face in these pics the first thing I thought of was pure JOY!

25 Days of Thanks: Day Five

I'm thankful for TWO wonderful families! Andy and I are so blessed to not only love our own parents- but our in-laws as well! We are both so thankful for the opportunity of growing up in Christian homes. We're thankful that both of our parents have been married for 35+ years and the example of a Christ centered marriage they have set before us. We're thankful for all of our siblings and all the new siblings we're about to gain via marriage! Love you all so much!!(:

25 Days of Thanks: Day Four

I'm thankful for the Holiday Season that is quickly approaching! I'm thankful for all the fun festivities, the decorating, the great food, spending time with family and friends, giving thanks, and celebrating our Savior's birth. Over the past few years the Lord has really stretched me to focus less on all the "fluff" and more on Him- most of this is due to our business being slammed during these few months...over the last few years we had to skip most xmas parties (so that we could make the food for all the people having xmas parties- ha!) and I didn't even get a tree for a few years (and yes, that was very sad...I LOVE decorating for Christmas and it was a bummer to not have the time). So because of all that, many years it didn't "feel" like Christmas. It was actually kind of refreshing to be able to fix my eyes on Him. I hope I won't forget that this year(:

On a completely different note, if you live in Bham, come by Ashley Mac's Cahaba Heights this Friday and Saturday for our Holiday Open House- lot's of free samples. Check out our Holiday Menu on our website www.ashleymacs.com

25 Days of Thanks: Day Three

I'm thankful for the 7 amazing years that Andy and I just celebrated a few weeks ago. By far the best 7 years of my life! I love him more now than the day I married him.....I used to say I was obsessed with him (and yes, it's true, I am) but Andy said that sounded weird. So whatever, I'm really in love-you get the idea! I also grow to love him more everyday as I watch him in his role as a dad....Ryder is one lucky little guy! Ryder thinks Andy is the greatest- he grins from ear to ear when he sees him pull up the driveway every night. Here are the little twins below...Andy doesn't see why I get a thrill out of dressing them alike...but isn't it so fun?!!

25 Days of Thanks: Day Two

I'm thankful for the privilege of raising a child and teaching him new things everyday....today, how to crack an egg! He was completely in awe....More new posts below...

25 Days of Thanks: Day One

Since I'm not a very consistent blogger- I Thought it would be fun to try something a little different and post everyday up til Thanksgiving...already missed day one so I guess I'm starting out behind...story of my life these days!(:

Day One:

So thankful for my wonderful, amazing Dad who I have grown to love even more as I watch him be a grandad to my precious baby. Ryder completely lights up every time he sees him- it is the cutest thing ever. Dad is always teaching him something new and engages him constantly in whatever he is doing. I hope Ryder grows up to be as wise and Christ-like as he is.

We love fall!!!

Just like all of you I'm sure, I LOVE this time of year! There is something so exciting and refreshing about the change of the seasons...isn't amazing how the Lord created it that way?!! We are especially thankful this fall- we are finally in a house after several years of waiting. We had originally started looking at houses about 2 1/2 years ago but the Lord led us to put that on hold as we grew our business. I will be the first to admit I was not very patient. I whined to Andy all the time! It was my first lesson in real submission...which I failed miserably at. I guess the Lord is teaching me patience as the first 2 big things in our marriage I had to wait years for (a child first, then a house)!!! Guess I should go ahead and plan on waiting a few years for whatever it is that I want next..ha!

Anyways, all that to say, it's been so much fun to have a front door to decorate, a mantle (yay for hanging stockings on a real mantle!!ha!), and a deck with a gorgeous fenced in back yard. I could not be more thankful..needless to say, I am completely in love with our new place. It's more than I deserve. And on a practical note, it's less than a mile from our new store, wholefoods, publix, my grandparents house, aunts house, cousins house, and the summit...ahhh, convenience...that could be my new idol!
When I put these on the front steps and sat Ryder down with them, I realized that he had probably never seen one! He was loving them! I've been buying white pumpkins for years, but just now bought my first grey one which I love!!! Wish I had gotten more because now there already gone!

A deck and a backyard that we enjoy everyday!!!

Pumpkin Creamcheese Muffins that are to die for...I'll probably post the recipe on the Amacs blog soon....About this time of year I start getting a little obsessed with cooking with my pumpkin and butternut squash...Andy will be sick of both in a few weeks..ha!

Non-Stop.....

...pretty much describes our life lately. I hate to answer people with "really busy" when they ask how we're doing but I can't seem to come up with a better description. It's been a very difficult few weeks trying to get our new store open...physically, emotionally, spiritually....we're exhausted in every way. I can't remember another time in my life when I've felt this overwhelmed. I question multiple times a day if this is what we are supposed to be doing and for some reason the Lord keeps leading us to continue.....not just to continue....but to hold on for dear life because the business is growing so fast that we can barely hang on! Someday's I think "this is what I was made to do" and other days I think "how did I get myself into this?"!! Struggling to trust the Lord and believe that His plan is perfect.

Anyways, if you live in Birmingham we're going to have our "Open House" for the new store this Saturday from 10-4.....lot's of free food, cupcake decorating station for the kids, free t-shirts etc so come by if you can! (and if I look like I haven't slept all week...at least you'll know why!)

I'll leave some pics of the one thing that has kept me smiling all week! So thankful for my sweet mom who has kept Ryder for me everyday this week while I've been working! So glad that he loves his Cookie so much...and Andy's mom (Kaki) is coming this weekend to watch him...what would we do without our wonderful mom's?!!!!

First Day of "School"

Ryder started MDO at Briarwood on Tuesday. He's going 2 days a week so I can work at the new Cafe during the lunch rush (Cafe is still not open...hope to get health dept approval today). Anyways, I was a little sad dropping my little guy off! He just doesn't feel like a baby anymore! I'm glad I'm taking him to somewhere that is so familiar to me and I know most of the teachers etc. It is such an awesome program. They love the kids so much and they are already teaching them Bible verses and crafts etc. So it will be good for him! He actually posed for some pics before we left...