We honestly had a wonderful Christmas. John's work schedule tried to be the Grinch, but we didn't let it completely steal Christmas! Thank you to the McFees for celebrating Christmas with us early this year. We really appreciated your flexibility.

Christmas with family is always fun, but this year these two little girlies made things even more fun! Watching their pure excitement as they discovered Christmas was a joy. What a reminder of how we should all be....not only while opening gifts on Christmas, but everyday. Joyful.

Ashley and I have been friends for a lifetime....assuming a lifetime starts in fourth grade. For years and years it was almost as if anything I did, Ashley was by my side. Years have come and gone...and we now have husbands by our sides...and now sadly, Ashley and I don't get to see each other as often as I would like. I love knowing that she is just an email or a phone call away, but last Friday night I had a rare treat!

I hope we all know that Christmas is not about THINGS....

....BUT here are five things that sure do make all things merry and bright!

1. Christmas tree light timer If there is ever a time John and I are at home at the same time and waking up at the same time (hello shift work!) I often (always) ask him if he will turn the Christmas tree on before I get out of bed...brat? yes. wonderful husband? YES! My sweet friend Ashley MADE MY DAY when she brought me this handy gadget! People, you can set this amazing invention for times to turn on and off...AND you can do more than one during a day. BRILLIANT. Thanks to Ashley our tree magically turns on a with my alarm...off when I go to work..on just before I get home from work and off at my bed time...now how's that for festive!?!

2. O'henry's Christmas Blend
OH how I love O'henry's!!!..shameless Homewood plug...and their Christmas blend has to be my favorite! It tastes and smells like Christmas AND home, which to me, is a combination that can't be beat!

3. Peppermint mocha creamer
Pretty pathetic I have already blogged about this creamer multiple times..but in case you missed the memo, I LOVE THIS CREAMER! Spotting it in the stores is a sign Christmas is coming soon!
Peppermint Mocha + Christmas Blend = Perfection

4. Federal platinum Christmas mugs
ALL is right in the world when "PERFECTION" is served in THIS mug! Doesn't it just give you warm fuzzies just thinking about it?! Christmas, China, Coffee...goodness gracious!! Build a fire, look at that tree...and this girl might bust at the seams with happiness!

5. Glade Apple Cinnamon Candle
It's glade'...fan-cy...and don't you forget it! Smells so yummy, but is SO cheap! All you "Candle snobs" turn your nose up to this candle and one whiff will change your mind!

One of my very favorite things about Christmas is Christmas Cards.

I can remember being a little girl making the mental note...when I'm a grown-up I am going to send our Christmas Cards!

I love papers, I love pictures, and I LOVE real mail...and I LOVE Christmas what a better combination?!? I love getting them, I love sending them I love everything about them.

I got nostalgic revising my Christmas card list...the list! Oh, I even love the list! As scattered as I typically seem, I do have a very fine appreciation for an organized, color coded, check mark box included list!

It is so amazing to me to see what a difference a year can make. My Christmas card list is another reminder...

I changed addresses of friends who were so excited to move in to a new home this year, I was sad to change some addresses as their exciting new homes meant homes further away. I added new friends many who seem like we have been friends for a lifetime. Hard to believe I didn't even know them to add them to the list previous years. I was sad as I remove loved ones who have past away. Excited changing the last names of friends who got married this year and started their life together as a couple..what a difference a year.

One little difference for me this year was finding "Lettergirl" on Etsy, who also seems to share my love of all things paper. Gina is the owner and she was truly a joy to work with! If any of you share my love be sure to visit Gina's store. I had her make us this stamp


if John were to sit still long enough I would probably stamp him too...I LOVE it! Thank you Lettergirl!(not that she will ever read this!)

I hope all of the "differences" for you this year, both little and big are everything you dreamed they would be.

Here's to all next year will bring.

...on such a winter's day!

We loaded up on a cold morning and drove to Atlanta, dreaming of victory and the chance to head to California!

...And for Alabama our "California dreams" came true!

What a wonderful weekend! Savanah and Payton made the first of hopefully many visits to their Aunt Laura and Uncle John's house! We SO enjoyed spending much needed time with these super fun girls and of course Aly and Pat!

We didn't have a thing planned, so we...

...a lot!!