Hannah's First Dance

Happy Friday to you!

Here are a few pictures from last Friday night's middle school dance.

This was my baby's first dance, ever. Pardon me while I cry. She's my baby and she shouldn't be old enough to go to a dance where there are people there that are, well...you know, ....BOYS!

Hannah and I had fun watching Rachel's basketball game last Thursday night and then we headed to Maurices and Kohls for a special first dance outfit.

We had lots of giggles and laughs and several, "That's too old!" comments from mom. She may look like she is much older, being nearly 5'10", but she is only 11 and occasionally I have to gently remind her of that fact.

We finally settled on this outfit. She borrowed her sister's favorite snowflake earrings and let me help her with her hair. I tried to show her how to two step. Mr. Incredible is the expert in this area but he wasn't home yet. We laughed until our sides hurt. I kept saying, "Pretend, I'm the boy; let me lead!" I shouldn't be surprised by this at all. She was born to be a leader. Her daddy came home and the two of them danced too. Fun memories. I was so captivated by the moment that I forgot to take pictures.

But here are a few pictures of Hannah on her first dance night. I know that I am her mom, but wow! She and her sister are growing up way too fast for my taste.

She spent the night with her best friend after the dance but she called me to give me all of the details. Six boys asked her to dance. She was on cloud nine! She and Shelby giggled and laughed and told me all about the dance. I felt like I was there too.

Shelby's daddy and Hannah's daddy are both on the school board. They have decided that they need to cancel all remaining middle school dances. It's just too much for these daddy's to handle. I promised to hold Mr. Incredible's hand through it all. Growing pains are not just for children. Momma and Daddy have growing pains too but they are mixed with incredible joy!

Thank you God for the amazing privilege of being momma to Rachel and Hannah. My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the blessing of our daughters!

Joyfully,

Kristi

My Power Source.

This verse has always been one of my favorites.
God is my power source; He is my strength! I can't do any of this on my own.

I just need to tell you what God has done for me this semester. I knew that together, God and I had accomplished a lot. I just didn't realize how much school work we had done together until I sat down to total it all. In the past sixteen weeks we have:

Read 24 books

Read 96 poems

Created 2 PowerPoint Presentation

Taken 12 exams

and written...65 papers!

He is all sufficient. I give Him all the praise and the glory. Isn't He amazing? I am living proof that He equips those that He calls.
What is He calling you to do for Him today?

Take my word for it, He is so trustworthy and faithful. You can do what He is calling you to do because you are not doing it alone. He is right there. Plug into His power source!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Please visit my friends at the 160 acre woods for more Word Filled Wednesday Inspiration.

Christmas Garland Makeover

A few weeks ago Boo Mama recommended this awesome blog. It was packed full of great information telling all of us how to make the "Most Wonderful Christmas Garland Ever!" I had to check it out. Wow! She really inspired me to plump up my Christmas garland. Hobby Lobby just happened to be having a sale. With inspiration and 50% off garland in hand, I set out to redo my fireplace decor. It was so fun!

This is what my garland has looked like for the past 8 years. Not too bad.

I always just used one strand of garland.

(This picture was from 2006. My, how my girls have grown!)

Before the makeover:

Now, I use 3 strands of garland.

It gives the fireplace a much fuller look don't you think?

After the makeover:

I bought 2 extra things of garland. They were on sale for $3.50

I found 3 sprigs of berries and leaves that I liked. I think they were on sale for $4 each.

And then I saw the cool red garland. (It reminds me of my daughter's 70's style earrings) It was $21 each. Yikes! But it was on sale for 50% off. I liked it much better at $11.

Nester has the best instructions. I just combined the garlands, wound the lights and placed on my mantle. Since my fireplace is made out of austin stone, I couldn't bear to drive screws into it. So, I improvised with soup cans and my heavy iron candlesticks. They are keeping the garland on the mantle...until Christmas...I hope!

Thanks for stopping by. Nester, thank you for the inspiration!
Christmas blessings to ya'll!

Joyfully,

Kristi

Thought you might want to know

I am just stopping in to tell you about a wonderful giveaway.

How does a $500 Walmart gift card sound?

(Pretty good, huh?)

All you have to do is visit this blog (Keeping the Kingdom First) and enter to win.

I hope that one of us wins!

Drum Roll Please....We Put up the lights!

Call us the Griswold's, we finally put up the outside lights.

Here is what it looks like without the flash:

The snowflakes change colors:

We even wrapped the palm tree base:

It was a fun family effort!

If you need a gift idea, Hannah has one...it's inexpensive...it just requires a roll of duct tape and some paper:

She created a duct tape purse and hat for a friend.

Pretty creative, don't you think?

That's my tackle for today. I'm ready to tackle the last paper of the semester! Woo hoo!

What are you tackling?

Joyfully,

Kristi

Stopping in to Say Hi!

I'm just stopping in for a quick second to say "Hi!" The countdown for this semester has begun. Who am I kidding? I've been counting down since August 25th! I have a final exam this afternoon, one LAST paper to write tomorrow (thank you Father!), and 2 final exams on Thursday. Hooray!

I will be a new woman Thursday afternoon and I can hardly wait. I am looking forward to just being a wife and mother for the next few glorious weeks of Christmas. Oh, there will be baking, and wrapping, and ....sleep! Oh, wonderful sleep, how I've missed you!

Rumor has it we have slight chance of snow tomorrow. I am just beside myself with delight! I need to get back to studying but I just had to stop and say Hi. I promise to try to be a much better blogger soon...I hope!

Joyfully,
Kristi

Take Me to the Rock!

There is no other refuge quite like His. He is our hiding place, our Strong Tower, our Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us. Feeling overwhelmed? Go to the Rock and find strength, comfort, peace, and joy. He has all that you need.

Please visit my friends at 160acrewoods for more Word Filled Wednesday inspiration.

Joyfully,

Kristi