chivalry is not dead

Last week my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. Christmas time is extra special for us because we totally fell for each other during our Christmas break Junior year in college. So this time of year I get really sentimental. (I am taking down the Christmas tree this afternoon and oh, so sad about it!) We have been married for 3 years and 3 years ago we were married on the 5 year anniversary of the night he told me how he felt about me. I love him. He is not perfect, but I think that he is as close to perfect as they can come. He is the kindest, most gentle and patient man I have ever known. He loves me when I do not deserve it. He knows what to say and do to crack a smile out of me on the darkest days. He has supported me in one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make this year and continues to do so on the days I doubt that it was the right one. He is a good friend to me. One of the things that I love the most about him is that he never hesitates to grab my hand and pray with me, sometimes for me, and those moments are the most precious to me. The moments when the man I love the most here on this earth leads me and ushers me into the presence of the Savior I love most of all.

Marriage is a blessing, no doubt, but it is hard work! It isn't easy being so vulnerable. It isn't easy being so honest. It isn't easy seeing the worst in yourself when you look in the mirror and see how selfish you can be; something I am convinced is necessary and that marriage will show you consistently. But it is worth the work! I am married to a great guy and I am so glad we get to work through and do life together.

favorite Christmas stories

I said I would post about some of my favorite reads from this past year a few weeks ago and I haven't been able to sit down and devote any time to that. So instead, I will tell you about my favorite children's books for Christmas time. The first thing you should know is that even if I weren't a teacher, I would still love children's books and collect them. So while I don't have the pleasure of hearing the pitter patters of little feet in my house yet, I still have a basket of children's Christmas books. I probably have close to 60 kids books in my Christmas tub, but only about 10 of them make it into my Christmas book basket next to the tree.

I have spent a good amount of time in Barnes and Noble every single December for the last 7 years combing the shelves and display tables for new and old Christmas books alike. Each time I go, I collect and take stacks of books to a cafe table and read them while sipping a peppermint hot chocolate. As I read, I make two piles: "Those that Didn't Make the Cut" and "Those that I'd Like to Add to My Collection". I jot those titles down or (more recently) take a picture of them with my iPhone. Then I return December 26th with a list of books that I hope to snag for half price (usually with a gift card that I received the day before).

I am fond of so many of the books that I have collected over the years, but the stories that are dearest to me are the stories that retell the nativity of Jesus. As a little girl I was captivated by Bible stories. My favorite part of the day in Elementary school was when the teacher took out these lovely picture cards that beautifully illustrated a portion of the Bible and read to us from the back of each one. Is it any wonder then that the Christmas books I love the most are beautifully illustrated stories about my most favorite person?

Here are just four of my favorites:

1. The First Christmas by Carol Heyer

This is a gorgeous book! I cannot wait to read it to my kids one day after I have read them the account from Luke. It is a straight forward account of Jesus' nativity. The words are great, but I seriously cannot get enough of the illustrations. No frills. Simply perfect.

2. Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

This book is written by one of my favorite Children's book duos. It is one of the cutest and most endearing stories. Mortimer takes over Jesus' nativity scene each night, kicking Jesus out of the stable each time. Until one night when he overhears the family in the home talking about who Jesus is and realizes his error. 

3. Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer

Humphrey is a self-absorbed camel who complains about losing his blanket and carrying such a heavy load along this long journey that his master is forcing him to go on. His tune quickly changes the moment he lays eyes on a tiny baby in a manger.

4. This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

I think the illustrations in this book are beautiful. This story is written in a style similar to "The House that Jack Built." I love the flow of the lyrical prose. I think this book may be one that the kids ask to hear over and over again. I have been bold enough to read it in the public school classroom and my students have always asked to hear this one again.

Happy reading and Merry Christmas Eve! 

girl's best friend

Meet Madeline Bell Thompson.

She is one of the loves of my life! I call her Maddie Bell. She technically belongs to my in-laws, but if anyone ever asks me if I have a dog I totally claim her as my own.  She is the sweetest dog I have ever met. She actually belonged to my hubby’s grandparents and was born and raised in Northern Michigan. Sadly, Andrew’s parents had to take her after his grandparents passed away. It was a really hard adjustment for Maddie. I’ll never forget the car ride to bring her home to Miami in May of 2004. I was instantly smitten with her and she took to me quickly. She was so confused and scared during that time.



2004-our younger years



I always gave her belly rubs and played with her and talked to her, maybe more than I normally would because I knew she was having such a hard time with the loss of Andrew’s grandparents and her original home. I go over to my in-laws as often as I can to see her and have been known to pick her up and bring her over to my house for the day. I love her. She is always so happy to see me and loves to just hang out.  If you know me well at all then you know that I talk about getting a dog ALL.THE.TIME. and one day Andrew will oblige and I will get my very own dog, but the truth is that Maddie will always be the one dog closest to my heart.

Today is her 10^th birthday and yes, we celebrate it with presents and doggy ice cream.



*This picture and the first picture in this post were taken this summer in Manistee, MI where Madeline was born and raised. We brought her back to the lake house and she wanted to get down to the lake to play in the water within 10 minutes of arriving and she remembered her favorite napping spot behind the reading chair.



it's her birthday

Growing up my family didn’t have a lot, but they never let me go without.  They sacrificed financially so that I could go to private school throughout my elementary school years and those years shaped who I am today. My mom was the room mom every single year. I cannot recall a single class party, event or field trip that she did not attend. Her famous iced refrigerator cookies became popular in the small elementary school I attended, and teachers and families alike ordered them from her all the time. I remember being so proud whenever my mom walked through the classroom door with a big platter full of them for a party. She has a talent for baking and I’ll never forget the year she made me my favorite birthday cake. The cake itself was the dress for a Barbie doll. The doll stood tall and had a big, full dress which was comprised of my mom’s chocolate cake and homemade icing. She took me to piano lessons, violin lessons and voice lessons and attended the recitals. She is teased by myself and my sisters for crying whenever we leave home for church camp, vacations, missions trips, and don’t even get me started on when I left for college after every single break or long weekend. Nearly a decade ago she did something for herself for a change and started eating well and working out. She ended up losing 65 pounds and could take on most anybody today with her strength and muscle because she works so hard in the gym. Years ago I realized my mom had a hidden talent. She is a very eloquent writer and is very good at penning her words. One of these days I'm going to have to crash one of her poetry nights at Starbucks to see her in action.  6 years ago she did one of the most meaningful things for me to date. I spent a month in the hospital and she stayed by my side the entire time. She never left the hospital. She slept on the chair that pulls out into a bed every single night! I was 22 at the time and was technically an adult, but no matter how old you get the hospital is a scary place and if anyone could have it their way they would have their mom with them to comfort them too. I love her and appreciate all that she has done for me, probably more than she realizes. Today is her birthday! Happy birthday, Mom!



My mom and I in my hospital room in October of 2004




Don't worry! We did not dress alike and then go out on the town. I had a Mother's Day dinner for her at my house and my mom and sisters showed up wearing these blue (Mom's favorite color) dresses. I felt left out at first, and they knew I'd give them a hard time about that so they let me sweat it out for a few minutes before giving me a blue dress too.



i did not get the memo

Apparently Jim Carrey's A Christmas Carol is not a children's movie.

It wasn't what I expected, but it was a good movie nonetheless. Just don't watch it with little, little ones. It airs on the scary side and it has adult themes that are very serious with A LOT of talking. Too much for young ones to care to listen to for a long period of time.

However, this movie...

 

is great for little, little ones!

For someone who doesn't have children yet, I love kids movies and books. Can being a teacher be a good enough excuse for watching Veggie Tales while wrapping Christmas presents? It was available on Netflix instant streaming and I wanted to have something festive on while I wrapped. Plus, I'm just a huge fan of the talking, Scripture quoting vegetables. What can I say...

This cartoon was ADORABLE and really funny. Plus, it gave us some history about the real Saint Nicholas that was largely based on fact. I read up on Wikipedia after I watched and I thought the writers did a pretty good job of telling as much fact as a child's attention span and understanding could absorb in 45 minutes. I also liked it for the way they explained Saint Nick's attachment to and love for Jesus as being the reason for his desire to give and to share with those in need. I give it two thumbs up. I say grab your little ones and a bowl of popcorn and cozy up on the couch with this one!

have you heard of that little place down south?

This morning the hubby and I got out of bed and got going pretty early. There are only 3 things in this world that can get me out of bed bright eyed and bushy tailed early in the morning. (I am SO not a morning person.) Those three things are:

1. A trip to the happiest place on earth

2. Christmas morning

3. And driving 25 minutes south to pick up some world famous cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven down in the Redlands of South Florida

Here in South Florida we have quite the gem. In a city known for it's high fashion, fancy cars, night life, and strange interesting people, this place sticks out and is a diamond in the rough. I have been going there since I was a kid and I hope to take my kids there some day, too. Have you been to Knaus Berry Farm? Please say you have, and if you can't say that, then please make it a goal for you and yours in 2011. You won't regret it!

It doesn't look like much from the outside...but as you can see there is a line forming outside and this picture was taken 20 minutes before they opened the doors.

At Knaus Berry Farm you can enjoy the bakery, home grown produce, and the best strawberry milkshake in the 305. You can also go there and pick your own tomatoes and strawberries when they are in season and thriving. I love that!  

They also sell delicious jams and jellies. This year I am investing in their honey.

And here you have 2 dozen beautiful, hot cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven.  

We immediately went to my parents house to surprise them and my sisters with the best.breakfast.ever.

You can read a little bit more about Knaus Berry Farm here. And look at way cooler pictures here since my camera is not of the awesome kind.

As I finish writing this I am fighting the urge to go eat one of those cinnamon rolls right now. It's so late!

Must.wait.til.morning.

sole mates

I maybe might have just ordered these for the husband to give to me for Christmas. I.am.in.love! This will mark the third Fall season I have wanted gray, suede boots, soooooooooo....I HAD to do it! Thank you DSW for your promo codes and your reward coupons. I heart you!