A little bit of everything.....

Hey y'all! Well originally at the beginning of December I had planned to post all our Christmas preparations in small posts so that you all could get a glimpse of our doings here in SC. But things don't always go according to plan and several unexpected events delayed my posts.......We have had times of sorrow and times of joy and all kinds of times in between but the recurring theme of the month has been that God works all things together for good.  On the 5th of this month my step-grandmother stepped into eternity.

It was a difficult time but also a time for us to draw closer together as a family and to step up and show love and honor to my grandfather who is now adjusting to life without his wife. On the 8th we had her funeral service and the gospel was clearly proclaimed and we grandchildren had the unique privilege of singing at the service.  Though the video quality is poor I hope you enjoy hearing these hymns.

Be Thou My Vision

Come, Let Us Return to the Lord

As we get closer and closer to celebrating Christmas we have been cleaning, cooking, baking and decorating. We had the Gardner's over to help us decorate our Christmas trees and we had a wonderful time.

Putting on lights

Adding pearls

I just love Havi's expression ;)

Sydnie and Havi

Aaron and I 

Victoria and Hannah

Homemade ornaments

After the decorating we sat back and watched "Holiday Inn" while sipping hot cocoa which was the perfect end to a fun day.

Last week we began our christmas baking and goodie-making. Liz, Sydnie and Hannah came over to help us girls out and we had a wonderful time together.

All our baking supplies

Melting chocolate

Love these two girls lol

Havi and Sydnie spreading out Peppermint Bark

Liz......Ok, so let me introduce y'all to Liz (And I really wish I had a better picture to show y'all) but Liz is Caleb's girlfriend and just about one of the sweetest, funnest, most down-to-earth people I know. Even though I haven't know her for very long I already love her and we have had so many good times together. I can't wait to see where God leads her and Caleb.

Peppermint Bark

Samoa Balls!!!

Pecan Turtles

By the end we had Sugared Pecans, Peppermint Bark, Cracker Candy, Samoa Balls, Chocolate Truffles, Pecan Turtles, Holiday cookies and Oreo Truffles which we packed in decorative tins to give away. 

And last but definitely not least in our busy month was the wedding of my dear friend Ellie!!! 

We headed up to Sprucepine, NC on Thursday and helped out with the prep work.

Ellie's vision was to transform the church gym into a winter wonderland.......so after lots or work we hoisted up streamers of tulle and snowflake ornaments.

Then they decorated everything in silver, white and sparkles.....it truly looked beautiful!

Havi, Victoria and Aaron

The bride and her parents

Close your eyes everyone! *wink, wink* 

Mr. and Mrs. Cory Wilson Spiers

 Flower girls and boys

Walking out 

Ellie paid me the great honor of asking me to be one of her bridesmaids.....I had so much fun being part of her special day and getting to know all these girls! L to R: Me, Melissa, Hannah, Jodi and Sarah.

Ellie, Havi and I 

And like the good friends that we are, we made sure to let everyone in Sprucepine know that they were married by decorating their car lol ;) 

And for the important information that you may be wondering about at this point. The Lord has brought a very, VERY special person into my life as of 2 months ago! I can truly say it was the Lord and that I could never have planned something quite like this. Aaron has been such a blessing, encouragement, and a true example of Christ-likeness to me and I am so happy that he is part of my life.  I covet your prayers as we seek the Lord's will for our lives and His guidance as we go through the "getting-to-know-each-other/courting/dating" time.

Aaron and I at the wedding. 

So I hope that gives you a glimpse into my December. Hope y'all are surrounded by God's rich blessings as we take time to Celebrate the birth of our Savior.