C'est La V: December 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Life Lately

Life has been both fun and crazy lately. Last week was my last travel week of the year, and Brian took a bus from downtown Cleveland to Pittsburgh so that he could have lunch with me and drive me home. I was shocked and so so happy. He rubbed my back and neck the whole drive home (multi-talented, that man is).

photos {1,3} Omni William Penn Hotel {2} huge nativity scene

We spent this past weekend putting up our tree, decorating, and last-minute shopping. We've also had lots of events at church and with friends, so our calendar has been full. But full in a very good way. A way that instead of draining you, rather refreshes and revitalizes you. We are having lots of family in town, starting Wednesday so I'm off to finish up some work, start cleaning the house, and think through what in the world we'll be eating for all these meals (any advice would be appreciated)!

photos {1,2} Brian, Char and me with our tree {3} a little peak of our living room gallery wall

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas Anticipation

Ok, I'll be honest.. I didn't think I would happen upon the "Christmas Spirit" as I had in previous years (read: when I was a littleton). Yes, the story of Jesus is still fresh and real to me, but this season with the music, and festivities, and gifting.. it just wasn't really exciting to me this year. I thought I'd have to wait until we had kids to really have those same 'feelings' as in past.

Well, I was wrong. We started wrapping gifts today, we put the tree up yesterday, there's music on and hot cocoa made, and it is seriously bliss. The little tingle of excitement for Christmas is back! All it took was a little attitude refresh, some time of reflection, and lots of love. Hoping you have a joyous Christmas season too!

Images via pinterest

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

On my heart: loss, hope, and miracles UPDATE

I posted a while back about our close friends Brett and Colleen's heart-wrenching loss of their twin girls. Fast forward a few months and read more of there story here (also scroll down and read some of the miracles people posted about). If you have the opportunity / will, please pray for them during this time and pray for redemption - something that has been promised to them from God. Also, I do believe God is good, always. If he does not intervene and provide the miracle we are praying for during this time, He is still good, and will always be.

A few photos below to put some faces with the names.

Beautiful Colleen and silly Brett. Well they are both silly and both beautiful, inside and out.

all photos taken by Brett for personal and Making the Moment

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AWESOME UPDATE (12/15/2011):

Monday, December 12, 2011

Hope

Warning: I'm on a mini Steven Furtick train right now.. His sermons are making my Monday morning drives much more tolerable :-)

via pinterest

A few things to simmer on today:

"How can you disappoint a God who knew every mistake you were going to make, before you made it, and still decided to die for you anyway, in your place?"

1. You are doing better than you think you are.

2. You matter more than you think you do.

3. It's less about you than you think it is.

- Pastor Steven Furtick

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Gift Guide - Men's Edition

Have I ever mentioned how stylish my hubby is? Well, he is. And he has so generously offered (or maybe he was voluntold) to put together a men's gift guide. It's fantastic in my opinion - so show him some love :-)