The Gift I Didn't See Coming

I pray you all had a blessed & wonderful Christmas!!!

I was definitely surprised at around 6:30 Christmas night with a new piece of jewelry that I don't plan on swapping out anytime soon!

Yes, Jacob proposed!!

I didn't think it would be happening until around February, so I was definitely surprised!

We are both very excited & looking forward to everything the Lord has in store!!

Christmas Here & There

Saturday night we had a Christmas party where I work. It is always so much fun being able to be with those people that have been a part of my life for so many years! Plus there is always great food!
This year my nephews, niece, Jacob, & his brother went, so that made it even more special to me.
Here a few photos we took in the lobby before leaving for the night.




{With my nephews and niece. }







{Let's try this again...}







{Over the months I've come to find out that my nephews and niece really like Jacob. I'm starting to get a little jealous of all the hugs he gets! ;D}






{My boss' husband loves & I mean loves aggravating people while we are playing Dirty Santa. Poor Graycee was his victim this year. Every gift she got he would take! Then he chased her around the lobby for a picture!}






{This is when the brothers got me! They said they were gonna do it, but I really didn't believe them. I guess they showed me!}



It's hard to believe that Christmas is going to be here on Sunday!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful time getting ready for the big day!!

Christmas Around the House

It's hard to believe that Christmas is just 13 days away! Ok, I'm really excited about it!
I figured I'd share some of the Christmas decorations around the house since every one in blog land is doing it...





{I had to have something Buddy the Elf around the house.}






{& here is the snow of last week...}



& here is a little Christmas survey that's been floating around the blog world as well...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? It depends on what the gift is. Usually there are quite a bit of both under the tree.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Oh I loved my real trees, but it hasn't worked out that way the past two years, but that's ok I still love it!

3. When do you put up the tree? I put mine up the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog? No I do not.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My pink RC Race Car!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? I don't.

8. Hardest person to buy for? This year it has been my mom!

9. Easiest person to buy for? This year it was Holly. As soon as I walked in Hallmark I saw it, & I knew it was for her!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmm.. That is a tough one, but it was probably a necklace I got one year that was not about to be wore by me!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, Home Alone, & Christmas Vacation. I can't just choose one!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year I bought the first gift on November 14th.

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Beef Jerky. I usually get some for Christmas, so I eat it while I'm unwrapping. :D

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Oh colored my friend! But I did just go with blue this year as you have seen already.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I can name off a few, but for some reason Cupid always sticks out. {That is a name of one right?}

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. I did think about doing a Doctor Who tree this year, & putting a weeping angel on it, but I never got around to doing all that.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Around here everyone gets up at about 2 AM on Christmas morning. This year there are three extra people here, so yeah, it's going to be fun!!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The humbugs!

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? I always like to go for a bright theme.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Spending it with my family & those that I hold dear to my heart! & I can't wait to see Jacob open his gifts because I pretty much ruled at picking out his gifts!

Wednesday Love

Happy Wednesday!!

It's been a little while since I posted, but things are starting to slow down a little around here, at least for today so maybe I'll get back into posting a little more regularly.

I have joined in What I'm Loving Wednesday in some time, so today seems like a great day for it!


-I'm Lovin'...That Christmas is only 18 days away!!! How crazy is that?!?



-I'm Lovin'...That I've almost got all my Christmas shopping finished. I should have it done by this afternoon.



-I'm Lovin'...That last night was the last class for this semester in Bible class, and I'm really loving that Jacob will be taking it next semester!! Yay!



-I'm Lovin'...Elf. Does that movie ever get old? I think not.

Source: sodahead.com via Erica on Pinterest

-I'm Lovin'... That a man I work with, who just had surgery yesterday due to cancer is amazing the doctors at how well he is doing today! Praise the Lord for watching over him!!



-I'm Lovin'... His many blessings & His love that I could never come close to deserving!!

Christmas on the River

Friday night Jacob and I went to do a little shopping when the Black Friday crowd wasn't quite as big. Since we were there I wanted to go see the Grand Illumination in downtown Chattanooga.

It was cold, but so much fun!

Here are some photos of the fun boats we watched pass by...