~Georgia Snow~

It's a day I want to remember, that's for sure.

The first day was a blustery cold. Exciting...but a little scary when all your chickens aren't home. Snowed all day. Literally all day.
And that never happens where we live.

But THIS day.
The second day.
This day was fun.
We were home together.
There was no school.
The skies were a gorgeous blue and we played with some awesome people.

Definitely will remember this one.

                                                              

 

 

~stacey

~Wonder In The Ordinary~

I just love when an ordinary Tuesday afternoon becomes, as described by my husband,
"the coziest day."

Most Tuesdays are just Tuesdays around the Wall household. But I think when you put the work in, when you are faithful in every  mundane Tuesday after Tuesday after Tuesday, one week you just might be surprised with an extra ordinary Tuesday.

It wasn't spectacular. Noting big happened.

Kids had a good day at school.
Brad got home at 3:30. (crazy!)
We talked.
The kids played.
The sun shone.
It wasn't freezing out.
He took me to get Chinese take out for dinner. My favorite.
We were able to ride there and back ALL alone. (benefit of having a 12 year old)
We talked and laughed the whole time. ......speaking of which, I  thought gyro (as in Italian sub) was pronounced "jie-roe". He says I'm wrong. He laughed. "No honey. It's pronounced "yearo".  whatever. I do think I prefer his pronunciation because mine makes me think of the word gyrate which takes me down a path I do not want to be on when I'm about to eat a sub.
moving along......

I sat outside til the last orangey pink of the sun was completely gone.

God  and only my close friends know that the last few years, I've struggled on and off with winter and the fact that it gets dark so early.....may sound crazy but the more I go, the more I crave sunshine. In fact, last year, I threw my first "time change party" in March because I was so excited for longer days. It's good for my emotional health and I'm telling you, we've had some unbelievable evening sun right here in the middle of winter. I go outside and smile......completely convinced that the God of the universe has put it there just for me. It's His comfort sent directly to me. So I just close my eyes and soak up every bit of warmth and thank Him for His faithfulness.

It was just a cozy afternoon.

Wednesday was all work no play so don't be jealous......it was my usual wonderfully chaotic, don't have a minute for myself, "I'm IN THE BATHROOM! CAN YOU WAIT TWO MINUTES! kind of a day.
we owe it to ourselves and to each other to know that everyone has mundane but we should all take a little pleasure when any of us has an extra measure of joy or a boring, peaceful extra-ordinary
"cozy Tuesday".

yep. definitely all just for me. 

~stacey

~The Grind of Daily Living and A Few Product Suggestions~

Just a couple random thoughts.

I'm having serious issues with tomorrow being back to "the grind of daily living".

I've had more fun this week after Christmas than ever before. Not sure why but it has been awesome. Slower pace, taking the kids to see a couple movies, Chipotle date with Brad, ping pong and dinner with friends, family time in the mountains........it's all been a much needed break.

So tomorrow? I'm in just a little denial.

I'll rise to the occasion when the time comes because I just will... but today? I want to freeze it......make it last as long as possible.

Jake and I went to see The Desolation of Smaug yesterday and I came to a definite conclusion.
Here it is:
My absolute, single, very most forever favorite part of all Hobbit/Lord of the Rings movies will always be Legolas and his never ending quiver of arrows. I mean, who can beat that?! 

 I've recently stumbled upon a few things that I've enjoyed so much, I feel compelled to share them.

1. Read this book. Read it.

2. Grandmother's Buttons
Prettiest jewelry I've seen in a while. You can find it here!
Bracelets made out of antique buttons. What's not to love?

  

 

3. Caldrea  Counter top spray. Smells out of this world.

4. BOOTS! I made a conscious decision a few months ago to buy fewer shoes. Shoes used to be worn to meet a need. To serve a purpose. Why do we think we need 85 pair? ESPECIALLY kids, who out grow them so quickly. I decided for winter, my kids needed a church shoe, a school shoe, a tennis shoe, and an indestructible, (reese especially) outside "wear anywhere" shoe. She has lived in these boots. They are a hot mess in this pic, but they clean up beautifully and are cute enough (when clean) to wear anywhere but church. water proof. cold proof with fleece inserts. I'm sold.  Emma's pull on, which means when it's time to go play, they can ALL put on their on shoes all by themselves and take off. ~heavenly~

We are off to see a Civil War battle sight that we pass the sign to every day coming home from school. I've heard "Mom! When can we go see that?" every week for nearly a year. Today is the day. Freezing cold and cloudy. Should be good. 

~stacey

~New Year's Day~

~New Years Day 2014~

It's really true.
Every year goes faster than the one before.
That fact makes me thankful that this is not all there is. It's just the pre-party.

Speaking of growing up, Christmas sort of changes with the years, doesn't it?
Not the message, or the REAL Christmas joys but the stuff that makes you happy definitely changes.

I used to get excited about the possibility that Santa Claus just might be real.
Or when, on Christmas Eve, after we were all tucked in, I would hear the attic door creak open, and my Daddy would give a bellowing, "Ho Ho Ho!" I squealed every time.
Or new pajamas.
Or the best Christmas album ever...Bing Crosby's White Christmas.
Or mystery boxes under the tree that had their own unique shake size and rattle.
Or even taking gifts to a less fortunate family.....I always came home with a grateful heart.
Or singing carols around the tree with favorite aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Or that first Christmas with a real boyfriend.

Somewhere along the way, all the above translates to:
Trying to not shout when you hear Pentatonix "Go Tell It On The Mountain" or doing your best to hold back tears with any version of "Silent Night".
The overwhelming joy that comes when SCHOOL IS FINALLY OUT FOR TWO WHOLE WEEKS!
Being thankful that you are at a place in your life where you really get the fact that Christmas is not limited to a square on the calendar. And that if it all goes bust, unless God calls you home, you have tomorrow and the next day. You may as well find the peace in the moment regardless of how imperfect that moment may be.
The satisfaction in knowing that you didn't over do gift buying but that you think you found a few meaningful presents for your kids that may actually be enjoyed for a while, versus plastic crap that you know good and well will be in the spring garage sale.
That sigh of relief that comes Christmas afternoon when the work is done, kids are grateful and occupied. Fire is crackling. Hopefully nothing traumatic happened, you are finished cooking and can finally breathe.

I think the difference is that at some point, (hopefully) you figure out that the world does not revolve around you. Life is a tremendous blessing but it is not perfect. God chose to dwell among men and that truth brings true joy and peace.

Our December Highlights:

~Nativity Ballet Rehearsal~

~Best Lights I've Ever Seen~

~A Little This And That~

A little lights.

A lot of precious curls.

A little quality time away.

A little movie going with sweet, SWEET friends.

A little gingerbread house making.

 Gabbie in a tree, causing much angst for four little ones.

 A little baking.

A LOT of excitement.

 Just the tiniest bit of gloating.

 A lot of smiles.

A little swinging. Only a little for me because blek! my stomach can't take it like it used to.

Tonight, it's Jake's turn for fun with his friends......so it's off to bake cookies for them, I go.

12 year old boys are big. And hungry. And loud.

night night. and happy 2014 to you and yours.

~stacey