Thanksgiving...

I cannot believe "Thanksgiving holidays" are over! I am quite confused as to where the week went, but I enjoyed it thoroughly! I was able to lunch with Kelly Edwards, one of my besties who I don't see NEAR enough and enjoy a chick flick with my movie partner, Regan on Wednesday (Hint... "Love and Other Drugs" is a slight porno, so be warned... but it is really good).
Thursday was wonderful spending time with all of our family- we are so blessed! We started our day with Colby's family at his Mom and Dad's- yummmmy... Then around 3:30 we headed over to my parents house for dinner- more yumminess! Friday was a fun day too- My sister and I loaded up around 8:30 to head to the Black Friday Miskelly's sale- which led me to looking until noon, talked Colby into coming back with me and around 2:00 Colby and I FINALLY  purchased new living room furniture!  It was so worth the long decision process... because it is going to look FAB! I can't wait until December 17th- yay! Here is a sneak peak of the sofa we purchased...

We also got two accent chairs and a coffee table, MUCH needed since we are using the beautiful but worn furniture from Colby's college days...
After we finished our shopping, Colby headed off for an afternoon hunt... and LOOK. He was successful! A 205lb 9 point buck! He was so excited, and I was so happy for him!  YAY!

Way to go, baby!

    The week has left me feeling relaxed, renewed, and ready to finish out the year of 2010! In K5, we begin our "Happy Birthday Jesus" play practice tomorrow... I am so excited about this! They are going to be so precious singing Christmas hymns to Jesus.

Since I totally slacked off since my last post- I need to play a quick "catch up"... mainly, thankfulness.
I have so much to be thankful for, and so much that when I "think" about it... it leaves me breathless.
First, my heavenly father God and His son who died for us. My mom... she is well, healthy, and most importantly... STILL WITH US! She is my best friend in the world, my other half, and I do not know what I would do if God had taken her this past April.  I say that knowing that God, always, has an ALMIGHTY, ALL-KNOWING plan... but I sing praises, love, and thankfulness to Him, and Him alone for healing my momma.  Right along with that, my father. He literally is the glue that held our family together this year. His unfailing strength, hugs, support, love... every bit of it. wow. The love of his life was in a comma yet he cares so much about his children that he put every need of his own out of sight to comfort us. That is the love of  only a father... I must say my father is one of a kind!   My family.... from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters.... every one of you... Our family is so unique.. we have the perfect examples of love surrounding us each and every day- my cup runneth over!
Colby... the love of my life, my best friend, my partner in life.  I knew in 10th grade that I loved him, and I thank God every minute of the day for letting our lives join together as one... he is my rock, and makes me a better person each day. I am so THANKFUL to wake up next to him  and share our life together- there is nothing better than time spent with him. 
My job... I LOVE my job as a teacher at MRA. The co-workers, families, students.. everything. It is a happy "bubble" and I cherish every moment there- Although there is MANY more things to list, I'll close with my dear friends- You will never know how much I love each of you. I am forever grateful to you for your friendship, support, laughter, and love that you always give me, even when I don't deserve it. 

To close... I pray for all of us this next year that we will awake daily,  able to cherish and recognize all of God's blessings and gifts in our lives each and every day. 

"I thank my God every time I remember you". Philippians 1:3 

Colby and I on Thanksgiving... after a day FULL of feasting :)

Go be MERRY! ~Love~

Christmas at the Mason's

Two posts in one day! So allowed.. because I am on Thanksgiving break! That's why!

So... I did finish ONE goal for today... the "rebel" jersey canvas...

As for any other "goals" (cough cough, the Walter Anderson "horses") well... Colby got our Christmas tree down and ALL plans CHANGED! YAY!!!!

So I decorated ALL afternoon... it was so fun! I watched Christmas movies, listened to Christmas carols, and had a blast decorating our house- I was so THANKFUL to be decorating our wonderful, beautiful home that is filled with love and health! (Just for those haters who think I am skipping over Thanksgiving.. I assure you I am not... my overwhelming "thankfulness" blog will be coming Thursday- because this year... more than ever... we have SO much to be thankful for...)

For now... I shall enjoy each second of sharing my "Christmas decoration day".... Enjoy!

Our Mantle (I love the Marc Roberts Santa Fairies)

Santa fairy holding a red bird... new this year! yay!

complete view of mantle

Entry Table

nativity scene

Dining room buffet table

Dining room table decoration (Side Note... this deer was on Colby's grooms cake!)

Living room chandelier with garland

Our "woodland" Christmas tree!

close up of tree

Another close up of tree

close up of the top of our tree

Our "Christmas" den as a whole... yay!

Fa La La La La... La. La. La. LA!!!!!! Merry Merry!

Thoughts for Tuesday

I have to start by saying this.... I am officially back in love with The New Kids on the Block. Yes. I am.
Did anyone else see their performance with Back Street Boys on the AMA's!!? FAB-ULOUS!  I loved every second of it... I just wish I had on my New Kid's t-shirt, side t-shirt flower clip attached (You remember what I'm talking about.. you pulled on end of the tshirt through it... so cool!), zebra leggings, and my hair crimped, tall socks...white  keds...(yes, that would be my outfit that I wore to their concert when I was like.... 8?)  Ah... memories.

I am so proud of all the Christmas shopping I have finished already! Colby's presents are all wrapped and ready to go under our tree... (I am hoping it is coming out of the attic... today! Hint Hint...Honey~)
I WAS even done with our 3 puppies stockings (they are spoiled, yes) until the other morning when Colby and I were getting dressed for church and we hear this rattling of a walmart bags in the den... so he walks in there and is like, "Um Kris... the dogs have all these toys and bones out."  AHHHH! You've GOT to be kidding me.
Who would have thought that 2 labs and a yorki poo could get underneath the guest bed (show Colby my hiding spot, why don't yah dogs!), find only THEIR bag of toy/bones out of all the "presents" and pull it out into the den for play time. So Mad! But of course... I couldn't take it away- They had already seen them! (Okay... I am very aware they are DOGS but I believe they remember things... and Santa can't come before Christmas day...) so we had a "happy thanksgiving" day for the dogs and now "dogs stocking fillers" have been added BACK onto my list of things to do. Crazy. but I love them.  Even now, as Milly, my 60lb baby dog, is in my lap on the couch helping me type, cough cough.  Oh Thanksgiving Holidays!

Great date night idea- Viking Cooking School in Ridgeland (or Persnickety Kitchens)
The girls went Saturday night for a "Date night in Paris" and had so much fun celebrating Kristen Parker's bachelorette night! It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious.  Made me think that it would be so much fun to bring Colby back and we could attend as a fun date night (Am I hoping he may learn a few tricks in the kitchen... yes...)  The one we attended was a hands on cooking class, where YOU cook your own food! We even flambayed TWICE- and I didn't catch on fire! HA.
I have been to the Alluvian and attended their cooking school... SO fun for a weekend away. The one we went to there was  a sit and learn type, which I have to say... is just as nice to do! It depends what you're into (or the mood your in).... if you want to get IN the action- go to the hands on class!

I am off to do some painting today... I have a little boy's jersey that I am painting for a room inside the grandmother's house- each grandchild has a canvas in "their room" (at her house) that has their name on a jersey- isn't that a cute idea!  This one... I am excited about painting... why, you ask... because it is a REBEL jersey! (Side note... we ALMOST beat LSU... seriously? So proud of my rebels for showing up for a game this season).
The other thing I am doing is a rendition of Walter Anderson's horse painting for a lady at the school- she is a BEAUTIFUL European rider! Can't wait to get started.... I'll post pics when they are finished!

~Happy Tuesday! ~ Be MERRY!