Word of 2013

My word of 2013 is

"Carpe Diem"

I'm going to: 

Seize the moments.

Live for the day.

Take opportunities.

Make Sweet Memories.

Give thanks to God.

All photos from Pinterest.

So, what is your word of 2013?

Is it Already Over (Post Christmas)

Wow, that was fast.

Christmas came and went way to fast

Monday we hosted the Slowey Family

39 Guest

Tuesday we hosted the Jefferson Family

16 Guest

We had a wonderful time with both sides of the family

Had a nice long bubble bath yesterday 

and then 

went out  and picked up a few 

after Christmas Sale items, 

decorations

Have some fun ideas for next year

Here's a peek at our days

Just realized I didn't get any pictures of the food

and no pictures of Christmas Day with my family

Two of my girls - just missing Cookie.  She was probably hiding somewhere under the covers.  

 My family.  Not the best picture but all we got.  

My sweet parents and Savannah.  The only pic from Christmas Day.  Boo. 

Slowey Girl Cousins annual photo -  Well some of them.  Lot of them missing :( 

 One of the guest tables for Christmas Eve 

I did remember to take pics of the appetizers 

 And the desserts - and then the family arrived and I forgot the rest 

Another guest table

The drink station 

Yummy Sangria 

These pictures are sure out of order 

 Always ends this way

 And the big girls 

The grandpas 

The entertainment 

Grandpa Slowey and his boys - just missing one. 

I'm off for a much needed hair appointment today

Then un-decorating the house

except for the tree

and getting ready for New Years

Have a fun idea for my dining room

Pics to follow

xo

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve

Here's a little peek into the past week

Finished up a little last minute decorating

Received some awesome gifts in the mail from 

sweet IG and blogger friends

I mean how cool is that 

receiving a gift from a person you have never met in

"real life"

Had a fun "my favorite thing" breakfast with girlfriends

laid on the couch with my "relax" eye bra and a new cozy blanket

Savannah squeezed in a ear piercing at the mall

Saw God in the rear view mirror on the way to church

Just finished up a load of laundry and ready to set the tables

I'm guessing I don't need the glittered pine cone

that I just took out of the dryer

I heard something banging around

Thought about opening it and seeing what it was

got busy making a pasta salad

then remembered and hoped it was money

it wasn't 

But all the clothes in their will have a little shine today

Blessings to you and yours.

xo

It's not ALL going to happen

Every year I think I'm going to start earlier

Every year I think I'm going to be super woman/mom

Every year I think I'll be a little more organized

Every year it just doesn't happen

I wanted to shop more with my mom

Wanted to host a cookie exchange or pinterest party

Wanted to watch more Christmas movies with Savnanah

I have come to realize that sometimes ALL my plans are not going to work out

I quickly snapped some pics of the kids when Robert was home for Thanksgiving

Realized after he left that I forgot to have our sweet doggies in the pics

So, our Christmas Cards are minus the dogs

And, for the first time, I didn't even see them

 until I picked them up

Savannah did them for me

Picked the card out

Created the card

Ordered the cards

She did a great job

I would have picked a religious card, but it's all good

Just thankful that she did them for me

We are hosting Christmas Eve for Steve's family

35 people for dinner

I had visions of the centerpieces

Treats on every plate

Even thought about painting my baseboards in the family room

(my OCD problems)

but most of that probably won't happen 

My niece is coming from CT with her 3 boys

Another sweet niece from TX with her husband

Hopefully Aunt Jackie is coming home from

Physical Therapy Rehab 

And I want to spend time with them

I want to sleep past 8 a.m.

I want to have a PJ day

I want to spend MORE time on my morning devotion

There is not many days left until Christmas

I'm going to take a deep breath and finish my shopping

Watch a Christmas Movie

Hang out with my family

And bake Jesus a birthday cake

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

(all pics via pinterest)



Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta 

Wanted to share this quick week night meal with you

1 (12 oz) package Tomato Basil Fettuccine

1/2 container of Feta Cheese

1 Rotisserie Chicken (got mine at Sam's Club)

3 Table Spoons Pesto (got mine at Trader Joe's)

1 big ripe tomato

Boil the pasta

Remove the chicken from the bone

Mix together and add a fresh chopped tomato

1/2 container of feta cheese and 3 table spoons of pesto

Yummy Winter Dinner

Done in 15 minutes

Sunday

I am still so sad today

still watching CNN

still praying for the families

and those innocent angels

So happy to have both of my 

"babies" home with me

Robert is home from college for the holidays

Savannah is studying for exams this week

Went to mass early this morning 

came home and got back in my pj's 

doing a little of everything and nothing

Yesterday was family baking day

Cookies, brownies and pretzels oh my

A friend gave me 3 deer antlers last week

I used them to decorate the table on the back porch

I love them! 

My sweet dad made this cute little deer last week

I love him too 

Finally addressed my Christmas Cards today

My sweet girl helped

We saw this idea to address them on Pinterest

I think we all need a little "faith" today

Added these to my holiday decor this week

60% off at Michaels

score!

Did a little wrapping - nothing fancy at all

Re-using Anthro Bags

That's my Sunday

Didn't even watch football today

My heart is heavy 

I'm in awe of the dad that was able to speak on CNN

What a class-act of a man

A man of God

Praying for him and all the others

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the Womb, a Reward