wrapping things up~

For the first time in many years, I actually feel ahead of the ballgame~most everything on the list is checked off.

My desire is to enjoy these days leading up to Christmas.

Have my heart focused on why we celebrate & have a home that while things are bustling and busy as they should be , the atmosphere is peaceful & joyful.....hmm.....that's what i'm going for anyway!

While I can only dream of whipping up wrapped goodies as lovely as Heather...here are a few shots of some of the packages this year.

For a few years I wrapped everything in white paper & used only gold and silver large ribbon wrap-think the girls thought that was a bit of a snoozer....so a few colors made the cut--who says i can't be flexible!

I also enjoy using old photos that are glittered up as name tags.

Madison's nickname since she was a tiny 6 pound baby has always been little bird, so a few birdie touches are seen too.

I loved all the silvery gold mixed with the tiffany blue, so i added a few items to a plain green wreath...tada!

Third Day is my all time fave group ( along with James Taylor of course). They released a Christmas album , I think it was 2 years ago--it came out in October....true confessions...i started playing it then. All the talk about keeping Christ in Christmas & keeping the thanks in Thanksgiving translates into no christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving. Well, I certainly i don't want to offend anyone, but to me the entire Thanksgiving & Christmas season are as one. While I truly have so much to be thankful for, all good gifts are indeed from above. The reason I have much to be thankful for is because a tiny baby came born in a manger to give me hope, to give me peace, to give grace & eternal life. I want to celebrate his birth all year long. So yes, I start my music early--helps keep my heart wrapped around his love for each of us & the grace he gives us each day.

This year Casting Crowns released their Christmas project & of course, I started listening late october.

If you want to listen to the links, make sure you pause my playlist first.

Enjoy your week

xo