Christmas Villages

The coming together of two families has been quite an experience. Some of you have experienced this "dramatic" event as you know what I mean. The holidays are upon us and the decisions and events must be worked out to accommodate two families. Thankfully Jonathan and I haven't had any major crisis yet. This being said I had my first experience at Christmas Villages yesterday.

Jonathan has always been assigned the task of putting up the Christmas Villages at his house. Growing up we had many traditions, mainly German Christmas traditions that my mother used with us. I also loved that I got to experience the upbringing that my mother had growing up. It has always been so special to me. Well yesterday, Jonathan and I put up my first Christmas Village at his parents house. First we had to take all the pieces out and glue them together. We couldn't find the hot glue gun so we made a trip to Fred's. After many hours, most of mine were spent on the couch, Jonathan finished the Christmas Village.

I have a before picture but I don't have an after picture. It was too dark in the room to get a good picture but I will have to post one soon. And after Jonathan completed the Village and a quick trip to Starkville to get supper and consume yogurt, we headed back to watch Criminal Minds and admire the wonderful Christmas Village.

I have decided to start a Christmas Village with Jonathan. I want to be able to take traditions from both sides of our family and use them in our new life we start together. The first piece I will purchase is going to the the schoolhouse. How appropriate right?

I love this Schoolhouse by Department 26. I have decided that this is my favorite Christmas Village Retailer

What are some of your Christmas Traditions?

Thankfulness...

I wrote this on my phone while I was at home and never posted it.. A little late (I know) but wanted to share this with others...

This Blog post has been weighing heavy on my heart for some time. No I haven't done the 25 Days of thankfulness, but I feel this was a much needed post after a conversation I had a couple of weeks ago....

As many of you know I come a family of educators, I am marrying into an education family, and I am a educator. The meaning of educator can be determined many ways however I feel it is one that is not selfish, happy, willing to help others, etc.. While talking to an educator the other day, they told me they hate education. This is where the thought of this Blog started. Why hate a job that you have? Why hate a job that is so important to the success of our country? Why hate a job you don't get paid for as you should.

This is what has become so awful in our society. So many professionals are located in their job and are unhappy. Why? Why do something you do not enjoy. I have become the opposite. I love education. I live the thrill of being able to help others. Often I find phone conversations with 'J' leading to education. Something I have about the two of us is that we have a heart for education. We both selected undergrads degrees that did not pertain to education in any form. And look where we are now.... Education.

I guess where this Blog is going. Don't complain about the profession you have selected. You selected it for a reason. If you have lost that fuel find it. If you can't find it, find something new.

My mom taught me lessons in the short life we had together. But one lesson she taught me was to be happy. Life is too short not to enjoy it. So if nothing else enjoy the day you have been given. Smile and don't complain. I have learned the last three years somebody always has it worse than you. So be thankful for what you have! I had to learn this the hard way but maybe that's what makes me happy to be in education. To have the ability to make a difference.

In closing this is what I am thankful for this thanksgiving! I am thankful for the life I have been given. The opportunities, the education, the ability to make decisions and choices. The opportunity to have the ability to spend thanksgiving and everyday with my family and future husband. And the 21 wonderful years I had with my mother.

Chistmas Wish List

Anybody that knows me, knows that I am the hardest person to buy for. Usually I have my mind made up and what I want and I don't wait for anybody to get it for me. I just go out and buy it. This year I have had a list. I will be the first time in years and the only reason I am doing is this because of 'J' and his constant asking of what I want.

The first item on my list is a must this Christmas and I have told Jonathan that I have been wanting for a while.. It is the Rachel Hobo Wallet in Stone..

The second item on my list in another item that 'J' was just bugging me to tell him something else I wanted. I have been wanting these for sometime. These are amazing and so warm! I can't wait to wear them around these house if I am good and receive them.

Third on my list has been sitting in my room for sometime. The lamp shown below is a McCarty Pottery lamp in jade. I bought my lamp in nutmeg, which is my favorite color in McCarty Pottery. I have the base to my lamp, however somebody or someone needs to assemble my lamp so I can use it in my wonderful room.

I love McCarty Pottery and there are three four smaller pieces that I would love to have this Christmas. I have no asked for them and to my knowledge nobody knows I want them. They are just sitting on my McCarty Wish List..
     -Nutmeg Candle Plate
     -Nutmeg Small Candle Holder  (and I would love to have two of these)
     -Nutmeg Large Candle Holder
I also have a Peter's Pottery Wish List going (I don't have much Peter's and really like McCarty Pottery better however there are a couple pieces that Peter makes and McCarty doesn't.
     -Nutmeg Salt and Pepper Shaker
     -Nutmeg Souffle Bowl
     -Nutmeg Rectangle 7x11 Casserole
     -Nutmeg 7x7 Casserole Dish
     -Nutmeg Chip and Dip

As I mentioned I have never made a list and these couple of items in the 'pottery' world I have had my eye on so why not put them on my Christmas List. I will not be heard broken if I don't get them because guess what? I will be taking a trip to the delta after Christmas with my Christmas List to do some shopping!

What is your eye set on this Christmas?