Holiday Happenings

I couldn't decide on just one so here goes!
Favorite Christmas memories:

going to grandparents' house for several days, playing games, watching movies, making sausage cheese balls with cousins, singing... I love that surprise look when the kids, or SweetHeart, open "that" present!

Favorite decorations:

Stockings...my mom has home-made felt stockings. When I got married and decorated for Christmas, we needed stockings. So I made us some felt stockings too. They are my favorites because they represent us, but together they also tell the Christmas story.

Tree skirt...I also made our tree skirt with snow flakes and our handprints, so it is unique to us too. (Yes, I'm one set short. SweetTater was a little small to do it last year, so we will get his on there this year!)

Favorite holiday music:

I love to sing along with the radio to Christmas music. I was in show choir in high school, and we sang at banks, the mall...wherever during the holidays. So just about every song that comes on the radio, I know the harmony. When we were early married, SweetHeart would say, "Let me guess. Show choir?" not really surprised. Now I just get the look. (Right, Jen!) Recently I signed (I really enjoy sign language!) a Christmas song by Sandy Patti that was a lot of fun.

Favorite craft with my kids:

Christmas card placemats...We had a lot of Christmas cards from years past. I let the kids pick out their favorites and then they drew a picture to add to their collection. Then we covered them with clear contact paper. The space between the cards lets the table cloth show through, so they match!

Favorite traditions that we are passing on to our kids:

We go to grandparents too. I hope one day when I'm a grandma, they will come to see me! And we do an Advent calendar, so that part of every day in this hectic season, we talk about Jesus. He is the reason for the season, after all!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

For more Holiday Happenings, please visit

Jen at Converstations with My Hairdryer

Don't throw out those pumpkin patch pumpkins just yet!

A friend of mine used to say she got excited about the littlest things, even gum wrappers! Here is my latest gum wrapper! I saw this idea a few years ago, and finally tried it this year. Paint your pumpkins into jingle bells! It makes great decorations inside or out!


I spray painted the silver. Then used a sharpy to draw the black part. I discovered that it looks better for the round part of the black to be up on the side a little way. Finish it off with a red bow, and there you have it! I thought they turned out cute!

(I know, I have pictures of pumpkins here before I have any of my kids! Oh, well. Maybe we will get some cute Christmas ones this weekend.)

Thanksgiving 2007

I know this is a little after the fact and everyone is moving on to Christmas. But we just got home from spending the holiday with family and friends. I just have to say we have the neatest families. Thanksgiving is not about the meal--turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie (although those things are very much enjoyed!) It is about being together. Sharing stories. Three generations playing 42 and the fourth can't wait to jump in. Mothers and daughters in the kitchen anticipating what is needed and having it ready before she even asks. Friends and "other side of the family" welcome as if they are blood-kin. Don't get me wrong, we have our problems, but it isn't anything we can't face together with God's help. I am so blessed and grateful for our family! OK, I'm off to decorate for Christmas!

Why Sweet Journey?

Sweet--because I have such a sweet family. SweetHeart and I have been married 10+ years. SweetBoy is 7, SweetDoll is 4, and SweetTater is 18 months! We even have a Sweet dog, named Sadie. And sweetest of all is my Sweet Savior who loves me more than I can know and I seek to know Him more.

Journey--when I started seriously reading my Bible, God began to teach me that He has a path for me. It is a journey to seek Him and walk with Him. I love the promise that every time we seek Him we will find Him. I enjoy asking Him questions and looking for the answers in His Word.

Why blog? My bff, Jen, blogs and I have really enjoyed staying in contact with her and her family. Now it won't be a one sided conversation! And if she can, I can! It will be fun to share stories and pictures with family and friends! Here we go!