'Tis the Friday Before Christmas

'Tis the Friday before Christmas and all through our Farm we have creatures all stirring (including some mice in the barn!)

First things first. I announced the WINNERS of the Christmas Giveaway!! was it you?

I can't believe we are in the last Friday before Christmas! Its getting so close and I am super excited!  I got some great gifts from my Nanny Families and I cannot tell you how much that warms my heart!  Especially since I was a High School Teacher the past 5 years and out of the 200+ kids I had each year only 2 gave me stuff for the holidays!! I don't know what it is, maybe its having more than one teacher or that parents are just burned out by the time High School rolls around but let me tell you Teachers love and appreciate those gifts.  They work so incredibly hard and do so much for their students that parents have NO IDEA especially since most parents only have 2 or 3 kids to deal with at a time teachers classrooms are overflowing with more than 25 - 30 kiddos. Not only are teachers able to manage that many high school kids at one time but they also know EVERY SINGLE NAME!!  So make sure you show your kids teacher some appreciation this year.  I can assure you that one kind gesture can make the world of difference in their lives!!

That was an unplanned tangent.  I apologize!! I have some pretty exciting stuff happening and I am so happy to share it with y'all!

ONE 

This came in the mail yesterday.  I found it this morning but since I had to go to work I couldn't open it and I don't think that I will get to open it until tomorrow!!!! Rest assured that I will be dedicating a post all to what's inside!! 

TWO

One of my very very very good girlfriends is getting married this Summer!! We first met back in college when we were on the Cheerleading team together.  I was so blessed to have her be one of my main gals up at the alter with me for my wedding day and my heart is so full that I get to stand up there with her this summer!!  It's amazing the people that God brings into your lives.   Anyways she is having a Christmas Party tonight just for her Bridesmaids and I am so excited to go and get to know these other girls better!!  

THREE

Two words: Santa. Train.  We are taking Ellie on a Santa Train Ride tomorrow with her Nanny and Papa as well as both of her cousins.  We have been looking forward to this for a while and hopefully it will be as much fun as the Harry Potter Train we took while we were in Scotland. (which by the way I still need to write some vacation recaps of that trip...)  I think that E will have a great time especially since we will have another chance to meet the Man in Red again.  (hopefully she won't notice that he looks a little different....)

FOUR

Stockings have always been one of my most favorite part of Christmas Morning.  They were always the first things we opened and we had to take turns so we could see everyone's loot.  These were always the best presents and tended to be very similar from year to year: an Orange always an orange, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner (or creme rinse), dental floss, chapstick, some bits of make up for the girls (hair gel for the boys), razors, shave cream, and gift cards to hair salons, nordstrom, and starbucks.  Then each year there would be a few different small items or surprises: a bracelet or earrings (which I cannot wear earrings anymore),  and other small trinkets and candy.  I want Ellie's stockings to be just as special but these have always been the last minute items I am wracking my brain for on the 23rd to get for Thomas' stocking.  Now that we have Ellie I really need to be a little more on the ball for this.  I know she won't really remember these early years but if I want to make it a habit I have to start NOW!! So far I have gotten a few things for her but am really hoping to finish up before Tuesday. Crossing Fingers!

FIVE

Speaking of Santa, I was looking through FB last night and came across a post about what gifts Santa gives your children, it really spoke to me.  I have had the opportunity to work in some very low SES schools and since most of my post college career has been working with children (including High School students) I get this.  I understand that this could be controversial but it really has got me thinking.

Have a Merry Weekend!!

see who I am linking up with HERE

♥ Ashley