Lovely Gift

Since my grandma is in town this week, my family has been doing lots of fun things (and still plan to do lots as well). Yesterday my mom and grandma went to one of the Amish farms to their Auction they have. I was a tad disappointed when I found out because I have this strange fascination with the Amish, but I'm glad my grandma and mom got to enjoy it so much! I am definitely checking it out for myself soon!

Anyway, my mom posted a photo on Facebook of all their loot and included were so many sunflowers! Apparently they bought the "lot" for $1 a bundle. They got 6 bundles. And because my mom and grandma love me and know how much I love sunflowers, they brought me two bundles yesterday evening! I am so happy! They are beautiful!! I can't wait to go to the Amish Auction and buy a lot of sunflowers for $1 a bunch and give them away to people myself! =)

I hope you have a lovely Tuesday! We've got more beautiful weather here today! I'm so happy that so far the weather has been very nice and cooperative for Gramma Bonnie's visit!

Cindy

Need To Shop, Still?

*Before I start this post, I want to say that I was in no way sponsored to write this or review this site. I am doing this all on my own because I believe in what this company is doing and want to introduce my blog friends to this goodness!*

A couple weeks ago our church hosted a Handmade Gifts sale featuring items from the company Serrv. My friend Jeannie was coordinating this sale and so I helped her out a bit because I really thought it was a great concept. All the items that this company provided have been hand made by artisans of third-world countries. And all the profits from the sales of the items go directly to the artisans themselves. Serrv is a nonprofit organization so they do not take a commission from the pieces sold. The mission of Serrv is to eradicate poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers in these third-world countries. From the Serrv website:

"We strive to enrich lives around the world and to inspire real change for the better.
Our work encompasses more than just buying and selling.
We offer prepayments so our partners can sustain their business.
Create new designs so they can build their markets.
Teach new skills so they can develop their craft.
Provide grants so they can expand their resources. "

I love what this company is doing! I love that they are providing resources for the artisans to continue with their business. I love that they are teaching them new skills and giving them support. I think this is a fantastic program and company. And the products that they sell are great! I love how unique they are and how much of a selection there is. I bought a few Christmas presents from Serrv this year and I know that I will continue to buy gifts (and things for myself) from them.

A few of my favorite things are (all captions are links to that item)

This Autumn Gem Necklace

This Coin Purse

This Orange Weekender Bag

This Orange Business Bag

This Wooden Cat Family

This Carved Floral Wall Hanger

This Autumn Basket
and so much more! They have WONDERFUL products. Go browse and look at the many different and wonderful products you can buy! www.serrv.org.

If you still have some Christmas shopping to do, check out Serrv. It's not too late to order from them (so long as you live on the East Coast/Midwest) to have your items shipped for Christmas! And the prices are quite good! I can guarantee the gifts you give will not be duplicate gifts! And the best part about it is, you're supporting a REALLY good cause. You can honestly feel good about gifting. Sometimes I hate the over commercialization of the holiday and that most of the products you buy come from China, a country not struggling at all. The gifts I've bought from Serrv are supporting someone who IS struggling; it's nice knowing I've given back in a way this Christmas season.

I urge you to check it out and consider buying some goodies from Serrv. And even if it's too late for your Christmas shopping, keep it in mind for other presents you may need to buy, or even for yourself for new home decor, fashion accessories, and even food!

Cindy

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

I won a giveaway sponsored by Luce at House of Hemingway and I got my pretty little package in the mail! Such beautiful Kate Spade earrings and she had even written me a note with the prettiest penmanship! But what else would you expect from a graphic designer? =)

Cindy

Some Fun for Love Day

Since Valentine's Day is approaching quickly, I thought I would give you all some potential fun (and inexpensive) gift ideas for the love in your life. I actually did both of these at Christmas for Collin but they will work just as well for Valentine's Day.

This first one is fun and definitely something to do if you want to have a casual/light hearted evening.
One evening before Collin got home from work I set the scene for this awesome battle...

This one was really easy to put together. I just bought a two pack of Nerf guns at Wal-Mart (about $15) and then wrote on a notepad I had at home to set up the scene. When I heard Collin come home I quickly found a hiding place and waited for him to come down the stairs. Then when he was in range I started shooting my Nerf darts at him and he reciprocated. Oh my gosh it was so much fun! I think Collin definitely won. He hit me square on the forehead with one dart! And I did hit him, just not as much as he hit me. =) Collin loved this though!

This next one is a bit more lovey and possibly more suited for a sweet/romantic Valentine's evening.

This one was a little more involved in the thinking department but was by far much cheaper. I bought a new deck of cards which cost me $1. Then I had to come up with things to write on the cards and it was a lot of fun to think of a bunch of different things I love about Collin and to be able to come up with things that fit what the card was. And I was especially careful not to cover up the markings on the card because I wanted us to be able to use the cards. Collin also enjoyed this gift and I think it made him feel very special to see all those reasons why I love him.

Since these were both Christmas gifts I don't know what I'm getting Collin for Valentine's Day yet. I need to get on that! Any suggestions?

Cindy

Christmas!

I know most people have already posted their Christmas recaps but I'm just a little late. =) To be honest, I don't really have many photos to post from our Christmas. Yet again I was too busy enjoying myself to be interested in taking pictures. Though I will say, my iPhone makes it quite a lot more convenient!

We had a GREAT day. Collin and I woke up and exchanged gifts between the two of us and then we opened presents with his parents and sister and nephew who were in town visiting. Then we headed over to my parent's house after breakfast for more presents and lunch. We were so spoiled with gifts. Some highlights for me include a pink, fur-hooded vest, some new books, Little Big Planet 2, an awesome bowl set (yellow and white - some with polka dots and some with stripes), lots of clothes, and nail polish! Some highlights for Collin include frisbee golf discs, a frisbee golf disc bag, Metal Gear Solid HD, and Uncharted 3. And I think the best gift for him was the BT box set. I had mentioned it to my mom around Thanksgiving and she got it for him and he was so surprised and excited!!



Unwrapping the present but he has no idea what it is...

Seeing the BT logo but still not knowing what it is.

Trying to figure it out.

Finally realizing what it is.

Looking at the poster of the album art.

Inspecting the book that came with it.

I think I was more excited about him getting this gift than I was about anything. It was something that I knew he wanted but we couldn't afford and he would never ask for because of its price. So I knew it would be a total surprise and an awesome gift!

Anyway... I also want to share with you some other photos taken on Christmas.



Our mini tree with the presents under it.




The rest of the decorations I put up.

Collin and I sitting on the couch at my parents before opening presents with my sister, Kaity, and her husband, Tim.

Sweet Jake fell asleep after we were all done opening presents.


Collin and I with our buddies at my parent's house.







So yes, as you can see, we had a good Christmas! I hope yours was as delightful and full of family as ours was. And I hope that you made out well in the gifts department. But I hope most of all that you kept in mind the true reason that we got to celebrate. The birth of a sweet little baby who saved the world!

Cindy

The Greatest Gift of All

Found here

I posted this on Christmas Eve last year but I really want to post it again.  I hope it can bring some hope to your day today!

Christmas is so much more than presents and decorations and a tree.  All of that is symbolism.  A symbolism for love.  And the greatest gift ever given!  It all started around 2000 years ago...

Luke 2 (NLT)


(Joseph was on his way to Bethlehem for a census decreed by Caesar) 5 He took with him Mary, his fianc'e, who was obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. 8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others -- the armies of heaven -- praising God: 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. " 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

Found here

Jesus was a gift to us. He was a gift to all mankind because God loved us. God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die on a cross to save us (John 3:16). This selfless gift of love made it so we can go to Heaven with just a simple phrase of "I believe." All we have to do is believe and love God with our whole being. I believe that Jesus Christ died on a cross for me, I believe that God loves me and wants me to have eternal life with Him. How incredible is that!? A sweet little baby boy came to earth, lived a human life, suffered just like us, and then died on a cross to prevent us from separation from His Father, OUR Father. That is the most amazing gift, the best gift I have ever received. And it's all a gift of love. We didn't (and don't) deserve the sacrifice God and Jesus made for us. Humanity is quite simply put, wretched, but that's what makes the gift so incredible. We don't deserve it yet God loves us so much anyway he was willing to give up everything to save us, everything to draw us closer to Him. True love does not get any greater than this.

Remember this Christmas the true reason we celebrate. It's not about the decorations, the gifts under the tree, the food, Santa or anything like that. It's all about the little baby born in a manger to a virgin and a carpenter. Remember and be thankful. Celebrate with JOY this year knowing that God loves you so much He would give us the best present ever!

Merry Christmas!!

Cindy

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday morning I got to work and sitting in my keyboard was this Red Robin gift card. There was no note or name that came with it. I have no idea who gave it to me. And no one else got one but me. It made me smile a lot. I suppose someone just wanted to be nice and all my coworkers know I don't eat out very often because we can't really afford to, so they wanted to treat me to a meal or two out. So thoughtful!

Wordless Wednesday

Cindy

Brrr... it's cold out there!

Sorry I was a delinquent little blogger yesterday. =( I was really busy and it just totally slipped my mind. I wish Mondays didn't have to be so hard, that Monday was like Wednesday every week. But that just doesn't make sense. Although I do wish every weekend was at least 3 days. That would make things maybe just a bit more glorious.


Found here
Basically what I looked like on my couch.
Anyway... this past weekend was COLD. It was so cold that even with the heat running in my house I was still bundled up in a sweatshirt over top my 3 shirts (cami, 3/4 sleeve shirt, and cardigan) and wrapped in a blanket with slippers over my socks. And I was STILL cold. Our house can be really drafty, though Collin has made good use of things to make it a little less drafty. I hated going outside because it was so cold! And Sunday was awful because it was windy! And after church on Sunday we got a piano! A friend of ours works with a lady who was moving and wanted to get rid of her piano. She asked our friend if he knew anyone who wanted it and he thought of us. So Sunday we went to her apartment and put it into a trailer and hauled it over to Collin's parent's house where it will be kept until we have space for it. It was VERY cold standing out there supervising them putting it into the trailer. I say supervising like I was actually helping. ; ) Actually, I did carry the bench and the music stand portion. But I am so excited about my piano! I was so disappointed when I moved out of my parent's house because that meant no more piano to play all the time whenever I wanted. And even though our piano isn't at our house at the moment, it's MY piano! I own a piano! And it didn't cost a thing which is even better! I am forever grateful to the lady who gave it to us. I hope she knows how happy she made me.

Another thing that made me really happy was that Collin gave my car a MUCH needed oil change Sunday afternoon despite the bitterness outside. He's my hero. =) My car has been needing an oil change for so long I'm embarrassed to talk about it. I'm really good about getting it done because I know how bad it is for your car, I wasn't burning any oil away and it hadn't been more than 3,000 miles from when I was supposed to get it done, but still, I hate waiting so long after my 5,000 mile indicator comes on. But in all honesty, it had been either way too cold or bad weather outside whenever we had the opportunity to change it. But now my little car is running great and it's got brand new oil in it's engine!

Also on Sunday afternoon we had one last Christmas party of sorts with some family friends of ours. We usually get together with this family right after Christmas but due to family being in town and then people dealing with sicknesses we just hadn't been able to get together until Sunday. We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon chatting and relaxing and then we had a delicious chili dinner my mom had made. After dinner we opened presents and everyone got great goodies! All of the ladies ended up with new Christmas hand towels that came from the same store! And Collin and I got an Applebees gift card and a new ornament which we'll definitely be putting on our tree next year! After the gifts we played a game of Apples to Apples Junior. Our friends have a 6 year old and he was actually really good! He could read every word on each card he had to read. I was thoroughly impressed! And I was even more impressed that he knew what all the words meant. It was a fun game actually and it's pretty much just as fun as the regular version. There's even some things in the regular version I don't know what they are! I like playing Apples to Apples because it creates so much laughter. And I love laughter.

So that was my Sunday. What fun things did you get to do this weekend? Was it as cold where you are as it was here? Today's a little warmer (high of 47) but it's supposedly getting chillier the rest of the week. =( Are you praying for spring as much as I am??

Cindy

Friday Favorites - week 5

I love my pretty wall clock and flowers that can never die. But what I love even more than that is that they were wedding presents! Well, the flowers were bought with a gift certificate, but still. =) I just am in love with the way they make our living room look more girlie in the midst of our wall of movies/video games.

I love early birthday presents that are wrapped in the prettiest of bags that actually matches the gift! But I especially love the gifts that were inside. A beautiful sunflower "friendship" Willow Tree figurine, a beautiful photo with a sweet saying from a dear friend, and a package of yummy Tastefully Simple beer bread (see last week's Friday Favorites post)!

I also love a very cute cat who likes Apple as much as I do. So much so that he wanted to write this blog post for me. ; ) Actually, he does like to get into my lap when my computer is in it. That I don't like so much. But he's just so cute it's hard to be mad at him.

Anything extra special going on this week in your life? What are you loving today?

Cindy

White Christmas!

In front of my Mom's tree on Christmas Eve

We had a GREAT first married Christmas together! It was such a fun day. We actually had two days of Christmas, one on Christmas with my family and one yesterday with Collin's family! It snowed on Christmas Day. This was the first white Christmas I think we've had in several years. And if my memory serves me correctly, we've only ever had 3 or so my whole life. It was pretty neat. Granted it didn't start snowing until around 4 or so and the majority of the snow fell on Sunday, but it still snowed and stuck to the ground on Christmas. It was beautiful! And Sunday was a glorious snow day!

Anyway... I just want to share some pictures with you from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I didn't take any from last night's Christmas celebration with Collin's family, though his dad got some really great shots. I may ask him for some of them. =)

Us with Collin's parents at my parent's on Christmas Eve

Opening the first present of the morning!

My first present: Mary Kay "Thinking of You" perfume

Collin with his new wallet

My cookie cutters!

My reaction to seeing a Victoria's Secret gift card.  =)

Collin's new hoodie.

Shadow investigating the presents

Stank investigating the presents

My parent's tree before we opened all the presents



Excited about the morning.



This is my dad's cat, Jake with my dad.  Jake is in LOVE with my dad.  Here he's looking at him with adoration and purring up a storm.  It was so cute.  He sat with my dad for a good majority of the morning, too!

Collin's new ukelele!

My new hat

We got lots of great gifts from both sets of parents! But the best part of the whole celebration was not the presents rather it was the time we were able to spend together with our families. We love all the time we spend with them and so it was really nice to enjoy lots of it. And Collin's brothers are visiting this week and so it was great to see and spend time with them last night!

I hope you all had as great of a Christmas celebration as we did! I hope it was spent with those you love and that you just enjoyed every minute of it!

Cindy