Tis the Season!

I'm loving this time of year right now. There is still something so magical to me about a Christmas tree. This is my first "grown up tree". This is our first Christmas in our house so we always had a small 4 foot tree before which I still have upstairs in our loft. The first thing I do when I get home from work is plug in the tree so I can enjoy the lights.

I enjoy the glittery ornaments.

Our mini tree upstairs.

My wreath that I made last year before Christmas.

A super cute cookie jar that I got for Christmas last year. It currently houses my candy canes and hot chocolate mix. Yummmmmm

I bought these last year after Christmas for like a dollar. I LOVE shopping for Christmas decor after Christmas so that it is super cheap. So I plan on going out the day or two after Christmas to hunt for decorations to add to my collection.

A Little of This..

...and a little of that. Wow, I can not get over how fast fall has come and gone (well it feels like it is gone now). Thanksgiving was really nice. I am sad that this break is over.

Derek and I made our own Thanksgiving here at home before we headed to see our families and have the big meals. It was fun to make it all even if it was just for us two. I made a turkey which turned out pretty well, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and rolls. I bought the Sister Schubert's rolls that you can find frozen at the grocery. They are sooo good. However I discovered upon opening my package that I had bought rolls with sausage links inside??? Who would think to see if their rolls possibly had sausage tucked inside of them? Not me! Oh well...they were still good even if they did have a smoky flavor.

I was also so happy to watch our tree in the backyard change colors this Fall. I made Derek wait a few minutes just so I could take a picture before we headed home to visit our families at the beginning of October.

I am already putting up Christmas decorations! I love it. We also were given a dining room table that belonged to Derek's great grandmother. We are sanding it now and I am trying to decide whether to paint it or stain it. I keep thinking I want a white dining room table yet I can't think of any I have ever seen.

I am so thankful for all of the little things and so very thankful for my family :)

It is funny how you can see so many "emotions" in your pets. I feel like we can tell when Marty is happy, excited, sad, bored, or annoyed....like in this picture...

Marty, our sweet puggle. He was annoyed that this was like the 10th picture I had taken.

New Holiday Wreath

I am loving this wreath. I made this one to sell and I think I may have to make one for myself to keep now too! Check out my etsy store to purchase!

Money

http://www.southernstudies.org/images/sitepieces/Money%20stacks.jpg

Since we decided to adopt one of the main things that has been a source of concern (for me primarily) was money. Since I have been adult I can say I feel pretty responsible with money. I like to save and budget. I can feel ok about that. However that makes it harder to wrap my mind around the amount it will cost to adopt.

At the same time I wonder why I am even nervous about the idea of how much money it would cost us to adopt. I can think about so many things in life that I wondered "how in the world: I was going to afford:

1. Paying for my gas in my car (pre- high school graduate)

2. Paying for College

3. Renting my own apartment (paying my own rent-before having a "real job")

4. Getting married while both Derek and I were still in college.

5. Buying a house.

Yet you know, no matter how much I worried, God provided. God has always provided. That doesn't mean that things will always work out. However I feel I can find peace in knowing this.

I think of all the things we might not think are a big deal to spend that kind of money on: cars, homes, jewelry, vacations, and perhaps an excess in shopping or other material possessions. What kind of good is any of that doing? How is that helping to further the messages Jesus left us with?I too am guilty of worrying about such "stuff" or material things that we hope to bring some sense of enjoyment. Therefore I know that I can do without a night out to dinner or a new shirt here and there. The stuff that I have at times based my life around brings such a false sense of security. I know that no matter how much "stuff" I need to give up, that nothing can compare to the cost that Jesus paid. That nothing can compare to the precious lives that can be saved.

Orphan Sunday from Greg Buzek on Vimeo.

Fabric Wreaths for Home Decor

Small 14 inch- Cream fabric - $25
In order to help fund our adoption I began making these lovely fabric wreaths. I love crafting and in wondering how in the world we could afford to adopt I thought I might as well try to do something I enjoyed in the process. We know that God will help provide as long as we put forth the effort.

These are beautiful indoor or outdoor. They can be made using any color of fabric in a small (14 inch) or a medium (17 inch) size. I can add silk flowers (can specify color of flowers to be added) or decorative ornaments such as holiday berries, tree ornaments, snowflake ornaments, etc based on holiday decoration themes.

For the Holidays





This is the 17 inch version. Silk flowers or ornaments may be added. $32 alone and $38 with additional flowers or decorations.




Small Wreath with additional adornments. $30.00
This is another favorite of mine. This wreath is made with burlap and has silk flowers attached.



Please order a great new wreath to help support our adoption!
Email at: leslieallisondesigns@gmail.com for questions and order placement in specific sizes, colors, and attachments. Prices are listed on the side of the blog.

Sometimes I would like to ask...

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid he might ask me the same question." - Anonymous

Isnt this so true? Have you not ever asked this same question?

How often do we think about how awful things in the world are, and then go back to watching our televisions on our comfy couch?

We are so blessed in this country. More than we realize. I read somewhere that we spend enough money on ice cream alone in a year that the rest of the world could have had clean water to drink.

I want to help. I want to do my part. I want to live my life for God and help those in need.
I have learned a lot about God's command "to look after orphans and widows in their distress: James 1:27. I feel that calling in my life. I feel like I know my purpose. I am so excited.