Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  When you are not working, the weeks do go by so fast.  I am still loving my transition time between jobs.  This is for sure one of my favorites of the week!  Here are some others as well.....

1.  Birthday celebration - The week began with me celebrating my birthday.

Being thankful for another year of life is always a favorite!  And gradually, I am sleeping past 5am, so that is a good thing too.

2.  Taking and picking up my daughter to school

I am in transition between jobs so I have been able to take and pick up my daughter to and from school this week.  It is the little things that mean a lot.  This is a lot easier done when I am not working.  It has been cold this week, so I brought a blanket as I sat in the car and waited in the afternoons.

3.  Adoption emphasis

November is Adoption Awareness month and Wednesday after posting an adoption post (check out all the other links posted for more info. on adoption stories), I received this catalog in the mail from Show Hope.

4.  Bogota to USA memories

Yesterday marked 2 years that my youngest daughter and I moved from Bogota, Colombia back to the USA.  It was a day with mixed emotions that I will never forget.  That and the fact we checked 20 bags and had 2 carry on pieces of luggage.  My husband and older daughter returned a few weeks after we did.

5.  November snow flurries

Snow flurries on my pumpkins and mums 

It snowed for several hours, although it wasn't much accumulation. 

The dusting was sure pretty though. 

We did see some car accidents, one which happened right in front of us that was scary to see.

5.  A new niece

I am an aunt again!  I have a niece that was born this week and we will be able to meet her next week. And, I have another niece who is getting married this weekend, so there is a big age gap between the 2 sides of the family, but I am thankful for them all.

6.  Seeing old friends

No pictures here, but I had lunch with a friend that I had not seen in 27 years and was also able to see one of my former co-workers.  Both of these times were so fun.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It is time for a wedding and Christmas decorating for our family.

Girl Chat ~ November 2018: Juggling the Holidays

 It's time for the Girl Chat link up talking this month about tips for juggling the holiday season.

Tips for Juggling the Holiday Season

1. Purchase gifts early 

I buy a lot of things in the summer, primarily during the Nordstrom anniversary sale.  I always buy during Black Friday weekend, and then it is easy to pick up last minute gifts.  So thankful for Amazon and other online shopping these days!

2. Decorate early

I like to decorate the week of Thanksgiving, which I realize everyone has a different opinion about and that's okay.  Sometimes, my decorations go up the day before and sometimes it is the day after.  

3. Wrap gifts as you purchase them

It is hard sometimes to keep track of where gifts are so I like to wrap gifts early and if necessary, label them with a number on the back to keep up with what is what in each box.

4. Keep your calendar open

A lot of little things come up in December so be flexible so you can say yes to some things, however, no to others.  

5. Lists and meal planning

For me, making lists are really the key to my day to day life of what  I need to do.  It is even more necessary at a busier season.  Meal planning helps with the grocery shopping, as those stores are more crowded during the holiday season.  It is helpful to have some meal options for quick meals on cold nights, good comfort foods, and last minute options for desserts or appetizers that are needed for a family, friends, church or work event.

6.  Enjoy those around you

It is never to early to remind us all not to lose sight of why we celebrate Christmas.  Enjoy the people God has placed in your life in the season without getting too caught up in stress.  Life always brings some types of stress that are out of our control, but I do think there are some things I can do to ease the stress of other things I add to my life.  So, take a deep breath, enjoy all the fun things, take in the beautiful sights, sounds and scents of the season and keep being thankful in December :).

How We Wednesdays ~ Adoption

Today, I am linking up with Shay & Erika for their How We Wednesday series.  This month's topic is adoption.

As a believer, I feel like we should all be a part of adoption in some way.  Whether that is adopting a child, helping adoptive families in practical ways, or providing financial support to adoptive families, I feel like it is important.

The first organization that comes to mind is Show Hope.  

Show Hope provides adoption aid, support care centers and support for adoptive families.  

A lot of our girls childhood friends were adopted and it was a very natural part of childhood playdates and we had the opportunity to greet families at the airport for their adoption.  

Adoption is close to our family with my husband, sister-in-law and most recently, my great nephew. We are so thankful for this sweet boy and that his birth mother chose life.  You can read more about his story here by searching "adoption".

I encourage you to get involved in some way in this beautiful example God has demonstrated to us as His children.

Birthday ~ 48 Things

Yesterday, 11/11 was Veteran's Day.  I am thankful to all the Veteran's in our country.  Take the time to thank a veteran!

Yesterday, 11/11 was also my birthday.  Not sure where the time went, but here are some random facts about me and the year I was born.....in no particular order.  I'll let you figure out my age by the number of facts!

1. The President of the United States was Richard Nixon when I was born.
2. The Jackson 5 were a popular band then, and I still like listening to their music today.
3. I lived in the same house until I was 23 when I bought my first house. 
4. I have now lived in 3 states and 2 countries.
5. A stamp cost 6 cents and a gallon of gas was 36 cents the year I was born.
6. I love Broadway plays and wanted to be a Broadway actress when I was in high school....if I only I could sing :).
7. New York City is my favorite city in the USA.
8. Other than NYC, my other favorite places to visit are Disney, California, and the mountains.
9. I have visited 17 countries/territories - USA, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Hong Kong, Singapore, England, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany
10. I have visited 43 states in the USA.
11. My husband and I knew each other for 3 1/2 years before we got married, but we had a 3 1/2 week engagement.
12. I am living in a house for the first time with a garage and the thankfulness never gets old for that!
13. We packed most of our belongings in 32 suitcases when we moved to Colombia.
14. My best friend moved when I was in 3rd grade and from then until high school I watched several friends move. I never liked being the one left behind, and later in life, I was the one moving so I could finally better understand both feelings.
15. I love twinkle lights at Christmas.  I usually take down most decorations, except the lights on December 26th.
16. I love decorating for every holiday.
17. My first concert was Elvis Presley.
18. My favorite is Huey Lewis, who is no longer performing due to hearing problems.  I have seen him 9 times in concert...that I can remember.  I was fortunate enough to meet him twice.
19. I just bought our first artificial tree for our main tree this year.
20. I currently have 12 nieces and nephews, 1 in heaven, 1 who will be born this week and I have a great nephew and niece.  
21. My parents took us on lots of family vacations as a child, many which we took in a camper.  We had a camper when our kids were younger and it was just as great.  I am thankful for great childhood memories with my parents, siblings and grandparents.
22. I became a believer when I was 8 years old and church has always been an important part of my life.
23. My favorite is dessert of choice is frozen yogurt.
24. I live by a to-do list.
25. I prefer fall/winter over summer for so many reasons.  I love the coziness of the fall/winter seasons!
26. I have watched most seasons of the Bachelor/Bachelorette....my guilty pleasure.
27. Our family loves to watch you tube clips of late night tv and other comedians.
28. I love happy endings, which is why I love Hallmark movies.
29. I have been a homeschool mom for 12 years. 
30. I like staying in a hotel and renting a car on vacations.  I also like to rent a car for long road trips.
31. I make a scrapbook each year of our family pictures. I have tons of old Creative Memories scrapbooks.
32. I love keeping up with old friends and reuniting.
33. I don't drink coffee, but I do enjoy hot chocolate and hot tea.
34. I love having a day at home without going anywhere, but those days are few and far between these days.
35. I have been married for 20 years and am thankful for a man who stands by me and our family through the ups and downs.
36. I love seeing my girls and my husband laugh.
37. One of my new favorite tv shows is The Voice.  I have just seen the last 2 or 3 seasons, but I always enjoy the interaction of the judges.
38. My current favorite Christmas album is Gwen Stefani, You Make Me Feel Like Christmas.
39. I wish I enjoyed reading, but sadly, I don't read too often.
40. I want to visit Pioneer Woman's mercantile and lodge next year.
41. My favorite type of music is 80's music.
42. I like to help plan parties, whether it is a birthday party for my family or any other event.
43. I am thankful for the legacy of Godly grandparents, whom I miss very much.
44. Every Christmas night, we watch the movie The Nativity Story.
45. I am a true Southerner...I enjoy a glass of sweet tea and Diet Coke too.
46. My husband and I renewed our wedding vows on our 10th anniversary at Graceland, where I use to be a tour guide while in college.
47. My favorite stores are Bath & Body Works, TJ Maxx, Kohls and Nordstrom. 
48. Last but not least, I am thankful for these 48 years of life and pray for at least 50 more!

Free Starbucks on my birthday!  

Cards from my people :)  

My girls hung streamers on my door, like I've done for most of their birthdays.

Of course frozen yogurt was part of the day!

1st fire of the season 

Time with friends

It was a great day of church, family, friends, and food!

Friday Favorites ~ November 9 Edition

I am linking up today with lots of Friday Favorites, as there have been so many little favorites this week!

Along with work, side jobs, and home improvements, Avery was able to do something fun and attend a FBI Citizens class.

We went to the FBI banquet last week and he received an award for his participation.

On my first week off work between jobs, I've enjoyed being mom and driving my daughter to and from school each day.  She took this while I was in motion trying to give the peace sign!

Click here to see read my post about my last day at work.

I went to Hobby Lobby two days this week looking for a Christmas tree.  We have never owned an artificial tree, but this year, we are foregoing the real tree.

To fit the tree in our car, Isabella had to ride like this on the way home!  We spent two days out running errands together, so it has been good to spend time with her as well.

One of those days included seeing my greats.  Always a favorite!

I am thankful for the opportunity to live in a country where we can vote.  I actually early voted this year. 

I have only watched 1 Hallmark movie this week, so I need to catch up, but I loved the Christmas at Pemberley Manor movie I saw.  I plan on catching up on some more this weekend! 

And at last, a favorite is one of my favorite pictures of me and my girls taken 10 years ago this weekend.

Other favorites from the week were seeing my my two oldest nieces, lunch with a friend, and pre-birthday dinner with my parents.

I have missed my co-workers, but it has been a great week and looking forward to a little more down time.  Now off to celebrate my birthday weekend!

Work Transition

Last week, I had my last day at my current job.  I worked a very early shift, so it was nice this last day to turn off all my alarms :).  I did this at 4:53am.  I left my house at 5:15 every morning.

I found this sweet note on the kitchen counter before work Friday morning.

It is still dark when I enter my building.

I am so thankful for these 2 sweet friends.  They were the ones who threw me a baby shower for Brook 14 years ago.  I love them and will miss them.

These 2 ladies have been my saving grace at work.   I also love them and will miss every day sitting and laughing with them.  They gave me the most thoughtful basket with a blue theme since they "will be blue without me" as the card read.

These 2 friends and I worked together 25 years ago.  It was fun to re-connect, although it was only for a short time since they were our newest employees.

This sweet lady was my supervisor and helped me with questions every day with a smile.  She is so great to work with.

I am thankful for this opportunity, even though it was very hard at times for me transitioning back to the working world.

Pulling out of the complex for the last time.....

It was a little bittersweet leaving some great people, but I am so enjoying some time off before I begin my new job.  

Belated Halloween Fun

A little belated, but here are some photos from our Halloween last week...

This was my look at work that day...

Lots of people in our office dressed up because we had a contest in our department.

Later that night......

Isabella dressed in scrubs and my dad's lab coat, but she didn't trick or treat this year.

We went to a friend's house and made it to a few houses before the rain came.

I added a witch hat and was tempting Snow White with an apple!

Here is a flashback to 10 years ago of my girls and our neighbor.

This has always been a fun holiday, rain or shine!