In celebration of December tomorrow, I thought it was a good idea to post some pins for our Tacky Sweater Party! If you've never been to one . . . host one for all of your friends! It's a great excuse for "grown-ups" to dress up! Here are some great pins that I have found to help me plan this shin-dig!

Would Ryan wear this? haha!

How about these pins? I am so excited about the 2nd Annual Tacky Sweater Party! It's a memory that gets talked about all year! Merry Christmas!

For the first time in a long time, I am linking up with Jamie! Today there is so much to be thankful for!

I am LOVING that I am done with my Educational Specialist in Leadership!! Now, hopefully I can get a job as an Assistant Principal one day! I have graduation on December 10th and am ready to put my HOOD on! Wow!!

I am LOVING that there are 25 more days til the BIG DAY of Christmas!

I am LOVING that I was invited to a Favorite Things party. Since Oprah is no longer hosting her famous Favorite Things episodes, this may be my lucky night!

I am LOVING that we are hosting the 2nd Annual Tacky Sweater party at the VanDoss residence! Suh-weet! Now, to find the perfect attire to deck the halls with Christmas spirit. Check out our party pictures from last year!

I am LOVING that there are 12 school days left until our Christmas Break! Ryan always reminds me of how lucky I am that I teach and have breaks. I know I get great breaks, but I firmly believe they are necessary to keep a positive attitude with our future. What are your thoughts? Teachers, back me up!!!

I am LOVING that Erin placed my 31 Party order tonight. Ladies, the bags should be here in a week! I will keep you posted. PS - There may be a giveaway SOON! Stay tuned!

I am LOVING the time that Ryan and I have been spending together. We are rocking out the gym and it's doing a body good!

Here's a funny one we took. He's always making me laugh!

Recently Danielle and I had a convo about why we blog. She did a little post on it, so I thought I would write down why I blog!
I blog . . .
10* To reflect on my thoughts - Every day I probably have 10 things I could write about and it really helps to see them in writing. They can be dumb, funny, or special . . . but this blog is a great way to reflect on my days.

9* To give my point of view - I am too shy (I know, yeah right some of you are thinking) at times to truly voice what I think or I can't communicate it in a nice positive way. The blog is a terrific place to stand up for what I believe!

8* To share Christ with others - Gosh, I can't get to the whole world, but I hope to be a light for Jesus! Yes, even through a blog!


7*To bounce ideas off of an incredible community - I feel like I really know some of the bloggers out there even though we've never met in "real life". I want to think that if I was traveling through Vegas I could totally have a place to stay with this little lady -
Brittney is a wonderful blogger and I have enjoyed getting to know her!

6*To record great vacations, like our 2 year anniversary most recently. I tried to Scrapbook. Trust me, I don't claim to be a great Scrapbooker. My handwriting looks atrocious to me, so I would finish and critique. I like typing a lot more!

5*To keep family and friends up to date - Sara and Danielle would totally punish me if I didn't update! I am thankful for that!!

4*To remember recipes Ryno loves (or doesn't) He loved the Dosschiladas we made back in April and I have referred back to our recipe a few times!

3*To one day print in a cute blog book - it's about time to do this! Head over HERE to make one yourself!

2*For my future - I don't know if you are like me, but I saved a few things every year I was in school. I love going back and checking out letters from friends, pictures, my handwriting. This blog keeps that going for me! Can you imagine what our kids will think? This will be old school by the time we ever have any!! :)

1* For memories - You never know when it will be your last day or someone else will be gone. Not to get all sappy, but I have learned that life is too short. When someone you love leaves, you slowly begin to forget voices, quirks, face, and so many important things. I have a friend that lost her fiance, but he had a journal and it's one of the neatest things I have ever read. NOW, I hope and pray that we all live a long and happy life, but if something does happen . . . the blog is here to help relive FUN TIMES!

Why do you blog OR choose not to? I'd really LOVE to know!

This is us. I can't wait to put up our funny ones, but for now a preview of our favorite serious ones!

We love. Always.

He is mine. I am his. She is our Lyla.

Pics are my favorite. Not his, but he lets me have fun with them for about 10 mins. Then, it's done!

God is our everything. He has blessed us with so much.

Lyla is serious. fun. loving. bouncy. happiness. adventure.

What picture should we use for our Christmas card? (I may have already ordered them, but let's see if you guess right!)

I read this devotion today and wanted to share it. My heart cannot be more thankful for my family, friends, and life. Enjoy your day!

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

THANKFULNESS takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you the give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience-at time, blind obedience. To people who don't know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain.

Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is the Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

I can't help it! I had to. I have heard people say, wow Christmas is coming earlier and earlier OR it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Well, here's the thing. I live for Christmas and the summer time. It's nice to be able to remember the reason we are here and free. Without Jesus' birth we wouldn't be forgiven for all of our sins and have the gift of eternal life. So, I believe it's ok to decorate a bit earlier. After all, we only have 30ish days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a lot of work to decorate just to enjoy it for a month! It makes our home so warm and cozy!

Here's what I have done so far! Ryan will be helping hanging the wreaths outside. We did lights the first year, and Ryan said that won't be happening again! We are a bit secluded on our road, so we don't get a lot of traffic to enjoy them.
{What do you think about the new rug? We love it!}

{Pillow I made in Mom's class!}

{Pillow Mom gave us for Christmas last year!}

{Lyles enjoying the new rug!}

{I'm not finished with the mantle yet, but it's a start!}

{Another one Mom helped me make!}

{This is something I did for the first time last year - decorate the chandelier in the dining room!}

{Our breakfast table partly ready! I love the touch of the throw on the chair! Do you?}

How did you decorate? Enjoy your time with family and friends today!

Remember that sweet LIFE PLANNER I got from Ryno for my birthday? If not, read about it HERE! Well, on black COLORFUL Friday over at Erin Condren's there will be a 50% off sale! Check it out!!

{WWW.ErinCondren.COM}

On Sunday night, we had our annual Thanksgiving. This year we are all a bit split because of everyone having a husband/boyfriend/girlfriend. It's nice not having to squeeze your belly full of 2 outrageously large meals in less than 24 hours!

Mom is an amazing hostess and the pictures prove it!

{Pumpkin roll from Skinnytaste.com}

After a great day of shopping with Mom and Steph, I headed over to the Elrod farm. It was a gorgeous sunset with beautiful people. Halley may have not wanted to take pictures, but we got a few that are Christmas card worthy! Aren't they cute!!

{My favorite!}

{Dana . . . why do you keep taking pictures of me?}

What are you doing for Christmas cards this year?