Happy New Year!

Christmas at the Jacobson's

This year it was a different kind of Christmas  . . much more meaningful than ever before. We all knew and felt that Dave aka Mr. Grumpy was missing  . . but at the same time you could feel him all around us.  It wasn't so much about the presents but more about just being with one another  . . we ate so much and even laugh alot too.  My kids are the best . . so loving and kind . . and so good about all the changes that have taken place within our own family this past year.  I feel so blessed to have these kids of mine . . they are truly presents to me.  The picture above is from Christmas morning  . .  peanut brittle from See's has been a Christmas staple around here since they were little.  

One of the gifts Cassandra gave me was a beautiful heart shaped ornament with pink rinestones all over it . . I just love my "old-lady" pajama bottoms . . don't you?

We went to my dear friend Jennifer's Christmas day party and had such a good time, that's Davey and Jennifer being silly.

Cassandra and Brian enjoying the party too  . . boy did we eat this holiday season and constantly.

That's my Dad, he's been battling cancer the last two years and is beating it . . . Thank you God for all your goodness  . . my Dad has been blessed and we are all so grateful.

That's me and Jennifer  . . love this picture :O)

Christmas Eve was at my home this year . . that's my Mom and my nephew Angel . . this picture is so sweet.  Lots of love there . . .

That's Cassandra and Angel . . these two cousins are six months apart . . these two are the babies of the all the grandchildren for my Mom and Dad.

Merry Christmas My Blogland Friends and God Bless You!

 
 

   We Celebrate Your Birth Dear Lord, as we celebrate Your birth,
let us remember that You are the true reason for Christmas.
Let every sparkling light remind us how You illuminate our lives,
a shining beacon to guide us in our thoughts and actions each day,
and how You light us from within
in the knowledge of Your love and truth.
Let the Christmas trees, standing straight, tall, unbowed,
remind us of Your uprightness, Your goodness, Your perfection,
and Your refusal to bow to worldly temptations,
no matter how great the challenge or trouble.
Lord, as we feast on Christmas treats,
let us remember that You are the sole provider
of everything worth having, that all good things come from You.
And as we enjoy our gifts, let us never forget
that You are the greatest gift of all--our wonderful Savior,
Counselor, Giver of an eternal life whose wonders we cannot imagine.
So as we delight in Christmas, the happiest and brightest of holidays,
let us remember there would be no Christmas without You, Lord,
and let us our hearts be filled with joy, and love
and thankfulness, this Christmas and all the ones to come.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. By Joanna Fuchs

Some more Christmas decorating

 I just love this angel . . . there is such a peace to her.   The Santa's below are part of a small collection I have.  The feather tree in the back has some vintage ornaments from the late 30's . . . my oldest ornament are always displayed on this feather (artificial) tree every year.

 This Christmas I wasn't really in the mood to go all out with the decorating and unpacking all those boxes with ornaments in them . . so I threw whatever I could on the tree and it actually came out pretty cute . . That snowman below sticks out of the tree on top . . the red stocking that's in the pics below belong to Dave.  Minnie, my mother-in-law, bought it at Sears about 40 years ago, it's falling apart, but I love it.  when my middle son Brian gets home, he'll put the star on top of tree . . that's always been his part of decorating the tree.  Hope you all are enjoying this holiday . . it's a little quiet around here  . . too quiet sometimes.

A Little Bit of my Christmas Decorations . . . Nativity Set

I thought I would share a little bit of my Christmas decorations . . . my Nativity Set was a Christmas gift I received from my brother Junior about 24 years ago.  This nativity set is made out of terracotta clay.  It is truly one of my favorite holiday decorations.  I found the manger believe or not at "Pic & Sav" for 7.99 years ago, it is made out of natural twig branches painted a muted green color.   It goes so well with this nativity set.  I also have a beautiful angel that stands 17" tall behind the manger, as if she is guarding and looking over it.

My Mom gave her to me for Christmas a few years and I absolutely adore her.   She is made out of paper mache with metal wings and a wired circle halo on the back of her head.  There is something peaceful about her,  I leave her out all year long.

Sorry about the flash in the pic below . . .

Matthew 1:20-21

A Simple Christmas . . Peaceful

Ok, you know what coming . . . Christmas is coming upon us.  This year I actually get to do something I wanted to do for a long time.  Mr. Grumpy in spirit always liked things very traditional and wanted the same decorations every year.  This year I want to simplify my decorations and just do a few of them, nothing real complicated.  Sometimes the more simple is the more beautiful.

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give.  It isn't like the peace that this world can give. John 14:27

Reaching Out

Love God and love each other . . . 1 John 4:21

Thanksgiving is coming!

Mr and Mrs. Thanksgiving aka Mr. Grumpy in spirit,  is getting ready to host the holiday dinner again . . . I don't do all the cooking, the whole family gets involved  . . . Mom does the turkey, sister Debbie does the "to die for" goodies,  sister Chris does the pumpkin pies . . . sister Linda does the salads and big sister Jeri does her Thanksgiving with her daughters in Texas and it's whole lot of eating going on.  Brian took a job in Madison, Wisconsin and just moved a few weeks ago, so I won't see him til Christmas.  Davey and Cassandra are still here at home . . and I'm glad for that.

 Mom and I hit the "Speckled Hen" again, Saturday morning and I found this cutie-pie statue . . .

 After that we hit a yard sale and I got lucky and found some vintage ornaments and "glass" beads in some neat colors.  I finally have enough vintage ornaments to decorate my whole tree this year.  I thought I would try something different this year . . . time for a good change.  May all of you sweet  blogland friends have a beautiful Thanksgiving . . Blessings to all of you!

Happy Birthday Debbie!

Happy Birthday Debbie . . . YOU ARE A WONDERFUL SISTER!

Debbie and I are 17 months apart, of course Debbie is the older sister (ha ha Deb!).  We have been through thick and thin with each other.  Growing up as sisters we were always and still are competitive in sports.  Who can hit harder, run faster and "now" walk longer.  We have had alot of fun over the years and have been fortunate to be in good health together.  I'm so grateful to have a sister like Debbie.  

The night Dave passed away, Debbie slept right next to me in my bed that night, that's the kind of sister Debbie is.  When my daughter had a horrible car accident back in 2009, Debbie was standing right next to me at the scene of the accident and at the hospital.  When I was working and my daughter Cassandra fell off her razor and split her knee open and required stitches, Debbie was there at the hospital when I couldn't get there fast enough.  When I've been a dollar shy or two, Debbie was there with an able wallet.  That's the kind of sister Debbie has been and I am forever grateful for that.

Life is a journey full of lots of stops and detours and God sometimes gives us someone to hold us up  and encourage us to keep on going and don't give up . . . Thank you Debbie :O)

 

Davey turns 27 years old today . . . Happy Birthday Baby!

My oldest turned 27 years old today . . . time sure flies doesn't it?  I'm so proud of this one, his heart is true to God, he's a gentle giant and always has been.  He's passionate about his love for family and friends . . I call him a "love teacher", he teaches people how to love by his actions and ways.  Davey never hesitates to "bear hug" anyone . .  and I know that is a gift God has given him . . Happy Birthday to my Big Guy! 

Look what came in the mail today . . .

 Received a new book today . . Terry John Woods', "New Farmhouse Style".  This book came out last year and I never got around to ordering it for the holidays, this year I made sure.  He creates some of most adorable Bears and Santa's too.  Love his style, he has a blog that's fun to read also.  Take a peek!

New Toy

Got a new Blackberry . . . I'm confused!  Learning how to use all the new features on it.  Of course, my kids make it seem easy to use.  I was happy with my "old" Razor phone . . but it was time to update and come into the future, at least that's what they were telling me . . it's fun . .  I think?

Happy Halloween!

It's Always Good to Praise . . . Sweet Lord

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.  Psalm 5:11-12

Enjoying The Halloween Season

Hope you're all enjoying the Halloween season . . our home church's annual Fall festival is coming up next weekend.  It's an old-fashioned simple kind of festival, but always fun to catch up with old friends and eat plenty of goodies while you're at it.

Here's a peek at my Halloween decorations . . .

Celebrating Halloween . . .

I love to celebrate the Halloween season.  I have a vintage Halloween collection.  I've collected it for many years, since my kids were little.  It brings back so many wonderful memories with my family.  Halloween memories to me are making costumes for my kids and sometimes their friends too, not just when they were little, but even as they got older, and still now.  Going to our "home" church's October Festival and trick or treating.  Dave aka Mr. Grumpy loved Halloween.  He always wanted to "scare" the kids with the yard decorations, especially when they would come to the door for candy.  He would love to play the "spooky music in the background and wear a monster mask.  I'm sure going to miss that this year.   Decorating the house this year felt a little different  . . not so much fun, but I'm learning to make new memories now . . wow, life is a journey, that's for sure. 

It's Always Good To Praise!

Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him . . .  Psalm 37:7

Look what Mama bought me!

As you all know, on Saturdays, Moma and I get up early and go to yard sales . . . this morning we had a change of heart, stopped at the "Speckled Hen" in Old Upland Village and I fell in love with this mixed media piece by Kelly Rae Roberts.  With everything that has happened in this life of mine lately, this message says it all, "Tell your story, believe in healing, honor your intuition, take the journey back to your self, wear more skirts . . . begin today"  This message rings so true in my heart.

Love you Moma . . .

 

Time to Decorate for Fall . . . but?

I bought this picture, but it sure doesn't look like fall . . the colors are a perfect match for my house.  It's an oil painting by ? all for $5.00 at a yard sale . . . happy dance time!