[make] A Blogging Schedule: Ringing in 2013

Happy New Year's Eve to all! I can't wait to read all about the fabulous things you did this evening. What are the Johnson's doing? Sitting at home, with our bellies full of home cooked food, playing video games (Nate) and blogging/crafting/organizing (me). As long as we have each other, that's all we need! And plus, we had late nights every single evening last week due to the holidays, so a night at home is perfect for us.

In "New Year's resolution" style, I have decided (for the three hundredth time) to attempt to use a blogging schedule. I really do enjoy blogging: writing, uploading pictures (although they are mostly, if not all, iPhone photos... I'll get Photo Shop one day!), sharing with others. One goal for this new year is to get over my laziness. I think I'm partially narcoleptic because I feel like I could take a nap at any point in the day... but that just may happen because I'm a human. Who isn't tired? All of the time?

ANYWAYS, back to my point. I have decided to make a blogging schedule, write it down, color-code it (I mean business, y'all) in hopes of me keeping to it so I know I will have something to share each day **fingers crossed**.

The topics?

Monday: Make (Anything craft, food, home related that involved me creating something.)

Tuesday: Teach (I know I have many teacher readers, so this day is for you! It could be Kindergarten or church/children's ministry related.)

Wednesday: What I Wore (WIWW: where I will link up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy, after of course I have used my #hashtag #yesimwearingthis on Instagram, thanks to Faith at Life, Love, and Marriage!)

Thursday: Dwell (All things home: organization, storage, layout, could sync up with Make Mondays if applicable.)

Friday: Love (All things family, home, church, pups, life.)

My parents stuck one of these personal calendars for the year in my stocking:

I have deemed it my blogging calendar and have already color-coded it for the year:

Make: Orange (Mondays)
Teach: Purple (Tuesdays)
WIWW: Yellow (Wednesdays)
Dwell: Pink (Thursdays)
Love: Green (Fridays)

Now, I simply must follow it! Good luck to me. What resolutions or goals are you trying to conquer this year?

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11

[Merry Christmas!]

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

[O Holy Night]

I am so sorry I have been on a blogging hiatus (although I still have been reading your blogs)! From crazy Christmas responsibilities between school and home, as well as being sick for a week, blogging has definitely taken the back burner. If I wasn't working at school, I was resting and/or working at home getting things ready for our travels this holiday season.

However, now that we are with family, it is time to stop and truly realize what we are celebrating. It is not shopping, not gifts, not trees or wreaths or ornaments. It is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior! God sent His son to earth in the humblest of settings: a stable, in the hay, with animals. He was born to one day grow up and save us from our sins by dying on a cross for us and rising again on the third day.

Tonight, I am reflecting on that holy night: the night before Christ was born. As you read the lyrics to "O Holy Night" below, use the words to create an image in your mind of what that night could have been like. We will never truly know, on this side of heaven anyways, what that night was like for Mary and Joseph as they awaited the birth of our Savior. But reflect and give thanks to God for this amazing gift!

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord!
Their name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Enjoy the time with family and celebrating the birth of our Savior!

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:13-20

[make] Ornament Swag

Who else enjoys holiday seasons for the crafty projects? I do, I do!

On Pinterest, I found Upside Down Grace and Madeline's ornament garland. It was adorable and oh-so simple to do.

You will need:
long-enough-for-your-project ribbon (the plainer, the better: your ornaments won't get stuck!)
ornaments; I used 100 shatterproof ornaments

I found a package of 50 ornaments from Walmart that had reds/greens/golds, which is what my color scheme for Christmas is, so I purchased two to make a swag of 100 ornaments. It turned out so cute! My friend Bonnie came over and we had a wonderful time of catching up and crafting!

String your first ornament onto your ribbon and tie a knot. Continue to string on ornaments and they will start to fall/lay the way they look on the swag. When you are satisfied with the length, tie a knot at the last ornament as well. Easy! Go to Madeline's blog for more step-by-step photos. Thanks for the inspiration!

See where I link up: Monday Made it @ 4th Grade Frolics, Blog Hop @ Naptime Review, Tips & Tricks @ Stringtown Home, What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots, Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Manic, Link Party @ Uncommon, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Show Me What Ya Got Linky Party @ Not JUST A Housewife, {Wow Me Wednesday} @ Ginger Snap Crafts, Link Party @ Destination: Craft, The Creative Spark @ Clean & Scentsible, Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy

Happy Monday! I'm home sick with tonsillitis and a bad cough today. I've had a fever off/on all weekend as well. I've been prescribed some medications, so because of this, I had to cancel my wisdom teeth appointment for this Thursday. Wahoo! Haha, it's rescheduled for January, but at least I won't have to dread this entire week/weekend! I have a few more weeks before I have to start stressing out again. 

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

[photoaday] Weeks Forty Eight and Forty Nine

Yes, yes. I skipped another week again. I don't know why I'm in a blog funk, ladies! Anyone with me on this? Is it the holidays? Who knows. I still love y'all and am still reading on your lives! If I don't comment, it's because I read your post from my phone... which I still haven't figured out how to leave comments from my reader... but anyways, onward!

[psst: if you take photos this week, use my button on your blog post and leave me a comment on THIS post with the link to YOUR blog post with your photos.... that's not confusing at all, is it? once you do that (and assuming you're a follower of mine), I will feature your blog one time with a few of your photos! remember, sharing is caring :)]

[monday] Front door all decorated! I want to add some poinsettias, and yes it is still 80 degrees in Texas, UGH, so it could work, but I know as soon as I get some, it will freeze. So I may leave it plain. Who knows!

[tuesday] I am SO addicted to this show! Anyone else watch? These two were my favorites from the beginning, but I'm so glad Melissa and Tony won, and that they now have their own trophy (since Shawn has won before and Derek has won a million times).

[wednesday] From our study books in our Wednesday night Women's Bible Study ("So Long, Insecurity" by Beth Moore: so good)! These biblical truths are comforting and encouraging when you feel anxious, stressed, and insecure. We serve a mighty God, ladies! Do not forget that!

[thursday] Oops, no picture

[friday] We are doing a Secret Santa exchange amongst the faculty and staff at school. I don't know who mine is, but they have been so generous! Snacks, drinks, and cute supplies like this! So sweet!

[saturday] We had a decorating party (of 5 ladies plus Nate) at the church. I need to share "after" pictures, it looks so pretty and festive for Christmas!

[sunday] My favorite cuddle bug, Chloe!

[monday] Craft night with two of my favorite ladies! They found adorable banners on someone's blog (I'm not sure which one, sorry!) and we cut them out with pattern scissors and added ribbon. So fun!

[tuesday] I had ANOTHER craft night with a dear friend, Bonnie! We saw an ornament swag made with ornaments and ribbon on Pinterest... so easy! She made red/silver and I made red/gold/green and they turned out beautiful! Looks like they cost a large chunk of money but it was so simple! Again, another post for that one!

[wednesday] The church received a catalog for this summer's VBS, Kingdom Rock! It looks to be very fun (medieval setting with castles and knights) and I am already starting the recruiting process!

[thursday] I purchased a white poinsettia and a student gave me a red poinsettia for Christmas! Beautiful flowers!

[friday] Date night and Christmas shopping with my darling! Chickfila, Starbucks, Ross, and Target were a few stops of the night. Love that I have a husband who enjoys shopping with me! He's too TOO good to me.

[saturday] Here I am (in red pants, SO CUTE, right?!) leading my little elves off the stage at our school's Christmas program! The kids wore red/green shirts with red/green elf hats. We sang "We Are Santa's Elves" from Rudolph and "Here Comes Santa Claus". They were so precious!

Another week down! So close to Christmas and my birthday! However, I am needing your prayers ladies! On Thursday, I am getting my wisdom teeth out at 6:45am. I am so nervous! Not about the procedure, but about the IV that will put me to sleep! I've never had anesthesia before, so I'm really stressing about it... So I ask... 

Have any of you ever had your wisdom teeth out? Everyone I've talked to has said to get the IV and go to sleep. That's what Nate did too when he had his removed a few years ago. You don't even have time to realize you're stressed! I'm hoping they're right... but it's the night before, the drive to the doctor, and the waiting that is making me nervous. I'm afraid I'll cry/faint/throw up/blood pressure will sky rocket. I HAVE TO REMEMBER that Jesus has got me and will be my strength even through a simple "surgery" like wisdom teeth removal! Think Jesus thoughts, think Jesus thoughts!

"I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2

[dwell] Do You Have An Advent Calendar?

Since December began yesterday, I have been itching to get an Advent calendar of some sort going. I made one a couple of years ago that had various Christmas-y things to do each day (Christmas cards, movies, cookies, etc)... but then I needed the cardboard for another project, so it is no longer with us.

When we have kids, I want to have an ornament Advent calendar, where we hang an ornament on the tree each day as we count down the days to Christmas. But since we have no kids this year, that won't be happening. I really like this one from Bower Power:

Source: bowerpowerblog.com via Chrissy on Pinterest

I found this lovely list of scriptures to read on Pinterest: a sort of "scripture" Advent calendar, if you will? Nate and I read the first one last night, so hopefully we keep this up!

Source: Uploaded by user via Chrissy on Pinterest

I also found this list of Christmas goodies to do during the month of December. I may condense it to 25 items (and I'll need to double up on a couple of days since it is already December 2nd).

Source: heart-2-home.com via Chrissy on Pinterest

What do you do to countdown the holiday? Religious? Secular? Do tell.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14