God's Little Grace

What Will Be In Grace's Stocking...

8:08 AM | Posted by Unknown

I'm finishing up Grace's stocking (I am attempting to sew it) and I thought I would share the items that will be stuffed. I love to hunt for items that are fun and will fit in a little space.

The total amount spent on Grace for Christmas between what will be under the tree and her in stocking is $50.00!

Book: I found these simple board books at Dollar tree and I know that she will love flipping through the pages.

Stuffed Animal: I thought this little elephant was so cute, especially hanging out of her stocking on Christmas morning! (If you can't tell by Grace's room, I love elephants!)

Sippy Cups: I bought these a while ago, and I am still a little hesitant about them, but I think we will give them a try. (I'll let you know how it goes...)

When I was growing up my dad will always fill up our stockings with fruit from the kitchen, and I am planning on keeping the tradition going and making her stocking fill extra heavy!

What will be hanging from your mantle this year?

Labels:baby,Holiday | 0 comments

What Grace is getting for Christmas!

4:17 PM | Posted by Unknown

I have literally been shopping all year for Grace's Christmas presents. I want to make it special for her, but I also do not want to spend a lot of money. Here is what will be under the tree for her on Christmas morning!

Corn-Popper: A few months ago I found this on sale for $5 and she loves dragging things around, so I am counting on this being a big hit!

B. Meowsic Keyboard: Grace loves music! She breaks out dancing at any sound of music. This little keyboard plays tunes and also different instrument, so when it went on sale for $20 dollars at Target I snatched it up!

Chunky Wooden Puzzle: I constantly look at all the adds on Sunday for all the stores. When Toys R US had their puzzles buy one get one free I immediately thought Christmas. Grace loves putting things together and doesn't currently have any puzzles.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzle: This is the other puzzle I bought.

NC State Pillow Case Dress: Of course all girls love clothes! I had to add one of my pillowcase dresses to wrap under the tree.

What will be under your tree?

PS- Don't tell Grace :)

Labels:baby,Holiday | 0 comments

Reindeer Run 5K

2:21 PM | Posted by Unknown

Saturday was a big day for me... I ran our local reindeer run... And I finished FIRST in my age group!!! This is a first for me! (Pun intended)

No matter how many races I run I still wake up with butterflies the morning of the run. I had not been running too much the week before, due to Michael getting home and the weather. So needless to say I really did not know how the run was going to turn out. When I woke up on Saturday there was a constant slow rain coming down, thankfully it wasn't too cold.

When I arrived at the race my favorite running moms were there!

This group of mommas has and is amazing! They are my true motivators, confidonts, encouragers and friends!

When the race began I was actually feeling pretty good. So I kept running till my watch beeped for the first mile and I looked down to see 7:33. This is not normal for me! But I kept running and gave it all I had. After all there were only 2 miles left. My official time was 24:17, which was only 19 seconds faster than my last 5K, but still faster!

By mile 3 I was so glad to be done, but also proud of myself for running and setting a PR for myself.

Now I am ready for the next race!

Labels:Running | 4 comments

Need Help Christmas Shopping?

6:34 PM | Posted by Unknown

Do you have a special little girl who needs a one of a kind dress for a special occasion? Look no further than my Etsy Shop! I have some dresses that are already made and ready to ship or I will be glad to make your custom dress for that special little girl. These are perfect Christmas presents for your nieces, daughters and cousins!

One of my very best friend has two very special, beautiful little girls who are modeling their dresses beautifully!

(Thank you Suzanne and family for being such wonderful models! Your family is beautiful and I love you very much!)

These dresses work well with white long sleeve shirts and leggings or without for any season!

Let me know how I can help!

Labels:Etsy | 0 comments

Our Christmas Tree

2:32 PM | Posted by Unknown

Ever since we got married we made a tradition of the Saturday after Thanksgiving driving to the mountains and picking out our Christmas tree! (You can check out our hunt last year here and our tree here)

We look forward to this time every year. We always go to the same wonderful Christmas tree farm. They have the best looking trees, best prices, wonderful FREE apple cider, marshmallows for the kids to roast by the fire and great service.

We were unable to see Grace's Uncle Oliver and Aunt Callie on Thanksgiving so we made a little detour on our way to the mountains to see two people we love greatly!

( I think she loves her Aunt Callie)

I think I was looking forward to taking Grace to pick out a tree more than I was looking forward to eating our Thanksgiving meal. And you know I love to eat! When we arrived at the farm Grace immediately started running through the trees. She was having the time of her life.

It was so cold that day, but she showed no sign of discomfort only pure joy and excitement!

She really was looking at all the trees and touching them just like her daddy.

Sunday was all about decorating! Michael is our expert Christmas decorator. Anything he touches can be made beautiful and festive.

In keeping with the tradition we began last year, Grace put the star on top of the tree.

Grace was a little worn out however after decorating all morning.

Now for wrapping presents!

Labels:Family,Holiday | 2 comments

Our Thanksgiving

8:40 AM | Posted by Unknown

We were looking forward to Thanksgiving so much! We were literally counting down the days and hours. Mostly because Michael was coming home the night before!

Our Thanksgiving began Wednesday afternoon heading to the airport! I have to be honest, I was a little nervous how Grace would react to Michael coming home. We had not seen him for 3 weeks and I knew he would have a beard from not shaving. She reacted perfectly and ran to him with a big smile and hug as soon as she locked eyes on him. Seeing her run to her daddy made my heart melt! She loves him so much!

After all the hugs and kisses, we hopped in the car and treaded through all the traffic to NC. Thankfully we made if safely to the McKenzie Household, just in time for some warm soup. We love spending time with family!

My mother-in-law knows how to make a house really feel like a home.

Grace is completely in love with her cousin Luke and wanted to be just like him.

Thursday evening we jumped back into the car to head to the Cross House (my side of the family). We were greeted by Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and dogs! The house was full, which makes the holiday really fun and festive. Grace loves having so many people to play with and mommy loves having so many people to change her diaper! Grace loved having two Thanksgiving meals too! (And mom didn't mind either)

I know you have heard me talk about my sister Margaret before and any holiday would not be complete without a good long run with my sister.

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday with friends and family! We are so Thankful and blessed!

Labels:Family,Food,Holiday | 0 comments

My Love

2:58 PM | Posted by Unknown

Today's post is all about Michael, my best friend, my husband, Grace's dad-dad, and the best person I know.

Michael has been gone for the last 3 weeks. You see his heart is bigger than anyone that I know. He loves all people "red, yellow, black and white". He was across the world sharing the good news of our Savior to people who have never even heard His name.

Some people might turn their head and wonder why he would leave his family, pay money, eat "interesting" food, sleep on the floor and fly on a plane for 24 hrs? He has a call on a his life for the unreached people of the world. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”(Romans10:13-15)

I know it is hard for most to believe that there ARE people in our world today that have not heard the word "Jesus", but there are millions! Now thankfully there are many more people who know the name of our Lord!

Even though it was hard for Grace and I to be here alone, we will gratefully be prayer warriors. Thank you for all who gave your time, energy and prayers.

Labels:Faith,Family | 0 comments