Christmas

November 2020 :: A Recap

December 4, 2020 by Michelle Filed Under: Christmas, Life Leave a Comment

I started to title this post as “November :: Where Did It Go!?”
Because it’s gone, y’all! It’s December 4th and I’m like, “WAIT! I wasn’t ready!!!”

Not even half-way ready. Like a girl, hair wet from the shower I just jumped out of with a towel half-way wrapped around me to answer the door…I.AM.NOT.READY!

Bless it all. But December is here which means I get to sit down and recap November….which at the same time feels like SO LONG ago! I’m in some weird time-warp.

Alas…November for the DrewCrew as we call ourselves, was nothing short of fun and busy. I’m sure you can relate!
Our crazy orange-headed third child turned the big 4 last month and I wasn’t ready for that. Four years of his mischief, laughter {he’s got a fantastic laugh}, and stubbornness. We had a “ROAR-ing” good time with his dinosaur-themed party…

Andrew and I celebrated 10 years of marriage in the middle of the month and I’m still looking around wondering how in the world 10 years flew by as fast as it did. I have to tell you that without Jesus in our marriage, we would not have made it these 10 years. Truth. School, work, side hustles, three kids and a miscarriage within a 3.5 year span, my mother’s passing and the deaths of others in our lives; moving our home, moving to a new church home, the chaos of life can at times scream loudly. I’m thankful that Jesus’ beckon is the still small voice that can still be heard over the loudness.

We celebrated part of our day by hanging out on the pontoon boat at Lake Murray. The wind was intense…

We had Thanksgiving in south Georgia at my brother’s house and it was utterly delightful to be in his home with his wife and kids. To say we had a wonderful time is an understatement. My dad was also able to come spend some time with us which in itself was a tremendous blessing.

Some of the in-betweens were: soccer games and Saturday mornings in the cold have come to an end. The kids did great and I shared on my Instagram and Facebook that Reynolds won the Big Foot award on his team for having one of the strongest kicks! Eliza Jane was nothing short of FIERCE on the field! And Emory was…well, Emory.

We also did some Christmas family photos that I’ll share in the coming days – because my kids are so good looking :). We have decorated the entire house and outside for Christmas – because it is the most WONDERFUL time of the year. There’s no season I love more than the celebration of our Savior’s birth!
And on that note, I’m going to share with you this beautiful benediction that I read this morning. It comes from an Advent Devotional that the staff at my church has written this year…

Enjoy your first official weekend of December, and until next time…

On Writing Thank You Notes…

January 23, 2017 by Michelle Filed Under: Being a Mom, Christmas, Gift Giving, Stationery Leave a Comment

First of all, I really should own a stationery store or company with all the excitement I have regarding notes and letters and pretty papers.

The other day I got a sweet email from someone asking if Reynolds has learned to write a thank you note. Sadly, he has not, but he’ll scribble his name or trace his hand on a birthday card so that counts for something, right?! {We’re getting there…}

That email did get me thinking about the fact that I have not written thank you notes just yet for all the Christmas gifts we received {sigh…} and I can’t believe that January is half-way over so I’ve got to get on them…fast! So where do you go for help to write your thank you notes? I’m not the most creative person when it comes to writing {or anything else} so sometimes I need a little inspiration.

Well, lucky for us, Gifts.com has created a helpful guide to inspire us all. It provides tips and examples on how to properly write a thank you note, including some do’s and don’ts to make our friends and family members feel appreciated. It really is terrific!

Now go get your stationary, I’ll get mine!, and let’s get writing! Don’t worry about being too formal, a thank you will always put a smile on anyone’s face!

If you’re in need of Thank You notes or stationery, check out my last post about Basic Invite or check out the link below!

Happy writing!

Christmas Carols : O Holy Night

December 21, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Christmas Leave a Comment

I remember it like it was yesterday, when Celine Dion’s Christmas album came out in 1998. I was 18 years old and I listened to her cd on repeat that Christmas season.

The most beautiful voice singing one of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever written. Two forces combined into one…and I couldn’t get enough of O Holy Night.

Here it is for your enjoyment: Celine Dion : O Holy Night.

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He 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

Just 4 days to go until Christmas! I hope as we near the celebration of our Savior’s birth that you await His coming!

Christmas Carols : Silent Night

December 20, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Christmas Leave a Comment

One of the greatest Christmas Carols, that points us straight to the Savior, is Silent Night.

The one often sung at the end of a Christmas Eve service, with candles lit throughout the sanctuary, it is one of the most memorable and moving moments of the service for me and often brings me to tears.

The version of this song that I am sharing tonight isn’t one that would typically be sung at a Christmas Eve service…but it is one of my favorites of Silent Night. I hope you enjoy this rendition by Mercy Me.

Mercy Me : Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Christmas Carols : Do You Hear

December 19, 2016 by Michelle Filed Under: Christmas 1 Comment

We had our Carols, Candlelight and Communion service last night at church and first of all, it was beautiful. I’m used to a service like that, on Christmas Eve, and wanting it to make the Christmas celebration longer. Having the service last night was amazing, and made this week of Christmas start off with so much more meaning than so many years in the past.

As I laid in bed last night thinking back over the service and the songs we sang, I contemplated Christmas Carols. Carols are songs or hymns whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas, and typically sung at the time of Christmas.

Christmas as you know, is a celebration of Christ’s birth.

It’s not about Santa, or the Elf on the Shelf, or presents or anything else. It’s about Jesus.

So…to continue my own heart’s worship of this week of Christmas, and the celebration of our Savior’s birth, I thought I would share a Christmas Carol with you each day this week.

All pending, of course, on the cooperation of one tiny human who is currently lying by my side…

Today’s Carol is Do You Hear What I Hear:

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
Do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
Do you know what I know
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

My favorite version of this song is sung by the late Whitney Houston.

Until tomorrow…Merry Christmas week dear friends!