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{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

{Where Did Christmas Go?}


It seems that Christmas has come and gone and in a blink of an eye all the festivities are over! Christmas reminds me a lot like a wedding. All the planning, buying, preparing and POOF! But just as with a wedding the memories sure are sweet.

 Remember my corner chair in my kitchen? I sure have enjoyed decorating it. 

I realized that with all the Christmas activities that I had not shared with my blogging friends my Christmas decor. Just a word of WARNING...lots of pictures but some sweetness happened at Christmas for our family.

 I found this sweet picture of a red truck on line and bought the file so I could add my own wording. I made an 8x10 picture and framed it for my kitchen.

 Don't you just love my new salad/dessert plate? Simple tablescape but oh so fun. 




It was fun creating this fun tablescape this year and the red truck was actually a cookie jar.


 This cute dish sure held a lot of goodies over the holidays. 

First Yule Log I've ever made. Not too shabby. 



YEP, love me some Santa's. 

 This is the 2nd year I have used my skinny Christmas tree. I do love it because it takes up less space. I am thinking maybe next year I will use my larger tree and put my skinny tree in my kitchen. I inquired several larger ornaments this year and it calls for a bigger tree.

Beautiful ornament with all six of my grandbabies names on it. 

The hubs wasn't too happy that I put bows around their necks. He's lucky I didn't put Santa hats on them!


I won't show you any more pictures of my Santa's because then you will truly know I have ISSUES! And I won't show you the laundry room or the bathrooms. LOL! Love Christmas! 


Our sweet grandbabies has truly got to be the best thing EVER! Why didn't we have them first? 


I get them matching PJ's every year. I am finding that the older they get the harder it is especially when my one and only grandson doesn't care for some of the same kind of PJ's that the girls would love. So this year I found the bottoms at Target and then just bought them regular tops. Ordered the babies PJ outfit from Etsy but it matched great. Hers said, "I'm so cute that even the Grinch would steel me". 


This picture was taken Christmas Eve of my husband's side the of the family. IMMEDIATE FAMILY! Yep, it started out with two people that had four children and went from there. 
The scripture that says, "Be fruitful and multiply" was taken seriously. And...we have two more babies on the way. Two of our nephews and their wives are expecting next year.


This is my sweet family. God surely has blessed us. 

 These beautiful ladies are my daughter's. I surprised them GOOD this year with a special Christmas gift. I have one of those armoire jewelry cabinet's that sits in the floor and then a smaller jewelry box that sits on my dresser. I decided one day back in September to clean out and go through it all. I LOVE costume jewelry but it was time to do some cleaning. As I began to clean and go through I started gathering up the real gold and diamonds that I have had through the years. It is amazing at how much we confiscate and do not even realize it until we start cleaning. Long story short, I decided that I wanted to have each of my girls a necklace made or something. I mean some of my STUFF from the late 80's was so gaughty (not sure if that is a word, Ha!) that none of my girls would wear it! LOL! I truly did not realize how much I had and did not wear until the cleaning was done. A plan went into motion and right before Christmas the project was completed.


I was able to have each girl a white gold heart necklace with diamonds made. I could not have been more happier. 


 After viewing about 8-10 different designs I choose this one and I loved it and they loved it. I told my girls that I did not want to wait til I was DEAD for them to enjoy something that was mine. I want to see them enjoy it while I am living. Needless to say no dry eyes and y'all, I UGLY CRY! 


A sweet friend sent me a message after seeing this picture on facebook. She said, "This is the way we should live daily. Open hands and open hearts". MELTED MY HEART! 


I started a new tradition this year. I had this small Christmas tree and decided to take some of the Christmas cards I had gotten and cut around some of the designs. I cut out nine total. On the back of each one I listed one of the fruits of the spirit.


I then placed the one on top that said "Christmas" most to me.


When my family had opened all of their gifts and we had cleaned up all the trash I took a few minutes and gathered up my grandbabies in a circle. I asked my oldest granddaughter to recite Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I then explained to them what the Fruit of the Spirit meant. I asked them each to pick an ornament off the tree without looking at the back. Once they did I then explained to them how that fruit could be manifested in their life for 2019. Of course our 2 1/2 and 7 month old doesn't understand but all the same I wanted to do this with them. With three being left on the tree my three daughter's each picked one as well. Not only was this a time to reflect on living the fruit of the spirit for 2019 but also to tell the children that these are the fruits that Christians should be producing in their lives. 


And yes, I am all about the fun. I love Christmas. I love to decorate, to bake, to cook, to buy gifts, to wrap presents, and I do love me some Santa's. I love sharing the old family traditions and making new ones. I love my family and my friends. But I love Jesus more! If not for HIM there would be no CHRISTmas. 


And to make a happy ending to our Christmas, our family received the best and sweetest gift that we could ever receive. Our sweet granddaughter asked Jesus to come into her heart!  Our Kyleigh received the best and sweetest gift that she could ever receive. His Name is Jesus! The Name Above All Names". 


I do hope that you and yours had a Merry Christmas and that you felt the love of Jesus. Happy New Year to you all. 

Hugs and blessings, Cindy




Comments

  1. Well, Cindy this is the sweetest post and made my heart smile really BIG! I love your red truck decor, and all your other decor as well. The necklaces are such treasures and I agree, why wait until we are gone, it's fun to watch them enjoy some of our treasures while we are alive and kickin'. And, to have your Granddaughter accept Christ as her Savior, well, it just doesn't get any better. Blessings abundant for 2019!

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    1. Thank you Lea. Yes mam, i totally agree with you. ENJOY while I am alive and kickin'. Our Kyleigh has a brand new life in Christ. What could be better? Happy New Year.

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  2. Cindy, love all the pictures and decor. That red truck cookie jar is too cute.You are by Santa's like I am snowmen! The family photos are wonderful and I see you in all three of your daughters. I know they loved those necklaces and what a treasure and keepsake for them. Made me almost tear up reading about it. But I will agree with you. No greater gift than salvation. I am so happy for your family but most of all for that cute little granddaughter. Another precious soul saved.
    Connie Royals

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    1. Thank you Connie. The girls were thrilled with their keepsakes and we are sooooo happy for our granddaugther. Happy New Year.

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  3. Oh dear friend, thank you for sharing your wonderful Christmas details with us. Your decorations and table and...well, EVERYTHING is SO beautiful and festive....and LOVE the red truck theme! And I would have put the bows on the deer too...or Santa hats! Jim's wild boar heads hung in our cabin for years and every Christmas they wore the Santa hats! Those gorgeous heart necklaces are just so special...what a wonderful way to honor your beautiful daughters and I'm sure they will always cherish them. Happy New Year, Cindy! Much love and many blessings to you!

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    1. Girl, you know I had more picture to share but didn't want to push my luck at posting so many! LOL! Next year those deer will probably had some Santa hats on. I did do that one time many years ago. But I have four of those deer hanging in my living room. LOL! And quite a few hanging in the Buck room as Marty calls it. (Spare bed room) Happy New Year to you too dear friend.

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  4. Your house is beautifully decorated for the holidays and your cute family pics always make me smile. I wouldn't have minded seeing the decorated laundry and bathrooms. Hee! I heart the beautiful necklaces that you gave your daughter and your new spiritual tradition. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you Margie . I figured i was showing too menu pictures as it was . But girl my laundry room and bathrooms was so cute .😂 yes we are thrilled with our Kyleigh’s decision to accept Christ .

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  5. My dear Cindy, what a beautiful and touching post. Oh, how blessed your daughters are to have you as their mother. Your love for them is truly special and such a sweet gift. Also, I love what your friend said about open hands and open hearts...so true! It looks like you had an amazing Christmas, my friend, and I am so glad you shared your festivities with us. This is such a delightful time of year! Love and hugs to you! And Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you dear Stephanie . My girls was surprised and our hearts was full. Yes “open hearts and open hands “ surely spoke to this heart ❤️. Happy New Year to you and yours .

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  6. What a lovely post, my friend. Thank you for sharing and the many smiles...

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  7. Good evening! !
    It is 9:30 PM on 30th Japan time now.
    It is the custom of Japan's year end.
    In the year end, we say “Yoi otoshi wo” to each other wishing for the coming
    year to be pleasurable.
    The New Year season is the most significant season for the Japanese.
    All the Christmas décor is switched to the New Year’s in a blink.
    Major New Year icons are the pine tree, bamboo, plums and so on. All of them are symbols of good fortune and longevity.

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    1. Love reading about different ways each culture celebrates seasons and holidays . Happy new year .

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  8. It sounds like you had a WONDERFUL Christmas celebration!! I love your Fruits of the Spirit Tree. With all of the presents, eating and other hub bub, it’s important to be reminded of the true meaning of this season. Beautifully done! Blessings to Kyleigh (and your entire family)! And those special necklaces you had made for your daughters!! Oh my!! What a incredible idea! Blessings to you, dear Cindy, in the new year!! Zenda

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    1. Thanks Zenda . I enjoy different things in hopes that they will be fun and meaningful for my family . The girls loved their necklaces . I’m so glad that i could do this for them . Happy new year .

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  9. Oh, Cindy! That is SO wonderful that your dear, sweet girl asked Jesus to come into her heart! Oh, my, that just touched my heart so deeply! I can only imagine how much it touched yours. And, those necklaces! What a sweet and precious thing to do for your beautiful daughters. I know they will cherish those as long as they live, and it is so wonderful that you gave them to them while you can cherish those moments with them. So thankful you had an amazing Christmas, and trust God to richly bless you in the new year, my friend!

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    1. Thank you Cheryl . Yes we truly felt the spirit of Christmas when our granddaughter accepted Hesus into her heart ❤️ no greater gift for her or us . Happy New Year to you and precious family .

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  10. What can I say about your post? All that comes to mind is BEAUTIFUL! That's wonderful that your granddaughter became a Christian. Wishing you and your family the best in 2019. Kelly.

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    1. Thank you Kelly. We are thrilled for our Kyleigh . Happy New Year.

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  11. Happy to receive the good news of your granddaughter asking Jesus into her heart. And the necklaces you gave your daughters are so precious. Your dessert salad plates are so cute. That was so special to do the fruit of the spirit tree. What a neat way of teaching them. Yes, grandkids and great grandkids seem so special. I wonder if we think that because we realize how fast our own kids grew up! Thank you for sharing your beautiful decorations and ideas! Happy 2019! Nancy

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    1. Thank you Nancy . On to a fresh and new beginning now that the New Year is upon us . Hoping that you and your family has a wonderful New Year .❤️

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  12. Praise the Lord for that awesome news about your dear Kayleigh!!! The angels in Heaven are singing and rejoicing!
    Such a beautiful, beautiful posting of your Christmas, your family, your love for all the things that you enjoy over the Christmas season, your awesome decorating and those heart gifts for your daughters, WOW! Those are priceless and your daughters are blessed to have you as their dear and precious mother.

    I LOVED what you did for your grandchildren teaching them about the fruits of the Spirit.
    We have our three oldest grandsons here for a week over their Christmas holiday and we always take the time when we have them to teach them character traits and I believe you have just given me a great idea for our time around the Scriptures.
    My husband and I had something in mind, but I like what you have shared.

    Thank you for sharing your beauty with us.

    Blessings for the New Year ~

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words . God has surely been good to us . I love celebrating old traditions but love making new ones especially when they can be teaching moments . Happy New Year to you .

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  13. Cindy, I love your photos and am so glad you had a wonderful Christmas! Your family is beautiful and so are you! Happy New Year sweet friend! Love and hugs!

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    1. Thank you Benita . Nothing like the love of family . I’m just so honored that Bod choose me to a part of their life . Happy New Year .

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  14. You had a wonderful Christmas.

    We have two children and one grandchild (another on the way) and after 4 years of us getting both our kids/spouses for Christmas, it was the other family's turn. It was very quiet, but lovely.

    I love the necklaces!!!

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    1. Another baby on the way is very exciting . Nothing like adding an extra dose of love to our family like another little one . Happy New Year .

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  15. Oh yes... a lot of BEAUTIFUL pictures!
    I got all chocked up when I read about your jewelry and the hearts. Very special!

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    1. Thank you Christine . I pray blessings I’ve you abd you family fur a wonderful New Year .❤️

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  16. What a dear, sweet post, Cindy! I always love seeing your pictures and your home. Those new salad plates sure look pretty on your table. I love the truck cookie jar, too, and your corner chair that's decorated. I think Santa hats would look cute on your deer mounts (don't tell your hubby that I said so!). The verse that you choose for the small tree, is my VERY FAVORITE in the bible. That is such a good idea to write down all the fruits of the spirit. I must remember that for a time when I can use it. Having Kyleigh receive Jesus as her savior was a wonderful gift! Talk about gifts...those heart necklaces are sooooooo special and another wonderful idea. Happy New Year to you and your family, and thank you for sharing the joy with us! Love and New Year hugs are sent to you.

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    1. Thank you Kitty . We sure made sone sweet memories at Christmas . So thrilled that i could have the girls each an heirloom designed and made. They were very surprised . Kyleigh melted our hearts for sure . Happy New Year to you Kitty .

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  17. The gifts you gave your daughters are so beautiful, so meaningful. You have beautiful grandchildren...just a terrific family. I like the ribbons on the deer...festive and not one bit gaudy. Very much enjoyed seeing all your pretty decor. A blessed, bright year to you and yours!

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    1. Thank you Vee . I pray you have a wonderful and blessed New Year . May you be blessed beyond your beyond .❤️

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  18. You had such a beautiful holiday. I love your decorations, anything with a red truck and a tree and buffalo check everything! You have quite a Santa collection! Your yule log looks awesome, great job! All of the family photos are beautiful and those necklaces for your daughters!! So special and sweet!

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    1. We did indeed have a good holiday . I enjoyed my red truck and red/Black buffalo decor this year in my kitchen . The girls loved thier neckjsces . Happy New Year Heather .

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  19. I never know where to start to comment on all the good stuff you post, but first of all I want to apologize for being so late. The last few weeks have gotten the best of me and my days have all melded into one big gigantic Saturday...LOL (is that because I'm OLD?) I'm sooooo happy about your precious GRAND-GIRL accepting Jesus...that's the best gift EVER for any of us!!! And, I love all your decorations. I find I'm drawn to the "old timey" fotos of trees on old station wagons and red trucks! I found a little salt and pepper shaker at Dollar General - a red truck with removable tree in the back! HOPES and PRAYERS that 2019 will be so full of blessings for us both that we'll feel like we're gonna burst wide open - I do believe God has something good in store for us! Love you bunches, sweet Friend - and I'm so grateful for you!

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    1. Thank you friend . My days has been so messed up it too . I kept thinking on Christmas Eve that it was Dec 23 . Been staying later st night too but have got to get back in a routine . New year now and with that a new beginning . We are thrilled for Kyleigh . Haptic New Year my friend to you and your family .

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  20. Cindy, sorry I am so late in visiting. All your Christmas is just beautiful, love the red trucks and your new plates. Of course I always enjoy you family pictures, you are so blessed. I received your Christmas card and you to know how touched and blessed I am by the sweet comment you wrote. Dear Lady, I feel the same of you. I would love to sit in one of your classes and drink up your teachings. Lots of love and Happy, Happy New Year. AND...so happy for Kyleigh, God bless her. I think I heard the angels singing that night.

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  21. Awe Miss Mary . I would so love to sit st your feet and drink up your wisdom . What a blessing that would be . Happy New Year to you and yours .

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  22. Your vintage vehicles are adorable but not as adorable as those grand kids! Happy New Year Cindy.

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    1. Awe thanks friend . Those babies are surely precious . Happy New Year .

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  23. You certainly did have a Merry Christmas Cindy, your home, family and decorations are all so beautiful! Your gift to your daughters is so perfect, those heart necklaces will be passed down from generation to generation. Several years ago I gave my daughter some diamond studs that I never wear anymore and it thrills me to see her enjoying them. On to 2019!
    Jenna

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    1. Thank you Jenna. Yes, those girls will have those necklaces for years. I have already enjoyed seeing them wear them. Happy New Year to you.

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  24. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas with us! Love your skinny tree. I have a space issue as well and that would be a perfect solution for me! Love all the sweet family photos. You are truly blessed.

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  25. OMG .. such beautiful pictures...What a beautiful family.... Your Yule looks yummy .... I love your deer decor... It’s the kind of room to just relax in ...we had a Clancy with antlers on our wall too ( Ha Ha) ..
    Thank you for sharing the happy moment of togetherness... xoxoxox

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    1. Thank you sweet lady . We are a deer loving family needless to say. I hope you have a happy new year .

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  26. Cindy,
    I always love reading your posts especially the holiday ones when you showcase your beautiful family!! What a terrific post!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I am finally starting to feel better.... Happy New Year to you and yours!
    Hugs,
    Debbie


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    1. Thank you . I’m so glad you are feeling better . Happy new year to you .❤️

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  27. Love, love, love this post....from start to finish! I love your red truck dishes and decorations...they are all so cute...and then your Santas, and the kids, and JESUS...But those hearts for your girls...what a treasure! What a blessing! I know they cried. I almost did too, just reading about it! What a sweet, sweet thing to do. I love the Fruit of the Spirit idea too. That is great. the PJ's are cute too. You are a blessed grandma for certain!!

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    1. Thank you Pam . We sure had a great Christmas . Trying to get back to normal with a regular routine though and mercy ! Got my dates and days co fused lately 😂 happy new year .

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  28. Wonderful Christmas photos Cindy and lovely family photos. I always say the year flew by so fast and yet each year is still 365 days LOL! I took down all my Christmas decorations this past Wednesday evening and the apartment looks so bare now.

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    1. Thanks Toni . All my Christmas packed away too . I miss my Christmas lights . Thinking about putting up a valentines tree . 😊 Happy New Year to you .

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  29. Happy New Year to you Cindy and to your awesome family. Your grandchildren are so adorable. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Thank you . I hope that your New Year is laced with blessings .

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  30. I love your pictures...looks like you had a lovely Christmas. And praise to Jesus for saving your sweet granddaughter. God's gift to mankind is the BEST gift ever, and I am thrilled that your granddaughter accepted it. :)

    love,
    Ashley

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  31. What sweet gifts you gave to your daughters Cindy. I agree with you 100% why not share in the love now when we are still here to witness the joy these gifts bring. Nice going. And happy belated Christmas!

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So glad you stopped by to visit.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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