a warm house...

Our Chi Chi {my sister} bought a house a few months ago. So tonight...we had over her dear friends to make new memories in her new home!

We celebrated...
...that the walls are painted
...the curtains are hung
...there is a fire in the fireplace
...warm cider on a cold Texas night...
and most of all...
we celebrated this huge step for my little sister!

We are so proud of you Chi Chi...you homeowner!!
{ Meg {on the L} was ChiChi and I's first babysitting job...she was less than 6 weeks old and I fell in love!!! She is now in 7th grade...I think thats how old I was when I started keeping her....yikes!!! }

{ love these babies that aren't even babies anymore }

I gave her this pillow...but of course, it has a story all its own. I wanted her to have something warm, cozy, and a reminder of the past. The crown and green wool center was a sweater that we shared. It made the move with me to Cleveland, but was one of the many clothes that we exchanged and traded and was in the pile of "you can have this, but give it back when and if you ever want to get rid of it" {yes...that is a legit category with our clothes swaps!} This one made the move to PA too, but soon landed in the get rid of pile...therefore, it was time to send back to sister...in a new way of course! I asked my mom to make it into a pillow for me {again, I can't sew a stitch!} and she and Ms. Rebecca put their creative juices, talented hands, and luscious fabric scraps to work...and {as everything they touch} wooolllaa! gorgeous!!! she loved it...and yes, recognized it immediately!!!!

{I did a horrible job at pics...meaning I overly enjoyed catching up with everyone that I forgot to capture all the little moments! I didn't even get a pic with the hostesses...thanks so much mom, Ms. Rebecca, and Ashleigh...I think we welcomed KK in her new house in style!!}

the graduate...

another one down...one left to go!

What a year of graduates for our family...all the boys graduated this year...hubby from medical school, Dallas from HS, and Austin from college! I am so grateful I was able to be home in time for my brother's graduation...and hubby would have loved to have been there...{he will be flying in soon}.

Austin graduated and we celebrated... so many many congrats bub...we are so proud!! The Commencement Speaker was the same speaker that was at Dallas' HS graduation in May...a fascinating man with a wonderful story!

...the celebration...of course Mexican food would be involved! Since Austin has been a tiny tot he has had an obsession with hot sauce...and would eat it with a spoon when he was little. So it is only fitting that his party revolve around fajitas and a Mexican fiesta!!!

{ all 4 of us ...#2, #4, #1, #3 }

{ austin's favorite girls }

{ the newlyweds }

old is new!

I have been wanting to try this little project of turning the store bought green bottle brush trees into vintage looking white wonders... I told my mom about it while I was home and as always...she jumped right on it AND had everything we needed...meaning I didn't have to get out of my pjs to make a run to the store!

First things first...a bleach bath! I was amazed at how fast the colors of deep green changes to creamy white! {tip: be sure and purchase the bottle brush trees and not the "fakes" made of plastic...plastic doesn't bleach!}

Fresh from their bleach submersion you then dunk them a few times in a water bath...cleaning off all the bleach. Then let them towel dry {aka: dry on a towel}

You can leave them the creamy white {as seen in the first picture above} OR you can branch out {pun intended!} and add a little pizazz with color. We decided to dye a forest of them pink knowing they would go perfectly with my sister's decor and just in time for her housewarming!

So remember this little project for next year as you pass the 75% off holiday aisle...grab your trees now and store them until next Christmas or go ahead and have a little fun now bathing them on a snowy day!

sweet babe...

I got to finally meet Mr. Riley this trip! He is a doll face and the first babe of one of my oldest and dearest friends!


It was so good to catch up with Sarah and meet her new doll of a baby...he is just about the happiest little guy I've met in a long time!! I could have spent all day playing with him and catching up with his momma!

I'm so glad I got to hug your neck and catch up with you Sarah!!!! It was such a treat! What a blessed little one you have!

a gift...

More so this year than I ever remember before...I have felt that so much of what Christmas has become is retail. I felt it when I stood in line a few days ago at Target...all the lines were open and packed...so for economic reasons I was thankful...then I began to look around at the throngs of shoppers...

...the one behind me couldn't believe all that she was purchasing..."how did this get into my basket?" she asked her mom. She wasn't hateful...but it sounded like forced gift buying.

...the women in front of me was purchasing a bushel of gift cards and the gift bags to put them in...there were around 6 identical cards for one amount and that many x a few for a different amount {I know...I had a lot of time to stare...what else to do as the cashier rings up each card one by one}. Now I know that these cards could have been on her list for many reasons...

...raffle prizes
...service gifts {delivery man, post office, librarian, etc.}
...or even an easy way to give a "fair" gift to all on her list

but I couldn't help wondering if they were the solution to..."I need a gift and

...don't have time to shop
...don't want to make something
...or don't know what they like."

Now don't get me wrong...I prefer gift cards it gives me fun money all the year through!...and this isn't about the gift cards people...hang with me.

Its about the giver {and I'm not at all judging this lady...her situation just got me thinking}...why don't we give this plentiful year around {ok my mom does as most of you know...thats just her love language}, but what I mean is so much seems out of obligation. I overheard a young girl yesterday ask her friend..."are you giving gifts to your friends this year? I just don't want to give a gift and not receive one in return"..."I mean, I wouldn't want someone to be uncomfortable."

{ rambling...I am...but making sense...not sure... }

I'm trying to say is I hope no matter what we give...a craft made by own our hands, an heirloom soaked in history, a gift card to a favorite store, or a "thing" that looks just like them...I hope its all out of love and a heart for giving...

I'm pretty sure thats why Christ came...not out of obligation, or because everyone was doing it {we know this is a farce}, but because His heart...His heart was full of such love for us...just for us. What a gift!

pretty little christmas party...

There is a Pretty Little Christmas Party going on in blogland that I was excited to join in on and share with you friends! There is lots of links to some creative goodness, season's greeting, and such tasty eye candy! So head on over to these ladies who have been so kind to draw back their curtains and let you peek inside...

To the visitors just stopping by for a peek at the pretty little Christmas at our house... welcome!! I look forward to stopping by your home and peeking in with a hello! Its so nice to have you... come on in...

christmas at the country club...

Last weekend hubby and I attended our first formal dinner as "dr. and mrs.". The hospital hosted a wonderful party at one of the traditional country clubs in the city. Hubby had been very sick a few days earlier so we were so glad to have made it. It was a wonderful evening full of dear friends, funny moments, good food, a violinist, and dessert...oh yes, and the biggest tree I have ever seen indoors!

the cute preggos...due...
our crew...the Resident's Wives Club {plus Billy and missing a few}... and the next are the Doctors {missing a few too}!
{ This was my camera's last outing...she went out in style didn't she! I'm so sorry that some of the pics are "sickly" and the others...well thank you so much Shea for sharing! All you other gals with pics...I would most thankful if you would like to share yours too! }

come on in...

{ As I mentioned before...I am thankful to have taken several pictures of our Christmas decor before my camera was mailed out for repair. }

So come on in...the fire is roaring {I am obsessed with it!}

...the tree is trimmed {complete with our collection of Radkos...oh how they make me smile!}

...the stockings are hung...

...the mantle is decked...

...my obsession {or better yet my mom's since she sent them all} with old Christmas balls is apparent with them all over the house...

...what are some of your Christmas decoration favorites that you enjoy bringing out each year?

a dear friend...

we have been dear friends for some time...
it was an instant "click" of a connection...
she was there for all the milestones...
and even the little moments.

She always did her best to make these moments big or small...
special...
and seen in the best light...

I think I relied on her too much...
wore her out...
I was too demanding of a friend...
is that really a friend at all...
or a "user"?

She really is dear to me...
despite her age of the world's standards as "old"...
she is dear to me regardless...
and shall not be pushed aside.

She is sick...
I noticed it this summer...
and even mentioned to you friends that I thought she wasn't her o'le self as of late...
well...we went to the doctor yesterday...
she has been mailed out...
and won't return for 2-3 weeks...
we'll be missing Christmas together for the first time...EVER...
the geek doctor said yesterday that she might need a transplant...
I asked if she would return to me either way...

now a replacement friend would be welcomed...
but sentimental me...
being the good friend I desire to be to her...
as she has been to me...
I need her back...
fixed or unfixed...
she needs to retire next to the friend I had before her...
{yes I still have my original digital...it was a gift from hubby afterall!}

While thinking good thoughts during her diagnosis I would like to share a pic of us together during her our younger days...since she is never photographed afterall... she deserves some spotlight...

needless to say...the blog will be missing her...{thank goodness she already shot most of my Christmas decor...to be shared soon!}

UPDATE: a jewel...

So you may remember this little gem of a find...and also my uncertainty of its monetary worth...I came across this site yesterday... and to my gleefully squealing surprise I think I have indeed found a wonderful prize! {check out the price tags...}

...and while you're over there you might as well feast your eyes on the gorgeous baubles...

{ images borrowed from pariscoutureantiques.com }

tis the season...

why is it that my christmas tree just makes me smile...
...not just because its full of glitz, glitter, and sparkle
...why when we have never celebrated around it on christmas day
...or even christmas eve
...and its not even the reason for the season
...but still it causes a grin and a warm heart!

maybe its because...
...of the sentiments it brings
...or the glittered balls which are the same as my mom's tree
...perhaps it is the reminder of every christmas that we've been away...meaning we have been able to be back home and not around it
...it could be because of the childish reminders it evokes
...and even the reminder that we will be going home for the holidays soon...

yes maybe that is it...
we are heading to texas this year...
and we couldn't be more grateful...
we feel so blessed each and every year to be home for christmas
...but this year...
this year is different...
we weren't promised it and we weren't even expecting it in hopes not to be disappointed
...we were hoping, but knew that as a first year dr. hubby wouldn't be the first to get to go...
well just a few weeks ago we were excited to find out that we would indeed be spending christmas in texas...
we know it will be short...very short, but instead we choose to concentrate on it will be!

{ ps...for those sweet friends who have asked...christmas decoration pics coming soon! }

baby legs sale...{best ever!}

an exclusive offer friends...
BabyLegs are on sale now...

buy 1 get one 1/2 off!! or buy 2 get one free!
{ and so on if you are really wanting to stock up! }

I have added several new styles and many styles are being discontinued...so be sure and snatch up your favorites before they are gone...because when they're gone they're gone! Great stocking stuffers for the littles and a hip gift to welcome a new baby!

*** Please enter the coupon code HALMERRY in the comments box at checkout and you will be refunded the savings after your transaction has settled. ***

Sale ends 12.12.08

o christmas tree...

o Christmas tree...how lovely are thy branches! Loyal readers will remember and friends will recall hearing...we didn't set up our Christmas tree last year. Life was HECTIC with my work, hubby's schedule with finalizing school obligations, T&T, and preparing to be gone for over a month...so I was extra excited this year to pull out the tree...

well...{of course there is a story to follow...}

Hubby just finished a tough rotation this last month {one of his favorite though} and weekend also marked the halfway point of 2 weeks straight on-call. So...when he was able to take a nap on Sunday I decided to get the Christmas tree out of the garage, out of the box, and set up myself...yes I'm impatient {hello I've waited 2 years to put my tree back up!!}. I thought it would be a great surprise to have hubby wake up to a set up tree. Well...I was successful in most of the steps and even got the 2nd section of the tree up and was fluffing it...when...it began to tremble...and I got queasy. My stomach dropped as I knew what was happening...the tree stand broke the last year we had it up and I had super glued it back...I reinforced it Sunday with more super glue...but it was now proving not to be holding...OH MY! With the 2nd section on it is now well over my head and I am about to panic with how in the world am I going to gently lay down this entire tree...I kid you not..hubby walked out of the bedroom from his nap. {ok so I was going for a different surprised look then...grab the tree PLEASE!!!} What perfect timing...my hero! The visions of solving this issue and then the thoughts of...why didn't you wait for me to help you...were becoming overwhelming and the tree wasn't standing much longer!

I'm assuming you would like to see a picture of all these events... sorry ...can't multi-task that well!

So after more super glue and JB weld and still no luck...I headed to Low*'s for a new stand...with my bum legged one in hand of course! After quite a while at Low*'s starting in the Christmas section with the white-haired gentleman I ended up in the Lumber section with a young man not yet convinced that my crazy idea of fixing my current stand was possible...I refused to give in {I was not buying a new tree because of bum legs!}. He so very nicely gave me some scrap lumber and showed me the screws he recommended...and sent me off wishing me luck chuckling {I'm sure}!

Hubby fixed the tree. It is standing. Now decorated and has a cast on its bum leg...you'll never notice though {if you don't lift up her skirt}!