Weekend Wrap Up

Valentines week is always special around here because this one's birthday is only 4 days before!

 

I treated him to IHop for breakfast (since for some reason he decided to schedule work on his birthday). The surprise was on him when the staff at IHop sang the Happy Birthday song. Of course it helps that they know us at IHop. LOL

That weekend we invited two friends to join us for dinner at the Annual Minister's Wives banquet. We ended up at the table with friends from Marc's home church. We may have been in the back of the room but that did not stop us from having fun. LOL

Football!!!

Never in my life would I have thought I would do a post on sports!! But never ever say never! lol

Since coming to WABC sports have become a part of my life! Not for the reasons you would think though. A large number of our leadership members are diehard Redskin Fans. My husband is not!! lol Somehow he became an Eagles Fan (with no persuasion from this Philly born girl). There is constant ribbing back and forth between him and several of the Redskin fans. During football season the text between all of us are hilarious!! Over the years this has created a bond between what should be rival viewpoints. Instead it's helped us to reinforce the concept of team ministry. And idea that we are all in this together! The game this year between The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Panthers gave us an opportunity to cheer for the same team (well most of us). 

 

I once saw a sign a pastor posted on his wall that truly spoke to me about what a team really looks like. I even screen shot the photo to remember it when working in ministry. It said the best teams are made up of a bunch of nobodies, who love everybody, and serve anybody and don't care about becoming a somebody!

If more of us remembered this motto in ministry imagine how much more we could accomplish? After all we are all nobodies that God created into somebody! 

We had a great time that evening and even though the team lost...our "TEAM" won because we've learned to go all in for the cause together!! 

Of course next season Marc and I will be back to cheering on our Eagles against those "dead skins"! HAHA! And this time we will have our gear on!!! 

Designed by God

 

 

 

Saturday I got to sit in on one of the most inspiring Bridal Showers I have ever had the privilege to be a part of. So many women of every age all under one roof dispensing wisdom to the bride to be (daughter of a longtime friend) ! It felt as if we were at a Oprah Winfrey Legends Luncheon or around the fire in Africa with women from the village. It was so refreshing to hear words of wisdom that were intertwined with faith and a love for our God from not just older women but from the younger generation of women as well. It gave me hope for the future (and the generation that they will raise). That day  proved just how important it is to have the friendship of Godly women who can literally speak into your life. Congratulations DeAnna and her mom Peggy. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this special day ! I feel truly blessed to have you ladies in my life as a part of my extended family. Its an experience that I will never forget.

Happy New Year!

Can you believe we are 12 days into 2015? I know I can't! The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of events but one of my goals for 2015 is to get back to blogging more regularly and to stop and to use my SLR camera more often. As convenient as having an iPhone is I miss have good quality photos on my blog! I'm also hoping to bring back some of my "series" post. I slacked off big time in 2014 so that has got to change.

New Years Eve and New Years Day seem to come and go in a split second but I do have a few pics from our New Years Day family dinner to share. Its been a tradition on my mothers side of the family for as long as I can recall to get together New Years Day with the family for dinner. I've hosted a few myself. But it began a long time ago at my grandparents home. This year my mom agreed to host. Needless to say it doesn't take much for our clan to get together and we had an awesome time!!!

 

You can't have a great New Years without some awesome food.

My Aunt Julia the 93 year old matriarch of the family!

The family gathered around for prayer (just like my grandfather use to have us do). We even broke out into song lead by auntie. If your my friend on facebook you might have seen the video. LOL

Marc and I surprised everyone by bringing my Godmother to dinner. She was the First Lady at my home church for many years. Some of you may have heard me speak of my Godfathers passing last year. I was so glad that she was available to come. She told us several times just how much she enjoyed the day! 

Marc and I had purchased and had names monogrammed on aprons for my daughters, my sister and my mom. Somehow I forgot to bring them Christmas so I took them to give out New Years. Nicki was sick that day so my cousin Babs stepped in for her. LOL

 

I am grateful that we have been able to keep the tradition that my grandparents started going. And I'm even more grateful for the family that God placed me in. Do you have any New Years Day traditions?

Day Date to Williamsburg

 

Marc and I went on a day date to Colonial Williamsburg right after Christmas.  I grew up less then 40 minutes from the historical area and I've always loved visiting since I was a child.

This picture does not do this tree justice. It was huge!

We went window shopping at Merchants Square and I even got a chance to go in a Williams Sonoma for the first time.

As many times as I have been to Williamsburg I had never been during Christmas but had always heard about how beautiful the decorations were. I finally got to see it in person. I may have to incorporate some of their ideas next year. LOL

My other favorite thing is all of the Colonial looking homes. It was always my dream that when I got a home it would look like this. I cam close with my porch just not the dormer windows. LOL

Next year we are hoping to go to Busch Gardens for their Christmas Town set up. It was great having Marc home those few days and it was especially great to just get out and hand together.

What I Got For Christmas

 

I'm a big fan of YouTube vlogs. One of my favorite families to follow is The SacconneJolys. My girls know just how much I love watching this couple and their adorable children. So Nicki surprised me with their calendar for Christmas.

 

Marc wouldn't tell me what he had gotten my mom for Christmas until a few days before Christmas because he said I would want one. He was right! So imagine my surprise when I opened up one for myself! 

I've eyed the Pandora bracelets forever, especially once they started producing Disney charms. I just couldn't justify the cost. I did find some alternative bracelets by Alex and Ana that I love )and that are on my wishlist as a future purchase) but my oldest daughter and son surprised me Christmas morning with this.

 I thought the Cuisinart was my only gift. Boy was I surprised when I opened up this beauty from Marc!

 

Disney seemed to be the theme of the day. My sister gave me this Christmas ornament and my mom gave me Mickey pajama pants. LOL We had a great Christmas and got to spend it with family the entire day. So what did you all get for Christmas?

Blended Family

My step sister and my niece, nephew and great niece came in town from Maryland to visit my mom just after Thanksgiving.