Mandy and Jace

So apparently Christmas is SUNDAY! I guess I’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks. My to do list just tripled in the past hour and now I hear the only day I have to get things done is Friday and the weather is supposed to suck. Strange enough though it hasn’t dampened my excitement for Christmas. This has always been and always will be my favorite time of year. I love all the lights and decorations. I love any excuse to sit by the pretty tree and drink hot chocolate AND THE FOOD!!! I decided a long time ago that Christmas food has no calories. It just can’t, it’s magical like that.
I am also reminded that Christmas time is why I am actually here. I’m finding as I’m get (ahem) older that the lights and gifts are moving farther behind the true meaning of Christmas. I am so thankful that God sent his Son for me so that I can live this wonderful life that I do. I am blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined and I know that it is all God. Everything I have from my amazing husband to my adorable house and all my stuff that I don’t need but love having is a gift from Him. I take no credit for it.

Speaking of blessings, I want to thank everyone who gave money to help me get to Africa next month. You guys have blown me away with your amazing, giving spirits. I never dreamed I would even be going much less have so much love and support behind me. I have all the money I need plus more that I’m going to use to buy gifts to take to the sweet women we are going to be ministering to. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is sneaking up on me. After the first of the year I’m going to get my to do and to get list together and get moving. New experiences are so much fun! I can’t wait to finally be able to feed my wonderlust and see parts of God’s creation that I have never seen and also most importantly to tell these wonderful women about HIM. It’s going to be amazing!

Doesn’t that look amazing? The mountains, hot chocolate and a big blanket. Sign me up!

Photo via Pinterest

Tonight: Five spice beef stir fry with squash, zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and noodles.
Tuesday: Braised Chicken with Rosemary, White Wine, Golden Raisins, and Mushrooms
Wednesday: Christmas party
Thursday: not sure yet. It’s supposed to be cold this week so I’m thinking some kind of soup and bread.
Friday: Christmas date night. Yay!!

Happy eating!

I’m really not sure what compelled me to read this book, but the second I started reading I was hooked. This book is written by Blake Mycoskie the founder and creator of TOMS shoes. In the book he talks about how he decided to start making TOMS and what propelled him to create his one-for-one business. If you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years and haven’t heard about TOMS I will break it down for you. For every pair of TOMS shoes sold the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need of shoes.
He explains in this book how he took a trip to Argentina and saw first hand the children who didn’t have shoes to wear and the diseases they were getting by walking around barefoot all the time. He decided to create a comfortable shoe that is durable for the children to wear. His idea and shoes became a success and millions of shoes have been given to needy children.
Not only will the stories in this book bring you to tears but he goes into his business strategies and how to run a successful business and be successful in life in general. I highly recommend taking time to read this book. I now have a new respect for the TOMS brand, a new pair of shoes and a child to pray for that is walking in a pair of shoes for the first time because of my $44.

photo via Pinterest

Tonight: spaghetti Bolognese
Tuesday: chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn
Wednesday: not sure yet. Probably something in the crock pot.
Thursday: church Christmas banquet
Friday: date night

Happy eating!

Just some photos from our awesome thanksgiving meal.