winter at home

even though i feel like i have not been home a lot this month i still try and take advantage of the days i have at home to cherish the season. here are a few snapshots of the past week.
you can find me on Instagram @kayla_sue

grace given to you

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 

John 1:1-5, 14, 16

Merry Christmas from my little family to yours.

let your hearts be light as you enjoy friends and family today, for you have been given grace upon grace.

our Christmas card 2012

our attempt at a "family" photo while decorating my dad's Christmas tree last week.

our Christmas card that we actually sent out to friends and family this year. Roy was not having fun.

happy Christmas Eve!

winter weddings

last Saturday Jordan and i drove down to Louisville and had the most wonderful time with family. it was a very special day and everything was so beautiful. i am so happy for my brother and so grateful to gain a new sister! love you both!

at the end of the day this was the only picture Jordan and i managed to take together (taken by my mom). i really need to get better at remembering to take pictures of the two of us. 

almost Christmas

photo 1::2::3

is it really only 5 days until Christmas? seriously, i blinked and this month is almost over. i am thrilled to be having those 5 days off to simple enjoy time with my family, (and recover from a back injury, nothing rest won't cure.) here is basically what you would find me doing when i am not working like a mad women. 

watching:: The Voice. Jordan and i are kinda in love with this show and because we both work late we usually record it and watch it later in the week. also, the finale of Dexter was this past Sunday and i am loving this show more and more. 

listening to:: some favorite Christmas tunes. i shared my playlist last week if you want to listen in. i am loving Zooey Deschanel's Christmas album, She & Him, as well.

looking forward to:: Christmas day at my in-laws, sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping coffee, with some classic Christmas music in the background. you have no idea how much i have been thinking about the days leading up to Christmas because they will be a much needed break from the craziness that has been this month. i will be having four Christmas' this year between our families and i can't wait to be around the people that i love so much and watch everyone open presents! i am also pretty excited about my church's Christmas Eve service, it's always so special.

making me happy:: the simple things; pajama pants, Mascato, time with Jordan, perusing blogs, listening to Christmas music, sleeping in, coffee with cream, clean sheets and a clean apt, mr. Roy's head-butts, lipstick, red nail polish, oatmeal cream pies and vanilla coke. 

hoping you find rest this holiday season.

my favorite Christmas movies + music

hello friends! my favorite holiday tradition, aside form decorating the tree and unwrapping precious ornaments, is definitely playing my favorite Christmas music and cuddling up to watch my favorite holiday movies. each selection below holds a special place in my heart this time of year and some are not your typical favorites.
i am very much looking forward to watching these movies with Jordan, on the weekend, on my couch, in my pajamas, with some popcorn...and wine.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946):: i have not gone a year that i can remember without watching Jimmy Stewart. i adore this movie and love it every time.

The Family Stone (2005):: i recently added this to my must-watch list. it's not your typical Christmas movie but the story takes place during Christmas time so i count that as a Christmas movie. i love it so much because it's what i want my Christmas' to look like when i am older and have five kids home to visit, (minus the awkward dinner conversations!)

While You Were Sleeping (1995):: i started watching this movie during Christmas time when i was in high school and have not missed a year since. both these movies are special to me in their own way.

Rudolph (1964):: my dad has always been in love with Rudolph (one year i got him character ornaments from the movie.) watching Rudolph is definitely a rich childhood memory of mine.


these are my favorite tunes to really get me in the Christmas spirit. enjoy!

what are some of your favorite music and movies of the season? share in the comments below.
*this post was inspired by Savannah and Jenny, thanks!

life lately according to my iphone and other things on my mind

as i mentioned in my last post blogging will be kept to a minimum due to my increased work hours. i decided to do this because i wanted to take full advantage of my precious time at home with my husband. with that being said, i wanted to drop by and tell you that i had a great Thanksgiving. we went up to Sheridan to visit Jordan's entire family. my mother-in-law makes the best Thanksgiving table. i was very excited about the food. after the relatives left Jordan and i had some good talks with his parents and sister. i am very thankful for the place i am in my life and my family. they mean so much to me.

i have literally been working everyday except Sunday since that day and expect to be working like that up until Christmas. so honestly i feel a little bit behind in a lot of things lately: 

my cleaning: i am exhausted when i get home so Jordan does what he can to keep things tidy. 

my cooking: we have been eating out more than i care to admit because, again, i am exhausted and can only think about food when i get home however it may come. 

my bookkeeping: with all the extra money i have been making i have not keep tabs as much i would like only because the last thing i want to do when i get home is think about those kinds of things. 

blogging: obviously. also, i think the last time i was on bloglovin i had (79) unread posts...no joke. 

my christmas shopping: not quite sure how i am going to accomplish this on my day off. i plan on making a lot of my gifts and shopping online some. 

my christmas decorating: we have not started, maybe tonight, maybe next Sunday. i don't have a lot of decorations but i wanted to at least have some Christmas spirit around here. i do have a holiday station on Pandora that i have been listening to. :)

i hope that the Christmas spirit is alive in all of you as we are in this season of advent.

happy sunday, your the best.