happy birthday Jesus!

In all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it can be so easy to forget what it is all about.  My purpose each year is to never forget the reason for celebration. The true reason that we celebrate Christmas, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus into this world, and more importantly the birth of God's plan for redemption of His precious creation! Wow, there is SO much to celebrate! God had a master plan to bring His creation back into fellowship with Him, and that was packaged in all that Jesus was.  Praise God!

Thank you God for sending your son to this world for me, so that I can spend my eternity with you.  What a precious gift that you gave to me, and to this world, and it is truly the very BEST Christmas gift I have ever and will ever receive!

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

Happy Birthday Jesus! I love you so much! I pray that all of you would be able to truly celebrate the meaning of Christmas this year, and that you would let God's redeeming grace into your life and find fellowship with Him.  If you do, it will truly be a MERRY Christmas!!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!!

Love from me to you,

Kimmy

i've been a cookie baking fool!!

So, I said one of my goals this Christmas season was to bake a lot more than I did the previous year, and I accomplished that goal!!! Growing up one of my favorite memories of Christmastime was baking goodies with my Mom. As I am working on building new traditions between Scott & I, and future traditions for our kids, I knew that I just HAD to get baking. If I can't do it when I don't have kids, I knew there would be no chance of doing it when I have my hands full someday in the future.

So, I set out to make some goodies this week. I didn't get pictures of them all but I made a lot of yummy treats. I decided to make some goody bags for my co-workers as a Christmas gift for them.

Here is what I made:

-Chocolate dipped peanut butter Ritz sandwiches

-Sugar Cookies

-Oreo Truffles, thanks Be Different, Act Normal for the recipe!

-Buckeyes

I have never made Buckeyes before, but I saw them on multiple blogs and figured if all these lovely ladies thought they were so grand, then they HAD to be good...and boy they were!! If you haven't tried them, you definitely should!

Here are the pictures I did end up getting. I love baking and what a mess it makes in my kitchen...I try not to freak out but I really hate big messes!

I normally BURN my sugar cookies, so this year another goal was to make them not CRISPY but perfectly yummy and I must say I was proud of how they turned out.

Now, here are my goodies that I made for my co-workers.

I found these adorable treat boxes at Target and I just couldn't resist!

I also found these cute snowman bags to pass out to some of the ladies I volunteer with at church. I think they are just as equally adorable!

So thus ends my Christmas baking for this year! I am so happy that I tried some new things and that I get to bless other people with some yummy snacks. I know that it always brightens my day to get some treats, so I am hoping that it does the same for them. I just LOVE Christmastime!

Lots of love from me to you,

Kimmy

12-11-02 <3

7 years ago today, my sweet husband asked me to be his girlfriend. We were so very young (15 & 16) and infatuated with each other, it was truly young love in the very best way!! I remember how nervous I was sitting in the lunchroom as we talked and he asked me out. Wow young love is soooo dorky!! However, I now look back at those days with such delight in my heart. It was my first thrill of a relationship, my first thrill of saying I had a boyfriend!! Even though we were so young, I knew in my heart that there was something so very special about us. I truly knew in my heart that God had some great things in mind for us as a couple and boy was I right!! On that day, if I would have had any clue what the next 7 years would hold for us, I wouldn't have believed it!! So many wonderful times shared, so many challenges, but good or bad, it's all been so wonderful!

In Scott, I truly have my best friend, my best support, and a living example of God's amazing love. We have grown so much in life together from being silly teenagers, to now husband & wife, and I can't wait to see what the next 7 years hold for us! We have had an amazing love story crafted and planned by our Heavenly Father and I love living a new chapter of it every day of my life.

Honey, I love you now & forever and thank you for putting up with my crazy pants teenage drama, our long distance two year relationship in college, and everything that I challenge you with every day as your wife. You are more than a blessing to me and I love you more than words could ever say!

Here are some fun pics of us through the years!!

Senior Prom 2005

I love how he is looking at me!

Senior Retreat 2004

His first Oklahoma visit 2006

He came to visit me my 2nd year in college..don't worry I made PLENTY trips home my first year!

Summertime 2006

Totally us you have no idea!

Our FIRST official date

2002

We look SO young!

the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy December ya'll!! :) This time of the year is definitely my most favorite of all! I love Christmas SO much that I have had all my decorations up since mid-November. I know...I know...but that's before Thanksgiving?! *GASP!* I just love Christmas that much! I convinced my hubs to buy lighted garland for our beautiful banisters. I wish my camera was able to take a good picture of it so I could share it with you all...however my crummy...er, older camera wasn't down with cooperating but let me tell you it's gorgeous!

I can't wait to get my Christmas shopping on and this year my goal is to bake more Christmas goodies than I did last year. Growing up my Mom pretty much baked the entire month of Christmas and I have so many fun memories helping her eat...I mean bake...those goodies! With this being Scott & I's second married Christmas, we are still working on establishing traditions that we define holidays for our family so I am hoping to find some yummy treats to take on. I know so many of you share your great snacks & treats and I am excited to hear them all!

I haven't been crafting/thrifting lately, sorry!! I haven't had time to and with the holidays coming up every extra penny is heading towards that so for now it's on pause but I hope to share some fun things around my home this Christmastime. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we sure did! Ate way more that we should have but loved spending time with our families.

Lots of love from me to you!

Kimmy

what i'm thankful for...part two

Ok, I know I said I was going to post something every day but it just didn't quite work out that way! I ended up being a lot busier this week than I had planned and so here I am on Thanksgiving day posting only part two!!

I guess that it's hard to really narrow down the things that I am most thankful for because I am so blessed I have a long list of things! But here is a small summary.

-My wonderful husband: He is the love of my life, my very best friend, my support, and all the goodness in my life is a direct contribution of his God given love to me. I love you honey!

-My church & wonderful pastors: I am SO beyond thankful for the wonderful church that I have the privileged of being called to be a part of. My pastors are amazing and teach the uncompromising word of God which is the most important thing to have in your life.

-My beautiful home: Another amazing thing that I have only because of God's blessing to me. There is no other way that two 20 year old's could have bought a house with no money down but God made a way and blessed our socks off with the financial provision for our beautiful home! I still cannot believe that the beautiful house I have is MINE. It blesses me every daya.

-My job: I know that it's not always the easiest thing to be thankful for but I am so happy that I have a job that pays me so well, is something that I enjoy, and especially this year that I got PROMOTED when they made HUGE cutbacks. Another GOD blessing!! I got TWO raises this year when no one else in the company was getting raises because of the economy. I am so blessed in my job and I have FAVOR beyond words!!

I could go on and on but this is just a small list of all the wonderful things that I get to experience in my life. God, thank you so much for what you did for me this year, and what you have in store for next year! I am so thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Enjoy your family, have a moment today to just reflect on all the GREAT things in your life!

Love from me to you!

XOXO

what i'm thankful for...part one

With this week being Thanksgiving I decided that I want to post each day on something that I am thankful for. Too often in life we get swept up in ourselves, and we forget to take time to have a heart of thankfulness for all the wonderful things that are in our live. God has blessed me SO much and I am so truly overwhelmed with all He has done for me and I know that I don't spend enough time every day just being thankful. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am going to post on the things that I am MOST thankful for.

My first and foremost is my family. I have an amazing family and I am beyond blessed to have them in my life. So many people in this world grew up in broken, unhappy homes, and I truly have never had to experience any of that in my life. My family is supportive, loving, Godly, hilarious, and just truly God's perfect blessing in my life. I could go on and on about each person individually but that would take a LONG time since I have a very BIG family! LOL :) All in all each family member is a huge blessing to my life and I don't think there are enough words to express my love and appreciation for them all.

So to my family, I don't say it enough but THANK YOU for being YOU! Thank you for loving me, listening to me, supporting me, and most of all being an avenue of God's blessing and wisdom in my life! I love you all more than words can say! So here are some pictures of my amazing family!!


My Family: (top left to bottom) Paul, Dad, Mom, Kimmy, Scott, Karen, Deane, Kern, Christina, Pamela, & Jan


My Husband's Family/The In-Laws: (top left to bottom) Andy, Steve, Scott, Jeff, Brinley, Shaynah, Rowan, Debbie, & Kimmy.


My Nieces & Nephews: (top left to bottom) Alexyss, Brennen, Bailey, Xavier, Kaden, Avery, & Dakota


My Dodge nephews: Rowan & Brinley



and last but not least my sweet puppy LILLY!!!

Lots of love from me to you!!
Kimmy

Grandpa

Two years ago today my Grandpa passed from Earth & into eternity in Heaven. Today doesn't make me sad but it is my day to reflect & honor my Grandpa's amazing life, and it is also a celebration that He is in the presence of my Jesus, worshiping, and enjoying the glory of God. My Grandpa was an amazing man and I am so thankful that God selected him to be my Grandpa. I didn't get to see him as much as I would have loved to, but every moment & memory I have with him is absolutely precious to me.

My Grandpa had a laugh & smile that was just infectious. He was the sweetest person to be around and I loved how he loved his family. I always felt his love so strongly from just one sweet smile of his or a simple kiss on my cheek. It makes me sad that he isn't here with me now, but I cannot wait to meet him again in Heaven someday!!!

Grandpa, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for loving God with all your heart and raising your family in the word of God and instilling that wonderful heritage in your children, so they could instill it in their children. I am so thankful for the honorable man that you were and for how you raised my Dad so wonderfully and molded him in the wonderful person that he is. I love and miss you with all my heart and I can't wait to rejoice in Heaven with you someday!

so the other day...

So, the other day I came home from work to this...

Yes, my sweet loving husband surprised me with these!!!! It was such a delightful thing to come home to and really unexpected. I really do have the best husband!! :)

my kreativ blogger award

I got nominate for my first blogging award!!!! Ashley at Ashley's Thrifty Living nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award. Thanks Ashley, I am so honored!!!! :)

Here is what I have to do:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for the award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate

7. Leave a comment on each.

Ok, so here are SEVEN things about me that you may not know!!

1. I married my high school sweetheart!! Scott & I have been together since our sophomore year of high school. He is my first and only love and I wouldn't have it any other way!

2. I am the baby of my family!! I have 5 siblings and they are all a lot older than me. Age gap from my oldest sibling to the closest goes like this, 16, 15, 10, & 7. Even though there is an age gap between us, I have never felt odd about it and we are all very close!!

3. I have broken any bones in my body, or had to have stitches or anything of that nature!! So thankful for that!!

4. I am severely allergic to cats, which actually works out well for me since I am NOT a cat person and this way if my kids ever really wanted one, they couldn't since I am too allergic!! haha :)

5. I was a cheerleader in high school and I loved it!!! Probably some of the most fun I have ever had!

6. My graduating high school class was 38 kids. I went to a private Christian school from 6th-12th grade.

7. My oldest nephew & niece are both closer in age to me than my sister (their Mom) is. My nephew was born when I was 8 and my niece when I was 10.

And here are my nominees!!!!

Katie at Along the way with K+J: I love all her projects & I love reading about her newlywed life since that is totally where I am too!!!

Kara at Creations by Kara: I love all her tips & tricks and she has more than ONE amazing blog!! Check her out!

Abby at A Feathered Nest: I wish I had her sewing talents and she always has really cute projects!!

Nori at Love2Create: She always has great tips and finds, and another one that I wish I had her sewing talents!

Alicia at Life of the Olson's: She doesn't post a ton, but I know she is a creative girl & has some good crafting tricks up her sleeve!! I will forgive her for the lack of posts since she is pregnant :)

Sheila at Mustard Seeds: She has an adorable blog & she found these chalkboard markers that are to die for!!!

Ashley at A Schott of Class: Another adorable blog!! She always shares a great post!!

So ladies, I can't wait to hear your 7 random facts & props to all of you for having such GREAT blogs!!

i <3 chunky frames

So I ventured to TJ Maxx this morning (LOVE that place) to browse and I got a great find. Ever since we got the furniture in my bedroom, my nightstands have been pretty bare. I stumbled across these gorgeous CHUNKY frames. I loooove chunky frames! They have such a great look to them and I knew these frames would be perfect for my bedroom nightstands.

The frames however didn't quite have that just right look to them for my dark wooded furniture. The first one was a bit to pearl looking for me, and the second one had the darker look to it, but it had more red coloring in it although you can't really tell in the pic. I knew I could fix them up to get the just right look I wanted. I pulled out my paints and mixed up the brown paint color to dry-brush the frames. I mixed a chocolate brown, with a dab of caramel, and a dab of pearl. It looked a little something like this.

Then I just dry-brushed the frames to coat them a bit with the dark coloring. Dry brushing is super easy to do and I have done it with other frames in my house and I absolutely love what it does to frames!! Makes it look a bit antique and helps to tone down the shimmering golds, or pearls in this case. After I was done with that, my frames now looked like this.

PERFECT!! They still have their original charm to them but now they won't stand out so much in my bedroom. Can you believe that these frames where $6?! Now here they are in their new home!!

My husband's night stand

My night stand

The whole big picture!! :)

I'm in love. I love when another little piece gets added on to my ever "in-progress" home. One day at a time!!

And here is another great item I found there. These adorable salt & pepper wood signs that were each $6 a piece. SO cute!!!! I love what they add to my kitchen!

Thanks again for stopping by!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Lots of love from me to you!!
-Kimmy

**I added this post to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land! Please stop by and check out her blog along with other amazing posts!! :)***

I was just browsing through some old pics of Scott and I from our childhood and I wanted to share them with you!
Me as an itty bitty little one. What can I say about the top one? I'm asain and that little loopy thing my Mom did with my hair fits the profile!!! I think I was a pretty cute baby but I may be a little particle?? LOL :)

Seriously, those cheekies and HAIR!! I love the little curly flip he had!! I must say that he is pretty stinking adorable as a baby. I can't wait to see what our little ones will look like someday!! I think they will be pretty stinkin' cute :)

Have a GREAT weekend!!

<3>

Kimmy

at least they tasted good!

Hello blog world! I have been MIA! Things have been awfully busy for me, and I haven't had much time to do crafty fun things or blog but alas here I am!! Did you miss me!?! LOL :)

Yesterday in the spirit of all things FALL my best friend came over and we decided to make some delicious homemade caramel apples. I have never made them and it was pretty fun and easy!! All you need is a bag of caramel (they come with the sticks), apples, and whatever toppings your little heart desires. We chose oreos, and heath bar bits. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!

So technically two bags of caramels are supposed to make like 10 or 12 apples, but we have a sweet tooth so we only got 5 apples so we could REALLY coat them in caramel.

So, we melted the caramel, and then went for it. Again, neither of us have ever made apples and let's be real, we aren't Martha Stewart, so we just went for it with the caramel. No holds bar, just coated, and coated, and coated some more.

I didn't really take a picture of the apples after we finished them. Let's just say it looks like something my 5 year old niece would have done. But as we said all night, they aren't going to look pretty but they sure will taste GOOD!!! WE decided to "inspect" the caramel to make sure it was up to standard. It SURE was good!

After letting them cool for a hour, it was FINALLY time to taste them. They sure were yummy to the tummy!!

All in all, it was a lot of fun to make them and even more fun to eat them. Maybe I have found a new fall tradition? I think so.

In other news, it SNOWED today. Yes, snow. Just a light dusting but really? I am not ready for this!! I was just adjusting to fall but hopefully things will heat up a bit. Gotta love Minnesota!! Hope everyone is doing great!!

Lots of love from me to you!!

Kimmy

family friday {{mom & dad edition}}

So I have been thinking about featuring one of my family members each Friday on my blog (until they have all been featured of course) and today is the FIRST post!! My family is the most important thing to me in this world. They are the biggest part of my life and I would not be the person I am today without them. They make my life so wonderful, hilarious, stressful, and amazing all at the same time and I thought it would be wonderful to showcase them here on my blog so I can share with you all what wonderful people they are!!

For my first post, I couldn't think of anyone more appropriate to feature than my Mom & Dad. I mean they are the reason I am here right? :) So I am happy to introduce to you my Mom & Dad, Norm & Espi.

My parents are the most wonderful people in the world. I say that not only because they are my parents, but as I have grown into my adulthood I have gotten to know them in a different light and I am so thankful that the Lord chose them to raise me.

My Dad has the biggest heart and the Lord definitely created him with the giftings to raise 4 (yes FOUR) daughters and just only 1 boy!!! I don't think any other person could have handled us all!! Haha :) Some of the best things that I have learned from my Dad are perseverance, determination, diligence, unwavering faith in God and so very much more. There were a lot of challenges that came to my family throughout the years and my Dad handled them better than anyone else I have ever know. He is SUCH a faithful man to his job, to his family, and most importantly to the Lord and the values that he exampled and instilled in my life are still just coming to fruition and I will never fully known the impact that he had on molding me into the person that I am today. I am SO thankful all that he has taught me not just in word, but that he example everything that he told me through his conduct. I love you so much Daddy!!

My Mom is the funniest person!! She has a vibrancy and joy that is infectious!! I definitely get my outgoing personality from her and I am SO thankful for that!! My Mom definitely LOVES life and loves to have fun and be silly and I think that I have more of those qualities in me than I know!! She was always willing to go the extra mile for me even when I didn't deserve it but she still would do little things to make me happy. She sacrificed a lot of things for our family and there probably aren't enough thank you's to her for that. I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without her love and I am so thankful for everything she has done for me. She is an example of what it means to be a Godly wife and mother and I love her more than words could say!!

Mom & Dad, thank you both for raising me to be the person I am today and for most importantly always being obedient to the Lord and raising me to know Him. That is the greatest gift you have EVER given me and I love you so much!!

Lots of love from me to you!!
Kimmy

hi ho cheerios

Now I love Cheerios as much as the next gal, but when I came across this little thing in the thrift store, I had to stop and ask myself, "REALLY? Who loves Cheerios that much?"

I mean let's be real. Who would really enjoy seeing this in their home, and who would seriously show this off to their friends. I personally think that it's last owner was so ashamed of it and that's why it ended up on a thrift store shelf marked at $2. Fear not ugly Cheerios jug, I had a plan for you!!

I had been using a flower vase to hold my kitchen sponge & brush and I had been wanting something different to hold them since the vase was too large and just wasn't doing it for me. When I came across this little guy at the store, I instantly knew that I had found what I was looking for!! I snatched him up and brought him home, coated him with some Rustoleum Colonial Red (same as my kitchen chalkboard) and in no time I had a beautiful new kitchen accessory!!

Isn't it beautiful? It added just another punch of color to my kitchen and it holds my trusty cleaning supplies perfectly!!! I am definitely addicted to spray paint!! It has revolutionized my world!! Here is the shot of it with my cute chalkboard!!

LOVE it!! Sorry this pic is kind of blurry!!! Anyways, I hope you are all having a wonderful week!! I have been SO busy and am looking forward to the weekend!! Thanks again for your sweet comments!! They make my day!

Lots of love from me to you!!

Kimmy

I added this post to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land. Please check out her blog & all the great posts!! http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/