Friday Favorites, my birthday edition

 

Merry Friday, friends! Would you believe that tonight we're having our first of three Christmas celebrations? I'm not ready for this and am in denial that the big day is quickly approaching. You know how I feel about this time of year; it's not the day I love, but the season in general. I'm always sad to see it pass each year! I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika for today's favorite festive blog post of the week. I'll jump right in! 

Several years ago, I wrote articles for an online Christian women's magazine, and these are my words from one of those times. I still wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment and need this reminder on a daily basis during this very busy and fun season. It's really easy in the hustle and bustle of the holidays to lose sight of this, and what it's all about. I feel like I continually need a fresh dose of perspective to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground, and to not get carried away and concerned with the unimportant things in life. 

So many of us are hurting this year, I will just add myself to this mix. We've had major family drama, serious illness, death, traumatic situations, harsh realities, and things that we never expected happen, all within the last six to nine months. It's been a year! I try to keep things light and fluffy here in blog land, and I don't talk about heavy things like this too often, but sometimes things just need to be said that are very vulnerable. If I ever seem like I have all of my life together, I am sorry for leading you to believe that! I assure you that is never at all the case, and I am humbled by circumstances in life that happen every single day. I am humbled by the Lord in the reminder that I am not the one in control of my life, and the lives of my family members; He is! 

Moving onto lighter topics now...

I have never liked my hands; I took this picture last week when I noticed how much mine look like my mom's hands. 

Hands have always been one of my favorite things to notice about people. I love this picture I took with Mom a year ago. I was sharing it with one of my sisters, because Mom had just had her nails done, and I love how they looked. Do you do things like this? I'm super sentimental when it comes to some things.

I have some favorite outfits from this week! I'm getting my money's worth out of the Christmas sweatshirts from Walmart. I love them and have worn them on repeat! People are probably tired of seeing them, but I'm okay knowing this.

These boots are new and a favorite!

I saved the best for last; I have a new favorite top! I treated myself to this beauty while I was out of town with my best friend last week. It's the Umgee brand, and I am smitten! 

It's always a favorite to sit and watch my hubby do his tech thing at church.

Experience Christmas was my favorite night at church! I loved being a spectator this year, and not a participant like I have been for the last twenty something years. 

It was also a favorite to have my beautiful niece Erika sitting beside me while I watched and cried my way through. She actually did the same thing; we were both so moved by the music and presentation of the Gospel of Jesus!

Tablescapes at church is my favorite women's event of the year! I kept my table super simple and uncomplicated this year, because I didn't have the brain power to put much thought into it. It's not about that anyway, for me at least, and I focus more on the people who choose to sit with me. It's a blessing to be able to host a table each year, and I love making connections with people that I wouldn't normally get to talk to. Funny story about this picture: I dreamed about my table during the night and went to add some ornaments to it early that morning on my way to get my hair done. I could not find the light switches in the fellowship hall, so this was me stumbling around in the dark and using the flashlight on my phone. 🤣 I will say that it wasn't just me being blind; the light plate covers are broken, and to turn them on you have to either go up on the stage or use the sound board. I did neither of those things.

Fresh hair is my favorite! I got a much needed trim and touch up with color. My girl is a miracle worker! 

Chloe giving me the hints to let her sit in my lap are also my favorite. She's been a royal pain in the butt this week, as we discovered she's been eating the window sill ledge. This is why we can't have nice things.

This will always be one of my favorite memes!

I went ahead and just had a day of treating myself, and on the same day that I took off work for my hair appointment, I also went and got my nails done. I didn't love these at first, but they're growing on me. New nails and fun designs are a favorite! I was a trend setter with these; two ladies on either side of me got the exact same. 🤣

Look at my little greats! I adore them and they will always be my favorite! This was at the two littles' preschool program one night in Denver this week. I'd have given anything to have been there! 

Working on my birthday yesterday was my favorite! I took this picture with my friend Katie, also known as my birthday twin! 

One of the Bible fellowship classes brought lunch to the church staff! It was Lenny's sub sandwiches and homemade soups. There were lots to choose from, and I picked the chicken tortilla. It was amazing!

Mom and Trish stopped by my work to bring me a cupcake from my favorite bakery! I could have cried. How cute is Mom? She's my favorite. 

Lastly, my favorite thing in the world was last night. I wanted one thing for my birthday, and it was a night with just my family plus the two girlfriends. I got everything I wanted, and I couldn't be happier!

You know I have to include the bloopers! Left to right are Jonah, Drew, us, Noah, and Graham. Drew's girlfriend pictured below is Caitlyn, and Jonah's girlfriend is Laura. I love adding girls to our mix!!

What was a favorite thing of yours from the week? I'd love to hear! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. I did post the other days this week, but I'm too tired to link them all, so just scroll some more and you can see them all below this one. Love to all!