The Best Christmas...

This Christmas was one of our very best!! This time of year I hate that I worry it away, but God in His sovereignty is so good to me!! I can't wait til the day that I finally learn to trust God FIRST and not to worry myself sick! He has blessed us beyond measure and I am truly thankful for His love!! Sure, we got some pretty cool things under the tree, but nothing compared to Him and His gift of love!! He went out of his way to show just how much He loves me this Christmas!!
*cards from friends far away and near, hugs from mom and dad, fun games with cousins, Christmas carols, snow on Christmas morning, laughter, cozy pj's, yummy dinners and breakfasts, toys, and clothes, and gadgets, handmade candy and desserts, evenings by the fire, Christmas movies, time off of work to hang out with the most wonderful family a girl could ask for... the list could go on and on!!

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined... For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be ccalled Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore." Isaiah 9:2-7

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is one of my most favorite days of the whole year!! It is really better than Christmas Day to me (Christmas day is a little bit sad -we look forward to it all year and then it's over so fast)! But Christmas Eve is so exciting and magical! This year turned out to be super special! We had a beautiful candlelight service at our church! I love our church! It was so fun to see all our friends and wish them a Merry Christmas and give love! Nana and Granny Loon joined us and then we went to dinner with them after the service! Nana had brought the kids and me and Clint a Christmas Eve gift and we ate the yummiest dinner at Applebees (our first choice, Lovoy's, wasn't open, Boo)!! I got a Yankee Candle called "Christmas at the Beach" -it smells awesome ~coconut lotion with a hint of peppermint!


















After dinner, the kids and I visited my mom and dad while Clint went home to get a few things squared away for later that night! We took pictures and laughed and the kids got their Christmas Eve presents from them - they always get Christmas pj's - it's a tradition my grandmother started when we were kids!
















Finally we made it home~ it was late but we had a few more things on our agenda... making a gingerbread house, pictures in Christmas pj's by the tree and getting things ready for Santa! Oh yeah, we also opened a couple of gifts- I always let Will and Francie open their gifts to each other! Will got Francie a Hello Kitty necklace and Hungry, Hungry Hippos! Francie got Will a bookmark light and a Checkers/Chess set! So we played some games, set out milk and cookies and tried to go to sleep so Santa could come... Will was just a wee bit wound up so he actually didn't go to sleep until 1:30 or 2:00, which meant we didn't go to bed until around 3:30!! At 5:30 guess who was ready to check out the loot Santa had left? WILL! Needless to say we were a little tired, but it was so worth it to see his and Francie's faces light up when they saw what Santa had brought! They must have been pretty good this year, because they racked up!! ;)

A Day on the Farm!!

I work with the BEST women ever- they are godly, loving, encouraging, beautiful, generous, helpful, and wonderful!! I am so thankful that God has put them in my life and I am thankful I get to spend my days with them!! My teaching partner is amazing and really, her whole family is ~they cook, sing, play instruments, etc. ~really amazing!! We got the honor of spending a day at their home and enjoying a delicious dinner, the weekend after Thanksgiving!! Her daughter is a talented photographer and she did a photo shoot for our family!! I have been wanting her to do this for 3 years... I just didn't have the money!! This year was different and so we were able to make my dream come true! (I had always wanted to do the pictures at their farm ~their land is beautiful and I had seen some of their family pictures done there that were GREAT)! I thought I would share a few of my favorites!! BTW- her name is Mandy and you can visit her website at www.mandyphoto.net

Family...

We always have Christmas with my family a week early- it's so hard to get three families together!! We had the BEST time! First I need to let you know about the food (because, I mean, food IS more important than presents)! ;) My mom makes such wonderful things for us to enjoy and enjoy we do!! She made hamburger dip, ranch dip, and spinach dip... Then there was a Smithfield ham and a fried turkey... Brownies, puppy chow, and rice crispy treats, gingerbread, and chocolate pudding cake... Oh yeah, there were healthy foods too, a vegetable tray and olives and pickles!!





The whole time we are trying to keep the kiddos from having nervous break downs about opening presents (all day long Francie and Will were counting down the minutes til we go to Granny's -only 240 minutes to go)!!





Then it's go time... There were squeals of delight and shouting excitement!! I believe everyone had a great Christmas!! Will got an electric scooter and a nerf pistol... All the boys got nerf pistols... So the rest of the evening darts were flying nonstop!! Francie got a Hello Kitty diary with lock and key and a Vet Pet Station!! All were happy!






I am so blessed to have my family and lately I've been thinking about how I need to treasure this time because it won't always be like this!! It's like Taylor (Swift) says ... "I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone!" That's just life! But I want to savor this time with ALL of my loved ones!!

My Christmas Prayer...

Holy God, you sent a star
To guide the Magi to the child Jesus.
I confess that I have not followed the light of your Word.
I have not searched for signs of your love in the world
Or trusted your good news to be good.
I have failed to praise your Son's birth
And refused his peace on earth.
I have expected little and hoped for less.
Forgive my doubt
And renew in me all fine desires,
That I may watch and wait
And once more hear the glad story
Of my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
In His name I pray, Amen.

A Visit!!

"...Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'
...When they saw the star they were overjoyed ...On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and myrrh." Matthew 2:2, 10-11

Good News!

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and Saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'" Luke 2:8-14

Surprise...

Introducing the newest member of the Cvacho family... Murdy Fox Cvacho!! (Yes, her name has a story connection -I'll let Clint tell the story -he's better at that than me)!

Will and Francie got their Christmas present from Mommy and Daddy early!! We wrapped at collar and chew toys like a Christmas present so they could open something and then we told them we had to go pick up their new puppy!! :) Their faces were unforgettable!! They were so excited and shocked!!

She is a Southern Black Mouth Cur ("Old Yeller" was the same kind of dog)! She is red though, not yellow!! She is 15 weeks old and around 24 lbs. She is so sweet and beautiful!! So far, we've had a great weekend! I am sure it will take a little while for all of us to get used to everyone and everything!! But we are loving her!!

a list...

These are a few of the things I hope to find under the tree this year!! ;)


**Pioneer Woman's Cookbook!! I love her!!














**I don't care I'll ALWAYS be an Alabama fan!!




















**I heart this pattern!! It matches my lunchbox!!












**I really want a pair of these shoes!! They give away a pair of shoes when you buy a pair!! Glitter doesn't hurt either!! ;)

Thanksgiving Report!!

I am blessed beyond measure!!



This year we had Thanksgiving in Birmingham!! We had a very nice time! Clint fried TWO turkeys ~they were delish!! I tried twice to make Clint's grandmother's eggnog cake but it fell both times ~which was kind of sad ~I really hope I haven't lost my touch (maybe it's just my oven)!! ;) We went to the movies a couple of times over Thanksgiving Holiday (we saw Tangled and Megamind ~loved them both)! We decorated for Christmas, did a little Christmas shopping, took Christmas pictures at the farm, watched a TERRIBLE football game (another sad part), and ate and ate and ate!! I really missed going to Huntsville this year with my family, but it was relaxing just to be home, too! It flew by too fast and now Christmas is right around the corner and I'm more behind than ever!! I just pray somehow, someway that God could just slow down time a bit, so instead of rushing around like a crazy person, I could just enjoy time with the family!!

A few pics from my phone:
*Me and Clint on Thanksgiving Day!!

























*Me and Clint at Daniel's Party!

























*Me and Traci at the Iron Bowl Party!





















"... Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD." Psalm 4:6


ps- a surprise is coming soon... stay tuned! ;)

Thank You Jesus...

really, for so much!!





**First, for my best friend and wonderful husband!! I promise I couldn't make it without him!! He is my EVERYTHING!!

**Second, for amazing friends, who are Jesus to me!!



Our friends in our small group have a condo in Orange Beach and graciously offered it to me and Clint to use for a long weekend!! We were shocked, overwhelmed with gratitude, and extremely thankful for such a blessing!! I had been praying for awhile now about getting some quality time with Clint, just not at home, but some time away -away from bills, chores, school, Fairfield, and children!! Clint and I have not had a vacation together since before Will was born (almost 9 years ago)!! TOO LONG! It was so exciting to have some alone time together!! We could talk to each other without interruption ~I could turn all of my attention on him and I got all his attention!! ;) It turned out to be such a special time!! The weather was absolutely perfect -mid to upper 70's and sunny!! We took a walk each morning on the beach (after enjoying coffee and beignets at Cafe Beignet) and then in the afternoon sat on the beach for hours -soaking up the sun and each other!! :) It was so relaxing!! I loved it!! We ate at my most very favorite restaurants -Oyster House, Sea & Suds, and King Neptune's!! We shopped some and I even got a pedicure!! It was definitely an answered prayer (the trip -not the pedicure... never mind the pedicure was an answered prayer too) hehe!!

Thank you John and Meredy for showing the love of Christ to us!!
































"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His love endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

Halloween!!

This year was one of the BEST Halloweens we've had in years!! I think I may say that every year ~but last year I KNOW I didn't because we missed my sister and her family!! :) She and Jason and the cousins were all there this time -we even had Delilah and her kiddos come!! I want to send a special shout out to my parents ~THANK YOU MOM & DAD!! YOU ARE THE BEST!! AND YOU GIVE ONE HECK OF A PARTY!! Really, my Mom goes overboard ~we have a delicious menu (which you know is very high on my priority list) we have chili, hamburger dip, ranch dip, mummy dogs, cupcakes, rice krispie treats, brownies, and some new item... white chocolate toffee?! We hung out with family and friends who are like family!! It is always fun to see how cute everyone is in their costumes and watch them play and enjoy this childhood holiday!! This year was extra great too, because the kids are big enough to trick or treat on their own!! I mean, we walk with them, but they can go up the porches and knock and they already know the whole routine, which made it nice on the mommies and daddies!! Not to mention -this year was beautiful and the perfect temp.!! Some years it's like if we have a kind of warm and woolley costume then it's burning outside and the kids are screaming, and some years we have a chilly costume and it's freezing outside and the kids are screaming!! This year was perfect!! No one was even screaming!! ;) I have one billion jillion pictures so I'll post my favorites!! I think maybe I forgot to share what we were dressing up as this year ~Will was a Bears NFL Football player and Francie was Strawberry Shortcake!! I was so excited too, because when I was little I was Strawberry Shortcake!! ;)










































There were waaaayyy more children than there have ever been!! So fun!!




















Me and Tiff with the girls!! Morgan, a Littlest Pet Shop bunny and Francie, Strawberry Shortcake!! Too Cute!!














Mary is a kitty and Wyatt is a pirate!!













Tom Cruise in "Top Gun" and Jay Cutler!





















It was a lot of fun -I must say though that I'm glad that's over!! I'm ready for Christmas and I can't even believe I'm saying that, but I am!!