Merry Christmas!

I'll be taking a week or so away from the computer

 to spend some sweet time doing some of my favorite things

with my family and friends

Making brunch with Mom on Christmas Eve

Last year's blueberry scones, spinach and bacon quiche 

and bacon wrapped shrimp skewers.

Last minute shopping

movies and hot chocolate

Christmas light viewing

The other people at the walk-through light park thought we were CRAZY

but I'd say we were jolly

or joyful

or spirited.

Watching It's A Wonderful Life 

and crying tears of gratefulness for everything I've been blessed with

(seriously, ever year there are tears)

And some restful time off with these lovely people!

my parents and sister

my extended family

with my favorite three little girls in the world 

who give the best makeovers

And the sweet Valdez family

who treats me like their own

And most of all, time to meditate on and celebrate

the hope that came to earth as a baby 

and the hope I have that He's coming again!

Wishing peace and joy to all of your families this Christmas

blessings,

Chelsea

Three Years

Just fyi, today you can take 40% off everything in my Etsy store today with the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. Happy shopping!
Live Laugh Lynae


Today I have officially been with David for three years. 

(three years ago)

(this year)

We've seen some really bad times, some really good times 
and everything in between.

We kinda forgot to plan something celebratory before the Thanksgiving holidays so Sunday evening, we spontaneously went to dinner at Hula Hut and enjoyed the beautiful weather (it was 70 degrees) and the view of the lake

... oh and some very yummy food as well!

Fajitas and Baby Back Ribs at Hula Hut

Hey, I had some salad too! 

Red velvet cheesecake and a mochaccino at Mozart's next door.

As an encore, Monday we made some soup and ate at home, and then took Ringo out to Mozart's for coffee, dessert and conversation.

The best part was that every hour, there was a Christmas light show!

It was such a sweet surprise when it began .

getting pretty for Monday's date

It was a relaxing, festive, reflective time. 

I'm so glad we were able to celebrate together before visiting our families for a few days.

Check out the Christmas light show from Mozart's 

because I was grinning ear to ear the whole time! 

I absolutely love Christmas. I'm not quite ready to celebrate it, 

because Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet. 

BUT this is a nice preview of the Christmas season.

thoughts on Halloween

(this is my third use of the flapper costume. getting my full money's worth!)

I've never been a fan of scary movies. Or haunted houses. Or being scared in general. And I've never really thought gory-bloody-zombie type humor was funny. 

But I've always liked Halloween.

It's creativity and community and candy.

It's celebration with carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples and cake walks.

It's assuming another identity for one night, and thinking about other possibilities.

And I always have an excellent costume.

I know that there are differing opinions on whether or not to celebrate Halloween if you follow Christ, and I understand both sides. 

I do know that the origins of the holiday are very pagan and revolve around evil spirits and ghosts and disguising yourself to avoid them. You can check out the history here.

But if we're going to dismiss something because of pagan origins, we also need to totally revamp our wedding ceremonies. And Christmas celebrations. Because those are very pagan in nature.

I attended a costume party with a local student ministry and I loved how they tied the idea of trick or treating into a spiritual light. Through 2 Corinthians 3:18, we looked at how we are designed to reflect God's glory. And when we put on "masks" that cover up who we are- whether we're covering up hurting or struggles or a lifestyle we don't want people to know about or whether we're covering up Christ in us- we keep Christ from reflecting from us.

So instead of tricking others into thinking we're someone we're not, let's treat them to a reflection of God's glory.

"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."

2 Corinthians 3:18

And while the students participated in a pumpkin carving contest, their youth leader carved a very special pumpkin which was revealed at the very end of the night

Pretty cool!


I'll be at Oak Meadow Baptist Church's Fall Festival this year- feel free to come join us! We'll have horse races, moon walks, hay rides, face painting, lots of games and lots of free food!
It'll be in the church parking lot from 6pm-8pm (I'm pretty sure...)


This season gives us so much to be grateful for- wonderful weather, extended family time during holidays, delicious food- so don't miss an opportunity to thank God for it! 

Here's some past Halloween memories :

2010

Emma Pilsbury from Glee

2009

Wilma Flintstone

2008

Flapper

2007

Ladybug