The Little Star That Could

And the day is finally couldn't.

But wait.  I'm getting ahead of myself in this little Christmas story.

You may remember from this post, my passionate feelings towards our family tradition of cutting down a live tree from a farm versus store bought twigs.

No offense to every one who loves their plastic trees. . . we can still be friends.

Maaaaybe.

Another one of our great family traditions is our pointy little glitter star that always sits on the top of the tree.

Funny thing is this star has seriously given us problems every.single.year.

Like the time the tree-top-attachment broke off.

Handy brother Timmy fixed that right away.

With a wire coat hook, no duh!

Genius, that boy is!

Then there was the year that Dad got it all wire hooked and twisty-tied to the topmost branch, only to have zero magic happen when it was plugged in.

Handy brother to the rescue again.

Down from the tree, crack open the star, jiggle some wires,

Voila!  The star of Christmas!

And I can't forget the years it just needed the perfect love tap on the outside

Tap, taptap, taptapthump.

Lights, HA-AHHH!!!

Such a great star and story, no?!

The biggest part of this story are Mom's annual pleadings for a better replacement.

She is always met with howls of protest and gasps of horror that she would through away this awesome family relic.  

I mean seriously, would you throw away the Statue of Liberty if it had a light go out?!

I rest my case.

Well wouldn't you know that this was the year Little Star truly quit on us?!

After Dad's attempts to wire it to the tree

Plug it in

Take it down

The boys efforts to replace fuses

bulbs

love taps

All to no avail.  I guess last year was the final year of glory.

Next year will find us decorating our tree and topping with with a one big fat boring star

I mean, who would ever want a star that lights on que?!

Yeah, I thought so.

{our tree in it's perfect glory last year}

Now is your que to tell me your most hilarious Christmas tradition/memory.

Heaven knows I could use some good laughs today. . . 

andPS.

thanks for all your sweet words of encouragement the last couple days.

i am so thankful for bloggity lovelies like you.

big christmas hugs being sent your way right this second!

xoxo

To Be Brave

Recently

Most of my days have been completely and utterly overwhelming.

You may laugh because I often appear to be the most carefree and happy person on God's green earth.

And in many ways I am.

But yet there is this real side to life that we are in the middle of that hurts to the deep corners of my heart.

This morning Adam had a dentist appointment that ended in immediate oral surgery for a tooth extraction.

As I lay in the back of the car trying to catch up on some sleep that was lost last night

every brave and courageous feeling in my heart left.

From the bills to the house projects

the constant lack of funds

the family situations that ache so deeply

plans for the future

harsh words that slip out 

the three jobs I try to juggle

Why is it so easy to feel the bravery

the faith

the courage

the hope

slip away?!

So easy to forget God's promises

to forget that He is using these trials in our lives for a greater purpose?!

Am I just talking to Nicole here

or have you felt these feelings before?!

I share because transparency is good for the soul.

I share because maybe you are walking through these same struggles yourself.

Together we can pray for peace to fill our hearts

as we cling to promises like this from Psalms

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, 

   and in his word I put my hope. 

 I wait for the Lord 

   more than watchmen wait for the morning, 

   more than watchmen wait for the morning.

 

Israel, put your hope in the LORD, 

   for with the LORD is unfailing love 

   and with him is full redemption.

{psalms 130}

- - - 

 

I am so thankful for this rock of a man that God has put in my life.

His patience and love are like a salve to my soul.

As is the simple beauty of this wonderful time of year.

:: decorating the tree at the family's house

:: pinecones and red ribbons

:: the cheery kitchen window

:: welcome to our home

:: homemade rustic pears

Happy Birthday To Me

Hubs has been so sweet to ask me for a list of what things I want for my impending birthday and the soon to follow Christmas. . . 

Wasn't I so sweet to put together this exhaustive partial list of lovely things I found while screen shopping online?!  

Yes.  I thought so too. 

So for anyone who was scratching their heads in pure wonderment of what things I would love on my 25th birthday that is just ten days away. . . scratch and wonder no longer.

I present to you

THE LIST

1. Tapered Blush Brush $15

2. Flower Collection Top $29.99

3. Gold Finish Bracelet Watch $19.99

4. Green Hunter Boots $125

5. Flurry Up Top Coat $9.50

6. Graduating Leaf Earrings $4.80

- - - 

What's on your Christmas list this year?!  

Happy Saturday to you, Lovelies!

xoxo

Friday Files {Hateful/Grateful Edition}

Hey Lovelies!

In honor of our just celebrated Thanksgiving day, I am choosing to do a special Hateful/Grateful list.

These are the things in life right now that I kinda hate, but still choose to be grateful for

xoxo

- - - 

{tree cutting 2010}

I hate that my best friend and sissy Tiffany, was away from us on this Thanksgiving holiday. . . . Mexico is so dadblame far away.

I am grateful that she loves Jesus so much to put the need of hurting children above her own comfort.  {and that she comes home in just 17 days!!}

I hate that we had zero money budgeted for Black Friday. . . alllll thooooose saaaaalessssss.

I am grateful that we have heat in our old house, a car to drive up and down the road and a cozy bed for cuddling.

I hate that all that puppy chow cookie-oreo-brownie spinach artichoke dip turkey and sweet potatoes now rests firmly on my rotund hips.

I am grateful to have had such a glorious spread of food to eat on Thanksgiving Day.

I hate that my beautiful long week of being home came to an end so quickly.  Darn work that comes back like a boomerang wAaaAAyY too quickly.

I am grateful for a strong mind and body that can work everyday.

I hate that my sweet sister in law is getting bigger and bigger everyday with tiny baby girl and that I am missing out on watching the whole process.

I am grateful that in three weeks we get an entire week of skiing and family time in Colorado!  Bunny Slopes here I come!

- - - 

what would be on your hateful/grateful list, lovelies?!

xoxo

Terribly Thankful For . . .

On the eve of Thanksgiving, 

I was in a mad fury to cook all the food for the big family gathering at our house the next morning.

Well not all the food. . . just the 

turkey

cheesy potatoes

sweet potato bake

oreo brownie cookie bars

and the pumpkin streusel pie

That's all.

After our fourth trip to the grocery store for foodsies, Hubs was super tired 'cuz of his eleven hour work day.  Somehow one thing led to another and dot dot dot.

No.  I'm kidding.  I just like that line from Mama Mia.  Hehe.

Anyways I decided to put off cooking for a few minutes longer and just cuddle with my boy.

Then this from him

I'm so glad I have you

Do you know how miserable I would be alone?!

Ahh!  The aching, pure delight of thankfulness I have for this boy.  Which reminds me off all the things I've been giving thanks for today.

Husband and his unconditional love towards me.

Such a picture of Christ.

Such a gift.

Such a best bestfriend.

Such a wonderful 6 months together.

My dear, sweet family.

Crazy.

Loud.

Sometimes broken.

But always always fighting for each other.

Because we will always be the Chmelars.

Forever and forever amen.

My babies in China

Such a reminder of hope and love.

Filling my heart with dreams.

Reminders that will live in a broken world

And Jesus asks us to do our part to bring healing.

Ahh . . . I love and miss them all.

My sweet friends.

The ones who

cry

laugh

dream

pray and

do life with me.

How rich and beautiful my life is because of them.

{yes, this means you, you lovelies}

All the hard moments this past year.

The tears

brokenness

pain

disappointment

and the Hope that always breaks at dawn.

Because where there is no struggle, there is no strength.

Most of all

I am achingly grateful for 

GOD

Peace

Joy

Hope

Purpose

Dreams

Life

Love

Courage to live

His massive ability to make our lives more than we ever could ask for

His presence as a Daddy God

This is true peace and love.

- - - 

What are you achingly grateful for, lovelies?!

May your day be truly full of thanks.

xoxo

{Tutorial} Window Calendar

Deep in my heart I have this infatuation with chalkboards and chalk.  

Maybe it's from my inner love for the old one room school houses.

Maybe it's because you can write all kinds of cutesies, then wipe and start over.

Maybe it's because of my love for the chalkboard directions sign I handmade for our wedding reception.

Either way, when I stumbled upon this adorable chalkboard calendar, I feel madly instantly in love. 

The sweet girl over the blog, Rose & Crown, created hers on a board.

I decided to branch out and buy an old window from the Antique Mall.

Three whooping dollahs, yo!

Now before I go into the grand tutorial, you must know that I'm kind of a lazy person.

When I get my mind set on doing something, I want it done instantly, yet perfectly.

The instant desires overpower the perfect desires on most days.

All this to say, you can probably do this whole project one hundred times better with a few extra steps.

Cheers to you.

Anywayza.

Back to the good stuffs.

After wiping down the window to take away the 100 year old cobwebs, I spray painted the white frame black because it will go better with my future kitchen color schemes.

Spray painting these types of things usually looks like a piece of paper and the can of paint.

I hold the paper along the edges and corners while spraying that area.

Sooo dang quicker than taping, etc.

As I told you, lazy, but seriously it kinda adds to the overall shabby chic feel.

After the wood dried, I taped off the corners of the window that I wanted for a cute glass edge.

I also taped off 28 tiny squares for the date spots and one long month spot

{again, a teenybit lazy with the photos of the steps.  sorry lovelies}

I then brushed on the black chalkboard paint, right over the top of the taped sections.

The glass surface seemed to require two coats for full covering.

You may only need one if you decide to use a wood of sorts.

The bottom portion of the window was painted for notes, grocery lists, etc

After it was thoroughly dry to the touch, I carefully peeled back the layers of tape. 

Then I let it cure overnight before filling in the dates.

Now we will never miss events again with this lovely calendar hanging in our kitchen. . . 

Unless I'm too busy googling over my adorable crooked lines and smeared paint.

ALovingPS
Lovelies. . . I hope you have the most 
beautiful 
wonderful
love-ful
tastey 
day tomorrow.


I'm taking the weekend off from blogging to spend some time with Hubs. 
But never fear, I've scheduled some super rad awesome posts you won't wanna miss.
Tutorials.
My Uber Thankful List
Yeah.  Don't go far away, ok?!  Ok.


xoxo

Christmas Giddiness

Grace and I literally decorated the house all day long today.

It was purely wonderful and my Christmas spirit seemed to grow exponentially with each ribbon, garland and pinecone we put up.

Here's how the story went. . . 

After a full pitcher of orange-strawberry smoothies were made and consumed 

We transformed this ugly fall wreath I found in the attic into some country Christmas magic . . . 

Finally did this amazing project from a $3 window I found at the Antique Mall . . . 

Put yards and yards of red ribbon to lovely use . . . 

And overall turned our house into a country Christmas wonderland.

More photos and some awesome tutorials coming the rest of this week!

Whootwhoot!

What are your favorite Christmas decorations?!   Have you put them up already?!

I kinda feel like a cheater pants for decorating before Thanksgiving

but a girl can break the rules every once in a while, no?!

xoxo

Today Was Perfect Because. . .

- I got the afternoon off from work.

- Hobby Lobby had all there Christmas greenery a whooping 50% off

{perfect for all my decorating plans}

- My sissy, Beth, scored 12 points in her middle school basketball game

- I consumed an entire large Chocolate Chip Peppermint Milkshake from Chik-fil-A

{srsly will change your life, yo!}

-  Had hot cocoa with this dear friend in her adorable apartment

- Did late night grocery/household/Christmas/everything shopping with Hubs 

- Pretty much dominated my three little sisters in a wrestling match at home.

{pretty much being the operative words here. . . }

- Mostly I'm insanely pumped because my adorable sissy, Grace, is coming over ALL.DAY.LONG tomorrow.  We are going to spend the entire day decorating for Christmas, planning the menu for Thursday and doing the 1058361 Pinterest projects I never have time to do.

- Christmas is right around the corner and I'm in a freakishly jolly mood.

- Last and deeefinitely NOT least, these sweet button swappin' lovelies are being featured today.

Srsly go check out their awesomeness

Then email me if you wanna join the fun.

{in the future you can find them here on this link. or click the new side bar that says 'love swappin'}

xoxo

- - - 

Christmas Is CoOOooM-ING!!

Thanksgiving last year was the first real holiday Adam and I celebrated together.  

It was seriously amazing

Take for example going on the family tree cutting expedition together.

Now you should know that the tree hunting is a massive family event for the Chmelars.
Us seven kids take it so incredibly SERIOUS.
It has to be the perfect huge tree to fill out living room's 10' ceilings.
Full in girth.
Green in the perfect tint.

All mom ever wants is a blue spruce tree.
She says they have soft needles that don't poke.
But do you know how small and spiney they look?!

It's a serious fight every.single.year.
{poor mom and dad}
Also poor Adam who had to get a crash course last year in the PROPER tree choosing/cutting procedures.  Serious stuffs, folks.

I literally UH-dore Christmas.  

Ultimate fav time of year.

The music.

The festivities.

The gifts.

The crazy shopping.

The food.

The decorations.

I love every single stitch of it.

{even last minute shopping.  it's so festivey and thrilling.  crazy, no?!}

But as I went into the mall a couple weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with the utter materialistic spirit we have as Americans.

All the crap in the stores we think we have to buy.

All the stuff I think I neeeeed.

All the stress over shopping and buying and overspending.

Now don't get me wrong.  I love shopping.  I love buying gifts.  I love making lists of all the lovelies I would someday like to own.  But God was reminding me to keep my heart in the right place.  The remember the most important things.

People.

Relationships.

Serving.

Love.

Peace.

Family.

Sacrifice.

Self control.

My goals as this amazing holiday season kicks off this week reflect this attitude.

We are having a family who recently moved to the community over on 

Thanksgiving Day 

with all the cousins and aunts and uncles and siblings.  

Because, gosh, I would hate to be alone on that day.

I will be making lots of my Christmas gifts from 

my plethoras of Pinterest boards.

Our home will be filled with 

simple

lovely

decorations.

Because simple beauty can bring peace to the 

heart.

Hubs and I WILL be cutting down our first tree together.

And it will be tall

and green

and perfectly round.

Pretty much perfectly perfect.

I will calm my heart {often} before my Saviour

remember the gift of His life

on earth 

to me.

What are you doing to keep the peace and joy in this season?!

- - -

AnEmphaticPS

Just in case you are wondering, my parents are breaking the tree cutting tradition this year for a store bought one.

Good thing you weren't here to hear the tirade of heartfelt opinions.

I told the kids they can come tree cutting with us.

Poor little darlings.  

Awesome Claws & Feet

I am literally so super pumped about our new bathroom addition.  

Hubs and his dad made all this magic happen while I was gone in China.

So remember how it was before?!

Clanking washer

Rows of random toxic cleaners

Hanging clothes

Ugly brown walls <-- wait that hasn't changed.

Enter lovely clawfoot tub.  

Do you know how perfectly happy I am with this?!  It's like a little piece of history for us to bath in.

{Eww.  That's gross.}

Anywayza.  

I do quite love it.  And we have even added a white, waffle-weave curtain since I took these photos.

Too bad I'm not awesome enough to keep up on photos with our rocket speed progress on house projects.

ALittleConfessionPS

We haven't even used this shower yet.  As the water drips from the spigot somewhere at 5.67 drops per minute which makes for very cold and slight dry showers.  Hubs said something about busting out the Sawz'All and cutting a better opening?!  Something like a firehose?!

Or something. . . 

Oh well. . . I'm still googling over how cute the whole thing looks.

Amenandamen.

OneMorePS

Funny thing about this tub is all I can think about is bathing all our cute little babies in a whole heap of bubbles. . . 

Friday Files {edition eight}

{this photo was from one of my trips to california to visit hubs while we were still dating.  which also was the time we were working through some hefty relationship stuff.  so thankful we are stronger for those times.}

::  Earlier this week Hubs and I were talking about the times we just feel icky towards each other.  You know the times when your heart is screaming at you, Why are you making such a big deal about this?!  And your silly head say, Who cares?!  I'm so thankful for God's grace and the unconditional love of this boy I love.

:: Last night Hubs and I searched through waiting child lists on an adoption website.  And researched African countries to adopt from.  Just because I've recently had a severe case of adoption-fever. . .

:: I wash my work shirt with the name tag attached.  It just saves so much time in my day!

:: This week was full of wrestling through purpose, dreams and courage.  Not sure if I got anywhere. . .

:: Yesterday I think I was the cause of a fender bender.  And I walked away scratchless.  Sorry little car for not turning the corner fast enough.  No. Wait.  That big van that hit you in the rear should be more sorry.


:: Sometimes my heart just wants to give up.  This makes me cherish those moments of complete peace from Jesus.

:: Hubs and I exercised for the first time in eons last night.  Gosh that mile on the treadmill felt great.  As did the two little muscle-weight machine things I tried out for 2.685 seconds.

- - - 

TeenyPS

Tonight Hubs and I are off to a Weekend to Remember getaway.  Eeekkk!  So pumped.

I have some scheduled posts for you that you want wanna miss though.

Not the least of which is our recent bathroom redo

OR

A sneak peak at Christmas stuff

Happy happy weekend, Lovelies!

xoxo

OnemorePS

Sorry once again for the lack of a link up.  Boo.  

Do any of you lovelies know of a free link-up tool?!  Pretty please let me know.

And also, if YOU have a Friday Files story to share on your blog, be sure to link up to it in the comments section.

xoxo

{Guest Post} Jess from Steve & Jess

AhhhhHAAAA(breath)HAAAhAAAHAHA

{this is me screaming cuz I'm so-super-excited-out-of-my-mind about this amazing guest post from Jess over at the bloggy Steve and Jess.}

This gal is pretty much PAR-Tay Queen and her blog has quickly become an addicted favorite.  And after this amazing post on parties, I just wanna go plan about 28 RIGHT.NOW.

So enjoy the pure loveliness and then hop right over to her corner and give 'er some loove.

xoxo

- - -

Hello friends! 

I'm Jess, and the lovely Nicole asked me to come on over here and talk to you about party planning.

Let me just tell you, I live for throwing parties.

From bridal showers to dinner parties, I've done them countless times (on my own accord, I know crazy right?)

I love nothing more than to have people I love around me 

enjoying good food and good company.

So here it goes, Jess's list of party planning "essentials":

1. Attention to detail.

I think it's so fun to create a beautiful, unique place for people to enjoy. Put out cute drinks with funky straws and make the party your own. Make it something you can be proud of! Plus you'll get a lot of compliments to boost your self-esteem. Not that I like that kind of thing...I mean, um.

2. Good food.

You don't have to be an amazing cook to achieve this. Get take out from your favorite restaurant or make some easy appetizers from your favorite food blog. Whatever it is, it raises people's blood sugar and makes them more fun to be around. Just sayin'. Your guests can't help but have fond feelings for you when there's good food around.

3. Have a good time.

 Your guests came to enjoy you! Don't be rushing around in the kitchen/behind the scenes while everyone is having fun, it makes people uncomfortable and they will have a harder time enjoying the party. Plan all you want before-hand, create a lovely environment, sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!

Here are some snipits from previous parties I've thrown,

I hope you enjoy!

Stop by my blog and say hi! I'm always up for new friends!