A Happier Christmas Post!

I know my last post about Christmas was a little sad, but I promise you that we had a really great Christmas. Low key and simple, but a really great and memorable Christmas! Our holiday was mainly centered around food, especially on Christmas Eve. We made a delicious breakfast for dinner with homemade sausage balls, stuffed cinnamon roll french toast, and Cracker Barrel inspired hashbrown casserole. It was so so good! For Michael's hashbrown casserole recipe, simply google "copycat cracker barrel hashbrown casserole recipe." It was an amazingly perfect dish for any occasion, and it makes a lot and costs next to nothing to make! My dish was the stuffed cinnamon roll french toast, which is very good and very easy as well. It's perfect for everyone and every age, and there's so many combinations for the stuffing! Here is the recipe: Pillsbury Large Cinnamon Rolls Cream Cheese, Softened Stawberry Preserves (or any preserves, jam, or fresh fruit you want) Eggs Milk Place the cinnamon rolls close together in a 9-inch round pan like below.

While the cinnamon rolls cook, mix softened cream cheese and jam. There's no science to this...it's all based on your taste. I used 8 oz cream cheese, which was way too much for 5 cinnamon rolls.

Once the rolls are cooked, let them cool for approximately 20 minutes. Cut the rolls in half leaving a top and bottom. Spread the cream cheese and jam on the bottom and replace top to make a sandwich.

Place butter in a pan and heat to medium, dip your stuffed cinnamon rolls in eggs and milk and pan fry the cinnamon rolls to your liking. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the rolls and cover with hot syrup!

On Christmas Day, we grilled steaks in the snow and ate them with green bean casserole and baked sweet potatoes. We shared my pumpkin roll for dessert. I did not make the pumpkin roll, it was a Whole Foods special!!! After our Christmas Dinner, we opened our only Christmas gift to each other. Well... it wasn't really wrapped, so I guess we didn't open it, but it was a big secret to both of us. Since we didn't buy Christmas gifts, we wanted to do something fun and surprising for Christmas, and this is what we came up with: Our 5th Anniversary is this May, and we could not decide what we wanted to do, but we both knew we wanted to travel somewhere we have never been. Originally we wanted to travel to Europe, but the time and money it takes to go overseas will probably be postponed to our 10th anniversary. So last week, we each picked 5 places in the states we really want to visit in May for our anniversary, and of our picks, we narrowed down our favorite destinations to 5 places. We made a pact to put the 5 places on paper and draw our 5th anniversary destination on Christmas Day! Our 5 destinations were 1. Seattle and Portland - Michael's 1st pick, My 3rd pick 2. Las Vegas - Michael's pick, I prayed that we would not draw Vegas! 3. Key West - Michael and I both picked Key West 4. San Francisco and Napa - Michael wasn't too enthusiastic, My 2nd pick 5.New York and Boston - Michael's 3rd pick, My first pick! Here are the pieces of paper ready to be drawn!!!!

Michael did the honors of drawing our destination. We went through the places he didn't pick first:

And number one.....Las Vegas! Whoo Hoo! Thank You Jesus!

And number two....Key West! Kinda sad but we went to the beach on our honeymoon

And number three.....Seattle/Portland! It would have been cold anyway!

And now we are down to my two favorite places....I can't lose....and the second runner-up was San Francisco/Napa Valley

We are going to New York and Boston!!!!! My first pick! I am so excited! We have never been to either city, and I think we are going to have an awesome time! We are already booking our hotel in New York tonight! It's official and there's no turning back!

Merry Christmas to us and cheers to celebrating a very happy marriage!

A Different Christmas

It's Christmas morning, and I am sitting in our dark living room with Scarlett snoozing by my side. Michael is still in bed because I guess there's no real reason to get up when there's no children tugging at you to wake up and see what Santa has brought them! I would be lying if I told you this time of year is truly one that makes me want children - it's the rest of the year that I need convincing! This Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas. It doesn't resemble the Christmas they show in movies, and it doesn't feel like the many years of Christmas I have experienced in the past. We have been so busy with life, and we knew we were moving at the end of this month so we decided against putting up a Christmas tree. There are no presents in pretty wrapping paper either. Our presents will be new furniture and a memory foam mattress. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about a new bed, but the sound of paper shredding and bows being ripped off giant boxes sounds a little more like Christmas morning! There's no room full of family centered around a giant table waiting on Christmas dinner, hurrying up to devour a meal that took hours to prepare because everyone knows opening presents comes right after dessert. It's just Michael and me with our two steaks, a sweet potoato for each of us, some green beans, and our individually wrapped desserts we picked up yesterday at Whole Foods. Sure, I'm a little sad because Christmas this year isn't Christmas like I have always known it to be. I think there will always be a piece of me that will be sad on Christmas because my parents are divorced now, though I know that their separation is a good decision the other 364 days of the year. Knowing Michael no longer gets to celebrate Christmas with his dad also makes this day difficult. Our quiet Christmas this year makes his absence more real to me today. The point I am slowly getting to is that for the first time in my life, I have not experienced Christmas like everyone around me seems to be experiencing it. This is not a Christmas that would be featured in a hit holiday movie or sung about in a Christmas Carol because there is no Christmas Tree or lights, no family centered around a ham and pumpkin pie, and no children waiting impatiently for Santa to eat his milk and cookies. It is Michael, Scarlett, and me in our little apartment on a quiet rainy day, and I am writing while Michael sleeps Christmas morning away! BUT...here is the good part - just because we are not experiencing the grand Christmas we are supposed to be having or have had in the past, I believe we have both experienced something a little more meaningful. For the first time in our marriage, Michael and I went to church to celebrate Christmas. It was an amazing service that spoke to the essence of what I have been feeling lately. Our pastor explained that no matter what type of Christmas you celebrate, the Christmas season always heightens feelings of stress, loneliness, and disconnection. (I have been feeling a lot of loneliness lately)! And so perfectly he pointed out that the night Jesus was born, everyone in the Christmas story was also experiencing loneliness, isolation, and stress. Mary and Joseph were both away from home and exausted from traveling. To add to their isolation and to Mary's pain, there was no one to take them in for the night and give them a comfortable place to rest and for Mary to give birth. They were alone in the world about to give birth to a king in no other place but a manger (I don't know about you, but this is the time for me to stop complaining about my Christmas this year)! I have never thought about the Christmas story this way, and I never realized how lonely of a story it is for all involved - it is not a glamorous baby story and the sermon taught me that God did this on purpose. Though Mary and Joseph were all alone in this stressful situation, God was there the entire time, ensuring the safety and security during the most important birth in history. Not even a king experienced a birth like most of us have experienced; he was born in some very desolate conditions, but God delivered Him to safety and to save us! This Christmas, I am realizing that no matter how my ideas and expectations of Christmas make me feel because I am not with my family and have no presents to open, God is right here and I am thankful to be getting closer to him every day. He has given me a best friend to share my life with and a wonderful baby girl who I have the pleasure of cuddling and walking every day! It's a struggle for me not to let my loneliness get the best of me, but this Christmas I am realizing that God is my family, and he will never leave me. That's a pretty awesome Christmas gift!!! No matter what type of Christmas you are having this year, I hope you are all blessed! This is a day to remember the true purpose of this life and the gift we have all been given - the birth of Jesus Christ!

Kitchen Progress

The kitchen is coming along nicely! Here are some before pics and pictures of the kitchen that were taken today after we got the appliances delivered and the lighting hung. A major cleaning will be taking place tomorrow on the carpets and floors, and then we will be ready to put the finishing touches into place. I can't wait to reveal the countertops and backsplash once Eric finishes it.

McGreevey Home Makeover!

Officially, on December 5, Michael and Sean inherited the house Michael grew up in just outside of Birmingham. To make a very long story short, when their dad Kevin passed away last year, he had sold the house in a lease-purchase agreement that was supposed to end in the house being sold this October. The deal fell through, and the boys inherited a very bad taste-specific and outdated home that needed lots and lots of work before going on the market. I think for all involved, this has been a stressful and tiring experience, but with seeing the amazing changes in just a couple of weeks, this is becoming an exciting experience that we have all learned from. You know, it really is amazing how God works. Quite a few times, I have wondered why we have ended up in Birmingham, and I think that it is perfect that Michael and I are here to help work on the house and get it sold so Michael and Sean can move on. We are also very lucky to have our good friend Eric here in Birmingham who has done amazing work on the house. He truly has a gift when it comes to construction, and he loves what he does! We began working on the house on December 7, and with Sean coming down to help this week, the house looks amazing so far! Michael and I are planning on moving into the house at the end of the month, so we can stage the house and get it sold more quickly. I think I have lost count of how many times we have moved in the past 4 1/2 years! I am pretty excited about this one though! Here are some before and after pictures of the house 10 days into construction:

We have not tackled the outside yet, but as you can see, it has lots of potential!

Welcome to the awful kitchen and hideous red cabinets!

The only things worth keeping are the wood floors and black granite

From ugly red to beautiful white! The boys were up 'til 3 a.m. painting these cabinets last night!

So much better already!

Here is the basement with all of our new light fixtures ready to be installed! The hole in the ceiling allowed Eric to add a gas line, so we now will have a gas stove rather than an electric one!

Our lovely outdated master bathroom with beautiful brass hardware and "mannequin" colored cabinets as Sean so lovingly called them!

Eric will be installing a new window over the jetted tub

First coat of paint going on!

The first bedroom I painted! Whoo Hoo!

The dark cave-like master bedroom with great ceilings

First coat of natural gray paint, and the room looks so much lighter and bigger!

This is the once hideous dining room. Trust me, it looks so much worse in person!

Looking better already!

This hallway to the basement was the same color as the dining room.

Our newly painted living room.

All of these pictures were taken a few days ago, and the boys have already done so much more. The master bed and bath are near completion, and the new light fixtures in the rooms look amazing. Michael and I are going back to work some more tomorrow, so look for more pictures!

Trip to Atlanta!

Sorry it's been so long since I have written anything! I was on vacation for a week and a half, and I got to spend lots of quality time with Michael's family and my mom who came to Birmingham for a week. We shopped a lot of course! I laugh because we used to shop at Dillard's and boutiques and now it's antique stores and flea markets! I actually have more fun bargain hunting with my mom than I ever did all those years at the mall! We also took a trip to Atlanta and visited the Coca-Cola Museum and Georgia Aquarium. This is the second time this year I have visited the aquarium, and it is amazing! It was fun to get to take my mom. We also went to Atlantic Station and IKEA!!! WOW I love that store! I loved everything so much, I am making Michael rent a truck and take me back for Christmas! They have thought of everything for every room and the furniture and decor is so so reasonable. My mom and aunt want to drive back to Birmingham and go back this spring, so I may get to go for the third time soon!

Mom and I in front of the designer bottles at the Coca-Cola Museum

Hanging out on the 2007 American Idol sofa

Mom petting the stingrays

Hanging out with the cute penguins - my favorites!

I loved this picture that my mom took!

What am I thankful for?

It's officially Thanksgiving Night, and I am writing to the rumble of my full stomach, at least I hope that's why my stomach is rumbling...Michael had the stomach bug yesterday, and I hope it hasn't buzzed my way! Nevertheless, we had a great thanksgiving, and I am so thankful for lots and lots of things! If I do get catch Michael's bug, I am very grateful for a warm bed to be sick in and to have an unlimited source of Gatorade that I know Michael will go out and get me! It's such a small thing, but just think of how awful it would be to get sick and not have a warm place of your own to lie down and recover. I am very thankful for my bed!

I am thankful for the renewed relationship I have with Jesus Christ, and the conviction he has given me to serve Him and others more. I am grateful for the ever-growing purpose in my life! I am thankful for Michael, my best friend and soulmate, who never fails to love me for me. I am thankful for my best friend and beautiful mom. I am thankful for my extended family who have shown so much love towards my mom this past year, and I am thankful for my inherited McGreevey family who came to visit us and spend Thanksgiving with us today!

We are very lucky to be living in this great country where we are able to wake up every day and choose how we want to live each day! Freedom is priceless, and I know I take it for granted!

I am thankful for all of you who read my blog. Thank you for your support and your interest in our lives! I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday and have many things in your life for which you are grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November Photography

So I officially moved November Photography to this blog to consolidate the two blogs...sadly there is not much to consolidate because I haven't been taking many pictures! We did, however, go to the park last week when the leaves were so beautiful, and I was able to take some pictures of the fall foliage. Nature is my favorite subject to shoot, and I love fall colors, so I am glad I finally brought out my camera. Here are some of my favorites!






















I love the next three pictures of Scarlett!

Answers

I've had a rough week! One of my toughest weeks in a while. I've learned that some people are just mean and unhappy and they say hateful things and attack you blindsided. I also learned that in times of trial, I find it very easy to let my emotions and anger get the best of me and I attack back, which results in making the situation worse. It is my nature to be passive and a people pleaser, but then when I have had enough, I let it all out-which I promise does me no good! I know a lot of you do that too, but unfortunately "letting it all out" in a no win and unfair situation does nothing in our favor. I learned a tough lesson this week, and though I had a few bad days, and I am still a bit angry, I am thankful for the growth I have already experienced from the situation. Several weeks ago, I began studying the One Year Bible provided by our church online. It is my quiet time everyday, and it gives me a few minutes of peace that I need just to get through the day sometimes. Today, I received so many answers to the situation that happened to me this week, and I am so grateful to God for His instruction, His love, and His mercy. I wanted to share a few passages from today's bible study that may help you if you are struggling with a situation as well. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! (Proverbs 118:21-25) A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. (Proverbs 28:3-5) What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us. But he gives us more grace. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:1-8) Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15) I thank God for the answers he gives! Now, it's just up to me to submit to what he is teaching me! Click on One Year Bible if you are interested in beginning a daily bible study or you want answers to life's little trials we all have. It's nice just to have some direction in this chaotic world!

Happy Harvest!

Today was the most perfect fall day in Birmingham! The leaves are finally at their peak color, and the temperature outside was awesome. Scarlett and I took a long walk around 10 a.m., and I could have stayed outside all day because it was so nice...even in the sun. It was a pefect fall day for football as well. Tennessee pulled out a huge homecoming win against Ole Miss! Go VOLS!!! It was 66 degrees in Knoxville most of the game, and I wish we could have been there. Michael was actually in Tennessee today, and is now on his way home. He got stuck taking the cheerleaders to the Samford at UTC game this morning. Tough job, but someone has to do it right?! Since it finally felt like fall today, I thought I would take some pictures of our fall decorations around the apartment. I love decorating for the holidays, and as much as I enjoy putting up the Christmas tree, there is something about warm fall decorations that make me so happy! Our apartment is predominantly decorated in cool colors, so for the fall I like to make our home seem a little cozier!

Scarlett has no problem getting cozy on our couch snuggled up next to the new pillows I got for fall. I found them at Kohls for $20 a pair, which is a steal! I thought they coordinated with every color we had in our place because they have the brown with the blue and green. Michael hates throw pillows and would prefer a bare couch, but every girl has to have throw pillows. We compromise by not having tons of pillows on the bed!

I wove a fall garland from Celebrating Home through our chandalier, and we use the CH mixing bowls and stand for our apples and bananas every week. The bowls also make a perfect tray for Michael to throw in his wallet and ipod when he gets home.

I love the fall garland because it has so much green in it!

I added some fall touches to our homemade wine racks as well. I stuck some sparkly pumpkins and squash in a clear bell jar, and added leaves at the bottom of my decorative plate.

Our entryway was so bear, so I added my Celebrating Home trunks with some more sparkly pumpkins and a lantern filled with acorns and pumpkins. Scarlett posing by the decor adds a nice touch!

For an apartment, we have lots of counterspace. Why not decorate the counters too! I've got the sparkly pumpkins again, my favorite plate, and our Thanksgiving Beanpot that's filled with Scarlett's treats.

My favore Celebrating Home piece is my Tuscan Pitcher. It's perfect for fall, and it holds our cooking utensils. I love this picture because you can see Scarlett lounging on the couch in the background being a Princess as usual!

I love fall for so many reasons! I love the opportunity to bring out my sweaters and boots, the air always smells like campfires, the trees are so beautiful, football season is underway, and the holidays are just around the corner. Having the reminder of fall inside our house makes it that much better!

Happy Harvest Everyone!