Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

I am in my pajamas, coffee mug in hand, surrounded by family, Christmas music going, things a baking, and excitement of Christmas in the air. Little Gabriel knows that we are down to just "one more nap" till Jesus' big birthday celebration. My children bring that magical feeling back to me all over again, and Gabe and I feel like little kids waiting for the arrival Christmas morning. There is a 70% chance of snow tomorrow, and currently we are all healthy, which would fulfill the only things on my wish list:) Thankful for the gift of true joy that fills my heart today and don't feel I deserve anything else from such a loving God.

We wish you much peace this Christmas, and hope that you have a very happy New Year!

Love, Gabe, Anna, Gabriel, and Veronica

Around Here: Christmas Edition

We are gearing up to hit the road and gather with brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, nanna and papa for Christmas. Gabriel has been counting down by how many naps he has to take before we leave. Can hardly contain our excitement:) Here is a glimpse of the holiday happenings around our house...

Turned these....

..into this. A silver and gold bulb chandelier to offset the not so pretty ceiling fixture in our rental home:) Work with what you got, and make it your own, right?

(Tie ribbon through and around ends of ornaments and make sure to measure each ribbon strand as you go along to tier. I tied the other ends to the bottom of the light fixture.)

(spools of Midori ribbon)

If I can't paint the door red, I WILL hang a flaming red wreath.

(Her favorite perch. Front and center.)

A well loved tree that seems to gather clusters of ornaments on a single branch close to the level of two eager little toddlers...

The benefits of baking with mama.

(To officially welcome all guests.)

I am super jealous of all of you who got pummeled in snow. 

As much as I love the mild Atlanta winters, I am dreaming of a White Christmas. I am hoping St. Louis will pull through for us:) Happy December from our family to yours!

Love, Anna

We have only the present: Tidings of Good Will

I have heard so many stories recently from friends, family, and strangers alike who are going through some really difficult times. Financial strain, loss of a loved one, illness, family problems, etc. There are many who are hurting, and it can especially hit hard during Christmas. This always weighs heavy on my heart, but this year, I resolved to talk less and act more.

What started as a facebook thread expressing this resolution, turned into a surprisingly awe inspiring day for me as I read comments and received emails from readers who have chosen to do something for their neighbors and communities this year. It moved me to tears. Big and small things alike. I am going to share some of them with you here, in hopes it will inspire you as well to do small things with great love this advent season. I am pretty sure BIG things can result because of it.

(photo by my talented sister Angela, quote source ?)

"I'm paying it forward! Every time I go through the drive-thru, paying for the persons behind me & serving a few hours a week." - Amanda

I'm going to get some shoes and possibly a little jacket (it's getting cool here) for the little talibe that is always outside the kids school. I usually give him a few coins every day so he can warn earn his bread but he really needs clothes and shoes  In the US we always do toy drives and volunteer at shelters. The need here is so great it's hard to know where to start. - Ashley

 We want our child(ren) to know what it's like to spend their own "hard-earned" money to buy a gift for a child their age and give it to him/her personally. In return, they will receive something for Christmas on an equal level. - Hannah

(Claudia at the Okinawa-shi is Airen-En Orphanage in Japan)

I live in Japan and the culture that they have towards children with disabilities and/or in need is very secretive. After much CIA style kind of research and networking, I finally got to visit an orphanage. Now I go every other saturday and spend there from 8-12 with a group of volunteers. We teach the kiddos english and we just love them. It is so rewarding, it is indeed a reality check. We have such a blessed life! Giving is the best gift for us!!! - Claudia

All throughout the year, we donate to our food bank and for Christmas, we donate to the Mission - Christmas dinners. They provide the placemats that will be used and we can write a note of encouragement and love on them. - Emily

I got a gift card in the mail, went to Kohl's, and didn't find what I was looking for. I thought about just trying to find something else, but then an idea popped into my mind. I went up to the register and handed it to a lady with two daughters. It was AWESOME to feel the paradox of 'the more you give, the more you have'. - Katy

How about giving someone handmade "gift cards" of ways you can think of to serve them & then making them promise to cash them in before the end of Dec or end of Jan? Like a night of babysitting, a closet clearing partner, a yoga dvd buddy. Things that wouldn't cost much money on your part, just time, & would possibly also lead to more time with that person just in a very intentional way. - Hilary

I have a friend who really felt called to help with the victims of hurricane Sandy that are facing the holiday's with nothing. She did some research and ended up connecting with a parish near the Jersey Shore that has 3 different facilities housing people and is in need of help. My friend (Jessica ) Gutierrez) got a 24 foot truck donated and is working on filling it with supplies which she will herself drive to church on December 14th. -JoAnna

All of these comments have literally made me weep. You are all such a blessing to our cold, tough world. THANK YOU and THANK GOD FOR YOU and for your efforts. You are the true spirit of Christmas. - Christina

(artwork by Lena Hanzel)

So what am I going to do about this?
Having two little ones may limit it me in how or where I can serve, but they are my first project. To love my family, brothers, sisters, parents, neighbors, and friends. Often we are the ones that need the most love, right? 

Hurricane Sandy "Fill the Truck" Project - (thank you to my parish and JoAnna for the heads up!) A woman in our area was inspired to directly help Hurricane Sandy victims on the east coast. She got a 24 foot truck donated she is trying to fill with supplies by Dec. 14th to be taken to a church in New Jersey. It will then be handed to victims in need. I am hoping to rally help for this from friends and neighbors. If you are in the Atlanta area, feel free to email me for more info on the supplies needed.

Handwritten Christmas Notes to Friends - not just a family photo (in fact we aren't even doing those this year), but an old school handmade card with hand written notes to new and old friends alike. (thank you Hilary for the idea!)

Knocking on the doors of neighbors - Its so easy even in the friendly south to go months without seeing or talking to neighbors. I am determined to knock on their door, say hello and bake their way into their hearts. We all need a smile and reminder that we matter.

Giving Tree - There is a tree at our church that was filled with requests from local needy children. Shoes, cribs, socks, coats...I wanted to take them all, but my friends and I were able to get a small bunch of them and shop for what they needed. Sometimes I wish I were rich so I could do things like buy that little giving tree out of stock!

Our Landlord knocked $200 off our rent! It pretty much made our year. What we are going to do with that money? Address the list above. We have a whole list of people we have been wanting to help. God never can be outdone in generosity.

What about you? I would love to hear your ideas. My list is open for growth. These readers above reminded me how much goodness is in humanity. Hope you will join me in spreading Tidings of Good Will this year:)

* If you are doing acts of service in the next few weeks. Tweet with the hashtag #TidingsofGoodWill and you can check out and be encouraged by others doing the same! 

Top 5: Favorite Christmas Albums

We can probably all agree that Christmas music has the ability to brighten the gloomiest of days. Right? Well I have a whole playlist that I go through from the start of advent through Christmas day. My family has probably a thousand and three Christmas traditions, and music is a part of that.

The Christmas Albums that Top My List:

1. Bing's White Christmas album will always top the list. I have listened and danced to this album with my sisters for as long as I can remember. It immediately brings Christmas spirit into my heart.

2. Manheim Steamroller - Christmas in the aire and Extroardinaire. My dad would always save this for Christmas morning before all of us would trample downstairs. It was the signal that St. Nicholas had come. I probably will continue this with my own children:)

3. White by Craig Kaelin. I have had this on repeat this week. Incredibly peaceful. I can't get enough.

4. Andy Williams. This tops both Gabe and I's favorites list. The classics always hit home. We even had this as a record. Who doesn't love his rendition of "Its the most wonderful time of the year?"

5. Little Women. I can't even get started on this or my overly sentimental heart will weep. It reminds me of the happy memories of growing up with many sisters, and we all love this one especially at Christmas time.

Honorable Mentions: George Winston, Sarah McLachlan, Chicago (my dad's fave), Charlie Brown Christmas, and Mariah Carey, Amy Grant (my mom's fave)

What about you? Top Christmas album??

12 Days of Christmas Recap 2011

Thoroughly enjoying this time in my little bubble with my family. Cutting off from the internet/work for a few days to celebrate Christmas has been wonderful. 

There are 12 days of Christmas so we are still celebrating over here!...

Just a few of the moments that made this year's Christmas memorable:

Christmas Cookie Decoration contest.

Carols by the piano.

Christmas Eve Mass with my entire family (missing my sister Tricia due with a baby any day!)

Gift exchange.... Happy tears, squeals, and surprises galore.

Babies in Christmas PJ's.

Christmas Day walk with my dad.

Family Bunco Night. (and laughing so hard my side hurt.)

Husband's Christmas Beard.

Sister talks.

Seeing Gabriel interact with his cousins.

Dance Parties in the kitchen.

Non-stop coffee sessions.

I don't want it to be over:( Dreading the drive back to reality!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well!

Can't wait to share with you some great things happening on IHOD in 2012!

Dedicated to the King.....

(source)

I look at Christmas as the most important day in history.

Love so great that a son was sacrificed and sent to save the meek, lowly, suffering, and sinners alike. His example of humility in being born in a stable just the start of a life lead in service to others and to his Father in Heaven. As I cuddle my own babies this Christmas, I can't help but relate to Mary...

There must have been so much love in that stable that night. 

There must have been so much wonder and awe. 

There must have been so much hope.

"But you, Bethlehem, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." ~Micah 5:2

This little baby, the King of Kings would change human kind!

From Gabe and I, Veronica and Gabriel, 

we wish you all a very Blessed Christmas with your loved ones!!

DIY Advent Calendars Part I

(From the top: loretoidas and aliedwards via ohhellofriend, bethproudfoot, pottery barn via pinterest, bowerpowerblog)

I am kind of crazy about Advent Calendars. I am in the middle of making one for my little fam as a surprise on the feat os St. Nicholas this weekend. Shh! Don't tell! Advent calendars a great way to build anticipation and excitement for Christmas (not that you need much help)! 

The word advent means "coming"....my family always used advent calenders as a time to gather around and reflect about who was coming- the Savior - the infant King! As a child this helped make Christ's birth more meaningful...and hence practice the true meaning of Christmas.

Do you have any Advent Calendar Traditions??

Holiday Packaging - Sweet Paul Magazine

After eating up every page of the current issue of Sweet Paul Mag, I was motivated to make every gift I give more personal this year-whether it be handmade wrapping paper, handmade card, etc.

These were a few of my favorite examples of the perfect Christmas packaging. I think everything is better with kraft paper:) If you have ordered from my shop, you probably noticed how your item came in kraft tissue and kraft bag:) Hope these examples inspire you to avoid the standard gift bag this year!

Also, lots of great things going on here on IHOD right now so here is the round up!:

1). The Handmade Holiday Gift Guide will launch next week (to help you avoid Black Friday madness;)  So if you had an item from your shop to submit, now is the time to do so!

2.) A few more fabulous Handmade Giveaways will be taking place in the next few weeks. Don't miss out on the current Stocking Giveaway from RikRak Studio!

3.) I have just a few spots left for December Advertising! Email me if you would like the info packet.

And that's a WRAP! ;) :) :D

Wednesday Photography Feature: Julie Wilhite

Happy to introduce to you Julie Wilhite Photography!

What a talented photographer. 

She seems to capture the perfect moments on camera....

Check out her breathtaking Blog and Website !

TEN DAYS till Christmas! Inspiration Countdown..

Since we are getting close to Christmas Day- one of the most important days of the year, I thought I would take a break from all the material posts and share with you some inspiration...

I have a very dear friend who lost her sister right after Christmas last year in a car accident. It was a tragedy no one ever wants to experience. As Katherine and her family have sought healing, she has shared so many lights and inspirations with us along the way. I have been incredibly inspired by her openness, faith, and active participation in making a difference in her sister Victoria's name. This year, in memory of Victoria's favorite Holiday(Christmas), they are having a toy drive for the local poor community. Amazing. If you have been waiting for a good cause to donate to,  here it is.

Beautiful girls: Katherine, her daughter Ava, sister Alex,

and youngest sister Victoria "Heaven's Brightest Star"

(Picture taken 3 days before Victoria died)

Thanks Katherine for being an inspiration!