Christmas collage

I am hoping to post more about Christmas soon, but here is the new photo collage in our bedroom.  This was the result of some things we already had and some new Christmas gifts.

Sorry it's a little blurry, I had to take the picture with my phone.  It's nice to get some more pictures from our wedding up.  This collage is around my vanity.

(Almost) Christmas

We have been working up a storm getting ready for Christmas this year.  For Oakley, we found the Crayola Sketcher Projector, which was a big hit.  He got it out to play with it right away.  For Callahan, we fed into his Little People obsession.  He almost forgot to open the rest of his gifts.  I would say nephew success for this Christmas!

I also made these gift tags for the Jans Christmas.  They were pretty cool and it was fun for the little guys to be able to tell who the gifts were for.

They were inspired by pinterest here and here.

Josh and I also got pretty creative with some other gifts, but it got so hectic I forgot to take pictures of most of them.  Here is the inspiration:

• DIY Photo Magnets
• Reinbeers
• DIY Wineglass candles

Sorry this is sideways.  I don't have technology skills.

The inspiration for these came from my trip to the vineyard in Winona and the linked pinterest tutorial.

Next up, we have the Sheets family exchange on Christmas Eve.  We have everything done for that, just waiting for the last part of a gift to arrive in the mail and wrapping.

Before December is through we will have a party or two and a wedding!  Looking forward to some good times.

p.s. Josh has an interview on Monday and another one on Tuesday.  Please send warm thoughts and good vibes his way!

Reflections

The program I am in for school has inspired a lot of self-reflection over the last year and a half.  Something that I struggle with myself and know that many students do as well is giving myself permission to be who I really am.  I have been working on this more and more and have been greatly inspired by this quote from Marianne Williams-

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

So remember, even when you feel lost, you are here in this world for a very important purpose.  No one can contribute the way you can.  And whatever you feel called to do, do it with passion.

Happy Saturday!