Miscellany Monday

Happy Halloween!!!

     So, I have to admit that I am not the biggest Halloween fan in the world, but I do enjoy it to an extent. My family and I had a lot of fun last night enjoying chili and carving pumpkins. Here is a picture of the ones we carved. 

 I wish the picture was better. I did the mummy one and the large jack-o-lantern. Jeff did the two small jack-o-lanterns. 

 
     Now that Halloween is pretty much over, I am getting in full Christmas mode. Throughout the next couple of days I will be taking my Fall decorations down and putting my Christmas decorations up. I can't wait!!! Once I get my trees and other decorations put out, I will take some pictures and post them.  Starting tomorrow I will also begin to blast my beloved Christmas music. David Crowder has a new Christmas CD out that I am so anxious to get. Until then, here is a little Christmas song preview;)

Sunday Worship Song

     I can't believe it's already Sunday again; time goes by so fast. It took me awhile to pick a song today, but I've settled on this one by The David Crowder Band. They are mine and Jeff's favorite band and this song actually plays a part in our story as a couple. I hope you all have a blessed Sunday as you praise our wonderful Savior.

Bittersweet Reality

     Well, I'm back from vacation and can't believe how fast time flies. We had such a wonderful time and could have probably stayed a couple more days. However, I was really starting to miss my sweet doggie Starbuck, sleeping in my own bed, and showering in my own shower. So it's bittersweet; good to be back, sad to be back. (Mostly sad to return to work and all the demands that life throws our way.) Anyways, I thought I would share some pictures of our purchases with you. We mostly bought new additions for our Christmas decor, which by the way, starting next weekend my blog will be all decked out with all things Christmas. Call me crazy, I don't mind. To me a month is not long enough to celebrate the birth of our Savior, look at all the sparkling lights, smell all the wonderful smells of baking, and listen to the jolly sounds of Christmas music. At the Lemr household we become like little children during this season. We also got a jump start on our Christmas shopping by purchasing a few gifts. (I will not be sharing pics of these items due to the fact that my family members read my posts and I wouldn't want to spoil anything.)

     A cute snowman tower. I think I'm going to 

     put this beside our Christmas tree.

Snow Owls! These are actually cuter in person and I have

    an idea for them. (I'll share next weekend!)

    A cute Christmas village that lights up and 

   plays music. The Santa also spins around.

 Here are the jeans that I got for only $23!

     We also made many Starbucks runs and did lots of eating out which is a very special treat for Jeff and I. We left on a set budget and actually spent less than what we anticipated. May I also say how much it enriched our marriage. We had lots of good talks in the hot tub and over coffee, and just enjoyed being with each other. If there is any way that you and your spouse can get away for a little while, I highly recommend it. Here are a few more pictures taken from the trip:

  I already miss all of the beautiful scenery.

 I am going to try to make one of these.

 It's mostly made of Styrofoam and felt.

      This was our last day in Gatlinburg:(

     Well, that's all I've got for now. Have a great night!

Sunday Worship Song

     I love this song by Steven Curtis Chapman. He is by far one of the best male Christian artists out there and his songs are so profound. I know I have experienced the Savior's love many times, and have been left completely speechless by it. My prayer today is that you would experience the great love the Father has for us as well. Have a great Sunday!

Some Pics and a Prank

     Whew! Vacation is going by way too fast. Jeff and I have had such a blast and are looking forward to even more festivities over the next couple of days. Yesterday was filled with shopping at the outlets and my favorite Christmas Place. A couple of years ago when we were here we went to Banana Republic (where I will only shop the clearance racks:) and I found a  really nice pair of jeans for $25. This time I found a even better deal and snagged a pair for $23. The pair I got two years ago still look as good as new even after wearing them and washing them many times, so I am confident that this pair will be just as good. At the Christmas Place I purchased this adorable snowman tower and some owl decor (Don't worry I will have pics of these items in just a couple of weeks!) 

     Today we went horseback riding which was so much fun. I told Jeff my dream is to have a log cabin and a horse someday. (I would have definitely done just fine living in Little House on the Prairie times.) There is just something so serene and beautiful about horses and I would love to own one. I however did have quite the scare on my horse at one point on the trail. Jeff's horse bit my horse in the butt and he took off in a full sprint, going downhill. Can you say terrifying? I was screaming, "Whoa, Whoa!!!" over and over again and pulling on his reigns when he finally stopped. Of course it's funny now and Jeff says the look on my face was priceless, but at the time I was by no means laughing. 

     Lastly, we played a pretty funny prank on my mom tonight. My cousin goes to school here in Tennessee and he came to stay the night with us. His brother had this big foot costume that he put on and came charging at us while we were roasting marshmallows on the deck. My mom didn't know what to think. My brother had locked the door so we couldn't get back in and she was screaming, "What is that?! Who is that?! The door is locked!" It was priceless. Anyways, that's all I have tonight. Here are some pics from the last couple of days.

    Me and my sweet Hubby!

    My Mom and me.

 My Daddy and me.

   Aaron, Kathleen, Jeff, and Me.

       Jeff and Me at the Christmas Place.

A cute Christmas tree (This only adds more anticipation for me;)

   My cousin in the Big Foot costume.

                                                    

Gatlinburg Day 2....

And I'm still with these guys!

     Today has been a really fun day. This morning I walked out on the deck and took in the incredible view of the beautiful mountains.

 If you look close at the very top of the mountains, you can see snow.

     We began the day by eating at the Pancake Pantry where I enjoyed a bacon and cheese omelet, and two pancakes. From there we did some shopping, enjoyed a nice cup of coffee, and then came back to the chalet. Since the weather is quite chilly here, the hot tub is feeling perfect. Jeff and I enjoyed about a good hour in it this afternoon while my Mom was grilling out some burgers. When it was time to eat we brought all of but three burgers in because they still needed a few minutes to cook. My mom and brother went back out to get them and found this...

 No burgers, only torn aluminum foil. Proof that we are most likely in bear territory.

     We were going to go back out to make S'mores, but after that we quickly changed our minds. So for now we are just going to lay back and take it easy. Since being here and seeing all of God's beautiful creation, I just keep thinking about this worship song by Cindy Morgan. I hope you enjoy it.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

     

     Hooray!!! We finally made it to our chalet. It's 12:00am, but we made it. I am so excited to be here and am looking forward to shopping, eating, and resting.  I am hoping to post something each day I'm here, so stay tuned. In the meantime I am incredibly tired, my Dad is questioning who drinks peppermint mocha creamer with a look of disgust on his face, and I feel disoriented. Here a couple of pictures we've taken since we have arrived.

       Excuse the crazed look but when you ride in a car with 

         these people for almost five hours, it takes a toll on you.