Top 3

So yes, it's the end of the year (almost) and I decided this will be my last Christmas-y post for the year, LOL. And tomorrow, I'll start fresh with some of the other stuff that's been in my head the last month or so, but has been overshadowed by all the holiday happenings.

I think I already said what a most lovely Christmas I had this year and as I was telling Julie, my SIL, Christmas day is really just the big party at the end of a lot of fun little parties. All the baking, making, socializing, giving, singing, worshiping, that is all the wonderful preparation for the big day. So I've thoroughly enjoyed a month of celebration!

I thought I would share my top three favorite things received this year (although that doesn't mean the others weren't just as special or near and dear to me) ... each for a different reason ...

This necklace (well not this exact one) from Matt.
I've loved Lisa Leonard's jewelry for more than a year and was totally shocked by this "stocking stuffer" (since we weren't exchanging gifts). He enlisted Jessica to help make it a total surprise. My top heart says "Pure Joy." and the second says "Matthew" "Ethan".
Love it!


These "spa" slippers, except mine are even cuter in red.
I live in slippers while at home ... winter, spring, summer and fall ... seriously.
It has something with hating to step in anything, especially anything wet ... bleh.
So because of their everyday usefulness I picked them as a top three.

And third ... this scrapbook binder (in leaf green) from American Crafts.
It's a D-Ring style binder that can hold all of my different size layouts. From my 8x8 digital layouts all the way to my 12x12 paper layouts, all in one place. I've been wanting this for about a year, so I'm very happy my layouts have a home (I think Jessie is equally excited about hers).

Again, I was showered with much love and many wonderful gifts that I have been enjoying and I have a few more to share in coming days.

My last bit about Christmas, well it's something to think of for next Christmas. I read on someones blog (shocking that I have now forgotten where) about an "advent" style tradition that I want to do next year and thought I would share with you too. Wrap up all of your Christmas/Winter children's books and place in a basket. Then on each day of December (or maybe the 12 days before Christmas, depending on how many books you have) your child(ren) can open a "present" and you can read the book together. I loved this idea. Doesn't cost anything really, allows them to look forward to something each day and gives you a quiet moment each day in the midst of all you have going on.

And I did have some awesome Christmas decor finds to share, but the photos are downstairs on the laptop and I'm upstairs on the PC (quite the dilemma, yes?) ... so *maybe* you'll let me squeeze in one more Christmas-y post tomorrow? Or maybe I'll go downstairs and post ... Hmmm ... you'll have to wait and be surprised.

Happy Monday, Happy Last Day of 2007!!