Saturday, January 17, 2015

January Favorites

So, have y'all been working on your New Year's Resolutions or goals? I know it's kind of cliché to think about every January. I usually let every new year go by without thinking about big changes, because I would get too overwhelmed. Now it's 2015, and it's been different already as far as goals go. :)
Last week, I got my Young Living Essential Oils order in and I was so excited to try them. I had tried thieves and absolutely love it. It was good to use the diffuser and also use them on myself, and even Russell. :) He likes the lavender. It goes along with my goal to get healthier this year. 
I got my Erin Condren planner in the other day, and adore it so much. Every year, I order an EC planner and use it daily. It helps me to get organized!

Have y'all heard of Clean Mama? Her posts are on instagram daily and it truly encourages me to check the duty off my list for the day and get it done! I started last Sunday and have stuck with it since then. Our house really is much cleaner than it was two weeks ago. This favorite goes along with my get clean and get organized goal. :) You know, go through clutter, clean daily, keep up with laundry, etc.

Last night, I made this potato soup from the Point of Grace cookbook. It was so yummy and had a couple of ingredients you normally wouldn't think to put in potato soup. It just might become a standby in our house. So I hope I can share monthly favorites more often, which will be random finds in the current month. So, again, happy January!
 
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

JOYFUL CHRISTMAS..Jackson's 1st..Part 2

Here's the continuation of our trip to South AR, plus a celebration at my house!
The day after Christmas, we headed to Russell's parent's house to celebrate the holiday!
We opened gifts. They were tickled to get the personalized plate and framed picture of Jackson.

The three of us! Oh, we love our son, Jackson Randolph!

The best Christmas present!

Ricky enjoyed showing Jackson how to take a "selfie." HA!

Jackson loves them!
Jackie cooked a great lunch: chicken spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad.
That night, we had the Lawson Christmas!

BJ and his little girl, Eve. What a sweet little girl!

Mamaw Lawson, Jackson, and Eve.
On the 27th, we went to Russell's grandparent's house.

Love this picture of 4 Price boys!

Papaw playing peek-a-boo with J. So cute.

Jackson enjoyed the ribbon and wrapping paper.


We stayed at KK (my mom) and BA's house and KK was so excited to read this Rudolph book to Jackson. Rudolph's nose lit up while reading the book. Too fun!

KK is so proud of her baby grandboy!
We truly enjoyed our few days in South Arkansas. It was wonderful to see many family members and a few friends. If you have read this blog even for a short time, you know family is everything to me. I cannot say enough how much fun we had!
Fast forward to January 3rd.......
Whew! That was fast! ;)

I call these cookies "New Year's cookies," because I still used a few cookie cutters from the Christmas collection, but it's still Winter, so I used snowflake, snowman, and bell cutters.
My mom's family came to our house this year to celebrate Christmas! Most of the family got to come, so we were tickled about that. We had ham, macaroni special, green beans with almonds, bread, and death by chocolate for dessert. It was our family's Christmas get together, so of course we had more munchies, like crackers and dips, and olive cheese bread. Thanks to the Pioneer Woman for many recipes, yet again! :)

Opening gifts!

My cousin, Parke and his sweet wife, Anna. This is their 1st Christmas as "Mr. and Mrs." :)

My uncle Mike, Aunt Dodie and Jackson!

My Aunt Molly!

Emily and her very tall boyfriend, Cable. They are so adorable together!

Just the 3 of us again! :)

Kathy (Mama) and Molly!

Kelly, Logan, and Lauren!

Lauren and I are two peas in a pod. She is so very special to me! We know how to have fun and be adventurous! It is so fun to watch her play with Jackson.
It was awesome spending time with MANY family members. My heart just bursts with JOY when I see any family member, but my heart almost overflows with JOY when I can celebrate Jesus' birth many times, not only at Christmastime, with my husband, Russell, and our son, Jackson.
Christmas may be over, but let's not ever forget that Jesus, the Messiah, LOVES and ADORES you!

So now, on January 7th, let's try to fly past any Winter blues that may come and think positive. I have really been thinking about how to kinda "revamp" this blog. Obviously still have J's pics, but add more. If you have any ideas, feel free to share. I have ideas, but y'all just share away! Again, have a wonderful 2015!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they my see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Monday, January 5, 2015

JOYFUL CHRISTMAS...Jackson's 1st

Happy 2015, y'all! Of course, I am already a little behind on my blog. It's been extra busy around here. It's time for a Christmas catch up post! I will have two, so get ready! :)
On December 23rd, we packed the car from top to bottom, so we could head to South AR. Belle came with us and was a good little traveler. She even checked on Jackson in the backseat by peeking in the car seat. Too cute.
Our favorite place to stop during road trips is Cracker Barrel. Jackson likes to look around at everything in that store. He enjoyed trying on a cowboy hat.
We were so glad to get to my mom and B.A's house late that night.  

Christmas Eve was so special. Russell and I packaged our annual cinnamon rolls and delivered them to family. We saw two of my Daddy's brothers. What a treat that was. Every time I am around any of the Jordan boys, it feels as though a little piece of Daddy is there too.

I was so tickled that Daddy's twin, Jack, met Jackson for the first time! What a sweet, sweet moment. Jack is so great with babies!
Russell, Jackson, Mama and I went to the Christmas Eve service that night. Every time we have gone to church, Jackson always goes to childcare. They did not provide it this time, which was totally fine. It was Jackson's first Christmas Eve service and he did so great. I sang, "All is Well" at the end of the service. It is always the best to sing for Jesus! Especially at Christmas. All is Well is one of my favorites! We also sang many Christmas hymns and Jackson was "singing" along with us. Oh, So SWEET!

I just love them!

We were so glad to see Emily and Kim for a little bit at church. It's always fabulous to be at my home church where I grew up.
Jackie and Ricky were there too. Good to see them! They surprised us!



BA's family came after the service for dinner. My mom cooked wonderful roast and all the fixin's for it. Yummy! Here's our family Christmas Eve pic. :)

Kerrstyn, BA, Colton, Lori, and Shawn

It was time to get our cookies for Santa! Look at our little boy helping out! :)

Yes, this is picture overload, I know.

He loves Rudolph. He settled down for a long winter's nap.

Santa Claus came! Jackson's gift from Santa was a Fisher-Price house!

Looking in his stocking.

Russell was so surprised he got a GoPro!

We had the traditional Christmas breakfast.

We met Kelly, Eric, Logan and Lauren at their house. Aww, Lauren looks beautiful!

I truly tried to soak in every moment of Jackson's first Christmas. He is such a snuggle bear.

We enjoyed opening presents. Logan was OVERJOYED to get this Porche poster for his room. I love his smile!

Oh, I love this picture of my sister, Kelly, and my son. Perfection.



Hey, sweet baby!

Russell made me laugh so much when he got these Jimmy Fallon thank you notes. He loved it.

Sweet and special family picture!

The girls! And Baby J.

The cousins!

JOYFUL! Oh, my heart swells with JOY!

Goodies for dessert!

And I leave you with this sweetie looking out the window. It was time for us to put Jackson in his pj's and get ready to head back South for Christmas Part 2! :)

Christmas Day was incredibly perfect. Our precious family of three celebrated with our extended family and showed Jackson a special 1st Christmas Day.
We spent time with many other family members, so stay tuned!

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.