Bye Bye Bullet

On this unseasonably warm, and yet fantastically enjoyable, day in Austin, I found myself wondering how on earth I let my child's hair get so out of control.  He's just shy of 13 months. I feel like a babe's first hair cut is a momentous occasion, deserving documentation.

Here's the kid, weary of the tools in my hand.

Here are said tools.

And here's the bullet (the baby mullet).

Just a few snips and TA-DAAA! We're back in business- in the front and in the back!

(Notice the Aggie swag. Gig 'em Ags!)

December family photos

A huge shout out and thank you to JPro for taking some lovely family photos for us. 

And, in case you didn't receive our 2011 Christmas card....

HERE.

I do enjoy the giving and the getting of presents this time of year. And, yes, the magic of Christmas morning makes me rather giddy. But, y'all, unto us a Child has been born! 

Tonight, I lay in my bed sleepless because I can't wrap my mind around that fact that the King, Messiah, Savior who was prophesied for generations is HERE.

Please God, let my mind wonder, let my heart pound, let my head bow and let my tears flow OFTEN like they are tonight as you remind me that Your Son is exactly who You promised Him to be. 

one

Three hundred sixty five days ago, we fell in love with this little guy.

Today, we celebrate his first year of life. 

What a joy it has been to love Sawyer Bradley. Looking forward to celebrating many years to come!

Favorite Things

There's a trend in the blog world in which bloggers are listing their favorite things. I love these types of posts as it offers exposure to products, books, apparel, etc. that their audiences might not already be privy to. 

Let me share with you a few of my favorite things, in no particular order...

Voluspa Candles in Baltic Amber. This scent to me says 1) Anthropologie and 2) home. Those are two things I don't mind associating with one another. Voluspa offers many lovely scents (and some not so lovely, so beware). If you've never smelled this lovely smell, you are missing out, my friend. 

Has there ever been a boot more lovely? I submit that there has not! My sweet husband bought these Steve Madden Intyce Cognac boots for me a couple years ago, and my word, they are my favorite thing in my closet. I had seen a girl wearing them at a conference, followed her around, in humble adoration of of her footwear, and finally asked her where she got them. They were a discontinued line by my friend Steve, but luckily for us all, they're back! 

If you shop for anything online, you are wasting money if you do know about RetailMeNot.  Even if you're not an avid couponer, please know that is totally worth the .5 second it will take you to check before every online purchase. Hit their site, enter the store you're buying from, and it will give you any and all online discount codes that may apply to your purchase. From free shipping, $10 off your purchase, additional 25% off... It's great!  Make this part of your online buying routine. 

Buying gifts for those who have everything is tough. Consider buying a gift for those who have nothing instead. Gospel for Asia is a great ministry, based in the Dallas area, that is making real progress in providing the basic needs for the hurt and hungry in Asia, as a way to share the love of Christ. Check out their Christmas catalog here. You buy livestock, seeds, Bibles, bicycles, etc that are given directly to those in need, and you can donate in the name of your own loved ones. 

Never has a cleaning product made my so happy. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products are the bomb.com. My kitchen counters are currently rocking the Lemon Verbena scent, and I think my guest bathroom is featuring the Basil hand soap. I buy it at HEB, but their website has better prices. (Sad day, RetailMeNot does not currently offer any discount codes for Mrs. Meyers website)

Benefit Hoola Bronzer. My makeup drawer boasts a random collection of some fancy and some not so fancy make up items. Some I'm willing to pay the big bucks for (read more than $10), and others, I'll find in the drug store clearance aisle. Depends on my mood and depends on the product. However, this my friends, is the best bronzer and worth every penny. (Pssst buy it from Amazon for a huge discount)

I'm a chap stick kinda girl. I'm not a fan of sticky gloss or of smudgy lip stick. I have been neglecting my lips in my makeup routine for years, but alas, I've found a remedy! Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lily. It hydrates well, and gives just enough color to make me a happy girl.

That's all I've got for now. If you happen to post your favorite things, please leave me a link!

Everest Road

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my friendlies, Julie and Jessica, and their beautiful photographs at Everest Road. They are currently hosting a giveaway for a Christmas photo shoot, which many of you may know, is a crazy generous offer.

Head on over to their blog, peruse lots of pretty pictures, and find out how to enter the contest. You will not be disappointed. Even if you don't win, please consider my talented friends for all your photography needs.

::thanks::

...spending a little time with my little family in a little town on the banks of a big river.

Thank You, Lord, for the quiet and the stillness. Thank You for Your provision and protection. Thank You, Lord, that your mercies are new this morning.