A blessed Christmas

 

Warm Holiday wishes my sweet friends! I pray each and everyone of you had a beautiful magical Christmas with your family and friends. My family and I had a WONDERFUL Christmas day in which I would love to share some of our fun pics of our celebration together, and some yummy gifts and HUGE SURPRISES I received. Many of you might not know, but my husband and I adopted Vivan this year. So this Christmas is even more special to us, because it is Vivian's very first Christmas, and we feel so blessed to have her a part of our lives and our family.

Christmas Eve morning my hubby was going stir crazzy around the house while I was busy doing last minute cooking and chores. So, he took the kiddies on a wagon ride around the neighborhood. It was chilly so I made sure they were bundled up!

After a few circles around the neighborhood Vivan was pooped and passed out.

 

Later in the day Grant and I baked cookies for Santa. I planned on making homeade cookies from scratch, but I ran out of time so we just used the store bought sugar cookies with reindeers faces. Quick and easy! :)

 

Look at that face!!!!

Cookies are BAKED! Time to put them on Santa's plate!

So proud!

Hubby and I wanted to get some Christmas Eve pictures with the children.

You will notice that Vivi has a little "shiner" under her eye. :( She took a bad fall at Grandmas house while playing with Grant's coloring table.

Vivi & Mommy

 

Christmas morning. Playing on the coffee table around Mama's pretties! EEEEEKKKK!!!!

Miss Vivi in her Christmas dress.

Grant and his new car from Santa.

Learning how to drive.

Sister wants to ride too!

Hold on! Were cruisin'!

"Stop the car!" "I have a call comming in on my new cell phone."

 

While the kiddies made out like bandits. Mommy did too! :) Santa was VERY good to me.

While on a recent trip to NYC Hubby and I stoped at the LV store, and I fell in love with this hangbag. Little did I know he went back to the store later while I was visiting a friend, and he bought it and had it shipped home. What a NICE surprise! Sooo sweet & thoughtful of him!

   

This GORGEOUS and blingy rhinestone bracelet he purchased from Henri Bendel while I was shopping on a different floor. SNEAKY!!!

I am a HUGE fan and collector of Michal Negrin's jewelry. Her work has a victorian romantic look and feel to it. Very feminine! Every Christmas my husabnd buys me a new piece for my small collection. This year he bought me a fabulous braclet that has sooo many small and fine details. Lots of Swarovski crystals, pearls, and tiny flowers.

 

A close-up

 

Now for my MAAAAAJOR SURPRISE!!!! For a few months now my hubby and I have been trying to negotiate on a home that we so desperately love and want to buy and live in until we retire. It is close to EVERYTHING we could want in a home. It is a southern style home with TONS of space for the kids, my husbands office and his "man room", and FINALLY I could have my own studio. YEAH!!!! Having my own studio is a DREAM of mine! I would much rather give away my material pretties just so I could have my own space to call  "my studio". Well, the seller has NOT been easy to work with. My husband and the seller have been going back and forth negotiating for a few months now, and I've basically have given up all hope. My husand refuses to give in to the sellers final offer. So, I just decided it's time to move on and keep looking for another home. Meanwhile, Im totally pouting because I LOOOVE this house! We talked about building our home, but I just dont want to take on the stress of building while raising two small children. So, I've moved on and time has passed, until.....Christmas Eve night. My husband hands me a gift to open. I open the gift, and it's a picture frame with an artist hand sketch of the house. My mouth was wide opened and I just stared at my husband in disbelief. He tells me "We have a signed contract on the house as of today." I didnt ask questions right away. That comes later! hee! hee! I was just OVER THE TOP thrilled to know that we were going to be owner of this truly amazing home!

Side porch

Front porch. Doesnt this look like the PERFECT spot to sip mint juleps!

The inside is just beyond fabulous and the KITCHEN!!! Ohhh my! I dont  want to jinx anything, so I will just keep my fingers crossed that all will go fine from here on out. :) Now the stress of moving begins. ;)

This Christmas has truly been a blessing to me and my family. Im grateful for my husband,children, close family and friends. I have my health, a nice home, and an amazing network of friends here that I have connected with thru blogging. I cherish my friendships with you all, and Im grateful for the lovely comments you always share with me. :) They always put a smile on my face!

 

With the holidays almost over, the New Year beginning, I have decided to host my FIRST swap ever! It will be a Valentines Day swap that I have been planning with Miss Cheryl Dack of Rosey Posey Confections for about a month now. (In case you didnt know Cheryl is in the process of moving into a new house, so that's why she's been real quiet lately) Im almost finished planning the details, and I cant wait to share them with you ALL! I hope you will participate! :)      

Count down to New Years begins! Hubby and I will be spending New Years Eve & Day in New Orleans with some friends of ours. We have tickets to the Sugar Bowl game. GO DAWGS!!!

SOOOOO start stocking up on bubbly baby!!!! CHEERS!

   

Hugs & Kisses!!!!! XOXO,

Comments

[Shellly]

Oh my Jenn! You DID have a blessed Christmas! More like a fairytale with your new house surprise!!! How exciting! Hope everything goes smoothly with all the finishing details! Thanks for sharing your Christmas story! And have fun at the Sugar Bowl lucky girl! :-)

[Jenn and Jacqui]

Hi Jenn! Oh my goodness we don't know where to start!! Such beautiful presents and that wagon is too cute! And Grant's new car, how much does he love that!! Gorgeous Christmas photos. Congratulations Jenn !! Just as we pictured it would be, this a 'Father Of The Bride' style dream home!! You so suit this home Jenn, all your gorgeous furniture and things will suit so perfectly in there like it was made for you! We hope everything goes smoothly 'till you get the keys and we will have toast of bubbly for you both on NYE! And when we and Natsaha do come over we would love to share a Mint Julep on that porch!! lol Happy New Year and have fun in New Orleans!! Jenn and Jacqui xo

[Britta Lee Zweibohmer]

I just love to hear "happily ever after" stories!!

I am fortunate to be in a great marriage, have wonderful children and a nice house too.

We are VERY BLESSED INDEED!!

And, I so enjoy reading of your happiness. There is not enough of it in the world.

My goodness, your new house is to-die-for!! I think all the stresses of moving will be well worth it. I can hardly wait to see you decorate your own little studio. Imagine the new pretties you will be able to create with more space:)

Congratulations on the new house. And many thanks for the constant inspiriation!!

[jennifer Paganellli]

Oh Jenn..stunning home and beautiful family..its always about the gratitude....I could scream outloud for you...so exciting and so deserving..Blessings my sweet.Love, Jennifer

[jessi nagy]

jenn your holidays look fabulous!!!
love all your gifts!!
and that house im dieing!!! awesome!!!
your family is just adorbale!
can't wait to see what the inside looks like!
have a great newyears!
talk to you soon!
can't wait to see the swap details!
jessi

[Ginny]

What a fab post Jenn and to end with such a fab house too. Cross fingers it all goes to plan.

Happy New Year to you and your family from all of us over here in England.

best wishes Ginny

[Kirsten]

What a beautiful home! Congratulations!!

[Lisa Guidry]

What a blessed Christmas yall had. Congrats on your new home, I just know yall will get it ;) My hubby and I just had the same discussion about moving on Christmas day also :)

[Karissa]

I just love reading your blog. Your home and family looks lovely. Can you please tell me where you got those adorable little dresses with the shaggy fabric?

[Kim Caldwell]

What a blessed Christmas you had INDEED! Looking through your pictures always puts a smile on MY face. Congrats on all your good fortunes. Can't wait to hear about the details of your swap. I am ready to keep the good spirits going throughout 2008!

Hugs, Kim

[Lori]

oh my, santa was very good to you indeed, what wonderful presents:) congratulations on the home, it looks just stunning!!! your children look so sweet, Grant looks like he loves to help his mommy, the cookie making pics are so cute!!!

[Jeanie]

Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
So glad you had a blessed one :)
Can't wait to hear more about your Valentines swap. Super excited :)

Hugs to all,
Jeanie

[Lori]

Oh Jenn, You are MY favorite girly- girl in blog/typepad land! The children looked so adorable, the bracelet, well wow just doesn't seem enough, but Jenn the house is way over the top!! Gee wish my hubby did what yours does to have that home!!! But my dear, you are so precious that it's wonderful you'll have such a gem to decorate and show all of us!!!!!Wishing you a wonderful New Year annd hope Vivi's boo-boo goes away soon! I loves the Merry Christmas on the wagon, bet the old neighbors will miss you all! Love, Lori P.S. Swap sounds fun!!!

[Rachael]

What a wonderful Christmas you all had, the children are so cute. Lovely surprise pressies you got, its funny because I am hoping to be the New Zealand agent for Michal Negrin products this coming year! Oh fingers and toes crossed for Tara, it looks like a dream home come true. Take Care - Rachael:)

[Karla]

Eek! Oh my gosh - I'm so excited for you! That house is beyond gorgeous - I think it is all of our dream come true! I'll keep you in my prayers and hope that all goes well now! Looks like you had a most wonderful holiday - lovin that LV girl!
Karla

[Ginger]

WOW!! What a beautiful home. I can't wait to see the inside. Okay I am going to have to have my husband read this story, your husband did GOOD. What a neat way to tell you that you got the home.
Ginger

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

Hi Jenn! I am Barbara from Southern Lady's Vintage. So nice to find your beautiful blog! I hope you don't mind....I added you to my blog under Wonderful Blogs Recently Found. Your children are beautiful! So happy that you all had such a nice Christmas! Have a great New Year!
Barbara
Southern Lady's Vintage

[Lisa]

Your children are as cute as ever. I love that bag too. Lucky you. The house..whoohoo. I squeeled when I saw your picture. It looks perfect for your family. Love it. Happy New Year.

[Judy]

Hey Jenn! I just found your blog and love, love, love your new house (and all the other Christmas goodies). Your children are beautiful and so are you!!! I can't wait to see what wonderfulness you do to your new home.

Best wishes for a 2008 - Judy

[Judy]

Hey Jenn! I just found your blog and love, love, love your new house (and all the other Christmas goodies). Your children are beautiful and so are you!!! I can't wait to see what wonderfulness you do to your new home.

Best wishes for a 2008 - Judy

[Casii]

I love the house! It sounds like perfection itself. Your hubby is a doll to 'present' it to you as he did.
Happiest of New Years as you plan your big move!

[Pat Jones]

OOoooh my gosh. Your little Grant and Vivan are just precious and the cookie bake photos are over the top with you and little Grant. So nice he can participate in this important project. I love your new house. We live in a Georgian colonial and your new house reminds me of ours however I adore the porches on your house. Incredible. You look like the happiest woman in the world. Happy New year to you and your family. Cheryl is a good friend of mine and she praises you often.

[Cathy Scalise]

Oh Jenn, What a Christmas you had this year. Just wonderful. I LOVE that house. I hope it becomes another Dream Come True.

Happy New Year and I would love to participate in the Valentine Swap.

xoxo
Cathy

[Sandy]

I hope Viv had a wonderful first Christmas! Congratulations on your new home!! I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas full of delightful surprises! I will definitely be on the look out for yours and sweet Cheryl's Valentine Swap!!!!

Huggies!
Sandy

[britt-sparkled vintage charm]

Hi Jenn!! It looks like you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!!! :-) the pics are soo cute! xo Britt