Grateful

Hello There!
This morning it is cold outside (yes I know it's almost Winter) but for some reason today it made me feel incredibly grateful.  I don't know why or how to explain; other that I have a jacket on, a warm car to take my kids to school in, and a warm home to live in.  I can not explain how extremely blessed my family and I are.  I know I don't always stop and realize it, acknowledge it, or even appreciate the blessings that God had bestowed on me.  And why?  I know I don't always make it public (in such a wide open media) how much I love my family and the amazing things that they do simply because they want to.  I am not writing this to brag but to remind myself that in such a giant world of seemingly all bad things that I am surrounded by greatness.
This year had brought so many changes to our family.  Back in March I quit my job.  That was an amazingly hard thing to do.  There were so many questions.  I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do.  I needed my family and they needed me.  Bottom line.  It has been a new experience for all of us.  We are all still alive and I am still working on being the best housewife ever! (good luck, ha!)
Ansley has been involved in so many adventures as well.  This year she moved on up to middle school...yikes is all I can say but here we are at Christmas break and I think that we will survive.  She came up with a business and has been so successful (we really appreciate everyone of you who have supported her more than you know)!  She started back in July and she had donated $174 to the Douglas County Animal Shelter and $374 to The Pantry in Douglas County.  There are no words to explain how proud I am of her!  During the month of December she is participating in Dressember... a program that supports the mission work of International Justice Mission.  I am astounded by her heart and hope that it continues on the path that she has found.
Sarah has had an amazing year in school.  She has excelled in everything!  I love her yearning to learn and all of the questions that she asks.  I am so excited that she is loving school the way that she does.  I know that there is a tremendous amount of work that parents need to do with their kids school work but let me tell you an amazing teacher and school will make it so much easier!
Ansley and Sarah have both been so very lucky with all of their teachers!
Sarah's school is currently holding a winter coat drive thru the 19th.  They are accepting gently used and new children and adult items.  All coats are going back to a Douglas County child/adult in need.  If you have any items that you could donate that would be amazing!  I can pick them up from you and take them over if you like.
Jake and I went to Port Au Prince, Haiti this year.  Twice.  I can't explain to you how those two trips have changed my life.  If you ever have time, let's talk about it.
Jake has made a new friend who is working to help feed families and so far it has been so awesome watching his small ministry grow.
We have wonderful families and are friends are the absolute best!
We have an unbelievable church family and it has been so special making new friends throughout this year. 
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26- This I truly  have complete faith in.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Melissa

Ribbons and Wood - Fall Decorating

Hi!  I'm Laura, Melissa's sister.  This is my main little helper, Alice and me enjoying a nice game of horsey in the living room!  Nothing is better than enjoying the moment and the blessings that God has gifted us with, and children are the most precious of these gifts.  I've heard so many times that they are only small once and I do my best to take advantage of this time when she thinks I'm the coolest. 

Alice and I enjoy building and crafting, and she is the only two year old I know that can bring her mommy drill bits, nails and screws.  Decorating has always been a passion of mine, but you can only do so much to your own house without driving your husband nutty.  To that end, my sister and I have decided to work together and create an awesome store filled with unique items to add character and charm to your home.  Before they sell, I may use them in my own home, never sell something you don't love, right!  :-)  Most of the items we sell are hand made while others are antique or vintage items we find and bring new life to their existing charm. 

The finished product

Now that the spooky Halloween season is over, it's time to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It's becoming a running joke that the Christmas season starts the day after Halloween.  I for one am a little sad about this fact. Christmas time is my favorite time of year, but time moves too fast as it is, and rushing past today to get tomorrow will only speed that process up, and then you may miss the little awesome moments in between.  So, with these cooler fall temperatures and fabulous colors as inspiration, I decided to create a Thanksgiving mantle piece to remind me to give thanks.

Adding flowers to this bird cage adds a pop of color in an unexpected place.  Plus this bird cage is way to nifty to have a bird make a mess inside.  This is one of the items available for sale in our shop, click here.

A glass cake stand is an easy way to use something that's already in your house to add height to an item you really want to stand out.

Another vintage birdcage on the hearth, anchors the mantle.  The hand tied fall bow adds a simple pop of fall color with pumpkins and colorful leaves.  Purchase the bow here or the Bird cage here.

The flower arrangement inside compliments the colors on the mantle and matches the globe bird cage's arrangement.

Whenever you decorate, always include items that make you happy.  This fun little owl was purchased years ago at Marshall's.  He moves around my house a lot.

Acorns from the yard bring the fall inside.  Placing them in a fun pumpkin shaped glass dish makes them look special.

Varying heights and decorating in odd numbers gives a professional, polished look your home.

I went though many iterations of decorating the mantle, but I'm very happy with the finished product.  The simple 'give thanks' banner is a simple reminder to myself to be thankful for the gifts of today, and not rush forward to see what tomorrow will bring.  It will be here soon enough!  

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8