Hello! I haven’t posted a life lately post since June, so I thought it would be fun to share everything going on in my neck of the woods.
First and foremost, happy December! I love this month. It’s bustling and joyful and special. With that said, it can also be incredibly overwhelming. Something I especially try to focus on in the month of December is keeping my priorities straight.
Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Period. There are celebrations, gatherings, people to see, cards to send, and things to do. The one thing I want to keep at the forefront of my mind and life is Christ.
Making time each day to read my Bible and have quiet time with God is an absolute priority. After that, I can truly have perspective on this season. I can then serve and give and truly value the relationships I have with loved ones. Basically, giving myself room to breathe and find joy in this season is all about knowing what I value and keeping my priorities straight.
Okay, onto life lately! I’m going to share a few bullet points and pictures to keep things simple 🙂
- There was a bird inside one of my pet sitting client’s houses and I had to call Jimmy to come over and trap it. He got it into a cardboard box and set it free. He’s the best.
- This week is a busy one for me at my regular job because the family is having a Christmas party on Saturday. Lots of extra cleaning, food prep, and more. I am beyond thankful to have a job I love. It’s unconventional, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- Seven of Hannah’s 10 (!!) bridesmaids went dress shopping a few days after Thanksgiving. She let everyone choose their own dress and we are all going to wear the same shade of purple. Hannah is so relaxed about her upcoming wedding!
- My parents took Jimmy and I furniture shopping last weekend. They’re awesome and some of the most generous people I know.
- My father-in-law and his girlfriend came over last Friday night to watch Gold Rush and have dinner. My FIL was so excited and even ordered ribs from a local BBQ place to bring over. It was such a sweet evening.
How about some pictures?
We had a blast going to three (!!) different furniture stores. We ordered a sectional and then canceled the order because the sectional was too big for our living room, LOL.
My father-in-law relaxing after dinner at our house. He and Malcolm have a special relationship… haha.
The bridesmaid dress I chose! Just imagine it in light purple. Hannah said as long as it had lace, she was happy. Also, she’s having all the bridesmaids wear cowboy boots!
One of the treats I’m making for the Christmas party the family I work for is hosting this weekend. Can’t wait to make these!
Living My Full Life 
Those brownie Christmas trees look amazing!
When we were apartment shopping in Charleston to move here, we had to find one that would fit our huge sectional sofa! It was crazy too… big furniture/small home problems I guess.
I like the bridesmaid dress you picked out- it looks really cute on you.
BTW, we had a bird fly into our house last night and had to chase it out too. It was crazy- he even got on top of the Christmas tree.
I’m glad we aren’t the only ones who had a sectional/house size struggle!! I didn’t even think about moving and how furniture would impact that because we didn’t have anything when we moved in, haha. Family just gave us hand-me-downs and we made it work 😉 I am excited to have our very own furniture, though!
Thank you for the compliment on my bridesmaid dress and the brownie Christmas trees! I can’t wait to make them!
How crazy that you had a bird in your house!!! I’m glad you were able to get it out 🙂
Our sectional sofa was actually a hand me down from Clay’s parents but it’s still HUGE! We need a new one now though because it’s getting old and there’s a tear in one of the cushions.
The dress is so pretty. I like that she’s letting bridesmaids choose the dress that is most flattering and interesting by individual. Everyone is happy!
The photo of Malcolm coming out from under your FIL’s shirt is hilarious. And he looks so much like Rue! They would be a cute little cat couple.
Hannah has been so chill about the details of her wedding. I love it!
Rue + Malcolm would be the cutest! And yeah, my FIL is too much! He lifted his shirt up and Malcolm just went right in, haha.
Prioritizing quiet time is SO important even during the busy times. There is such a big difference in the days when I don’t make time for quiet time vs the ones when I do. Definitely so good to take that time with our Father!
I was going to ask to see the dress when I read that you guys all got to pick your own and then I kept scrolling and saw that you DID share it! I love that dress on you! That color is so pretty on you. I’m sure the purple will be as well, but that blue looks great on you! 🙂 And the lace is so pretty!
Also, is Malcolm crawling out of your father-in-law’s shirt?? Hilarious!
Same here! On days when I’m extra stressed or scatterbrained I can usually trace it back to not spending time in my Bible and with God.
Thank you for the compliment on the dress!! I love the lace as well 🙂
Yes, Malcolm was totally in my FIL’s shirt. They’re both crazy!
I LOVEE the idea of cowboy boots with the dresses! Yours is so flattering with the lace on top, absolutely love it! Is the bride wearing cowboy boots too?!
xo, JJ
Me too! And thank you, Jenny!!
The bride is wearing cowboy boots as well! She’s going to look so cute 🙂
Furniture shopping is the best! My dream profession is still a mattress tester hahha
Isn’t it?! And I love your dream profession, hahaha.
loved reading this update post!!!! i LOVEEEE that bridesmaid dress. Lace all day, everyday. So pretty!
Aww, thank you, Mackenzie! I’m so glad you visited my blog and took the time to comment 🙂
Love that priority reminder – it is my top priority for 2017, well for right now too because I know I have let it slip way more than I even admit to myself and I know how important it is.
That sectional/recliners look sooo comfy. And I love the lace+cowboy boots thing, and the dress style is so pretty and gorgeous on you!
What kind of unconventional job do you have? (new to your blog – I should probably just read more and find out) haha. Glad to “meet you” and follow your blog.
It is so easy to become busy with everything else, especially in the hustle and bustle of this season. I try to make it my top priority as well!
It was so much fun looking at couches! We must have sat on hundreds, haha. I was super happy my sister let everyone pick their own dresses. She’s very chill!
I work for a family of four as their personal assistant! So I do their cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, errands, occasional babysitting, quickbooks, pet care, and whatever else they ask of me! I also pet sit on the side!
I am so glad you found my blog, Kelly! I am so pumped to check yours out now!
That dress looks so lovely on you! Oh and those brownies!! They remind me of those Little Debbie ones but these look much more fresh 😀
Aww, thank you, P!! Now that you mention the Little Debbie Brownies, I am totally craving one!
I am ALL about letting he bridesmaids choose their dresses!! I was in a wedding last month and my dress was…less than flattering. BUT that’s ok. 🙂
YES! It was so nice to be able to pick my own dress! Sorry your last bridesmaid dress was less than flattering! You looked gorgeous, though, in my opinion 🙂
The dress looks really pretty on you!
I’m glad you’re enjoying December. I’m really looking forward to having a break from work – I get ten days off from work. 🙂
Thank you, Grace!!
Yay for 10 days off from work! That’s so exciting! I hope you enjoy 🙂