a FUSION filled Christmas

With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas time surrounding us, Casey and I took a night off from shopping, wrapping and going here there and yonder and enjoyed hanging with all our precious FUSION peeps. We had the privilege of hosting our Singles' FUSION Christmas Party at our house! It was a crazy fun time. We played a massive Dirty Santa Gift Exchange. There was food to feed a small army and we walked away from it all with only ONE ornament casualty. At the last count we had fifty-three people in our house! Yep I just said fifty-three people. But I must say they are fifty-three of the most AMAZING people you could ever meet. They have blessed our lives in so many ways both corporately and individually.

This night was a great reminder of how we are living the life God has called us to live. And loving every minute of it! It brings us no greater joy than to serve, to love and to minister to those around us. Casey and I thank Him each and everyday for allowing us to be a part of their lives. I don't think they will ever fully know what an impact they have made on each of us personally and spiritually. Words will never be able to express the love we have for them!

Merry Christmas FUSION!

one enchanting visit

If there is one thing I loved during the Christmas season as a child, it was visiting Santa at the Enchanted Forrest! There was something so magical about the Enchanted Forrest. I can remember as if it were yesterday the butterflies that would form in my stomach as I twisted through the cotton snow trail anticipating my upcoming visit with Santa himself. The glitter, sprayed, iced trees were so marvelous and the moving characters seemed to come to life as I slowly make my way through the forrest. My eyes fixed on every sparkle and wonder that surrounded me. I can still remember my hand reaching up and grasping the soft red velvet rope that lead me to Jolly Old Saint Nick. The line ahead of me seemed miles in length. Patiently as I waited, I would catch just a glimpse of his bright, red coat as another child slid off his lap. I clutched my wish list tighter with each glance. The closer each step took me the more clear his voice could be heard. The chuckle so deep yet so gentle. Finally, with what seemed like an eternity, my moment had come and there I stood facing the Santa Claus. I could feel the words slowly slipping from my memory as I frantically tried to think of all the things I wanted to tell him. The sight of him was so grand. My eyes were not deceiving me and no I was not dreaming. I was seeing Santa up close and in person. WIth all the children he had seen that day would he remember my list of wishes and wants?

As I gazed at him each feature from the Twas the Night Before Christmas replayed in my head. "His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread." In a flash it was over and we said our goodbyes. A timid but bright smile flashed once more towards him as I took my candy cane and slipped off his lap. Would the next child in line that now occupied my spot feel the same excitement I had just experienced?

Indeed, she did .....

christmas time is here

Christmas time is here! And where there is Christmas, there are Christmas programs. Anna-Claire took part in two Christmas programs this year. Her first program was the the school's Christmas program and the second was our church's Christmas Eve program. Both were such a joy to watch!

my little sugar plum

As we all know with Christmas comes traditions. If there is one tradition I love it is getting the chance to see the Nutcracker Ballet! Over the years I have had the opportunity to see many different versions of this beloved ballet. I have seen the Memphis Ballet Nutcracker, I have seen the Russian Ballet Nutcracker and a few years back I got the chance to see a Very Brady Nutcracker performed by a local dance company.

This year, I was privileged to see the best Nutcracker performance I believe I have ever seen. The performance was performed by the Briarcrest Performing Arts Dance Class. Now it being considered the best rendition I have ever seen could be partly (ok mostly) because my sweet Anna-Claire was one of the star performers! This year she was a Sugar Plum! And a very sweet sugar plum at that. Her butterfly turns were perfect. Her plies were full of grace. And her smile radiated across the stage. I don't think I have been more proud than I was in that moment!

As the finale to the stage, bows were taken and standing ovations were cheered I caught a glimpse of my little sugar plum and in that moment saw a prima ballerina!

So Sweet ... So Sassy

Think back to a time where you were standing and there before you was wall to wall of clothes just waiting for your touch saying "chose me! chose me!", makeup of every shade patiently anticipating their application, hairspray and brush longing to embrace that untamed strand.

Ok so for some of you, you might only need to think back to earlier this morning ... but for others a time farther in your memory bank might have resurfaced. Perhaps your wedding day when a single white gown was engulfed by a sea of pink taffeta bridesmaids' dresses, makeup was abounding as were the pearls and bobby pins. Or possibly the day of prom, where sequins and beads were delicately adorned by satin dyed pumps and french manicured nails. Are you still thinking? Now think back even farther. Think back to the time when as a little girl you played dressup for the first time ever. Was that not one of the most euphoric moments in your life? Young or old, looking back ...You better believe it was!

For Anna-Claire it was a moment I know she will never forget! Now understand this was definitely NOT Frieda's first time to dressup. I mean come on she is my daughter and that in itself should be explanation enough! But I would say that this particular dressup took the cake for my sweet and sassy five year old girl! At a recent birthday party Anna-Claire got to play dressup. But this dressup was unlike any other dressup. The party was at Sweet & Sassy a place where a girl gets the luxury of being as girlie as a girl can get. There were dresses upon dresses to choose from. And where would a girl be without a feather boa and dress shoes! Next hair, nails and makeup all done by a swarm of teenage girls. As if that wasn't enough, she receive "princess training" and got to walk down the fashion stage and show off all her royal moves and skills! And of course she got to munch on some fabulous birthday cake. What really took the cake though was Anna-Claire designing her own sparkle lotion and flavored lip gloss. Now if that is not a girls dressup dream I don't know what is!

photographing frieda...

This was by far one of my most favorite days of photographing Frieda! It was a gorgeous morning in late October. The weather was extremely warm for that time of year. You couldn't ask for a more perfect day! I hope you enjoy these shots at this special place I stumbled upon as much as I enjoyed taking them.