Soon it will be Christmas day...

Things are getting hectic around the Averitt home. My sister and I went out today and were true power-shoppers. We still had several people on our list to buy for. We left the house at 9:30am and didn't arrive home until 9pm. It was a fun day with my sis and I'm proud to say, I'm finished with my Christmas shopping!! I wish I had the energy to tell you what happened to us at the mall, but I'm so tired and need to get some sleep. All I will say is, it was scary and please be aware of your surroundings if you are out and about, shopping over the next two days!

I'm wrapping presents like a crazy woman...trying to finish up for the Averitt Christmas, which is here at our home, tomorrow night. Tomorrow, I have to go to the grocery store to buy what I need for tomorrow evening as well as for my family to come here on Christmas day. I'm feeling a tad bit overwhelmed, but I know once I get home from the store tomorrow and start baking/cooking in the kitchen, my nerves will settle down. I tend to want things to be perfect and I'm learning that it will never be and that's okay. :) I'm sure Alex wants to slip me a prozac whenever I'm planning a party of any kind. (LOL)

I'm going to be away from blogland for the next few days, in order to celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. I hope each and every one of you, have a very Merry Christmas!!



Love to all,
Jill

Something as simple as a pogo ball...

My childhood was awesome. I had two parents who loved me and that sacrificed a lot to raise me and my 5 siblings. We weren't surrounded by massive amounts of toys on a daily basis, but God always provided when a birthday or Christmas rolled around. I think the fact that we didn't get something everytime we went into the store, made Christmas and birthdays even more special. My parents tell us stories of how God used others to help us get by...my Dad has always worked in the ministry and to be honest, never made much as we were growing up. Fact is, he didn't do it for the money...he did it because he had a heart for people to understand the love of Christ and to receive the ultimate gift He came to give. I so admire my parents for all they sacrificed and looking back, I don't feel as though we lacked for anything. There are stories of someone stocking our fridge when we weren't home, money appearing out of no where and in the exact amount of a doctors bill that was due, presents arriving from grandparents for Christmas morning. Honestly, they have so many stories of how God took care of our family and I always loved hearing those stories as I got older. I don't plan on spoiling my children just because I can. I hope to give them more of what my parents gave me which was lots of love and a desire to share God's love.

The post below reminds me of those awesome stories that my parents share about God's provision for our family. It reminded me of when I was little and asked for a pogo ball for my birthday, knowing very well that we didn't have the money for one. I never dreamed I would get it, but lo & behold, my birthday rolled around and what did I unwrap...a pogo ball! It was pink and purple and perfect. I absolutely loved that thing. I think it's awesome that God provides for our needs, but how cool that He provides for our wants as well...something as simple as a pogo ball.

Please go to THIS post...He just might want to use you this Christmas.

Love to all,
Jill

Hanging on to hope...

Alex went into the attic and brought down all of my Christmas boxes last night. Such a good husband. :) Every corner of my living room is filled, as well as a corner in one of my guest rooms. So now I sort through each box and start making a place for it all! Christmas music is officially playing (all day long) in my home. You will all be sick of me and my excitement by the time Christmas actually gets here.

My sweet husband called me this morning with a surprise! Friday night plans are to have dinner at Capriccio and then spend the night at The Peabody. I love getting away, even if it's in the same town that I live in! Weekends are so busy for us, so it's hard to actually leave town - unless for a full week of vacation. We just really need this...he has been working crazy hours on a new project for work and I've been down, due to the fact that my hormones are crazy and this time of year...well, it can be hard. I love the holidays with everything in me and for that reason it makes my infertility even more difficult. I'm ready for Alex and I to have children to shop for, to surprise on Christmas morning, to make our annual gingerbread house with, to read the Christmas story to...I could go on and on. :) Though it's much easier now than it was a year ago, the desire is still there. I still pray on a daily basis that God would open my womb and allow me to have a child or would open the door for us to adopt. I pray with hopeful anticipation...knowing that He will answer this prayer someday.

I receive emails that include a bible verse or devotion for the day. These were my verses for yesterday and today.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ Romans 15:13, NLT

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. ~ Hebrews 10:23, NLT

Definition of hope:
1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
2. To have confidence; trust.

I just love that!

Love to all,
Jill

Countdown to Christmas...

I went to 2 Christmas Open Houses this weekend. One at Austin's in Little Rock and the other at Express Yourself in Bryant. All of the Christmas trees were so over the top and I loved it!

Holiday House 2008 is this weekend...I can't wait!! :)

Here are a few of the trees at Austin's...one of my favorite places.

Only 51 days until Christmas! Are you ready!??

Love to all,
Jill