Christmas Cookie Tradition

Christmas traditions are so much fun and everyone looks forward to them because…it’s just what you do. Well, decorating Christmas cookies is on the top of my tradition list. My mom bakes the best sugar cookies and makes homemade icing and then everyone gathers around the table to make them all pretty. I enjoy the endless sugar cookies to decorate, my Pop decorating two and eating one – decorating two and eating (repeat), Mom telling everyone to be sure they look “pretty”, me getting “out” of decorating when I get bored because I claim we must document the process with pictures, Billy decorating one each year that says, “I love Brooke” – how sweet is he!? For all these reasons, this is my all time favorite tradition. Another reason it’s my favorite Christmas tradition is because my parents started it when they were newlyweds. Through the years we’ve had friends and family join us; numerous close friends and family have at one point shared in this tradition. Such great memories!! This past weekend, my parents along with Sophie came over to the “Bird House” for the cookie fun. We all had a great time! We did miss Jordan, Oana and Carlo though and are hoping next year everyone is around the table…Mom will have a lot more baking to do next year!

It gets better everyday - Our 1st Anniversary!

Wow, I cannot believe it’s been a year since I married the best man I know. A year ago Billy and I married in a beautiful garden wedding surrounded by our family and friends. Dean, Frank and Nat King Cole along with other greats played throughout the air in the background as we swirled around the gorgeous yard celebrating with loved ones on a cool December afternoon. Yes, it was magical. The day was perfect and Billy couldn’t have been more handsome.

In the past year of marriage I have learned that:

- I love him so much more today than yesterday

- It’s okay to forget the dishes for a night and sit on the couch holding his hand

- Compromise

- The beauty of seeing God work in our marriage is priceless

- No one is perfect but I married darn near close! :)

- Being home with Billy is better than any event taking place in the world

- He’s a good man for picking up after me, I tend to leave shoes where I take them off…it’s my downfall (okay, one of many)

- Marriage to your best friend makes life easier and a lot of fun

- If making lemonade every other day and giving him a back scratch makes him the happiest man in the world, who am I to deny him that?

- Communication is key but so is prayer

- He loves UGA and if I need to cheer them on to make a happy house, I will cheer with the best of them…

- Having no pets work for us, ‘borrowing’ Sophie for a few days does the trick.

- Hitting the road and not knowing where you’ll end up makes for the best vacations

- I truly did marry the perfect man God set aside just for me! This past year has more than confirmed that. (good thing, right?) :)

- Billy is the absolute funniest person I know! I don’t think many people get to share in this fact because he seems reserved.

- I’ve learned a new (and the “correct”) way to fold t-shirts! :)

- Don’t give a man instructions, let the GPS tell them they are wrong, ha

- I’ve married a sensitive soul and he’s really incredible with me on my worst days

- The most fun I have had to date is with Billy

- I think he likes Target more than I do, if that’s possible

- Each day I have been complimented and each night I haven’t hit the pillow without hearing the sweet words, “I love you, babe” ...what a sweet gift!

- I couldn’t be more grateful for the fact that I get to grow old with my best friend!!

It’s been the best year. We were talking the other night and agreed it’s been the best year of our lives. We are still so amazed and grateful at how the Lord brought us together. We had a beautiful wedding, purchased our first home, traveled to New York and back, been on several weekend road trips, made many wonderful memories along the way and I look forward to many many more years to come!!!

December 6, 2008

 I love you, Mr. Bird

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Kriner

After a year and a half of dating, Jordan knew he had to marry Oana. She is his perfect fit and makes him so happy! I’ve long awaited the day he would find the perfect girl for him but never suspected he would have to live abroad to do so.  :-) A girl that “gets” my brother as he has always gone against the grain but that’s what makes him Jordan and what we all love. Italy has done him well; he has a new beautiful bride. Welcome to the family, Oana. We are looking forward to the ceremony here so we can celebrate as a family what the good Lord has brought together. Many blessings to you both!

Let's Say Thanks

As Thanksgiving Day approaches it makes me think about how many things I have to be thankful for. My list is long; I have been so very blessed! In a few short weeks my brother, Jordan, will be leaving to go back to war. As the holidays approach and his leave is upon us it reminds me of how thankful I am to our soldiers. These men and women fight day and night for our freedom. They don’t get the conveniences of every day life; they miss their families, spouses and children and yet do not complain while they are away for a year at a time (sometimes longer).

My cousin sent me an email about something neat Xerox is doing for our soldiers. If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it. The card will be sent to a solider that is currently serving in Iraq. How awesome would it be if everyone sent one of these out and soldiers were shown how much we appreciate them while they continue to fight during the upcoming holiday season? I’m so thankful for these men and women and am proud to be an American living in the land of the free because of people like them and veterans of our past.

Take a moment to say thanks as we approach a day where we all have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Wedding Invitation: Taylor & Josh

Some of you may remember Taylor & Josh when I blogged about their Save the Dates. We’ll they are now one month away from their big day! It was a joy working with Taylor and her mom through the designing process. I always enjoy working with brides and being a small part of helping them execute their dream wedding. When the wedding invitations arrived back from the printer I was giddy with excitement. They are just divine if I do say so myself…Taylor has great style. Here’s to Taylor and Josh, may your wedding day be all you dreamed! Enjoy being a newlywed, there is nothing sweeter!

A Special Thank You

Hello, friends! I’ve kind of been out of the loop lately; it has been a busy Fall! I’ve been working on some great projects for Trendy Ink and for my home so stay tuned...

Also, a special THANK YOU to veterans for your service! As a daughter of veterans and sister of a solider currently serving overseas I know how much of a sacrifice it truly is, praying a special blessing for each of you! I’m so proud to be an American because of people like you.

Here's a picture of my favorite man and I from a recent Christmas card photo shoot (with my Dad as the photographer!) - so fun. 

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Photog Retreat 2010 [Bahamas]

Photog Retreat 2010 [Bahamas] is officially in works! When Kathryn Brown Photography asked me if I would consider being a sponsor for the winter photog retreat, I was energized. I thought it was a perfect fit for my design business! I love photography and always have but more importantly I am able to offer opportunities through my sponsorship in merging my two favorite arts (design and photography) together. The trip is going to be an awesome experience for those fortunate photographers taking part, if only I had decided upon photography after college instead of design I’d set sail too! :) Check out the site and make note, registration opens tomorrow! Don't miss out!!  There are some really great drawings and discounts in the works not only from Trendy Ink Designs but other fabulous sponsors as well!