Merry Christmas

Remember and thankful that this season brings love and hope

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

It's so nice to be home for Christmas
It brings so much more joy to my heart that we are ALL here
All 6 of us :)

Shelby flew in on Tuesday, so nice for her to be home
We've had a great time all together

Do you have special Christmas traditions?
Do they stay the same year after year or do you shake things up?

We began a new tradition in the Salley household
Gingerbread house competitions

3 Gingerbread houses, 6 contestants, 3 teams, 2 judges... 1 winner
Does that sound like fun or what?!

We had a great time decorating our houses
The judges came, we waited with anticipation
...drum roll...
The BOYS won--'The Cabin'-complete with guns, ducks, and dogs
They were slow and precise and it payed off

Watch out next year brothers..the battle is on, sisters WILL win :)
What a fun new tradition!

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Happy December

Tis the Season 

O Holy Night

Jesus-the reason for the season 

O Night Divine 

What Child is this?

Silent Night 

December is here...Christmas time is here

Lights are up, decorations galore, just a joyful/happy feeling

I decorated at my apartment in college 

but this is my first "home" and I LOVED decorating it 

Just little things here and there but it feels pretty homey
December is already flying by
Can you believe that Christmas is in 2 weeks? TWO weeks?
Hard to believe

Tonight I just feel in the Christmas spirt
Mom and Grandmother came up for 'The Singing Christmas Tree'
at Shandon Baptist!
It was such a great performance and I just enjoyed spending time with them
...and my sweet roommate Sarah Beth of course!

Just have to make through the next 4 1/2 days and I'll really be singing hallelujah 

Happy Christmas Break it will be!
4 1/2 days, I think I can I think I can :)

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Breath Again

I kinda feel like I haven't been able to breath the past week
Finals were lurking around and hung on pretty tight

Studied a lot and now they are DONE!
You know that "weight off your shoulders" feeling
I finally felt it about, eh 30 minutes ago

In my jammies watching some TV and am going to enjoy a relaxing evening before a BUSY, yet fun, weekend ahead :)

Many more to go but ONE semester down! Hallelujah!
Now to rest the weary little brain a bit...

Thankful for the little things

It's that time of year
Fall is here
The holidays have officially arrived


And we ALL think about the many things we are thankful for
The emphasis to give thanks is now, but shouldn't that be a daily habit?
I think so...


I am guilty of it not being
However, I want to live life, each moment of each day with a thankful heart
Thankful for the little things that mean so much
How about you?


When I think about what I am thankful for I can't help but think about the little things along with all my blessings...
Here is my top 10 ( I am sure I could do top 100 but I don't want you to be reading forever)


1. I am thankful for our sweet Savior-goodness he is so gracious, just, forgiving, and loving when I am so undeserving. Thanks Jesus for your grace and love!
2. My Family-I'm convinced I have the BEST family in the world. Really, they are awesome! Last weekend we were ALL together, you heard me right-all 6 of us-I was one happy girl!
3. Friendship: Along with that great family I have some seriously solid friendships. Friends that aren't complacent, friends that love me enough to tell me the hard truth sometimes, friends that hold me accountable, friends that love me unconditionally, friends I can cry with and laugh with! Fun Friendships. Thanks Courtney, Kristin, Sarah Beth, Margaret, Molly, Charlotte, Lucy,Bets and Meggy. Love y'all!
-Could be a new one but i said 10 so i will stick in with this one :) I am thankful for new phases of life. They are hard and unfamiliar and sometimes they are no fun but this the start of something new the Lord is doing in my life! New friendships have come (Go Dawgs) and I am learning so much in my new, grown-up (bleehhh-it's so overrated) phase of life :) 
4. I have a job! It has its ups and downs but I am thankful
5. My little rascals-goodness my sweet little 4 and 5 year olds bring so much joy to my life. I just adore them
6. Running-I am so grateful I have legs (and lungs) that allow me to run and enjoy the Lord's beautiful creation. And keep me sane :)
7. Fall-It is my all time favorite season. Although we have had a bi-polar fall, I still love the changing of the leaves, the cool mornings, the warm sunshine. Ahhh wonderful
8. My church-I have a great sunday school class of girls and I am thankful for the beginning of something new
9. Home-I have a beautiful home, both in Orangeburg and Columbia, that keep my safe, secure, and warm/cool :)
10. Hugs and Smiles-silly I know but I love good hugs and a smile to brighten your day! Have you smiled at someone today? Given someone a hug? I tell you, its a little thing that I just love so much!


Be thankful for the little things that amount to BIG things! Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Happy Birthday CC :)

Let me tell you about my sweet friend CC
Her name is Charlotte Katherine Perrow
Where I got CC from, is beyond ALL of us
BUT, I do believe it started here...

CC and I became good friends when we played club volleyball together
Let me tell you, I have been so blessed by her friendship

These are going WAY back kinda photos
CC is so thoughtful
Has a HUGE heart
Is patient and brave
Caring and loving
Diligent and intentional

I love birthdays and CC has been so good about coming to celebrate with me on my special day
Today is HER special happy happy birthday and she moved to ILLINOIS
Phew, thats a far way away
But I know that she will prosper and that she is being loved well WAY up there

I am so happy to see how the Lord works in her life as she has taken this huge leap of faith
I am overjoyed to see her happy and at peace with her move

CC, and no I will NEVER go back to calling you anything different, thank you for your precious friendship
Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me
For picking up right where we leave off
For being so intentional, for loving me so well and for being so encouraging!
Happy happy 23rd Birthday!
I LOVE YOU! :)

Daddy's SPECIAL Day!

Today is my Daddy's BIRTHDAY
How fun are birthdays...it's a celebration ALL about you

I am so thankful to have a day all about MY dad

MY dad is...
-unconditionally loving
-kind
-a man after God's own heart
-a teacher
-wise
-a prayer warrior
-a great example
-funny
-likes to be a "play farmer"
-is compassionate
-is the best DENTIST ever
-has a HUGE heart
-generous

**my list could go on and on and on**

Daddy, thank you for being such a wonderful Dad and treating me like a princess!

Happy Birthday! 

Too Long...

May 16, the journey began

Mom, Shelby, and I began the 3 day trip to Denver, CO 

The trip was full of laughter, fun, and some serious quality time 
I would not change that time I got to spend with Mom and seester for the world 

The whole time of fun, the fact that Mom and I would fly back to good ole SC without Shelby laid heavy on my heart 
May 21-Mom and I flew home, leaving my sweet sister to start a new journey in the beautiful state of Colorado 

Today is November 8...that is 5 months, 3 weeks and 2 days...I haven't seen my sister 
That is bad news bears-I don't like it ONE bit
Another reason this grown up thing is so over-rated 

BUT....guess what?!?!??? November 17...that's only NINE days...did ya hear me, NINE, I will get to see my sister! 
To say I am excited is the understatement of the century 
I know we should take each day as a gift and a blessing and I plan to do so, however, the next 9 days could not come FAST enough :) 

Counting down the days...Welcome HOME seester :) Hugs and love comin your way, oh YEA! 

:) who wouldn't miss this family :)