Deck the McCalls

There's something about decorating the house for Christmas that instantly makes it more cozy.  All I want to do is enjoy a cup of coffee and snuggle with my boys (which lasts about 2.2 seconds) while watching Hallmark movies with the glow of the Christmas tree in the background.  It sounds delightful, right?  I hope you enjoy our holiday mini house tour.

Our little Christmas cottage looks adorable dressed for the holidays.  It makes it a little treat to take Chloe to potty every night before bed.  I'm no longer begging her to hurry up; I can enjoy the view while she takes her sweet time.

I love our console table all decked out with fresh greenery, lights, candles, and a nativity figure.

The dining room is my favorite room in the house.  The pops of red that I added this year make all the difference.

 Close up of the buffet

Close up of the tablescape

The living room has a few new touches as well.  We added the large wreath over the TV, new pillows on the sofa, and a new throw.

The breakfast nook is very simple, but it works well with our somewhat rustic home.  Just as a little side note.  This area contains two very special pieces to me.  The antique table was a wedding gift from my grandmother to my aunt; the baker's cabinet was the last piece of furniture that my grandfather refurbished before he died.  You just can't beat pieces of furniture that tell a story!

Even the boys' rooms are decorated.  Jennifer Haynie is so talented; she created the signs that adorn their doors.  Inside their rooms, they have their own mini-tree with their personalized Santa hats as the toppers.  I also hang their Santa stockings on their dressers until Christmas Eve.

In our next house, I want a large staircase to decorate.  I think they can be so grand when decorated with garland.  For now, our little banister works just fine!  :)

Upstairs in my "sweat shop" office, we have the kids tree that holds all of our childhood ornaments.  Hamilton loves to play with his Polar Express train while I work.  It drives Jared nuts that he always takes the figurines off to visit the North Pole or put the little boy to sleep under the tree skirt.  

From our home to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the blessings of the season!

In the past year...

Today leaves me a little weepy and a lot reminiscent.  One year ago today was a day of many lasts.  It was the last day that I stood (ok, maybe sat--I wasn't supposed to be at work) in front of my students sharing my knowledge.   It was the last day that I ate lunch with my team in the cafeteria as part of our tight-knit group. It was the last day that I cried with Shelby in Jane's office. It was the last day that I picked Hamilton up from daycare.  It was the last day that I locked up our house and drove out of the driveway as a family of three.  It was the last day that we went to see "Juannie" with only one high chair.  It was the last day that my heart only physically knew one child.

In some ways it feels as if this only happened yesterday while in other ways it feels as if this happened ten years ago.  So much has changed since December 9, 2013.  It's funny looking back at the last year.  I wouldn't change a thing; we learned many lessons through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.

One lesson I learned while I dug in my stubborn heels, adamantly protesting the change that God had planned for me and our family.  I never imagined myself owning my own skincare franchise; however, He saw it differently.  Every event in my life was preparing me for this next step.  My basketball career taught me the discipline I needed to stay true to my goal.  My knee injuries taught me to doggedly fight for the outcome I desired.  My mom taught me to be strong and independent, never relying on others for my success. My dad taught me to be fiscally responsible and to chase my dreams.  My Converse College public speaking professor taught me strategies to overcome my anxiety of speaking in front of a crowd. My teaching career taught me to deliver information by captivating my audience  and to use technology to efficiently handle tasks.  My husband taught me that it is okay to take a risk; he will always have my back.

No matter how life might be changing before your eyes, rest in the affirmation that although you may not be able to see what's around the bend in the road, you will be prepared.  You will always be prepared.



Here is the last picture that we have as a family of three.  I was about to POP!

Winget Farm Christmas Card Pics

As our luck would have it, we chose the most frigid day of the year to have our pictures taken.  Thank goodness the boys were in a cheery mood and the barn was filled with hay!  These two items made for a quick photo shoot with a little more warmth.  Every year, our dear friend Ashley Pendergraph takes our pictures.  I tell her every year that she should make this a business, but she calls me "silly."  She is so talented, and the kids just adore her!

I stressed over our outfits.  I'm telling you that adding one more little one to the mix made it much harder to coordinate.  Thank goodness Shannon was there for approval via text.  She's another friend who should open her own business as a personal stylist.  She has an incredible eye!  It was worth every little worry because I LOVE the combination.  It's a little retro which I adore!

Parker: Sweater (similar)  Thermal Onesie  Jeans  Shoes(similar)  Hat (similar)
Hamilton:  Oxford Shirt Grey Sweater Jacket (similar) Jeans Boots (similar)
Jared:  Dress Shirt Quarter Zip Sweater Jeans Boots
Me:  Gingham Button Up Sweater (Zara-old) Fur Vest (similar) Jeans Necklace (similar) Boots (similar--I've had these boots forever!)

Here are my favorite pictures from the batch...

Now, aren't you just dying to know which ones are being used in our Christmas card.  I guess you'll just have to wait and see!  ;)

P.S.  Y'all don't tell Chloe that she wasn't featured this year!

Fall for Family Part II

Wow, what a beautiful, jam-packed weekend!  It all began on Friday at the Cliffs of Glassy for my cousin's wedding.  The view of the mountain landscape was the perfect backdrop for her vows.  After the ceremony, we snapped a few pictures before heading to downtown Greenville for her reception at Larkins on the River.

  My boys...aren't they just precious!

Side note...these might be my favorite pair of pumps!  I cannot tell you how long I've had them, but they're super comfy and still look great!

Her reception was an intimate affair with unique touches of fall.  You know I love burlap and fall colors, so this reception was right up my alley!  After hors d'oeuvres and dinner, Ham and Allie hit the dance floor.  They were adorable!  My Ham even went to get his "princess," the bride, for a dance.  He's really too much!

When the kids were ready for a change of scenery, we walked around downtown to hit up a coffee house and ice cream parlor, Spill the Beans.  It was the perfect spot for us; they'll mix coffee into your ice cream!  Score for tired parents!!

The next morning, we left for Tiger Town to celebrate Clemson's homecoming.  With the game being at 7, we knew we were just going to tailgate and come home when everyone went into the game.  I was pleasantly surprised that the kids did so well.  Tailgating for a night game can be a long day for adults; add four kids to the mix...things could go down hill really fast!

The kids love seeing the displays each year to see what kind of new perch on which they can have their picture taken.  While the gang was viewing the displays, we got to catch up with Hannah, a former youth group member from church.  It's funny to see Jared go into Daddy mode with her, making sure she's safe and happy on campus.  He truly thinks of them all as his own!

After tailgating, we took my sister Leslie and brother-in-law Philip back to the airport near campus to fly home.  Philip offered to take us up with the kids to see the stadium from the air.  I was so impressed with the kids.  Of course, Allie loves to fly with her daddy, but Hamilton and Parker loved it just as much.  Ham giggled the whole time and Parker fell asleep.  You know I trust the pilot when I take my whole family up in a personal plane!  Just to brag on Philip a bit...yes, he's a military trained pilot who has flown overseas, but to see him in his element is so neat!  He even cut the engine and glided us in for a landing!

On Sunday we drove up to Asheville to visit my sister Julie and her husband Erik.  Hamilton wanted to go to church with his DeeDee and Papa, so we headed up early to do some shopping with Parker.
They cooked us a heavenly Southern meal of BBQ, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, grilled corn, and coleslaw.  For dessert, we had a pumpkin bread trifle and s'mores over the fire pit.  I think I ate like it was going to be my last meal!

Julie, Erik and Lucy

 Her house was festively decorated and she had gift bags filled with goodies for all of the kids. She's so thoughtful and loves to spoil her niece and nephews; they're lucky to have Auntie Jules in their little lives!  Here are Parker and Walt in their new hats.

Leslie and Walt

We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, and playing with the kiddos in the backyard.

DeeDee walking Parker around...he's starting to really test out his balance.  He's taking more and more steps each day!

Erik, that's what little Parker thinks about your Bulldogs!  ;)

Papa and Walt relaxing on the deck

Making Momma proud...

It was the perfect ending to the perfect weekend, and I'm pretty sure my shirt captures the day exactly!