"And May All Your Christmases Be White"

I can't believe it has come and gone again. Gosh I love Christmas. This Christmas was a very memorable one!

On Christmas Eve night, it's a tradition for my family to come over to my house and eat dinner.  We had my grandmother's taco soup and ate cookies, wassail, and grape salad that my mom and I had made. After, we played family Dirty Santa. It's hilarious to see my 9 year-old brother and my 67 year-old grandfather get into knock down fights over this game. Afterwards, we all piled into the den and watched a Christmas movie and my grandparents spent the night with us, another tradition!

Christmas morning at the Bouchillon house started at 5:15 in the morning! We always wake up that early on Christmas morning ready and excited for the day! Everyone got everything that they wanted and my grandparents were just about to leave to go home to prepare Christmas lunch when we heard my grandfather say, "Ya'll come to the door!" Yes, friends, a WHITE CHRISTMAS! My first White Christmas ever. The snow was so beautiful. My family went outside and made a snowman in the front yard. Actually, I formed the snowman and my siblings gave me feed back. Gotta love 'em.

After our morning of fun, we headed over to my grandparents house to hang out with my entire family- another great tradition. We opened more presents and had Christmas lunch. After lunch my dad and I went on a run!

Christmas night is always a bummer. Everything is over and there's nowhere to go either because everything is closed.  We usually forget about Christmas night plans because we are always caught up in planning events for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I thought of this a few weeks before Christmas and my family planned to keep the fun going and we headed over to my grandmother's house again for dinner where she cooked homemade biscuits, breakfast casserole, and strawberry dessert. After, we just sat by the fire and all talked. Everyone was tired and we ended up going to bed at 9:00- a 17 hour day whew! The day after Christmas, my dad's family drove into town and came to our house for Christmas time. We had fun sitting around and they headed home later that afternoon with my brothers who are staying the week with them! 

It has been a great Christmas and a great reminder that Our Savior washed us white as snow!

Naomi Grace Ramsey

So, it's here. The much anticipated Christmas Break. Hallelujah! Not only was it a fun day at school because we all wore Christmas sweaters and watched Christmas movies but someone very important was born yesterday.

Naomi Grace Ramsey-my youth minister's daughter- entered this world yesterday at about 10:22 AM. She weighed a healthy 7 lbs. 6 oz and was 19" long. I knew she was going to be born yesterday because she was a see-section baby. However, when I felt my phone continuously vibrating in my back pocket during Human A and P, my heart skipped a few beats. I knew the baby that so many people have been waiting on had come.

After school, the first thing I wanted to do was to go to the hospital. So that's just what my mom and I did. We met up with JP and his Mrs. Margaret and talked to Barton for a while. It cracked me up that even though he had just become a father and had probably had a long day, he was still cracking jokes and had his adored Mountain Dew in hand. Same ole Barton! But as we were all sitting there waiting to go back and see Bethany and little Naomi, JP said something that really made me laugh. He said, "You know what's cool? We're gonna get to see this kid grow up!" Really made me think. But isn't that cool? Even coming from JP. Like here's a new life and God has given me and so many other people the gift of seeing this little girl grow up. Amazing. 

God, thank you for giving us Naomi. I lift her parents up to you and pray that they will seek you as they mold her into the woman that YOU want her to be. Amen. 

What a Wonderful Life!

So as I'm sitting in my 2nd period Geometry class, I'm thinking how pointless school has been today. I am exempt from all of my exams, however, exemption doesn't take effect until WEDNESDAY! Seriously? My day has consisted of this: 1st period I watched 3 episodes of One Tree Hill and now in 2nd period I am blogging. Very productive day wouldn't you think? There's absolutely no point to still be in school. Just give us the complete week off, Tupelo High School. 

But anyways, on a more positive note, I am getting more and more excited about getting out of school. The weather here has been super duper cold! (18 degrees this morning with a 10 degree wind chill...brrr!) Yesterday, there were some snow flurries, and although it wasn't enough to build a snowman, it still put me inside eating chile and watching movies with the family which is always a favorite of mine :)

After church yesterday, my mom and I completed our annual Christmas cards and sent them out to friends and family. Last night, my family piled in the den and we watched It's a Wonderful Life! Ok, my ALL TIME favorite Christmas movie! This movie has such a great meaning and I love the simple time it is set in. If no one knows the story line, it is about a man named George Bailey who lives a "wonderful life”. Most of the movie is the background story of his life from the time he is a little boy until he is a grown man. He works for a bank and his business partner misplaces a check and George is found in a big mess. He could possibly go to jail for misplacing the people’s money. He’s so upset about the whole situation that he considers his life useless and wishes he had never been born. That’s when Clarence, George’s guardian angel, comes into George’s life and shows him what the world would be like if he had never existed. This changes George’s outlook on his problems and he finds himself appreciating the life that he has. Clarence gives George his existence back and George runs home to express his love to his family. In the end, neighbors provide George with the 8,000 dollars that he needed. The last scene has to be my favorite. This movie really teaches me the value of people and how every person makes a difference  in another’s life. I definitely encourage anyone to watch it.

Ok, looks like I’m having to get off this thing. 3rd period Human Anatomy and Physiology isn’t as laid back as my previous classes. So every have an amazing Monday and stay warm!

"...That's All I Want When Christmas Comes to Town"

So yesterday me and my family had a complete chill day. My sister and I watched The Polar Express which is definitely one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. This is my favorite scene of the movie and I thought I'd share it with you...

http://youtu.be/XWj7fwNGxvs


:D

Hope everyone has a happy Sunday and a great week!

Cranium.

I have a recent obsession. Cranium. Yes, friends. Go put it on your Christmas lists now. Two of my bestfriends, Lizzy Coke and Dorie Stewart introduced the game to me about a month ago and I've only played it twice but it's so much fun! In the game, everyone has a partner and there are certain things you have to do like: draw something blind folded that your partner has to guess what it is, hum a tune and have your partner guess what song it is, unscramble words, answer random questions. It's a hilarious game and I LOVE it! Make sure you play it with some people that are ready to laugh and be idiots!

:D

Oh yeah, and 14 more days...I can hear Santa's sleigh now.

They were partners...Enough said.

We're Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.

Christmas season comes with so much happiness! It comes with the birth of our Savior most importantly. Friday night some of my best friends came over to hangout and do some Christmas stuff. We made cookies and iced them, ate plenty of food, played an intense game of Cranium, made ornaments, and had some oh-so-delightful girl time. It was great and girls, can we make this a tradition? Thanks.

I love this girl. Go look at http://elizabethcoke.blogspot.com.  She's fun to stalk.

This chick kept us on our toes the whole night!

 

Pierce Street girls :)

Beauty From the Ashes

...Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me... ~Psalm 51

There are so many people that I admire in my life. So many faces of wisdom, joy, and grace that God has put into my life. One of those people that I love and admire is Tricia Robbins.

Tricia means so much to my family and I. She has a beautiful story of grace- God's grace. The first time I met her I thought, Wow, something is different about that woman. She's just so full of life and happiness.  Getting to know her, her story, and her sweet family over the past 3 years has pulled me closer to Christ and the wonder of His miraculous love.

As I said previously, Tricia has an incredible story that she uses to glorify God in awesome ways. There is a book coming out (hopefully) this month about her story. The book is entitled A Cord of Three Strands that is written by Tricia herself and Sara Berry. I, for one, am pumped about this book coming out! I'm not only excited about having a copy of Tricia's beautiful story to read whenever, but I'm excited about how God is going to use this special book for HIS glory!

So, Beauty From the Ashes? What in the world does that mean, MJ? That is exactly what Tricia's story represents to me. It's a story about God bringing out BEAUTY when we are in a state of brokenness. HE wants to do that in all of our lives. Why is it so hard to let go sometimes and give God complete control of what He wants to do in our lives? Let's become broken before our God and be an instrument for His Glory! 

12 SONGS of Christmas!

So if anyone knows me they know that I'm in love with music.  I'm also in love with Christmas. Put the two together and you have an obsession...CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Here are 12 songs that I'm listening to this season! 


All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey
One of my favorite songs this year! Brings great excitement when it comes on 93.3!


Wonderful Christmastime- Paul McCartney
Why yes, Paul. It certainly is a simply WONDERFUL Christmastime!

Christmas Eve- Celine Dion

This puts me in the spirit! And Celine's voice is awesome!

Breath of Heaven- Amy Grant

So, I've loved this song ever since I was a little girl. Such a beautiful song about Mary's obedience to God when she gave birth to our Savior.

Sleigh Ride- KT Tunstall

Well folks, she's done it again. I would request the entire KT Tunstall Christmas album! Entitled- Have Yourself a Very KT Christmas

Christmas (baby please come home)- U2

This one has always been a favorite of mine!

Jingle Bell Rock-Bobby Helms

A classic! Can we bring out the Christmas sweaters and gingerbread houses now?

Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child- Mariah Carey

So I'm kinda crazy about Mariah's voice? Is it that obvious? I have a best friend that can definitely tear this song up- GET IT ASHLEY!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!- Ella Fitzgerald

Can't go wrong with this one!

Baby It's Cold Outside- Elf soundtrack

From one of my all time favorite Christmas movies! And this girl's voice rocks too! Love her chill tone.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus- Jackson 5

Oh yes. Sing it, Young Michael.

Wintersong- Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

So this is definitely a recent obsession. These are two of my favorite artists and they are doing a duet! Their harmony is great. I wouldn't say this is completely Christmas but please look it up! It's amazing.

Also, I would highly recommend the album, "Winter Songs".  It has Christmas music that we all know and love but it's singers like Sara Bareilles, Missy Higgins, Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat, Lenka, and Katy Perry. It's amazing and will definitely be on my Christmas list! 

ENJOY!...24 more days! Enough said. 

SANTA SAYS...

ONLY 26 MORE DAYS UNTIL HE COMES TO TOWN! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Time is Here

It's finally here, everyone! I always think it is important to wait until after Thanksgiving to look forward to Christmas. It's necessary to stop and give thanks before looking forward to another big holiday. Well, it's that time!

One of my absolute favorite things about Christmas time is Sunny 93. This radio station plays Christmas music nonstop which I consider pretty awesome! On my family's way back from my grandparents' house this morning, we listened to Sunny 93. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey came on. Excitement? I think so! 

When my family and I walked into the house, our Christmas tree had been delivered. Every year since I was about 10 years-old, my family has gotten a real flocked Christmas tree. The smell of the tree and the flock is beautiful and can put anyone in the Christmas spirit! Today, my mom, sister, and I decorated the house while my brothers and dad went to the Egg Bowl (where Ole Miss got beat- still love you, Rebs).  We got a lot of the work done. This included putting the den tree completely up, putting our kitchen tree up (which we put all of the home-made ornaments on), putting the miniature trees up in all four kids bedrooms, and setting out random Christmas decorations. We had a great time and I loved getting to spend time with my mom and sister! 

So it goes without saying, I'm completely pumped about Christmas Time. It just seems to be in the air.  Everything from the decorations to the random temperature drop. However, let us remember the real reason for the season and reflect on what God has given us!

gratitude.

gratitude- the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

What an awesome Thanksgiving it has been! Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I'm always finding myself caught up in a "get-done" state of mind when I really need to sit back and realize what God has blessed me with - and show GRATITUDE.

So, as I said before, this has been a great week. I've so enjoyed getting to spend time with the people that mean the most to me. My family and I (dog included) all packed into our mini-van on Wednesday night and headed two-hours down the road to Mimi and Papaw's house. I love coming to visit them, simply because it's not everyday I get to see them, and my whole family just seems closer at their house. There isn't too much to do in the little town they live in, so we find ourselves in their living room just talking and catching up on things. I like that. On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up at a little after 8:00 to the smell of my Mimi cooking breakfast and 73 degree weather. -which was a disappointment that it was that hot on Thanksgiving morning. I was hoping more for 40 degree weather- My dad and I went for a jog at a little track that we found down the road from my grandparents house. When we came home, we got ready for lunch. My grandmother really outdid herself. She cooked turkey, dressing, ham, sweet potatoe casserole (my absolute fave!), green peas, watergate salad, sweet tea, rolls, and cream cheese pound cake. After that, we all took a Thanksgiving nap and I watched Sleepless in Seattle with my dog. Tomorrow, my parents and I are planning to go to a little antique and clothing store (I'm excited!) before the six Bouchillons head home on Saturday morning.

So what's gratitude? I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Gratitude is "readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness" for what has been given to you. God has blessed me with SO much- too much! Why wouldn't I WANT to live a life full of joy and thanks for what He has done? Thank you God for what you bless me with each day! Pictures to come soon!

Let's Get Together and Feel Alright

So here it is Thanksgiving week and there are so many things I have to be thankful for! God has blessed me in ways that I can't begin to describe or comprehend. One of the many things he has blessed me with is my friends. 

This week has also brought a lot of free time. Therefore, I've gotten a chance to be with my friends. Four friends that I'm so thankful for are Jenny Kate, Bethany, Ashlee, and Chandler.

The five of us met when we were in second grade at Harrisburg Baptist Church. I actually remember meeting each and every one of them. My family had just joined Harrisburg and I didn't know anybody. All four of them introduced themselves to me and it was great to know a few faces in a massive church. Not long after we all met, we found an awesome bond. However, over the years, between moving churches and the five of us not all going to the same school, we couldn't see each other all the time which was a huge bummer. In the summer of 2009, we hadn't been together in a long time. We found ourselves at Super Summer, a Baptist camp for teenagers that seek to be leaders in their world, and reunited. It was just spectacular! These girls make me laugh my head off, give some of the best advice I could ask for, and can listen to my long pointless stories like nobody's business. Either way you put it, there is never a dull moment when we are hanging out. They are a group of girls that I know that even though we don't get to be with each other every single day, we can always get together and pick right up where we left off. That's a good feeling. I love you girls and am very thankful for each of you!

This picture was an effort! But we went to see "Life as we Know It"- I highly recommend it!

We ate half of the dough.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Well hello there, blog world.

 So I'm a blogger now? How crazy does that sound! Questions going through my mind right now are: How do I get a cool background? How do I put pictures onto my blog? How in the world am I going to be able to type out my life on here? I've read different blogs and I'm amazed at people's writing skills. I have a strange feeling that this is going to be a new obsession of mine. We shall certainly see! -mj