Archives for December 2013

Christmas Break for Me—Dress Links for You!

December 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Mother of the Bride, I’m taking a Christmas blogging break until the first of the year, but I’m not leaving you without help. In fact, I have a little gift for you—some helpful links to some beautiful dresses.

I’ve included links to Mother of the Bride dresses as well as bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. You might want to share the links with your daughter. Enjoy some online window shopping—and good luck finding some gorgeous options!

 *My Mother of the Bride Dresses Pinterest Board 

*My Bridal Gown Pinterest Board

*My Bridesmaids Dresses Pinterest Board 

*Mother of the Bride Dresses from Brides  

*Bridal Gowns from Brides 

*Bridesmaids Dresses from Brides 

 Hope these links help you or your daughter find just what you’re looking for!

Merry Christmas, Mother of the Bride, to you and yours!

*Find my annual Christmas poem over on my home page. Hope you enjoy!

*My photo

Filed Under: appearance, help, holidays, Mother of the Bride, preparation

Christmas Poem 2013: When Christmas Changes

December 16, 2013 by 10 Comments

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My tradition of writing an original Christmas poem lives on, friends. After losing my mom unexpectedly on October 21st because of injuries she sustained in a car accident, I didn’t know if I’d be able to write a Christmas poem this year. I usually write my poem in October or early November to help take the pressure off closer to the holidays, but could I do that this year? I could write a poem about grief, but one about Christmas? I wasn’t so sure about that.

God is good, though. When I turned to him for help, he graciously gave it. Just eight days after Mom went home to heaven, God helped me write the poem below. I pray it holds just the message that someone needs to hear this holiday season.

I’ll be taking a blogging break until the first of the year—unless I hop on here to share a photo. May you enjoy sweet times with loved ones and have a truly blessed celebration of our Savior’s birth, my friends. Enjoy the poem—and see you in 2014!

     When Christmas Changes

Christmas looks different to me this year
Maybe to you as well,
Life’s changes have me looking back
Have me caught in nostalgia’s spell.

Yearning for sweet times gone by
My memories become treasure,
I’ll savor and safe-keep them
For future joy and pleasure.

And though my heart may ache with loss
While looking back today,
I’ll turn my eyes to Jesus Christ
I’ll look to Him and say:

“Christmas on earth may change, my Lord,
But You are forever the same,
My Savior, my Friend, my Comfort, my Guide,
Ever worthy of worship and praise.”

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV

*In loving memory of my mother, Charlene Hoy.

*Have you gone through a year when Christmas changed for you? How did God help you?

*Flickr photo by State Farm, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: change, family, grief, holidays, hope, poem, tradition, worship Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thank You Note Idea: A Wedding Photo!

December 12, 2013 by 2 Comments

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Mother of the Bride, here’s a way for your darling daughter and son-in-law-to-be to send thank you notes that will keep the celebration going and serve as keepsakes, too: Suggest that they feature one of their wedding photos on the front of the note card! Great idea, huh?

Not long ago, we received the darling thank you note pictured above. What a treat! It was special  not only because it came from long-time  family friend Abby and her sweet husband Brian but also because they shared a memory of their wedding day by including a photo as well.

Abby and Brian’s note card illustrates one way to create a clever personalized thank-you note, but lots of other approaches could also be used. Share the idea with your bride and groom, MOB, and see what unique touches of their own it might inspire.

So go ahead—add a thank-you note shot to your list of photos for the photographer to take. I guarantee it will bring smiles to all who receive them.

 *What are some other creative approaches to thank-you notes?

*My photo

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, Gift, memories, Mother of the Bride, photo fun, thanks

A Winner Plus A Christmas Prayer

December 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Today’s the day—time to announce the winner of A Little Yuletide Giveaway! Ho-Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas to Judy! Judy, you’re the lucky winner of the beautiful Christmas book A Prairie Christmas Collection. I’ll put the book in the mail to you right away. I hope this wonderful collection of stories will add a special warmth to your Christmas season.

For the rest of you at this mid-point of the holiday season, I’d love to gift you with a prayer. May these heartfelt words offered to the Father on your behalf bring joy to you today!

“Father, you know each one who will read this prayer. You know our needs, our joys, our hurts, our desires. May you surround us with your all-encompassing presence and peace this Christmas season. Meet each of us, please, at our point of need or rejoicing. We know you’re ever willing if we will only turn to you.

Thank you for walking with us through every experience of life. Thank you for being the loving and mighty God who sent Jesus to be our Savior, and thank you, Father, for the extravagant love you keep showering down upon us. We love you. We honor you. We worship and adore you.”

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:10-11a

*Do you have a special prayer request this holiday season? Please feel free to share.

*Flickr photo by Alan Cleaver

Filed Under: Gift, giveaway, holidays, prayer

Bridal Shoes: The Cute Factor

December 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Let’s just say it—every bride wants cute shoes. Many may be concerned about comfort and even end up buying the comfortable option, but deep down, a girl always wants cute shoes.

Is it possible to find a pair of bridal shoes with a high cute factor that won’t cripple your daughter before the dancing is done, Mother of the Bride? Granted, many brides will ditch their shoes after the photos are taken for the special dances, but others will want their shoes to carry them through several hours.

My daughter Kelli was determined in her search for bridal shoes. She wanted a cute pair, something preferably with a flower adornment. When we went shopping for shoes, we came up empty. Wanting to get the task taken care of, I pointed out several different styles as we hunted for the right ones, but she didn’t want to settle for something less than her dream.

When Kelli got home, she started an online search and found just the pair (pictured above) that would work as her Cinderella slippers for her big day. Notice the heel on these shoes is high enough to be pretty but not spiked to the point of pain.

So yes, MOB, it is indeed possible to find the shoes of your daughter’s dreams. It may take a lot of looking, but they’re out there. Good luck to both you and your daughter on the hunt! :)

*What other cute styles of bridal shoes have you seen? Check my Pinterest Accessories board for a few more ideas!  

*Don’t miss out on A Little Yuletide Giveaway on my home page– throw your name in the hat by 6 p.m. CST this Wednesday the 11th!

*Photo by Will Flowers

Filed Under: appearance, beauty, bride, comfort, Mother of the Bride, preparation
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