Holiday Decorating...and Some Updates!

{pink, scented market roses & pinecones in a vintage tool caddy}


Happy Holidays my friends! I can't believe it's just a few short days away from Christmas ~ time sure goes by fast when you are having fun! :)

I am now officially done with finals, and am trying to spend this last week before Christmas with my boys & hubs, decorating, prepping for some family to arrive...and well, just making our home comfy & cozy for the holidays, despite many of the ongoing projects that still need to get done!

{unearthing vintage ornaments for decorating}


This post is going to be a "life post," and since I haven't really spent much time "styling & taking photos on my regular camera," I will be including images from my Instagram account {taken on my iPhone}, so if you already follow me on there or on Facebook, you'll be seeing these images for the 2nd & 3rd times.

{tinkered treasures in a old French jam jar}


So hopefully you won't get too bored with it! For those of you who follow me regularly, or have been with me since the beginning of my blogging journey ~ well, you'll be getting some insight into my past, present & future.

Gosh only knows how much time I've spent reflecting during my commute early in the mornings & late evenings!

{a pair of candy canes in an old Dundee jar "kept me company" during exam nights}


As some of you know, I decided to go back to school to embark on a path to a destination that I have been longing to get to for some time now.

This past semester, I took on a full load of 5 courses as part of my contingent plans of applying to a program, so that I can get into it {a program} for next Fall {of 2013}.

{decorating with mini trees around my home before the outing for the "big one"}


But after multitasking home life, work, school...which meant late nights awake, early mornings up, and a 4.0 GPA later, I have decided to put my plans on hold for another semester or so, so that I can focus on the Number One thing in my life...my family.

{my little one picking out the main tree!}


Don't get me wrong, I still want to finish up this journey, but I really felt that I was "missing out" on so many things this semester with my family & close friends!

Next year, my little one will be starting kindergarten & my eldest will start his senior year in high school...and knowing how intense the program will be, and also knowing how hard I will be on myself once I am in it...well, I just didn't feel like there would be enough time to juggle family life and school life.

{my boys working together to build a gingerbread house}


I just don't want to "miss a thing" in their lives right now.

{their gingerbread house!}


As you all know, life is too short to not be a part of every moment in it...especially when it comes to family and all the milestones that are experienced.

{a little late night afterglow}


With that being said, I'm going to hold off on applying to a program, at least until after my sons get through their first semester {as a kindergartener & as a senior in high school, respectively}.

So although there are a few courses that I still need to take to better prep me for the program, they are not required to apply - I'm just thinking ahead as usual. :)

{a fabric heart & some vintage glass}


But at least I'll have more time to spend with them. It just eases my mind as a mom to know that I'm going to be there for them at this critical time in their lives, even though I know they can be successful at what they do no matter what.

It just helps to have "mom rooting them on!" :) Plus I think my hubby enjoys it better when I'm "not so stressed!" lol

{shiny brites on an antique French plate}


Additionally, I feel like I've also isolated myself from my extended family & close friends...so if you are reading this, I apologize for being so "M.I.A." It's just that once I start something, I can get rather obsessed at trying to get through it successfully, that I often inadvertently exclude myself from various get togethers and what not...

Just know that I think of you all often {yes, you too my dear blogger friends}, and just because I'm not always present, doesn't mean that I don't wish that I was...

{a mini tree in an old Sucre Tin}


But as of this past Monday, I have been "officially on vacation," and have been trying endlessly to get things in decent order around the house.

So many projects were left unfinished, and realistically many of the big projects will have to be put on hold until after the New Year, but I'm at least trying to get things looking somewhat normal since my parents will be visiting here, along with my sister and her family.

{my mantel in November}

I'm just glad that I started decorating my home for the holidays since before Thanksgiving! I've just been adding things here & there, as well as tweaking things a bit by rearranging and/or swapping things out. :)

{late night crafting & decorating}


I've also enjoyed baking cookies with my family...& also {unfortunately for my waistline} eating way too many sweets! ;)

{yummy Peanut M & M's in a bowl ~ courtesy of the hubby}


Catching up on some leisure reading this week has been wonderful as well.

{Beautiful JDL Christmas issue}


More decorating...

{pink vintage baubles on an old dessert plate}

{fragrant roses & pine}

{a mini tree by the fireside waiting to be decorated}

{"new" shiny brites that I found at Home Goods earlier this month}

{putting the twinkle lights on my December mantel}

{more pink lovelies}

{paper paisley hearts}

{enjoying fairy lights on the decorated tree}


Well my friends, that is all for today. Now I'm off trying to spend as much time with my family as I can, whilst enjoying this lovely season.

May you all have a most blessed Christmas Holiday & lovely New Year!



Warmly,
Jessie



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