i *heart* Starbuck's

So yesterday, I totally got blessed by none other than Starbuck's! No, I do not think Starbuck's is the "ENEMY" of the local coffee shop- I actually like the fact that Starbuck's has made coffee and tea more readily accessible around the world and yesterday, I had even one more reason to like them!

Over a month ago, I had stepped into the one in downtown Franklin and as I was leaving, I noticed the Christmas wreath on the door. I thought it was SO cute, and considered trying to make one like it. Then, a few weeks ago, we were down there again and I asked one of the workers I knew what they did with their Christmas decor once Christmas was over. She directed me to her manager, Kelly, and told me to ask her. I chatted with Kelly and she told me that they usually just give it away or sell it. She took my info and promised to call me after Christmas.

Well yesterday, I got a call from Kelly, who proceeded to tell me their Field Manager had come in and taken down the Christmas stuff. "It's not even Christmas yet," I stated! "I know- it's crazy," was Kelly's reply, "but, you can come down and get whatever you want."

After work, I headed down and look what I ended up with:



I was pretty pumped! And she wouldn't let me pay for any of it! Moral of the story: Just ask! You never know what you might get! :-)

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone. I thought I'd do a quick update from good ol' WARM Naples, Florida....we've been having a wonderful time. Jordan and I are down in Naples with his side of the family and it has been great. Mom & Dad are waiting for us, patiently, to get back to Nashville to do their Christmas exchanges.

It's been an amazing and fun-filled week/weekend, whatever it is. We got down here on Thursday and met up with everyone (Erin, Dan, Auntie Anne, & cousins Will, Caitie, Elizabeth) to go see "Pursuit of Happyness." Jordan and I just liked it, we didn't love it- a little too stressful for me, it was hard to watch. We had great sushi afterwards at "Tsunami" and all danced to the great 80's music they had playing :-)

Friday I worked in the office and that evening we spent helping E.D. (Erin & Dan) move into their brand new home that FINALLY got finished. It was originally supposed to be done before me & Jordan's, so you can see they've been waiting a while. We worked until all the boxes were in and everyone was too tired to move anymore. I'm so excited for them- the house is beautiful!

Saturday was our Christmas Eve, since we moved stuff up a day because E.D. were flying out on Christmas Day to go to IN. I spent some time over at E.D.'s house helping with a little more organizing and we went to the beautiful candelight service at First Baptist Naples that evening. It was a WONDERFUL service and I really really enjoyed the worship and the teaching. All the family came over aftewards for some chili and hangin' out.

Sunday Jordan and Steve got up early and hit a little bit of tennis, and then went to a church to sing a few Christmas songs for them. Hope and I started breakfast (I made Grandma Bertie's homemade biscuits) and E.D. got over soon after. We all had a big breakfast and started off with stockings and then exchanged gifts! It was a wonderful day that we finished up with a lot of family and a huge meal with ham, green beans and pecan pie! We played a rousing game of Catch Phrase which was so hilarious as games with family usually are.

Monday, actual Christmas Day, we headed over to Harbour Chase with Pam Schuler's homemade pastries for a little Christmas Breakfast with Gma & Gpa Chalker. We had a great time with them, Jordan played a few carols for them, and I lost it when I tried- sometimes you just can't quite make it. We then went for a walk on the beach that began as a nice stroll and ended as a fight against the wind and a rush to get back in time to get E.D. to the airport. We did in fact make it and had a wonderful evening "Rocky Balboa" (AWESOME MOVIE!), food (WAY TOO MUCH OF IT) Family, and an awesome game of murder! Elizabeth brought the house down with her 7 rounds of killing and complete confusion! Good job Eli!

Today is our final day in Naples :-( and we are about to go play doubles tennis, and then go out to the new mall, Coconut Point to do some shopping. We'll see Grandpa and Grandma one more time and go out to dinner tonight! It has been an amazing trip and I can't believe I still have Christmas to celebrate with my side of the family tomorrow and Thursday- I'm so excited!!!

Most importantly, I am blown away by our Savior. I've just been reading this morning in Matthew & Luke about Jesus' birth and thinking about the gift of God- the true meaning of Christmas in giving and sacrifice! It is amazing! God, thank you for your Gift- thank you for life! Thank you for the Holy Spirit that gives guidance, joy, life and peace all day and throughout! You are the only thing that brings true meaning and joy to Christmas and I love you!

Have a blessed day!