Fake it

Normally, I am not a fan of faking it...I want the real thing. However, when it comes to Christmas trees, I say fake it. While I totally get the appeal of a real tree (the scent alone brings back wonderful memories), I say go green and invest in an artificial tree.

You can use your tree year after year, and it will look just as lovely as a real tree. Plus, you will be saving time, money, and the resources necessary to grow the tree and get it to your house. If you do insist on buying a real tree, make sure you get one that has been grown locally and not shipped in from somewhere else.

This is a picture of my tree...it is artificial, and it is fabulous. Happy tree decorating!

Be thankful

Wow, the past few weeks have been beyond busy for me.  Lots of new, exciting changes are on the horizon for me, and I look forward to sharing them with all of you soon. 

For now, I just want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope your day tomorrow reminds you of how much there is to be thankful for.  Give your loved ones extra hugs and kisses and let them know how much you love them.  My parents are in Italy with my brother and sister-in-law for Thanksgiving, and I am thrilled for them.  While I miss them, I am so excited that they get to spend this holiday with Andrew and Katie.  I hope they have an amazing time, and I look forward to seeing their pictures when they return.

I am volunteering tomorrow morning and then going to my dear friend Leigh Anne's house for a Thanksgiving meal.  Even though I wish I could spend the holiday with my family, I am thrilled to have such a good friend to spend it with this year.  I have been absolutely blown away by how many of my friends invited me to join their family for Thanksgiving when they learned my parents would be out of the country.  I really do have the best friends in the entire world.

Enjoy your day tomorrow and don't forget to say a prayer for those who might not have any food to eat.  Check out this post from last year which reminds us about not wasting leftovers-http://cestlaviebyelle.blogspot.com/2009/11/leftover-dilemma.html.  Make sure not to cook too much food.  If you do, freeze leftovers or give them to your guests to take home.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with great company, laughter, and love.  Life is short, so always give it your all and give all you have to the world around you.

Dream BIG

This has been a very exciting week for me, and I look forward to sharing some big announcements with all of you soon.  As always, reach high, seek far, see deeply, and dream BIG.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It comes from within

"I was looking outside myself for strength and confidence,

but it comes from within; it is there all the time."

(Anna Freud)

New Baggu

As my loyal readers know, I am a huge fan of Baggu reusable bags.  Recently they came out with zippered bags that are simply fabulous.  Instead of using plastic bags, go green and use these bags instead.  There are many different colors and sizes, so get wild.  To order your Baggu bags, go to http://baggubag.com/#Shop.

Congratulations Jenn & Will!

Congratulations to Jenn and Will, my dear, sweet friends who are getting married today.  It has been awesome to watch you on your journey, and here we are on your wedding day.  I know that today will be an amazing symbol and celebration of not only your love, but also of God's perfect love for us.  I am honored to stand by you today as you make this lifelong commitment to each other.  I love you both and wish you all the best.

In honor of our veterans

Today is Veteran's Day, and I would like to issue a heartfelt thank you to all of the brave men and woman who have ever served and who currently serve in our country's military. We salute you and will cherish you and your sacrifice forever.

Coming from a family who has been very active in the military, today really means a lot to me.  The following people in my family have served in the military: both of my grandfathers, my grandmother, my cousin Tommy, both of my uncles, my father, and my brother currently serves as an officer in the Navy. I am incredibly proud and humbled by their service and dedication. 

I would also like to recognize the sacrifice that the families of service members make.  While we all ultimately wish for a safe return for our loved ones, it can be very hard on the family when they have to miss countless birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions while they serve our country.  It is somewhat bittersweet when someone willingly chooses to join the military.  We admire and respect their decision, but we know we will miss them and worry about them.  So, here is to the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, other family members and friends who stay at home and wait...for news from their service member and in anticipation for them to return home safely.

Most importantly, we honor you, brave veterans of the past, present, and future.  It is because of your sacrifice that I can sit here and freely type whatever I want.  Your courage, bravery, and honor should never go unnoticed.  If you see a service member, please thank them for their service.