Happy Christmas, Y'all!

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say "y'all" any more now that I live in the land of "pop."

Anywho, who wants to see our Christmas card? Okay, awesome. I made these on Shutterfly, and they came out great as always.

Yes, we are the W---------s. You can figure it out.

One thing I love about Shutterfly cards is how customized you can make the backside of it! It was a perfect place to announce our move and new address, and even throw in a few more pictures.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day!

What I Wore Sunday (Vol. 8)

I'm back at this again!

Link up with these ladies

It looks like the 5pm Saturday vigil is becoming our mass. I don't really like that, but B has been working every Sunday, so it's just another sacrifice of married life (and him being employed, which I am very happy about). I find the vigil is hard because it feels like just another thing "to do" on Saturday. I was bumming around in a hoodie and jeans all day, complaining about constantly being cold, and it just didn't feel right to wear that to mass. I looked like a mess and felt like one too. Changing my clothes immediately brightened my mood.

Don't mind the little bokeh spot

It probably also helped that of the five pieces I wore, FOUR of them were new (to me).

Button-up shirt: The Limited (thrifted way back in high school) // Vest: NY&Co. (hand-me-down from my sister) // Skirt: Ralph Lauren (thrifted) // Leggings (fleece-lined!): Target // Boots: Bare Traps from DSW (my Christmas gift from my mommy)

That third picture is THE COAT. I mentioned it a few weeks ago, and now it is finally cold enough to wear it.

Coat: Kenneth Cole Reaction from Burlington Coat Factory

The coat probably could stand to be a bit warmer, but at least I felt pretty and fabulous in it. I have found out that this coat exists in two other colors, but they are out of stock everywhere online. If they ever come back in, I'm buying both! I really like how the hood is removable (it zips off) and it looks good either buttoned all the way up or leaving the top two buttons undone.

I get cold very easily, so hood went up!

A few observations on mass for this 4th Sunday of Advent: sitting up front is the absolute-hands-down best way for me to pay attention. All of the other times we've gone to this church, someone's head has been blocking my view, and it causes me to lose focus. We found an open pew in the very front this time, and it was so much better for me. 

Also, I don't know what's up with this church, but the congregation LOVES to sing. It is fantastic. I love to sing, and at previous parishes I often felt like I was just an extension of the choir or a cantor-wannabe. (True story: at my church in Norfolk, a visiting priest made everyone sing "Jingle Bells" in the middle of July because he said that we didn't sing loudly enough.) 

But that is not a problem here. I first noticed this when we went to the most recent holy day mass. The choir (might have just been a few cantors, actually) did a song during the Offertory that I had never heard before. They don't generally do sing-along songs for that part of mass--they just show off their musical chops with something choral. Well, I looked around and I noticed all kinds of people singing along. And singing along to the different parts, too. Old blue-haired ladies and teenage dudes in letter jackets alike. I seriously did a triple-take. Maybe I can point this out and finally get B to start singing at mass.

I will leave you with this photo because it caused me to laugh hysterically:

Baby is a total camera ham (I promise I'm not scolding her) BUT WHO IS THAT ON THE COUCH??!?
This pretty much sums up our family.

7 Quick Takes (Christmas Decor Edition)

This is going to be a mostly photo edition of 7QT! You get to glimpse at some (most) of our Christmas decorations. We live in a small apartment and have been progressively baby-proofing (we have a curious one). I'm also going to double-dip and add this to NFP and Me's Christmas Decor linkup.

--- 1 ---

My sister gave me this version of the Nativity for Christmas last year. When my parents were in town this past weekend, one of them (probably Mom) moved them to say "YOJ." Sigh.

--- 2 ---

Our stockings are hung by the chimney. Oh wait, we don't have a chimney and also have to push stuff up against the fireplace so baby can't climb into the thing (works most of the time). My stocking (on the right), I've had all my life, and B and Cora will be getting similar ones hopefully by next year. As a placeholder for B's, my mom got a cheapo stocking and printed out an iron-on to show him what his will look like. Also, I think something is in my stocking already from Santa Mom.

--- 3 ---

Baby has her own Little People Nativity (given to her as a Christmas gift last year, when she was still in utero). There's a sheep missing, probably under our couch or something. Usually this is all over the floor--she really likes that angel--but she's napping so I put it back together for a photo op.

--- 4 ---

Why yes, we have a real Nativity set as well. Family tradition to put an animal on the roof.

--- 5 ---

Are. You. Ready?

--- 6 ---

We originally had the Christmas cards hanging off the bar like we did last year. But baby grew an inch overnight or something, so they had to move. That's our utility closet. And check out another Holy Family decoration there on the table. All of my decorations have been gifts, by the way. Including our newest--this little guy on the bar:

--- 7 ---

Can't forget the tree! Pushed all the way back so baby can't get it. Except for the time she did somehow...
And her ornament:

--- 8 ---

Bonus take: gratuitous baby with Santa photo!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!