Christmas Prep

As Christmas Day is FAST approaching, so are family and friends.  Lot's of parties and last minute details that need to be tended to before everyone gets into town.  Yesterday my Grandparents got into town from Charleston, SC and I thought I would take the day to spend time with them and do some things are new for them and myself as well.    First stop...Homestead Manor Plantation in Thompson Station.  Drew's Mawmaw and Pawpaw, Bill and Joan, picked out a beautiful tea cup and saucer that they gave me for my birthday which I LOVE so I knew that I was in for a treat!   The great thing and the main reason I took my Nanny and Papa there was because they have over 100 types of teas.  They also have a tea lunch where you get tea, tea sandwiches, scones, and little deserts.  It was fabulous!  Homestead Manor is my new favorite restaurant.  Of course I will visit for special occasions but it will be hard to stay away between visits.  I'm sure to be having a date with mom soon to this great little piece of heaven.  Here are some photos from the day....

 We were in the hat room

The BEST hat, or should I say crown

Our amazing lunch!

After lunch we met up with Drew and took them to downtown Franklin and browsed the shops which is always fun.  I'm looking forward to spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with them :)

The closer we get to Christmas day the more I feel like I am appreciating how God pulls families together during this time in which we celebrate Jesus's Holy birth.  It's time to be thankful for the time we DO have with one another and not be selfish with that time.  If we let it get to us, this time of year becomes stressful and all about impressing others with decorations and gifts when really it should be about letting others know that they are always welcomed into our hearts and homes.

This will be the first year Drew and I will be spending part of Christmas Day away from our immediate  families.  As I talk to friends who are married and whose families may live hours away, I am so thankful that our parents are within 30 minutes of each other.  So, even though we may not get a full 12 hours of Christmas day like we are used to, it's time to welcome change and new traditions we can take form one another and incorporate both into our very own children's Christmases one day.  I can't wait to experience my first Perry Christmas and see how Drew has celebrated for the past 27 years.  I'm sure he is going to be knocked on his face at how different our family celebrations are but I think it's kinda cool to be able to have 2 totally different celebrations, all within 12 hours.  It is truly a blessing, to have not only 1 but 2 wonderful families to share this beautiful season with.

Ill be back in a week with some Christmas Day photos and great stories!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & GOD BLESS!