Chi town

It was always a big deal growing up in South West Michigan to be able to go to Chicago around Christmas time.  The hustle and bustle, the big shops, and the lights!  It was something I really looked forward to.  Since this is my first year back after our 4 year adventure to Florida.  This year I get to go TWICE!
Next weekend I head over on a "bus trip" with my husband's sister and mother.  It should be a fun kick start to our Christmas shopping.  The next trip will be when my best friend Jen (who I have not seen in a year!)  comes to visit me from TN the week before Christmas! It should be so much fun.
So today, as if I need an excuse to get in the Christmas spirit, I have my Christmas station playing on Pandora Radio while I do a little on-line browsing to write up my Christmas list for Santa! 
Our family is so full of Christmas traditions!  I can not wait to see what new ones begin now that we have a little family of our own!

What is on your Christmas list?
 {North Face jacket (ching ching $$)}
What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
{O Holy Night! a close second is Amy Grant's Tender Tennessee Christmas} 
What is your favorite Christmas Movie?
{Christmas Vacation!!!}

20% OFF

In an attempt to move the quilts in my ETSY shop so I have an excuse to start making more (as if I needed an excuse) I am offering 20% off!  Use the coupon code simply20 at checkout! There are 2 girls baby quilts and one Christmas throw quilt!

What I {Heart} Wednesday

RUNNING!

Hubby and I have been "training" for a 5K in November.  I would not quite call myself a "runner" at the moment, but I am someone who can run...  We just got to week 8 in the couch to 5K program {solid 28 min run}. It is a great way to get into running and not feel like you want to burn your shoes and never squeeze into that sports bra again after the first week of barely being able to complete a 10 minute jog!  Yesterday was quite chilly but Lilly loved riding along in her stroller all bundled up {napped the whole time} while her daddy and I hoofed it along this pretty trail.



Vicksburg Trail



On that health note....I had to say bye-bye to the candy pumpkins, they were not helping the cause any {I have no self control}

Now what...

Do you ever just feel like you are waiting for "the next big thing?"  The past few years of my life I have been working on and planning for the next big thing....In high school I was anticipating college, in college I was working hard to become an athletic trainer and convince a certain Mr. Hill to pick me.  Once married, we looked forward to finishing up Grad school so I could finally get my "big girl job." That brough us to Florida where we got our dog and started our little family.  Following Baby girl's arrival our hearts desire was to move back Home.  That brings us to now, 10 years since High school, I've got the loving husband, a sweet baby girl, the playful doggie, a home to call my own in a state I never plan on leaving again, a job that pays the bills, and my family close at hand {maybe too close}.  What more could a girl ask for you wonder?  I don't know, but I can't help but wonder "now what"  what am I working toward?  Where do we go from here?

I am trying to settle into the life of a working mom with a crafty hobby, but at the moment I am just unsettled. I am anxious to see what comes next!  I suppose if nothing is going to fall into my lap I will just have to make something happen wont I?

In the mean time I really need to organize the guest room so I can quilt in peace!