A Christmas Evening at Home...

We spent last night celebrating our own Christmas.  It was relaxing, chill, and exactly what we needed before a busy next few weeks.  Enjoy your own holiday time with family or traveling or whatever you do!
xoxo

Christmas 2012 from Leah Rife on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas!

I have been so bad about posting regularly...life gets crazy in December.  (New Year's resolution...be a consistent blogger.)

Well we are bustling and hustling around here to get ready to leave tomorrow.  We are headed back to Landon's parents' house to enjoy the next week and a half celebrating the holidays.  I am planning on making some Christmas treats to take, we have almost all the gifts wrapped, and I am searching for a book to check out of the library to take...I'm thinking a good mystery.

Landon will work in their Columbus office for a couple days after Christmas, so I get to tag a long and stay in the hotel and go out with him in the evenings.  We'll leave Finn with his grandparents and they'll have a great time.  We treasure those times when we get to spend alone time without our sweet baby boy.

I must admit, there have been a lot of things lately that have gotten me feeling blue despite all the holiday cheer.  The tragedy of lost lives, the mad materialistic dash I see every day, some decisions that are popping up for Landon and I to make very soon...it's all a little overwhelming.  But then, I looked closer and I saw and heard things that inspired me and completely blew all the sad or anxious things out the window.

I heard about how my boss and her husband sacrificed their entire Christmas to adopt two families in need...and gave generously to them without thought or care about themselves.

I saw my dad lead a group of people from our old church back home to spend their entire day ministering to the elderly and shut-ins and bringing cheer to those that don't have family or can't get out anymore.

I heard about how my mom has taken the time to listen and hurt with a fellow student in her study group who has experienced loss these last few months, and makes time in her busy schedule to be available to just listen.

I heard about how my sister made a small (but big) gesture of giving, and paid for someone's coffee...and she didn't even know them.

I witnessed my husband excitedly give away a huge chunk of his bonus, and all of his birthday money to a cause that brings clean water to those without.

And I was concerned about finding the right outfit to wear to Christmas Eve, or if we'll be where we want in a couple months, or if I have enough chocolate to make truffles.....

See, even though this world is full of hatred and loss and evil, I still see a glimmer of light and kindness and self-sacrifice.  The little things that I get anxious about each day don't really matter.  I see how I am loved by an amazing group of people, and how I am loved by an even Greater love than those.  This season isn't about Santa or elves or cookies; it's about sacrificial giving, self-less-ness, and unconditional love.  I am so inspired and humbled when I think back and reflect on all I've seen this season.  I hope that you are inspired by things you see in your day to day tasks, and that you would also take some time to reflect on if you've been able to give freely to someone as others have done before.

Merry Christmas to you all, and the happiest of New Year's!!

We had a blast making our Christmas card this year.  Since Finn arrived so close to the holidays, we timed his birth announcement along with our own card.  Here are the ones we sent to friends and family, and also a few extras.

Have a very wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!!
See you all in 2012!

peppermint bark!

One of the things I love to make for Christmas is peppermint bark. Why, you ask?  Because of how ridiculously easy it is to make and how tasty and delicious it is in my mouth!

Here's the recipe, you should try it sometime. :)

I can't wait to go back home for the holidays and share this with our families!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here....

Holiday blast!

What an amazing Christmas weekend!!  We were able to spend time with both my entire family and Landon's entire family.
Here are some highlights:

*Leading the Christmas Eve service with my brother-in-law Daniel for our home church.  We played songs inspired by Sufjan Stevens, Alexi Murdoch, and Mumford & Sons with piano, violin, mandolin, tambourine, accordion, melodica, guitar, and an egg shaker.  We couldn't have done it without the help of my mom, Landon, Landon's older brother Benjamin, and Landon's parents.  It was such a blessing to do the service and play and sing in praise for Christ's birth.

*Eating amazing and tasty morsels.  My favorites were Mom Rife's crescent rolls, my mom's tapioca pudding, pecan pie, extra sharp cheddar cheese, my family's traditional orange danish rolls on Christmas Eve morning, and oh my goodness I loved everything!

*Getting to see all of my family and joking and cracking up about crazy things.

*Playing charades with my family on Thursday night.

*Participating in our Christmas Talent show....I was laughing so hard.  We had four skits, two songs, two funny readings, one funny video, and tons of laughter and fun.
I love this (2nd year running) tradition.

*Getting snow on Christmas!  It was so pretty outside.

*Being given some wonderful gifts by my family and Landon's...we are so blessed.

*Being reminded again that Christmas is more than gifts, music, and food, and being thankful for what Christ has done in our lives.

I hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend with your family and friends!!

Love,
Leah

A Very Thankful Christmas, Day 4

Well we are heading out of town today, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to post anymore...so Merry Christmas from Landon and I!!  We sent these out to our friends for the holidays this year.  It was so fun designing them and taking the photos.  I just love Christmas cards.  We've gotten quite a bit this year, and it's so wonderful to see our friends' photos with a holiday cheer attached.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this Saturday.  Enjoy your time with family, friends, and take a moment to relax from the busy stuff and just take everything in.  I am so happy today, and thankful for all my real blessings, like my brother's kind heart, my sister's genuine spirit, my brother-in-law's calmness and generosity, and my whole circle of amazing family and friends.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Love,
Leah

A Very Thankful Christmas, Day 3

We decorated gingerbread houses with our small group last night and had a ton of fun!!  I love decorating, and Landon is so good at it too!  We had good conversation with amazing friends while we made our little Christmas cabins.
Later when we got home, Landon and I ate some of ours.

Tonight I am thankful for genuine friends who are so meaningful.

xo

A Very Thankful Christmas, Day 2

Well, I have made through one whole day without complaining....a whole lot.  I was trying to keep this on my mind so I wouldn't complain, but here and there little slip ups happened....wow, I didn't realize how much I complain!  I was folding the laundry last night, and I started to say (in my high-pitched little kid whiny voice), "I don't like to fol..." and quickly cut myself off.  It's been fine not complaining about big things, but it's the little things that are so easy to whine about.  I am excited to be trying this challenge out though.

So, on day two of this thankful/no complain week, I am super thankful for my health.  I take it for granted so often and don't realize what a blessing a healthy body is.  Landon and I worked out last night and it felt so good to be able to work up a sweat and strengthen my muscles.
I am so thankful to be able to walk to my car, stand up to do the dishes, run with the kids I nanny, and be active every day.

What are you thankful for this Christmas?

It snowed a lot yesterday and it's beautiful outside today....like a Christmas card!

Love,
Leah

p.s. we had peppermint hot chocolate last night and it was delish!

A Very Thankful Christmas, Day 1

I can't believe Christmas week is finally here!  I am so excited for the holidays and time spending with family and friends.  The other day, I saw this post on A Cup of Jo, and it really inspired me to try not to complain for a week.  And why not try this week?  I know it will be hectic and busy, and there might be grumpy shoppers, but I think trying to focus on not complaining will make this week fun!

In order to get me in the mood, I did this little cheery santa design inspired by an old record cover.  I also decided that for me to not complain, I need to find things I am thankful for, and think about those instead.

So, while this may be a small thing, the first thing I'm so thankful for is Peppermint Hot Chocolate!  We have had this almost every other night this past week or so, and it's so delicious and good.  We like to take a regular hot chocolate mix and add in a couple of Andes Mints, and it really hits the spot.  Try it out sometime and think about why you are happy for the holidays.

Love,
Leah

Christmas Supper!

Since Landon and I will be with family for Christmas morning and Day, we decided to have our own Christmas supper celebration on Saturday evening.  We had ham with an amazing honey glaze, carrots, garlic butter mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Yes, we are still eating the ham.
It was such a treat to spend a quiet evening at home with a delicious supper, just the two of us and our little bitty tree.
Christmas seems extra special this year.

Christmastime is Here...

well it's Christmas time at our apartment!  we got our little tree last night....it was so tiny we just put it in our trunk to bring home.  we put on some good tunes and decorated, sang, danced, and drank peppermint hot chocolate.  even thought we won't be here for Christmas morning, we still wanted to decorate things up.  i think we might have a little Christmas dinner by ourselves sometime before we go home for the holidays.

we have so much to be thankful for this year.  Landon is working at a job he likes and it's close to our home so we can spend evenings together.  i have a good job as a nanny, and i just accepted a job with Imagination Photography doing editing work that will start in the spring. i am SO excited.
i am also, with Landon's help, getting prepped to launch my Etsy shop soon.
we have our little home, we are in love,  and God is good.  i can't wait to celebrate Christmas!

o christmas tree

i think Landon and i are going to get a christmas tree tonight!  this will actually be our first christmas tree as a married couple since we didn't get one last year.  i'm pretty excited!

it was a bit tough getting back into the work week yesterday after having time off, but it's good to be back on a schedule.  i'm trying to be productive today.

we are getting so excited for our jamaica trip...we're leaving this saturday and i cannot wait!  i want to pack now because somehow i feel like that would make saturday come more quickly.

i'm floating blissfully today because i might have a possible dream job opportunity to start next spring.  Landon and i are still thinking over it, but it just came out of the blue and seems like it would be perfect timing.  i'm constantly amazed at how God seems to give us what we need at the perfect moment...not to soon and not too late.

well it's cloudy outside, but our home is warm and we are content.  i'm so thankful for today and the chance to catch up on projects.

have a wonderful day!

leah