Okay, okay.  I’m rushing it a bit.  We have a few more days.  But for me, today marks the beginning of the Christmas season.  I can’t wait to get my house decorated, get out my festive duds, start a Christmas themed book and an Advent devotional.  Yes, I’m that person.  But before I get ahead of myself…

 

How We Spent Our November Days

 

My nephew has been playing football for several months, but we waited until the last game of the season – and the worst possible weather – to go see him.  We sat in chilly, pouring rain with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece to make some great memories.  And Shelby surprised us by having a ball, despite being half soaked! 

 

My daughter tried out for her first high school musical and got a part!  She even taught herself some tap dancing to prepare.  She worked so hard!  And my husband got to spend a day with his brothers celebrating the 40th birthday of the youngest.

 

My friend Terri and I had a frienessance at The Friends Experience Dallas.  Could we BE anymore excited?  And the very next weekend I had a mother/daughter/sister weekend!  We Christmas shopped and antiqued and ate well.  My heart is full from so much quality time with my girls.  And a big shout out to Chuck for covering me at home for two weekends in a row.

 

I got diagnosed with a painful case of tennis elbow and endured a steroid shot.  So far it’s providing a little relief, but here’s hoping for even more.  I would appreciate your prayers as I grow so weary of chronic pain.  Also in the medical arena, the doctor ordered another sonogram to make sure that some weird breast tissue is still just that – weird breast tissue.  And it is.

 

How We Entertained Ourselves in November

 

My sister invited to me a spur of the moment weekday movie date.  We saw Belfast – a poignant story with an adorable little boy lead.  It always feels luxurious to go to the show in the middle of the day while everyone else works and schools.  Dates with my husband also carry an indulgent quality these days.  We went to dinner and saw King Richard.

 

At home we watched Pumpkin Pie Wars – a fall Hallmark movie.  I could barely contain my excitement that our TV provider added the Hallmark Channel to our line up right before the holidays!  My husband may not be as excited.

 

How We Spent the Holiday in November

 

As this goes live, I have my husband’s family here with us and we are going to do a 5K for Dravet!  We have to work off the fabulous meal I hosted yesterday.  (I am predicting this since I’m this before our guests arrive.  But I’m sure it will be wonderful!)  We have a delightful crowd under roof of 10 peeps and 6 dogs!

 

I pray you all enjoyed family, fun, food and maybe football this week.  Let me know in the comments below how you observed Thanksgiving.  And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I hope December treats you well.

 

And now this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

I’m breaking protocol a little to share two features because they go hand in hand.  Theresa Boedeker taught me about bibliotherapy, something I had never heard of, but have definitely experienced.  And Linda Stoll gave us a list of books to add to our list!  Bibliotherapy:  What it is and How it Helps You and 10 Exceptional Books to Calm + Heal + Inspire.

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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