SO THANKFUL ARE THESE TWO FAMILIES

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

The houses we decorated on Monday and Tuesday of this week could not have come at a better time for a THANKSGIVING post. Their homes overflow with thanksgiving, with an appreciation for life that probably only comes in situations they have been through. I don't want to tell their stories, but am going to share the short version and what I see in their lives. Both live in ABSOLUTELY beautiful homes, both of them have a house full of kids!
Both families have experienced some really hard days and both have witnessed great miracles in their lives (and I do have their permission to shout God's faithfulness)!

The first home is a family I have known for twenty years. The first house I ever did when starting the the tree decorating business, was decorating the parents home of the husband in this home...you might have to read that twice. That's a long sentence and it was many, many moons ago. I remember when this couple married probably 15 or 16 years ago. I may be off a year or so...but it sure makes me feel old.
I remember when they wanted babies and and I vividly remember when they lost four babies. I really want this to encourage all the readers I have that are suffering with fertility problems. That was the story in this home. I remember how sad I felt ever time I heard they had lost another baby and then twins. They desperately wanted a house full of little ones...Five year ago they were able to adopt a little man. He was so loved and really rocked their world...and then a few days after I decorated their home 2 years ago, a little girl came along! The tiniest little bundle of joy. Another Christmas miracle!
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I got an email late one night telling me they had just brought another beautiful little baby girl home from the hospital. Their home is now overflowing with little ones. When they talk about the miracle of the adoptions of all three, their gratitude is so apparent. As I was leaving this week, the Mom was holding this sweet newborn and said to me again...
"These children are miracles and answers to prayer"! This year they celebrate Thanksgiving very GRATEFUL!




Click to enlarge

The tree is one we change up every year and this year she wanted to give it a heavy GREEN touch. Last year we did it in PINK and SILVER!



We spent two days at this next house. Unlike the other family, I have only known this family for 2 years. It is a home that is full of KIDS, FUN and lots of LOVE. The Mom at this home is MULTI-TALENTED! That would be putting it mildly. She designed this home and over several years built it. She is a DOCTOR ( a pediatrician which so fits her) ! She is SUPER MOM to four great kids, 2 boys and 2 girls. She is a wife to a doctor. She is a daughter to aging parents! She is one of the most genuine and warm people I have ever met and I am so thankful to call her my friend. But just a few years ago, life suddenly took a scary turn when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her baby was very young. She went through all the yuk treatment and today she is caner free and totally well. Her zest and appreciation for life just radiates from her. She is one of those people you just want to BE AROUND! And I almost did not meet her...Last December, after I was finished decorating, had put everything away for another year, all my help was home doing their own stuff when I got a call from one of my long time clients that someone really needed help. They had just moved into a new home and needed help getting their holiday decorations up. I first said NO! I thought about it all that night. The next day I called to see if one of my elves could work another day, still not very excited about getting the scissors and ribbon out again. Long story short, I said OK, we would see if we could help, never dreaming we were about to meet one of the sweetest and FUN gals ever. We met a lady that loved life, appreciated every little thing and had a glow that I rarely see in people. We ended up spending two full days with the family. As I drove out of their neighborhood, I had a new appreciation for life and for health. I had made a new friend.. That's one of the great PERKS to my job!
One day I would love to share pictures of their entire house.. NO detail was overlooked and it is AMAZING! But for now, here are some glimpses of their Christmas trees ..We do a true 12 foot Southern Living tree in the family room and then a GIANT 14 ft tree in the game room filled with ornaments the kids have made... Enjoy...









Notice we used all her old stockings in this tree...a great way to preserve memories of stockings of the past.




We made two of these arrangements and they are full of tall lights in them..perfect for the spot they are in!


The main staircase that you see as you enter the house.....STUNNING























The mantle in the game room


BEAUTIFUL HOMES, but most of all BEAUTIFUL FAMILIES full of THANKSGIVING to GOD for life, health and answered prayers.

Tomorrow night I will draw for the wonderful HOLIDAY CD! and then Friday night for a drawing for a special holiday SURPRISE! So leave your comments...That's all it takes to be in the drawing. More beautiful homes to come in the next few days.

30 comments:

Gretta said...

What beautiful stories to attest to the goodness and faithfulness of God! Your work is stunning! Hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving, too.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Here I am commenting for that CD. Beautiful trees!!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Wonderful stories for Thanksgiving, Teresa! I love the decorating you did for both families. Love the fullness that is in everything ~ I'll be more aware of that this year as I start my own mantels and trees.

Andrea said...

I am deeply touched by this post! Absolutely beautiful. GOD BLESS YOU!
andrea

Courtney said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful stories. It really make me thing about how much I have to be thankful for. Have a wonderful holiday.

petrii said...

You do such wonderful work. The people you work for sound so great with wonderful stories that have made them geniune people.

Thank you for sharing a little of their lives with us.

Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving,
Dawn

Pat said...

I'd love to take bow making lessons from you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sheryl said...

some of my favorites so far!! sounds like you are working with some wonderful families.

hope your thanksgiving has been great!

southerninspiration said...

Wow, you can work some magic with a Christmas tree!! Wish you could come do mine!! ;)

Suzanne

Jane In The Jungle said...

Beautiful stories and decorations.....I have tears!

Karen said...

I just adore your work! Thanks for sharing these beautiful peoples stories! This is one of my favorite songs by the way! THanks!!

Heather said...

You do such beautiful work! Too bad you don't live near me or I would have you decorate my house for sure!

Bacardi Mama said...

Beautiful stories and equally beautiful trees.

Connie said...

Lovely stories!

And beautiful pictures!

Melinda said...

Thank you for your sweet card, and your sweet comment. I didn't publish it because it contained your number, but I'll give you a call this week.

Hugs to you friend,
Melinda

grammy said...

Beautiful homes and decorations. Glad you got to rest up (o: on Thanksgiving.

Relyn Lawson said...

Sounds wonderful. And, oh how I love all the ribbon on those trees, mantles, etc.

Unknown said...

Your life is touched by those families that you meet but you also touch theirs as well. I love every single tree I've seen that you've done. They are absolutely beautiful.

Do you have to do all the take down too? Do the ornaments belong to the families or are they just one loan?

Get some rest! I'm sure you're really needing it.

Lianna Knight said...

I LOVE all the mantels...this has inspired me ot get busy this morning with the rest of my decorations :)

Queenie Jeannie said...

I love, love, love to hear stories about God's miracles in other people's lives!!!! Thank you so much for sharing! Your trees are absolutely gorgeous too!

Julie@comehaveapeace said...

Beautiful. I love the stockings in the tree. I have used old christmas cards from friends to decorate. They have become very special, even as they remind us of loved ones past but not forgotten.

Robin Lambright said...

I will be getting my Christmas decorating under way today! It is always fun. I have several new things I am excited to use that I picked in the after Christmas clearance sales!!! Just love those don't you!!!

You are so right about blogging. I am comming up on my 2 year anniversary and I never dreamed at how much fun it would be or how many cyber pals I would make!!!

Happy Thanksgving!

We all wait with great expectation to see who will be the winner of your giveaway!

Blessings
Robin

Linda Hoye said...

Absolutely beautiful trees! How inspiring you are!

Holly said...

You are so lucky to have found a friend such as you described....full of life, appericative of everything and so positive. Wishing everyone could have someone like this in their lives.
Holly/Christmas Whimsy

http://oregonchristmas.blogspot.com

Jenny @ flutterbyechronicles said...

Absolutely beautiful, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Carole Burant said...

I have tears in my eyes from reading the stories behind these two wonderful families...truly does make you realize how thankful we should be for so much in our lives. I absolutely love how you decorated their homes, the trees as well as everything else are simply stunning. xoxo

Skoots1moM said...

precious...both stories.
You've been blessed too, getting to work and know them closely.
Prayers you've had a great holiday, some time to relax and put your feet up...
we're just home from having visited my mom who is suffering from remaining nerve issues from shingles...please pray for her, she's really been struggling.
Thanks again for all your CHRISTMAS and THANKSGIVING JOY!!

Donna said...

The trees and decorations are magnificent and the story touchingly wonderful!!

Justabeachkat said...

You definitely have a God given talent sweet friend!

Amazingly beautiful - you and the trees.

Hugs!
Kat

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Wonderful pictures of Christmas. Happy and Marry Christmas to you all.
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