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25 Days of Elf on the Shelf~Meet “Willie”

25 December, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 2 Comments

Here in the last few years “Elf on the Shelf ” has put a little new magic in Christmas. When I was little, there was no popular storybook, but there was my little elf “Willie.” Why I named him “Willie” I have no idea. So my little elf has been putting magic in my Christmas for 44 years total, and now he’s putting a little extra magic in Christmas for my kids…at least my youngest.

The magic of the birth of Jesus is what Christmas is all about, and the story of Jesus’s immaculate birth puts the magic in Christmas. But a little elf that magically moves around in the night just adds a little fun. Marlee has loved waking up every morning to see what Willie has gotten into while we were asleep. It was fun to put a little extra imagination in Christmas this year, so I hope you enjoy our 25 days of “Elf on the Shelf.”

On Christmas day, Willie decided to try to disguise himself as Santa so he could eat all the cookies! To see a description of what he did each day you can follow me on instagram HERE.

Until next year Willie…

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens Tagged With: Christmas, elf, elf on the shelf

Facebook Friday~ “Friends” {Free Timeline Cover}

11 October, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan Leave a Comment

Awhile back I was linking with Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama for Five-Minute Fridays and one Friday her word to write on was “friends.” Click HERE to read my post, but I thought it would be fun to make a timeline cover about friends. Enjoy!

To make this photo your facebook timeline photo:

1. Click on the photo and a menu will come up where you choose “save image as.” (Use a two-finger click on the photo on a mac and right click on the photo on a PC)

2. In the window that comes up you can rename your photo and choose where to save it (I always save to my desktop, then move it later if I want to keep it.)

3. Then click save.

4. Go to your facebook page.

5. Put the cursor on your timeline photo, and you will see the option to “change cover” appear. Click on it.

6. Choose the option to “upload a photo.”

7. When you click on “upload a photo” your files will appear.

8. Choose desktop (or wherever you saved your photo) and highlight your new timeline photo, then go to the bottom of the page and click “choose.”

That’s it! The image is already the correct size for the timeline cover.

Shoot me a comment if something doesn’t work.

Filed Under: Free FB Timeline Covers, Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens

Happy Summer from the Vaughans :)

30 May, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 2 Comments

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens

A Million Ways

12 May, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 2 Comments

My life has been so busy these last few weeks I’ve had a hard time just posting twice a week, and on Fridays it’s just a five minute post! But I can’t let mother’s day go by without a quick post for my mom. Among many other things, she’s one of my biggest fans!

I could not have made it thus far in life without her. Besides the fact that she did bring me into this world, and probably wanted to take me out of it a few times, she has always been there to help me…every time I’ve needed it. And believe me, I’ve kept her busy!

A million ways she’s shown her love for me…

She has always loved me unconditionally—as mom’s should—but has just as quickly held me accountable when I needed it. And helped me get through it when I couldn’t do it on my own.

She slept beside me when I was sick…even when I was 40 years old!

She babysits the kids anytime I ask if at all possible.

When I can’t get the house uncluttered, she comes to my rescue.

When I need something altered, she’s my seamstress.

When I go out of town, she helps take care of our Sophie, Benji, Little Bit, Buttercupp, and Mally…and when I come home the house is cleaner than when I left, and my laundry is magically washed!

She always wants us to come for Sunday lunch for a hugh homemade meal. And when we go to church on Sundays, the kids almost always have friends with them. She makes room for however many strays we bring!

These few things I’ve mentioned don’t even scratch the surface.

She has made and is making baby quilts from my kids baby clothes and t-shirt quilts from their t-shirts. I really have no idea how I will EVER live up to the “grandma expectations” my kids will have of me!

And all of this stuff she does for me? She does for others too. {Just not as much of course.}

And even though we do make each other a little crazy sometimes…because we are so much alike…I love her so much!

There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one~Jill Churchill

I’m so blessed to have my mom!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! I love you!

Filed Under: Family Focused, Just for Fun, Parenting Tips, Real Relationships

God-Sized Dreams: Taking a little time out to play…and live a little-girl sized dream

23 April, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 6 Comments

I’m linking up with Holly Gerth at God-Sized Dreams, and when I saw today’s subject (taking a little time out to play) I knew I had to tell you about my trip!

In the midst of a writer’s conference, a speaker’s conference, and a blogger’s conference I’m attending this year (yes, all three in one year…I think I’ve lost it), I’m headed to Europe for the first time in my life. My very first time out of the country. One of my closest friends, Betsy, is a missionary in Prague, Czech Republic. I’ve wanted to go visit since she left in September 2010 (the same month as my miracle, btw), and I’m finally going. Had to actually get a passport for the first time and everything!

In addition to sightseeing in Prague, Austria and Switzerland, we will be visiting parts of Germany, including the Neuschwanstein Castle—the castle that inspired Cinderella’s castle in Disney World.

I’ll never forget my first trip to Disney World and seeing that castle for the first time at nine years old. It really was magical! I desperately wanted to see inside, but it wasn’t allowed at the time. It could only be a dream, not a reality.

But now, 34 years later, that dream is becoming a reality…and so much bigger of a reality than I every could have dreamed on my own. Sure, I could imagine I would get to see inside the Cinderella castle in Disney World someday…now all you have to do is schedule a character breakfast with Cinderella. But to actually see the real Cinderella castle? That’s a God-Sized dream.

The only reason I’m getting to go to Germany is because if Betsy and Bob’s obedience to enter the mission field…and the only reason I’m getting to visit the original Cinderella’s castle. They have God-Sized obedience.

Now, in the midst of working on my God-Sized Dream of writing a book and becoming a speaker, God is fulfilling a childhood dream in a God-Sized way!

Here’s the real Cinderella castle—the Neuschwanstein Castle—in Fussen, Germany. Don’t worry, I’ll post pictures when I go so you can enjoy it too!

Filed Under: God-Sized Dreams, Just for Fun Tagged With: Cinderella's Castle, Fussen, Germany, God-Sized Dreams, Neuschwanstein Castle, Prague

Spring Break Highlights in Pictures~Pensacola, Fl

14 April, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 23 Comments

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens Tagged With: pensacola florida, spring break

The Honesty of a Child…{My Marlee-girl}

2 April, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 4 Comments

When Marlee was in kindergarten at Mauldin First Baptist, her teacher had to test each of the children at the end of the year on their alphabet. Mrs. Alli called out the letters in no particular order for Marlee to name each letter…

When Alli and I had a conference at the end of school, she informed me that Marlee had received 100% on her alphabet, but she’d had to alter the rules for one particular letter.

When Mrs. Alli asked Marlee what the “t” was, Marlee enthusiastically answered, “That’s Jesus’s cross!”

Alli said there was no question in her mind…Marlee got it exactly right.

That made me one happy and proud mama!

Nothing like the honesty from the mouth of a child…

P.S. Linking up with Honest Mom today…go check out her site all the great blogs linked up today

Well,I thought I was linking up…she didn’t post today. So it’s just me today!

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Marlee

How to make a Valentine Tree

11 February, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 4 Comments

In all honesty, I have very little artistic talent, but I can be fairly creative. The problem is, creativity takes time, which is always in short supply. But with a little motivation from a friend and a really cool tree I’ve always wanted to make something with, I decided to make a Valentine’s tree this year. My curly-branched tree is called a “Curly Ligustrom” for any of you green-thumbs out there. In the summer, the leaves disguise the branches and it looks like…well…a bush. But in the winter, when all the leaves fall of, it’s a curly tree! And makes for some great creations.

I dug into my ancient scrap-booking materials, some crystals used to replace broken ones on a chandelier, and my printer to add some oh-so-precious pictures. To make the photos last (so I can put my tree up again next year) I used “modge podge” to coat my creations. Here’s the result. A little time consuming, but isn’t anything that’s worth the effort?

If you have small children, you might start small, add a few pictures each year, and watch your tree of love grow as your children do! Hindsight is always 20/20. I’m always wishing I’d started things earlier!

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens Tagged With: scrap-booking, valentine tree, valentine's day

A Free Valentine Screensaver

10 February, 2013 by Celeste Vaughan 1 Comment

In all of my Google searches involved in the WordPress learning process, I stumbled upon a fun little site called Tagxedo. For anyone who loves words, you will LOVE Tagxedo. You can completely customize your words, image, colors, etc. and create all kinds of fun stuff! Just for fun, I created a screensaver for Valentine’s day for you to upload by clicking here:

FREE VALENTINE SCREENSAVER

Enjoy!

I’ve never been great at tutorials, but if y’all are interested, just leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to give it a try! 🙂

Happy Valentine’s Day Y’all!

Filed Under: Just for Fun Tagged With: free screensaver, free valentine's day screensaver, Valentine, valentine's day

Washington D.C.~In Honor of Our Veterans

11 November, 2012 by Celeste Vaughan 6 Comments

I’m sleepy.

It’s a little after 8:00 a.m. and I’m sitting at church before the early service while Trevor is in band practice. If you know me, you know I’d rather be home in my bed planning to come to the 11:0o service.

I’m trying to get used to my new WordPress blog. I could post so quickly on blogger, but this is taking a bit longer to learn, and life is super busy right now. My brain is tired!

So, in an attempt to get used to this new process and give you guys something to look at (provided you haven’t forgotten about me by now 😉 I though I’d post some pictures of our trip to Washington DC. We made it just before Sandy hit the northeast. After five days in Washington DC with 115 eighth graders, we made it home at 1:00 a.m. on the Sunday morning that Sandy hit.

It was a whirlwind trip, leaving at 5:am on Tuesday morning and touring Washington DC from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day through Friday, then hitting Kings Dominion on Saturday on our way home.

Although it was a busy trip, I left with a new appreciation for our veterans. Arlington Cemetery and the tomb of the unknown soldier left me speechless. And believe me, that’s hard to do.

Now that I think about it, I’m probably just still sleepy from the trip!

Okay, I’ll let the pictures upload while he preaches…

Now that I’ve heard the sermon for today I have to share a little more about my Washington trip.

We went to Union Station to let the kids shop, eat, and have a little free time. I was enjoying some free myself without kids, checkout out a menu and a much needed salad bar when a very tall man with a full beard, dressed in all black and somewhat intimidating approached me from behind and asked me point blank if I’d buy him dinner. I really don’t know why I was surprised. After all, we were in a train station in a big city, but I suppose I still had my Simpsonville brain on.

My first thought was I must have the word “sucker” written on my forehead. But thankfully, my Jesus eyes quickly shifted my paradigm.

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40 Msg)

I don’t know this man’s story, and I only had a brief encounter with him. But I did buy him a good meal and have the brief opportunity to wish him good luck on his journey, but more than luck, God’s blessing. I shared with him Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

I will never know what happened to this man, but thankfully, I planted a seed. I gave.

{The least of these~Jesus}

Btw, if you’re wondering, the sermon today was about the good samaritan.

Enjoy the pics! Wish we could have had an effect on the election while we were in Washington 🙁 Four more years. Sorry my friends. Keep praying for our country and our president—whether he’s the one you voted for or not.

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens, Real Relationships, Uncategorized, Your Relationship with God Tagged With: do unto others, good samaritan, homeless, Jesus, pictures, relationships, washington dc

A Little Beachy Goodness

29 July, 2012 by Celeste Vaughan Leave a Comment

Our marriage verse.

Our life verse.

Has it always been easy?

No.

Have we served none the less?

Yes.

When I ponder our lives and see where we are now,

the choice was always clear.

We will serve the Lord.

And he has rewarded us abundantly.

Enjoy a little beachy goodness from our vacation 😉

The fancy…

and the fun…

Hope you enjoyed the…

From my heart,

Celeste

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens, Marriage Menders, Parenting Tips Tagged With: Just for fun, Marriage, parenting

Make-a-Change Monday~A Time for Bubbles

14 May, 2012 by Celeste Vaughan Leave a Comment

Well, if you read my post on Saturday, you know I stayed off the computer for the weekend so not too much thought went into the {make-a-change} for today.

I will share with you what I did instead of writing a post for today, which might just be a {make-a-change} we all need to make sometimes 😉

Who say’s you can’t put bubbles in a

Jacuzzi?!?

Hope you had a wonderful mother’s day!

From my heart,

Celeste

Filed Under: How to be Happy, Just for Fun, Life Through the Lens, Make-a-change Mondays Tagged With: Make-a-change Mondays

Make-a-Change Monday~Surprise!

9 April, 2012 by Celeste Vaughan 2 Comments

My oldest daughter, Miranda, turned 18 on Saturday. We asked her repeatedly what she’d like for her birthday, and the only answer we ever got was “love.” First, she loves being loved, and second, she couldn’t think of anything she really wants. If you know Miranda, you know she is loved. She demands love and attention, but more than she demands it, she deserves it.

Miranda had her birthday all planned out in her mind, and of course the day didn’t go at all as planned. Most things typically don’t, right?

At the end of the day, she was a little bummed out. She didn’t want to be, but I could tell she was.

What she didn’t know was the amount of “love” she’d be getting on Sunday. We had a big surprise birthday party planned for her. It turned out great. We surprised her for sure and had a house full of her friends jump out at her yelling “surprise” when she walked in the door.

The previously bummed-out Miranda was now smiling from ear to ear.

She loved her friends for caring enough about her to be there
She loved being the center of attention
She loved the fun we all shared
She loved that we love her enough to have planned it
She loved the surprise

The surprise built her up.

The surprise made her feel special.

The surprise made her feel loved.

God commands us in scripture to build each other up. There is enough tearing people down in our society don’t you think?

So…today’s make-a-change Monday is to surprise someone. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate surprise party. You could:

Take a bag of groceries to someone in need
Grab a Starbucks coffee and take to a friend
Plant some spring flowers for a neighbor
Babysit for a friend to have a night out
Take a friend to a movie

The possibilities are endless…and the blessings are plenty.

You never know what small gesture will make a difference.

Was Miranda blessed by being the recipient of a surprise? Absolutely. Was I a pleased-as-punch, camera-toting mom? You betcha! The slightly bewildered, on-top-of-the-world look on her face was priceless; one I wanted to remember forever.

Surprises are good for everybody!

…And remember,

I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,

you did it to me. (Matthew 25:40 ESV)

You just never know where or when you might encounter Jesus!

From my heart,

Celeste

P.S. I’d love for you to leave me a comment with your surprise, and any blessings received!

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Make-a-change Mondays, Making Changes, Parenting Tips, Your Relationship with God Tagged With: love, Make-a-change Mondays, neighbor, relationships, surprise

Tips to a Happier You in 2012~Time to Dance

3 March, 2012 by Celeste Vaughan Leave a Comment

I will admit that this Southern Baptist girl hasn’t done much dancing in her time. It’s not that I don’t like dancing; I’ve just never had many opportunities to dance. There was my senior prom, for which my date (now my hubby) and I learned to shag, but beyond that we have never spent too much time in ballrooms.

With the era of X-Box and PlayStation, you no longer need a fancy dress and a ballroom to dance. You can dance right in your living room with your kids, and it’s fun! The simple act of playing “Dance, Dance, Revolution” with your kids covers several of my previous “Tips to a Happier You” from this blog series. Dancing is exercise, of course, so that covers my “Get Moving” tip, and if your family’s dancing ability is like mine, there will be no need for “Laughter Aerobics!”

My kids love to dance. Miranda, in particular, loves any dance that is goofy. She is definitely not a Waltz/Tango kinda girl, but more of the Chicken Dance/Apache type. There is an old sitcom, “Friends” in which a nerdy brother and sister get to appear on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and they decide the only way to get the camera on them is to do “the routine,” a dance they made up in the middle school. Miranda talked Trevor into learning “the routine” with her. I can’t tell you the hours they have spent laughing and recording themselves doing “the routine.” So this past Christmas, David and I decided we would learn the routine and record it to play for the kids on Christmas morning. I could not believe the fun we had trying to learn that stupid dance and recording it! Not only did we get lots of laughter out of it, but the kids got quite a laugh on Christmas morning as well!

Dancing has been shown in studies to lower stress and depression. Not everyone likes the “sciency” reasons that dancing helps with depression, so here’s a link to my Delicious stack with articles that give you the sciency stuff if you’re interested.

And of course, dancing is biblical. Read today’s prescription verse from Ecclesiastes. And how many times does David dance before the Lord? He was definitely a man with a heart for God.

So this week’s tip to a happier you is to dance. Pull out the Dance Revolution cd for your X-Box and get dancing with your family. You’ll exercise and bond with your kids; you’ll not only boost your mood, but you’ll be doing the same for your whole family! I promise once everyone gets involved, y’all will have a ball!

Just to get you motivated, Here’s “the routine” from friends:

With a few bribes for Miranda, I talked her into letting me post her and Trevor’s version of “the routine.” I know they’re my kids, but I loved it. I hope you enjoy it because I have to do her kitchen chores for a week and give her four foot rubs after work!

Enjoy…

If David wouldn’t divorce me, I’d show you our versions of “the routine.” The laughter alone would be enough to boost anyone’s mood!

So dance. Be sure to laugh at yourself—it’s a necessity if you’re a Baptist like me and never really learned to dance! And by all means, dance like no one is watching…

From my heart,

Celeste

Filed Under: Beating Depression, Brain Functions, Family Focused, How to be Happy, Just for Fun, Physical Wellness, Tips to a Happier You Tagged With: dancing, depression, happy, stress, the routine, Tips to a Happier You

25 Days of Elf on the Shelf~Meet “Willie”

Facebook Friday~ “Friends” {Free Timeline Cover}

Happy Summer from the Vaughans :)

A Million Ways

God-Sized Dreams: Taking a little time out to play…and live a little-girl sized dream

Spring Break Highlights in Pictures~Pensacola, Fl

The Honesty of a Child…{My Marlee-girl}

How to make a Valentine Tree

A Free Valentine Screensaver

Washington D.C.~In Honor of Our Veterans

A Little Beachy Goodness

Make-a-Change Monday~A Time for Bubbles

Make-a-Change Monday~Surprise!

Tips to a Happier You in 2012~Time to Dance

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