A Thrill of Hope!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Olives

those christmas lights

Festival of Lights

Belmont Park

When we found out the festival of lights was one of the only times Belmont Park allows free entry into all their museums, we jumped (well walked) at the chance to go visit! It was the first weekend of December. The air was a little cold, and children's laughter filled the air.

the NAT

Hey Mr. Grinch!

Museum of Photogenic Arts

San Diego Museum of Man

We're thankful for the chance to see so many different kids of art and galleries in the places we've lived. Although the museums in NYC and Chicago are our favorites, we'll definitely we coming back next year to see more of the exhibits here in SD. And also, I won't be doing a Whole 30 during our visit because all I wanted was a hot chocolate, but with the help of G resisted all the warm sugary things! :)

lyrical: oh light

When I got to work one day last week, the first thing I did was start playing Christmas music. We had just finished decorating our tree, and  I was feeling so excited about the season. Not too much later, one of my girls asked me something I've never been asked before during Christmas time. "Tiffany, why do you love Christmas so much?" she asked.  I was so taken back. All I could muster was, "because.....I do!" And I went about my merry why playing Christmas music to fill the room. Moments later I realized that that was probably the worst answer I could have given. Why do I love Christmas so much? Because it's about Jesus and His love for me! If He didn't love us, He would not have come down to earth to dwell among us, and ultimately save us.

This is why I love finding Christmas music that points to Christ and what he did for us. Gungor's new EP, "Oh Light" is a beautiful example of that, and one that really resonates with the beauty and sacredness of this time of year and what we celebrate as followers of Christ. If you've listened to our newest Christmas playlist, you'l probably recognize this song. I just love it. I really hope to be a better witness of Christ to those around me (Lord, help!) and you know what? I think the most simple way to do that right now is play Christmas tunes that are all about Him and less about Santa, or romance. Those songs have their place, but they too must bow down before Immanuel, God with us. Hallelujah, Holy God is with us. A light has come.

whole 30 - done!

My freaking word, it's over! These past 30 days of clean eating have gone from easy to hard to stupid and back again, but let me say, I am so happy I stuck to it with the help of G and the girls! I FEEL better, SLEEP better, have more ENERGY and don't want to eat every sweet thing that's offered to me. Probably the most rewarding thing is fitting into the clothes I haven't been able to wear for months because they were too tight or didn't fit at all! Weight and inches were lost too, and that's really the icing on the donuts. I can't wait to have a donut, and coffee with milk and sugar and tortilla chips at the Mexican restaurants. But overall, I am not going back to my old ways of eating whatever I feel like whenever I feel like it. Because that just feels gluttonous to me now. And it's not good for my body.

I decided to share these Whole 30 posts not only to vent about what I was feeling during this process but to remember that we did this! It seemed scary at first, but we tried something new to better ourselves and came out stronger in the end. Change is hard, but change (in this case) was good and necessary. Now, on to birthday cake please! This years a big one. :)

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

This year, the Paschoal's are coming to Cali. for the holidays! So after four married Christmas's together, we decided it was time to buy our first tree and deck the halls! 

As we walked into the lot this tree was the first to catch my eye. I loved how wide it was, and the top reminded me of Dr. Seuss because of how whimsy the branches looked. *Spoiler alert* it's the tree we bought!

G's first attempt was to fit the tree inside the car, which didn't work at all! lol We were nervous about the steep hill driving up to our apartment...

Thankfully, the tree made it up!

How lovely are your branches..

a merry olive christmas 2015

IT'S HERE! Our second annual Christmas Playlist! And people, it's a good one. I think it's a perfect blend of folk music (that's you Gungor) and classical tunes (Frank Sinatra + the Carpenters!) with a little bit of something new (like Pentatonix + Johnnyswim). Overall, I wanted to evoke the hope and joy of celebrating Christ's birth into the world, God with us, with depth and a little whimsy. As well as feature some of the little traditions we have as family that get us SUPER excited for the holidays. So...this years mix has a brand new addition: music and words from classic Christmas movies! I know, I know it sounds too good to be true, but from Home Alone to the Grinch, it's all in there. I love how this years playlist turned out, and I hope you will too. Just take a listen and enjoy the sounds of Christmas. We love you Jesus.

*listen to our 2014 playlist HERE

this month: december

FEELING : joyful about having my family here in Cali to celebrate the holidays!

LEARNING : to keep our Christmas decor sweet and simple. 

PRACTICING : our timer cam skills as we attempt to take our holiday card photo ourselves. *The suspense!* 

MASTERING : healthi(er) desserts since Whole 30 has completely changed my mind on food.

EATING : momma's cooking and a fun birthday cake!

PLAYING : all the Christmas tunes and... 

FINISHING : another Christmas playlist, coming to le blog soon!

READING : this blog for Advent this year.

WATCHING : Home Alone, Miracle on 31st St, The Grinch, Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, etc... :)

WEARING : jackets and boots 'cuz the weather is chilly, just how we like it this time of year.

WORKING : on our arm muscles as we saw down our FIRST Christmas tree!

WALKING : up and down Hobby Lobby because...Hobby Lobby!

TRAVELING : to an unknown destination for my birthday weekend. ;)

DESIRING : all the rich hot chocolate and Christmas carols galore.

CELEBRATING : Jesus' birth <3 and mine too... :)

Cheers to December, my favorite time of year.

Whole 30 - week three

It was the week we were all dreading, Thanksgiving week. To cheat or not to cheat? That was the question. And well, let's just say it! We all cheated in some way. But, mostly by accident by attempting to be Whole30 approved and later finding out something was made with wine, or honey or some kind of sweetener after the fact. But you know what? Afterwards, we kept calm and carried on. The rest of the week went well, and we made it to week four somehow! It's true that the rules say if you cheat you have to start over, but we're not taking this THAT religiously. Because the real change has already begun in our minds and bodies when it comes to food, and that's what really matters.

Right now, I'm just thinking about day 31, when I can make my coffee with milk and (less) sugar. And be happy inside. Oh, and having Mexican with the tortillas & chips! Or going out to eat without looking at websites for what's approved. Let me not get too ahead of myself because my mouth is literally watering at the thought of this. Staying focused now!

Week Three

Biggest success: saying no to all the pie and dessert on Thanksgiving day!

Biggest struggle: saying no to the stuffing and gravy and cheesy potatoes on Thanksgiving too. lol

We're on to week 4! Bring on the veggies and the meats!!

Thankful

On Thanksgiving Day, I was scheduled to work. But by a miracle of God was allowed to have the day off and on to Tia's house we went! The family was so happy and surprised, and we felt so blessed to be together that day. :)

Being on Whole 30, I had to bring my snacks! lol