AndreaShabaglian's Blog

Christmas Traditions

Andrea Shabaglian — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:12:18 +0000

This year I wanted to have matching pajamas. A sweet friend, Jenica made these for us and I just LOVE them!! The ladies have a glittery nose and a rhinestone blinged out bow! Could they get any cuter!?! They were a big hit! Christopher still (in late January) wants us all to wear our matching ‘moose’ jammies! ;)

As we build our holiday traditions with our family, I have three favorites that we do each year. First, is that we attend People’s Church Christmas Eve Service. It’s a beautiful service and we always get to visit with old friends we love so dearly. This year our church had our own service and right after we headed over to People’s, it’s is that special.

When we come home that evening, we get the kids to bed and get ready for the next day. A longtime favorite tradition on my side of the family is homemade eggnog. You have to start this recipe the night before. SOOOO many calories, but I DON’T count when it’s the holidays. (Well, I really don’t count when it’s not either.)

Then my last and sweetest tradition has become the party! While Christopher is sleeping, we blow up a bunch of balloons and fill his bedroom, the hallway and around the tree for the big birthday party!!!… after all, its really about the gift of Jesus isn’t it!!!

Click to view slideshow.

What are your traditions?

Christopher’s Christmas Tree

Andrea Shabaglian — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:55:23 +0000

I know we’re almost half way through the new year (well at least it feels that way for me), but this is more for my own feeling of accomplishment, rather than timely posts – maybe one day I’ll catch up to myself.

_______________________________________

This year, I had the privilege and opportunity to decorate The Fairwinds; a very classy retirement home in North Fresno, where I used to work as the Activities Director. (Yes, I got to plan parties for Senior Citizens – AND IT WAS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE JOB TOO). So 4 trees, balcony garland, fireplaces and nooks and crannies decorated, this year the Shabaglian home got leftovers!

A little worried about what I had to work with, I resolved in my heart (also justifying what could be a potentially crappy looking tree) that for this year, Christopher could choose the decorations!

So with our mix of gold, silver, champagne, red AND turquoise (a few black glitter feathers I was able to convince the 3′ tall designer were best in the back of the tree), I was surprised and happy to say that we didn’t do half bad!

The Decorator inspecting his work.

Symphony's first Christmas tree - it was very fascinating...

This was our favorite ornament all season!

Christopher's 2011 Ornament of course made it onto the tree. Crush and Offspring!

Not too bad. I realize I cut off the top which was a very large gold glitter star with two golf glitter feathers on either side... to look like a bull horns???

And just for fun, because I love her!

MadeForThem – My non-profit

Andrea Shabaglian — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:41:09 +0000

Yes! We are in FULL swing!!! swooshhhhhhh….. (did you feel the breeze?)

As I said to you a few months ago, ‘God Said, “Yes”‘ to starting a non-profit to raise awareness and support for human trafficking and human rights issues, through the vehicles of fashion and the arts.

After amazing testimony after amazing testimony, in just a few short months, I have a great board, a fantastic and supportive board of advisors, an incredibly talented (and fun) design team, our logo (ya’hoo), our name trademarked AND in just three weeks after submission to the IRS – our FULL tax exempt status!!!!! If you know anything about submitting for your status with the IRS – this is an UNHEARD of miracle!!! I know people now who have been waiting 14 months – and are still waiting!

Our Mission Statement:

It is the mission of MadeForThem to combat human trafficking and promote social justice and human rights through design, fashion, and the arts.

Our Vision Statement:

MadeForThem is a non-profit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and human rights issues dealing with abuse, neglect and exploitation. We fund-raise through the vehicles of design, fashion, and the arts to raise awareness. Resources are directed to support committed organizations who are making a significant difference in these areas.

100% of the net profits go toward combating human trafficking and other human rights causes supporting local, state, national and international organizations.

………………………………………

I ask that you would continue to join me in this great venture! It’s going to be a lot of fun and a wild ride, and I am surely not supposed to do it alone! Follow our FB page here and check back in about a week to peek at our website. If you would like to get involved with this MadeForThem team and feel a stirring in your heart, e-mail me andrea@eventsdivineonline.com (MFT e-mail coming soon).

MadeForThem will deliver for you some of the best quality and uniquely designed garments and OF COURSE some of the most creative and amazing fundraising events! Can’t wait to share more with you!

For more resources on Human Trafficking you can see our likes on our FB page.

Doing this journey with you!

xoxo. Andrea

Turkey Indulgence

Andrea Shabaglian — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:58:53 +0000

Thanksgiving 2011 was filled with, like always, a grateful fragrance in the air, lots of great family and friends and way too many calories to care about; because it’s ALL worth it!

Click to view slideshow.

I unfortunately didn’t get any pictures of the Penner Thanksgiving, but our cousin Allie did and she did a great post you can see here.

Now for the spirit of Christmas… may your season be mErrY and BrIGhT!!

Fall Frenzy!

Andrea Shabaglian — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:55:08 +0000

Fall is definitely my favorite season! I love the weather, I love the feeling that it brings of warmth, family, home and comfort. Changing from an iced coffee to a warm mug, making more soups than salads, wearing jeans and light sweaters over tank tops and flip flops (maybe still the flip flops), that’s my kinda season! Now having little ones, we take advantage of the special things that fall brings. And we are so thankful to have such great family in town to do life with! (and for those who visit.)

Christopher and Symphony: They make us MUCH better people!!

She has brought SO MUCH SweeTneSS into our home…

He Melts My Heart EVERY DAY…

Click to view slideshow.

From 2 to 7.

Andrea Shabaglian — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:18:10 +0000

Since kids started coming around our family, we have made some fun family traditions. Cherie (Jon’s cousin) and I were the first to have kiddos, and thus, in October of that year, became what is now a very treasured tradition… our kiddos in costumes!

2008. 5 months old.

2009

2010

2011!! From 2 to 7!!!

For a really great growth history visit Cherie’s Blog. She does so well at these things!!

Much Needed Vacation – Day 5&6

Andrea Shabaglian — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:04:36 +0000

Day Five: Day TWO at Disneyland!!! • The fam with The Mejia’s, two dear friends of ours • Lunch at Club 33 • Shopping and eating with the Kizirian’s • Dinner with all us in Downtown Disney

Day Six: Day THREE at Disneyland!!! • Adults only day (until I missed them in the early evening) • Snacks provided by Club 33 that we didn’t stay for • Adult rides and new friends • 11pm drive home for church the next day!!

Click to view slideshow.

Much Needed Vacation – Day 4

Andrea Shabaglian — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 07:31:23 +0000

Day four was so much fun for us! First, we are so humbled and thankful to some new and dear friends who graciously treated us to Disneyland and made so many special and fun memories.

This day, was just our little family of four. The kids were fighting colds and we had a late night at the Lecrae concert, so we got a late start, but God was so good to us all throughout the day! I am truly in love with this little family of four.

Day Four: Day ONE at Disneyland!! • Just Jon the kids and me walking around one of the happiest places on earth • Dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney with Joy

Click to view slideshow.

Much Needed Vacation – Day 2&3

Andrea Shabaglian — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:40:16 +0000

Flipping through our pictures makes me love working hard and getting a real vacation away. More and more I fall in love with my little family of four and almost want to cave and get the golden retriever. ;)

Day Two: Rest and relaxation ~~in Hawaii~~ at our hotel • First Brother/Sister bath together • Lunch on the water • Heated pool and spa time • More fire pit time

Day Three: Walk in the hawaiian tropics • BB • Family Croquet • Happy Hour in Downtown SanDiego • Lecrae Concert at the House of Blues

Click to view slideshow.

Much Needed Vacation – Day 1

Andrea Shabaglian — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:13:18 +0000

Last week the fam and I escaped to one of our favorite cities, San Diego and then were blessed by some friends who treated us to some time with Mickey! We were so very fortunate to have scored a great deal at the 4Star Paradise Point Resort and Spa via Priceline. Every day we thought we were in Hawaii. We couldn’t have dreamt up anything better. I will send our vaca over the next few posts, because it was just so much fun it could not possibly fit into just one post!

Day One: (first night and day) Jumping on the beds • Fire pit & S’mores • USS Midway • NAP • Fabulous dinner on the water

Day Two: Rest and relaxation ~~in Hawaii~~ at the hotel • First Brother/Sister bath together • Lunch on the water • Heated pool and spa time • More fire time

Day Three: Walk in the hawaiian tropics • BB • Family Croquet • Happy Hour in Downtown SanDiego • Lecrae Concert at the House of Blues

Day Four: Day ONE at Disneyland!! • Just Jon the kids and me walking around one of the happiest places on earth • Dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney with Joy

Perfect.

Yes, the American shirt was on purpose and his salute is pretty sharp too!

Click to view slideshow.