Day 12 - Show Us Your Decorations

Day 12 - Show Us Your Decorations






I would love to say I am done decorating. But I am not. I wanted to be but it just didn't happen. I did not want to decorate the junk that lays and collects at my house I wanted it perfectly clean to have spots to put up beautiful things. But no matter how clean it gets for a moment in time the children bring something out.

Evan has started to decorate. He puts ornaments anywhere he can. He got the little tree in his room up and decorated.




He has placed families of nutcrackers all around.



I hung a tree quilt above a computer. It helps me look up as I am write these post.



There is still a lot to do. We just got our big tree yesterday and it is absolutely beautiful. I will post that story this evening so please check back.

As far as outside decorations they have to go up still. I am not going to climb a latter pregnant trying to hang the lights and watch the kids. Here is a picture of me and frosty from last year. He is a new addition. I swore I would never have one of those tacky inflatable blow ups. I even scoffed at the houses that had them. But he was to cute and to resist and I love him. He is the only one I have though for any of the holidays.



We are making progress and it should be done in a day or two. But the stockings are hung the tree is here now we just need to organize what we have, put away the boxes, and wait 21 more days.

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 11: New Year Resolutions





I don't make New Years resolutions. I don't think a day decides what I should no longer do. So yes I sometimes make resolutions not to do certain things anymore it is just not on that day or because of it. Instead I make goals. They are something I am striving for and not something I can no longer do. But they also don't always happen.

Some of my goals:

1. I wanted to run a marathon before I was 30. Well that did not happen. I still want to and it seems every time I start training I get pregnant. Now much more wanting a baby than a medal I am not at all displeased by this. With this baby due in March maybe after wards I can start training then. It will be warm weather and I will have a lot of weight to lose.



2. I want to sell this house and move to a bigger one. I don't see this one happening till 2012 though.

3. I want to go to Disney world. We have the park tickets and have since my first son was born but have never made it. My parents would like for ALL of us to go. The two of them, the six of us and my brothers family of three. 11 people they are trying to find a time that works for all and my mom wants to go when all the kids are old enough to remember it and appreciate it. Great idea but I don't see it happening like that. I say lets just go have fun and we can always go again when the babies are older. I am think of taking my family on a Disney cruise while we wait for this perfect time.



4. I want to go back to school. I have been working on this one and have found it to be more of a challenge than I would have thought. But I still want to.

5. I want to read the bible the whole way through.

6. I want to be financially secure. Actually took a few steps back on this one being a stay at home mom now but I love being home with my babies.

Just a few. I can't wait to accomplish them.

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles



My favorite Christmas song would be the carol of the bells. It is beautiful and timeless. As well as the Christmas cannon. I could listen to these two for hours. One of my favorite performers of these are Trans Siberian Orchestra. If you do not know who they are just you tube them and be ready to be blown away. I saw them live many years ago while Jay and I were dating. They were fantastic and the night was so special.

Give them a listen and enjoy.

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe






My favorite holiday recipe would have to be the one for my sugar cookies. I love to bake and am very good at it. You will find no arguments with any of my friends or family there. I make sugar cookies that are so good people ask me for them all year long. The are so fattening you gain weight just reading the recipe. The have sugar, eggs, sugar, cream cheese, flour, and more sugar. And the to decorate them you guessed it SUGAR! unfortunately last year I lost the recipe. The only good thing about that is no weight gain from it. I looked all over my house and my mothers. I looked online and in my cookbooks but I can't find it. I have come close but they are not those super delicious ones we all love the most. I won't give up and will keep looking.

In the meantime we can't live with out cookies. I made these chocolate chip cookies the other day. No special no secret just opened a premixed bad and added an egg and softened butter. 8 minutes later I had cookies 10 minutes later they were gone.

Smiley, bless this child, he was our royal taster.



My little guy took a bite out of every cookie and moved on to the next. Luckily they were not for anyone and the older boys did not mind.

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays



The easiest of all answers: STRESS! Every holiday has some but why is it Christmas has so much? People look forward to the idealistic illusion of Christmas through out the year. Family coming together, lights strung around the house, a beautiful trimmed tree, all of the kids clean posed perfect for the Christmas card shot, snowflakes and sugarplum fairies. When reality hits them that Christmas is coming it most often is met by a sigh of not yet.

Now each year retailers bring it on earlier why? I do know the monetary answer but it does not make sense. People seem to shun the thought of Christmas in July or August. When you next start seeing the Christmas decorations mixed with Halloween pumpkins shoppers remark "isn't it to early?" The stores do not seem to please people by bringing it out earlier and earlier.

Now as we just passed black Friday and are in full and only Christmas season anxiety hits and stress levels go up. Why... the pressure. To make the idealistic version reality.

This year I personally fell more stressed out than others. I honestly think it has more to do with the fact I am pregnant but there are also many other normal contributing factors. I don't want that type of holiday. I don't want to be the person that stress makes me. I am not going to have it from this day forward.

People find stress in the appearance and consumerism of Christmas. When it is not all about that. Like the saying goes Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to redirect our focus. December is in one day. And I saw a familiar verse tonight that could not be better.

I Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

He cares for me! This is the season to rejoice and give thanks in Him, celebrate the birth of the Christ. When I focus on the Lord I am not stressed out by the pressure. Instead I am dreaming in the nativity. I am at peace and joyful. I am who I want to be at Christmas and all the time. For this reason I am going to try two additional challenges.

The first is reading a chapter out of Luke each day. There are 24 chapters. I am going to set my alarm 40 minutes earlier from now on. I am going to wake up and read while the house is silent. It will start my day on the right foot and let me lead through out that day in the right spirit. If you would like to join in on this too you are so welcome. Welcome to our wonderland is hosting it:



Secondly I am going to join in at Women living well. She is suggesting 5 easy and free things this December that give us a moment to calm down and relax. So easy and so many benefits. To find out more about her's and join in check it out:

Women Living Well Blog: Peace On Earth December Challenge - Come Link Up!:


When relaxed and re focused the rest will fall into place. I plan not to spend time worrying but doing. I am not going to worry about decorating, shopping, cleaning I am going to get it done. I love the glitz of the holiday and I don't plan on ignoring that I plan on enjoying it. I am excited and ready not to be stressed.

I wonder how many people are gonna say fruitcakes?

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY



In no way am I a crafter. I have no talent with crafts. But my kids are and I have there "treasures" hanging up all over.

When we were again at Micheal's on Saturday over the loud speaker they announced if there are any children that would like to make a Christmas ornament you can come up frot. Mine were all over that. I am happy to indulge them so we went.

They each got a clear plastic ball and got to decorate it.





Gregory made his with glitter dots and a Christmas tree.



Evan made his with a wish list on the inside and snowflakes on the out.

They both enjoyed doing this. I enjoyed the mess was there and not at my house. And when we get our tree I will proudly hang them up on it.

Day 6: Gift ideas ... For ME!!

Day 6: Gift ideas ... For ME!!





Me presents! This is so easy and can be so long. I know the saying is it is better to give than receive and that is true...if you get something you don't really like. I love to get presents and get so excited and when you open that (blue) box and it is something you were dreaming about it is WONDERFUL!

First lets start with the budget friendly holiday gift ideas don't apply when shopping for me, spend as much as you want. There are many things I want and many I need.

Lets start with what I need.

As our family is growing we have grown out of our 1500 square foot cape cod that we call home, 14 Fir Street. We have doubled up everybody in bedrooms. We added a gigantic shed nearly barn for storage, that is full. We use every inch of our small yard. We need more space! I would like a new house, a larger house for Christmas.



Preferably on the beach but that is a want.

Again our large family has grown out of our current car. I really need a new one that can hold my entire family.



Wont that look nice in my new driveway?

Lastly for my needs more money.



It will take a lot to pay for the above.

If those are my needs and no one ever said your needs are cheap. That is why I still need them and don't have them then what could be my wants?

Jewelry. I would really like some staple pieces. I want lots of diamonds and I want it to be everyday wearable. I would really like a necklaces. One that is special and durable. I had one I loved that had a diamond and gold cross on a delicate chain, well the chain got terribly tangled and I have not been able to wear it for years. Here is a beautiful necklace that the chain is diamonds no pendant this diamonds are the necklace. It is not to overwhelming and could be worn form day to evening. You can find it at Tiffanys.



I would also love a pair of earring that do not have a post back. I would love some that sparkle from a mile away. However if the TCW is to much for hanging I can live with a post back. Both of these beauties are also found at Tiffanys.





I would really like a romantic getaway.



I have been wanting a new beautiful bed set for a while.



Some golf clubs. Spring is around the corner and I would love to get back in the game.



Well those are a few ideas. Maybe I will get one.

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special






Who does not love holiday movies? At our house we love movies. At my parents my mom loves movies. I used to watch many holiday movies with her. Earlier this week Gregory and I watched two with her thanks to the 25 days of Christmas movies on ABC Family. There is not one in particular that I could say is my favorite. I love them all. If I had to pick out the one that could be the closest to my favorite it would be White Christmas.



Oh the beauty. A classic from 1954 staring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney. They were so beautiful so elegant, classy, and gentile. It got everything romance, comedy, music and snow for Christmas. A perfect timeless movie.

A favorite at our house for the children are the Charlie Brown special they play for Christmas and every other holiday. The boys really get into them. Tonight they are watching one (actually 3 but that wasn't planned. I said they could watch the Charlie Brown special and then go to bed. Who knew there were 3 back to back. 4 hours worth can you believe it?)



Another oldie that I enjoy is Frosty the snowman. It is cute but the reason why I always liked it was the little girl's name was Karen.



But along with the classics of the season I always enjoy the new classics. The Griswolds and their dumb antics oh yes they crack me up.



Elf is so cute. I love Buddy.



There are so many others we like it would be boring to just make a post of pictures I am pretty much pulling off IMBD. I will sit and give and holiday movie a try. I like the made for TV movies too. Also TV specials. Oh I get lost in hours of HGTV Christmas shows. I love pictures of houses decorated. Places that decorate the whole town. And food network, I gain 10 pounds just watching the holiday food shows. To me its all good. I watch it all and if I miss it I got it on demand. Anytime can be a holiday filled show of some sort at our house.

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season




I do think that is a great idea, a budget friendly holiday. We don't really have one but, a holiday budget, but I try to spend wisely. First of all let me clarify it is not that we do not have a holiday budget because we are sleeping on mattress of money. I have not been involved in a holiday savings program yet. I always mean to but never quite get it opened. I guess that could be tip number 1.

1. If your bank has a Christmas saver program open one. If they don't have one you could set up something yourself. I am going to try to take this advice myself.

2. Buy throughout the year. This is one I almost always do. This year I did not and regret it now. I look for great sales, clearances, closeouts. You can find better than black Friday deals.

3. Another thing I do is use cash or debit. If you don't have it you can't spend it. This year I even got one better. I got a new discover card the other day and I am making money shopping.



My husband ordered it for me and picked out the picture on the front. I love it.

4. Make a list of who you are buying for and what you got them. This is especially important if you have many kids. We try to give them around the same number of gifts. If I wasn't paying attention and well over bought for one kid it I really would have to go back and spend even more on catching up the others.

5. It is easy to get caught up in the whole gift giving/receiving aspect of Christmas but remember that is not the reason for the season. Focus on your family it is so much more important. If you give children to many gifts they are overwhelmed and the gifts become meaningless.

Today is also black Friday a great day for deals. So did I go or did skip it? I could not resist. I felt a burning in my heals. I spent two days going through fliers. I looked over deals in 4 states. Am I crazy, or smart. I also live where you can jump from state to state in a half an hour or so. I ruled out a ton of stores. Thanks to many store having sales on Saturday I saved a few for tomorrow that are also offering Saturday only deals. I talked some ideas over with my father asking his tech advice and he find who had the best deal on the item, it was not the lowest price but the most for the money. I came home with some great deals. I have no regrets with what I bought. To make it better the store were awesome today. I did not go early I went at noon. I let the first rush go and then hit it myself. I had no problem parking even at wal mart. Target was the worst but they have a Starbucks in them so two reasons why everyone was there. There were plenty of cashiers no long lines. Again surprisingly at wal mart I walked right up to the check out. I don't do that on a normal day! Two stores I stopped at were sold out of the items I came for but being in the afternoon I was not upset about it and just moved on. Maybe they will still be on sale tomorrow and maybe restocked. We will see. I hope tomorrow goes as well.

As for my favorite purchase I can show you now was this Santa count down. I saw him a few weeks back and thought he was just darling. I was pleased to find he was 40% off. He would be cheaper tomorrow but he was the only one. Him and a snowman that was almost as cute. So I figured it was worth it to me to pay a little more and get him. I gave him to the boys and they love him too. Smiley has been playing with the blocks I see this as a possible battle. For Halloween I made the kids a pumpkin countdown. Each day they pulled off a piece of pumpkin shaped paper that had a event for the day a counted down the number. They really enjoyed it. I really hated finding pumpkin pieces everywhere. So ta da we have a non messy, countdown that is darling and we get to use year after year. The poinsettias .98 at Lowes.

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received






I thought overnight about this one what is the best gift I have recieved? I could not think of anything in particular. Nothing but the given jumped out. Given?

1. Salvation "The gift of God is eternal life" Romans 6:23

2. My little wonderful blessing "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him." Palms 127:3

I am not trying to be ungrateful. I just can't remember. Last year my husband gave me a pink Bible. I love it. It is small and pink, perfect. My dad recently gave me a pretty necklaces and earring set of platinum and pearls. My mother has gave me many nice things throughout the years. It is just hard to remember one. And as far as my bad memory prevails I never had have had a jaw dropping, through the gift and jump in the air present.

But there is an unexpected gift I do remember well. I remember emotionally. But it wasn't to me it was to my oldest son Gregory.



It was awhile back he was 5 months old. We were so poor living paycheck to paycheck. We did not have many gifts for him but he was so young it did not really matter. It was his first Christmas. Everything about it was special. At this time I was working the 11-7 shift as a nurse aid and my husband was managing some of the local car washes from 7:30-5. I was home with my first born blessing and we were doing Christmas things. I heard a firetruck which was not uncommon, I lived in a downtown apartment, but this was was slow. So I ran to the window hoping everything was okay and it was Santa. He was ridding a firetruck round the neighborhood. I quickly wrapped up my little boy and ran out to show him Santa and a firetruck. He was happy but unsure of everything. Santa ho ho ho'ed at him and the fireman gave him a gift. Surprised and feeling blessed to have got to share this with my baby. We waved by and I ran with him back upstairs telling the infant how Santa will be coming soon to see him when he is a sleep. Like a 5 month old can understand. I set him down in his baby looney toons bouncer. He loved those silly cartoon characters they always made him chuckle. I let him hold the present and as he tried to eat it I let him open it. It was a baby looney toon! Can you believe it. I was shocked a started crying. A perfect gift for my son.

Day 2 - Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 2 - Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks



I was planning on going out for black Friday but I have not completely decided to yet. I love getting up and shopping so early everyone is still sleeping in my house and for the most part the town. I love conquering everything before 7 am. But I hate the lines and battling for a parking spot that is half a mile from the store littlery. But the fliers I have been receiving are tempting.

My pro list for black Friday:

1. I see it as a sport, a physical challenge. I love to events, sports that push myself.

2. There are some great deals out there to be had.

3. I get a lot of shopping done very early and have a positive and again early start on the day.

4. I will be down in Harrisonburg, VA a bigger city with better stores, more stores.



My con list for black Friday:

1. I barely get enough sleep as it is and could use the extra few hours.

2. The crowds and parking are insane.

3. Peoples attitudes are anything but the Christmas spirit.

4. I would spend more than I normally would.

5. You can usually find just as good deals the weeks before Christmas if you shop around. And online almost always has much better deals when you check places like overstock.

6. Being pregnant this might put to much stress on my body.

7. I will be in a city I am less familiar with. Even though I have a GPS I can't plan and plot out my strategies like I could on my home turf.

8. I hate when the item I came for has all ready been sold out and the store has only been open for a few minutes.


Looks like my con list is bigger.

My best black Friday memory is a few years back. I had just two little boys, they were pretty young. I had been studying the adds and had it all planned out. I woke up early so early. I grabbed my coffee mummered some excitement to my husband and left. I hit store after store. Spending more time parking and waiting to pay than anything else. I got some great deals filled up my trunk and headed home. Not to stop but to make a drop off. My husband was waiting there awake for me with more coffee ready! It was so kind and thoughtful. He helped me unload handed me my refreshed hot cup and cheered me on. This was all before 7 am too. He is not a morning person in the least bit. I would even argue is he a noon person. I made a few more stops and had finished all my shopping. Well 95% at least. There were just a few random and afterthought things I picked up before Christmas. But I was pretty much done all the holiday season shopping knocked out before noon in one day. I was able to focus on the things that mattered for the rest of the holiday.