Day 25

From our house to yours: Merry Christmas!

Day 23

Happy 6th Anniversary!!! I'd do it all over again! :)

Photo: By Trish, Edited: By Me

Day 22

Day 21

Day 20

Arilynn was in her first Christmas program this year. She said her part very quickly and soft, so they asked her to repeat it and she burst into tears. She reenacted it at home-tears and all. She's a ham! She told us she got scared. :) 

Couldn't get a very good picture...she was fast!

Day 19

You should have seen hubster's look when I picked up this reindeer at Goodwill 1/2 off day. :)

Day 18

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I am blessed to be his wife and their Mommy! :)

Day 17

Went a little different in the living room this year. It's more of a winter look than the typical red and green. I can't tell if I like it, but the red/green totally clashed with my blue walls. Let's just say it's sparkly! :)

Day 16

Love this song:

Day 15

This little gal must be expecting a huge snowstorm coming in.

Day 14

• Crackers
• Peanut Butter
• Almond Bark
• Sprinkles (Cause their fun). :)

I had forgotten about these...Trish and I bought one at a candy store in Nashville. I was like "these would be super easy to make!" Maybe it was a good thing I had forgotten about them. :)

All you have to do is make peanut butter cracker sandwiches and dip in melted chocolate...well, more like paint on the chocolate. Afterwards, sprinkle away! 

I'm sure most already know about these, but they were new to me.

Day 13

Please excuse the fact that I don't have window trim up or that I don't have the "disaster that caused me to turn to tears because we've worked so hard only to have a rotted out window ruin our work" fixed. :) It's all in the process. Wes has been installing new windows and is going to put all the trim back on at once...or so he says. However, winter has arrived and I don't see the rest of the windows being put in for awhile. I'm assuming I'll just have to enjoy the "rustic" look for awhile. :) Bless his heart! 

Day 12

Day 11

Day 10

Day 9

These little snowpeople have watched me make chocolate chip cookies, Reese treasures, sugar cookies, no-bakes, Oreo pops, and chocolate covered marshmallows. However, they are sworn to secrecy on how many I've taste tested.

Day 8

These little guys hide our wireless dohicky contraption. Think they'd look ok there in the summer? :)

Day 7

Yes, I am slacking on getting poor Weston's picture up throughout the house. Don't judge! :) He is up in the living room.

Day 6

I think this is my favorite ornament on this tree.

Day 5

Day 4

It's 'country/snowmen' in my kitchen.

Day 3

We went on a date to a Christmas concert with Nathan and Trish. It was so much fun getting dressed up and going out.

Day 2

Who am I kidding when I saying "baking Christmas goodies?" Most were consumed by my family. :)

25 Days of Christmas

I thought this sounded fun, so thought I'd play along. Got some catching up to do and goodness knows if I'll be able to keep up. :)

Day 1:

Found this idea on Pinterest. Take their Christmas books and wrap individually for each day in December. Every day your child gets to pick one to open and then read together. Arilynn has really enjoyed doing this and I think itwill become a tradition.

6 Months

Wow, time flies!

We took Weston in for his 6 month checkup today, only to be rewarded with a double ear infection. Yay!

Weight: 16 lbs 10 oz (26%)

Length: 27 1/4 (71%)

His favorite pastime is to watch his older sister. He thinks she's just it!

He's Loved

 Everyone rushing to see Weston wake up! :)

(You can see his tooth popped through).

"What's all these crazy people looking at?"

Gift Giving

I may get shot in the head for this one, but it's my blog and I can voice my opinion. :) 

Everyone say, "Bless her heart!" :)

I am not a writer, so I'll do my best to word this right.

We get carried away with GIFTS at Christmas!! I hear so many people tell all they're getting for their children  and I can't help but think...what a waste! I can just about guarantee everyone who reads my blog is not lacking in material possessions. (My husband said a guy at his work had to take a break opening presents because their kids got bored). 

We put our credit cards to use and pay all year on "stuff." Most of that "stuff" ends up being discarded and forgotten about a couple weeks after Christmas and eventually thrown into a yard sale down the road. 

It floors me the amount of money some spend on things we absolutely DO. NOT. NEED. Toys, games, clothes,etc are outgrown so fast. Why does everyone think they or their children need every new fangled gadget that's out there?

We set a budget in our family and most people would think it's absolutely laughable. My children are not in want! There are several "Christmases" that they have with grandparents, other relatives, and friends. They come home with more than enough. 

We have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas in our homes, I'm afraid. And, yes, this includes the church people. God commands us in His word to be a good steward with His money. I think this applies with gift-giving. If we have to borrow from Visa, Discover, etc, is that being a true steward? 

(Now, I want you to know I'm preaching to the choir here. :) I have many areas and ways I need to improve upon this myself).

I found this and it really got me to thinking:

What if we focused more on giving things like:

Time playing with our children

Baking cookies for someone

Making traditions

Visiting family

Pondering the Christmas story and the details we don't normally think about

Making handmade gifts

Lending a listening ear

Helping our neighbor

Buying for a needy family

And I'm sure you could think of many other things!

Christmas isn't about the presents.

Edited to Add: These thoughts are just that...thoughts. I am not saying you have to do this. It was something I ran across that got me to thinking. I shop all year long to get the most for my $, but that's just me. Goodness knows...do what you wanna. :)