Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Silas!

Happy Birthday to my little man.




Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Are you prepared for Baby Jesus

My friend Lilly wrote a great blog about the preparation and arrival of Baby Jesus. Take a look at it here and really take a moment and think about your response.

Just having a baby I can relate to the post a lot. It made me really think about preparing for Jesus. It made me think about those who come to our church that don't have any family around and how maybe I could help them and show them love and hospitality. Everyone needs the feeling of family even when family isn't close by. Suppose that's why they call it the Family of God?? Were suppose to be one happy family, boy that goes awry sometimes. The family of God seems to be just as dysfunctional and your every day family. And yes whether you like or not every family has a bit of dysfunction. Some of worse than others but it's still there. Were not a perfect people! I guess what I am getting at is a family is suppose to be there for one another. If we are one big happy Family of God, shouldn't we be there for one another. Whether you call it family or Community, I think God has called us to more than just going to church together on Sunday mornings and acting like everything is okay. Why don't we start being honest with one another and helping one another out. We are in this together!

Anyways back to baby Jesus. Think about preparing the way for a new baby in your life and home.

What do you need to do to get ready for a baby??

What do you need to get rid of to prepare for the baby??

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Nov/Dec Savings

So I have tried to get some great deals this year when shopping for Christmas. Here is a run down of the savings I have found.

Firstly, Free trial of Amazon Prime. So I got free 2 day shipping on some gifts.

Monsters vs. Aliens- I had to get two copies as gifts I got one for 6.99 on Amazon, they would only let me buy one. The second one I got at WalMart for $9.

Old Navy- They had a great sale plus I got an extra 20% off and free shipping

Old Navy $1 scarfs

K-Mart- Buzz Lightyear wings $10 off.

Free 12 month photo calendar with free shipping

Free 8X10 wrapped canvas, I had to pay shipping on this one but it was very cheap.

Free 5X7 photo book with free shipping

Free 4X8 photo book- I had to pay shipping but that wasn't bad.

Free Sticky note pad- I had Mrs. Braden's name printed on it and am going to combine it with the next item for a teachers gift.

Free Pen- Also had Mrs. Braden's name printed on it.

Free Veggie Tales movie- I only had to pay 2.99 shipping.

50 free 5X7 photo cards w/ free shipping- I made these into some thank yous

50 free 4X8 photo cards w/free shipping. - I used these as Christmas Cards.

Free Music- I've gotten 2 free albums from iTunes, a free album from Life is Good and many free MP3's from Amazon

Food Network Magazine for a year- $10

Family Fun Magazine for a year- $5

On Craigslist I found a lot of Littlest Pet Shop. The lady told me she would sell me whatever pieces I wanted. When I go there she sold me the whole lot for the price quoted for the few items I picked out. So My mother in law is using some of the items as gifts as well. I ended up paying $37 for over $300 worth of stuff.

I think I got some amazing deals. I am going to strive in the next year to try to find bargains like these. All of the above will be used as gifts.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Win a Kindle

Click the link to enter to win a kindle.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

My baby is 3 months old, I can't believe it!


This is the first picture I took. Unfortunately I didn't get to take a whole lot of pics today. But here are a few cute ones.



Monday, December 7, 2009

What happened to me today??

For some reason I decided to cook and bake. I don't know what got into me but I hope it happens more often.
I made Carmel Macchiato Cookies.

With the left over carmel I made this tasty creation

And then for dinner I made Cheesy Beer Bread, BBQ Meatballs and Cheesy Potatoes.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Traditions

Now it's time for one old favorite tradition and one new tradition.

My Favorite old tradition is when we would get together with my Aunts family on Christmas Eve. Some Christmas' we would go to church together. Oh I remember the year we laughed the whole way through the service and we were all on the verge of peeing our pants and I believe someone, mom, almost caught something on fire from laughter. Then we would alternate houses each yeah. But we always had Ham and cheese sandwiches with all the fixens. Aunt Sandy's Fruit Salad, Cheesecake, Baked Beans and Sugar cookies. My mom always made Broccoli casserole and Apricot Salad. We would eat and then open presents. My dad and cousin Andy would alternate who got the wrapped empty box. It was fun! I remember when we were younger all the Santa antics put on by our parents. Santa even came to the house while we were still awake.


My Favorite new tradition is going to Church together and then going home and making homemade pizzas and cookies for Santa while watching Christmas movies. And in the morning we have Cinnamon Rolls.

I am sure as our family grows traditions will change and that's okay.

Top 5 Movies

So it's time for Christmas movies.

1. Christmas Vacation

2. It's a Wonderful Life

3. The Santa Clause

4. A Muppet Family Christmas

5. The Christmas Shoes

Top 3 Decorations

Okay now let's go for Christmas decorations.

1. The tree

2. My Willow Tree Nativity

5. Stockings by the fire place (okay our fire place may be in HD but it's all we got. If you turn the heat up it seems real.)

Top 10 Christmas Songs

My top 10 Favorite Christmas songs.

1. "We Three Kings" from Michael W. Smith's album Christmastime (first 30 sec. are the best)

2. "No Room" Lost and Found

3. "Winter's Night" Sara Rogers from the Album Christmas for Kenya

4. "Going Home for Christmas" Steven Curtis Chapman

5. "Welcome to our World" Michael W. Smith

6. "No Eye Has Seen" Michael W. Smith

7. "Silent Night"

8. "Glory in The Highest" Shane and Shane

9. "O Come Let Us Adore Him"

10. "White Christmas"


These are in no certain order, just my favorites. I know there are people who read my blog who never respond, mom. So let's all play along. What's your favorite Christmas tunes. You don't have to list 10 I just did because I have a hard time picking. I love Christmas tunes. At least give me your top 3.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Turn Christmas on

This morning Silas said to Eli "Dad will you turn on Christmas." Eli plugged the Christmas tree and Silas cheered and said "Christmas is on."

He is too cute. I love my little man and his way of thinking.