New Year!

I love this time of year. Coming off of spending lots of quality time with those that are important to me, getting to make things for others to enjoy and heading into some cooler weather (I secretly like the cooler weather so we're forced to be inside - I love hibernating! I guess it isn't much of a secret now that I'm writing it here but I'm keepin' it real!). Another great thing that happens this time of year is a reflect of how my time is being spent, the direction our money is going and what I'm eating. So as I'm taking a pulse of all of these things I'm realizing that in the last few years I've not really been treating my body the best that I can, so as of Christmas Day I'm attempting to make better choices for a healthier lifestyle. We got the wii fit for Christmas, so that is definitely helping me. I haven't missed a day yet of getting on to be measured and doing some sort of physical exercise. Yesterday I actually wanted to do something, not typical for me. Not that I'd necessarily say I'm lazy, more just having other things that I thought were more important. As I get older I'm realizing that in order for me to run and play with the boy, I need to exercise. I've actually even started running - I've never done that before. In addition to exercising I'm eating a more balance diet, with less calories. To the right you'll see a little ticker with my weight loss goal and how I'm doing. I'm not going to focus too much on this here but I thought I'd let you know where my head is at right now.

Switching gears, I'm thinking about doing one of the 356 photo challenges. Basically the theory is to take at least one picture everyday throughout the year. This past year I did this for two months out of the year (July & December). I love the real life journaling and pictures that were captured. I'm thinking about going a bit deeper for this year. However instead of doing every single day I've thought about doing one week out of each month. I'm still not sure exactly what the end scrapbook will look like but I'm going to start taking the pictures. Anyone with me? If you're thinking about it you might want to check out this amazing kit that Becky Higgins is offering through the KOTM. Click here! This would be the perfect way for someone that doesn't think they want to scrapbook to be able to record their happenings.

One more thing before I forget. Just a few minutes ago I was showing Jameson a scrapbook page I did yesterday. He said "wow mom did you do that all by yourself, it's cool". It so warms my heart that he takes an interest in what I'm creating. Especially since they really are for HIM. Okay I'm off to practice driving a Ferrari on the new wii game hubby just brought home!

Our Christmas!

Here is a little update on how our family spent Christmas this year. Since we have made the decision to stay at home as a family (instead of traveling to visit our extended family), we had a pretty low-key time. On Christmas Eve we went to our neighbors house for light food and a play. Carrie & I decided that this would be a good way to keep the focus on celebrating Jesus' birthday. So we selected the parts but at the last minute certain kids didn't want to be what they had been assigned to. Jameson didn't want to be a wise man and Price didn't want to be Joseph. So the dads stepped up, and due to this I will not be sharing a picture of the cast. Just imagine lots of laughs with James as a wise man in a pink robe and Jay in a sheet with a rope wrapped around his waist. Here is a picture of Tegan, who played the part of Mary with baby Jesus. We video taped the whole thing so if you're ever at our house, let me know and I'll share it with you (lots of laughing). The inn keeper asked if Joseph had his american express to pay the bill and the wise men presented gifts that were important to them (two toys and a hands free ear piece). We put a modern day twist on it! Later that night we sang happy birthday to Jesus and enjoyed some cupcakes.

Then the 3 of us headed back to our house so Jameson could get to bed. Being the curious little boy that he is, he almost couldn't stand it to go to bed without waiting up to see when Santa would be here. Throughout the night he got up a few different times, James finally just stayed in Jameson's bed so that he could keep him upstairs. At 7:02 we headed downstairs to see what was waiting for us. Quite surprisingly Jameson reached for one of the smallest gifts, a lego 4-wheeler. We kept telling him to wait just a few minutes as Uncle Greg was coming over so he needed to wait. I think he ended up opening about 3 things before Greg made it over. Then he started to tearing through the gifts. Big difference to last year, it took him almost all day last year to get through his gifts (open, play, open another, play lots more, etc). Not this year, he was through opening in about 30 minutes because he couldn't wait to see what was inside the next package. He did a pretty good job of passing out gifts for other people. He picked out things for both me & James. And he was so excited about them. James got a massage pad for his chair and I got a pink roll-up keyboard. After all of the gifts were opened from under the tree, and a few were set up, he realized that there were gifts in the stockings. He was so excited to see that Santa brought him a stuffed Mickey Mouse. Overall his favorite gift was the Wii, especially Mario kart. This has been the scene around our house on and off since Christmas morning.

The weather was amazing, it was about 70 degrees so after we had dinner, with Greg & Vince. Jameson & I took a walk. We were gone for almost an hour exploring the neighborhood. We were down by the lake picking up some trash and throwing rocks into the water. The water level is so sad to even look at, we can't even skip rocks because it is down so far. When we got back to the house, James had the whole kitchen cleaned up and then he headed outside to wash my truck.

Yesterday I got up early to get some Christmas deals. I was at walmart at 6:10 am then headed to Target, Home Depot, Kohls, Kmart & Pier One - and I was home by 9:15. All and all I was happy with my finds. I like to get wrapping paper, gift bags and that type of stuff now so that I'm ready for Christmas next year. After I got home we went through all of the Christmas things that we hadn't put up this year and cleaned out. In years past we've changed the color of our main tree. This year we decided that we really like the gold and red so we're sticking to it. We took a load to goodwill today so now we're in a good spot to take down the Christmas decorations next weekend.

We hope that you also had a wonderful Christmas and had a chance to reflect on what really matters.

One more thing, Rhonna Farrer - an awesome designer is having a giveaway on her blog. Check it out!

Christmas cards!

This year I really tried to make things for the people on our gift list. Most of November & December were filled with these gifts. Some of which included creating Christmas cards for some of my family & friends (one was even a paying customer - I might be advertising to do more of these next year). Now that these friends have sent out their cards I thought I would post them here for others to enjoy.

Credits here!

I did create other gifts, and over the next few days I'll be posted them as well. Send me a link to something you made this year!

Merry Christmas!

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ we wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas!Click on the image for credits.

Christmas preparations!

Wow has Jameson been getting excited for Christmas. Lately we've been watching quite a few shows focused on Christmas, he is starting to 'get' it. Earlier today he and I were talking about Santa coming down the chimney. He looked at me and asked why would he try to squeeze down there instead of just using the front door. I told him that was a good point but that Santa is all about the magic so he likes to use his ability to squeeze down the chimney.

Then just a few minutes ago he was asking to play his computer game. This game was scratched a few weeks ago so it had to be thrown away. I reminded him that the game was gone and maybe he should email Santa to see if he could get a new one. He said how about if we ask him to bring a spiderman one instead of the rabbit one so I will like it even better. Picky little bugger?!

Last night we hosted a party for the office staff from the shop along with a few of our neighbors. It was a great time for all. The kids (all 9 of them - luckily not at one time but they did manage to get 3 on at a time) really got a kick out of the rope ladder on the porch. (Thanks again dad for hanging this for us!) It was raining through the entire party so it was great to have something for the kids to play with outside without getting wet. Once most everyone was gone we put on home alone for the kids to watch. They were laughing so hard, then the adults were laughing from watching them. It was a great way to end a good evening celebrating Christmas together with friends!

Now I'm off to spend some nice relaxing time with my boys! We're watching frosty the snowman (dreaming of a white Christmas - if only we were in Ohio instead of in SC with the 70 degree weather we had at here this weekend).

Christmas program!

Oh man do we have a performer on our hands! Jameson's school program was earlier this week. The 3 & 4 year old class did 23 totally songs (not the whole songs) and this boy was full of animation the entire time! He did so well and has continued to sing is favorite line "Clip, clop goes the donkey, yes Ward (aka Lord)". Jameson's best buddy, Jeb came to the program. They are such a hoot to watch. On Sunday Jeb went to Home Depot with us after church. While we were driving there Jeb asked what we needed from HD. I told him really nothing, we just go there to walk around, play on the tractors and sometimes we buy things. This trip the only purchase was for large black trash bags. These were needed to put gifts in that are being given to needy children in our community. Our church took an offering and the money was used to buy gifts for children through the local United Way office. I offered to do some shopping. So this past Saturday I headed out to Kohl's. They were having some amazing deals for the early birds so I got there early (I think I was there around 6:30; I'd left the house at 5 and went to the jockey lot and then headed to Kohl's). I was able to shop for 5 kids, all before 9 am!. It truly is amazing what deals are out there if you're willing to search a bit.

In other news, this week we enjoyed spending time with my dad & deb. On Monday we got to go do a little sale shopping with my friend Sarah. Then yesterday we stuck around the house. I had quite a few gifts to finish making and put together. Thankfully they entertained Jameson so I could get these things done. I now only have 2 more gifts to make...unless of course I think of something else to make! Like last year when I decided to paint Jameson's car mat on Christmas Eve.

Last night Jameson watched the Charlie Brown Christmas show. So cute to watch him, knowing that this is one show that James & I both watched as children!

Verses!

With Christmas literally right on our heels, I've had the urge to read through some verses that remind me of this awesome season.


Luke 2:15-16...When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.



Isaiah 9:6...For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.



Rachel Olsen is doing an advent countdown with short daily devotionals. Check it out!





On the home front we're back in order from out trip. The laundry is done and the kitchen is restocked ($250 at walmart, why is it that I let things get so low? And there wasn't any meat involved in this total. One of James' coworkers shot a deer and we purchased the meat from the butcher). I'm still suffering from my sinus infection, today is day one of the antibiotic so hopefully I'll be turning a corner soon. I have a few more Christmas gifts to make. I've been plugging away at it and did get 4 things done yesterday. Here is one gift that I can share because it has already been given! These coordinating shirts are for Jeb & his baby brother Caleb. I used this kit and this one.

Now Jameson and I are off to create some fun button, paper, pin tree to decorate the house. I got all of the supplies out and into bowls so the assembly should be fun for both of us! I'll post pictures! Hope you're having a wonderful December and enjoying all of the magic of this awesome season!

Disney!

We are home from a magical trip to the happiest place on earth! I'm running out of steam (still have a bit of a sinus infection) so I'm going to make this as quick as possible.

We spent 1 day at the Magic Kingdom, then we took a day off from the parks. We hung out at the pool and then went to a character dinner with Pluto & Goofy. Then we headed to Disney Hollywood Studios (previously MGM).

Jameson was so excited to meet so many all of the characters. He was so proud of himself to take his signature card up to them asking for their autographs. The day we were at the Magic Kingdom they were taping the ABC Christmas parade. Kelly Ripa & Regis were there filming as well and Miley Cyrus too. Miley was the one 'character' that Tegan was hoping to see and we were all preparing her for the fact that Hannah Montana/Miley didn't actually live there like the other characters. Well weren't we all surprised when she actually was there. Here are some pictures to share with you all! The last one of the two dads totally cracks me up. Carrie & I didn't even carry purses so we were asking for money periodically so they guys were hamming it up for this pic. Now I'm off to finish up a few things before heading to bed. You might be seeing a few more pictures from our trip, there are over 1100 of them (that is after deleting). Carrie & I were both shooting so there are some duplicates but the best part, you can actually see everyone that was there. And we didn't have to bother our husbands with holding the cameras. My step-dad John was with us for most of our trip so he was the lucky one to take the picture of the rest of the group. Hope everyone has had a great weekend!

The Daily Scrapper!

Check out the TDS 2008 catalog! And if you haven't already seen the Christmas edition it is available now too!

Early Christmas!

Christmas came early for me this week! Someday I feel like I'm so overly blessed that it isn't even funny. This week has been one of those times (not that I'm not blessed every single day, just extra this week). So monday I received one of my Christmas presents...a new lens! Over Thanksgiving James told me I could go ahead and order it so that we would have it for out trip. Which leads me to the next blessing...we are going to Disney! I've been wanting to go since Jameson was at least a year and this week it is happening. This morning while driving the little man to school I got so excited thinking about showing him around the magic kingdom and all the magical things that we're going to see in a matter of days (really almost hours at this point!). So I got the lens so that I would have it to help capture our trip. We're traveling with our neighbor/friends the Ratliff family. Excited about that part of the trip too!

And now if all of that wasn't enough to make a girl feel loved yesterday James iced the cake, so to speak. Jameson & I were out running some errands (I actually finished Christmas shopping! Now I still do have to finish making a few things but the purchasing is done! James called and asked if I would mind running by the phone store to pick up something for a co-worker. I was literally right around the corner so I didn't mind at all. I went in a asked for Dorothy, she proceeded to ask me what accessories I wanted for my new phone. I said, this isn't for me I'm just picking it up for someone else. She said, oh no, it is for you what is your number. I told her and sure enough she was about to program this brand new IPHONE for my number. I called James from the store, while practically jumping up and down with excitement. This was such a surprise, because in all honesty I don't need a phone that can do all the things this one can (which I'm trying to learn - if anyone knows of a good tutorial/video, please link me up). So I have gotten what I assume is all of my Christmas presents, early this year. I feel so blessed to have such a thoughtful husband to share life!

Christmas Edition...

The Christmas edition of the Daily Scrapper is up! Click here!