Thanksgiving and Shopping

Well, Thanksgiving is finally over and now it is time for Christmas! Christmas is my favorite holiday and not just for all of the commercial stuff. It is Jesus' Birthday! What a great time to celebrate. This will be my 2nd Christmas after being Born Again, and I really feel the true meaning of Christmas. What a special time! I am so happy that I get to teach my children the real meaning of Christmas and how we should celebrate it!
We had a great Thanksgiving. We shared it with the Cole side of the family this year. Our nephew, Jeff, was on leave from the Marines. It was so good to see him. It was nice to see the whole family together again. It hasn't been that way for a very long time! My pies also went over very well. It was my first time making apple and pumpkin pie, and everyone loved them! But, most importantly, we were happy to see everyone so healthy and happy there! What a blessing.

Cassidy and her Great Granddad Becksmith Bert:

The kids loved seeing Bert!
Afterward, we went to see our old dog, Chubbs! He is doing great! We were all so happy to see him!

Yesterday, the kids and I put up the Christmas tree. It was so much fun. We listened to Christmas music and had fun!

I got my first Christmas present yesterday. I headed out to Walmart and got a Cricut! I am so thrilled!

Here is a funny picture to leave you all with. We probably see this begging face about 10 times a day! ;)

Cupcakes!

I am done with my first order of cupcakes! They are amazing! If anyone else wants to order some, please email me!

Chocolate cupcakes with Vanilla cream filling and Candy Cane Buttercream

Busy month!

So far, this has been a very busy month. I have been spending less time on the computer and more time baking and spending time with my family. I just can't seem to keep up with everything these days!

Last weekend, my parents came over for a visit. It was fun. The kids just love having them here. My mom brought flowers for me! They are so pretty!

I had some time to put together the banner I made over at a friend's house. Thanks Sarah!!!

I can't stop looking at that banner! LOL

I have also started on my Christmas cards!

Sunday was our 6 year anniversary. We really didn't plan anything. We went to church and went to Paradise Bakery for lunch. This has got to be one of my favorite restaurants now! I had the fire roasted tomato soup and a sugar cookie! It was so good.

Afterward, we went to the Edinburgh outlets. I love walking around there and shopping. Although, most of the stores that I liked are gone now! I did find Cassidy the cutest cupcake mittens and cupcake hat!

When we got home, Jeff and I enjoyed a red velvet cupcake from Target and some Sparkling grape juice! YUM!

I am loving that Jaden wants to do this now:

I hope everyone is having a great week! Tomorrow, I will be doing a lot of baking. I have one order of cupcakes to make, a pumpkin pie, one apple pie, and some banana bread. It should be a busy day! I can't wait!

Have a great day everyone!

Cleaning and Shopping

Well, the last post was about cleaning, and I thought I would make this one about cleaning also! Really, it never is finished. I got so much done already, but I am wanting to get everything clean before I bring in the Christmas decorations. So far, the family room is clean:

The living room (not much there to clean!):

The entryway and dining room are clean:
The kitchen and the downstairs bathroom are clean:

I started working on the upstairs yesterday. I have some of the office cleaned. I will post an update on that later!

I plan on doing a little shopping today. I might go to Hobby Lobby, Trader Joes, and Big Lots. We will see how things go. Jeff is home and doesn't always feel like doing that. We will be going over to a friend's house tonight for dinner and some scrapbooking. Tomorrow, we have a playdate with some good friends, and Friday is MOPS!

The Tenth Commandment

This morning as my husband and kids were getting ready to leave, I said something about planting some trees outside to hide our neighbor's house. My husband informed me to be happy with what I have. I started thinking about how often I hear that. Most of the time, I hear it in my head! So, today I am thinking of the Tenth Commandment:

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor

I have such a hard time with this one. I am constantly looking at other people's houses and wishing I had the same things. I don't know why that is. I am truly happy with what I have. Sure, I complain about not having enough room, the neighbors house being so close, the flooring needing updated, needing new light fixtures.... Wow, this list could get really long.

I would say this commandment is the hardest for me as a Christian and follower of Christ. How about you? Is this one tough for you? I would love to hear some comments on this ( I need help, LOL)

Cleaning and Winter!

Wow, I cannot believe that Winter is almost here. Since we do not host any Thanksgiving get togethers, I will be changing out my decorations soon. I can't wait to put up the Christmas decorations in our new house! woohoo!
But, as for today, I have to get some things done. I have been slacking in the tidying of my house! So, today I have to play catch up. Also, that wonderful hubby of mine bought me an Elliptical for reaching my weightloss goal (well, I am only 1 pound away!!!!!!). So, I need to get on there and work out!

Now, I am off to do a whole lot of this:

Taking this down:

and this:

Oh, by the way, I am loving these new frames I picked up last week!:

and listening to a whole lot of this:

Have a great weekend! Next week we have a playdate, dinner with the neighbors, and MOPS!

Get yourself to Hobby Lobby and Kmart!

I got some great deals today! I stopped at Kmart and took advantage of their doubling up to $2 coupons! Here is what I got for $17!!!!

Also, I stopped at Hobby Lobby to get some things for making some Christmas gifts! I couldn't believe the 90% off Halloween section. I had to take advantage of that!

Making your home a haven: cared for

Well, I didn't get all of yesterday's list finished. So, I guess I will be putting away laundry today. I am thankful that the kids were well behaved yesterday and things went smoothly. Today is Jeff's day off, so we will not be home all day. I am hoping to go to an antique mall in the next town over! That will be fun. Maybe I will find something for my haven! ;)

Here are today's plans:
1. Empty dishwasher and start refilling
2. tidy up downstairs
3. put away laundry in bedroom
4. put away summer clothes
5. start on Christmas Cards and homemade gifts
6. homeschool Jaden
7. Go to Antique Mall!

Good Luck today everyone! I still haven't planned out our meal. I am thinking something like this:
Taco Ring Posted by Mary Ellen1/2 lb. cooked ground beef1 pkg taco seasoning1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese2 Tbs water2 8oz pkg crescent roll dough1 med green pepper1/2 head lettuce, shredded1 med tomato, diced1 small onion, diced1/2 cup sliced black olives1 cup salsaSour cream Heat oven to 375° F.
Combine meat, taco mix, cheese, and water. Arrange crescent triangles in a circle with bases overlapping and points out on the 13" stone, leaving a 5" circle in center. Spoon meat on triangle bases. Fold points over meat and tuck under.
Bake 20-25 min until brown.
Cut off the top of the pepper. Fill pepper with salsa and place in center of ring.
Mound lettuce, tomato, onions, and olives around pepper. Garnish with sour cream.

Making my home a haven

Here is what I will be accomplishing today:
1. put out the trash (normally my husband's job, but he forgot!)
2. empty the dishwasher
3. feed/dress the kids
4. clean and vacuum downstairs
5. make lunch for the kiddos
6. out away laundry
7. start one load of laundry
8. homeschool
9. supper- omelets, bacon, fruit

"Lord God, please show me the things in my home that are not pleasing to you. Please convict me of what I should do with them. Thank you, Father, Amen."

Join Me!

Let's join Monica and everyone over at The Homespun Heart.

Update Wishlists!

I have the kids' wishlist updated on amazon! Don't forget to check it out before Christmas! I can't wait!

Slumber Party

I officially didn't spend the night last night, but I didn't leave until 2:30 am! LOL
Let's just say, I am tired today and have a ton of tired energy! I didn't get any pictures, but one of the other girls did and I hope she emails them out! We had a fun night! We even got pampered with some Mary Kay. I am loving their mineral makeup! I think we all did! I even made a wishlist for Jeff. Maybe I will get some of that stuff for Christmas.;)
It was so nice to sit around with other christian women and chat! I haven't had such good conversation in a long time! I actually feel like I have made some close friends here! I am hoping we do it again soon!

MOPs Friday!

Today was Mops Friday. I always look forward to this day. It was especially great today because we packed shoe boxes full of toys for kids who would normally get none. It is for Operation Christmas Child. What an awesome cause!

Also, tonight the MOPS leaders are getting together for a Slumber Party! How fun! I am not going to stay all night, Jeff works in the morning and I need some good sleep! I am sure I will be enjoying a lot of food and conversation! The girls are crazy, who knows what to expect! ;) I made the girls some cupcakes:

Maybe I will post some pictures tomorrow! Have a great weekend everyone!

Oh yeah, I won this outdoor rug at Mops today!!!! Whoohoo!!!!

I am proud

to say that I voted for:

John Mccain!

The day before election day, we went to a rally for Mccain! It was awesome and there was so much enthusiasm for the war veteran.

What a great moment for my kids. Jaden learned so much that day. And, he is still learning so much with Obama being elected.

for those who pray....

http://www.prayformccainpalin.com/specificrequests.html

VOTE

Get out there and

VOTE!

And keep this in mind:

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president.
In essence 2/3 of our country’s citizens just aren’t happy and want a change. So - What are we so unhappy about?’
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, and an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of our citizen unhappy.

Wow, never thought of this:

Evita Peron Obama
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/11/evita_peron_obama.html

Trick or TreaT!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. After going to Kroger and using a ton of beauty coupons (I am set on foundation, mascara, eye shadow, and eye liner! Very excited!), the kids and I played outside and walked over to the playground. I plan on spending several days this week outside. It is just so pretty, and I will be missing it this winter.

At 5:30, we left for our subdivision's annual parade and costume contest! Guess what? My kids won!! Cassidy won Prettiest:

And Jaden won scariest (I really didn't know what category to put him in!):

Every year I always say how worth it it is to buy these costumes! It is a lot of money, but the kids love it and everyone else does to! They got so many compliments! The parade was filled with kids, a fire truck, police car, and little midget cars. It was fun! Then, the trick or treating began! Cassidy ended up getting to tired and riding on daddy's shoulders and fell asleep. Jaden got tired too, and we came home for some pizza and digging through candy! It was a fun night. Jaden even got to hand out some candy!
Trick or treating:
Jaden handing out candy:
Enjoying the candy:

It was a fun night!