Merry Christmas!

Photo Credit

Hark! The herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new born King!"

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas

From my family to yours.

Miracles & Blessings,

Happy Hanukkah!

Credit: Jews for Jesus

HANUKKAH

December 20 - 28, 2011

Miracles & Blessings,

Disney Bedtime Favorites

 

Click here to purchase from Amazon.com

The kids and I have been reading through this book at bedtime. They've looked forward to every night! Finally, tonight we completed the last story.

I asked them both what was their favorite story and why. Here were their responses:

Menu Plan Monday: Dec. 12 - Dec. 18, 2011

Menu Plan for the week of Dec. 12th - Dec. 18th:

Meatless Monday-
Breakfast: Cinnamon Apples
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Provided by Papa Son's Christmas Program

Tuesday-
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
Dinner: Hot Dogs & Chips

Quick Fix Wednesday-
Breakfast: Cereal in warm milk
Lunch: PB&J, Mystery Lunch for Little Miss provided by classroom parents
Dinner: Chicken, rice, veggies

Thursday-
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: PB&J Sandwich
Dinner: Tuna Melts

Family Friday-
Breakfast: Eggie in a Basket
Lunch: Pizza (Little Miss), PB&J (Papa Son)
Dinner: Provided by PTO for Little Miss's Christmas Program

Saturday-
Breakfast: Omlet
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
Dinner: Orange Chicken, Rice, Broccoli

Sunday-
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: TBD
Dinner: TBD


Miracles & Blessings,

Christmas Craft #2- Christmas Countdown Calendar

This year I decided that I wanted to incorporate more family tradition into the holiday. I looked online and found sooo many great ideas to put some tradition in place. I found this thing called and Advent Calendar. I'd never heard of this before. I did remember having something like this that counted down Christmas when I was a little girl in school.

I decided that I would love to create something like this with my kids. Not having any money to spend on a ton of new Christmas decorations or art supplies, my mind went to running. I went through my Christmas bins to see what I could find. And like pieces to a puzzle it all began to come together.

So here's what Little Miss calls our Christmas Countdown Calendar:

These were the items I found in my home. A bag of bows, a gold ribbon, and my clothes pins.

We glue sticked the clothespins to our bows.

Here they all are.

Then I found these gift tags. Perfect for our numbers! I used a silver, blue, red, and green Sharpie to add the numbers.

I tied the ribbon into a nice bow and thumb tacked it to the wall.

Little Miss was in charge of handing the bows.

Papa Son had a little lesson in number identification mixed in as well.

He found it!

Our calendar in progress...

The finished product!

Silliness...

Goofs!

We started our countdown a little late. It began on the 8th of December. I used mini Post-It notes to add our tasks. Here are the tasks that we included.

25 (18) Days to Christmas Countdown:

8. Story Nite
9. Christmas Cards Part 1- Hand prints on post cards
10. Christmas Cards Part 2- Jewels and feathers
11. Christmas Movie, Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate- The Polar Express
12. Papa Son's Christmas Program
13. Family Game Nite
14. Christmas Candy From Mommy
15. Story Nite
16. Little Miss's Christmas Program
17. Make a Donation- 15 Items
18. Story Nite
19. What God Wants for Christmas- #1
20. What God Wants for Christmas- #2
21. What God Wants for Christmas- #3
22. What God Wants for Christmas- #4
23. What God Wants for Christmas- #5 & Christmas Lights and Hot Chocolate
24. What God Wants for Christmas- #6 & Family Dessert & Game Nite
25. What God Wants for Christmas- #7

What does your family do to countdown Christmas? What are your family traditions?

***Was going thru my blogroll and realized today is Thrifty Thursday. So I figured, yes it's*** mid-July (the 19th), but I really loved this craft and thought it was worth sharing.  


I've linked this post to

There are really great money saving ideas!!! Go check 'em out!

Miracles & Blessings,

Romotes Contained

Quick Tip: Need a place for remotes that's not an eyesore?

I had this idea during a declutter moment Jan. of 2010. Just came across the picture again and thought I'd share it.


Miracles & Blessings,

Menu Plan Monday: Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2011

Menu Plan for the week of Dec. 5th - Dec. 11th:

Meatless Monday-
Breakfast:Oatmeal
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Asian Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

Tuesday-
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Tuna Sandwich
Dinner: Ground Turkey Tacos with Salad

Quick Fix Wednesday-
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Salad

Thursday-
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
Dinner: Mushroom Chicken with Green Beans

Family Friday-
Breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: Pizza
Dinner: Chili Mac

Saturday-
Breakfast: Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
Dinner: Party @ Friends Home

Sunday-
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Enchilada Soup


Miracles & Blessings,

Christmas Craft #1- Table Decoration

This is my very first Christmas craft ever! I would love to say that it was all planned out and was my intentions all along to get crafty, but I would be lying. It was desperation that drove me to this place.

I must give a quick shout out to my Mommy for handing down her craftiness to me. If it weren't for her I don't know what my house would look like this holiday season. Thanks Mom!

So here it is, my very first Chirstmas craft. Let me know what you think. I really love it.

It all started with this glitter pail that I'd purchased from the 99 Cent Store. I had no clue what I was going to do with it at the time. I just thought it was cute.

I used a Target shopping bag to fill the bottom of the pail.

Originally, I'd stuffed a sales mailer into the pail to give lift. But I could see the paper. Then, EUREEKA! I thought, if I'm gonna see what's inside it could at least blend in. So I ran into the kitchen and grabbed some aluminum foil to wrap the mailer.

Here's the beginning of something... I can see it already. Looks like a festive Jiffy Pop. LOL!

Pulled out my handy dandy glue gun and let the games begin! The Christmas balls are also from the 99. I love that place.

Here's a side shot.

And now it's really coming together. Love it already.

Here it is! My creation! You can see the foil through the balls. That could've been *gasp* paper! o_O

Tah Dah!!! Here's my very 1st Christmas Craft. My very own table decoration. Now, I just need a table. LOL!

 ******************************************************
Was going thru my blogroll and realized today is Thrifty Thursday. So I figured, yes it's mid-July (the 19th), but I really loved this craft and thought it was worth sharing.


I've linked this post to

There are really great money saving ideas!!! Go check 'em out!

Miracles & Blessings,

Menu Plan Monday: Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2011

I have been wanting to get back to Menu Planning for a very long time. I finally was able to plan on Monday, but didn't have the time to post. So here it is, late to post, but done. Would you believe I even planned breakfast and lunch this time?

Menu Plan for the week of Nov. 28th - Dec. 3rd:

Meatless Monday-
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Asian Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

Tuesday-
Breakfast: Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
Dinner: Italian Chicken Pasta with Salad

Quick Fix Wednesday-
Breakfast: Eggie in a Basket
Lunch: PB & J
Dinner: Grilled Chicken Salad

Thursday-
Breakfast: Pumpkin Spice & Maple Oatmeal
Lunch: Tuna Sandwich
Dinner: Chicken Tacos with Salad

Family Friday-
Breakfast: Cereal & Milk
Lunch: Pizza
Dinner: French Toast & Scrambled Eggs

Saturday-
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs & Grits
Lunch: Pizza
Dinner: Grilled Chicken, Green Beans, Yellow Rice

Sunday- Undecided.

Miracles & Blessings,

Unemployed Graduate

I wish I knew who the original writer of this story was. It is very moving and I would love to give them credit for it. A friend of mine posted it on Facebook. I thought it was worth sharing.

 

UNEMPLOYED GRADUATE

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. 

The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address. 

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man had given him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children. 

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them. 

This is what the note said: 'You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin,' signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost.  

1 Kings17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30 

PRAYER: Here is your financial blessing! It's a simple prayer, you've got 30 seconds. If you need a financial blessing, continue reading this message. 

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly Bless my family and me. I know you recognize a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you. 

Father, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the person who sent this to me, but for Me and all that I have forwarded this message on to. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. 

I thank you in advance for your blessings. Father God, deliver the person reading this right now and those who will read it in the near future from debt and debt burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk in Your word and have the faith of a Mustard seed You will pour out blessings.

I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come Because I know You are not done with me yet. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Miracles & Blessings,

Happy, Happy!!! Joy, Joy!!!

Happy, Happy!!! Joy, Joy!!! 

Today you're 3 Baby Boy! 

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives. 

Miracles & Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your day be filled with Family, Friends, Lots of Love, Great Food, & Memories to Last a Lifetime.

Miracles & Blessing from my family to yours,

Holiday Birthdays

Here's a question that has continued to stump me for a while. Moreso now than before because this year it happened twice.

My daughter was born the week of Mother's Day. This year her birthday was on Mother's Day. My son was born the week of Thanksgiving. This year it's on Thanksgiving Day. Now, I realize that these holidays in particular the date and day don't always meet. But in years like this how do you make it work?

What do you do when you have a Holiday Baby? How do you celebrate birthdays and holidays? Do you split them? Are they co-celebrated? Have you found that people are less likely to acknowledge the child's birthday because of the holiday it falls on?

I can only imagine what Christmas babies feel like. My heart goes out to you.



Miracles & Blessings,

Today...

Since 2008, I have been a SAHM (stay-at-home mom). Yes, there was a year filled with a very fast paced business ownership venture and a couple of months recently where I became a working mom again. But, all-in-all I've been a wife, mother, and aspiring homemaker.

When my husband and I decided I would stay home it was exciting! We had a one year old daughter and I was pregnant with our second child (our son). But very quickly a harsh reality set in. I had no idea how to be a stay-home mom! Our life was willy nilly! No set schedule, no routines, C.H.A.O.S.!

Needing to have some kind of plan I found this website, FlyLady.net. There was so much information for how to pull my life all together. How to become not a maid/slave, but a homemaker. (Cue the singing angels from Heaven) I must've studied her site for a week. I knew people would think I was crazy, but I didn't care. The FlyLady had the answers I was looking for. So I decided to dive in.

Folders, dividers, lists (typed out), routines, markers, pens, paper, calendars, stickers, oh my! I went all out! It was beautiful. My Control Journal was my masterpiece. A labor of love. I was up early, had a routine, was cooking planned dinners, making lunch and breakfast for my husband before he went off to work in the morning, homeschooling our daughter, had a clean house, looked pulled together, knew where I was going that day.... All for about two weeks. Then I fell off the Fly Wagon.

Why? Why did it not work for me? I couldn't figure it out! But one night, I got it. I'd jumped in head first. I forgot FlyLady's main motto of "Babysteps". I had overwhelmed myself and burnt out. Not because her plan doesn't work, but because I had not worked it correctly, nor did I personalize it for what my household needed. I also didn't have the support I needed.

Now, rather quickly, I found a great support team when I'd discovered Twitter. There are sooo many "FlyBabies". No, I've never met these ladies in person, but they've helped to keep me sane. We encourage each other to pull it together, reach down to pull the lost one back on the the wagon when they fall off. They helped me to realize just because I am a SAHM, I'm not gonna have it all together all the time. My house will get unruly, dinner may not be a Food Network favorite, I may have Mt. Washmore (laundry) to climb, but it's okay. Eventually it will all get done.

So here we are three years later and I'm still on and off the wagon. I just so happen to be on today. My house is clean (not spotless), I woke up and did what I call a self-rescue (shower, dress to shoes, etc.), got my kids fed and off to school on time, dinner was planned and an easy fix, my scripture reading is done, I know exactly what's on the schedule for today, and I even have time to sit here in the peace and quiet of my home and tell you what's on my heart.  How's that for F.L.Y.ing?

Thank you FlyLady for the "You can do it!" Here's to being on the wagon again, but I'm taking babysteps the rest of the way.

Question of the Day: Are you on or off the FLY wagon? And how do you stay more on than off?

Miracles & Blessings,

11/11/11

11/11/11

***It's not my intention to support the website above. I just really like the picture and thought it absolutely appropriate for the day. He (Christ) Is The One.***

Happy Birthday!!! It's My Birthday!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xochiquetcal/4095673304/