Capture Your December ~ Days 5, 6, 7

Playing catch up today as my weekend was a little hectic. So far I've been doing pretty well with keeping up with the daily prompts. I find myself looking around me wondering what I can photograph next. This has definitely been a much needed boost.

Day 5: Looking up

 Day 6: Shadow

 Day 7: 6 o'clock

40 Bags in 40 Days ~ Day 1

I stumbled upon an interesting concept while perusing Pinterest. Start the decrapifying process of your home one bag at a time over a 40 day period.  I found this challenge over at White House Black Shutters blog.  This whole process is supposed to follow suit during Lent.  Basically the idea of giving up the clutter that is creating chaos in your house and life, which I definitely need during this transition time.

So, with no further adieu...I give you day one's before picture:

I chose to tackle something that needed my attention, but wouldn't overwhelm me at the same time.  My computer desk.  Piles of stuff that just needs to be gone through and put away or thrown away. 

Taking me 2.5 hours and 1/2 of a kitchen sized garbage bag full....here's After:

Check out White House Black Shutters blog and join the Clutter Free Revolution!!

Daily December ~ Day 18

Amazing how the month is over halfway done.  This year has flown by with nothing to really show for it except time spent with my husband and kids.  Jordan woke me up this morning with the sounds of vomit.  Yup, that's right, I had to wake up to a sick kid.  Needless to say he stayed home from school today.  I feel bad every time my kids are sick.  He has rested on the couch watching movies and taking naps.  Jordan never takes naps, so I know he wasn't feeling good.  I snapped this picture during one of his rests:

Day Eighteen ~

Luckily we don't get sick all that often in our household, and he should be feeling better tomorrow.  At least I'm hoping so.

Daily December ~ Days 13, 14, 15, and 16

Playing a little catch up here.  I'm not sure what my malfunction is, but just tired and not wanting to accomplish anything.  It didn't help having such a crazy weekend, then hubby started a new job that takes him away during the week.  I think once the craziness from Christmas is over it should get better.  At least I hope so.  Without any further adieu, here are the photos taken from the past few days:

Day Thirteen ~

Day Fourteen ~

Took this family picture at the Henderson Winterfest.  This is one of the best Old Fashioned Santas ever!!  I look forward to seeing him every year.

Day Fifteen ~

I was way super impressed with how these people did their houses with the candy "windows".  They did a fantastic job.

Day Sixteen ~

The kids had their piano recital and this is the group of kids who performed as well.  Jordan played 'Up On the Housetop' and 'Jolly Old St. Nicholas'.  Melody played 'Jingle Bells'.  I'm amazed at how quickly they are learning piano.

Daily December ~ Day 12

I seem to be a day late and a dollar short.  I was so exhausted last night I ended up heading to bed early, so the pictures from Jordan's concert weren't uploaded to the computer until this morning.  I guess it's better late then never.  Tonight will be one of the last things from this crazy week.  Henderson Winterfest and all it's Christmas glory!  Obviously with the long drive into town I won't be able to post pictures until tomorrow, but be prepared for several good ones.  Here's a few photos from Jordan's concert.

Day Twelve ~

Daily December ~ Day 9

Today I have been frozen. I seem to get warm!  So, I wanted some hot chocolate to help warm the inside of me...no dice. Nothing in the pantry, the corner store down the street was out, and the grocery store is just too far away.  So I didn't get some.  Hopefully this cold front will pass through and we can get a little warmer weather.

Day Nine ~

One of my photo prompts for the month is to show my Christmas Grinch.  This is the grinchiest grinch that ever grinched.  My sweetheart can be a real bear sometimes, but she's my Grinch and I'll love her until her heart grown 3 sizes!

Daily December ~ Days 7 & 8

Playing catch up once again.  The play was a success this weekend.  Loney did fantastic singing his Christmas songs.  I believe he even has plans to record a couple of them to share with everyone.  Once he gets that done, I'll make sure to share with you.  Here's a photo taken during Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Luckily Santa and his twin brother were able to join in the fun:

Day Seven ~

For day 8, I had to play catch up after a full couple of days. So, I didn't allow myself to take a photo on the actual day.  That's not to say I still don't have several photos I can use as back up right?

Day Eight ~

I am so blessed to have my kids like each other most of the time. They are really good kids, and I'm truly blessed to call them mine.

Daily December ~ Day 5 & 6

Crazy hectic couple of days so I'm going to be playing catch up.  We've got a full weekend in store.  Loney was asked to sing after the play put on by the Shadow Mountain Community Players, so we have been busy with that.  While at dress rehearsal yesterday, the church the play is showing at was decorated for Christmas, and I couldn't help put snap a photo of the Nativity set they had on display:

Day Five ~

Tonight was the actual performance.  We arrived a little early to make sure the music would play right.  Little did I know that when it actually came time for Loney to sing, the laptop would give me fits and not play the songs.  Luckily Loney had back up music on his phone.  It seemed every enjoyed themselves despite the slight hiccup. I took this photo of Loney before everything began.

Day Six ~

Daily December ~ Day 4

If anyone knows me, I am a complete Goofy Freak!  I have been a fan of Goofy since I first met the big guy at Disneyland when I was about 3.  We've been BFFs ever since.  Because of this friendship, I have gotten quite the collection over the years.  Between stuffed toys, regular toys, a Goofy telephone, lamp, and all the ornaments I believe when I'm able I will decorate a tree all for myself that will be dedicated to the Goof himself.  Here is just one of the ornaments I have in my collection:

Day Four ~

Any other Goofy fans out there?  Who is your favorite Disney character?  Or are you more of a Looney Toons fan?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Daily December ~ Day 3

The wind in picking up around here, freezing temps overnight and we are supposed to get rain tomorrow.  With this cold front moving in, I though a picture of a snowflake was appropriate.

Day Three ~ 

This was a photo prompt over at Scrap Orchard.  Since we don't get snow very often, this is the closest thing I get to seeing an actual snowflake. 

Daily December ~ Day 2

I'm taking a class to help me learn to take better photos.  Especially for the Holidays.  I'm a novice when it comes to using my DSLR and though I can take decent photos, lighting is my downfall.  Luckily the first lesson is all about lights.  I learned to take a photo having a bokeh background.  This is one I took of Melody sitting in front of the tree.

Day 2 ~ 

The class I'm taking is called Your Holidays Captured Through The Lens by Katrina Kennedy of Capture Your 365. I'm looking forward to implementing some of the techniques and perhaps they will stick with me for future use.  

12 Days Before Christmas ~ Day 6

Halfway point and Hubby has been enjoying his gifts tremendously.  If I am smart, I should be doing more of this type of thing for him more often. Life as a SAHM though can be tough, but setting priorities or changing them can easily be accomplished if I set my mind to it right??

6th Day Before Christmas

I'll really try not to gush

6 packs of Extra gun

To freshen your breath between times you brush 

 

Bubble Gum flavored gum is his absolute favorite.  Also the amount he chews is amazing at times.  So I wanted to stock him up so he's set for a couple of weeks at least. 

12 Days Before Christmas ~ Days 10, 9, 8, and 7

I know, I fell a little behind in posting.  But we had a fantastic weekend filled with Holiday fun! 

 

Isn't he the BEST looking Santa EVER!!!

For Day 10, I created a word cloud of words that best describe my man.

10th Day Before Christmas

In appreciation for all you do

10 Loving Reasons

of how much I Adore You

 

I was going to create a little book or scrapbook page with my reasons, but saw this idea on The Dating Diva's website, and felt it fit better for what I was trying to do.

 Day 9 was a bit trickier because I had to get it out on Day 10 since we were leaving over the next couple of days.  Luckily he didn't see it until we got home the next night.

9th Day Before Christmas

I'll never find you lacking

Here's a can of Mixed Nuts

to enjoy for your snacking 

 

 Nuts are one of his favorite snacks, so this one was perfect.

Day 8 we were back to the regular scheduled program with him heading back to work.  So much easier to leave surprises when he isn't home.

8th Day Before Christmas

My love for you is so clear it's crystal

So you can save some memories,

here's a jump drive with 8 mega pixel 

This portion of my rhyming took a while.  I even had to get some help.  I noticed too late though that it isn't mega pixels but gigabytes that should have been rhymed.  D'oh!

It took me a while to figure out what to do for day 7.  As soon as I saw this package of Suzy Q's (one of the very last at the store I might add) I knew I HAD to tie it in.  

7th Day Before Christmas

I kept one for myself, I hope you don't mind

7 Hostess Suzy Q's

To help ease your daily grind   

I'm quite sad though because if I'm to do this again, I will never be able to incorporate Suzy Q's or ANY Hostess treats.  It's a sad day in America.

12 Days Before Christmas ~ Day 11

Day 12 was a hit.  He came home from work and said to me.."why is there diet pepsi on the bed?" then proceeded to read the poem.  I hope he's ready for the next few days. ;)

Day 11 reads:

11th Day Before Christmas

Because I love you still

A new leather wallet

with a 10 dollar bill 

Gift giving is so rewarding isn't it?  Even though it's difficult at times to find that perfect gift for those you love, it's so rewarding to brighten up someones day just because you care.

12 Days Before Christmas ~ Day 12

I decided this year to create a 12 Days before Christmas for Hubby.  He does so much for us, and works so hard that a little extra loving at Christmas time would help show my appreciation to him.  Most people tend to do the count up to Christmas, but I decided to do it a little different and count down.  

So my day starts with 12....it reads:

12th Day Before Christmas

Your true love thought of you

12 cans of Diet Pepsi

I think it's your favorite brew

I placed his gift on his side of the bed so he'll see it when he gets

 home from work, or right before going to bed

I know he'll be super surprised, and can't wait to share the rest of the 12 days.

Get Your Craft On

I've been in a real slump lately in the decorating/crafty department.  I'm the queen of good intentions, but never really follow through.  Well, today I did it.  And all before the 4th!!

I bought some of those decorative glass pebbles a while ago as a fill the jar reward system for Jordan, but never got around to using it.  Then I decided that since I had red, white and blue pebbles, I could make an American flag out of them.  I used my trusty Silhouette and vinyl to cut out the lettering.  Purchased an 8.5x11 frame from WalMart, and I was good to go.

font: Digs My Heart

Needless to say, the kids were thrilled to have something up for the 4th of July.  Now to find other fun, easy craft things to do for myself and the kids.

What Time is Is??

Summer Time!!!

Jordan's last day of school was last Thursday and he could have been more excited for Summer.  He had a school field day and played outside before heading home on the bus. Melody and I created this fun little banner to put up on the garage door for when he came home.  Jordan was thrilled to see it!

How fast this year has gone, and I just know the summer will pass even quicker.  I'm planning to get some activities/fun stuff for the kids to do to help with summer boredom.  I'm hoping to get a fun banner or display of some sort to put the activities to choose from on.  If I'm creative and get it done, I'll be sure to post.

***Blast From the Past***

Here's Jordan singing and dancing to the opening song to High School Musical 2.  Look how little he and Melody both are!?!

What are your plans for the summer?  Any fun crafty activities? 

Spring Awakenings

As the temperature is rising, I look around to the renewal of spring and the birth of new beginnings.

I also reflect on the journey I've been on this past year.  Taking that first step towards a healthier me was a very hard decision. I look at the me a year ago, and I'm appalled that I even thought I was happy.  I was anything but happy with myself and the situation I had put myself in. I was destroying myself from the inside out, spiraling out of control without breaks.

Although I wish I could have been closer to my goals, I'm happy with the progress I've made.  I've got tons of demons I still need to face head on though. Those voices that tell me I'm not progressing so I should just give up.  Or if I make a poor choice with what I eat, I beat my self up and say that's it..may as well keep going.  I've tried really hard to keep those demons at bay, but it's been a little hard lately.

Though it's still a few week until it's officially been one year since starting on my journey, I'm recommitting to ME!  I can do this and no negative thoughts, temptations, guilt, etc will stand in my way.  How can I when I've come this far?

Back to the Basics

I am in no means a person who wants to be Au Natural.  But since starting my journey to good health last year, I've been studying and reading a lot of labels.  Not only food, but the products I use everyday.

I've already started making my own laundry detergent, and I LOVE it!  So quick and easy to make, and it really does work without all of the fillers commercial detergent have.

The next step is making my own lotion.  I have combination skin.  My face gets really oily, but my hands and the rest of me gets really dry.  Probably because I shower in too hot of water...but I digress.  

Most lotions contain chemicals which could cause more harm then good to your skin.  

I found this book while searching for homemade lotion recipes

I can't wait to get my dry, cracked little hands on this book.  Perhaps some birthday gifts in the making???

Do you have any homemade beauty secrets?

Allison aka the Tooth Fairy

Jordan finally lost his first tooth.  He has had two loose teeth for weeks, and we kept telling him to play/wiggle it all of the time.  Well Sunday, his Aunt Mamy checked one of the teeth and it finally came out!  He's been scared to death about it coming out, but super thrilled to finally have it come out.

That night I had Jordan decorate an envelope to put his tooth in, so the Tooth Fairy could find it.  He did an awesome job drawing a picture of himself and the tooth fairy.  Well, he informed me that the Tooth Fairy's name was Allison.  I said, 'oh really'.  I guess with as many kids that lose teeth, there must be more then one Tooth Fairy.

The Tooth Fairy arrived during the night and left this note in Jordan's envelope:

 

Isn't it amazing that he knew the Tooth Fairy's name?!?  Jordan has one more tooth to come out hopefully this week since both the permanent teeth are making their appearance as we speak.  It's hard to believe my baby boy is growing up.  He is such a sweetheart and I'm so blessed to have him call me mom!!