Our Christmas Wreath...

So I've seen a TON of awesome wreaths on pinterest lately. I gathered what little supplies I had at the house, made a $3 trip to the hardware store and made this one:

Here's how I did it. (Of course, I forgot to take pics during the process, but it's pretty simple.) First, I went to the hardware store and picked up one of these- a 6' long piece of pipe insulation. It was less than a buck fifty. I also bought a small piece of metal to make an over-the-door hanger for about a dollar, or you could just get a pre-made hook for about $2 from a department store. I bent the metal with pliars until it fit my door. I'll spare you the details- message me if you want them.

So back to the wreath. I cut the insulation to the size I wanted and used duct tape to secure its ends to make a circle. At this point I recommend bracing it somehow, as mine quickly turned into an egg shape. I had to rig up several components behind the wreath later to help it keep its shape. You could even put something inside. Do whatever you have to do to make it a circle. Learn from my mistake & get creative!

ANYWYAY...

The fun part: I had an old bedsheet that I had actually used as a curtain when my daughter was a baby. She had HUGE windows, so instead of shelling out $20 per panel on curtains, I bought $6 queen sized sheets from Walmart and just hung them in such a way that they looked like curtain panels. We're in a new house (again), so the sheets have just been sitting in a box since 2009. So I cut them into strips. Each strip was about 4"x24". It turned out that the "curtains" had some sun damage on the back side, which added a cool color fade to the fabric. I tied the strips (double knot) around the tube, keeping all of the tied ends on one side of the wreath. It was so cute- I kept it like that over Thanksgiving. Simple. 

At Christmas, I just wrapped a bit of plastic garland and ribbon around it and secured it at the back. Easy! I was bound and determined to spend less than $5 on this wreath and then use only what I had at home to decorate it. Mission accomplished! All in all it took less than an hour. The most time consuming part was tying on the sheets- which I did in front of the TV while the baby napped. I love the shabby-chic look of upcycled materials, and I especially love the joy of making something from scratch. I hope this Christmas you find the wreath of your dreams- or, better yet, that you make it yourself!

Christmas Card Chaos...

I'm not a professional photographer, but I love taking pictures- especially of my kids! I feel like I take decent pictures, and I've learned my way around Photoshop well, for someone with no formal training. That said, I made a decision to create my own Christmas cards this year.

We had professional cards made in '07 when Courtney was just a few months old, but then I made them in '08. I uploaded some cute pics to a photo developing website and voila! Pre-made/personalized Christmas photo cards.

2009 was a crazy year for us, so I skipped the cards. We were just about to move, I didn't have computer access, and I wasn't really up for all of the work, since I was newly pregnant and severely nauseated.

2010 was my second attempt to make our own cards. This time I simply took a pic of the kids wrapping a gift and then wrote a sentimental little "Merry Christmas" note at the bottom with my Photoshop program. It was a lot more work than I expected, since I was still learning the program. Top that off with a trip to the emergency room after one of my props fell on my then three-month old's head, and it was just more trouble than I bargained for. Don't worry, I learned my lesson and he was completely fine.

Over the last year I've learned a lot about photography and Photoshop. It's been so much fun! I am still no pro, and I don't have a DSLR camera- but I am happy with what I have. I started a little photo-blog (which I haven't updated much lately due to the recent move), walked through a few tutorials on Youtube and improved quite a bit (at least, I think so??).

So back to 2011. The plan was simple: Sit our family in front of the fireplace and set the camera on a timer. Easy. Oh, except that I lost the most important piece of my tripod on a hillside in the middle of nowhere. That wasn't going to stop me, though. I fixed my hair, did my makeup, made sure all of the kids' clothes were clean and waited for Hubs to get home... and waited... and waited. He rarely works late, but he did that night. He's amazing. He agreed to still do Christmas pics, even though he got home after dinner. He hopped in the shower and when he came out, he found the kids dressed and the camera set up on a dining room chair that was propped on top of the coffee table.

Let me just show you how it went.

Here I am with my 4 yr old taking a test shot to see how I needed to set up my lighting. Notice how excited she looks to be there:

Thought I'd take a few cute shots of the kids before Keith was ready. This is what I got:

Round 1: Got a couple of good ones, but had trouble with Courtney:

Round 2: Totally forgot to turn on my flash. Here are the highlights:

Round 3: My 1 yr old was completely obsessed with his tummy:



Round 4: Not even worth mentioning. This pic will give you a jist of how it went:

I took 97 pics that night. NINETY-SEVEN! And got one good-enough pic of the fam. Got some cute pics of Hubs & me, though:

All in all it turned out great. So why not just hire someone to do them? I don't know. I suppose I'm prideful to some degree. Stubborn, too. I don't want to pay money for something I *think* I can do. Of course, I understand completely that a pro's pics would be higher quality, better design and cleaner composition. Not to mention it would relieve me of quite a bit of stress. Part of me also just really enjoys the challenge. I love creating things myself. I loved the entire process, crazy as it may have been. It gave me something to blog about, at least, haha!

So there you have it. Here is how it turned out. All in all it was a great memory-making experience. I will be emailing cards this year, sometime in the next week or so. Here it is, a bit early, for all of you who read my blog:

Detours or Determents?

Well, that was an adventure!

My hubs and I recently moved to Texas. We opened an online banking account, knowing that we would rarely need to actually visit a branch. Well, an instance came where I did need to go in, so I Googled it- no biggie. I-20 to 360, then hop over to Division St and make a few more turns. It was 25 miles, which in DFW should take about 32 minutes, according to my long-time buddy, Google Maps. So I loaded the kids into the car after an entertaining breakfast, complete with a (literal) song and dance about how if they were super good at the bank I'd give them suckers. Matthew clapped with every encore. Thankfully, they finished their cereal just about the time I was completely out of breath! Hey, a busy mama's got to get a workout somehow, right?

Ok, so we're going down I-20 & I'm on the phone with a different bank (mistake #1- multi-tasking) when I see that I'm in a turn-only for the airport. Oh, I DON'T want to go to the airport!! I said to myself- so I quickly changed lanes (mistake #2- that was my turn). Then I called the hubs to ask a question about some other family business before I knew where I was (mistake #3- multi-tasking again). I got off the interstate at a detour for Division St. (mistake #4- I don't do well with detours.) I tried to find it on Google Maps when I got home, but for the life of me I just couldn't find it. I have NO idea where I got off of I-20. So I thought, while still talking to Hubs on the phone: No problem! That's why I printed a large, detailed map with my directions. I got this! *big smile for being so proud of myself*.  (Enter: mistake #5- not double checking my print job before leaving the house.) Imagine my surprise when I flipped my directions page back to reveal not a map, but this:

"Ummmm.... Honey, I'm gonna have to call you back."

So I turned my "So glam!" self around, went westish and then northward, only to find myself at a split. Dallas or Ft. Worth? Um, Dallas? SURE! Too late to change lanes anyway! So we headed toward Dallas. I then, somehow, found myself at that same intersection - again. Huh?!? Since the Dallas trip just threw me into a circle, I went toward Ft. Worth. Somehow with God's grace I made it to I-30.

When I saw Six Flags I called my dad, who drove 18 wheelers in DFW for more than 15 yrs. He's better than any Garvin. So he guided me through until I found Fielder. From Fielder I missed Divison and had to turn around... again... but I finally got on it. Then I realized I was heading the wrong direction... so I turned around aGAIn. Eventually I had a vague idea that I was most likely, maybe headed in the right direction. Then I saw the street I was looking for. Whew!

On a happier note, my kids were AWEOME the entire time! Courtney sang to Christmas music and asked me questions like, "Mama, did God wear His mud clothes when He made mud, so He wouldn't get it all over Him?" and Matthew slept. Overall we drove for TWO hours! (A far cry from the 32 minutes it was supposed to take.)

So I finally get to the bank, Matthew wakes up happy and we all head in. I fill out a deposit slip, just glad to be there, not knowing how on earth I'll find my way home. The lady looks up my account, makes a face and says, "Oh, yeah. I'm sorry, but I can't deposit this for you." Apparently I have a special account that has to receive deposits a certain way. She proceeded to tell me where to mail the checks as I did everything within my power to keep from laughing hysterically. It was one of those "I'm losing my mind! I'm c-r-a-z-y! I can't beLIEVE it- are you SERiouS?!?" kind of laughs. So I thanked her, went to the car and laughed all of my stress away. I texted Keith and took the kids out to eat. I couldn't believe it. In fact, I had already been to the post office that day- only a mile from my house!

So how crazy was it? Well, here's a little map. The blue is how I should have gone. Since I can't really retrace my drive perfectly, I just circled all of the streets I drove on in red, threw in a few arrows for perspective and put a green star where I eventually ended up before heading to the most ghetto mall ever (complete with karaoke!) and then to McDonald's to refuel my kids, since none of the mall's food looked very appetizing. Here ya go:

So, lesson learned: It's my choice to stay joyful or to get angry & frustrated. Earlier today I was pretty stressed out about a completely different banking situation, but it all worked out fine. I suppose after that, this trip seemed like a breeze. It's all in how you look at it. I kept praying, got help when I needed it and stayed joyful. I realized today, once again, that my joy is a gift from God and no one can steal it... but I do have the choice of laying it aside, giving it away or taking it up. I've found it to be true in little frustrating times like this, as well as in problems that seemed so deep I thought I'd never get out alive. Don't get me wrong- I don't always choose to live in joy. In my life, "the straw that broke the camel's back" has often been the size of a toothpick. Somehow today went much better, and I'm so thankful that God gave me grace- especially for my children's sake. I forget sometimes how closely they watch how I respond to the situations in my life.

Sooo....
Romans 12:12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." It's my choice (and God's command) to be joyful. Hmm. Something to chew on and remember the next time I fall into one of those irritating little situations. We live in a society where "inconvenience" is a dirty word. I believe, however, that God sees it as something entirely different: a tool to mold our hearts and make us into the people He designed us to be. Jesus used inconveniences to His advantage all the time. Hungry people? Let's do a miracle and feed them all, showing God's power. Woman touches Him in a crowd, interrupting his schedule? Let's stop and speak to her, forgiving her sins & glorifying God. Can't get a good nap because of some fraidy-cat friends freaking out upstairs? Let's get up, calm the storm and teach them a lesson about faith. Now that's the kind of attitude I want to have! Heaven help me:)

All I want for Christmas...

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so (naturally) I am thinking about my Christmas list. Hey, don't judge me- I've cooked pies and bread and all sorts of other goodies all week. I am definitely looking forward to having my family over tomorrow (my first time to host Thanksgiving dinner!)... but I can't help but wonder what to get my kiddos (1 and 4) for Christmas.

Now, I could get them what I want them to have- some sort of learning system, books, clothes, etc.; or I could get them what they really want.

Courtney's easy. She tells me what she wants every DAY! Just sit her in front of the TV during morning cartoons and she comes up with a mile-long list of toys she can't live without. Pretty much anything pink. Oh, but she informed me today that she can't have an Easy Bake Oven until she's a teenager (oooo...kaaay?). Matthew, on the other hand, is a little more difficult since he doesn't articulate as well as his loquacious big sister.

So what does Matthew really want? A "Free Day" Coupon. A day unlike any other day. You see, my busy 15 month old has learned a few new tricks over the last few weeks that he'd love to explore further... but his mean ol' Mama keeps moving him, moving his "target" or thumping his hand. He would love a day with no consequences for, oh, say, the things he did today:

* emptying bookcases, drawers and cabinets
*pulling out the child-safety plug covers and sticking his tiny fingers into the sockets (he also got his fingers stuck in the refridgerator slats under the door and in the dryer vent holder
*climbing into chairs, standing up and rocking back and forth
*Pulling out the rinse-aid cap from the dishwasher door, sucking a tiny drop of Jet Dry off, smacking his lips, smiling slyly and saying "Ahhhhhh!" when I took it away
*climbing into the "cave" under our desk to pull on those fancy cords (resulting in his sister screaming because her computer game was suddenly replaced by a black, silent void)
*climbing into the window sills so he could reach the mini blinds
*running over wet, freshly mopped floors (needless to say, he crashed)
*pulling out the desk drawers and climbing into them to reach the computer mouse- Aw, man! Mama locked the computer- maybe I'll just climb onto the swiveling chair- Ouch! hit my head on the desk drawer as I fell to the ground- I knew I should have pushed that back in!

So much fun! Wow, he could have the time of his life if he were just granted a "Free Day" for Christmas!

I'm torn. Aren't we as parents supposed to give in to our children's every whim and desire so that they can become happy adults? If I settle for a stuffed Mickey Mouse toy or another ball popper of some sort, can I really expect him to grow into a well-rounded adult? Hmmmm.

Nope. Sorry, Bud. No "Free Day" for you. Not this year. You can get one when you're a grown up, living in your own house, emptying your own bookcases with fingers that are too big to get stuck in the dryer vent. Until then, I'm sorry to say that I'll be getting you what I deem "the perfect gift".  And if you grow to be a sad, close minded grown up who has no idea who you are or how to have fun, find adventures or explore your world, then I'll pay for your therapy... although I doubt that will happen:)

So as you think of what to get your kiddos for Christmas this year, remember to give them what they want... to a point. Then just suck it up and give them what they need.

The Move...

I am finally back online! WAHOO!!
(although, I must say that it was nice to be without internet for a while. My days seemed so much longer and I was surprised at how productive I was!)

Anyway, lots of you have been asking about the move, so I thought I'd write just a bit about the moving process, the lessons I've learned and how we're doing now. Let's start with the move.

My husband was transfered from Arkansas to Texas. Same company, different position. We had one week to pray about it and felt like God was clearly telling us it was a gift and we should take it. So we did! We told close friends and family first, then let the Facebook world know. At that point we only had two weeks till moving day.

So we packed for two solid weeks. It took a while because it was shaped around our toddler's nap schedule, our daughter's pre-school schedule, my husband's work schedule and a few out of town trips, including a house hunting trip.
The house hunting trip was AWESOME. We had a two bedroom suite at the hotel- like a little efficiency apartment. We loved the first place we saw, and after visiting several other homes (yuck!) we decided on the first one. Some of the places we visited were... gross. Bugs, terrible smells, broken cabinets, holes in walls- you name it. Our new place is perfect for us. Lots of room, new paint & carpet... but I'm getting ahead of myself!

Our house in Springdale was a bit crowded for a while with the boxes piling up in the living room, but it was all worth it now that we have so much more space. (Did I mention that our house here is bigger??)

Saturday before the move, Keith's parents came by to visit. They took the kiddos home with them, so Keith and I had Saturday and Sunday to pack up the last bit of kitchen and bathroom stuff. It was such a huge help to have the kids at Granna and Poppa's house! We even had TWO dates! We spent Sunday evening with Tank & Amanda; some much-needed time with them before we left. Monday (Halloween), the movers packed us up and we headed to Idabel.

As I followed behind Keith, staring at the older couple on the back of the U-Haul (who I affectionately dubbed "Charlie and Joan" for whatever reason), the same thought tumbled through my head time and time again: It's somewhat sobering to think that your entire physical life can be packed up into a 27' truck and shipped anywhere in the world...

We arrived in Idabel at around 7pm, so we quickly ate dinner and took the kids trick-or-treating. Thankfully our four year old was tired and not especially interested in candy. We only spent an hour or so on the streets before heading home.

Tuesday morning, we headed off to Texas, leaving the kids in Idabel with Keith's grandmother (Nanny). We rushed to get to the realty office at 1:00 to pick up the keys so we could meet the movers at 2p. We were late, but the movers were polite and didn't seem to mind. We unpacked Tuesday night and Wednesday, then headed back to Idabel on Thursday morning to pick up the kids and Keith's truck, which we had left there the weekend before the move.

Friday was my mother-in-law's birthday, so we headed to Red Lobster for dinner. It was SO good! Matthew has my taste- he didn't like the fish or clam chowder at all. Courtney, on the other hand, ate more than any of us and still said she was hungry when we got home!

Saturday we were back in Texas, and Sunday we visited Antioch Community Church- Dallas. It's a church plant of the church we went to in Waco. It was nice, but so far to drive. It took a while to get home because we got stuck in traffic. The traffic here may take some getting used to! On a happy note, when I walked into the church to find out what time the service started, my jaw dropped as I saw Angie- a close friend from college who was *almost* one of my roomates. She got engaged the week she started moving in, so she moved right back out to go home & plan her wedding. It was great to catch up and get a hug after 7 years!

Sunday afternoon my parents and brother came by. We had a great dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse. We hadn't seen them in several months, so it was nice to spend some time together. Courtney jumped right up into her Nana's arms, but Matthew took some time to warm up.

Since then we've just been unpacking, running errands and hanging curtains. We had three small windows in our last living room... now I have six large and two small windows to cover. Looks like I'll be getting my sewing machine out soon! The house is great. We have an extra room (formal dining??) that we use as an office. The kids rooms are down a hall at the back of the house, so we can turn the TV up, get something from the kitchen and talk at normal volumes without worrying about them waking up after bedtime. We have a big backyard with a privacy fence and a DOOR that leads to the yard! (Some of you know my issue with our last house was that in order to get to the back yard you had to go outside, around to the other side of the house and then stay away from the fence because of all of the dogs growling and barking). Our neighborhood is quiet and close to everything. The only time I hear any noise is when the school bus drops off 10 or so kids at the stop sign across from our house. It's a good family neighborhood. We have met two neighbors and already been invited to a church! (And I don't need to mention how refreshing it is to hear everyone I meet say "y'all".)

The kids are settling in great. I think it helps that we tried to keep their bedrooms as close as possible to how they were at our old house. Courtney and I played Candy Land last night. She won the first game and then let me win the second after passing 12 turns and letting me throw out a card that nearly sent me back to start *smile*. Keith is enjoying his new position at work. He's been home early (5 or 5:30) most nights, so that has been a huge plus! Since he only works 3 miles from home he'll probably be coming home for lunch most days- something he used to do when we lived in Idabel but couldn't continue once we were in NWA. I'm glad to get to see him during the day again. We're all unpacked except for two boxes with pictures & curtains in them. Once I hang what I want, I'll put the rest in the attic. I realized through this move that I have  a strange obsession with picture frames. Really? Why do I need all of these? But I love them... seriously, I need help, haha!

So that's us. We are doing great. The only tough part of the move is that Matthew has started teething again. He's getting his eye teeth- and he is NOT an easy teether. He's also learned to climb in chairs. Last night we caught him at the computer desk. He had opened an Excell spreadsheet. He has also learned how to climb up and reach his sister's plate while she's having a snack... so this Mama has been super busy!

Thanks so much for your prayers for us through this move. It was the easiest move I've ever experienced (12 moves in 12 years, not to mention all of the army moves from my childhood- so I think I should know, haha!). God has been faithful to see us through and do as He promised.

On today's agenda: hanging more curtains, possibly a trip to the fabric store *happy dance*! Thanks for keeping up with us!

P.S. If any of you want our address, just send me a mssg on FB and I'll get it to ya!