Sorry for being so quiet since my last post! Hang tight...I've got lots rolling around in this brain of mine, as well as lots of pictures to share!
God bless!!
~S
Friday, December 27, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
12 Days of Happy!
This year, I decided to Link up with a fellow Michigan Blogger, Parsimonious Pash for her 12 Days of Happy! Feel free to head on over to her blog to check out other "12 Days" posts!
The holiday season can be a very stressful time for many people. The rushing around, cooking, shopping, wrapping... Many times we get caught up in the negatives that are happening in our lives. We get distracted trying to make everything perfect, that we lose sight of what already is perfect. Won't you join me in sharing 12 happy things that you will focus on in the coming days?
Here are mine:
1. My Family, both immediate, and extended, blood and non-blood! I could go on for hours listing all of my family members...without these people, I would not be whole! I love each and every one of them for different reasons. Their quirkiness, loyalty, and the intricate part they each play in my life.
2. My Friends. Ooooh, my friends. None of you know just how important you are to me! You are my chosen family. :-)
3. Seeing things from a child's perspective. This is the kind of thing I wish I would remember from my childhood. Can you imagine seeing this huge tree as a kid? No wonder they stare at them in awe for so long! I tend to do the same sometimes.
4. The crafts. I know, I know. There are tons of crafts to do throughout the year, but come on! The hand print wreaths, felt Christmas trees (or construction paper like we made!), the foot and hand print reindeer, construction paper chains. Love them ALL!!! And the kids enjoy them, too. Maybe this will get me into a crafty groove, and the crafting will continue throughout the year.
5. The snow!!! I LOVE THE SNOW. It is beautiful. Beautiful. I love how it sparkles when the moonlight hits it just right. The way it looks when it's falling lazily out of the sky, floating every which direction. It's so serene...so peaceful...so pure.
6. The decorations and lights. One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas because of the lights. The kids are following in my footsteps with this one as well, and I love it. Every time we go somewhere in the car, they start asking "where are the pretty lights, mommy?" So we all look around pointing out all of the buildings and trees that are decorated with lights. Sometimes we come across a scene that would put the Griswold's to shame. Like the house in our old neighborhood: They had the big inflatables, TONS of lights, and even Santa in his sleigh! We drove by that house on purpose on many occasions.
7. Spending time with loved ones. Yeah, this kind of overlaps into the "rushing around" part that stresses many of us out, but really...how many of us take the time that we spend with family completely for granted? I know I probably do. All year, even. So, from now on, especially during the holiday's, I'm going to focus on the fact that I can spend time with family. Not that we are being pulled in five different directions in order to do so.
8. Our health. I am so happy that we are all alive and well. Even when the kids and Michael come down with colds, it's better than the alternative! :-)
9. Fires in the fireplace. We moved into this house back in April, and obviously there wasn't really a need to put a fire in the fireplace during the summer. Well, fall hit, it started getting cold, and we lost power. That was when we had our first fire in the fireplace. It was awesome! It has only happened a few times since then, and I can't wait to have one 'just because'.
10. The goodies...oh the goodies. Cookies...gingerbread houses...cheesecakes...FOOD in general. MAN. That alone would make this time of year my favorite. I love all of the goodies that come along with the holidays! Add in that I made my very own full Thanksgiving dinner for the first time this year, and you have the makings of a very happy girl.
11. Christmas clothes. Ok, this is a new one for me. I ordered outfits for all three kids with Christmas pictures in mind! I'm still waiting for them to get here, but I can't WAIT to see all of them together in their new duds!!!
12. The memories. This particular one is why I love my camera and being able to capture the little things. The memories we create may fade over time in our minds, but I want to do my best to save many memories for my kiddos. They deserve to see their childhood. At least to the best of my abilities.
So, what are your 12 happy things that you will focus on? I know you're out there...don't be shy!
God bless,
~S
The holiday season can be a very stressful time for many people. The rushing around, cooking, shopping, wrapping... Many times we get caught up in the negatives that are happening in our lives. We get distracted trying to make everything perfect, that we lose sight of what already is perfect. Won't you join me in sharing 12 happy things that you will focus on in the coming days?
Here are mine:
1. My Family, both immediate, and extended, blood and non-blood! I could go on for hours listing all of my family members...without these people, I would not be whole! I love each and every one of them for different reasons. Their quirkiness, loyalty, and the intricate part they each play in my life.
2. My Friends. Ooooh, my friends. None of you know just how important you are to me! You are my chosen family. :-)
3. Seeing things from a child's perspective. This is the kind of thing I wish I would remember from my childhood. Can you imagine seeing this huge tree as a kid? No wonder they stare at them in awe for so long! I tend to do the same sometimes.
4. The crafts. I know, I know. There are tons of crafts to do throughout the year, but come on! The hand print wreaths, felt Christmas trees (or construction paper like we made!), the foot and hand print reindeer, construction paper chains. Love them ALL!!! And the kids enjoy them, too. Maybe this will get me into a crafty groove, and the crafting will continue throughout the year.
5. The snow!!! I LOVE THE SNOW. It is beautiful. Beautiful. I love how it sparkles when the moonlight hits it just right. The way it looks when it's falling lazily out of the sky, floating every which direction. It's so serene...so peaceful...so pure.
6. The decorations and lights. One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas because of the lights. The kids are following in my footsteps with this one as well, and I love it. Every time we go somewhere in the car, they start asking "where are the pretty lights, mommy?" So we all look around pointing out all of the buildings and trees that are decorated with lights. Sometimes we come across a scene that would put the Griswold's to shame. Like the house in our old neighborhood: They had the big inflatables, TONS of lights, and even Santa in his sleigh! We drove by that house on purpose on many occasions.
7. Spending time with loved ones. Yeah, this kind of overlaps into the "rushing around" part that stresses many of us out, but really...how many of us take the time that we spend with family completely for granted? I know I probably do. All year, even. So, from now on, especially during the holiday's, I'm going to focus on the fact that I can spend time with family. Not that we are being pulled in five different directions in order to do so.
8. Our health. I am so happy that we are all alive and well. Even when the kids and Michael come down with colds, it's better than the alternative! :-)
9. Fires in the fireplace. We moved into this house back in April, and obviously there wasn't really a need to put a fire in the fireplace during the summer. Well, fall hit, it started getting cold, and we lost power. That was when we had our first fire in the fireplace. It was awesome! It has only happened a few times since then, and I can't wait to have one 'just because'.
10. The goodies...oh the goodies. Cookies...gingerbread houses...cheesecakes...FOOD in general. MAN. That alone would make this time of year my favorite. I love all of the goodies that come along with the holidays! Add in that I made my very own full Thanksgiving dinner for the first time this year, and you have the makings of a very happy girl.
11. Christmas clothes. Ok, this is a new one for me. I ordered outfits for all three kids with Christmas pictures in mind! I'm still waiting for them to get here, but I can't WAIT to see all of them together in their new duds!!!
12. The memories. This particular one is why I love my camera and being able to capture the little things. The memories we create may fade over time in our minds, but I want to do my best to save many memories for my kiddos. They deserve to see their childhood. At least to the best of my abilities.
So, what are your 12 happy things that you will focus on? I know you're out there...don't be shy!
God bless,
~S
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Down Time
Well, down time really doesn't exist for me at this point, but I'm starting to get used to that. I've been making to-do-lists pretty regularly, and I'm trying really hard to accomplish at least a few things on them each day. Some days go much better than others (like the other day, I actually managed 3 loads of laundry, swept the floor, and something else...I don't even remember!), then there are days that I just get everyone fed and I'm happy. Ha!
Anyways, lack of too much down time also leads to lack of posts on my blog. So, if you're coming here regularly looking for an update, I'm sorry! I'm trying to get back to posting regularly, but it's proving semi-difficult lately.
Now, I have a fine young lady yelling at me, and she's in need of a diaper change! I'll check back in soon, I promise!
God bless,
~Stacy
Anyways, lack of too much down time also leads to lack of posts on my blog. So, if you're coming here regularly looking for an update, I'm sorry! I'm trying to get back to posting regularly, but it's proving semi-difficult lately.
Now, I have a fine young lady yelling at me, and she's in need of a diaper change! I'll check back in soon, I promise!
God bless,
~Stacy
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
We've been crafting!
Finally, haha!
Anyways...On 11/7/13, I got brave and took all three kids outside by myself when they got up from naps. We collected a bunch of leaves from the yard, and made pictures with them.
Then, Julia requested that we make butterflies on 11/25/13.
Yesterday, we made Christmas trees!
I really need to get more glue sticks, though! :-)
God bless!
~Stacy
Anyways...On 11/7/13, I got brave and took all three kids outside by myself when they got up from naps. We collected a bunch of leaves from the yard, and made pictures with them.
Then, Julia requested that we make butterflies on 11/25/13.
I really need to get more glue sticks, though! :-)
God bless!
~Stacy
Monday, December 2, 2013
One Month of Thanks - 2013
This is the third year that I've tried to do this consistently, so here is the full month compilation! Some of these have been edited from the Facebook posts, so if you're seeing them both places, that is the discrepancy you will notice. :-)
November 1: Today I am thankful for my sister and my brother-in-law. They let me drag the kids over to their house today even though they weren't going to be there much! We did have other options, but their house is most familiar. :-)
November 2: I am thankful for our fireplace. It kept us warm when we had no power for the second day in a row.
November 3: I am thankful for good times with good friends and family.
November 4: I am thankful for prayer! Any time I'm feeling low or inadequate, I can turn to prayer - and Jesus - to get myself feeling better.
November 5: I am thankful for the little people that I carried in my womb. They make my family whole...even when they annoy me to no end.
November 5 part 2: I am SO thankful that today has been dubbed movie day. Lord give me patience...
November 6: I am thankful for DAY CARE DAY!!!
November 7: I am thankful for Michael's job, which allows me to stay home and watch the kids grow. They may drive me crazy some days, but it's totally worth it.
November 8: I am thankful...There are too many things swimming around in my head today to choose just one. I am simply thankful. Sometimes it just needs to be that way.
November 9: I am thankful for quiet mornings with hot coffee.
November 10: Today...I am thankful for air freshener. Way to stink up half the house, little girl! haha
November 11: I am thankful for our home. It's not just a house for us. It is HOME. We fought for it...and I'm so glad we did...
November 12: I am thankful for pediatrician offices that work with you over the phone to give you options and save you a possible trip and nearly $100 in co-pays.
November 13: I am thankful for new opportunities! Looking forward to watching my sister grow her new awesome business!
November 14: I am thankful for my hook and yarn. Crocheting relaxes me and allows my mind to let go of the stress as well.
November 15: I am thankful for my faith. Without it, many days I would feel lost.
November 16: I am thankful for my husband. He may drive me crazy some days, but he is our family's rock. He works hard so I can be home with the kids all day, AND...he's putting everything in the blind for me this morning.
November 17: I am thankful for still, quiet days, hot coffee (again) in the mornings, and the opportunity yesterday to rekindle my love of reading.
November 18: I am thankful for flashlights, generators, bottled water, and food that doesn't require cooking. And candles.
November 19: I am thankful for my mom for letting the kids and I spend the night, and my sis and brother-in-law again. Thanks everyone.
November 20: I am thankful that my kids are happy and mostly healthy. They're being troopers with all this house hopping while we wait to see which "1130 pm" estimate from DTE is right.
November 21: Today, I am thankful for my Moby wrap!
November 22: I am thankful for hugs, snuggles, and kisses from my kids (and my husband). They make me feel like I'm doing a good job on my hardest days.
November 23: I am thankful for hot soup on cold days.
November 24: I am so thankful for our heat, water, electricity, roof, clothing, etc.
November 25: I am thankful for good sleeps from the kids. They help me to feel rested in the morning.
November 26: I am thankful that I enjoy every season this awesome state has to offer!
November 27: I am thankful that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom, with a husband that doesn't look at me as a maid and cook. I'm so glad that I get to watch the kids grow and develop!
November 28: Today I am thankful for my family! I am also thankful for my friends...the friends that I've lost, the friends that I've gained, those I've known for years, and those I've never met. I love you all, and wouldn't trade any of you for anything!
November 29: I am thankful for the innocence of children.
November 30: I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to put meat in my family's freezer. Even though I had the ONLY opportunity between all of the times Michael and I went out, and I blew it, I'm still thankful for the chance!
What are you thankful for? Share with me! I love hearing positive things. :-)
~Stacy
November 1: Today I am thankful for my sister and my brother-in-law. They let me drag the kids over to their house today even though they weren't going to be there much! We did have other options, but their house is most familiar. :-)
November 2: I am thankful for our fireplace. It kept us warm when we had no power for the second day in a row.
November 3: I am thankful for good times with good friends and family.
November 4: I am thankful for prayer! Any time I'm feeling low or inadequate, I can turn to prayer - and Jesus - to get myself feeling better.
November 5: I am thankful for the little people that I carried in my womb. They make my family whole...even when they annoy me to no end.
November 5 part 2: I am SO thankful that today has been dubbed movie day. Lord give me patience...
November 6: I am thankful for DAY CARE DAY!!!
November 7: I am thankful for Michael's job, which allows me to stay home and watch the kids grow. They may drive me crazy some days, but it's totally worth it.
November 8: I am thankful...There are too many things swimming around in my head today to choose just one. I am simply thankful. Sometimes it just needs to be that way.
November 9: I am thankful for quiet mornings with hot coffee.
November 10: Today...I am thankful for air freshener. Way to stink up half the house, little girl! haha
November 11: I am thankful for our home. It's not just a house for us. It is HOME. We fought for it...and I'm so glad we did...
November 12: I am thankful for pediatrician offices that work with you over the phone to give you options and save you a possible trip and nearly $100 in co-pays.
November 13: I am thankful for new opportunities! Looking forward to watching my sister grow her new awesome business!
November 14: I am thankful for my hook and yarn. Crocheting relaxes me and allows my mind to let go of the stress as well.
November 15: I am thankful for my faith. Without it, many days I would feel lost.
November 16: I am thankful for my husband. He may drive me crazy some days, but he is our family's rock. He works hard so I can be home with the kids all day, AND...he's putting everything in the blind for me this morning.
November 17: I am thankful for still, quiet days, hot coffee (again) in the mornings, and the opportunity yesterday to rekindle my love of reading.
November 18: I am thankful for flashlights, generators, bottled water, and food that doesn't require cooking. And candles.
November 19: I am thankful for my mom for letting the kids and I spend the night, and my sis and brother-in-law again. Thanks everyone.
November 20: I am thankful that my kids are happy and mostly healthy. They're being troopers with all this house hopping while we wait to see which "1130 pm" estimate from DTE is right.
November 21: Today, I am thankful for my Moby wrap!
November 22: I am thankful for hugs, snuggles, and kisses from my kids (and my husband). They make me feel like I'm doing a good job on my hardest days.
November 23: I am thankful for hot soup on cold days.
November 24: I am so thankful for our heat, water, electricity, roof, clothing, etc.
November 25: I am thankful for good sleeps from the kids. They help me to feel rested in the morning.
November 26: I am thankful that I enjoy every season this awesome state has to offer!
November 27: I am thankful that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom, with a husband that doesn't look at me as a maid and cook. I'm so glad that I get to watch the kids grow and develop!
November 28: Today I am thankful for my family! I am also thankful for my friends...the friends that I've lost, the friends that I've gained, those I've known for years, and those I've never met. I love you all, and wouldn't trade any of you for anything!
November 29: I am thankful for the innocence of children.
November 30: I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to put meat in my family's freezer. Even though I had the ONLY opportunity between all of the times Michael and I went out, and I blew it, I'm still thankful for the chance!
What are you thankful for? Share with me! I love hearing positive things. :-)
~Stacy
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