MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 12

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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I'm Thankful this year because...

I am Thankful for the blessing of being able to pray to the God of our choice.

I am Thankful for those men and women who are fighting for our country.
I am Thankful for the change that this country is willing to make.
I am Thankful for the life that I am able to lead.

I am Thankful that my children can choose who they want to be.

I am Thankful for family living so close.

I am Thankful that my family that is healthy.

I am Thankful for my Husband and children who make me who I am.
I am Thankful for my friends.
I am Thankful for a day to remember about all of the things to be Thankful for!!

Happy Turkey Day!!

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 11

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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Now here’s the tough part, if you could only pick one food to eat on Thanksgiving, what would it be? I know, pure torture! Do you have a home-cooked meal or eat out? Does your family dress up?

One food...Baklava!

Thanksgiving is held at my Mom and Dad's home, with her 8 brothers and sisters and their families. We set it up like a potluck and my Aunt Marcia brings the Baklava!! There were a few years when she lived in Nebraska or Texas when she could not make it, but she is back and living close by...yeah!!! :)

We do not dress up, but I do try to instill the meaning of giving. And this year, Bayle came home from school and told me all about Thanksgiving. It was great to sit and listen!

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 10

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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Do you decorate for the holidays? Do you have a themed tree? Share pics! Do you think there is such thing as OVER decorating?

Yes, No, When I find them, and Absolutely!

I do decorate. I blogged before about the manger that my mom gave me, then there is the traditional tree. Every year, I try to get crafty and have the kiddos take part in some part and make something. A couple of years ago, I bought the craft foam and cut our large stockings and laced them up with colored string. Then each kiddo decorated it making it their own. And last year, they were filled up with so much that some of them tore...so we need to make new ones this year.

We do not have a theme tree, unless you consider kids crafty stuff a theme! And yes, there is such a thing as OVER decorating!!! Not every inch of your house needs to have something holiday-ish. :) When your electric bill is more then it is Jan-Nov....it is time to stop decorating!

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 9

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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So I want to hear, what is the most unusual gift you’ve received? It doesn’t have to be bad, just unusual.

Wow...this is a hard one. I guess the most unusual gift was a donation made in my name. It's actually a very good...great gift to give. My dad did it a couple of years ago. Actually, this gives me an idea for family this year. :)

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 8

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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Do you shop on Black Friday? What time do you start? Do you finish all your shopping on that day? What’s the best deal you have found? What’s your shopping strategy?

I do not shop on Black Friday. It's scary, people are crazy, and I like to sleep in! Although, Micheal's is having a sale Friday morning...Cricut Cartridges normally go for $89.99...and they are on sale for $29.99...for this I may attempt to venture out...I might send my husband.. :)

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 7

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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Tell us who is on your naughty list? Who is on your nice list? Why?

Everyone is on my nice list!!!
:)

Reaching

I have come to find that when life gives you a bowl of cherries,

it usually comes in the form of a pie being thrown at you.

This last two weeks have been a whirlwind of ups and downs,
and seems to have ended on the same note.
And the fallout is still not over.

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 6

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

Sponsors: Day Five Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Flying Colors Baby, Uncommonly Cute and Lollipop Book Club.

We would like to know what is your favorite holiday memory from your childhood.

I have two. :)

#1 I don't remember how old I was, but I was young, still in elementary school, and my parents were still together. My sister and I had the rooms upstairs and my brother had the room across from my parents on the main floor. The tree was on the main floor as well, so on Christmas morning, dad would carry by brother, with his eyes covered, by the living room and to the stairs that let to the top floor. The stairs were located in between the kitchen and the living room, so it was a perfect spot to wait. Mom and Dad would make muffins for breakfast and we would eat as fast as we can. Finally when we finished, we were allowed to walk into the living room to see what Santa had brought.
This particular year, when we walked down, I found a big cruise ship for my Barbies. I can't remember the exact name, but from one side you could see the outside of the ship and the other, all of the rooms. It was probably 3x3feet in size and I LOVED it!! I kept that thing much longer than even my barbies and well into my teens. :)

#2 Every year, my dad would take two of us kiddos out to buy a gift for the third one. This would teach us the gift of giving and the joy of watching the other open their gift. Anyway, I love Garfield, and my sister knew this so she had convinced my brother to buy a kit that she would sew and then put in a picture frame. And what made this gift extra special, is that she did spend her extra time sewing it together, for me. That just struck at my heart, and I still have it!!

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Today is her sweet 16!!

Have a great day sweetie!

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 5

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

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Today, make a blog post about what you do to give back during the holidays. Do you volunteer your time? If so, please tell us where. What do you do to teach your children the true meaning of the holidays?

I do try to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. Growing up, my mother had a manger scene that we would put on the mantel right after Thanksgiving. As we put each piece up, she would explain their 'purpose' in the birth. A few years ago, she sent the manger to me and I have put it up every year since. Taylor and Bayle love to help place the figures as we discuss the story.

One thing that we are doing this year, is taking three of the kiddos out to buy a present for the forth. This way they can feel that they are participating by giving to others. My brother and sister and I did it while growing up, and I remember taking every second to find that 'just perfect' gift and then seeing them open the gift on Christmas morning!

A couple of weeks ago Bayle brought home a book order form and very quickly explained that this was not for him, but that he could get a book for someone else. So he definitely is getting the 'giving' spirit!

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 4

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

Sponsors: Bottlewise and Glow Mama

What is your favorite Holiday Recipe?
I try to cook and bake, but it never really works out very well...meaning...not edible! Although my aunt always brings a 'special' dessert for Thanksgiving! Baklava!! Honey, and nuts, and so very messy...so yummy!!

Describe your Holiday Table?
Thanksgiving consists of 30-40 adults and 15 kiddos or so. We meet at my parents' home almost every year and bring dinner potluck style. Our family lives so close to each other during the year, it seems that we only really get together during the holiday's. And I love it. To see the kids running around and playing, getting to know each other again.


What is your biggest Holiday Cooking Disaster?
I do not cook...otherwise I would have a whole bunch of stories to tell here! :)

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Day 3

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Do you budget for the holidays? Do you always stick to your budget? Share with us any budgeting tips you may have!

Sponsored by: Appledonia, Hippos Toes and My Bag.

Between November 17th and Christmas, there are three kids birthdays and then...Christmas! We save all year for the last 40 days, so we have to budget. I try to start shopping early November but I still end up going to the mall on Christmas Eve to grab something that I overlooked. And do I stick to my budget...no...I like to think of it as a jumping off point. :) My husband has to pull me back.

Until tomorrow~

Mom Dot Christmas of Dreams Day 1 and 2

MomDot Christmas of Dreams Blog Party is hosting a party for the next few weeks. Its so easy to get caught up in our own blogs, that sometimes we need to find a way to interact amongst each other.


I am joining in a day late...but here it goes!

Introduce us to your family and share Holiday pics or videos of past years (Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving)

Sponsored by: La Belle Toile and This and That

Let's see. There is my husband whom I married 7 years ago. I had a daughter of my own at the time and he had two from a previous marriage. So we started our life as a pre-made family. Nine months after the wedding came our youngest son. Amanda will be 16 this month, Tyler is now 13, Taylor will be 13 this month, and Bayle will be 7. We have two kitties, Wonka and Tipsy.

Taylor, Tyler, Amanda, Bayle, and the Hubby!


Just the kiddos Trimming the Tree

Traditions

Sponcered by: La Plates, Let's go Strolling, and Natitys Design

Thanksgiving is always spent with my Mom and Dad's family. We come in from all over the state to celebrate. The women are usually talking and helping with the feast and the men folk find themselves plopped on the couch watching football :) ! Although depending on the weather, they will step out to re-live some deep set image of each other playing professional ball! :)

My brother Dusty, Amanda, Dusty's son Jacey, and the Hubby

Christmas is a whole other story. It starts on the Eve when we pick up the kids and drive around to look at lights. There are a couple of neighborhoods that have little contests, and it's always a fun time to drive up and down to see the 'show'. After a few hours of this, we head home to make hot chocolate (with marsh mellows), make cookies, and read 'Twas the night before Christmas'. We get cleaned up and say our good nights and head to bed.

Although, this is where my night begins! I start by finishing the wrapping of the gifts. I know, I know, not really a tradition, but every year I end up with some to wrap, and I expect and plan for it, so there for, it fits under tradition. lol I take down our stockings and start to fill them with the various gifts for each child. The boys always get a Hot Wheel car as Daddy's signature gift. I try to buy the big candy canes that are filled with M& M's...but they get sold fast. Each get their favorite candy and assorted treats. And then Santa comes. The Hubby really gets into this part. Placing them just right so that everyone can see as they walk out. And we finally make it to be about 1am or so.

Christmas morning, our alarms go off about 6am. I will get out muffins or dognuts for breakfast and we wake the kids. We have the kids eat breakfast in the 'boys' room and about 7am make the long awaited walk to the living room. They will walk in order of hight and put their hands over the eyes of the kiddo in front of them. And then on a count of 3, they lift! We look at Santa stuff, grab their own stocking and claim a spot in the living room. I usually play Santa and hand out gifts. We open, say thank you, and then for the rest of the day...play.

Yeah...this is fun...come back tomorrow for Day 3 and if you would like to join, hop over to MomDot.com!!

A scary situation

Sorry that I have not been around to blog to much. We have been dealing with this cold that is going around. (I am now on week 3) How long is a cold allowed to last?!?!

But the biggest reason I have not been around has to do with what I do for a living. As some of you may know, I have a daycare in my home. I have been doing this for about 5 years and love doing it! Well, one of my little one's scared the crap out of me...to the point that I had 911 on the phone.

Everything, in the end, turned out okay. But at the time, I was frantic as to what should I have done, or could have done. Should I have not done something that I did. If the baby had stopped breathing, I could have revived him, but this was not the case. Here I was holding this little guy, and I was helpless to troubleshoot what was happening.

But we now know what happened and we now know how to prevent it. And I have signed up for an emergency first aid class. By doing this, I should feel more capable and confident to access problems as they may occur, build up some confidence that I have lost this last week.

This is the first and hopefully only time that one of the little one's in my care need first aid. I am just thankful that everything turned out okay.

I Voted!!!

Did you?

You have all day to get out there and make sure that you have a say for the next four years!

I was one of the first 20 peeps to vote here in my area, and I brought my son and nephew along to see how it all worked. Bayle had talked during school about the election and the kids took a mini vote yesterday at school. So he was excited to learn and watch how it was really done. He asked questions that I did not think he would understand and even watched me push the buttons. It was a great experience for him at age 6. And a good example set for when he comes of age to decide the country's future!

Sugar Rush

What a weekend!!

Here in Colorado, it almost always snows on Halloween. In the last 7 years it has done just that. But this year, we were out without jackets, and in flip flops! It was amazing!
Taylor decided that she is now too big to go running around with her parents during the night, and I had decided that she is still too young to go around with just her friends. So we settled on she going with her friends and a mother walking 'a house' behind. So as Taylor was up ahead, I had invited my brother and his little one to walk with the hubby, Bayle, and I. Bayle went as 'Scream' and Jacey went as the Hulk. And the kids were running from house to house with their baskets filling them up, trying to race to the next house and be the one to ring the doorbell. But in the end, they all came home with enough candy for the next two years.