Advent Christmas Countdown…

I saw tons of blogs this week that make advent calendars out of scrapbook paper and magnetic paper.  Well, I have lots of magnets, but not magnetic paper…so for a whopping $1.23 I made this advent calendar.    The idea is to put a fun activity on the back of each number which tells the kiddos what fun, special Christmas related thing the family will do that day.  I.E.  Christmas caroling, eat popcorn and watch Elf (Momma’s new favorite Christmas movie), read “The Night Before Christmas”, donate a toy for Toys 4 Tots.  It could go on and on.  This year, I haven’t really figured out what we will do each day.  But, I figure that we will make this tradition grow with Chompy.   Too fun!  Oh, and Chompy helped me glue!  That makes this even better!

Crafting gone Christmas…

This weekend has been a little bit of a craft-extravanganza.  I had a couple of Christmas presents to make (can’t tell you anything more than that).  But, I also worked on two cute and crafty (cough) inexpensive (cough) projects for Christmas. 

One I finished, so I’ll show it to you.   I’ve been looking for an alternative for hanging our Christmas Stockings since we don’t have a mantel.  I also didn’t want to just hang them on a bookcase like we have in the past, seeing as Chompy would probably pull on them and hit himself in the head with the metal holders.  So, I started blog-hopping, and eventually found at tutorial to do this:

 

Thanks: http://holdingon2myhope.blogspot.com/2008/12/stockings-are-hung.html

Now we have a cute way to show off our stockings and Chompy will not have a lump on his head from falling Christmas decorations.   Thanks to hubby for helping me put them on the wall. 

Oops…Thanksgiving Lagging…

Okay,  here’s from day 11-today.

 

11.  The invention of pasta!  Both Chompy and I would probably starve if not for pasta.

12.  UCLA Bruins!  Need I say more?  6 of the best years of my life, great friends, challenging, stretching time, and fun!

13.  My Canon Rebel xs.  It takes such beautiful pictures and captures everything I could want it to.

14. Health- I’m very thankful that my family is healthy and doing what it can to stay that way.

15.  My family- So supportive, fun, and loving!

16.  Living in Yucaipa where we have snow, rain, beautiful springs and warm summers.

17.  My great group of friends who live out of the area.  Even though I don’t get to be with them or talk with them as much as I wish I could, I love them!!!!!! 

18.  A sewing machine- It’s been so fun to stretch and be creative and actually make things for others. 

19.  The ability to run outdoors and the love of feeling the cool air in my lungs.

20.  California-as much as I do not like a lot about it, you can’t beat the sun, surf, mountains and fresh air.

21.  A DVR-with working as much as I have been, it is so nice to be able to just veg out in front of the TV any time that it is convenient and watch some shows. 

Thankful Day 9 and 10....

Today I have two to do again because I've been a little busy with working.

Day 9: I'm very thankful for my little CRV. She's such a good little car and is so nice to let me drive her (quickly) up and down the Cajon Pass repeatedly. I'm thankful that although little things keep breaking, she keeps running well. Now, little CRV...please keep going for at least 4 more months. Thanks!

Day 10: I'm thankful for the pretty green grass that is growing in our front yard. And, I'm thankful that we have a front yard. Our yard is starting to look like a place that is cared for and lived in and I love that! Plus, it is soooooo fun to watch Chompy watch Josh mow the lawn.

Thankful Day 8...

Today, I'm thankful for my job. At work, I talk with people all day long who have been laid off, downsized, can't find work, and are now in the hospital sick. People have lost their insurance, their motivation, their paychecks, and their passions after so long of looking for work without success. As much as I do not like being away from Chompy, I'm soooooo thankful that I have a job that I love, that pays the bills, that provides me with a chance to use my "not-momma-toddler-mush" brain, and that I have such amazing co-workers. Co-workers who throw me wedding and baby showers, ask daily about how Chompy is doing, and make me laugh.

Thanks St. Mary Medical Center for a great 4 years!!!

Thankful Day Weekend Edition...

Two more things that I'm thankful for:


Having dual heat and air in the house since it's been in the 40s at night and 90s during the day :)

Our Thursday Night Community Group! Today Chompy and I spent the day with the Javish's and walked the Buddy Walk to raise money for Down's Syndrome Foundation. We've been so thankful to be able to share our lives with these great friends and raise our kiddos together. Here's a picture from today (not the greatest, but I was running after Chompy) as he was running the bases at Angel Stadium!

Thankful Day 5...

The past two days when I left for work it was wicked dark! As in it was still dawn when I got to work. While getting up early is not my favorite thing, both mornings have been so clear! Orion has been positioned right above our driveway. I am so thankful for the beauty in nature! It's awesome!

Thankful Day 4...

Today, I'm thankful for the invention of Twix. At work, my friend Lisa and I share a pack so that we can each have one...and lately I've been finding mini Halloween size bars on my desk. These little candies get me through the day...and in a weird way motivate me to go to the gym. ;) They were also one of the only candies that I could eat growing up at Halloween because they didn't have peanuts/peanut butter. YUMMY!!!! Chocolate and Caramel! :)

Thankful Day 3...

Today I'm thankful for my house...it was 2 years in the making and so worth the wait. I love it and that it's the little nest for my family.

November Thankfulness... Day 2...

I'm going to say one thing that I'm thankful for each day in November to remember what this season is all about. Since, I missed yesterday, today I'm going to say two.

Today, I'm thankful for these two boys. Well, I'm thankful for them everyday....but I'm going to make sure that I say it today! My two best boys! :) I'm very blessed to be able to call them my family!!