Thursday, December 6, 2007

Avoiding Mommy chores...thanks, Nicole!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love wrapping paper. Have you checked out the beautiful selection at The Container Store? Love it...but too cheap to buy it. I will stick with the Costco rolls...

2. Real tree or artificial?
My husband refuses to have a real one...he says because its a major fire hazzard.

3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as I find the time...usually by the first week of December (still working on it this year--we have a major "pre-lit" disaster on our hands right now...)

4. When do you take the tree down?
I like to leave it up as long as possible (it takes so much effort to get it up!) Has anyone heard of a Valentine's Tree or a St. Patrick's Tree?

5. Do you like eggnog?
Only in a latte.

6. Favorite gift received as a child
Can't really remember. We mostly got stuff we "needed."

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Several, and the Little People version is my absolute favorite.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Lance's parents.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My adorable children...and want to know what Katie told Santa she wanted this year? (I'm going to tell you anyway...) She would like anything he wants to give her. But she has dropped some big hints of things she would like to have from him.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Umm...can I say this? Pretty sure she doesn't have my blog address so here goes...Lance's mom bought us all matching Christmas sweaters. SERIOUSLY...

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Whoah! I love tinyprints.com, too! I actually got on, designed them, but when I saw the price I quickly closed the browser. I love Christmas mail. Period.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
White Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I never stop. It's a year-round pleasure for me.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes...my favorite is the one that keeps being recycled (you know who you are!)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
All of it. I have NO self control in the holiday eating department and I am so not a picky eater!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
None (see #3).

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
Both...I'm holding out for the year Lance surprised us with a trip to Hawaii for Christmas--Melakaliki Maka anyone?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, Ma'am.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
PJ's & stockings on Christmas Eve, everything everything else during the day. Of course, this is always subject to our travel plans.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Ummm...the credit card bill?

23. What I love most about Christmas?
The smell of Christmas--the cinnamon, pine trees, food...enough said.

24. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
No, but the kids do and although we don't make a big deal about it, it is a fun tradition for now.

Monday, December 3, 2007

These little piggies...


Let me preface this by saying feet are hideous. They get callouses, they stink, they are just plain dirty. This picture was taken last Christmas Day when we were snowed in and I was bawling my eyes out because we were not able to get to Indiana for Christmas to see my family. I remember trying to focus on what I was thankful for so that I could get away from my little pitty party. So Will was just 1 month old. I get a little teary when I look at this picture. These little blessings grow up way too fast.
Just the other day I was just giving the kiddos a bath and when they got out, everyone got their finger and toe nails trimmed and after the trimmings, I kissed each toe and tickled their little feet and told them how much I love them. A dear friend was reminding me last night of the Father's love for us--its lavish. 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." And as much as I love my little blessings, God's love is bigger, and better, and perfect. We are loved by the creator of the universe, and even though we break down, screw up and stray away, He loves little ol' us enough to know the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). Can't quite wrap my mind around this one so for now I'll just be thankful...and praise Him...and in an effort to show some TLC to my own piggies (not so little or cute anymore,) maybe I should go get a pedicure.