2012 Wrap Up

2012 was a busy year for us.  The Hubster got his work license and finished at the top of his class.  Big One started pre-school.  She loves it.  Little One is pure snuggle and spunk.  I'm still running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

We had our first family vacation.  The Hubster and I had our first weekend away from the girls.  We celebrated five years of marriage.  We went camping.  The Hubster got to race some cool cars.  I got a couple of weekends away with my girlfriends.

Sure we had some bumps in the road, but the big picture was pretty bright from this seat.

We had family in town for Christmas this year and it was awesome.  Just like when I was growing up.  The girls had a blast.  They loved all of the extra people (and puppy) in our home, and of course the added attention they received.  Our Christmas was full of love, lots of laughter, and incredibly yummy food.

We are so very blessed.  I am definitely looking forward to what 2013 will bring!

Happy New Year!

After Christmas Eve service with my mom and sister.

With Little One at church.

Opening up Christmas Eve PJs.

Well that pretty much sums up his year, huh?

The Hubster and my dad carving the turkey.

We got a teeny bit of snow!

Our 7 foot tall Frosty!

The Season of Giving.

This is the season of giving.  I wish it was all year long, but it seems that as everyone's budgets get tighter, giving is one area that just doesn't make the cut all year long.

I have these amazing friends that live in the computer.  I'm going to chat a little bit about two of them and then I'm going to send you to one of their blogs (because she is way more eloquent than me).  Megan, my Blogess friend, is one of the coolest people that I have ever met.  She and her husband have the patience of a Saint.  They have two adorable kiddos.  One is the same age as Big One (four years old) and the other is a few months younger than Little One.  Ry, their four year old is very cool, he loves to read, and he is autistic.

My other friend is Kat.  She is also incredibly patient.  And generous.  And has one of the biggest hearts.  She is also very talented.  You can check out her work at Mama's Sewing Room.  I have some of the most adorable aprons thanks to her!  Her youngest son, Bean, is also the same age as Big One.  He was also diagnosed with autism.  Kat has been trying to raise money for a special sensory clinic so her son (and many others) can get the help that they so desperately need and deserve.

Please take a couple of minutes and read more about it here at MegCentric.

Meet Bean.  Isn't he the cutest?

I know funds are tight for everyone, especially with Christmas fast approaching.  But please consider donating to this worthy cause.  Autism rates are now 1:88 children.  These children need our help.

You may donate here.  Every dollar helps!

Cheap Razor Update

Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted about this very cool company who mails out razors for cheap?  I thought it was time for an update.

I got my razors within a couple of days.  Super fast.  Well packaged, but not wasteful.  I received my new razor which was a good construction, sturdy, definitely not cheap feeling.  And I received my four razors.  They looked great too!

I used it for the first time yesterday and I was so very pleased!

Dollar Shave Club definitely gets my business from now on!  When the Hubster runs out, we will be doubling our order!

So use my link and go get some for yourself!  http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/ref/index/r/5757/1f34nvq/

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Big One is learning some new songs at school in preparation for the Christmas program they are doing in a week and a half.  Each day after school I ask her what she has learned and she tells me that she doesn't remember.  Hmph.

Well then this happened!

Happy birthday, Jesus!  Happy birthday, Jesus!  Hallelujah Christ is born!  Happy birthday, Jesus!  Happy birthday, Jesus!  Hallelujah Christ is born!  Happy birthday, Jesus!  Happy birthday, Jesus!  Hallelujah Christ is born!

I cannot wait to see the performance!

Christmas Tree with Memories

Growing up we always had a tree full of hodgepodge ornaments.  I loved decorating the tree because my mom would explain where each ornament came from.  Each year my parents would pick out the perfect ornament for each of us.  When my parents got married and had their first Christmas tree they didn't have any ornaments to decorate it with.  They wanted to be sure that wasn't the case for the three of us.  Sure enough, when I graduated and moved out, I had my memory box full of ornaments for my tree.  It was such a great gift.

We have carried on that tradition.  Each year we get a family ornament and each of us gets our own ornament.  When the girls move out and start their own families they will have a box full of happy memories too.

I know lots of people that have a beautiful, color coordinated Christmas tree each year.  It is perfection, for sure.  But I wouldn't trade our tree full of memories for anything.

I need another strand of bead garland.  But I love it!

Hours of fluffing

Um, how come no one warned me about the hours and hours of moving the tree branches around to get it just right?!

The Hubster put the tree together while the rest of us slept last night.  I walked down and stared at the tree in horror this morning.  That is not what the tree looked like in the store!  I really thought that I made a $180 mistake!  So after running around all morning, I started to fluff the branches as they call it.  Heh.

Of course Little One was sooooo excited about all of the pretty lights.  She exclaimed that the tree was "beautiful" as soon as she saw it all it up.  And I told her "No touching" every time she came close to it.  Well, later in the afternoon I continued to fluff the dang tree.  And it was like LO had radar.  Anytime I started she would run into the room and say, "No touching, mama!"

And now you know why it took me hours!

So it appears that we won't be actually decorating the tree today!  Sigh.  Tomorrow.  Maybe.

No bake energy bites, WOW butter, and Kenny update!

Back again, huh?  Geesh.  Who knew I had so much to say?!  Heh.  I'm kidding.  I talk.  A lot.

Anyway.  So I was browsing Pinterest today and ran into this recipe for No Bake Energy Bites.  I had to do some modifying due to Big One's peanut allergy and the Hubster's hatred for all things coconut.  Sigh.  He kills me.

So I made mine like this.

1c dry oats
2/3 c chopped walnuts (make sure you chop them and then measure them)
1/2 c almond butter (any nut, seed, or WOW butter would work)
1/2 c wheat germ
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/3 c honey (you need the stickiness so make sure you use honey)
1 tsp vanilla extract


Mix it all up.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Roll into balls.  I used a Tbsp measurement and got 24 of them.  Huge hit over here.  Keep them in the fridge and they will stay good for a week.

Again, I take no credit for the picture.  It is from the blog I mentioned above.  I really need to just take my own pictures already!

So now are you looking at me like I have three heads?  WOW butter?  What is that?  It is pretty awesome.  A friend of mine introduced me to it this summer!  It tastes very similar to peanut butter, but it is made with soy!

(Disclaimer - I am now an Amazon Affiliate.  So if by chance you need six cases of Wow Butter and decide to buy through the link above - heh - I'll get a small portion of the sale.)

Definitely worth a try if your child, or their friend is allergic to nuts!  I used it the other day to make granola bars for Big One to bring to school and all of the students and teachers were impressed!

And in other fabulous news, Kenny was adopted today!  My girlfriend is so very relieved, and I am too!  I hope Kenny has found an amazingly loving home!  Thanks to all of you who helped spread the word about him!

Kenny Needs a Home!

I bet you thought you wouldn't see me today!

I was planning to take the day off, but I was chatting with my best friend from college last night and she needs your help!  She is expecting a little one (hooray!!!!) and one of their dogs isn't super infant friendly.  He'd be just fine with an older child, just not one that doesn't know they aren't supposed to pull and jump on and take toys from a little dog.  So he needs a home.  A foster home or a permanent home.  And fast.

He is adjusting to the humane society.  He has been there all week.  But unfortunately, they won't keep him very long.  Breaks my heart.

So if you are out in Colorado, or know someone who is.  Or if you are willing to travel (or maybe even meet?), please let me know.  And fast!  Did I mention that?

Kenny is only one year old and about 15lbs  He is house trained.  He is smart, well-trained, good with cats and other dogs, and loving, and so much fun.  And he deserves a good home.

So please.  Click here to see Kenny.  And please share this post!  You never know who it might reach!