Oh Christmas Tree!

It is the 3rd of February and we finally took off all the Christmas tree decorations and carefully put them away, then dragged the tree into the garage for safe keeping until November when it comes out again. At first I was a little sad, as we still were turning the lights on each night (honestly, it was our huge night light in the living room LOL.) I had a plan though - with the upstairs tree that has been up since Christmas 2011. It has not come down, the decorations were off, and it still had lights on it, but it was there. So...... I did what I had planned for it in spring of last year - I decorated it for the season! I had planned on Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, then green goodies for St. Patty's day, then Easter, but who am I kidding? That's a little too ambitious! Maybe next year! For now, it is such beautiful weather outside, and soon we will be loving all the signs of spring, so spring it is!

Nothing says spring like pretty flowers and Easter eggs :) Yes, it is kind of girly, but in a house of all boys, we need a little girlying up!

I will have to think of what I want to use for Summer... but I have time :)

My all day crafty pay-it-forward card

At the beginning of January, there was this post on Facebook about 'the first 5 people to comment on my status will get a pay-it-forward from me'. It's been on my mind since I posted, and I quickly got 5 people to respond. This will be my first gift.

This is a Kraftin Kimmie stamp called Angie. It was a KK challenge that got me wanting to use this stamp (and not just horde it in my stamp closet, but to actually USE it!) I spent the entire day working on this card, it had to look just the right way. I made the flowers with a spellbinders die, and misted them with coffee glimmer mist. Part of the KK challenge was to include either actual metal or the color - the brads in the four corners are metal, even though I broke the prongs off, and the highlights in her hair are platinum :)

I love when people decorate the inside of their cards too, so I incorporated a little pocket in the center to accommodate a Starbucks card. Once I add a little note, I am going to purchase a media mailer, as it has more space inside and won't crush the flowers, then send it on it's way. *submitted to trio of embellishments and krafty guest spot, both with Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.

to be true

Saw this on facebook this evening, it's so pretty, and so true, had to share :)

Who fell off the turnip truck?

Apparently, I did, for months! Wow! School has taken over, especially with both Nicholas and Benjamin now going. I've been at school SO much this past semester, to make sure Benjamin is fitting in to the routine with his diabetes, and to meet the boys for lunch, and my new favorite: helping out in the library! Yes, I have to say, I'm feeling a little more bookish these days, usually helping out 2-3 times per week. We've made it through all the holidays, and are very quickly approaching to Benjamin's 6th birthday, then right after, Nicholas' 9th birthday. Ed has been away for work, this last trip was to Alaska! Today he leaves for Calgary, sad for me, but also makes me happy as he will be able to see Thomas. I haven't been nearly as crafty as I'd like but am happy to be near the end of my December project life album (that will make an entire COMPLETE year, woohoo!!) I have started on January too, and am trying to stay up to date. My January Button Farm kit came in and I can't wait to get to that, it included an entire Snap album, yaay!! So, now, it's January, I'll try to be more consistent. Oh, yes, New Year's resolutions. Gotta love and hate em. Our family's resolution was to curb our eating out. Yes, we spend way too much on restaurants and fast food, so unless it is a special occasion such as a birthday, Valentine's Day or anniversary, it's eating at home for us. I'm sure it will save us a lot of money! If I can just stop the scrappy online shopping. Shhhhh!

This is Nicholas with Oliver, on the day we brought him home as a foster. I adopted him (secretly) on October 1st, and the kids 'received him' as a Christmas gift.

First day of school, Nicholas bug, ready for Grade 3.

Nicholas with Valentino, Benjamin with Oliver, stopping for a mommy pic on a chilly, windy day.

My sweet Benjamin Aidan, with Oliver, both loving being outside :) Even if it is darn chilly! (for Texas that is.)

Happy Frugality!

At this moment, I am very proud of myself! I was in Wal-mart either last week or on the weekend, and I saw a mom doing some major price matching when she was buying her groceries. She had a ton of stuff, and it was just over $100. She had her list, coupons, and the flyers that she got her price-match info from. Got me to thinking, I need to give this a try too, so today, I did, and what an odd little high I got when the total rang up. For all these items below, my total was $53.

That's 56 items, for an average of about $1 each. Woohoo!! And it's not all boring stuff, it's things my kids actually like. It's name brand products. It's things we already buy, when we have extra money to fit them in. I think this will change the way I shop. I'm so proud of myself. Weird huh? ;)

Something I Wish; My Dream

Big Picture Classes is holding their Big Idea Festival 2012 this week, and I have been keeping up on the challenges. Today's prompt was to scrapbook something that you dream of, or wish, and then allow it to empower you into making it happen. Right away, I thought of Benjamin's diabetes, and how I wish he never had it, that he didn't have to adjust to it, didn't have to have needles, and insulin as part of his daily routine. Our entire family is raising money right now for our walk with the JDRF in October - the money raised goes to fund research to find a cure. There WILL be a cure in his lifetime, and if there is something I can do to help, I will!

Tooth Fairy Box

I decorated this little wooden box yesterday, for I know Benjamin will lose his very first tooth any day now.

It's been hanging on by just a tiny bit!

This photo was yesterday. I showed it to him, and he loves it.

I was at school today, and as homeroom mom, I was able to be in the classroom to ask Mrs. Setna for directions on her workbasket items, and Benjamin showed me that he lost his tooth! And he really lost it - he has no idea where it is LOL!! This photo is from this afternoon.

My sweet baby - his perfect little smile is forever altered, he now has an adorable little gappy smile :) Good thing the little box is ready because we need it tonight!