True Christmas Spirit.

Today I took Sophia to the Dollar Store to get some Christmas gifts for her brothers. She always accumulates quarters and dimes and nickels and puts them in her piggy bank, and she informed me last night that she wanted to use her own money to buy presents. She only had $3.50 so I figured the Dollar Store was our best bet. She found gifts that she is sure her brothers will love, and she took out her own wallet and I helped her count out her change. I'm sure we annoyed the stuffing out of everyone in line (and there was a LONG line) but I didn't rush her becuase it was a huge teaching moment.

After the Dollar Store we hit up Hobby Lobby so I could grab a few things and out front there was a bell ringer for The Salvation Army. Sophia asked me on the way in what they were ringing the bell for and I told her that they collect money in the red bucket for kids and families that don't have alot. On the way out of the store she asked for her wallet and had me help her count out fifty cents that she had left over from present buying. She walked herself right up to the man ringing the bell and said she wanted to put her money in the bucket. I let her do it all by herself and stood off to the side. He smiled at her and wished her a Merry Christmas and she said "You too! And I hope the families who don't have money have a good Christmas too!"

I told her how proud I was of her for buying presents for her brothers with her own money, and especially for giving some of her money to people in need. She looked at me and said "Well, momma, you can help whether you're small or big. Everyone needs to make sure that kids with no money have a good Christmas too. We can't just do nothing."

She has no idea how much she touched my heart, and even that measly 50 cents will mean so much to someone. THIS is the true spirit of Christmas. And I'm so proud of my 4 yr old that she realizes this already.

Update time.

So it's been awhile!
Our last few weeks have been pretty busy. We planned a surprise trip to Charlotte, NC for Thanksgiving to be with family. My parents and one of my sisters recently moved up there from Florida, and my other sister, my neice and my sister's boyfriend were making the drive up from West Palm Beach, so we wanted to go to and have the whole family together. We had a good time and left with memories, early Christmas gifts, and a new family member...my sister's boyfriend proposed to her on Thanksgiving night!
Since we've been back we've been staying busy with Noah's school basketball (two games a night every Tuesday and Thursday) and the hubby's hockey team. We also found out that the hubby will be going to training for 6 weeks starting in January, so we're trying to re-plan our first few months of 2012. He'll miss Jonah's 8th birthday so we're trying to figure out a way to make it extra special when the hubby comes back into town.
We're trying to slow down and enjoy the holidays because we probably won't be a full family next year (hubby's due to deploy sometime in the summer/fall), but it's so hard with the hustle and bustle. There's presents to be bought, food and goodies to prepare and pass out to friends and coworkers, and all those Christmas cards to mail.
But most importantly we're trying to keep the TRUE Christmas spirit alive.

Wish Lists.

The other day I asked the kids to make out their Christmas lists. Normally I'm just about done shopping by this point in the year but not this time around. Life has been, well, life.
Anyway, the boys spent alot of time on their lists and when Sophia was done in the bath she got to work dictating her list to daddy.
Jonah kept asking me how to spell things and I would tell him and I wasn't really paying all that much attention. He asked me how to spell "screen" and I told him, and then thought to myself What is he wanting that has "screen" in it's name? I let it go thinking maybe it was a game I'd never heard of.
And when they were done they handed me their lists and I figured out why my crazy 7 year old asked how to spell "screen".
First thing on his list? Big Screen T.V.
Nice try, bucko!

Thankfully the kids know that they won't be getting EVERYTHING on their lists and that it's a guide we go by, so he shouldn't be all that disappointed when Christmas morning rolls around and there's no TV under the tree for him.

Mmmm Mmmm Monday: Revisited

Yesterday I decided that I really needed to work on getting myself into the holiday spirit this year. There's so much going on in our lives right now that is stressing me out...I haven't baked a single thing since pumpkin bread last month.

My parents were here over the weekend and my mommy bought me all the fixin's for Church windows. They were a staple in my house as a kid every Christmas, and I am trying to keep the tradition alive in my own home.

Want a refresher on how to make these babies? Just go here for the full instructions.

Friday Finds on Etsy: Gwen Marie Designs

I absolutely LOVE sending and recieving Christmas cards. I start looking around for different designs in October and have a heck of a time narrowing it down to one. Last year I found a great card on Etsy and decided to look there again this year. After much searching and "hearting" of many different designs, I stumbled onto this shop and instantly fell in love.

She has so much to offer in her shop: holiday cards, wedding invitations & save the dates, birthday cards, and lots more. Here's a few of my favorites from Gwen's shop...



Tell me those are great?! There are so many awesome holiday cards to choose from...I had a hard time picking just one! But I finally did and I cannot wait to order our cards this year and get them in mailed out! Thanks so much Gwen!

Time flies...

I cannot believe that next week is Thanksgiving. And then just a few days after that, the hubby will be graduating from FLETC training in Georgia. The four-and-a-half months has gone so quickly! If you would've asked me back in July if I thought the time would go so fast I would've laughed in your face.

Actually, I think I did laugh at a few of you who tried to tell me that.

But I am here to admit that yes, it HAS sped by. And it just keeps getting faster and faster.

I'm thrilled to bits that we're at the end of this chapter, but I'm also dreading it. Because the hubby's graduation means that less than 45 days later we will be living in a new state, having to find a new house, send the boys to yet another new school, and we'll all have to make new friends.

I like my friends that are here in South Carolina, thanks.

I'm not saying that people in Oklahoma are bad...not at all. We actually have a few friends in the area already, so that will definitely help. But I want my South Carolina friends. And my South Carolina house. And my South Carolina beaches. And South Carolina. I'm just not ready to leave.

I know that you're all thinking "Well, you're a military wife...you should know that this was coming." Yes, I did know. But I feel at home here and just because I knew we'd be moving away at some point doesn't mean I'm ready for it. We're having a bit of trouble finding a house we like/is in a safe neighborhood/we can afford out in OKC so that doesn't help my "moving mood".

And we are moving over Christmas, so that doesn't make it any easier. I love decorating my house for the holidays. My hubby loves hanging Christmas lights. My kids love putting ornaments on the tree. All of this will be nixed this year. I will, however decorate my fireplace mantle because I'm finally in a house that has one, and gosh dangit I'm hanging stockings from it. Even if it is only going to be for a couple of weeks. They're getting hung.

This has been an emotional few weeks for me, and is only going to get harder the closer it gets to us leaving. I fight back tears on a daily basis when I think of having to leave all my wonderful friends here. Some of them I consider family. Shoot...I've spent more holidays with them than I have with my own extended family the last couple of years. I wish I could pack them up and take them with me.

Even my 3 year old begs me weekly to "please please please pack my best friend Gracie in our car??"

My heart hurts.

We are doing our best to make the holiday special for the kids...we plan on bringing our Christmas gifts along in the car with us and wherever we are on Christmas we will open gifts and make the day happy for them. We have a small Christmas tree that the hubby brings with him when he's deployed over the holidays, so we will set that up in our hotel room for Christmas morning. We're taking our time driving out and have a few stops already planned out. We're going to spend a day/night in Memphis and see the city all decorated. We told the kids that since we can't put up our big tree this year, we'll go see as many huge Christmas trees as we can in all the places we stop on the way.

We just have to deal and adapt. It's things like this that I never thought of when I married a military man. But here they are.

So remember military families this year when you're celebrating with your loved ones. Because even if they're not serving overseas, they're are so many who still have to be apart from the ones they love.

Be Not Afraid.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said unto them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good new of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Luke 2:8-15

Dear Santa...

Today Jonah asked me if I wanted to know what he wrote in his letter to Santa that he made in school. Thinking that he'd ask for what he already told me (a Nintendo DS, hockey equipment, golf clubs, games) I said sure and only half listened. Imagine my surprise when he rattled this off:
"Dear Santa,
I would like a million dollars for Christmas.
Please.
Love,
Jonah"

I couldn't help but laugh.

Then, in true Jonah style, he said, "And if Santa does give me a million dollars I'm NOT sharing it with you."

Mmmm Mmmm Monday: Easy Oreo Truffles

Hooray for the holidays! I am going to post my all-time favorite holiday recipes every week in December.

Yes, I know that it's not December until tomorrow, but I am too impatient. Plus, Mmmm Mmmm Tuesday just doesn't flow. So if you are a November purist, don't read this post until tomorrow.

First up is a recipe that I stumbled on in Walmart last year. You know, those recipe sheets that they have in little clear holders on the side of their holiday baking displays? Yep...it's one of them. I actually grabbed the sheet for the other recipe on the page, but made this one instead. And let me tell you what...it was a HUGE hit! My hubby & my kids are always my taste testers, and I got RAVE reviews. They almost ate the entire batch before my parents, sisters and grandma could get here for Christmas and try them. They were that good.

Anyway, here you go!
Easy Oreo Truffles
1 package Oreo cookies, finely crushed, divided
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 packages (8 squares each) Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Mix 3 cups of cookie crumbes and cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 1 inch balls. I found that a regular size cookie dough scoop is perfect for these!

Dip balls into melted chocolate. Place on wax paper covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs. (We used red & green sprinkles for Christmas).

Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Store any leftover (haha, yeah right. Leftovers. That's funny.) in tightly covered container in fridge.

*I will be making some of these babies this week, so check back for pictures!*

Let's go shopping!

Today is the day that I start my Christmas shopping!

Well, technically not start, as I've already bought a few stocking stuffers here & there.

But today is the day that I start buying the big ticket items! Both boys want a Nintendo DS, so the plan is to get one today, and then get the second one after the next paycheck. I have three kids to buy for, plus nieces & nephews, so spreading out the expense is key.

I'm super excited for Christmas this year, too. We're going to be heading down to FL this year. December 23rd and 24th with the in-laws, and then Christmas Eve and Christmas day/weekend with my family. A few more days in Daytona with hubby's family and then it's back to Charleston to unpack, do laundry, and repack to go to a hockey tournament over New Year's weekend.

Okay, maybe I'm a little un-excited for that last part.

I am so tempted to bring along my Christmas cd's in the car today to get me in the spirit, but I will try to show restraint since my friend is coming along with me and I have already been teased about listening to Christmas music way too early. That's usually something I do when the kids are in school and the hubby's at work and no one is coming over to the house. I'm a closet "early Christmas music listener."

Hey- at least I'm not donning red sweaters with reindeer and Santa knitted into them!

In the spirit...

The other day I got caught listening to a Christmas cd while I was crafting.

(In my defense, I was working on holiday items and needed inspiration via music. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.)

But I'm not the only one in my house getting into the Christmas spirit. Last night the kids picked a Christmas movie to watch at bedtime. Then today, Jonah came home from school with a Christmas book from the library.

So HA. It's not just me, folks.

Apparently my whole family is crazy.

Christmas Pics (better late than never!)

Here are a few of my favorite shots from Christmas weekend. My family (mom, dad, 2 sisters, neice and grandma) made the drive up to Charleston from West Palm Beach, FL to spend the holiday with us. It was so fun!
My silly little monkey!


My sister & niece.
My baby sister and my boys.
We love mini-golf!!
Seeeesters!

Post-Christmas Crash

I don't know about you, but I'm beat. Presents on Christmas Eve with the kids, about a zillion more presents on Christmas day with my family from Florida, two days of after-Christmas sale shopping, mini golf for the boys, and a Stingrays hockey game all add up to loss of sleep and slacking on household duties.

Today is the day for catching up. Catching up on laundry, housework, Etsy orders, and sleep for the kids.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

To-do List:

Here's my holiday to-do list. A lot of it will have to get done TODAY because we will be in Florida from tonight through Monday the 22nd, thanks to hockey.

Jen's Christmas To-Do List:
Cut out felt pieces for teapot & teacups DONE
Sew teapot & teacups DONE
Finish Sophia's Christmas shirt DONE
Pack for Florida DONE
Sweep before trip DONE
Finish Christmas ornaments for Mom DONE
Clean house top to bottom (Christmas Eve day) DONE
Make onesie & burpie for Etsy order DONE
Mail out Christmas cards DONE
Finish wrapping Christmas gifts DONE
Get Eggnog from Publix for Christmas Eve DONE
Dishes DONE
Laundry DONE
-Towels DONE
- clothes from trip DONE
Make truffles, church windows, and cheesecake for Christmas Dinner DONE
Bake Cinnamon Bread DONE
Try not to lose my mind NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!

Think I'll get it all done by Thursday? Keep in mind that I'm going to have 3 full days away from my house between now & then. Pray for me, ya'll!

Christmas Q & A

Found this on Heather's blog, which I follow religiously! ETA: I swear it was there!! I went back to link myself and her post disappeared. Waaah!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper! Unless it's a really odd shape- then it gets bagged.
2. Real tree or Artificial? We always have artificial. The two Christmases we lived in AZ we had a real AND an artificial. Luke AFB participated in the Trees for Troops program, so both years we got a free real tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? Almost always it's the day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the weekend of New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Absolutely!! And Publix eggnog is the B-E-S-T! I'm so excited to be living in a state with a Publix again!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my Cabbage Patch dolls...my mom made me one when I was little, which I named Rachel. I lost her on a vacation to Florida (it was a major tragedy!!) so that year for Christmas I got a new one...she had bright orange hair and her name was Tabitha Agatha. I think I still have her in a box somewhere!!
8. Easiest person to buy for? That's easy. Sophia, or my neice Gianna. I'm so excited to finally buy pink, girly things! It's funny because they're only a year and a half, but they have their obsessions already. Sophia loves anything Tinkerbell, and Gianna has a Minnie Mouse fetish. It's so fun!
9. Do You have a nativity scene? I sure do. It's a beautiful one from Partylite that my sister and hubby bought me last year.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Usually I'm a stickler for mailing, but this year we are pinching pennies, so we are mailing cards to family and emailing them to everyone else. Sorry guys!!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A pair of Winnie the Pooh overalls when I was 20. My ex sister in law was a huge Pooh fan, and I don't know if I got the wrong gift or if my MIL assumed that every adult female loved Pooh just as much.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I don't think I have just one favorite. I love the Grinch (both versions), White Christmas, the old, clay-mation Rudolph, Muppet Family Christmas...and theres lots more. Go here for the full list!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to get stuff all through the year. But I usually crack down in October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I do believe that I have.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Shrimp & crabmeat, Church Windows, and banket.
16. Lights on the tree? DUH!
17. Favorite Christmas song? I really love Mercy Me's version of Silent Night.
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? We usually are stationed so far away from family that we just stay home. And this year we are close enough that family is coming to us! Yay!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Sure can. Can you?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? It's always an Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We usually open one present on Christmas Eve, and then all the rest on Christmas morning. But this year my family is arriving Christmas morning, so we'll be opening our presents Christmas Eve, and then the ones from extended family on Christmas day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How normally courteous and caring people turn so ridiculously mean and nasty.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I usually do blues and snowmen. But this year is just a whole conglomoration. It's actually driving me a little loony NOT to have a theme.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes & gravy. Mmmm.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't want anything material. I want my family to have a nice, relaxing day enjoying each other. It's been a crazy, hectic, headache of a year and I just want us to be able to have a day with no worries.

Your turn!! Go post on your blog, and them come back and leave me a comment so that I can go look!

Mmmm Mmmm Monday: Church Windows

This is a recipe that was my Grandma Doornbos's and has been passed down from her to my mom, and now to me. It's a family favorite at Christmas time. My mom used to make them every year and on Christmas Eve we'd drive all over town and pass them (and other baked goodies) to all of her friends and coworkers. My husband and kids have taken on a love for them now as well. (They're called church windows because when you slice them up they look like stained glass.)


Church Windows

1 bag chocolate chips
1 bag mini colored marshmallows
1 stick butter/margarine
wax paper


Melt bag of chocolate chips and stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir mixture every few minutes to minimize chunks. Once the chocolate takes on a creamy texture, remove from heat and cool for approximately 20 -25 minutes. You don't want the chocolate to be warm/hot because it will melt the marshmallows, but you don't want it to cool too much and harden. It has to be able to be stirred.

Stir in entire bag of mini marshmallows and coat completely with chocolate.
Place a portion of the coated marshmallows on a piece of wax paper.

Roll marshmallows up in wax paper to form a log. Each batch makes 3 or 4 logs.
Refrigerate. Once the chocolate has hardened, unroll the log from the wax paper and slice. Serve to all your friends, and be sure to enjoy!

Happy December!

I dont know about you, but I have mixed emotions about December this year. On one hand, I can't believe that it's already here, and that this year has gone by so quickly. On the other, I'm relieved and excited for this year to be over. It's been a tough one for me, and I'm praying with all of my might that 2009 will be better.

To me, December brings hope, promise, and usually brings out the best in people. Not always though. But overall, December is a happy, joyous month in our house. Time for decorations, Christmas cookies, seasonal music, and classic movies.


To kick of this wonderful month, I decided to make a list of my favorite Christmas movies. What are some of yours?

Christmas Photo Shoot

Today we took the kids to the Dorchester Historic Site and the Battery in downtown Charleston to take some Christmas pictures. It was cold so we didn't get to do as much as I'd hoped, but the ones we did get were great!

Handmade Christmas part 1

Since money's tight this year, I have decided to make the majority of the gifts for our family. I have been working on things for Sophia, my neice Gianna, my sisters, and my mother-in-law. And I roped the boys into being crafty this year too. A couple of weeks ago we went shopping at Michaels (by far one of my favorite places!) and bought some ceramic ornaments. The boys each picked out three to paint for their grandparents and their nana. Much to the boys' delight, today was they day they got to don their paintshirts and pull out their paintbrushes and get to work. Noah was not happy I took this becuase he was still in his pj's.

Note the concentration!

The finished products. Their grandparents and nana are going to love them!