The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I have to admit it. I was crazy excited for Christmas this year, mostly due to the fact that I knew Haeden would be having a blast with all of the wrapping paper, bows, boxes and, oh yeah, presents! However, I was also a little bummed because to me, Christmas is all about family and for the second year in a row we weren't having any extended family come to visit. Or so I thought.

It was the night before Christmas and I was laying on the couch in my pajamas, watching a terrible Lifetime holiday movie and feeling sorry for myself because of the migraine I had been developing all day. I had just put Haeden to bed, the boys were in their room testing out their new video games (we celebrate with them on Christmas Eve since they spend the next day with their mom and her family), and Hubby was at the dining room table working on... something. I don't know what. I was too busy feeling sorry for myself, remember?

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. We weren't expecting anyone, so I asked Hubby to answer the door since I was in my pajamas. He checked the peep hole and then opened the door just a little, telling me that I need to come and see for myself. I figured it was just a friend, maybe dropping off a gift for Haeden ( the ladies, they love him), but I still didn't get the whole "come see for yourself" line he gave me. When I saw my sister and her husband standing there, I totally peed my pants.  No, I'm kidding. I cried though! That was the most wonderful surprise this "peeker" could have received!

Now, on to the goodies...

Caught red-handed! See how he's reaching for an ornament?!

Santa brought Haeden an ATV! 

 We needed more cars in our house...

 Finally! A bike of his very own!

 Move over Bob the Builder! A new man's in town...

 We were, uh, testing for safety! And that bit, it is not safe! I have already been poked in the eye.

 They need one of their very own!

 My grandmpa. He's adorable.

With Grandma, who apparently didn't want her picture taken! But you can still see that she's gorgeous and doesn't look anywhere close to 81!

Wheeeee! That was fun. Let's do it again next year!



You Oughta Know

Joining in on the fun with Little Miss Momma, and continuing my lovely habit of over-sharing. Enjoy!

I seriously cannot get through the day without a piece of chocolate. Alright, maybe I can, but I don't want to even try...

I detest all seafood except for tuna. And even then, it has to be fancy albacore.

I am the official dishwasher at home. Our 1960's home and it's mostly original kitchen doesn't have one. I've never liked the dishes, but now it's kind of the only alone time I get when everyone is at home, so I don't mind so much anymore.

I hate my ears. I used to make my mom tape them back at night when I was a kid because I thought it make them stay that way. I'd still love to have them "fixed", but my family thinks I'm crazy.

I would love to one day turn a hobby into a business. And if I can't do that, I have to go back to school and get a degree.

My husband is good at all things artsy and while it's one of the things I love most about him, it's also a little bit intimidating for me when I want to be creative, too.

I love being a mom. It gives me more joy than chocolate. : )

Sometimes, I miss being pregnant.

I have a binder full of craft tutorials. I'm hoping one day to actually try them all.

I have a GREAT relationship with my Mom.

Having a son has brought me closer than ever to my Grandmother. I'm so thankful.

I don't tan. Like, I can't. The good thing about that is everyone thinks my red hair is natural.

I really want a dog. And a cat. And a horse. And an elephant... you get the idea...

I was allergic to red dye #40 as a kid. Some people think I still am, but I'm not.

I want to learn to crochet and do needlepoint.

I live in Florida, but I prefer mountains and lakes to beaches.

I have two step-sons. It's quite the challenging role, but I love them.

I used to be a Mormon. I sometimes miss the people and the feeling of being a part of something different, but I don't miss the religion itself.

I'm allowed to make fun of and complain about my family... but nobody else is or I get mad. Not even Hubby. hehe

And now, It's your turn! Link up with Little Miss Momma!



Last Minute Gift - DIY Sugar Scrub

I like to think that homemade gifts are always cherished and even add a personal touch to this season of giving. I learned a long time ago that if you have to get a gift for a woman, and you have no idea which direction to go in, you really can't go wrong with some kind of fancy bath gift. Oh, but you can't afford to send them for a day at the spa? Well, how about you bring the spa to them with their very own peppermint sugar scrub! Ehhhh? Ehhhhh?

These are so easy and quick that I spent about an hour last weekend (nothing like the last minute) preparing these for each of my co-workers and Haeden's teachers. They seem to have been a hit so far and while I ran out of ingredients before I got to make one for myself, my hands definitely reaped the benefit during clean up.

Here's what you need:
1 cup sugar ( I used raw, but I read granulated is fine)
1/2 cup almond, sesame or olive oil ( I went with extra virgin olive oil since it was cheaper than the other two and I was making 10 of these bad boys)
1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional, but acts as a preservative to make your scrub last up to 6 months)
1 tsp essential oil of your choice (I used peppermint. Perfect for the season, energizing, clears those sinuses!)
1 tsp coconut oil
7 - 10oz container (Mine is from Dollar Tree!)

Directions:
Mix sugar, olive oil and coconut oil. Then add in vitamin E and peppermint oils. Stir. Pour into jar. Fancy it up with a bow, ribbon, gift tag, or whatever you like and give someone the gift of skin as soft as a baby's bottom!

A Couple of New Favorites

It's Christmas Eve Eve, you guys! Unfortunately, I'm stuck here at work until 3pm. Boo! Hiss! Anyway, I took a few pictures last night of things I wanted to share with you. The first is an ornament that Haeden "made" at daycare. They took his picture by their Christmas tree and then pasted it to a foam cut out of a train. It's adorable. I keep going over to the tree just to look at his little picture because it instantly puts a smile on my face. Speaking of smiles, note Haeden's shy one and the way he sweetly has his hands clasped. You'll just melt!

I also wanted to share Haeden's stocking. It's pretty hilarious. See, Hubby and his boys all have darling knit stockings that were made by his grandmother. Since she has passed away, I asked my own grandmother if she would make a stocking for Haeden's first Christmas last year. She obliged, although she warned us that she had never made one before. I wasn't looking for perfection though, I was just hoping for something homemade with lots of love. I'll admit to being a little surprised when we received the stocking... it was a little bigger than expected.

To be fair, the stocking's that Hubby's grandmother made are, in my opinion, smaller than the typical store-bought kind. I'm not quite sure where my own was going with this one though. She clearly didn't find it necessary to use a pattern. But, she was 80 years-old when she made it and honestly, I think it's pretty damn perfect. Imperfections and all. Besides, big stockings = more presents, right?!

Something tells me this guy won't be complaining! Hmmm. I wonder if she'll make me one next?!