He Picks Up Like a Pro!

I asked Judson, "Are you picking up?" "No, Mama."

It was time to pick up. It was VERY quiet.

This is the mess to be cleaned up....

This is why it was so quiet.

49 Days Until Christmas!

I wanted to have all my Christmas shopping done early this year....But I didn't plan early enough to have the money saved up. Next year, right? Well, that still leaves this year. I needed everything to be done before December. The whole month is ALWAYS crazy! With Christmas parties and exciting visitors and baking and all the fun stuff that comes with Christmas, well, I want to be able to enjoy it and have a clean house all at the same time. So I have to have my shopping done. I hate trying to think of things to get everyone for christmas. I do not want to spend money on stuff no one wants. I do not want to buy toys that will be discarded in 20 minutes...What's the solution?



My sister and I decided to do things differently this year....Instead I am going to MAKE all of our Christmas presents...

It's gonna be a HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS! I think it will be tons of fun! Not only will it be cheaper but while we are making the gifts we will have time to think about and pray for the loved ones we are creating for. It may be a total disaster and it may never happen again but I have already bought all the material and have tons of ideas so I am committed for this year!



I would share my ideas with you but pretty much the only people that read this are the very ones we are making things for so maybe after Christmas I will put up some pictures.



But how about you all? Anyone doing things differently this year? What are some of your favorite frugal homemade gifts? If you are considering doing this let me recommend a blog to you: Sew Mama Sew. Yes it's a sewing blog but they have some really great ideas if you like sewing and even if you don't they might get your creative juices going!

Happy November, all!

Blog Exclusive!

These pictures have never been seen anywhere before! This is just for you blogger buddies. Here we have a pretty stinkin' cute spider...Thanks Aunt Angie!
The friendly 'girl' dragon....$6 at a consignment sale!

The whole crew! Little Red Riding hood,(I made the red hood and apron), dragon, spider, and Buzzy Bee, (consignment sale $4!)

Ok, so they aren't the best pictures ever......but no one else has seen them!

I don't think there is anyway I could catch you all up on everything that has happened in the past 2 months of my hiatus. I missed posting FaithLyn's birthday....It was such a busy weekend I didn't even take pictures...NOT ONE!

The older girls are taking gymnastics. They love it. It's tons of fun to watch.

Judson is talking up a storm now.....Of course I am just about the only one who can understand him, but it's a start! He is also partially potty training....I say partially because he refuses to poop in the potty. He's got the peepee down...well actually I have it down, because I take him every two hours and he pees.....But until he poops in the potty I am not even trying underwear...it's just not worth the trouble to me. I would have never started this early if it was up to me, but we spent one whole morning trying on underwear that he found from cousin Luke and then he didn't want to put on his diaper....So we compromised and he has been wearing pull-ups. Of course there were a few other signs that he might be getting ready but I WAS NOT READY!!!

Olivia is getting really close to being ready to start learning to read! She is super ready.

Anyone Out there?

I am trying to get motivated to blog again. I have lots of pictures and stories to share...maybe this new look will get me going. NO promises, though!