Christmas Jammies, Smiles & Tears

The kids got new matching Christmas jammies. We broke them out December 1 (gotta get as much wear out of them as possible this month!) And amazingly enough, they both wanted to stand in front of the Christmas tree for pictures - that was Mackenzie's idea!! (she's growing up:)

Things started off great! Big smiles all around!!

Then fighting ensued over the Mickey Mouse Santa. His nose almost got ripped off.

Mackenzie won. Size counts in this household (for the time being)

But Conner's tears and Mackenzie's unwillingness to share caused the photo session and fun to end. Night-night time for the little ones (and mama!)

The end.

Burlap Wreath

The crafty juices have started flowing again. My sewing machine is out on my desk. And I've been making, making, making. It makes me happy and relaxes me:) Merry early Christmas family and friends - you will be receiving homemade gifts!

I found this cute little wreath idea on Courtney's blog. She's such a cute and creative girl! And she's Jerica's sister-in-law! She has the greatest decor ideas. You need to check our her blog - you will be inspired!

So, I took a stab at creating this wreath with wonderful burlap (more on my love of this later). It's simple and you can change out the bow to match any season of the year. Plus, I'm into the nature, kind of "stylized country" look right now (I've been buying Country Living and loving the issues!) I think I need to add a little color to my bow but this is all I had at the time being. Making a Michael's run tomorrow....yeah!!! (and my walls need some color - blah!)

I really do love burlap and you should too:) It goes great with everything. It's easy to work with, although kind of messy. And there are tons and tons of ideas online and in magazines on what to do it the stuff. Plus, I found a web site that has it on sale for $.99/yard! That's ridiculously cheap! It's usually $3.99/yard which isn't expensive, but you can't beat a buck a yard!! Here's the site: www.onlinefabricstore.net

Happy crafting!

So thankful!

We had quite a Thanksgiving!! It was so wonderful! I am incredibly blessed to have such an incredible and huge family (and it keeps growing!!). 

While Angela and Heath were honeymooning in Thailand (rough life) and mom and dad were leisurely playing golf, spending time with friends and relaxing, we were corralling kids, dogs, adults and chaos. All in all there were 11 adults, 6 kids (1 bun in the oven) and 9 dogs. Plus, an abundance of food that made me thankful to be pregnant and wearing maternity jeans!!

Here's our weekend: 

Oh yeah! Cheddar chive mashed potatoes....deeelish! I also made a homemade apple pie - another success!! 

My hubby smoked the best turkey EVER! I ♥ Jeremy and the Big Green Egg!

Did you know that I married quite the stud? He is! 

La Smorgasbord 

Post dinner....who's baby is bigger? Mine with a real baby inside or Jeremy's food baby?

Cowboys!

Watching the game and catching up with folks on the phone...that's how he rolls!

Olivia found some gold in there!!

What's in your mouth Conner? Oh thanks, just what we wanted to see.

Christmas lights at Papi and Gigi's!

Hmmm...not the picture I was hoping for.

Cousin bath time. 

Knox H.A.T.E.D it!

But the others love it! I think by the time Natalie and I drug Olivia and Mackenzie out, the water was freezing.

The next morning I found my babies snuggled up together. Heart melted!

We attempted a family picture. Can't wait to see the final products! It's going to be hilarious with this many people and kiddos!! Conner was in a great mood this morning, can't you tell?!?!

Gigi found a way to make Conner smile and laugh! It did the trick!! Here she is in action....

Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman

The Winds Of Change – Becoming A Proverbs 31 Woman

By: Kristin at The Smith Family Journey

Article can be found at (in)courage

As I sit here the wind outside is blowing. First one way and then another. The leaves can’t seem to find a solid place to land. It has been like this for a few days now. One moment our lawn is filled with leaves from the neighbor’s trees and when I look out again our lawn is surprisingly clear.

Such is my life at times.

Times when it seems like everything around me is blowing and changing and I just want to find a solid place to land.

It can start from the moment that I wake – so many things I think there is to do. And although I am up much earlier than I should need to be, I find myself blowing around until the door closes behind us.

And I am missing the opportunities to see and hear the sounds and beauty around me. I am so busy flying from one spot to another, looking for that solid place to land that I miss what is right in front of me.

The thump, thump of little feet running down the hallway.

A messy-haired bright-eyed boy who wants nothing more than to say good morning to his mama and have some juice.

A young boy who has questions about the world because he is trying to find his place in it.

When my focus is on myself and all that I think needs to be done in a day, I stop focusing on what God has placed as gifts right in front of me in my family.

Smiles and laughter, hugs and love, encouragement and respect.

These are the things that I need to be intentional about every day with my family. These are the things that I want them to remember about me.

Proverbs 14:1 “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

Not that I got yet another load of laundry done, or vacuumed the floors again.  While an important part of my families daily life  – it isn’t what they should remember about me.

It shouldn’t be my main focus!

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

So as the winds blow outside I know that I do not have to be moved. I can secure my foundation on Christ. Focus on His will for me as a wife and mother. And start to become a Proverbs 31 Woman.

Proverbs 31:2 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.”

Proverbs 31:10-12 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.”

In what area do you struggle in becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman?

Christmas Planning

I've been researching new and fun Christmas-y things for us to do. I've complied a list that we probably won't complete but I'm at least proud of myself for finding some things:) 

Unfortunately, we're going to miss the majority of festivities here in Austin. They're all happening this upcoming weekend but we'll be heading to Dallas to cheer on Hayley as she WINS the White Rock Marathon!! RUN, HAYLEY, RUN!!

Christmas Planning

I've been researching new and fun Christmas-y things for us to do. I've complied a list that we probably won't complete but I'm at least proud of myself for finding some things:) 

Unfortunately, we're going to miss the majority of festivities here in Austin. They're all happening this upcoming weekend but we'll be heading to Dallas to cheer on Hayley as she WINS the White Rock Marathon!! RUN, HAYLEY, RUN!!

The Ministry of Motherhood

"This is the true ministry of motherhood - to usher my children into the living presence of God, to nurture in them a heart for Jesus and the Great Commission He has called each of us to fulfill."

I just finished reading this incredibly encouraging and inspiring book on how to "follow Christ's example in reaching the hearts of my children!" And I'm planning on buying every single other book Sally Clarkson and her husband, Clay, have written!! What powerful words that put parenting into the RIGHT perspective - this is a ministry God has called me into!

You can find more information on the Clarkson family at their ministry's web site: www.wholeheart.org

Their books can also be purchased at Amazon.com

The New Year is right around the corner....what better way to start off 2012 than by committing yourself and your life to serving your children, training them up to be servants of the Lord, and setting a Christ-like example for them?!?!

Sally and family will be in Dallas (Las Colinas to be exact) Feb 17-18 holding their Mom Heart Conference. Click HERE for more details. I'm going!!! Please let me know if you'd be interested in attending!