Happy Halloween Redeemed & How to "Save" on Fall Clothes

You ask how can you save on buying fall clothes for you kids? Well, buy them a costume & they will wear it for 2 months! No need to buy the latest & greatest when you have Costume Shops galore! I am not kiddin' folks! 

I hope you have a safe & Happy Halloween Redeemed! 

AdventING Away!

I just simply LOVE this Advent Calendar and all the memories it is creating for our family! My son has caught on so quickly! The very first thing he does in the morning is check the Advent Calendar. He counts to whatever day we are on, pulls the box out and takes it to daddy to read what we are doing to celebrate this season for that day! So far it has been a blast to reference everything back to Jesus. Who made the snow flake(of course that is after I have explained to a Texas boy what a snow flake is)? Showing him how a candy cane is not just candy but has The Messiah all over it. Reading about Jesus as a baby and seeing the awe of expression on a 4 yr old is pure JOY. Just JOY! I LOVE this time of year. Don't you? Here are a few pictures from our ADVENTING!

Here is a close up. Each box has a piece of paper it telling us what we will be doing.

Candy cane project & story about Jesus!

some of us were challenged in the snowflake making department. Can you guess which ones belong to my son, my husband and me? 

ADVENT Calendar

I am soooooo excited about this month of December. This year I actually made a beautiful box with decorated paper, cute buttons and numbers or a.k.a. Advent Calendar for my family. I am sorry that I don't have a picture of it. I will soon. Our goal is to celebrate! Every morning we open the box that corresponds with the day and read what is on the paper. We will celebrate Jesus, family, friends and community. For the next 25 days that is what we will be doing. Some activities are very simple and others require a little more work. The goal is to do something different. Today was simple. Our son hung the star on our Christmas Tree. What I love about starting out with the star is talking about Jesus. It was a bright star that led the wise men to Jesus. It is such a great beginning to a wonderful month that is all about our Savior!

What will you be doing to celebrate the Savior with your family?

Excuse the pictures. It was early in the morning when we did this but at least it is authentic! Plus we were still in our p.j.'s. You know it is these pictures that end up being my favorite. Simply because of what it represents!

Thanksgiving, Gratitude and Giving

It is still Thanksgiving month right? Yeah, I thought so. I We have been busy this month. Well, actually the past couple of months. Traveling, volunteering, schooling, doctor's appointments, young families gathering and somewhere in there working! Breathe. It has been full of making memories or as my family calls it "makin' a memory." I think that is what I LOVE about November. In Texas it brings cold weather. No really cold weather below 60! YEE HAW! November offers so much of giving and gratitude. My son knows Christmas is coming but he is also aware that before new toys are to enter our home, old ones must go. We take the time in November to do this. Yes, he does it with me. We go through each section of his toys deciding which ones are worthy to enter the big brown box a.k.a the moving box. I was shocked when my son said "my trains can go in there." Really? Hummm, let me make sure he understands that THIS box is being donated to another child in need and not going in storage for a later play date. Sure enough he knew exactly what he was doing! I asked him why his favorite toys.

"Mom, didn't you say that this box will go to another little boy?"
"Yes, son I did."
"Mom, what if that little boy has never played with trains then he would never know the JOY that I have known. Plus, these are really cool trains."

tears, tears tears.....sniff sniff

I love the honesty and pure love that flows from a child. They get it. They get it more than we do. I am grateful he was(and is) so willing to give his best so that another can be blessed. Makes me reflect back to the Old Testament of when sacrifices were offered at the altar. You were to bring your best before the Lord. It was a time to focus on what HE has done for you. To worship. To honor. To THANK Him. In these precious moments with my child I do believe he is worshipping the Lord in a very tangible way that he knows how. I know in that moment the Lord was pleased and so was his momma ;0).

Today, GOD still calls for our best. For us to be living sacrifices for HIM. To ask HIM what do you want me to do today Lord? Where do you want my feet to go? What do you want my tongue to say? How do you what my hands to serve? What should my eyes see and my ears hear? So, Lord today is yours so have thine own way.


Romans 12:1 Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him.


I am so grateful for a son who in that moment had a heart of gratitude that led him to offer his best because he was so thankful for all his blessings. I hope your Thanksgiving was FULL of many wonderful memories.

Mr. Independent!

Happy 4th of July! We had such a wonderful time in the Round Rock Brushy Creek bike parade! It was after that, that the challenges of a 4 yr old under extreme situations had us scratching our heads. He did fine, no really he did! You know that point in the outing where they go from "angels" to "that is not my child"? Yep, we got some looks! Ugh, so embarrassing but we stuck to our guns and left the fun! It is part of life so why not share it. No one likes to read a blog where the children appear perfect or even close. Look at the picture below and maybe you can tell by his facial expression the kind of behavior he  exhibited.  However, all the other activities before that were a blast. Lil man rode his decorated bike in the parade, played with puppies, rode a train, played in a bubble pit, was sprayed by the fire department's water hose and rode a merry go round. All in 2 1/2 hours! I hope you are enjoying your freedom today!  

Mr. Sweaty, hot and hungry! not a good combo

Getting in line for the parade!

All together! 

Even the puppies were festive. 

And we're off! 

Beautiful day full of beautiful people! 

Yay! we finished!

I Heart...

this sweet boy....

The smirk says it all

I hope you are enjoying this day full of LOVE. More importantly I pray you know the Master's LOVE.

For Valentine's and future ones to come, I would like to talk about something that has been brewing in my head for some time. I want to raise a gentleman. One who respects all people and is loving. Lately, one thought brewing in my head is this whole Hallmark Holiday Valentine Craziness. I want to take it down about 20 notches! Trust ME I love it! I love the flowers, chocolates and gifts! However, my son may not marry someday and I have had to turn my wheels a bit. Do I wish for him to be married? You betcha. If it is out of God's plan? No way! I really want my son to understand that Valentine's Day can be celebrated in a different way by serving people. I am NOT saying you have to be married or with someone to celebrate it. I just want to make sure we at this house are celebrating LOVE period. LOVE comes in all forms and requires us to open our eyes.

Taking our neighbor to lunch who is without family & a job

Baking cookies for a man who is struggling since his wife left him

Making a card for an elderly person who is lonely & visiting them

Inviting a friend over for dinner who does not live in a Christian home

Choosing some of our toys to take to the Children's home and play with them

Picking a few of our clothes to bring to a home whose father & mother have been without a job for years and struggle to clothe their child

Things like that. Yes, I want it to go beyond Valentine's Day. For I want it to be every day about Christ. Whether with our words, hands or feet. May it all be for the sake of the call.

A side note...one tradition I am instilling here at our house is my son gets to pick the fancy menu for Valentine's and gets to help cook it. He sets the dining room table with the nice dishes and napkins. This is actual something we have been trying to do this year. To sit at the formal table 3 times a week with a nice meal. No toys! No phones! Just family time. I pray that you are having a wonderful day.

Is it TOO LATE?

To Post about Christmas....;0)

Life has just been super busy! We did have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family. It was very magical to me to be with my mom and in laws for the Christmas Holidays again. It has been many years since we all spent the Holiday together. I did all the cooking, cleaning, planning and wrapping. I REALLY enjoyed the weekend and the days around it. Hubby even got paid for being off and was off for 4 days! WOW! Never had that before! Below are some pictures of the blessed event!

Getting ready to go look at Christmas lights! A Christmas Eve tradition!

and YES we go in our P.J.'S!

Ready to go!(please keep in mind I had NO make up on)

Our son took this photo!

I love this one! I think it is because you can see the JOY on our faces. Just pure enjoyment of being together and making wonderful memories.

Oh yes! The bike & guitar from Santa!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Success!

Tool Time in puzzle form!

I love that he is reading his book and there are still tons of gifts behind him.

So I Realize....

Picture on our Christmas card!

I haven't blogged in a REALLY LONG time! Have you missed me?(insert cheesy grin). I have missed you!

First, let me explain all the turn of events that have occurred and why I have stepped away from blog world. Yes, that includes reading them too! Even my favorites have suffered from my lack of attention. Ha! Our house in Houston has been under contract and we have been dealing with the selling of our home there. If you don't know what I'm talking about let me just say, it is a lot of negotiation! I mean a lot!

Second, my father was diagnosis with kidney cancer. My brother and I have been in the throws of decisions and choices. One doctor says one thing and another says something different. Either way we are looking at what would be quality of LIFE at this point. We are trying to get him moved here to be with me. If you will pray for wisdom and clarity on this matter.

Thirdly, we have travelled to the grandparent's house for Thanksgiving. Yes, that is how long it has been since I have blogged. We had a wonderful time celebrating each other and learning about daddy's town where he grew up!

Then we had 2 events at our son's school. One was a Thanksgiving Feast and the other was a Christmas Show. Both were so close together. The first was celebrated the week before Thanksgiving break and the other the second week in December. We enjoyed it!

Next, we were invited to see Santa in a very personal way. One of the moms' hired a Santa to come to her home, read stories and take pictures with him. Only 6 children and their families came to the event. This was very special!

Lastly, I had a major event at church where I volunteered to be a participant. They have what is called "Christmas Dinner & A Show." You buy a table, decorate it and choose to be the main hostess of that table. You answer any questions concerning about Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation. My new found buddy and I decided to invite women we run into almost on a daily basis. For example grocery store, bank, shopping at favorite stores and wherever else. She and I purchased the tickets together, prayed over them and the people who would come and then we began our planning of the table. Which I love to do! I will tell you that 21 women came to Christ that night and 20 others wanted to learn more about him through bible study. Praise God for a wonderful night! The church was decorated with Christmas Trees throughout the building but the most important was the message being delivered. After all HE gave us the best gift.

and somewhere in all of this we had to get Christmas cards out with our pictures on it! ha!

Here are a few pictures of the past events. I do not have my pictures of The Christmas Dinner and A Show Event downloaded yet but I will get to it, eventually ;0)!

Thanksgiving feast at school!

Thanksgiving feast.

Mother in law;s beautiful table setting for Thanksgiving!

Playing trains at grandma and grandpa's house

Scooter time!

Private Santa Party!

Christmas Show!

I HOPE & PRAY that you will have a wonderful time with your families for Christmas!

This is what happens

when you blog straight for 31 days.......you take a break! haha!

Actually, we had family in town and then I had a girl's weekend get away! I have been out of pocket for 10 days. Here is a little catch up! Paw & Memaw(hub's folks) came to visit over the Halloween weekend. We did our usual Trunk or Treat at a local church. It was very different from what we are use to back in Houston. It was still good but no one does it like Champions!

So, little man changed his mind 20 times for Halloween costume choices. He has said tinkerbell because she is really pretty to a monster truck since they get to race. The kid loves it all. I think go by the rule of "what ya said first" works for me! Hahaha!!!!! Unfortunately for him I went with the first decision he made waaaaaayyyyyyyy back in August. He really wanted to be a fireman! I either put them together(I don't sew yet), buy them super cheap or borrow a costume. So, I was able to get his whole costume for under $20! That included the hat. I am really grateful that I chose to not spend so much or find cheaper ways since my child only had it on for a few hours! Hubs and I in the past have dressed up right along with him. This year we didn't. I am not exactly sure why. Maybe I ran out of time! We still had a great time!

An interesting thing happen at trunk or treat. It was kinda scary. My mother-in-law was walking to get to the side walk when a car was backing up. I guess the woman wasn't paying attention and she came within one inch of running over my mil. My father-in-law step between her and the car to keep the car from hitting her. We were in complete shock! The lady in the car was in shock to the point where she couldn't speak. Her husband ran from the other side of the parking lot to check on us. He was in panic mode. Now, my mil has really bad knees to the point where she uses a cane so her chances of quickly stepping out of the way were very slim. This is why my fil had to yell and step in front of her and the car. My husband was with our son so he didn't see it until I yelled out to his parents. It was dark but most people turn their heads to look behind them. It couldn't have been a worst situation. Thankfully everyone is okay.

After all the trunk treats we headed over to my mom's neck of the woods. It has been such a blessing to live so close to my mom. I know most girls do not have that. I am blessed to have a great relationship with her and live close by.

We really enjoyed our first Halloween in Austin. Pretty cool town with lots to do! Of course we had to end the evening with one piece of candy with bear and blanket in tow. "Mrs. TD, you can see he still loves on those wonderful blankets you made."