Happy New Year!

Hope you enjoy ringing in 2014! We went out last night while the kids were in bed and made our new years resolutions and we are all staying in tonight - staying warm and cozy as it snows outside!
Lots of love to you and wishes for a happy and blessed 2014!! xoxo

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was with the Jones family this year and we got lots of fun family times while everyone was in town this year. Celebrating bdays, anniversaries, etc. Loved having special cousin time too - here's a few pics - two from Thanksgiving Day and one from an impromptu diaper dance party!

Jones Thanksgiving sibs & kids 2013

Diaper Dance Party

Halloween 2013

A little late...but still fun! Got to dress Lucy up as Ragedy Ann 3 times this year! It was so fun and she loved it. Noah was a horsey, just like Lucy was 2 years ago :)

Too Many Toys!

Love these Christmas gift ideas for kiddos!

Turkey, Stuffing & Cranberry Bake

Got this from a friend a few years ago and I LOVE IT!If you have leftover turkey from thanksgiving and you are a turkey+cranberry type like me then definitely try this!

Ingredients:
1 Jar (4.5 ounces) sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup Butter or Margarine
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 & 1/4 cups Ranch Dressing
2/3 cups water
3 cups Seasoned Stuffing mix (I just used Stovetop Stuffing)
1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries (I used a whole bag because I like
cranberries)
3 cups coarsely shredded cooked turkey (about 1 pound, i went to the
deli and found just regular turkey and asked them to slice it in
between half and inch to 3/4 of an inch thick and two slices cut like
that were perfect. I just pulled it apart when i got hope to give the
shredded affect. Either do that or you can go to boston market and get
turkey from them.)

Directions:
Drain mushrooms, reserving the liquid for later; set aside. Melt
butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add celery and onion;
saute for 4 minutes or until soft. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2
cup ranch dressing, water and reserved mushroom liquid, mix well. Stir
in stuffing mix and cranberries until thoroughly moistened. Combine
Turkey, Mushrooms and remaining 3/4 cup dressing in a SEPARATE bowl,
mix well; spread evenly in a 8-inch baking dish. Top with stuffing
mixture. Bake @ 350F for 40 minutes or until bubbly and brown.
makes 4-6 servings.

My Christmas book list

Never thought I'd see the day that I would ask for books for Christmas.....that has just always been a Joe thing and I always wanted clothes and shoes. Guess I'm getting real mature these days.......??? :)

Anyways....These lovely little books are on my list!

(let me know if you have any ideas for me to add!)

Buy here

buy here

book review here

buy here

Movies

I didn't feel the need to see "gravity" - not really my type of movie I guess.... But Joe and I found this article interesting and we ended up just seeing it in 3D no less. My first 3D film. It was good & I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time. Not much plot, character background or development and yet I found myself engaged and feeling really linked to the main characters.

Also would like to get to Captain Phillips in the cheap theatre or on DVD and planning on seeing Catching Fire after the hype dies down a bit.

Any movies you all are excited to see this fall/winter or any recommendations?

source

why being a mom is enough.

why being a mom is enough.

Thank you to the lady who wrote this blog post.

I feel so unaccomplished sometimes; when I see the different blogs, online shops, jobs, traveling, crafts, clean/organized/beautiful homes, etc that other mothers are somehow doing & having. I typically have no idea how they are doing it all because even one day of mothering 2 littles and not sleeping enough has me barely making it through a day of doing nothing and going no where outside of our pajamas and our home.

Thankful to have this blogger's perspective that no matter what anyone else does, me being a mother and being there for my kids, intentionally being there with them is all that matters for me right now. And it's enough.

Lipsticks

I am loving seeing all these colors on this gal from Gal Meets Glam. I feel like her skin tone and hair color is similar to mine so it really helps me see which colors I like and which I think would work for me. Links at the bottom:











All photos from Gal meets Glam blog 
First lipstick demo here
Second lipstick demo here

Must. Read.

Get it here

Inspiring, convicting, amazing and beautiful.

You should read it. That is all!

Why Toddler Throw Tantrums

Interesting read on Why Toddlers Throw Tantrums.
It is inevitable, so as I try to discipline, love and train my kids it's interesting to know the science behind their reactions and then I can keep asking the Lord to teach me how to respond well in all of these fun situations!

Even Barbie is normal?

Loved this photo. Really made my day.




And this blogpost too.

Jane.com = amazing deals......

BUT very addictive!!

Oy! Sign up for the daily emails and you might REALLY thank me at first and then really NOT thank me later. Tons of Etsy shop Blow-out bargains. Most items are 40-80% off and this site has everything. Personalized home decor, clothes, jewelry & accessories, bedding, stuff for kids - you name it. But it's a limited amount of items each day and when they sell out, they sell out.....

Here's a sampling below of deals from a couple weeks ago - It's worth checking out, at least for Christmas deals, especially for all the ladies on your list. Or for yourself.....I picked out some things I will give my mom to give me..... :) :)
Then when you are truly done shopping for Christmas - maybe unsubscribe just to be safe!


Personalized prints - $14.99


Chevron scarves - $4.99


Aztec Scarves - $6.99



Personalized necklace - $14.99





Door Decals - $3.99



Watches - $12.95





Necklaces - $5.99

My bro

Got some time with this guy on my nephew's bday in Sept. It was too quick but still had a wonderful time. He is my only sibling and having his friendship through my life is not something I take for granted. I'm so proud of him - he puts bad guys behind bars for the government and he is an awesome dad, husband, friend, son uncle and brother. It's his bday and I am just so thankful to have known this guy my whole life.

(Disclaimer - he has crazy spiked hair because we both had to run out to our cars in the pouring rain...:))

Parcel Post

Love this girl, her blog and her new business venture. Pure hand-crafted preciousness.
(Ok, I don't know her, but I feel like I do - her blog is full of lovely photos of her sweet family, her CUTE little house and a wealth of God-honoring words and wisdom.)

Check out her Etsy shop and order a monthly subscription to receive a box of handmade good each month - I love it! And check out her blog post about Parcel Post and enter to win a month's subscription!

Shabby chic packages

Little boy packages

Little girl packages

Little Buddies

These two are just killing me lately. They are sweet little beans who are doing SO much together and are seeming so similar in looks too. Just loved some of these moments that I captured quick on my ipod. Just trying to soak these days into my memory and my heart. Though tiring, they are precious days that I never want to forget.