Blogging Break

I am taking a break from blogging until after Thanksgiving. Only 1 month until Christmas and I have projects to finish up, gifts to wrap, you all know the drill. And remember my goal is to be finished by the end of this month. I can't wait to show you what I have been working on. Some fun stuff....

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remember to write down what you are thankful for, it is really neat to look back at. I did a little mini album for our Thanksgiving, I'll share it after the holidays.

Be Thankful,
*a*

Making your Home a Haven

Monica over at The Homespun Heart is doing a series on Making your Home a Haven, today is cleaning. I missed yesterday, due to Christmas shopping, so I am jumping in a day late. I think this is such a great idea. My goal for my home is to have a happy and loving environment for my family based on God's word.

I really encourage you to participate in this challenge, our home life is so very important....

Today's Plan
Clean upstairs, dust, and vaccum
Work on the laundry room
clean the kid's room
declutter toys
dust, mop and sweep the entire downstairs
Take Christmas gifts out of our car and hide
Spend time in God's word

This is alot to do in one day, but I think I can get it accomplished. I'll be back later to upload pictures of my progress.

Giving Thanks
I am so thankful for my home, it's not big and fancy, but it's just right for us...

Holidays by Hand (papercrafting)

This is the second week of holidays by hand and it's papercrafting, my favorite type of craft.

My project is a Dates to Remember mini album. I have to admit, I am horrible when it comes to remembering birthdays, so this book is perfect for people like me or if you just want a book to keep all those important dates in. Since there is no year on this book you can use it year after year, plus there are pictures in it. It just can't get any better than this.

Now for the mini album:


Front and back cover were make from a cracker box, this is a really inexpensive and green way to make a chipboard album cover. I just cover the inside with paper and painted the outside, after it was dry I embelleshed it.

inside



Each page is a different month and on that month I attached pictures of the people that are celebrating birthdays that month. Now I just did birthdays, but you can include anniverisaries or any other important date that you want to remember. On each page I attached a pocket, this is for my cards. I just stapled mine, but you can sew or even glue them on.



On the last page I included a pocket, I just cut up a page protector and stapled it on, this is for my stamps. Now there is no excuse not to send those cards out.
I bound my mini album with rings, you can buy these at Wal-mart and they are pretty inexpensive.

This album came together pretty quickly, after I had all my pictures printed out, it only took about 2 hours to complete.

For more ideas on papercrafting, go to Small Notebook.


Giving Thanks
I am thankful for the rain.....Last night we got some rain, our creeks are really low so we really needed this rain. Plus I just love the sound of rain hitting the roof, so relaxing.

Happy papercrafting,
*a*

Toys (continued)

Wednesday, I talked about the toys that standed the test of time in our house and how I hated buying toys that my kids just played with for a day and then were finished with it. Well I wanted to show you Bisty Boo's favorite toy at the moment... If you have a 12 month old you need to have this "toy", now there is probably no need to go out and buy this, because you probably already have this in your home -


See, kids can entertain themselves with the things you already have, there is no need to go out and buy expensive toys, just let them clean out your cupboards.



Since Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away I have decided to add a "What I am Thankful For" at the end of all my post. I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes we get pre-occupied with our day to day activities and we forget to be thankful for the things God has given us.

I am Thankful for my family. I have 4 healthy children and a wonderful hubby, that God has blessed me with and I know sometimes I take them granted but I am so very thankful for them. Luv you guys to no end......


With a Grateful Heart
*a*

Works for me Wednesday....

Toys worth buying....is there such a thing??? I know I get so upset when my kids don't play with the things that they have gotten for Christmas. It is so discouraging when I fill up a bag for Good Will with practically new toys that they only played with a few times. With money a little tighter and with 4 children this year we are cutting back no more, the more the better thought at Christmas. With having 4 kids, I have found some toys that are worth buying and that can be passed down from child to child.

Lincoln Logs - my mom bought my oldest (12) these when he was 3, he played with them, my daughter now 10 played with them, and now my 5 year old builds an entire town in his room with them. I am hoping Bitsy will love them also. They are still in wonderful shape.

Legos - Once again these were bought for my oldest and he just loved them, now my 5 year is using his imagination and building cars, planes, and whatever else he little mind comes up with.

Bead Kit - This will keep my 10 year old daughter busy for hours and even her little brother enjoys stringing beads and making necklaces and braclets.

Craft kit - there is no need to go out and buy a fancy-smancy kit, I just fill a tool box or bag with crayons (from back to school sale at Wal-mart), markers, paint, paper and some stamps. This kit will keep them busy for hours.

There are alot more toys that I think are definitely worth buying, but this list is my favorites and have been standed the test of time in our house. If you want more ideas on toys go check out Rocks in my Dryers, I know I will be spending a lot of time here today checking out all the ideas, because Christmas is coming fast folks....

here's to spending wisely this Christmas,
*a*

New Look

I decided to change the look of my blog, what do you think? The best part it was free, go here and check it out....

One year ago....

my 4th child was born. Bitsy Boo was tiny and beautiful and we were so happy that she was healthy. Miss Pie was so excited she finally had a baby sister, she told us she was moving out if this baby was a boy. I guess sandwiched in between two brothers isn't the funniest. Bitsy fit into our family perfectly and now she is 1, I know everyone says that they can't believe it when their baby turns 1, but it is so true, because this past year just seemed to fly by. From a tiny baby, to smiling, cooing, crawling, and walking she is no longer a baby but a little girl.

November 1, 2007 1:30



November 1, 2008 1:30

Happy First Birthday little Miss Aly!!!!!!!