It started with the lid

http://www.kidsbabydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/american-standard-childrens-toilet.jpg

A while back, Ella got up to use the bathroom and fell into the un-ringed toilet bowl. She screamed and with her wet little behind came yelling out "Who left the lid up??" Well, it was Daddy, oops. Lately Peter has been in the bad habit of leaving the seat up and last night she put it down for him and he said, "Are you mad at me Ella?" She said, "No Peter, because you're just a kid and Daddy's a Dad and he should know better." I busted up laughing and said, "It was all an accident, but we need some better habits around here boys."

Speaking of better habits...
Speaking of New Years Resolutions...
Speaking of discipline...

Let me just start by saying I usually don't do resolutions. It's just one more way I set up myself for being frustrated with something I didn't follow through on after the first week or so. When people have asked me this year what my resolution is, I actually have something to say. 

This year, unlike others, I feel like I just might be able to do what I set out to do. You see, ever since we've been married, 7 1/2 years, Andrew and I have not been able to pull out of debt and stay there. We've had some amazing experiences, wonderful trips, and not lacked in anything. Being far from family is pretty much the kicker, but I can't just blame the airfare and gasoline. We have a hard time saving because we really like doing things and finding great deals on stuff whether we need it or just really like it. So to start off this year, I opened a savings account. We haven't had one for over 4 years and it is high time we put a little money away. I've read over the Dave Ramsey money makeover. Until now that really made me nervous, but I understand that if I would like a few trips to Dunkin Donuts (remember the chai), I just have to set aside that money and only use that which is designated. Not so scary if I just figure I can do a few things I'm used to, but with a tighter reign. Funny that I've only had one chai this week, and made the rest at home anyway. Baby steps. (What About Bob? is one of my favorite movies)

 As far as travel goes, we are just hoping to set aside more money before we go instead of racking up the credit card bill and paying it later. When I first got a job back when I was 15, I saved for what I wanted and got it. I got my first credit card in college and always paid it off right away. Not sure what has happened over the years, but it hasn't been good I will say that much. I was better back when I was younger than I am now. Though, I wasn't buying stuff for three kids and a spouse, but it doesn't matter. 

Being careful is being careful. 

I'm throwing out magazines by the handfuls. 

When I look through them I feel like Peter in the toy aisle, "But I waaaaaaaaaaaant it!!" Not pretty. Not. at. all.

The other thing I am prepared to do this year and just improve what I started on last year in the area of being in shape. Both mentally and physically. I haven't had many struggles recently with working out, which I am glad for. We moved the treadmill downstairs and I use it much more. The problem peaks up when I don't get up before the kids and end up using time I could be spending with them, putting on a TV show and doing my workout while they zone for half and hour. I don't find this to be a sin, just a little selfish. It wouldn't even bother me if it was every once in a while, but I really want to have discipline in the morning for myself and to benefit them.

 Mentally, I feel like a dud.

 I spend all day teaching my kids new things and yet, what did I learn today? I ask myself. This is what I learned, that one cannot get every chore done before lunch. That if you get excited about some new game the kids can play, they're only going to like it for 15 min and be bored....that if you just cleaned up a particular assortment of toys, inevitably it will be the very assortment they want 5 minutes later...so see? Nothing that's going to win me a spot on "Who wants to be a millionaire?" I want to know more facts. About history, about people, about new ways to make things, about parenting, about cooking...the list goes on. Basically, I want to read more. My Bible, my books, my magazines. My study on the book of James starts next week. I'm very glad for this. I have a lot of books I haven't read about history and wars and traveling. (If I read about traveling, it might make me want to do it more, thus less money...we'll visit that later) 

I'd love to use up more of my crafting materials. I have a small storage closet that is just stashed with supplies. If I gave up the idea that having my house clean will make me a better mom and wife, I might just be able to pull out my things and leave them on the kitchen table for days on end. A quilt could get made! Again, baby steps. 

To sum it up:
1. Save money
2. Get up earlier
3. Read
4. Craft using what I already have
5. Organize our drawers. All of them.
6. Use more recipes now that ALL children understand: you don't eat it, you go hungry.
7. Have lots of fun doing all of the above.

This will take a while and I know that, but I'm a list writer, so once it's written down it usually gets done. Plus, now I have all kinds of people keeping me accountable. Yay.

Free Fun

Before we packed our bags to head west, Andrew had a weekend out of town (the second in a row), so I decided to look up the happenings in our area. It was perfect that I found the kids' favorite performer, Woody Wolfe singing Christmas songs at Rhorbachs, one of our favorite places. They were having free cookie decorating and one of the therapy dogs they use for the Children's hospital was going to be there. I usually don't find dogs all that attractive, but this dog was an English Spaniel and he was very cute and so great with the kids. Duh. That's what he does in life. Maybe someday we'll look into a pet. Maybe I will just adopt an already trained therapy dog, perfect. Trained and Therapeutic. 

Anyway, on our drive home, I went to turn and saw a flashing sign at Dunkin Donuts "Santa is here!" I asked the kids if they wanted to see Santa and they said, "Yes!" I asked them, "Will you take your picture with him?" They said, "No!" So I said, "Well, then we're not going." "Okay, we will." They did, and they got a toy and a free treat too. Not bad for a last minute stop at DD. 

Fun free times had with my children.

Christmas Party

Another late post. There may be more, so just bear with me. Back on the 10th of December, Andrew flew back from Florida and we were able to go to his party for work that night. I told him earlier that if his flight was delayed, I just may go stag since we had a sitter (doesn't happen often) and I had an outfit :). He made sure he was back mostly because he was the other half of the entertainment. The video he and his co-workers made was funny and went over well. The kids did a good job for the sitter. We had a nice time visiting with the others in the department, and meeting some of their spouses. It is still beyond me why people would rather stand for hours and talk than sit at a table and save their poor smashed-into-dress-shoes toes. I guess maybe you can mingle easier upright. At any rate, we had a fun night. 

Before we left in front of the tree with boxes brought to you by Amazon.

At the Country Club in front of their tree. 

Blake and Andrew up front.

The usual take it yourself picture. 

There are two pediatric docs who have glasses and stashes, so these glasses were showcased for the female doc who does not quite fit that description. 

My mug here because I wanted to show the ring I have on my finger. (Little white one). I was going to just take it of my hand,  but my husband said I had to smile for a picture. Payback maybe?  Ella got the band in her treat bag from the birthday party we went to that day. I put it on and it fit and she said, "Mommy, you can wear that for your party tonight." Who says no to that? The necklace I got from Allora Handmade. It was on sale for cyber Monday and since my skirt was only $8 on clearance, I already had my shirt,  and my shoes were a trade,  I opted for the accessory. 

These shoes are from The English Garden. I sell some of my things there and with the money I made from that, I traded for my pretty heels. The snaps on top are interchangeable, so next time you may just see them with big black flowers on top instead :).

That's our night in a nutshell. 

The Decor

Instead of finishing the unpacking, or cleaning up after my kids pulled out every present they received, I decided to hang out, relax and catch you up on what we did for our decorations. I realize this is late, but I plan to leave our stuff up for one more week since we just got about 6 more cards in the mail that didn't get their proper debut on our wall. And...because I just don't want one more thing to do right now. I love our Christmas decorations and with all the work it took, we will just enjoy them until Andrew has another day off.

The favorites among my decorations were some that we made together at my mom's group playtime. One of the mentors in our group gave us a recipe for some frosting to the graham houses. It was amazing, I've never had much luck with my winter homes staying put, but this stuff was great.

                                                        Royal Frosting(the secret to easy gingerbread houses!)

1 pound of Confectioner’s sugar

3 Tablespoons of Meringue Powder

Warm water (about 1/3 cup)

Place dry ingredients in a tall mixing bowl and gradually add water until all dry ingredients are moistened. Frosting should be stiff enough to hold it’s shape. (You should see lines from the beaters paths). Store in an airtight container, with plastic wrap against the frosting, or in a plastic Ziploc bag, with air squeezed out. Dries to a hard, candy texture. Use for constructing houses and attaching decorations.

My own advice, let the frosting harden a bit before adding the candy decorations so the little home doesn't collapse under pressure.

While my family was here back in October, Renee and I sat and sewed buttons and fabric in the shape of trees. This is what I gave my mom for her birthday in December. The instructions had it framed without glass, but I figured if it would fit behind, the fabric would hold better over time encased. 

For the first time, we decided to let the kids have trees in their rooms. They were able to decorate them with their own ornaments and keep them on their dressers. It was fun to see them get into it and nice to spread the trees around the house.

John Lewis wasn't so into the decorating, so he has snacks and ran around with work goggles on. So funny. 

Each season these little bottles hold something different. I like to look at them while I do dishes and they look fun from outside too. 

Ella's completed tree.

While black Friday shopping, I picked up this mug from Starbucks because I can't get over little birds on things, and I'm a sucker for mugs. While in Oregon, Andrew found a little clip on youtube called Portlandia that has a song about how people are putting birds on everything just to sell a product. I admit, it's working for me, but the video is hysterical. 

(i think the main reason I love birds is because God tells us that his eye is on the sparrow Luke 12:6 and he keeps even them in His care) 

Lastly, Tiny Toby graced our home this year. Elf on the Shelf is a fun game you can play with your kids. You hide him somewhere different each night after he's reported back to Santa about their behavior that day. More than anything, it was fun to see the kids find him all over the place. I had friends who got really creative with this, but there were a few nights where Toby liked his spot too much to move (translation: we forgot to move him). 

One of my favorite seasons has come to a close. It was wonderful and I always welcome it's return. 

Red

I love old stuff. 

Came across this picture with the door on a blog (bloomininalaska) and had to share it. The colors are wonderful and it's, well, old!

The little tricycle, it's here in Oregon (picture is mine) and the kids make good use of it. Kids bikes are so adorable and little metal ones are the best. 

Both are red. I guess I like red too.

To build a fire...

Andrew's parents have about 20 acres of land here and with that comes the ability for roaming and riding. The kids love it and I love seeing them play. I'm not even kidding when I say I think my husband has more fun than they do. He took the kids out on the 4-wheeler the other day and his dad built a bonfire yesterday out in the back of the property. For lunch the guys roasted hot dogs over the coals and we enjoyed a visit from Great Grandpa Ralph out there. The weather is great for playing out, no snow and fairly warm. "Fairly" means, above freezing.

John yelled, "whooooooooooooooooooah!" the whole time he was on the ride, but with a smile.

Ella has loved this since she was little and Peter liked it until "Daddy went way too fast." Peter is the less adventurous of the three when it comes to machinery.