Christmas time oh nine

Most important the Nativity with Daddy's Bible, and paper whites begining to bloom.
Titus' stocking the 3 guys pengiuns ice skating...the stocking is hidden, b/c he cannot keep his 2 yr old hands out of it !
Noah's stocking, it a needlepoint pic of him sitting with kitten by fire, and the stone on stocking holder is NOT coal, but a rock treasure he found !
Mom & Dad's elfish stockings, can you see the Holly berries on mine ?
My guys !
Our pup in a snowbank......
Ummm, not too relaxed in this shot are we? So I had some jolly fun with it ! Sorry to scorch you eyeballs with the tackiness, I just couldn't resist.
Noah reading "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" to the little ones.
Snowing on my lavender bush.
Last years Christmas tree bulb planted and thriving, in the snow.
Our Advent Wreath


I'll add more pics & explanations later, right now 2 yr old is sleeping in my arms, bliss ! But,until then check out last year's pics !

Giveway Link

My Litter of Six, always has THE best giveways! I already won one, but this one I'm hankering for, Kitchen Aid Mixer ? Yes, please. Go to her site and sign up, too !

Christmas are you getting Ready?

Christmas is my favorite time of year, and there is much fun planned for our family.
Tonight we will tour Historical Downtown Leesburg for their First Friday night.
The local shops will be decorated, and stay open late. A young couple from our home town will be here to visit with us.
We will get our live Christmas tree, put lights on it, and hope it survives, at least until Christmas Eve. when we will put out collection of mish mash decorations.
Our church will have 4 services Christmas Eve. I will volunteer in nursery for one, sit with family for another, then eat "Pastor's & Worship teams' dinner" at another.
Fresh cold cuts and chips, lol !
I'll keep updating and hopefully share pictures of the upcoming events :D

Feels like Christmas

Today I received the package I won from My Litter of Six,
it's awesome ! vibrating mascara, bounce for the dryer......and more.
But i did my make-up and a load of laundry inspired to use the new products.
I wish I could say I used up the Magic Erasers scrubbing everything from the tub to the grime laden bedroom door, but alas i am moving.
Hubby needed some prescription for his dental visit coming up on Thursday,
3 prescriptions, major dental work.I started putting my feelers out to find new prescription coupons from stores to make a profit off these medicines.
No avail the Internet failed me, my blogging friends had no links, then the mail came ! Safeway wants me to renew my customer card and accept a $30 new prescription coupon, sure !
On an unrelated note my 2 yr old slept until 10 a.m., and he's not sick......thus it feels like Christmas, here.

Apple Orchard

Indian Summer

CSPAN offer

The much anticipated revised C-SPAN American Presidents Timeline poster is now available for C-SPAN Classroom members! The six-foot timeline detailing the lives and public service careers of every U.S. president, plus key United States historical events, Supreme Court cases, and technology milestones is absolutely FREE to C-SPAN Classroom members. But, don't wait; this poster is only available for a limited time offer and on a first come, first served basis.

To order your American Presidents Timeline poster (and to get a sneak-peek of it), you simply need to complete the form on our Special Offers page - http://www.c-spanclassroom.org/SpecialOffers.aspx - and we will mail the poster to you.

I sent in for minr, registered and they will send me a conformation email, soon.

Wordless Wendsday

Couch PotatoeFor more Wordless Wednesdays visit 5 Minutes For Mom

Not Me Monday

Not Me Monday !
Here's what I haven't been doing.......
I did not write out a Christmas list of all friends & family we need
to buy gifts for, then send out a mass e-mail asking if we not exchange gifts.
Nope that'd be cheeky !
I also don't buy my kid's fruit from the reduced rack @ Harris Teeter,
just to explain to them that brown banans' are sweeter. I'd never do that if his 1st grade teacher sat with him at lunch, but I scooped it out, and she eats in the teacher lounge, shwoo !
I've not explained to my son that the books at the book fair in school are to expensive, then take him with me on a Freecycle pick up of all the books he asking for, nope not me.
And, I would never let the answering machine pick up when my MIL called, no way too rude!

Thankful Thursday

Does my 23 month old care he has chicken pox ? Nope not when big bro is building a "Jeep" in his bunk bed. Goldfish pretezels a awesome, I buy them in the bag and this toddler totes them around like a bag of gold.
So, I am thankful to the Lord for Noah, Goldfish and a happy toddler.

I won !

I won a Hobo purse handmade from a Esty dealer.
Check out how and where I won it buy clicking here
to see My Litter of Six Blog.
She updates and posts great deals all day long on her blog,
plus a Mom of six ! Please look at her deals, b/c I'll bet you find one
with just what you need.

Tackle it Tuesday.www.5mintuesformom.com

Guess what virus I am Tackling, today ?
This was my son Sunday morning playing in the free Vitamin D aka sunshine.

Monday Simple Woman

Oh look at my Baby Boy, a year sure flys !

What beautiful day, it's 50* out.
I took my boy's to the next town's playground.
They could careless about the cold, so we ran up&down the
play equipment, and shoveled pounds of tiny pebbles into toy truck
scoops. We also picked a Freecycle item that i was planning to purchase soon.
Free ! I don't mind it's used, because like I said, FREE !
Two sisters' from church have been wanting to babysit, and today was the perfect day as Mike is off on his Men's Retreat.
I'm typing at the local coffeehouse using thier free Wifi.
Plenty of time to concentrate on browsing the web, a beautiful day indeed .

Friday Funnies

So, being the spend thrift I am, I cut my 7 yrs. old's hair.
And, the back of his neck gets shaved with daddy's razor to eliminate peach fuzz.
I talk to him about how he's growing into a man, and one day he'll grow a mustache.
This makes him really glad, to think of shaving and growing into a man like Daddy.
Fast forward about a week, we are in the grocery store, and enter the razor isle.
Then upon seeing the razors, he shouts " Mom I think your growing a mustache, and need a razor" !

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday

I've started using white vinegar in my washer's
rinse cycle. And, I'm impressed with the results!
It's easy to splash some in and it seem to keep my clothes fresh.
Try it you'll like it !

Wordless Wendsday

Gettin' ready for fall.......and baby business .

Gettin' ready for fall.......and baby business .
Autumn reminds me winter is coming, then I go into a nesting mode, and by up the grocery store, after that I start cooking & baking, which leads to winter fat.
I'm lamenting summer leaving me with a cold slap in the face, this morning 54* and windy.......maybe I'll start tanning under a light bulb.
Winter blues are here to stay :(
My kids could care less, both are at an age and stage in life where everything is fun and their little minds are growing in leaps&bounds. In this picture with my boys is Skylar. She has a play date here once a week, as her Mommy works at our church.

Wish me best as I tackle my roots !

Frugal Friday

I cannot believe i am going to admit to this, but it works !
Recycling your ziploc baggies ? I do after a little soap & hot water, they're reusable in my opinion. Although drying them can be a trick, b/c they stick to themselves.....my solution is to hang dry them, on my mini lamps that I bought at K-mart 8 yrs. ago.
Hanging on the top of the shade opens the bag to air, and if the baggies is strong plastic, I'll turn the lamp on for the heat of the bulb acts as a drying agent.
Now, caution I have melted some baggies, not paying enough attention. So, take my advice with some common sense !

Introducing a new blog adventure !

So my sister and I are working together on a new blog (unblogged as of yet). Get ready for bathroomhogs.com and follow us on twitter @bathroomhogs !
Two sisters and one bathroom, we are survivors and plan to blog our best tips.
MissKeli (my sis) live in Ohio and is raising two teenage boys. We are 14 months apart, is that called Irish twins ? And, we are total opposites to say the least.
She is artist, creative and has the gift of whit as well as a writting talent !

I plan to bring on the visual learning with video uploads of step-by-step processes of looking your best ;)I love to give advice from the heart, IE.. trail & error
So, next Monday fire up your bloginess and check us out.

My 3 Guys

I love the guys God has hand-picked for me !

Noah's 7yearold Bike

This is God's provision to our family, let me tell ya !

We are gearing up for vacation and are planning to bike. My tires on my 15 yr. Gary Fisher need replacement. $50 ! And, Hubby did the work of installing them. That is way too much money, IMHO.
Noah's bike was a bit too small for him, and need wheel barrings ( whatevertheyare).
We priced bikes, and it was out of the question to buy on for Noah.
So, he and I huddled on the couch and prayed, if the Lord would give him a bike ?
I posted on my F/B status asking friends for a hand-me-down. No go.
I listed on Freecycle, and by the next afternoon.....Noah and Daddy were pumping air, and washing his new bike. It's cool b/c it has hand breaks, gears, and a front shock, he is so pleased with it, and God.
Now, should I let him ride around the block on his own ? Yesterday, I followed him in my car to see if he could do, and he can.........?

Luv a Hot Dip ?

Hot Artichoke and Spinach dip
(from pampered chef cookbook "all the best")

prep time: 15 minutes~bake time:20-25 minutes

ingredients:
1 jar(6oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1 package (9-11 oz) frozen CREAMED spinach, thawed
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup sour cream
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1/2 cup (2oz) grated fresh parmesan cheese
(optional) diced red bell pepper for garnish

1. preheat oven to 375. coarsely chop artichokes; place in bowl. add spinach, mayo, and sour cream
2. press garlic into bowl. grate parmesan cheese into bowl; mix well. spoon into baking dish.
3. bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through. garnish with bell pepper, if desired. serve with chips.

yield: 2 cups (16 servings)

nutrients per serving (2 tablespoons dip): calories 60, total fat 5 g, saturated fat 1.5 g,
cholesterol 5 mg, carbohydrate 2 g, protien 2 g, sodioum 190 mg, fiber less than 1 g

diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable, 1 fat (0 carb)

For more Hot Dips, check out BooMama!

Party prep break !

Noah turning 6, look he still had baby teeth !
Now, he's turning 7 !
Those are 7 shaped sugar cookies we made,frosted and sprinkled with sugar crystals.
Now, we need to bake and decorate some cupcakes. Daddy with bring home helium filled balloons, and assemble a pinata for the guest and Noah to break open.
Our party will be outback with a slip&slide and swimming in the pool.
I am considering rope in off front door, so all guest will know to come out back.
Is that too weird?
Oh, well, back to preparations ! Ha, I just looked at this pic of my cutie, and see a hair cut is going to be added to our list !

Paint the Door

I saw another sweet blogger do her door, and a light went on in my head.
"I can do that, too ". @ Just a Girl's blogspot.
So,I cut & pasted her brand of paint to my F/B status asking if any friend's had leftover paint. No takers......so I started to pray b/c my budget doesn't allow for a can of paint.
Also,I broke my toe and was on crutches for a week, and that delayed my lightbulb moment.
Then on Hubby's day off he offered to get me, the boys and my crutches out of the house to visit a Restore. It's a store people and builders donate their leftover supplies to.
We were going just to browse, and came across a close runner up to "the" can of paint.
Well Hubby didn't want to buy it b/c there was so little in the can.
But, I insisted it would be just enough, when he took it up to the counter to pay, the clerk though he was trying to donated it, and refused the can b/c it was " too empty". ha ! The clerk ended up charging him one dollar for the can. Now, that we could afford, and as you can see from the pic it was enough......insert happy dance HERE.
I actually have left over paint and am considering doing the inside of door.
Even with 3 little boys playing all around me, asking could they help, I got it done ! Done while Hubby was at work and would not have a heart attack witnessing the carnage of an open can of black paint .
The door is metal, which the paint was specific to metal and went on easily.
It now displays son's artwork, and we are all quite happy with it.
What do you think ? And, would you ever paint anything black ?

Frugal Friday-Christams

These cookies are always a hit, peanutbutter cookies made from Betty Crocker pack, then while still warm, insert a Resses' cup......I gave these to delivery ppl through out the season, and b/c I live up a steep hill, they were important. The pretty wrapping is Martha Stewart bought at craft store w/ a 40*/* off cqn.


Check out more frugal tips about Christmas on this last day of July @ lifeasaMom

True Story

I broke my toe, my big right one.......and I've done it before !
6th grade running up the stairs to answer the phone (no answer machines back then).
stubbed it so hard, spilt the toe bone, off to school I went with a boot and crutches. Fast forward how many years ?
bought a new pair of wedge heels, wore them to church, sure enough it stretched my toe joint, and put all my weight of the right side of my body on it .
True story of growing old, wearing heels, and then being bored out of mind while toe is proped.

Love Free Movies, in the heat of Summer !Fox Stadium 16
22875 Brambleton Plaza
Ashburn ,VA 20148
703-957-1027
06/23/2009-06/24/2009 The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Igor (PG)
Igor (PG)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Space Chimps (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009 Curious George (G)
Curious George (G)
Inkheart (PG)
Inkheart (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009 Horton Hears A Who (G)
Horton Hears A Who (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009 Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009 Everyone's Hero (G)
Everyone's Hero (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
08/04/2009-08/05/2009 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
Star Wars: Clone Wars (PG)
08/11/2009-08/12/2009 Charlotte's Web (G)
Charlotte's Web (G)
Barnyard (PG)
Barnyard (PG)
08/18/2009-08/19/2009 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Monster House (PG)
Monster House (PG)

Sabbath Rest

This picture cracks me up these brothers love one another, fer sure !
This Sunday, we will be at church for service, lunch, and then back in the evening for Celebration night. It will be a real treat for this Pastor's wife to be able to sit with her Hubby while someone else teaches! Hopefully iI CAN KEEP MY HANDS OFF HIM, AND BEHAVE IN THE service, as He's been teaching a Bible college course on Daniel,and today a growing church Calvary Chapel Breath of Life in Largo Md. on Youth Pastoring, besides the usual 3 teachings Sunday, then Wendsday.

Vacation Pictures

Alligator spying, and Florida Key
Red Reef beach, Deerfield beach and Boca Florida


I'm adding in Vacation pictures for those friends who are not on Facebook;

My Hubby Rocks!

On vacation, and it's such an easy time to love my Hubby.
He knows what I like and is so easy going about chiilin ;)

Fugral In Virginia's Guest Post

Frugal in Virginia's Husband, did a guest post and it's awesome !
Go here to read it !

My Hubby Rocks !

My Hubby Rocks! Yesterday was a hard day for me, but my man jumped in and took me out th lunch and dinner ! And, we're not even on vacation, although we are having wonderful weather...... Anyho......on our way to lunch with Titus I caputered this in the backseat of car.

Wow, I've been out for a while, and have had quite a Spring break,
which included visiting my Mom in Baltimore, and relaxing with both boys.
Noah went back to school and only then did I realize how much I like us having a break from each other, although he's only doing 1/2 a day of K-garden. I cannot imagine him being gone all day next year for first grade. He'll jump on the bus at 7:30 and not come home until 3.........that just seems, too long for a day !
Titus is in his phase of life where he constantly falls into to things, he is so beat up, black eye for steps, bruised forehead from park picnic table, etc...
I joke, it's good thing a family member has be with me each time he fell !
And, Mike has been tackling his new truck with inspection, step bars, new spark plugs........it goes on ;)
I've been reading and purposely spending more time the Lord and praying!
So life is good here and we are immensely blessed by our God, here are some pictures......