Baby, It's Cold Outside.

Welp, this Christmas was pretty eventful. I managed to catch my oven on fire while cooking my turkey.

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Luckily, Jason put it out before things got out of hand.
The good news is my dad was already planning on cooking his own turkey, so it only turned out to be a small road bump and a great story to tell the grandkids. Bad news is that I am now scared out of my mind to use the oven again.

I'm SO happy to announce that my sister-in-law is pregnant with her second baby!! WOOHOOO!! They have an adorable family and I wish them the best through this pregnancy.

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We had family over on Christmas Eve night. We watched all the classic Christmas movies while we pigged out on turkey, ham and stuffing. My dad and I drank a little bit too much eggnog and began talking about music. Here are some pictures from that night.






Once everyone left, we got Kimber ready for bed. We set out a cupcake and milk for Santa Claus and I read her Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer story before bed.

She was really excited that Santa was coming to bring her toys.


The next morning:



Kimber was blessed with a LOT of toys this year. All together, she got 24 presents. This was a great Christmas, but I'm sure glad it's over.

Sick.

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On top of everything else, I'm sick with either a cold or the flu. Sorry for not posting "10 Things I Sunday". I won't be able to post for "D.I.Y. Monday" either. I'm at work and in between calls I'm finishing the last touches on my mom's blanket I'm making her for Christmas. Similar to the one found here.

Welp, back to work!!

These Are Trying Times.

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I usually don't like to get too personal on my blog, but I feel like if I can type it out, it will make me feel better...and I appreciate my small group of readers. I feel like you guys will listen. Our family is currently struggling financially and Christmas isn't going to be like I imagined. :( I took one look at our bank account yesterday morning and my heart sank. I cried for half of the morning and I would burst out in tears throughout the day...ALL day until I fell asleep.



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Good news. Today is a new day and I'm keeping myself busy with work and trying to finish my handmade Christmas presents. I feel stronger today. Crying isn't going to get me anywhere. Somehow, I'm going to make Christmas great this year. It's time for me to pull up my big girl britches. Money doesn't buy happiness and I will make this Christmas the best Christmas yet. I ask that you keep my family and myself in your thoughts this holiday season. It's going to be hard, but we can do it.

D.I.Y Monday! Embroidered Christmas Cards.

Supplies:
-Note card with envelopes. I bought a 50 pack from Hobby Lobby.

-Thumb Tack.

-Embroidery floss in the colors of your choice.

-Embroidery needle.

-Tape.

-Patience.


Step One:

Print off the PDF file found here

Step Two:
Cut out the pattern in the dotted lines on the 2nd page and place it on the front of the card. Tape the pattern down. *Don't tape it down hard or it will tear the card once you remove the pattern!

Step Three:
With the tumb tack, punch holes into dots of the pattern.

Step Four:
CAREFULLY remove the taped on pattern from your card. If you are doing more than one, set the pattern aside to re-use it.

Step Five:
Following the direction on the PDF file that you printed off, embroider the card with your choice of embroidery floss. Don't worry about seeing the work on the other side. It just makes it that more special that your family and friends know that it is TRUELY handmade by you.

Step Six:
Personalize it with a thoughtful message and TA DA! You're done!!

Happy crafting!! I've got to do about 30 more of these...back to work!!

Ten Things I Love Sunday!

Phew! I'm finally back on my regular schedule. I've been at training for work and catching up on everything you can think of. This holiday is going to be pretty crazy. Here are some things I LOVE this week. Enjoy!

1.) If you're like me and scrambling on getting last minute decorating ideas, here is a REALLY cute DIY for a holiday wreath. Found here

They have a LOT of really cute ideas for Christmas decorating.

2.) These stocking are ADORABLE! How-to found here


3.) This OH SO CUTE Toddler Smocked Holiday dress. I have to get Kimber this dress or a dress similar to it for Christmas this year. found here


4.)I wonder if I have enough time to make this red dress as my Christmas dress this year. Found here


5.) These cute little thermoses!! I would love to find this cuties under the tree. *HINT, HINT*

found here

and here

and here

6.) These paper-mache pull toys! I'm making one for my daughter and one for my niece for Christmas. I can't wait to do this project! How to found here


7.) Love this song and video.


8.) Pretty hairstyle.

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9.) I still love you, Portland! I keep having dreams about you. I'll see you again soon.

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10.) Cute!! I have to do this for the Christmas party I'm throwing.

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This Week in Pictures.

Christmas decorating.





Birthday Festivities.




Pythian Home Christmas.
Our family been sponsoring the Pythian home since 1997 and working together with Toys for Tots to help these kids have a better Christmas. I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than with these adorable kids.
Find out more about the Pythian Home here

Ughh...

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Sorry I haven't been posting anything lately. I did get my new camera and took a LOT of pictures, BUT I have yet to figure out how to upload them. :/ For some reason my computer is not reading the camera's software, so at them moment, we're working on this issue.

I've been busy at work with some classes and such and I haven't had much time for crafting and crocheting. I'm having craft withdraws.

Today, I've been needing to do a lot of things, but I just don't have the energy to do it. I've brought my crocheting stuff with me to work, but I haven't even picked it up. This is NOT the best time for procrastinating. Hopefully, I will have a more productive day tomorrow.

Giveaway Winner!!

To make it fair, I wrote everyone's name down on Post-Its and put everyone's name in a big coffee cup I have here at work and the winner is....

LISA!!!!


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I'm so glad she won! She has been a good friend of ours and she's an AMAZING photographer.

For everyone that entered that did not win, I did post the source of the pattern for the trees, if you want to try it out and I'm planning on doing more giveaways in the future!! Happy crafting!! :)