Will be back later this weekend....

to post some new stuff. I need to rest my leg right now... and hopefully the doctor can get it feeling better this afternoon, so I can get back on track! Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Tis the season for Joy and Laughter.....

 and decorating tree's of course! This year we were all able to be here to decorate the tree. Nana, Papa, Auntie Stacey, Curtis, and of course all 5 of us. It made it a bit more festive and crazy that's for sure...but could you really imagine any other way?? We had fun and that is all that matters! 

The kids were very eager to put the ornaments on, which led to some arguments and a few tears. All three of them thought they HAD to be first. We need to come up with a system next year I think! Despite the few melt downs, we had a good time, and it was a spirited evening.. here are a few of my favorite photo's: 

 

Our tree is decorated with all Disney ornaments this year (fitting since we live next to Mickey's home). Do you have a specific theme?? I'd love to hear the different ones out there!

Merry Christmas!!!  

Not my Gumdrop Buttons!!!

 

 

with Christmas on our heels… I had decided to make this afternoon a fun one for my kids! Starting with some Gingerbread Bears… We needed to be a bit different!! Sage and I started to make cookies, so they would be ready when Hunter & Rachel got home from school. Here is Sage attempting for the first time to learn how to roll out cookies.

Then after they had time to cool, so they could be decorated once they had finished their homework. They had a blast and it put us in the holiday spirit!

 

After that we were off to deck the halls, and the tree!!! More on that to come…..

 

Healing Sands (A Sullivan Crisp Novel) By Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn Book Review:

 

 

 

About the Book:

In the struggle for healing, when do you fight and when do you surrender?

Ryan Alexander-Coe is a talented photojournalist who has been on assignment all over the world. But when her two sons choose to live with their father after her divorce, Ryan must give her career up for a small-town newspaper job in order to be near them.

Life spirals out of control when her fifteen-year-old son is arrested. Desperation--both over the fact that she cannot believe her son committed this crime and that he refuses to talk to her--sends her anger level soaring . . . and eventually sends her storming into Dr. Sullivan Crisp's office in search of ways to cope with her anger. Sully is in town assisting at one of his clinics and continuing his search for Belinda Cox, the woman whose guilt-inducing counseling caused the death of his wife and daughter. When Sully's search ends in disaster, both he and Ryan will have to fully rely on God--rather than themselves--to survive these storms.

 

About the Author:
Rue has become a successful, best-selling author of books for ‘tweens and adults. Over her career she’s written more than 100 books. Nancy travels the country speaking and teaching at schools, churches, home school groups, and for groups of ‘tween girls and their moms. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Jim. Their daughter, Marijean, and son-in-law, Brian, live in nearby Nashville. The Rues’ two Lab puppies share (and eat) Jim and Nancy’s home. To learn more about Nancy Rue go Here…

My Thoughts:
I was really not sure what to expect from this book. I have never read any of Nancy Rue’s books, or heard of her before this. I must say this book really surprised me though…..from the moment I started to read it, I couldn’t put it down. The story of Ryan Cox, really just captured me. I had to go with her on her journey. A very compelling story! I would absolutely recommend this book to my friends… I think it would be great for a book club as well (there is even a discussion booklet in the back) Everyone could use the truths hidden in this book, for their own lives.

Buy the book:
You can go to Barnes and Nobles, or Amazon to pick up this book. It ranges for about $11

* This book was provided by Thomas Nelson Book Bloggers in exchange for my review. This is solely my opinion. To become a Thomas Nelson Book Blogger go HERE.

Sage got to see….

 

Santa

She was so EXCITED! We happen to see him in the mall, with no lines! It was great, she got to take her time, and really talk with him. Santa was very nice and listened to all she had to say…

here she is telling him all about the Mickey Car she wants… Oh and I think she mentioned books, Barbies, and some stuff that Rachel wanted as well… (what a nice sister)

Some Girly fun…..

 

Every once and awhile, you need an escape and some fun… Sage and I have been getting a bit stir crazy in the house lately. So we decided to head off to do some Christmas shopping, or gazing… We ended up at a small mall near our house, which usually isn’t very busy, even less so during the week. It was a prefect escape for part of the day, especially on this rainy day.

We stopped off at Claire’s and decided to do a fashion show….

The last one is my favorite… What about you???

AuqaFresh IsoActive Toothpaste:

 

 

I recently had the oppurtunity to try the new AuqaFresh IsoActive Toothpaste from SheSpeaks. I was not really sure what to expect at first. I’m very picky about my toothpaste. Some might even say ridiculously picky… I have to have the right taste, after taste, and feel. I want something that is going to work, taste good and not leave me with a gross taste in my mouth for hours. AuqaFresh IsoActive did all that and more! I was blown away. The taste was average but likeable, it left my mouth feeling minty fresh, and clean…very clean! I also was so happy with the container. How many of you can’t stand the toothpaste being all over the cover or down the side of the tube?? I know, I can’t!!! This was easy to use, and no MESS! Even my kids could use it without making a mess. It was WONDERFUL! Plus for a good toothpaste, its not really any more expensive compared to others out there. It runs about 3.50 a tube.

AquaFresh IsoActive removes three times the bacteria as your leading brand, and it whitens. It foams to get more between the teeth where more cavities form because it is often forgotten. Go to AquaFresh for more info on this toothpaste, and a dollar off coupon!!!!

Jiffy Lube Gift Card Winner……

 

 

is DEB!!!!  CONGRATS!!

 

 

Anonymous said...

I learned that the driving I do is considered 'severe driving' since I do mostly short, stop and go trips. Hence, regular oil changes are important. I leave that job to my husband!
Deb

Please email me your address…. You have 48 hrs to respond, or I will pick a new winner.

Simple Woman’s Daybook:

For Today December 7th, 2009

Outside my window:…… it is cold and damp… we have a had a few days of rain.

I am thinking…… Wow, the last couple months have flown by! Where is the time going?

From my imagination….. A few small Christmas crafts for the kids… we usually do a couple every year. Kinda  tradition I guess.

I am thankful for….. Being pretty much done with my Christmas shopping. Just a few stocking stuffers, and two gifts left to get. YAY!

From the kitchen... Not sure, a stew is sounding really good though!

I am wearing….. this may come as a shock, but pants, and a sweatshirt… with socks! I’m so cold! The dampness is settling in my bones!

I am reading….. True Blue still… bit slow this week.

I am hoping….. for a fabulous holiday season, full of cheer… so far pretty good. We are getting in the spirit, and I love that!

I am creating….  Some Christmas cheer!!!

I am hearing.... Sage talking to herself in her room… the kids are off to school, and all is quiet! 

One of my favorite things….. Christmas lights, I love the joy and laughter they bring to my kids, and what just seeing them can do to lift your spirit. Amazing it is!

A few plans for the rest of the week…. grocery shopping, dance, girl scout awards and holiday party tonight, library, play date for Sage, Cub Scouts, reading, relaxing, and some holiday fun towards the end of the week!  

A picture I am sharing…… our Lego Advent Calendar, the kids are absolutely loving this… I got a pretty good deal on it… it has a new Lego for each day til Christmas. So far they have gotten a snowman, sled, bench, lamp post, boy with snowballs, and a skater.

Vision of Sugarplums: A collection of Christmas Cookery by Lizzie:

About the Author:
This book was written while Lizzie from A Dusty Frame was in college. It was for her home economics class. (which was her major) After many years of wanting to type it up and share it.. she decided this year to tackle it.

About the Book:
Visions of Sugarplums contains 50 recipes–from old family favorites to international treats. It also includes charming quotations from classic books and authors as well as tips for Christmas and a few cooking helps.

My thoughts:
It has some wonderful recipes in it… my kids and I tried a few and they were delish!  Our favorite was the Gingerbread waffles, peanut butter dip, and Mediterranean Meatballs! There is so many things to try out though! Some of the other recipes include:

• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Toffee Squares
• Triple Layer Brownies
• Vintage Molasses cake
  

just to name a few! The other big thing I liked about this book, was that she had a list of books her family likes for Christmas, and a list she likes. I’m huge on reading themed books around holidays with my kids, so we are excited to read some of these!

To Buy it:

You can go HERE. Its only $7! Keep in mind it is an E-book, but you could always print it off add it to a personally decorated binder for a nice Christmas present!!!

"This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by: Lizzie @ A Dusty Frame for this review."

How my week started out:

 

busy, very busy… after a week of vacation, and sickness… I had put a lot of stuff off. (note to self: Not a good idea) After a morning of blog skimming, and email reviewing and returning. I rested with Sage, since I still wasn’t feeling 100%. Waited for the kids to get home from school, and prepared to head off to drop Rachel at dance.

From there, I had to run to Target and drop off prescriptions…. and pick up Andy from work. On my way home, my car started shaking a bit, and it was not normal. My car is a bit out of alignment (on my list of things to get done ASAP, when the money fairy appears) Close to home, I asked Andy to look and see if the tire was really low in air pressure cause it was just not acting right. He said it was fine, so we went on…. Over the railroad tracks, and BOOM! My car makes this horrible noise and all I could here was WHACK, WHACK! I pulled over and just said only my luck!! This was my spare on there already, since my original tire was very worn. Was hoping this one would get me thru the month…at least until after Christmas when I could afford to replace all 4 tires and get an alignment. I crept home, cause I was only a block away… going less than 5 miles per hour. (Note: the tire wasn’t flat, so I knew it wouldn’t bend the rim)

I got home to see this:

So needless to say my first trip out on Tuesday after dropping the kids off at school, and Andy off at work, was to Wal-Mart for 2 new tires! Next an alignment. Why do these things always happen right before Christmas???

Oh, and something cute Sage said… We were on our way to get tires, and she says to me… No, we need Grandpa Ray for that. (my dad is a mechanic, and he always fixed our cars in Maine) We miss him dearly! I thought it was cute and funny that she remembered that he usually helps us.