A Christmas Zhu Zhu Blessing!!!

Do you ever find yourself asking "why" when it comes to decisions God makes for us? This week has been full of those for me and I had to realize I don't need to know the answer to that question, I just need to continue to trust in Him. Today I know one of those whys. I am one of those Mommy's that would have a large family had God chosen to give us a house full, but he chose to give us two precious boys. We always wanted more, but since that has not been in God's plan we just enjoy spoiling other little ones, especially little girls. Today I had to laugh because I think God knew just what he was doing when it came to no girls in our house. I think she would be the most spoiled little girl in South Carolina. Not so much by Mark and I (although I am sure we would add our part) but by our boys. This year we are so excited because my sister and her family are coming for Christmas! They live in MN and like all of us have had some trials come this year and financially things have been tough. They had a meeting with the kids and said, "Would you like to go to SC for Christmas with no gifts or would you like to stay home for Christmas and get gifts?" All the kids chose GO TO SC!!! When we told the boys this they were excited that they were coming but sad that they would get no gifts. They both asked if we could take part of their Christmas money to get gifts for their cousins. God has blessed us this winter with a few extra jobs so that wish came true. We called the kids and asked what they wanted for Christmas and it has been fun watching the kids shop for others. When our boys found out their little cousin Taylor wanted a Zhu Zhu for Christmas an all out hunt began (that was after we found out what a Zhu Zhu was!) We found out CVS was going to get a shipment so for weeks we stopped at every CVS from here to Florida even in Indiana looking for a little hamster! We must have stopped 50-75 times, made multiple phone calls and was on every list in town! Then the disappointment came when CVS told us they would not be getting anymore until after Christmas.
Last night we found out if you had a reward card with Toys R Us you could get a Zhu Zhu if you were one of the first 50 people in line! When I told Kyle (our oldest) he was insistent that we get up at 5AM and head to Toys R Us to get a little girl a little hamster! He said, "Mom, I have always wanted to do this and Taylor really needs this to make it a great Christmas for her!" So, this morning before the sun was even up we were off to Toys R Us!!! When we got in the car the boys both wanted to pray and Caleb said, "Lord, please help us get just one!" It was a precious moment and at that point I realized why God gave us boys. This was not about them, this was about them doing for others and they learned the lesson how it is more blessed to give then receive.

God heard Caleb's little prayer and answered it and then blessed us with much more!

God gave us a little pet....

the car that we really wanted and....

what the boys said she needed a blanket and a carry bag!

After getting home Kyle said, "Mom, I can honestly say this was the best morning of my life and I can't wait to see Taylor on Christmas morning!

Its going to be a Merry Christmas for a precious little girl!

We love you Taylor!!!

Create A Plan

Last week we were busy cleaning out and getting the house in shape for the upcoming holidays. I tackled our "computer room" which sounds fancy but we live in a small 1000 sq ft home with no garage and no attic space so we converted one room to a storage area and work room. It was way out of control so I spent time getting it organized and it feels so good to have it all clean and ready for storing all the extra Christmas groceries and wrapped gifts. Christmas can be overwhelming when I start thinking about gifts. meals, decorating, the added expense, family coming to visit and on and on. I must admit, until I create a plan I can get qoite overwhelmed. If you wait until the week before Christmas to start planning then you are really going to be stressed out. Some people love that last minute rush but not me. This past week I created a plan so things can get into prospective and I can start working the plan. The following are a few steps I took this week to get myself organized:

1. Create A December Schedule of Events - I take an empty calendar and start writing all the activities for the month. I include family fun times too like going to see the Christmas lights, decorating the tree, outdoor decorating, shopping day, gift wrapping evening, fill out Christmas cards...etc Just don't get so organized that you are not flexible. Plans change and things get added so remember your calendar is not set in stone its just a guide.


2. Create A December Menu - Life gets so busy this time of year so if you have your meals planned all the way through the new year it will make things sooo much easier. Since we have family gathering for about 8 days at Christmas I plan the menu send it to my family along with a schedule of activities for the week. I used to stop the planning a few days after Christmas but now I take it all the way through the new year so I don't feel like I am planning again after Christmas and neglect the New Year activities. I get it all done in one swoop.


3. Create A Gift Giving List - A few years ago Hallmark had these cute little binders that helped you organize your Christmas. In the binder was an area for gift giving. Since I shop all year long for Christmas I love having a spot to write down what I purchased. I don't know about you but if I don't write it down I'm not going to remember. So keeping a list of what I purchased and who its going to keeps me from over buying in one area so I don't end up with 20 girl gifts and no guy gifts! You can create your own binder or notebook by making categories like menu, gifts, Christmas card list (include addresses so you're all ready), family wish list...etc

With just a little planning and a little organization you can have a great holiday with a lot less stress. One day our children will be grown and will have families of their own, as much as I want to put a stipulation in their wedding vows that they will be at our home on Christmas I know that will not fly so I've decided to cherish every holiday that we have them home.

What Will You Give This Christmas?

Its the most wonderful time of the year. Can't you just hear that song ringing in your ears? Well, for some this year is going to be the most stressful time of the year. This year has been a tough year for us as it is for many people in our nation. With the holidays fast approaching I've been thinking about what type of gifts I can give my family that will fit into a very small budget. I hear people say all the time, "Its not going to be a good Christmas this year because we just don't have any extra." I hope you don't fall into that trap. I hope you will start now, planning for not a good Christmas but a GREAT one! Sometimes, the best gifts are gifts that cost very little. This year is a tough year for millions of people and we are not exempt. We are blessed however with two boys who never ask for expensive items, two boys who never one time have fussed about getting clothes or shoes from the thrift store, two boys who never demand bigger and better. Each year they are more then grateful for what they receive. Because of this attitude it really takes the burden of Christmas off our shoulders knowing they will be thankful no matter what ends up under the tree. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is give gifts to my family so instead of falling into the "woe is me trap", I've learned that with just a little planning we can create a special Christmas and still give gifts to give our family. I LOVE giving and seeing the vast array of Christmas paper under the tree on Christmas Eve. I always spend a little time alone on Christmas Eve sitting in the living room with all the light off except for the Christmas tree. I just spend a little time alone with the Lord thanking him for His many blessings and reflecting on the meaning of the special day. There are so many things I love about Christmas that I look forward to sharing with you through out this season.

The following is my top 10 list of items you can give that cost very little but will mean so much...

TOP 10 CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING LIST

1. Homemade Coupon Booklet - My parents love these. We include items like wash the car, fix a meal, clean house, mow the lawn, be creative and present it in a creative way.


2. Scrapbook of Memories - My sister-in-law gave scrapbook calendars out a few years ago and my Mom loved it.
   
3. Homemade Jewelery and Crafts - Now don't fall into the "I'm not a crafter trap" making jewelery and crafts is very simple. Its just like ever other adventure in your life, you have to teach yourself to become crafty. If you go to the craft store and ask they are happy to show you or you can take a class for just a few dollars. If you can tie a knot, you can create a beautiful piece of jewelery. I love the button broaches. Glue old buttons to a scrap of felt or a cut out shape, layer with your favorite buttons, glue a pen backing and your done. Easy but what a great gift, especially if you're creative with your buttons maybe use buttons from your child's dress or your Grandmothers nightgown. Again, be creative you can do it! Go here for more great button crafts from Martha Stewart. Make sure when you're creating a craft, its something YOU would want and not just junk that will end up in the trash or on the worst Christmas gift list!
   
4. Homemade Play-dough - Recipe: 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 1/2 tsp of vegetable oil, 1/3 cup cold water, 7-10 drops, Gallon Zip Lock Bag. Mix flour, salt and oil mix well and set to the side. Next add food coloring with water. Now, add water to flour mixture and put in a gallon zip lock bag. Knead. Store in Refrigerator. You can put several colors in small containers, decorate with stickers, put in a basket with some cookie cutters, some wiggle eyes, pipe cleaners and some plastic knives and you have a great gift that any child would love! I bet they will get hours of fun out of this gift!


5. Good Books - Did you know the local thrift shops sells used books and cookbooks? I find good books all the time and many of them are brand new! Just last week I purchased 12 children's hardback books for just $7.80. Four of the books sold new for $16.99 each. On 12 hardback books I I saved $139.00!!! All but 2 were brand new. When I get a book I always look to see if there are pages missing and I make sure there is no writing on the inside. This would make a great gift for anyone on your list.


6. Homemade Goodies - I don't know about your parents, but my parents never really ask for anything. When I was little I would ask Dad what he wanted for Christmas and he would always say, "Oh, just a hug and a kiss." Now that I am grown he still says that but I like to give him more then that. My Mom always says she likes service gifts. Gifts to help her in daily life. A few years ago I froze and vacuum sealed three week of meals and gave them to her for Christmas. She was thrilled to have three weeks of meals to fill her freezer. Look in you're cookbooks, I bet you have something yummy you could make that would brighten the recipients day.


7. Family Cookbook - We all have those cherished recipes that will be forever gone if they don't get written down and passed from generation to generation. I know my husband would give his right arm (well, maybe not is right arm but definitely his left arm) to have his Grandmas Vegetable Soup recipe but it was never written down so its gone forever. A few years ago I made a Family Cookbook. I did not have a fancy cookbook program so I just typed it in Word took it to the office supply store and had them bound. For just a few dollars each everyone had a family cookbook. I gave them the cookbook in a basket with a few supplies they would need to make a particular recipe, a loaf of homemade bread (yes, I cheated and used the frozen self rising bread dough in the grocery freezer section - It was only $1 a loaf and its so good) and a jar of jelly. It cost me less then $20 per family but made a beautiful gift. I found the baskets at the thrift shop and basket filler at Dollar Tree. I still use that cookbook and need to update it again.


8. Homemade Greeting Cards or Stationary - One year I made everyone a stationary kit complete with personalized address labels which I printed from my computer. I purchased a clip art disc for $5 and made each family their own personalized labels. They were so cute!


9. Music CD's - A few year's ago Mark's Mom sent us 6 CD's of music she downloaded she even created a homemade label for each one. We love them and still listen to them today. Many songs were songs Mark used to sing with his Grandma and the songs from her funeral. They are really special to him.
   
10. Jar of Memories - What a special gift this is. It takes time to create, but what a gift. Take small pieces of paper and write memories or notes to a loved on. Place in a jar and put a note on the jar like "Daily Encouragement" or "Gratitude Jar" or "Know You Are Loved" or "Thanks For The Memories". This is fun to do each year at Christmas then the next Christmas you can read them. Save them year after year and they will become more precious as time passes by.

So, do you have any gift giving ideas for Christmas? Come back next Monday for another top 10 list. I would love to hear your ideas too!

Christmas Shopping

On my quest to start buying Christmas gifts early I was pleased to find movies at Target for just $3.00 using this coupon here. I was able to purchase three movies for my nephews and finished Christmas shopping for them. Two names marked off my list! Woo Hoo!!! I purchased them Superman blankets and little lunch boxes which I filled with candy and popcorn. Now they are set for a movie night! Gift would have cost $30 each, I paid just $10 per gift!

Photos to follow, my batteries are dead!

Photo By Public Domain

Christmas Countdown!

My sisters and I love planning for a great family Christmas. We start talking about it and planning for it December 26!!! Over the years we have created a unique Christmas that our family really enjoys. One thing we have learned over the years is to PLAN EARLY and SHOP EARLY!!! Many of the items I purchase on clearance go into the Christmas pantry so when the holiday pops up, we are ahead of the game. Since we celebrate Christmas for a whole week, we plan a family menu and start buying non perishables grocery items early. I also like to shop early. My goal is to have the family gifts purchased by October and the kids finished up by November. Last year we did this with success and it was wonderful! It allowed time to enjoy the holiday and not be stressed out.

How do we go about doing this? One thing I do is keep my eye open for a great sale. When you see a great deal stop and ask, "Would this make a great gift for anyone?" Recently I found a Nine West purse on clearance for $4.50, I loved it but knew it would make a great gift. The original price was $89.00! Its going to make a great gift for that special person on my list!

Another thing I do is keep a small Christmas Notebook. In this notebook I keep our menu, gorcery list, card list as well as addressed and I make a list of people we are purchasing gifts for and when I purchase a gift I write the gift down next to their name. I don't know about you but I forget I purchased 10 girl gifts and have no guy gifts!

Click here to see a fun site, they post a 1 Day Sale each dat at midnight. Often they are great deals, they go fast so if you like it, you better get it. I have noticed most items have a shipping of only $4.99 and I have seen several items pop up for free! Like the Wii Sports Pack! Missed that one! Let me know if you find some great deals for Christmas, its just a few short months away!