Christmas Glass

This year I was able to purchase some Groupons to use at a local Hot Glass Shop so that I was able to take my family there for their first hands on experience in a hot shop. They could choose to make an ornament, a float, a candy dish, or an egg. Once they decided on the shape, they were able to pick up to 2 colors of frit to work with. Then it was just a matter of waiting until it was their turn. It is truly a easy experience for anyone to do. You have a glass worker who handles the punty, the glass, and gets that starter bubble going for you (they make it seem so effortless, but from experience I can tell you that it is not!). Then they hook up a hose and from that you blow into it, and help to create your piece. It is magical, and this way, you know you will end up with a great piece that will be well shaped and beautiful. We can't wait to see our finished pieces!

Christmas 2011

Christmas is all about family and traditions to me. I have to be honest and say that my favorite part of Christmas is actually our Christmas Eve traditions. We each get to open a gift on Christmas Eve. What is in those gifts is never a surprise, as we all look forward to our new pj's. After they are opened, we all go and change into them and gather around to listen as we tell the Christmas story from Luke. Every year that is when in truly feels like Christmas.

What follows is also tradition, the putting the kids to bed. Waiting for them to come downstairs, just one more time for something, and back up they go. Once we are assured they are asleep, the wrapping begins. Why I never can get things wrapped before Christmas Eve is a wonder, but there it is, and every year it manages to get done.

This year Christmas morning was even more crazy than normal as we still have all 6 puppies (they weren't ready to be sold yet) so before all of the festivities began we had to get the puppies out, play with them, clean up their beds, and get them back in before they could attack unwrap the presents. :)

Next, we get to take part of a virtual Christmas morning with whatever family is up and ready to go. We log onto Oovoo, and this year were able to video chat with my parents and my Aunt and Uncle who are visiting them, and my sister and her family. It was so much fun, and a bit crazy, but a neat way to be able to share the fun and excitement that the kids have.

After that, we got ready for Church were we were treated to a wonderful choral presentation by our ward choir that I truly loved. Back home for our traditional dinner and then to our friends, the Smith's for games and more visiting. While we are not with our families, we are spread out over several states, I love that I do have friends here who are like family to me and we are able to spend holidays with them as well.

I truly hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well. I am truly thankful for my Savior and that we are able to worship him and to celebrate his birth.

Charmed Pennies Etsy Sale

I am having a huge sale on my Charmed Pennies in honor of Black Friday. Use the coupon code THANKSGIVINGDAY50OFF (during checkout) to save 50 percent off all items! This is the perfect chance to pick up some fun gifts for your family and friends. If you are a  Primary or Young Women leader this is a great time to pick up  2012 Theme charms or CTR tie tacs for your groups, this is my lowest price! They are perfect for New Beginnings gifts as well.

Take a look at a few new designs!

Thanksgiving

Last year a few of our close friends and us got together for Thanksgiving, and we had a blast, so we did the same thing this year.....but our group grew to 35! There was a lot of fabulous food. We had 2 turkeys, 1 ham, mashed pototoes, stuffing, creamed onions, green bean casserole, candied yams, homemade orange rolls, corn, deviled eggs, cheese and cracker plate, feta stuffed mini sweet peppers, green salad, a jello salad....and then of course all your holiday pies! There was also a yummy slushy raspberry and pineapple drink that I need the recipe for.  After we all ate, the kids all made gingerbread houses. They all had so much fun! Kids are so creative.

I will be posting pictures soon, they are on both my camera and our friends.

I am truly grateful this year for so many things, especially for my family and friends. I don't know how I would have managed these past few months without all of their help. The simple and kind act Sandy straightening my hair before surgury so my curly mane would be more manageable afterwards to Amber who is a hair dresser washing my hair for me as it was next to impossible those first weeks to do it myself. Jan, Jaque, Megan, and Sandy driving me to and from PT and even just taking me to Target! Colleen for massaging my shoulder and helping me regain the full movement of my wrist, Nicki for my new favorite blanket as I was always cold because of the never ending ice packs. I know I am missing many people, and I am grateful for all the prayers and well wishes I recieved.

My family was incredible. Chris had to step in and take over all my rolls, chauffer, cook, maid, you name it, he had to do it all. The kids have been amazing and so good about doing whatever I needed them to do so that I could let my arm heal. They helped me "be good" when I wanted to push the envelope. I think they enjoyed being somewhat in charge of their Mom. :)


 So thank you, I couldn't have done it without all of you!

Feeding Frenzy with the Pups

I just had to share this video. The pups were all lined up at the edge of their box, and wanted out of their box since Mom was jut sitting out of reach. Well, I pulled them all out, and the feeding frenzy began. Apparently Sterling has a very strong jaw! :) Enjoy!

Give Thanks and be Grateful free printable

What a crazy 2 weeks it has been! The girls and I had a get away to the beach and had a blast. The puppies eyes are all open, and they have started to try to walk and play with each other. And then I messed up on my meds by trying to lower my dosage to fast. Funny thing, you can't do that. It has really messed with my productivity this past week, but I am finally back to feeling like myself. As I was back to sitting on the couch, and I will admit to feeling sorry for myself (I am pretty independent, and have really disliked not being able to do things for myself - can you believe I am looking forward to the day that I can put my hair up in a ponytail again without help?) and realized that I truly have so much more to be grateful for. 

A big blessing is that my arm is getting better. I can move my arm in one way, almost 3 times as high as I used to. It is giving me hope and incentive to keep going to torture physical therapy so that I will keep on improving and once again have a normal range of motion again. I am also grateful that my family and friends have been so supportive of me during this time. Nothing like being 30 something and grounde from driving! LOL! 

For Thanksgiving, I wanted to offer something to all of my fans and followers as a thanks you. I appreciate the support I have received here on my blog and Facebook pages I really do appreciate each and every comment I receive.  I created this poster for you. It is in the Keep Calm and Carry On spirit. Just click on the image so it opens in a new window, and then right click and save the file. It is sized for 8 x 10. I hope you all enjoy! 

 I've linked up with these great parties!

Puppies! week 1 update

So, it has been a week and a half since Roxy had her pups, and we are officially in love! Roxy is being absolute fabulous Momma to her pups. They are all doing great, a couple are gaining weight a little slower, and so we have supplemented them twice, just to help keep them on track. They don't seem to like it, but Roxy loves the formula! LOL! She licks any tiny drop right off of them. :) Here are the pictures and the puppies stats at birth, and one week. Hopefully I will get the 2nd week update up on day 14 LOL!

Pup 1, a boy, weighed 4 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.9 ounces.

Pup 2, a boy, weighed 3.875 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.5 ounces.

Pup 3, a boy, weighed 4.24 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.6 ounces.

Pup 4, a girl, weighed 3.375 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.9 ounces.

Pup 5, a girl, weighed 3.75 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.4 ounces.

Pup 6, a boy, weighed 4.75 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.5 ounces.

 A couple of pictures to help with scale. 

Newborn

Week 1

Travis's 14 year old hands, putting pup 5 in basket*.

*Week one pictures are in a small Parsley booking basket from Longeberger that measures 9" long, 3 3/4" wide, and only 2 1/2" high for the basket & 5 1/2" high to the top of the handle.

Trick or Treat!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. My kids had a great time! Daylyn and Allison went trick or treating with their Dad while Tyler, Travis and I stayed home and passed out the candy. We have a tradition of chili and cornbread for dinner. Chili is one of Travis's favorite meals, I so I walked him through making it step by step, and he did a fabulous job, it was great! Have to say that it is one of my favorite meals as well.

Here are the kids all dressed up and ready for fun!

Arggh, I'm a Pirate!

 A full moon Fashonista (aka a tween werewolf).

Our mystical Mage.

Hurricane Candlestick Tutorial

I found some great candy jars on Pintrest, and after lots of shopping, I gave up on finding jars that had lids and decided I would go more traditional with hurricane lamps.

Materials:
Set of 3 candlesticks - Wal-Mart $15
Hurricane glass, 3 sizes from Jo-Ann's $20 (I used a 40% coupon on one of them)
E6000
Ribbon
Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint

1. Gather all your supplies.

2. Clean the glass well to provide a clean surface for the glue to adhere to.

3. Put a line of glue around the top of the candlestick.

4. Put candlestick on upside down Hurricane glass.

5. Realize that the glue is removing the paint from your candlestick. 

Pull it back off, and wipe off the glue.

6. Take candlesticks outside and paint with favorite paint,

Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

7. Wait for paint to dry, then repeat steps 3 & 4.

 8. Once glue is dry, wrap glass with assorted ribbon and you are done!

Halloween "Mantle"

I have wanted a fireplace mantle for years and this year, after rearranging furniture, yes I rearranged furniture again, I still don't have a mantle, but I do have a place to decorate, and I couldn't be more thrilled! I found a great Halloween subway art free printable online at The Crafted Sparrow. Of course I also have loved searching for fun things on Pintrest, and put my own spin on a couple of those projects as well. So what do you think?

We Have Puppies!!!

What a crazy, wonderful experience this has been! Roxy went into labor on Friday night, so Chris and I took turns staying up with her as she didn't want to leave our sides. We tried to get her into the whelping box that we had set up in my office, but she wanted to be in the front room. So, we grabbed everything and brought it out there for her. At 6:51 AM, her first pup was born, We helped her with the first 2 pups as they were both breech. Her last pup came at 9:57 AM. She had 4 boys, and 2 girls. Daylyn and Allison were in awe of the experience and were wonderful helpers by recording the pups stats for us. :) So without further ado...here are her pups.
 

 Here she is with her first pup, a boy!

 Puppy 2 is a boy as well.

 This is her and the pups home for the next few weeks.

 Our incredible Roxy with her sweet little pups.

Sisters & Tomato Soup

There are moments as a parent that just make you smile. Tonight was one of them. I don't know how many of you have daughters just shy of 2 years apart. If you do, you know they can be best of friends one minute, and the next? Lets just say there are tears, yelling, and the end of the world in the next minute. Today was one of thosers days, and then I walk into the kitchen and there they are....together, smiling, and working together to make dinner. Maybe it was because it is one of our families favorite meals, but tonight simple tomato soup and grilled ham and cheese brought the girls together, and warmed my heart.

Bead Soup Blog Party Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to each and every one of you who came by to party with me! Your kind comments truly made my daysas I received them. It has been hard not being able to melt glass and play with beads, and the comments really have helped me stay positive through this. I am also so excited to get going on the book suggestions. I had read one of the books already, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett and had forgotten how much I liked it, and am looking forward to reading more. Who knew that good pain pills would cause such drowsiness and even blurred vision? I didn't but it has finally gone away and I was even able to finish a book I started before the surgery!

With all that said it is time to announce the winner of my Bead Soup Blog Party Giveaway! Do you remember what the prize was? Here you go! A mini acorn, your choice of 3 Charmed Pennies pendants (I can put a favorite saying or even your logo on one if you want!), and a set of pandora style beads.

and the drum roll please ...............the winner is Sweet Freedom!

Please let me know what images you want for your Charmed Pennies!

Thank you all again for participating!

Puppies

Our sweet little dog Roxy is having puppies. Here is the x-ray taken today so we would know how many puppies to expect. I knew 2 for sure, thought probably 3.

So can you tell how many there are in there?

Want me to show you? 

I numbered their heads, there are 6 puppies!!!!

All I can say is Oh my word......