stinkin good gift idea #2

have you started making your list yet? no, not that one...the list of all your favorite classic holiday movies that you will endeavor to watch in the next 27 days? mine includes Elf, Snowball Express, White Christmas, Christmas Vacation, the Christmas Classic claymation cartoons, and Home Alone (only because my hubby loves that one). oh, and don't forget "A Christmas Story" with all of it's charming humor...and the iconic, eclectic Leg Lamp. so, who on your list wouldn't love receiving this obviously festive Christmas gift?



You can order yours here:)

my thanksgiving

this year was a big year, as I graduated from the kid's table (i'm the youngest of four girls and have always managed to avoid the cooking and have enjoyed joining the children at the kid's table) all the way to hosting thanksgiving dinner at my home! it was a big leap, but i was still able to avoid a lot of the cooking (thanks to mom-in-law)...


...and really enjoyed making the environment of the meal reflective of my favorite fall things...




...ellie helped with the name cards and even added a little decor to the table herself...



although i missed my grandmas, parents, sisters and their families (my first thanksgiving without them), it was a great day as i was overwhelmed with contemplations of God's undeserved goodness to me.

now off to devour the leftovers!

How was your thanksgiving?

stinkin good gift idea #1

I've never been a good gift giver/receiver...but the one thing I truly appreciate in a gift is if it is soaked with creativity and thoughtfulness. This Christmas, I'm trying to think more about how I can say something more than "Merry Commercialism...i mean Christmas" with the gifts I give...something more along the lines of "your friendship has nurtured my life" or "could I adore you any more?". Here is one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever seen...

A husband and wife have decided to handmake each other's gifts this year. The husband wanted to do something that would encourage his wife of small children in this fulfilling and exhausting season of motherhood. He's asking moms to send in letters of encouragement via the blog "The Mother Letter Project". He's going to compile all the letters and give them as a gift to his wife. Isn't that a stinkin good (and super sweet and thoughtful) gift idea?

ellie's first date

this weekend marked a big first for ellie...and along with her first dress shopping experience, first hair and makeup session, first butterflies as she saw her date for the first time (well, i don't know about that part, she said he looked silly in his suit...i guess it was me that had butterflies:), and the first time that her mom realized she, in the blink of an eye, will be looking this drop dead gorgeous and waiting for that poor boy that will never ever be good enough, smart enough, strong enough for our princess...along with all those firsts, she had her first date...escorted to her first official "ball" by the only boy that holds her heart...at least for the next 30 plus years

an explanation for my blogging hiatus

it's been a while...so let me try to recap the last two weeks because i just know all 4 of you really missed me in this here blogosphere:)

...celebrated election day at the republican party headquarters with good friends (an awkward night considering the turnout...but fun, nevertheless, and congrats to good friend Rep. Steve Kren!)

...took ellie to the movie "feater" to see HSM3...and kind of enjoyed it (oh no, I'm one of those moms!)

...celebrated my nephew's 7th birthday party with family...can't believe he's 7!

...laughed as Mike put up our Christmas lights on the house (he's got a little "Clark Griswold" in him)...then laughed harder when our neighbor put their's up a few days later...

...disinfected the entire house since the flu bug is going around...

...got the flu bug despite the clean house, asked ellie if she would take care of me while i was sick, and she just said, "i can't, i'm a kid"...wished my mommy was here:)

...went to an Idaho Steelheads hockey game and sat with the hockey wives/girlfriends...they won! first time i've been to a game and they won, the curse is broken!

...helped ellie get ready for her first date...her daddy took her to the "winter ball" and she was convinced she was a princess and he was her prince...i heard she was quite the "life of the party"...not surprised...

...missing church today:( cleaning up puke, washing puked on bedding, comforting my sweet olive who unfortunately got the flu bug, too...

...getting ready to make some good ole', comforting chicken soup...we could all use a little comfort today:)

What kind of "comfort" things are you craving today?

some fading fall thoughts...

...should i keep my pumpkins until Thanksgiving?

...why are there large, ominous tumbleweeds attacking my house?

...is now too soon to hang our stockings? (i'm just so excited i actually have a mantle to!

...mr. sun, can you please just peek your head out for a minute? i already miss you!

...have you seen a cuter butterfly and candy corn than this?

WHY I'M VOTING...

...i love my country...

...this election will effect my sweet ellie & olivia and their families...

...it's not just about the blessed u.s., it's about the world...

...i'm desperate for righteousness to rule this nation...

...FREE STARBUCKS!! COME ON!!!...

too much fun for a monday...

be forewarned...you could spend hours here! you can design your own room and see rooms others have designed. i'm seriously considering wallpapering a wall in my living room (thanks, simplygrove) and want to see what it actually would look like...so i started with the things that i have currently in my living room, and tried different wallpaper patterns to see which i liked best. plus, it will help convince the hubby it's a good idea if he can actually see what it will look like! i have decided, this is definitely not one of my strong sides...good thing i have amazing design friends as consultants!