Values & Goals for the Holiday Season

As I think about this holiday season ahead, I am forced to think about what I really want out of this season. What do I want for myself and my family? Here are a few things that have come to mind.

1. I want to be more appreciative of what I have and instill that into our children. It is so hard to get caught up in the world around you and you find yourself looking at what you don't have, instead of all that really do have. I have come across a quote I found that I tore out of a magazine that I am going to find a permanent place for in my home.."Be thankful for what you have: You'll end up having more." --Oprah Winfrey
2. To play more with our kids and experience this joyful and merry time of year together. For me it is so slow down, not worry about the laundry or the messy house, just spend some time with the boys each day doing something together, like baking cookies, writing a letter to Santa, doing a craft or even coloring with them instead of letting them color while I am doing other household things.
3. To spend time together just Jim, I and the boys and give them the memories that they will remember for many years to come. Like putting up the Christmas tree together or reading Christmas stories. Those things we have done with them already this year but hope that we continue to do it year after year and that it becomes something they always remember us doing together. And we hope to come up with a few other traditions as well.
4. To concentrate more on being joyful and appreciate the warmth of family and friends during the holidays. And pass on to our boys that family & friends are to be valued and to nurture those relationships.
5. To instill in our boys the reason for the Christmas season, Christ. And that it just isn't about Santa. And to pass on to them the importance of giving to others less fortunate not only during this time of year but all the time.
6. For our boys to enjoy the laughter, wonder, magic, spirit and sharing of the holidays. Ok so we are still working on the sharing part but hopefully they will come around soon! :)
7. I hope to enjoy some quiet time with Jim this season and also enjoy those sweet treats that only come around this time of year!

TodaysMama - Giveaways

TodaysMama - Giveaways: "Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
1. for my family & friends to be happy and healthy
2. sewing machine
3. a small table for living area under our new painting
4. new scrapbooking supplies
5. new clothes

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
A baby blanket that was given to me as a gift from my great aunt

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
knitting a baby blanket

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Barbie Doll Dream House

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
A Green Tractor with a trailer that runs by itself, their own personal pool table and balls

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Pecan Pie & Ham (not at the same time of course)

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
This year I hope to make a December Daily Album for my family

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

9. Favorite holiday song?
Oh Holy Night

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Snuggling on the couch with my hubby watching Christmas movies & watching our boys play & baking goodies for the holidays :)

Growing Boys

I cannot believe how fast time flies. Jax has used the "toilet" as he calls it twice last week. And tried once yesterday but just sat and enjoyed himself being like big brother. Jax says "Hold you" instead of "hold me" and "wub yu" instead of "love you". I have really notices how all of a sudden Jax is looking older to me like he grew over night. What is the deal....just like that and Ross is the same way, he is so tall all of a sudden. And Ross is very outspoken and more here lately, but he is very headstrong so it is to be expected, right?

I am so ready to put up Christmas decorations, maybe I can talk Jim into putting them up next weekend. That will give me some time to get the windows cleaned (which I have been putting off, well more like just have not found the time to get it done). So if I tell myself, "After I get the windows cleaned then we can put the decorations" then maybe I will force myself to do it instead of doing other daily chores or checking my email. Oh well, we shall see....

Halloween Memories

This Halloween was so amazing! We had the best time ever! And so did our little boys!! This was our first Halloween in our neighborhood and we loved it! Saturday we woke up early and attended Ross' first soccer game and he scored 2 times for his team!! He had such a good time! We then went to the market downtown to see the small local craft fair and then for breakfast and a trip to Lowes where we looked alot at Christmas decor. I am so ready to put up our decorations :) After a nap and some preparation Papa & Nana and Papa & Mama came over for Halloween dinner and a good time. Since it was so nice outside we all ate on the back covered deck. We enjoyed baked spagetti, bread and chocolate & pumpkin pie. Then it was time for costumes and hunting for treats. Off we went and Nana & Papa & Papa stayed behind to hand out candy at our house & watch some tv. Mama decided to head off with us to find some goodies. The rain shower did not stop us, we met some folks on the neighborhood and saw lots of little kids in cute costumes! The boys had a blast and got lots of candy!!! We had a wonderful time and it is the start of many memories to come!

Weekend In Asheville

There is a new place that I really love....Asheville. It is so beautiful there and the stores and atmosphere is great also. The leaves were really beautiful this weekend, I am glad we went. Ross spent the weekend with Nana & Papa and Jax with Mama & Papa & Aunt Beth. Jim and I left on Friday and after we found our hotel (the roads were a little confusion then add in rain and fog and you can imagine why it took us a few tries to get to our destination). We then went downtown and ate at The Lobster Trap, it was soooo goood. We had edamame and scallops wrapped in bacon for an appetizer (good!), Jim had crab legs and steak with lobster mac and cheese and rice pilaf and I had grilled salmon, lobster mac and cheese and roasted pumpkin. We were stuffed by the time we left there. By this time all the stores were closed except for restaurants and night clubs so we were not able to visit the local shops so instead we went to a movie. The next day we ate breakfast at The Early Girl Eatery, good also, we had a biscuit and a cup of fruit with fresh squeezed oj. Then off to Biltmore. Enjoyed the house, land and leaves. Then off to hotel, light dinner and watched some tv before falling asleep. Then on Sunday we came back home. It was so nice to get away but we missed our little men alot. Now after seeing the Biltmore with some Christmas trees up.....I have the fever to put ours up........

Today

Today I went to MOPS and met some moms have not talked to before.
Today my mom came over and spent time with my boys.
Today my boys took a longer nap than they usually do. (So I took an hour nap myself)
Today Ross went to his first soccer practice and he did sooo good! He stayed in place & kicked hard.
Today I thought about my best friend at home with her 6 week old.
Today I talked to my Dad and Sister on the phone, it was good to talk to them.
Today I did 2 loads of laundry.
Today I realized it is about 2 months till Christmas.

Loving Autumn

I love that the trees are beginning to change, the red and yellow colors are so beautiful. I am looking forward to the cold nights so we can turn on the gas logs and I can snuggle with my hubby. I love that the boys love to be outside, they enjoy the dirt, rocks, and sun. They sneeze everytime they walk out and look at the sun, so cute!! They also love to eat outside, grapes, tomatoes, apples you name it, they will eat it. They love animals, cats, dogs, cows, horses, donkeys and if they can, give them hugs and kisses.

Ross tells you what is on his mind. He starts out by saying, "Mommy, I need to tell you sumpin" He talked to Jesus while in the car: "Jesus, can you give the donkey some new teeth" He gets quiet for a moment then I hear him say "ok" Then he tells me "Mommy, Jesus said he will give the donkey new teeth in 5 weeks" I said that was good and Ross agreed. Then he asked "Jesus, can I please get a green tractor for Christmas?" Quiet moment then he says "ok".

Jax is very vocal as well, his vocabulary amazes me! He was crawling (driving) his toy car and was interfering with his Dad getting dressed and he said "Sorry Daddy" without any prompting. Today, he was pushing his bus around and I told him he needed to put it away and get ready for bedtime. He said "I need to get gas" he stops the bus and pretends to put the gas hose in the bus and says "shuuuu" then puts the gas hose away and drives his bus back to the parking spot in his closet. Jax is always concerned about Ross and always wants to know where he is. Now when he wakes up in the morning first thing out of his mouth..."Roooossss" ( I feel a little sad that he does not call me :) my little man is growing up) No, I am happy that they love each other and I hope that they grow up to be lifetime best friends.

I love our days right now, routine, and playing with the boys, I think I need to take more pictures!!