THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 20
12:01 am
Grab the button, email me the answers, join the club!
Picture of the week:
Week in Review: Because sometimes a herd (school, posse)? of ducks show up at your front door and you just need to feed them.
Introduction into The Society: And now I’m happy to introduce you to the newest branch in our ever-growing family tree: No Small Thing. She submitted this post about shoe shopping to get into our little club!
1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):
My blog is called No Small Thing. I started it as a journal so that I could remember funny/sentimental things, even every day things that have happened in my life as a mother.
2. How long have you been blogging?
I started this blog in January 2008, so it has been about 7 months.
3. How would you define THAT family?
THAT family in one word? Us. THAT family is always noticeable for one reason or another…the dirty fingernails, the koolaid smiles, the bumps and bruises and scrapes. They are loud, and chaotic, and fun to be around! They seem unlucky, as though a little black cloud follows them around, but they also don’t seem to notice that cloud. THAT family may seem a mess, but they have a love for one another that is deep and it will weather any storm.
4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family?
Well, I grew up in THAT family, and I was going to turn in my membership card when I got married. I think I figured out that I was still a member when my third child followed me around Target asking rather loudly if he could “eat this booger?” I was gettin’ the stares, I’m tellin’ you. Or maybe it was the time I had to take all four of the children to the doctor (they were all sick) and the doctor asked for a urine sample from one of them, so we all piled in the bathroom together, me, three kids and a baby in the stroller, and they began fighting over who got to pee in the cup while the baby was screaming. And I tried to shush them, I did, and I know everyone heard us.
5. Where can we find your blog?
DIYP {Christmas Decor & Ideas Part I}
7:00 am
I’m so excited to share with you some of my Christmas decor ideas. Each week I’ll highlight several of my favorite things in my house.
Idea #1: I love all the fun Christmas cloth napkins that are available. I got these cute Santa toile napkins at Hobby Lobby during one of their 1/2 off sales. I also bought some matching red ribbon and plugged in my hot glue gun.
Oh, yeah.
I took the two napkins and glued the ribbon at each corner on both napkins.
I placed a pillow in-between my adorable slip cover and look what I made!
Idea #2:
Take some acrylic paint (red, green or white) and a paint brush and paint a jolly word on a mirror in your house!
I painted ‘joy’ on my powder room mirror and that’s exactly what I feel when I look into it!
Idea #3:
Buy a festive holiday place card set. I got my set of 8 at the Homegoods store for $6.99.
I love these cute little things because they are so versatile. Here are just a few ideas:
Picture holders
Business card holders
Ornaments for a table top tree
Use them to spread cheer
Intended purpose
Join me next Saturday, I’ll be showing off my Christmas tree, my creative Nutcracker chandelier and the best idea ever for pine cones!!
And for a fun winter project to do with your kids, check out how to make snow globes in my Blissfully Domestic article!
Black Friday
12:01 am
Are you crazy enough to do this?
If so, what is the best deal you got today?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urh6HYiBmbw]
ThanksLiving
12:01 am
It’s a Thanksgiving tradition to make a list of all the things for which we are thankful. Here’s my list so far:
God
Hubby
Kids
Hubby
Kids
Family & friends
Sweet tea
Russian friends
Automobile DVD players
Tummy panel in slimming jeans
Target clearance aisles
MacBook
Magic eraser
iphone
Mac n cheese
Poison control
Novasure
Tweezers
My home
Pet doors
Padded braziers
Garage sales
Peppermint shakes & coffees
Church
Laughter
Things to laugh at
Clairol gray hair coverage
Cool weather
Naptime
Having more than enough
Santa following me on Twitter (it helps with the bribery)
Wii
Toenail polish
Chocolate
Warm pajamas
Hot baths (and especially the last 4 together)
Fiber
Favaunt
Tiny feet
Butterfly kisses
My parents
Concealer
Blogworld
You
Sweet tea
Russian friends
Automobile DVD players
Tummy panel in slimming jeans
Target clearance aisles
MacBook
Magic eraser
iphone
Mac n cheese
Poison control
Novasure
Tweezers
My home
Pet doors
Padded braziers
Garage sales
Peppermint shakes & coffees
Church
Laughter
Things to laugh at
Clairol gray hair coverage
Cool weather
Naptime
Having more than enough
Santa following me on Twitter (it helps with the bribery)
Wii
Toenail polish
Chocolate
Warm pajamas
Hot baths (and especially the last 4 together)
Fiber
Favaunt
Tiny feet
Butterfly kisses
My parents
Concealer
Blogworld
You
What’s on your list?
Visit Kelly’s to see some other great holiday traditions!
Do NOT Follow this Link
12:01 am
Unless you want to laugh hysterically {and cause your mascara to run and burn your left eyeball for an hour. It could happen} DO NOT follow the following link.
I ran across this post and decided it was much funnier than anything I could come up with:
This seriously made my ugly laugh come out, but please don’t take it too seriously: Thanksgiving Activities
(I’m currently traveling 10 hours with 3 children and all humor evades me).
There’s still time to enter my current Mom Store Giveaway!
Thoughts on Thanksgiving
5:30 pm
I can’t think of another attribute I’d like to develop in my children more than thankfulness.
Nothing makes me heart smile like an unprompted ‘thank you’ or an uninhibited burst of gratitude.
I believe thankfulness is the mark of a great person. A grateful heart does not complain or compare. A grateful heart does not grumble or gripe. A grateful heart is a beautiful thing.
And it is rare.
I want to teach my kids to be thankful. I want them to see the good in their lives as blessings. I want their perspective to mirror their grateful hearts.
I want them to see gratitude in me.
Here are five thankful actions I’m trying to put into practice:
- Serve It-In our every day lives, my hubby and I try to make service a normal part of our routine. We ask our kids to help each other out as a way of serving one another. We have also recently implemented acts of service towards others (One Day to Give). There is a new excitement in our home about serving others. My kids have innovative ideas and together, we are working on servitude.
- Say It-I think one of the best ways we can show gratitude is with our words. Saying thank you at restaurants, to teachers, clergy, neighbors and friends is crucial. Our kids are taking their cues from us. And sometimes the people in our own homes have the most un-thankless jobs. I’m aiming to thank my hubby every time he takes out the trash or lends an extra hand around the house. Kids need to be verbally thanked too.
- Sacrifice It-In our society, we don’t hear much about sacrifice. It’s not popular to give something up. But it’s still a valuable lesson to teach our children. I think true gratitude is born in sacrifice. Seeing others needs as greater than our own is what thankfulness is all about.
- Show It-Sometimes the best way to show gratitude is through tangible means: a hand-written note, a gift from the heart or a thank you note for a birthday gift. These simple acts sometimes get lost in our high tech world.
- Search for it-Life isn’t always easy. And during difficult times, it’s easy to focus on the negative. It’s during these moments, we have to look for the silver-lining in life’s trials. Perspective often changes our attitude. I try to remind my kids that they are blessed.
Food for the Soul:
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.
Happy Tuesday Giveaway!
7:00 am
*UPDATED* Congrats to A Country Girl’s Ramblings! Don’t forget 4 Princess Bows is offering a 20% discount with this code: THAT family
There are so many talented moms in the world.
And by talent I’m not talking about the Mom I met yesterday who had already completely potty trained her 19 month old daughter.
Because that’s just not normal.
{PLEAASSSEE!! Tell me it’s not normal because my 23 month old child uses her potty chair to hold her books}.
{And if you are a Master Potty Trainer and feel so inclined to tell me, please only do so if you can also send me a manual accompanied by a DVD and a part time person}.
Okay. Back to talent.
And another terrific Mom store. Because the Mom who owns 4 Princess Bows is just that, talented. All of the proceeds from this terrific shop go towards her upcoming Mission’s Trip. So, not only are you getting something adorable, the money is going to a great cause.
4 Princess Bows offers hand-sewn precious hair accessories and this mom’s motto: “All of my bows must pass the cute factor…in other words, if my girls won’t wear it, I don’t sell it!”
And I believe her. Just look at this Christmas tree-shaped bow:
And not only is her store stuffed full of cute hair bows and headbands, she also makes tutus, baby slings and this adorable jewelry:
I love hosting giveaways this time of year. I think we’re all feeling the pinch of the economy and with Christmas around the corner, it’s time to stretch every dollar. I entered a big giveaway the other day and won! I’ve hidden the present away to give to my hubby (we have birthdays, an anniversary and Christmas, ohmy, all in December, so every little bit helps)!
Go visit this fun store and tell me what you’d choose with the $25 gift certificate she’s giving away! $25 will go a long way in adorable hair bows and cute bracelets! Also, she’s offering a special 20% off coupon for readers (coupon code: THAT family, valid until 2/09). Giveaway will end after Thanksgiving.
A Gift that Tastes Like Chicken
7:00 am
I’ve told y’all all about my good man.
He’s not perfect. And we’ve had our fair share of Potato Soup fights.
(Our first fight ever was over potato soup. He liked my recipe so much, he kept going back to refill his bowl. I whined about not having any left from the double batch for lunch the next day, so he dumped the whole bowl in the trash. The fight ensued…)
(Yes, I won that fight!)
But fourteen years later, we are still best friends and I deeply respect him.
During the week, he spends a lot of time in his car driving to doctor’s offices. He’s a Pharmaceutical Rep and as a part of his job he provides lunch for the clinics.
One area of town, about 20 minutes from our house, is a lower-income area. There are homeless people under every overpass.
One day, my hubby rolled down his window and offered his own lunch to a homeless man.
He did it again the next day.
And again the next week.
He prayed with one desperate lady and encouraged a sad man.
And now on a regular basis, he pauses during his busy day, to make someone else’s. I was so proud. I told my kids about it.
Do you know what they said?
“Take us, Dad. We want to feed them too.”
And so we did. On Saturday. It was our One Day to Give for November.
We filled up two sacks with Chick Fil A chicken biscuits and we prayed. (And yes, I did get a sweet tea, just in case you were wondering.)
As one person after another came to our car window, I watched my children’s faces.
They looked closely. They listened intently. And they understood why their Dad feeds the homeless.
One man in particular touched us deeply. My hubby asked if he was hungry. He smiled and said, ‘yes, this is the first food I’ve had in two days.” His joy was evident. And so was his relief. (My hubby handed him my large cup of sweet tea too. Now that’s sacrifice! Do you think a cup of cold sweet tea given in Jesus’ name counts the same?)
On our way home, we talked with our kids. I knew this would be a day they would remember. “Do you have any questions?” I asked.
“Yes,” my son said. “If that one man is homeless, how did he get gold teeth?”
I explained that most people don’t start off homeless and we speculated some about his life. I said, “and for some, gold teeth are a fashion statement.”
My almost 9 year old fashionable daughter said, “Who would want gold teeth?”
My son raised his hand and said, “Me!”
During this wonderful week of Thanksgiving, take a moment to give. You’ll be glad you did.
THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 19
12:01 am
Picture of the Week: Week in Review: My toddler has discovered the Christmas catalog. She enthusiastically kisses the items she likes. Good thing Santa doesn’t mind slobber. And please don’t notice her shirtless body in the kitchen. We try to hide our white trash ways. We really do. Introduction into The Society: I’d like you all to make welcome Carolina Mama to the family. Y’all be nice now and go visit her great blog! She’s a Southern girl! 1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog): Being a Mama encompasses so much of who I am. Wife. Mama. Family. That’s me. Carolina Mama is my everyday, whether it’s playing ball in the park with my boys, on a date with Mountain Man, or discovering a new product. Really it’s just our day in the life. Blogging is a continuation of a lifetime of words – writing. Mommyblogging is perfectly available and convenient to this Mama. 2. How long have you blogging? My blogging started the Summer of 2006. I sort of entered kicking and screaming because I was more comfortable with being a Columnist and traditional media rather than the blogging medium. I’ve blogged my family, causes, athletic events, paid blogging, of course, everyday fun – I’ve fallen in love with it. Through it all I have had the blessing of discovering a wonderful community. 3. How would you define THAT family? Maybe I am THAT girl or THAT mama therefore THAT family because I have always been pretty comfortable being myself – in the sense, I do not simply follow and do what others do. To me it’s a blessing to be who I am. I have had friends say it takes real courage. I didn’t realize many people struggle with this. So I feel very blessed. Of course, there are times when being a wall flower would be handy. 4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family? Clearly, for us, becoming parents to Twins was our epiphany. We were in a smaller town than we are in now and we were the talk of the town. I once wrote about it that it was like being in a glass box. Everyone saw your every move. Small town girl that I am, this is endearing and yet THAT family gets noticed all the more. 5. Where can we find your blog?
Grab the button, email me the answers, join the club!
DIYP#26 Advent Calendar & Shape-Its Giveaway!
7:00 am
We are going to be celebrating Advent a little different this year.
Some of the inspiration came from this adorable idea in PaperCraft magazine:
A Bottle Cap Advent Calendar:
I love this simple, frugal idea of using bottle caps, scrapbook paper and even photos to count the days of December.
But I wanted to add a little message inside each cap. You can download my plan for Advent here.
First, I had my kids help me glue magnets onto the backs of bottle caps. These are pretty cheap at Hobby Lobby, but you can also use recycled caps.
Next, I gathered paper and stickers.
I cut out 25 little squares.
And numbered them.
I took the secret message and tucked it into the cap and taped the number over the top:
I put them on the fridge in the form of a Christmas tree and my kid’s are very eager for December first to get here!
A Royal Pain
7:00 am
Is it just me or have school projects gone up a notch?
I mean, I was fine with dressing a Turkey like a favorite book character in Kindergarten.
And, celebrating the 100th day of school in the first grade with one hundred tiny items, worked out well.
Building a miniature replica of a city building in second grade was challenging, but my hubby had fun.
But the third grade? An Ancestral Figure
I think I’m out of my league.
We are in the big-time school projects now. We’re talking research, internet sources, an interview with a family member, and a bibliography(!).
But that’s only part one.
Part two: Design an Ancestral Figurine from a clothespin.
Help.
We’ve been working on this family project for a couple of weeks now and we’re just about done. (I use we because we believe in group projects ’round here).
We went with my hubby’s family because the nuts from his tree have been recorded. Mine? There’s not even a document.
Here’s what we learned:
- Part of my hubby’s family comes from England.
- There is a family crest.
- They are said to be English Royalty
- Once settled in the American colonies, his family helped General George Washington in the New York Campaign.
Yeah, my kids perked up at the mention of royalty.
“So, Mom, does this mean I don’t have to clean my room?” my daughter asked as she dug thru the toy box for a crown.
“Everyone in this house is from English royalty. Except you. Right? Mom? Mom?” my son asked as I locked myself in the bathroom.
(Before someone piled countless chores on me, ripped my dress to shreds and told me I couldn’t go The Ball!)
I gathered a few supplies for the figurine.
And when I returned from Target yesterday, this is what I found:
Well.
I decided three things: If my hubby loses his day job, he can fall back on his doll-making skills; school projects are a pain and we are so getting an A.
Um, I mean, my daughter’s getting an A.
Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You: My Hand on a Stranger’s Leg
7:00 am
My weekly carnival is here! Thanks for joining Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You!
Feel free to link up photos that you won’t get around to scrap booking! Also, please note: We will be putting the ‘Fro on hold the week of Thanksgiving.
Now, down to business.
A letter I have been putting off for too long:
Dear Mr. Lego Man,
I ran across this picture the other day and I felt a pang of guilt. I should have apologized years ago for my inappropriate behavior. Time has not eased my seared conscience. And I’d like to make things right.
I am sorry for sliding my hand to your inner thigh when my daughter and I stopped for a quick rest on the bench. After such an exhausting day at Disney World, I was obviously not thinking clearly and I have regretted my impulsive action for a long time.
Please forgive me.
THAT Mom.
Mr. Linky is having a BAD day again, so leave your links in the comments if it’s not working for you! He disappeared with your links overnight! Sorry, y’all.
Say It With Letters-Giveaway!
7:00 am
*UPDATED* Congratulations to Suburb Sanity! You won. Check you inbox for an email!! Now, the rest of you, go buy what you said you wanted and come back on Saturday for a DIY giveaway (featuring another fabulous Mom Store).
I enjoy finding new ways to do old things.
And then I love sharing them with you.
A fabulous place of discovery is Etsy. It’s been fun introducing you to new Mom stores this holiday season. I think it only makes our online community stronger.
I am so happy to tell you about today’s store: Say it with letters.
The name alone interests me.
Because y’all, I’m fond of the alphabet.
Just looking around this custom cut letters and shapes shop makes me want to get my crafty on. In a serious way.
Now, if that doesn’t bring out your inner craft goddess, I don’t know what will!
Go and visit this great store. Come back and tell me what you would get with the $25 DOLLAR gift certificate Say It With Letters is giving away right now! The random winner will be announced on Thursday at noon.
For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.
An Update on The Persecuted Church
8:00 am
Persecuted Church:
Can I just say I am honored to be a part of these people’s lives?
I mean out of all the people in the world, why us?
I’m amazed God allowed our paths to cross.
And our lives to intertwine.
I am awestruck.
Last night, two dozen people I love, joined with me in blessing this family. We ate and laughed and offered gifts of love (bed sheets, a trash can, stockings for their mantle…just to name a few) to these refugees from The Persecuted Church.
Our friends.
Igor shared about his recent trip to the Russian block of countries. The Sport’s Conferences he held were very successful. He traveled to Khazakstan which borders his home country and he met with people from the Underground Church. They were so thankful to receive the duffle bags we sent.
I wanted to weep when he told about their two brief days together. They all had to sneak across dangerous borders to meet him. He saw his parents for the first time in two years! He said they were all so eager to fellowship together and pray for one another, they didn’t even take the time to sleep during the 48 hours.
Amazing, huh?
I thought my heart would explode when he told of the 100,000 orphans in The Ukraine alone that they held outreaches for and then introduced us to a Ukraine Pastor who traveled back with him. This Pastor has seven children, three who were orphans.
His name is Serge and he handed me a picture of his beautiful family. He asked us to put the picture on our fridge and pray for them.
The holidays are coming and our economy is unstable. These are difficult times for so many. And yet, I was reminded again today how much I have and how much I can still give.
If you would like to help, please click below. (So, many have you already donated and sent gift cards and gifts. Thank you).
Please keep us in your thoughts on December 1st. Our local Chick Fil A is hosting a Benefit Day and 20% of their proceeds will go towards this family and their ministry.
I’m praying a lot of people will get The Chicken Craving that day.
I plan to consume a lot of sweet tea.
It’s the least I can d
o.
o.
It Just Might Come to This
7:00 am
Dear Santa,
I think we might need to put this at the top of the list this year:
If it doesn’t work for my toddler, maybe it will work for me? One of us needs relief.
P.S. My hips won’t fit, does it come in extra large butt?
Signed,
Desperate Mother
Our Family Advent
7:00 am
Advent is a time of waiting for the arrival of Christmas.
And even though we are still more than a week away from Thanksgiving, the holiday spirit is in the air. Or maybe it’s just weather below 70 degrees (which puts Texans in a festive mood).
This year, I really want to slow down the faced-paced hustle that is the American Christmas and capture each day with my family. And so I’ve purposed in my heart and my calendar to do so.
I’ve been working on creating a special Advent calendar and I wanted to share it with you.
Our plan is to ‘open’ each day in the early evening hours after dinner, so we will have time to focus on the activity for each day. For this coming Saturday’s Do-It-Yourself Project (DIYP), I will show you exactly how I made mine look fun and festive. If some of my ideas won’t work for your family, use what you can and come up with creative ideas to fit your family.
I planned our days with my calendar in my lap. Some activities are time consuming and perfect for the weekends, while others can be done during the school week.
Many activities are just plain old fashioned fun that will help us spend quality time together. I hope some of the other events will remind my children the true meaning of Christmas. I also think it’s important this time of year to focus on others: those we love and those less fortunate.
At the end of this post, I’ve included a pdf of the advent calendar. Please feel free to print it out and enjoy it!
Sshhhh! It’s a secret from my kids…each day will reveal the following:
{December 1} Send a letter to our Compassion Child (Don’t have one? Talk about getting one in the New Year. I highly recommend sponsoring a child. It’s such a great way to teach your kids about others). Read I John 4:10
{December 2} Visit Santa at the mall or make a list.
{December 3} Let your light shine! ask: How can we do this? Read John 1:5
{December 4} Build a fort from blankets & sheets/ Read a Christmas book in the fort!
{December 5} Lay on the trampoline and stargaze, talk about your dreams for the future.
{December 6} Fill a shoebox for a needy child (Samaritan’s Purse).
{December 7} Go ice skating!
{December 8} Make paper snowflakes (here’s some great patterns) Read Ecc. 3:13
{December 9} Play a board game.
{December 10} Pray for poor people.
{December 11} Work on teacher’s gifts (we’re making these).
{December 12} Leave little notes of encouragement all over (i.e. the mailbox, grocery story, park, etc)
{December 13} Make hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!
{December 14} Watch a Christmas Movie
{December 15} Give $5 to someone (find a needy person) Read Rom. 5:8
{December 16} yle="font-size:medium;"> Make cookies
{December 17} Pray for The Persecuted Church and Uzbekistan (You can join us in this one. Our Russian friends would appreciate it!)
{December 18} Make a birthday card for Jesus. Put it under the tree.
{December 19} Fix Mom’s hair/give her a massage (my 36th birthday!)
{December 20} Go look at Christmas lights.
{December 21} Christmas Carol at someone’s house.
{December 22} Make a spinner www.thetoymaker.com
{December 23} Take bubble baths with Christmas confetti (recipe).
{December 24} Read Christmas story from the Bible (children’s version).
Open Christmas Eve gift from Mom and Dad (snowman pajamas)
{December 25} Go visit NICU (Every year we visit the Neonatal Intensive Care and drop off cookies to the nurses and doctors who watched over our third child on Christmas a couple of years ago).
Click this link to print out a copy: December 1pdf
Here’s how I’m displaying my advent ‘tree’. It’s a fun, easy DIY project!
THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 18
12:01 am
I actually did not think up my blog name. I had to bribe someone, with a prize, to think one up for me! This was my favorite from the many ideas I was given because it fit our lives perfectly. I’m constantly calling DH at work… “When are you coming home? I’m going crazy over here… get home NOW!” 2. How long have you blogging? 3. How would you define THAT family? 4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT family? 5. Where can we find your blog?
Grab the button, email me the answers, join the club!
Week in Review:
Now, y’all know I’m an introvert. I don’t like seeing myself on my own computer screen. But I felt bad about ignoring your requests to see my new ‘do, so here’s a couple of hair pictures. I won’t even tell you how many photos I took to get these. Photography? Not my gift.
Introduction into The Society: I’m happy to introduce you to When Does Daddy Come Home. I love the name of this blog. For obvious reasons! Visit her today and she’ll tell you more about how lucky she is to be a part of this tree!
1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):
January 2008— I’m a newborn blogger
THAT Family is comprised of NORMAL people who are just trying their hardest at this thing called parenting. Parenting is a learning process and we all need to band together in support, not in judgement. We slip up, we mess up, but most of the time it happens with an audience…
Probably the day my 5 month old daughter crawled (yes, she crawled VERY early) off my bed onto hardwood floor while I was in another room (I think I was actually on the toilet). The pediatrician on the other end of the phone had a tone that made me feel like THAT Family! Oh, and we’re always getting stares in stores. Not that we’re stupid or redneck— I’m one of those “ignore the tantrum throwing toddler” parents so it drives everyone around us nuts.
http://whendoesdaddycomehome.blogspot.com
DIYP-Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
12:01 am
I’ve been wanting to post about my amazing kitchen cabinet makeover for months.
We moved into our house 5 years ago this Christmas. And even though it came with nice cabinets, I didn’t like them. Call me picky, but they were pink.
Not princess pink, but a bleached creamy light pink. Gag me.
Before:
After:
Our home came with gorgeous black-speckled granite that only made the cabinets look, um, more pink.
So, here’s what I did:
I waited until my hubby went on a long business trip. (Ya know, in case I ruined my house and had to find another real quick-like).
I unscrewed a cabinet door and took it to our local Sherwin Williams.
They didn’t even blink twice when I sauntered in with three kids and a door.
I was instructed to lightly sand the slick surface. This doesn’t require labor intensive sanding, you just want the paint to be able to ‘grab’ onto the wood. You cannot skip this step!
And then I bought Black Oil Based Satin Enamel. It’s pre-mixed and comes in black or white. This paint is amazing. It’s chip resistant, durable and great for furniture and cabinets.
I also bought a really nice brush that cost around $15. Because it was my kitchen cabinets and my $ Dollar Store brush wouldn’t cut it.
During nap time, I sanded and took off the hardware and carried the doors to the garage. And during bedtime, I painted until midnight every night.
The first coat was pretty easy. I slapped it on there and didn’t worry to much about stroke lines. It served as my primer (very good paint, stinky, but good).
I took more care with the second coat.
But it wasn’t perfect.
(And I didn’t do the inside of the doors. Because I decided one night late o’clock, I wasn’t Superwoman).
But that was fine because once everything dried, I sanded off the edges and a few areas to get the worn, country look I love so much.
This was a very time consuming Do-It-Yourself project, but worth every hour.
And now the granite counter tops look amazing. (So, does the fake stainless. And while I’m not exactly thankful for the electrical storm that killed a couple of our white appliances, I do think the stainless makes the cabinets look even better!)
I must admit I feel so proud when newcomers enter my kitchen and say, “Wow, I love your cabinets, who did them?”
“I did.”
And you can too!
Check out more painted wood projects here!
Who Couldn’t Use Some Etsy Jewelry?
7:00 am
*UPDATED* We have a winner! And when I counted my way thru the comments, I almost cried when I read the winner’s comment (I got behind and hadn’t read them all). It just seemed this random winner was meant to be! She wanted to win the ‘shine brightly’ necklace for her child who is losing his eyesight. Congrats to Ramblings of a Mother and Wife!
One of my favorite things to shop for on Etsy is jewelry. Hellllooo? Have y’all typed in jewelry into the little search engine?
It’s a hot item.
I did so much perusing the other day, I lost my vision.
Not really, but I did see everything in sterling silver for two hours.
I kill me.
I was looking for a special personalized item for my son’s first grade teacher. She just announced she’s expecting her first child. She’s five months pregnant already. Yep, I totally missed that one. Just call me observant.
Anyway, she’s having a boy and since she’s doing such a great job loving on my boy, I bought her this at rhbdesigns for Christmas!
And this sweet artist, also a mom blogger, is giving one of you a $25 gift certificate for some of her lovely handmade jewelry.
I love this.
And this.
And, oh my, this. (Only with my kid’s names. Boy, that would be awkward).
Not that I’ve spent hours looking or anything. Tell me what you love in the comment section and I’ll choose a winner on Saturday afternoon!
It Happened to Me
12:30 pm
Something scary happened last week.
It left me shaken.
I didn’t plan on blogging about it. I didn’t know if I could.
But all week, I’ve wondered if my story could save a child’s life.
A child like mine.
My toddler nearly choked to death at a restaurant.
Now, I joked when I wrote a letter to Mr. Heimlich. And Lord knows, we’ve had our fair share of THAT family moments, but what I’m going to tell you is not funny and I cannot make light of it.
I joined my parents for an impromptu lunch with my toddler in tow. It was at my favorite Mexican food place, so I couldn’t exactly turn the offer down.
My parents and I were talking politics and my girl was next to me in a high chair. My Dad noticed she had something in her mouth and said, “What is that?”
I saw the empty candy wrapper on the edge of the table and I remembered seeing her tuck a peppermint into her pocket from the candy bowl at the entrance of the restaurant.
I meant to get it from her.
But I got busy.
Once I saw the candy in her mouth, I held out my hand, but before I could tell her to spit, she swallowed the hard mint.
And she choked.
I patted her back briskly.
The gagging and gasping continued. I picked her up.
I pounded harder and looked to my parents for help.
They jumped up and came around the table.
At this point, my toddler was still pink, but she struggled to breath.
The candy was still lodged and my daughter was losing the battle of her life.
I tried again.
And again.
My Dad grabbed her and we ran towards the bathroom. He picked her up and turned her upside down.
Still nothing.
My Mom stuck her hand down my baby’s throat. So, did I.
Again, nothing.
At this point, I am praying. Hard. “Jesus, please help my baby.”
She is still panting/breathing and we determined that the candy was lodged in her windpipe and although it wasn’t a total obstruction, if it shifted to cover her complete airway, we would have only seconds…..
Another minute passed and I was at a complete loss. We tried everything.
I will never forget the pleading look in my child’s eyes. She was asking for help. She clawed at me while she made pathetic noises. I felt so helpless.
I remembered there was a doctor’s office in the same shopping strip and I told my parents that’s where I was headed. I wanted them to call 911 (I still cannot believe the restaurant didn’t offer to do this).
But just before I ran out the door, my Dad gave her one more hard thrust on the back and she vomited on the floor.
I’ve never been so happy to see my child throw up in public! We took her into the bathroom checked her out and wiped her face.
Her demeanor, breathing, instantly changed and everything was completely normal. As a matter of fact, she was giddy with bright eyes.
I can’t help but think she was just so happy to be alive.
I learned some very important lessons from this ordeal (I talked with my friend Karen a nurse, and replayed my actions):
1. DO NOT let babies or toddlers have hard candy.
2. DO NOT assume someone will help you.
3. DO TRY The Heimlich Maneuver.
4. DO GIVE hard pats on the back.
5. DO CALL 911 immediately.
6. DO NOT wait. Ask if there is a medical person nearby. Make a scene.
7. DO NOT allow your kids to eat in the car. Choking is silent.
8. DO LOVE on your babies. Because life is precious.
Please visit, the following link for step-by-step guidelines for choking children. I’ve memorized it.
Once I got home, I tucked my exhausted baby in her bed and collapsed into a tearful pile. I twittered the story while my hands were still shaking. I think I just needed good thoughts and prayers sent my way.
9. DON’T THINK it can’t happen to you.
“He will give his angels charge over you to guard you in all His ways,” Psalm 91:11
Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You: There is a Reason
7:00 am
Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You is here! Welcome.
I’m keeping it short and sweet this week because sometimes words aren’t required.
There is a reason, God, in His infinite wisdom gives us baby teeth when we are babies.
It’s so we don’t look like this when our big teeth come in:
(The normal Mr. Linky I use is not working tonight, so let’s try this one.
Or leave link in comments)
Oh, Stop My Beating Heart
3:53 pm
Have you met my newest Mom sponsors?
Tie one on with The Apron Queen… aprons make fabulous Christmas gifts! (While you’re there help her pick a new haircut!)
And Marcy with the Glamorous Life? Visit this great blog and see what glamour is all about! (You must read her AdTalk!)
Creative Blessings by Stacey is an amazing stationary store with terrific prices. I don’t know how this Mom of triplets does it. Just look what arrived at my house today (email her about making some to match your blog):
With my own matching business cards and stationary, I’m feeling quite professional. (Does it count even if my profession is being THAT mom and living to tell about it? I think so).
$25 Free Loot!!
7:00 am
*UPDATED* Congrats to Peace and Carrots! Someone is going to get some cute loot! Don’t forget to shop Etsy this holiday season, y’all. And if you didn’t win, don’t fret I have several more giveaways coming up (one tomorrow!)
I’m bound and determined to turn my toddler into a bow head.
She’s resisting.
But I will overcome. Especially since we took her for her first trim this week (to address the nest).
The hairstylist wanted us to get our money’s worth. Apparently. Because the word trim has many definitions.
As I dried my tears with her golden locks, my oldest made me promise to make her girly. She’s convinced she’ll be mistaken for a boy.
Our little pixie with a pixie:
But I’m not worried. Especially since there are places like Ally’s Boutique, the fabulous Mom store I’m featuring today. Now, tell me, wouldn’t my cutie look adorable in this: 
Or these clips for her hair. And I’m interested in this for me, do you think this tutu would make me look small?
Just askin’.
Or these clips for her hair. And I’m interested in this for me, do you think this tutu would make me look small? Just askin’.Ally has generously offered one of you $25 in free loot! All your little darling’s (or your friend, family and foe’s little darling) hair dreams will come true! Her prices are so reasonable that $25 will go a long way in someone’s stocking.
Please visit this adorable Etsy store and tell me what you’d choose. Help me support another Mom and get a chance to win $25! Wouldn’t that be handy this time of year?
P.S. If you’re a Mom with a business, have you checked out my great advertising special?
So, my tip for too-short haircuts? BOWS and such! For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday!
Because I Feel Like Talking About Animals
4:00 pm
As I was leaving my parent’s cul-de-sac the other night and heading down the street to my home, I noticed this sign at then end of their street.
The kids and I pulled in for a closer look:
My Mom explained that the little boy next door, found a dead squirrel in the road.
He wept at the loss of innocent life.
And then named him Fred.
He spent the entire day creating this memorial that reads:
R.I.P. Squirrel
Sad
5 years old
and then he glued a little red baseball hat at the bottom of the sign.
As I was taking a picture of the sign (my 8 year old was hiding in the back seat, bemoaning her embarrassing life) the little neighbor walked up and told us all about Fred.
Fred had a good made-up life, after his death.
And he loved baseball.
I couldn’t help but think of the squirrels in my own back yard that I secretly despised. Okay, not so secretly.
I also thought of the high calling I almost had to find caskets for tiny dead animals.
It makes one think, ya know?
Because if the silver puffy painted sign doesn’t say “You will be missed,” I don’t know what does.
Stay tuned for TWO FANTASTIC GIVEAWAYS this week from creative Moms!
What a Zoo!
7:00 am
We took our kids to the zoo this past weekend. It was our toddler’s first visit.
I learned 4 things while there:
1. It’s a great place for lost & found (giant, daunting Orangutan behind glass is real).
2. Christmas card pictures may be challenging.
3. Self Esteem can be directly affected.
On the heels of a fresh new haircut, I was flattered by a couple of women who approached me and asked to take a photo of my sassy ‘do. I posed for 3 shots. Because I am that vain.
I nearly kissed them.
4. I hope these are the days my kids remember.
My Frugal & Festive Holiday Tips
7:00 am
December is my month.
I was born the week before Christmas. I got married two days before the day I was born. I had my first baby eight days after the end of Christmas month. And my third baby was born one day before the day I was married and three days before the day I was born.
Got all that?
It’s a busy month for THAT family. And my hubby? He doesn’t have a chance. He starts fretting about gifts in the summer. But he always comes thru (i.e. kitty door).
When I think of Christmas I think of Jesus. There’s that, of course.
I also think of presents. The giving and the getting. Call me carnal.
But in these economic times, I want to be as frugal as possible. Join me every Tuesday in the month of December for my ideas on creating handmade gifts for friends and family.
- Start as early as possible. I don’t think you can prepare too far in advance. My favorite time to Christmas shop is after Christmas. Yes, you read that right! I set aside a little money and shop the deeply discounted Christmas decor after the holidays. It’s such a thrill to find things 75-90% off and to rediscover your deals 12 months later! Christmas toys are also generally marked down to at least half off after the holidays and I shop for upcoming birthdays for the New Year. I just rediscovered these adorable nutcracker stocking holders that I got for $1.49!
- Shop smart: Target reduces their holiday decor 50% the day after a major holiday. 5-7 days later, the remaining merchandise is reduced to 75% off. Around January 2nd or 3rd, all leftover Christmas items are marked down to 90% off! I call the store and ask. {Please note: if you live in my area, I have been known to get aggressive with a shopping cart}.
- Shop used: Garage sales and thrift stores are a great place to find Christmas decor. Since decor is only used once a year, you can find some great treasures! (I started a nesting Santa collection from thrift and garage sales!)
- Go artificial! I love for my home to smell good during the holidays. But since the kitchen isn’t my forte and since we use an artificial tree, I depend heavily on yummy smelling candles to do the job. Yankee candle is my favorite, but they are costly. TJMax, Marshalls and Ross stores, carry the Yankee brand at just a fraction of the price. And if you don’t have one of those stores, here’s a recipe for some pretty amazing stuff I like to simmer on my back burner.
- Shop for the unexpected on the clearance aisles. Most stores have them and I keep a cabinet in my house full of discounted items for birthday parties, stocking stuffers, and treats. It’s so great to pull out a small gift when something comes up unexpected or my month is longer than my money.
- Shop nature: We live in a wooded area with tall pine trees. Our family loves to collect pine cones, red berries and even branches. I display them in vases, on the mantel and throughout the house. Here are some fun pine cone projects.
- Be creative! Make gifts for family and friends (check back on Tuesdays in December for easy, frugal projects!) But here’ s one, if you just can’t wait: Love to cook? Create your own recipe book. Love photo gifts? Here are some great ideas!
- Shop your house for decor. Use candlesticks and plates as a cake platter to display a special ornament. Re-purpose glass vases to hold pine cones. Fill a glass bowl full of shiny ornament balls.
- Write down a gift budget. I do this every year, usually in the fall. I write down everything I’ve already bought (like toys from the clearance aisle or books I bought in July) and I set a budget per person. We also do a certain number of gifts for our kids and since they are still pretty young, I try to make that number even. Here’s a printable holiday budget form.
- Get it together! Partner with family members for BIG gifts or draw names for extended family members. Buy a family gift: one gift for the whole family: membership to the zoo, family movie pack, skating night for four.
- Think about it: Suggest having your extended family gatherings after Christmas (the week between Christmas and New Year’s) and benefit from the last minute shoppin
g.
- Practical stocking stuffers can still be fun-character socks and underwear, fun toothbrushes, hair clips/bows, Chapstick, be creative and fill it with things they will actually use after Christmas morning!
- Go sentimental...I love giving sentimental, heart-felt gifts like a Blurb book to grandparents, a family tree with collected photos or silhouettes of your children. I think handmade gifts are appreciated and you can save so much money!
- Don’t go overboard or into debt on any of it! Kids usually end up with too many toys and we have to un-decorate whatever we put up. Keep it simple. Use what you have. And remember, the best message we can teach our kids is that it’s really about Jesus and others.
THAT Family Tree Society-Issue 17
12:01 am
1. Tell us a little about your blog (name/reason why you blog):Picture of the week:
The week in Review: I took a smart housekeeping squirrel and a bug-eyed boy with taped body parts to the school Book Character Parade this week. And people didn’t even point and stare!
Induction into The Society: I’d like y’all to help me welcome The Adventures of Brown, who submitted this post. I laughed at her description, so go show her some blog love. She’s found her people.
My blog is called Adventures of Brown – which is truly just a name because there’s not much Adventure going on in our household. I blog because it keeps me sane and connected to myself.
2. How long have you blogging?
I started blogging on myspace (I cannot believe I just admitted to that) a couple of years ago but because their format is so limited in design and their features suck – I switched to blogger. That was just over a year ago and I’ve been hooked ever since.
3. How would you define THAT family?
I would have to say that every family has THAT family moments. THAT family is the mom who always leaves her coffee cup on the top of the mini-van as she drives out for carpool. Or the dad who feeds his 2 year old cookies all day for a whole day because “she didn’t want anything else”. Or the kid who screams “MY DADDY HAS TESTICLES – NOT BALLS” in the grocery store at 4 years old.
4. When did you discover you were a part of THAT famil
y?
y?
Well, obviously, from the definitions above, we were THAT family long before I realized it just the other day. My husband was chasing our daughter around the house with his farts and during her escape, she slammed her finger into the bathroom door. All the while I was in the shower washing myself of umpteen layers of drywall dust.
http://adventuresofbrown.blogspot.com I hope you’ll come by and check it out!
