New Years Resolution # 2 Getting Fit

I have tried so many times to do this.  I think every year I make this same resolution to get fit and be healthier.  Unfortunately every year I break it because I have a love/hate relationship with food.  I find that eating healthy is not very thrifty but I have come to realize that I can NOT put a price on my health.  Not too long ago I watched a documentary called Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.  If you have heard of it great, but if not then you should check it out.  Granted this method is not for everyone but I think its just what my body needs.  What it is (if you have never heard of it) is a juice fast.  its a bit over the top I know, but it helps rid your body of unwanted toxins and gives you that jump start your body needs to continue on its weight loss journey.  I wont be posting my every stat on this particular resolution (this is not that kind of blog) just updates here and there. Hopefully I can do this, I need to do this.  The last attempt I made to eat healthier I failed.  This time I plan to turn to God for my support. I know that only he can help me through this.  One really great and helpful resource is the website Reboot Your Life.  This site has a ton of helpful advice and recipes to help you get through.  I also found a really great Bible study called Made to Crave.  It teaches you that it's important that we learn how to crave Jesus and not food.  I have found it to be very helpful and inspirational.    

The main juice I plan on drinking every day is called the Mean Green Juice.   The reason is because # 1 it does not require too many expensive ingredients,  # 2 it's filled with so many antioxidants and it's rich in nutrients, and lastly it's so easy to make.  Here is the recipe for anyone interested in trying it.

1 Cucumber 

4 Celery stalks

2 Apples

1 handful of Kale (I like using spinach instead though)

1/2 a lemon

1 tbsp of ginger

Juice all ingredients in a juicer and enjoy!!!

Anyone else going to tackle the weight loss resolution this year???  Maybe we can be weight loss buddies together :) 

New Years Resolution # 1 Learning to Knit

One of my New Years resolutions this year is to teach myself how to knit.  So far, just since two days ago I have taught myself how to knit the very basic stitches.  Knit, pearl, and reverse.  So far I am loving it!!  I especially love how relaxing it is.  Knitting for me has been such a Godsend for my stress level these past couple of days.  A few things that I first found hard was casting on, and the first knot.  I know, the two most simple parts of knitting   Ha! But in my defense I bought a book on how to knit knowing full well that I am a visual learner and need someone to show me how to do the techniques instead of reading how to do them myself.    I ended up finding some great tutorials on YouTube that helped me through these issues.  I am so excited I cant wait to learn more, I have so many knitting projects that I cant wait to get started on once I learn how to do them.  Right now I'm working on a basic scarf.  But I do hope to learn a few of these projects.

1. 1. Baby Chicks 
2. Coffee Cup Cup Cozie I could not find the actual link to this project so if anyone knows where it came from please let me know so I can give them credit for it..  Thanks!!
3. Valentine Hearts
4. Leg Warmers
5. Yoda
6. Christmas Star Ornaments 
7. Owl Sweater 
8. Head Warmer
9. iPad Cozie 

A really great website I have found that has a ton of free knitting patterns is Ravelry.  This site allows you to make an account with them so that you can go through the patterns and mark your favorites.  Also once you finish your projects you can post them for everyone to view.  I think its addicting, its kinda like Pinterest for knitters.  Its my new happy place.  :)

So any of you knitters??  Any tips you may have for this beginner, I could sure use a few or a lot!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

December's Bucket List

Since this is the First of December I decided to write my bucket list of fun things to do this Christmas season with my family.  Some of these things we do every year and a few are things we have yet to do.

1.  Bethlehem Revisited

Source

One of the things we do every year is visit the Bethlehem Revisited in Waxahachie, TX.  Its a free event that walks you through the recreation of the Three Wise Men's journey to visit baby Jesus.  The whole area is set up to look like what Bethlehem would have.  It is such an amazing experience for all ages, but I think it really teaches the kids the real reason for the Christmas Holiday.

2.  Holiday in the Park

Source

We do this every year as well.  Six Flags puts on a wonderful magical Christmas event through January before closing for three months.  This is where the kids will more than likely visit with Santa.

3.  Learn how to make homemade egg nog without the alcohol. 

Source

4.  Christmas crafts with the kids, maybe like these.

                                                                               

Source

5.  Elf on a shelf.

This will be our first visit from Figgy the Elf, I heard he's quite mischievous so I hope he doesn't get into too much mischief.  :)

It's not much, but I really wanted to keep it simple this year.  Sometimes its fun to just hang out, watch Christmas movies with the family while sipping on hot chocolate and eating popcorn. 

Yea, I think we'll be doing a lot of that too.  :)

So what are some of your family's Christmas traditions???  Any favorite Christmas movies??  We love to watch the Christmas Story and Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Nylah Faith

Wow!!  What a crazy past week my family has had.  We had such a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving with a lot to be thankful for.  One of the best things that happened last week was when my beautiful niece Nylah Faith was born.  She anxiously graced us with her loveliness on November 20th. 

I am so proud of my little sister for courageously going through all that she did during this pregnancy, and especially during the birth of little Miss Nylah.  

I am so happy to introduce you to our Sweet Angel, Nylah Faith Vincent.

We really, really, really love her.

And those cheeks, They just make ya wanna kiss them :)

Black Friday Blues

Well first off I want to say that I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving full of many blessings.   I sure did but I'm going to save that for another post.  

Last night Mr. Fireman and I decided that we were going to hit up Walmart for Black Friday.  They had their door busters starting at 8 pm  and we went in with a small but still doable budget, and our plans on getting one child completely done for Christmas.  When I say done I mean all their Christmas presents bought.  With three kids it can be so pricey to buy Christmas gifts, I really don't know how the Duggers do it.  

Anyhoo back to the Black Friday thing.  So we went in to a small town Walmart thinking because last year it was so calm this year would be too.  Wrong.  They were crazy, and I too found myself being crazy right along with the other ladies there.  Needless to say I did get a few things picked up for the youngest of my brood but not nearly what I wanted, so I was bummed out the rest of the night.  

I told my hubby no way will I be going to that Walmart on Black Friday ever again.  Then my lovely husband reminded me that there is no way that our kids are going to be without and that I shouldn't stress so much about Christmas for the kids because regardless God always provides.  And  no matter what our children receive under the tree they will be thankful because that is how are children are. Thankful for everything they have.  What a wise man my husband is, and I know that he couldn't be any more correct.  I love him.

So I wonder did anyone else have any bad Black Friday Blues??  Or did it go exactly according to planned?

100 Reasons For Me To Be...

Thankful

Since Its just about Thanksgiving time I wanted to write 100 reasons why I am so thankful.  I'm sure in life there are many more than 100 but I knew that I could never write all that I'm thankful for since there is no end to what I am thankful for.  

So without further adieu and in no apparent order, my list.

1. Jesus loved me so much that he gave his life for me.
2. The Bible, which is a guide to how I need to live my life, and to remind me of the love and plans that God has for me.
3. My husband's love for the Lord, Me, and my children
4. My husbands job, because without it we would not eat.
5. My pastor 
6. The wonderful men and women who serve and give their lives for our country
7. My parents
8. My sister Helen for loving my children as her own 
9. my nieces and nephews
10. Beverly Lewis for writing the best Amish stories ever
11. premade pie crust, cause I cant seem to get it right on my own
12. Chapstick
13. Breath mints (I think everyone should be thankful for breath mints)
14. Having a roof over my head
15. Our new car
16. Ice tea, without it I would die of thirst each day
17. Netflix, it keeps us from having to pay a high cable bill
18. Modg Podge
19. Every single blog that I have listed on the right side of my page, they inspire me :)
20. Chocolate
21. The internet
22. My iPad
23. Algebra calculators
24. My childrens's teachers
25. Having the means to take the kids to Disney World this past summer
26. My in laws for raising such a wonderful man
27. Colorado mountains, I sure do miss them
28. Deodorant (another one everyone should be thankful for)
29. Excedrin, even though they don't sell it anymore.  I really hope they bring it back, then I can be even more thankful. It was the only thing powerful enough to get rid of my migraines.
30. My church family
31. Christmas
32. Facebook
33. Aldi, for being much cheaper than Walmart
34. Coupons
35. Being able to take the kids to Six Flags throughout the year
36. Texas BBQ
37. Country music
38. Dermalogica eye cream, It really is a miracle worker for the eyes
39. Flowers, could you imagine the world without them?
40. Shelters that help women and children leave abusive situations
41. Shelters that help the homeless
42. The freedom to pray and worship God
43. Electricity
44. Water
45. Firefighters, Police officers, and Teachers
46. Pinterest
47. Iced Coffee
48. My sister in law, for giving me two wonderful nephews, and for loving my children endlessly
49. Blogger
50. My dishwasher ( I hate doing the dishes by hand)
51. Air conditioning, because even today in November here in Texas we still need it.
52. The ocean
53. Vicks Vapor Rub. I love the smell of that stuff.
54. Books
55. My online college
56. My health and the health of my family
57. Burlap material
58. The Wiggles, for keeping my children entertained when I couldn't 
59. My Comfy Cozy Bed, 
60. Gods Amazing Grace
61. Fuzzy socks
62. Baby Nylah (my niece, who has yet to be born, but is a miracle baby to our family)
63. My memories
64. The start of a new day
65. The sunshine after a storm
66. My extended family
67. Friends old and new
68. The ability to make sure my children are clothed, fed, and entertained
69. Rain
70. The smell of the crisp air in the Fall
71. Sushi
72. Wasabi for my sushi
73. My niece Sarah
74. Sarah's amazing doctors
75. Everyone who's ever prayed for Sarah
76. My sister Kristine for keeping me informed on Sarah's progress
77. My sister Janice for all that she has done for me in my life
78. Pottery Barn
79. Lessons I have learned throughout my life
80. The Serenity Prayer
81. My Grandma Frances, for loving me so much  even though biologically I wasn't hers.  I cant wait to see her again in Heaven someday.
82. My Grandma Davis, she loved me even when she didn't know me.  I met her when I was 14 and she showed me all the pictures she kept of me from my childhood.
83. McDonald's, because sometimes ya just need a Big Mac
84. This wonderful country we call home
85. The Texas Rangers Baseball team
86. The color yellow
87. Snow Angels
88. Ruthie, my second mom.  She was always there for me and my sister when my mom couldn't be.  I love you.
89. Extreme Couponing show
90. eBay
91. Lego's, for keeping my oldest son so entertained, and bringing out his creative side
92. My daughters friends, Because upon meeting them at her school the other day I realized how much they love and care for her.  It's important for everyone in the world to have friends like that.
93. Double sided tape
94. Tim Hawkins, he is the most hilarious christian comedian, and he always makes me laugh
95. My vacuum, It doesn't always want to work, but when it does I am oh so very thankful :)
96. Bug repellent, especially now with all that West Nile flying around
97. Lazy days 
98. Soap, yes its so simple, but what if we didn't have it?
99. The right to vote
100. My life!!!!!

Well that does it.  I know that a lot of these things may seem silly to some, but honestly if you stop to think of all that you are thankful for you will find that everything, and I do mean everything is worth be thankful for.  Just imagine you life without something, you will soon realize how thankful you are.  

Fun At The Pumpkin Patch, Past and Present

I have been such a busy bee lately.  But before fall turns to winter and since Christmas is just around the corner I wanted to hurry up and show ya'll a small timeline of my kiddo's at the pumpkin patch starting from Ross's (my youngest) first time.

My goodness, how these last few years have gone by, but boy am I loving every minute of it.  :) 

Happy Halloween!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very safe and Happy Halloween!!!!

Halloween Mason Jar Lantern

So for the Pinterest Fall Challenge I must say I had a real "challenge" trying to come up with something to do.  With all my current finances going towards Halloween, a baby shower, Hubby's birthday, and yes even Christmas I have not had much money left over for much else.  So I knew that whatever I decided to do had to be completely free, hence my challenge.  

After searching Pinterest for what seemed like minutes FOREVER, I came across these inspirations.

Source from The CSI Project Blog

Source from Our Best Bites Blog

Source from Lauren Elise Crafted Blog

I have a real love or maybe even a bit of an obsession with mason jar crafts.  You can see a few others that I did here, here, and here.  So it was no surprise to me that I leaned more toward craft ideas where there was a jar involved. 

 I really loved how the silhouettes looked on the jars but I also liked how the jack o lanterns looked when they were all lit up. I decided combining the two would be my best choice.  So I did.

All I did was download the free silhouettes from Google search, printed them off to fit the jars in black then carefully cut them out and mod podged them to the jars.  I don't know why I didn't take pictures of the process, sorry.  Once that was done I simply added a couple drops of green food coloring to my homemade mod podge mixed it up and painted the inside of the jars.  Sooo easy!  

This project was completely free.  I already had the jars, and like I said I made the mod podge from a recipe found on this site.  

These were defiantly a lot of fun to do, and so quick.  Also I think they look pretty great and even a little spooky :)

I will be linking up my Fall Pinterest Challenge to the Lovely Ladies who are hosting the Pinterest Challenge Katie from Bower Power Blog, 

Sherry from Young House Love Blog

Sarah from The Ugly Duckling House

Carmel from Our Fifth House Blog

Also I will be linking up to 

The Dedicated House
You are taking too much, meet me Monday
DIY Showoff
 

Liebster Award Nomination

                                                                                 

Today I was nominated for the Liebster Award by the Lovely Ellora over at the Creatively Southern Blog.  The Liebster award is given to new bloggers who are just starting out and have less than 200 followers.  It's a way for up and coming bloggers to get noticed.  The rules are:

• Each nominee must share 11 things about themselves.
• They must also answer 11 questions asked by the person who tagged them.
• They must create 11 questions for the bloggers they choose to nominate.
• They need to select 11 blogs with less than 200 followers to nominate.
• The lucky bloggers they choose must then be told about the nomination.
• No tag backs.

Easy peasy, and such a fun way to get to know other bloggers.  I'm excited to read other's questions and responses.  

First things first my nominees for the Liebster award go to

Saved by Grace

Heather Hughes Photography

I'm a Thriftaholic

A Wicked Happy Life

The Novice Homemaker

Rita Barton

Britty's Big Ideas

More Than Mommies

Sweet Little Bluebird

Reporting for Duty: Mommyhood

Momma's Sunshine

Now 11 Random things about me;

1. I hate the look and feel of raw chicken so much so that I have a hard time eating it.
2. My  favorite color is yellow.
3. I've been obsessed with the Wizard of Oz ever since I was 3.
4. I love to coupon, even though I still have yet to be really good at it.
5. I hate cleaning but I love to organize, weird I know.
6. I grew up in Colorado and moved to Texas at the age of 18.  I miss those mountains.
7. I first met my husband on an online dating website that my friend Shanna made me sign up for.  Thank you Shanna I will forever love you for that.  :)
8. My hubby and I will be celebrating our 9th year anniversary on the 1st of March even though our actual anniversary is on February 29.  
9. The number 28 on my blog comes from my families lucky number 28.  My husband was born on the 28th of October, My daughter was born on the 28th of April, My birthday is on the 20th of May, My oldest son Russell was born on the 8th of July, and My son Ross was born on the 4th of October.  4+4=8 or 4/2=2 so there you have it.
10. Its 12am and I'm watching She-ra on TV while typing this up.  She-ra was my favorite cartoon when I was a kid.
11. I still have homework to do right now, but I'm procrastinating because that's what I do best.

Now I get to answer Ellora's questions

1. Who is your hero and why?

My husband, he brings me chocolate whenever I want  need it.  :)

2. What is one chore that you hate doing? Yes, just one. :)

Laundry.  Not all of it I just hate putting it away.

3. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm about to graduate with a degree in Healthcare administration, then on to nursing school.  I'm pretty proud of that.

4. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Stress Kills, so don't stress too much :)

5. Why did you decide to start blogging? What inspired you?

I love writing, but the one blog that inspired me to create my own blog is Biblical Homemaking

6. What dream do you hope comes true?

I want to own a house again soon.

7. Who is your celebrity crush if you have one?

Jensen Ackles

8. Are you morning person or night owl?

night owl, its my time to myself

9. What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?

happy, blessed, and hopeful

10. If you had one 25 hour day and everyone else still had 24 hours, what would you do with the extra hour?

Absolutely nothing :) or read, yea probably read.

11. What do you want to be when you grow up? (I'm still a party planner wanna-be!) :)

a nurse.

Now to my nominees, answer these please;

1. What did you want to be when you were younger?
2. Besides blogging, what are your favorite hobbies?
3. If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?
4. One thing off your bucket list is?
5. What is your favorite quote?
6. Who inspires you the most?
7. If money was no option where would you go?
8. What TV show can you secretly not live with out?
9. What is your favorite scent?
10. What is an item that you bought on a whim but then wished you didn't afterwards?
11. If you could learn another language what would it be??

So there ya have it.  Cant wait to read everyone's responses :)  And don't forget to head over to the different blogs listed and show some love.

                                                                   

Pinterest Challenge Fall Edition part 1

I'm excited ya wanna know why?  No.. oh well I'm gonna tell ya anyway.  Its time for the Fall Pinterest Challenge.  I'm excited because this gives me a chance at a redo, you see my last Pinterest Challenge was a big flop and I'm hoping to redeem myself with this next one.  I only have one week to pin something fun, neat, or interesting then recreate it in my own way.  On top of that I also have a baby shower, Halloween, and a my hubby's birthday to plan.   So much to do, so little time.  If you're interested in joining in all the Pinterest fun head over to Bower Power, or Young House Love for further instructions. Alright people, my plate is filling up so until next time....

BirchBox

Its been a while since I last blogged   I cant seem to get out of this slump I'm in.  I feel fine physically and mentally, I just haven't felt much like writing.  Does this make sense??  I mean I really wanna write but don't have any idea what I want to write about.  Maybe its called writers blog....I don't know.  Anyhoo I did get a very exciting box in the mail yesterday. 

A pretty brown and pink box.

  

BIRCHBOX!!!!

My very first Birchbox.  If you're not familiar with what a Birtchbox is, its a small box sent each month filled with neat samples of cosmetics and other goodies.  

My box contained; 

a sample bottle of Viva La Juicy La Fleur

a sample tube of Jouer lip enhancer

a sample box of  Mary-Lou Manizier from the Balm Cosmetics

and

a sample pouch, three days worth of Vitivia capsules

oh yes, and a Luna Protein bar with chocolate and peanut butter...YUMMY!!!!!!

So far I have tried the lip enhancer and to my hopeful heart it didn't work. Anyway that's what my husband said.  He said that my lips did not grow.  :(  But it did make them softer for like 10 min.  Personally I still prefer my EOS lip balm.  

Overall I loved my box full of goodies and it is nice to receive a little something in the mail just for me each month, and for only $10 its not like I'm burning a whole in my pocket.

Fright Fest Fun!!!

What a week we had!!!!  I haven't even been able to sit down and write on my blog.  One of the things we did this week was right off of my Fall bucket list.  We went to Fright Fest.  Fright Fest is put on by Six Flags each year.  This year however, our two youngest children was a bit scared of all the crazy zombies walking around so we didn't stay too late.  

Other than that we had a blast!!

I think we may need to go back this weekend :)

40 days of prayer

Today starts a very difficult six week journey for me.  My pastor has asked that our church join him in fasting and prayer for forty days.  

Fasting does not always mean not eating.  It can be just giving up something you enjoy a bit too much, or something that would be difficult to surrender   This is not supposed to be a comfortable thing.  And for me the choice was a hard one.  

As a family we decided to not eat any red meat, but for myself I decided that there will be no sugar of any kind, and the hardest of all no TV and no Internet. I do plan to blog once a week and continue with my school work.  

I'm going to use this time instead to pray for our nation.  Being the couch potato I am, this is a big deal for me, especially since all my shows are returning this week and next week.  It may sound silly to most but for me its going to be a trying time. 

 I do hope that in the end I will feel less dependent on such things and more dependent on the Lord.  Which is how it ought to be.  So here's to the next 40 days, may this time bring me closer to God, and if its even possible closer to my family.

Fall and Halloween Inspirations

I love the fall season.  It's my favorite season.  Here in Texas though it still feels like summer until November, so to get me in the spirit of fall I have decided to go ahead and  start my fall crafting, cooking, and fall activities.  One of the reasons I enjoy the fall season so much is because of course, Halloween.   My Pinterest board is full of wonderful fall and Halloween inspirations, and I plan on taking full advantage of all the great ideas.  These are just a few of my favorite inspirations from Pinterest.

1. Acorn picture frame
2. Pumpkin Wreath
3. Burlap table runner
4. Hayride sign
5. Glitter spider vase fillers
6. Pumpkin and cream frappe

7. Flying bats
8. Jack cupcakes
9. Halloween advent calender
10. Brown paper bag flowers

Fall is fun!! Don't ya think??

So what are your plans this fall season???

Picture Frame Redo #2

I love redoing old picture frames.  They're so easy peasy and cheap!!!   This is a black frame I've had in my closet for some time now.  

Not that there is anything wrong with the frame in fact it's a perfectly fine picture frame.  But I wanted something more beachy to hold some photos taken from our trip to Disney World this past summer.

I decided to add some brown twine I already had to the frame using a hot glue gun.  Now there are many ways to do this much easier than how I did it, but since I do everything on a more difficult level (meaning I seem to like making things harder on myself) I went with the horizontal lines.  Vertical is the better way to go.

Once I finished that, I went ahead and sprayed it white,

but it still needed something, so I went ahead and used the scented rear view mirror necklace that we used when on our trip to finish it off.

Ta da!!!

Now I have a sorta scrap picture frame to remind us of our trip, and it cost me nothing.  :)
Linking up to:
The Dedicated House
Meet Monday Linky Party
C.R.A.F.T.