Our Christmas

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a great Christmas!

We had a nice Christmas.

And I remembered to take pictures.

Here are all my kiddos on Christmas Eve. We always give them new pjs to open on Christmas Eve and wear that night.

Here is a shot of all of them in their pjs.

The kiddos were super excited to open their gifts. I won't bore you with ALL the pictures but here are a chosen few.

Opening gifts was too boring for our kitty Smokey.

I thought it was cute how he had his little paws crossed.

My mom decided she would make Christmas dinner this year.

So we all went over early so I could help her do the cooking.

This is me.

Here is a pic of me and my mom.

We look a lot alike don't we.

Oh and see my necklace? My daughter Faith made it for me.

From Left to Right you have my step dad, my uncle, and my aunt.

Faith took this picture of me and my mom. 

The kiddos are snacking on  veggies and cheese ball.

My mom peeling potatoes.

Here is my brother Skip. He is as round as he is tall!

This next picture is not posed.

My hubby and Skip just happened to look up at me at the same time!

My hubby, Eddie, and Hope.

Here is Sj wiggling his loose tooth.

And here is a picture of my mom's Christmas tree!

We had a really enjoyable Christmas. I love spending time with family and friends.

If I knew more people around here I would be throwing dinner parties and stuff.

I love to entertain.

Today, the day after Christmas, we are tidying up the house. 

We were supposed to have a decent winter storm but so far all we have gotten was some snow, then rain, then snow and now nothing.

I am still hoping we get enough snow to go sledding. 

We only need 3-4 inches.

Be blessed,

Erin

The Start of Christmas

Have you all been busy? I know we sure have.

Christmas vacation for our kiddos started on Friday the 21st.

We decided to start the holiday off right and let the kiddos open one of their gifts early.

Sj is super excited. He got Lego Batman 2: DC Superheros for Nintendo Ds.

You can see the pure joy on Eddie's face. 

He was jumping around whooping and hollering.

He got Mario Kart for Nindendo DS

The older my girls get, the harder they are to buy for.

Faith's gift was a collection of different body sprays.

She loved them.

Hope also opened up her gift of a variety of body sprays.

She was super excited!

Our family tradition is to drive around and look at Christmas lights. We usually do this the weekend before Christmas. This year we made ourselves some hot chocolate.

This house had their lights set to music. We had to tune into a certain radio station to hear the music.

This house also has Mr. and Mrs. Claus available the two days before Christmas.

Another pic I wanted to show you was of this manger scene. 

I really want my very own lighted manger scene now!

Yesterday, December 23 we had our annual Christmas Cantata at our Church.

This isn't a great picture but my kids were in the Cantata. They did so good!

I didn't get pics of the girls all dressed up because they decided to spend the night with their granny

But

I did get a picture of my boys.

Here is Sj all dressed up for the Cantata.

He says he looks Dashing!

Eddie is a little more laid back.

He simply paired a button down shirt with his blue jeans.

I think he looks pretty dashing too.

And in the spirit of these holidays, here is a pic of my boys together.

They actually put their arms around each other! I didn't have to tell them to!!!!

I was supposed to go to a cookie exchange on Saturday evening but the event was cancelled because my friend had her baby!!!

She had a sweet baby girl (she already has 3 boys).

She was 8 pounds and 14 ounces!

AND she was a few weeks early!

Unfortunately, her parents requested that her pictures not be put online. :(

Now for the upcoming events. 

Today I will be cleaning and doing laundry.

I will have to pic up my girls from their granny's house sometime today.

(They are helping her clean to prep for dinner tomorrow)

We will be attending the Christmas Eve service at our church tonight at 6pm.

When we get home our kiddos will open their Christmas Eve gift.

We always get them new pajamas!

Christmas morning we will get up and open gifts and watch the Christmas Parade.

Then I will head over to my mom's to help her cook Christmas dinner.

After that we will rest and enjoy our gifts.

New Years Eve we always put out a buffet of finger foods and have sparkling grape juice to ring in the New Year.

The kiddos go back to school on the 2nd of January.

And I believe that is it.

I will post pics of various events as I can.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.

Be Blessed,

Erin

Getting to know me: 100 questions tag

Hey guys, I saw this tag and thought it would be a fun blog post. Hope you enjoy.

1:Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

My closet doesn't have any doors so open.

2:Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

I don't but my kiddos do

3:Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

I move a lot in my sleep so out

4:Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

No but I really wanted to. It has my first initial and my last name

5:Do you like to use post-it notes?

I use them in cook books and reference books to mark things to remember

6:Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

Yes I cut many coupons and I never use some. I try to pass them on to others though.

7:Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

Ouch. Neither. I am highly allergic to bees. So I'd prefer a bear attack :P

8:Do you have freckles?

I did when I was a kid but not so much anymore

9:Do you always smile for pictures?

No, I have a really crooked smile. I've had it since I was a kid.

10:What is your biggest pet peeve?

Everyone throwing their stuff everywhere and not wanting to help pick it up.

11:Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

Nope

12:Have you ever peed in the woods?

Yes, we went trail riding one time and I had to go. I was little though.

13:What about pooped in the woods?

Nope. Gross

14:Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?

There is always music playing in my head

15:Do you chew your pens and pencils?

No too many germs

16:How many people have you slept with this week?

This q can be deemed inappropriate if you take it in that context but you know the only person who sleeps in my bed is me and the hubby.

17:What size is your bed?

Full

18:What is your Song of the week?

Any Christian and Christmas song

19:Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Yes it is

20:Do you still watch cartoons?

I try to avoid it but the kiddos love them

21:Whats your least favorite movie?

I don't like those stupid man movies like Scary movie or the hangover. I feel like I lose brain cells when I watch them.

22:Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

I def wouldn't tell anyone that!

23:What do you drink with dinner?

Tea, pop, water depends on my mood

24:What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

Hot mustard sauce

25:What is your favorite food?

chicken. I love chicken.

26:What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Twister, Fried Green Tomatoes, 80s movies

27:Last person you kissed/kissed you?

My hubby and kids

28:Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

I was a girl scout

29:Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

It depends on the cause. Something like the Dove beauty campaign would be ok as long as all my bits were covered.

30:When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

A few days ago

31:Can you change the oil on a car?

Yes I can

32:Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

Nope. Thank God 

33:Ever ran out of gas?

Nope.

34:Favorite kind of sandwich?

I love BLTs and I love just a tomato and mayo sammie

35:Best thing to eat for breakfast?

I like smoothies for breakfast. I'm not too much of an eater in the morning.

36:What is your usual bedtime?

Whenever I feel like it. Sometimes as early as 8 or 9 pm or as late as 2 or 3 am.

I think it depends on my stress level

37:Are you lazy?

Sadly I have been really lazy lately. I am in a slump. I feel underappreciated and overwhelmed.

I just dunno how to shake it.

38:When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

Tons of things. Ghosts, princess, bee, 

39:What is your Chinese astrological sign?

I just looked it up online and I am a sheep...

Kind of fitting seeing how I love crochet.

40:How many languages can you speak?

I speak English and I can understand a lot of Spanish but I don't speak it well.

41:Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

Yes. Golf Digest and I used my Rite Aid rewards for one but I can't remember which.

Oh and a crochet one.

42:Which are better legos or lincoln logs?

Legos...but they hurt so durn bad when you step on them

43:Are you stubborn?

O I am with certain things

44:Who is better...Leno or Letterman?

Leno

45:Ever watch soap operas?

I had to watch the CBS ones when I was a kid because my mom watched them

But I don't watch any

46:Are you afraid of heights?

Yes. I hate heights.

47:Do you sing in the car?

Who doesn't?

48:Do you sing in the shower?

Nope..I do talk to myself in the shower..does that make me weird?

49:Do you dance in the car?

Lol yes...a lot.

50:Ever used a gun?

My dad taught me to use a gun when I lived with him. He wanted me to be able to protect myself in case someone broke in to the house. 

51:Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

Oh about 12 years ago.

52:Do you think musicals are cheesy?

No I love musicals.

53:Is Christmas stressful?

Only if you make it stressful

54:Ever eat a pierogi?

mmmm....yes! I love potato and cheese ones!

55:Favorite type of fruit pie?

Blackberry

56:Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Lawyer, teacher, vet

57:Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes. I have seen a few!!! Nearly scared me to death!

58:Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

Yes! All the time.

59:Take a vitamin daily?

Most days I remember. I do a multivitamin, Vitamin B complex, and fish oil

60:Wear slippers?

Only if my feet are cold. I love to be bare footed.

61:Wear a bath robe?

Well I am right now...Sometimes I do.

62:What do you wear to bed?

Night shirts, I can't sleep with pants on so usually just a night shirt n undies.

63:First concert?

Sammy kershaw

64:Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

I love target but it is a good drive for me so Walmart 

65:Nike or Adidas?

Nike or New Balance

66:Cheetos Or Fritos?

Crunchy cheetos or chili cheese fritos.

67:Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Hard one. I love boiled peanuts but mostly enjoy sunflower seeds

68:Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

Nope

69:Ever take dance lessons?

I was a clogger when I was little. I can still do it to. Unfortunately I can't find a group in my area :(

70:Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

Nope...I don't plan on having a future spouse..i think i will keep the one I have now.

71:Can you curl your tongue?

No!!! My whole family can. I cannot...it frustrates me

72:Ever won a spelling bee?

never entered one

73:Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

yes I have

74:Own any record albums?

Nope

75:Own a record player?

Nope

76:Regularly burn incense?

No I usually use my tart warmers. I do have a few candles still

77:Ever been in love?

yes I am currently in love

78:Who would you like to see in concert?

Michael Buble, Jason Aldean, Bon Jovi, any 80s hair band

79:What was the last concert you saw?

Someone at the fair...I don't remember who it was.

80:Hot tea or cold tea?

either one is fine with me.

81:Tea or coffee?

I like coffee but the caffeine kills me.

82:Sugar or snickerdoodles?

sugar

83:Can you swim well?

I swim well enough to enjoy myself. I actually saved my cousin's life when I was a teenager.

84:Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

Yes but I can't go underwater without plugging my nose for some reason

85:Are you patient?

I am more patient than I used to be but still have to work on it

86:DJ or band, at a wedding?

dj

87:Ever won a contest?

Nope but I am really hoping to win a Kitchenaid mixer in the contest I have been entering daily

88:Ever have plastic surgery?

nope but I will when I'm older. I want to get the lifestyle lift. I am already seeing saggy jowls 

89:Which are better black or green olives?

def black ones.

90:Can you knit or crochet?

Yes I crochet

91:Best room for a fireplace?

either living room or bedroom

92:Do you want to get married?

I have already done that

93:If married, how long have you been married?

2013 will be 13 years

94:Who was your HS crush?

Wow...I honestly don't remember 

95:Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

nope. I am not a child anymore

I do what I want when I want.

96:Do you have kids?

I have 4 beautiful kids.

97:Do you want kids?

I don't want to have anymore kids.

98:Whats your favorite color?

blue or green shades

99:Do you miss anyone right now?

Yes I miss my grandparents and I miss my best friend in Georgia.

100. Something that happened to you in middle school.

Wow I guess a big one is that I switched schools. I moved from Georgia living with my mom to Ohio living with my dad.

Well that is all! What do ya think?

I really enjoy doing these little Q & A things.

Now I tag all of you who read this to do the same.

Be Blessed

Erin

Prayers

It's late for me to be blogging.

Usually I am snuggling in at this time with a book or just with my pillow.

Today was a nice day for me. After getting my kiddos off to school I had tons of errands to do.

Paid some bills via interweb.

I got myself together and headed out about 9 am.

Put gas in my van.

Went to Walmart to purchase some necessities for my family

(and some wanties for me)

Drove to visit my hubby at work and possibly have lunch with him.

(he couldn't due to meetings)

Went to Dollar Tree for some stocking candies for the kiddos.

Went to other dollar stores to look around.

Paid our van payment.

Went to McD's to get some lunch.

Came home and carried all my purchases inside.

Washed my hands and turned on the tv.

Was horrified by what I was seeing.

Some guy shot 20 kids and 6 adults at and elementary school in Connecticut.

He also shot his mom at their home.

He shot himself.

KIDS!!!!!!

Why kids.

Not just kids but small kids.

Kindergarteners through fourth graders.

I HAVE A 2ND AND 4TH GRADER!!

I couldn't believe it!

I cried and prayed for these families.

I ask you all to do the same.

Even if you aren't the praying kind...Please, pray.

Erin

Karen's Kids

My friends, I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful outreach program at my church this year.

This program is called Karen's Kids.

Karen's Kids was started by a lovely member of our church many years ago. She wanted to help some of the less fortunate kids in our community. When the program started, they served just a handful of kids; less than 10.

Oh my, I guess I should tell you what this program is exactly.

Well through donations from church members, whether it be clothing, toys, money...Kids in our community are able to have presents under the Christmas tree.

Karen's kids works in conjunction with other Secret Santa types of organizations in our neighborhood so one family doesn't get 3x the gifts as another family. And a lot of families get great quality gifts for their kids.

We served 78 families this year.

How does it work?

Well, throughout the year our church members scour clearance racks and super sales to collect the items we will be giving kids for Christmas.

These items are put in a secured storage area as it comes in.

If church members (and anyone who wants to help) don't want to or are unable to shop, they give money. It can be as much or as little as one can afford. 

Once school starts back in the fall, the members of Karen's kids begin to take inventory of what we have and what we need. We then take several shopping trips and purchase any additional items that may be needed. We continue to take donations throughout the year...

Then , around the middle of October we begin gathering information for any families who want/need help with Christmas. We usually give a cut-off date by the middle of November.

Then, we pull out all of the toys and clothing we have collected throughout the year and we have giant bags lined up on our church pews. Anyone who helps out gets a slip with the child's name, age, clothing sizes, and a list of items this child likes. Then we "shop" for that kid out of what we have collected over the year.

This year we were able to "spend" $60 on each kid. Now this doesn't sound like much, but remember we collected stuff from clearance racks and after holiday sales. Each kid received 6 or 7 items on average, plus an outfit and a coat or jacket, and a pair of gloves and a hat for winter.

These toys weren't junky dollar store toys either. We had many craft sets, board games, makeup sets, cologne sets, bath sets, toddler kitchen, barbies, bears, legos, well you get the picture.

Once all the kids are "shopped" for we check each one to make sure they have just enough toys, what they wanted, and age appropriate. We then take those toys and put them in that kids bag and store it away until the wrapping party.

The wrapping party is a wonderful fellowship time. Almost every member of our church comes the evening of the wrapping party with a covered dish, wrapping paper, scissors, and name tags. We all eat and then we begin to wrap. Once the all the gifts get wrapped (this year it only took us 2 hours to wrap all the gifts!!!), we have other members dressed up as Santa. Our Santa's (we had 3) then get the address and the gifts for the kids at that residents AND deliver those gifts. Most of the Santa's say the look on the kids faces when they drop off their bag of gifts is amazing.

We had all the gifts wrapped, bagged, and delivered by 9 pm last night. I have to tell you, my heart is filled with so much joy knowing that Christmas was a little brighter for these children.

I am already gearing up for next year. I can't wait to shop for these children. 

And I have to say, I love my church. I love the outreach programs our small little church is involved in.

When I prayed for a God to show us a church, it was one of the requirements I had.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you all what has put a little bounce in my step today.

Now I want to put a challenge to anyone out there who reads this post. During the holidays, this year or any year hereafter, while you are doing the shopping for your friends and family, please pick up one or two extra items and donate them. There are so many wonderful organizations who help needy families.

For example, 

Toys for tots usually has several donation boxes around every neighborhood.

Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful organization. You can make your own boxes or you can go online and pay for a box there.

Check with your local churches and community organizations.

The toys you donate don't have to be super expensive ones. It can be a box of crayons and a coloring book., a $5 toy. Every little bit can go a long way to help a child have a good Christmas.

Until we meet again

Be Blessed.

Breathtaking sky

Hello again!

I wanted to show you all a very beautiful sunset I caught last week.

My hubby had arrived home from work. He had bought 2 enormous packs of bottled water

so when I went to meet him at the door to help him carry the water in

I saw this.

I ran upstairs to get a shot out of one of the upper windows.

My hubby took this picture of my son trying to carry in one of the packages of bottled water.

From the upstairs window, I caught my hubby and youngest little guy playing around.

Aren't they cute.

My hubby also snapped this pic of me standing on the porch, in the light of the sunset, smiling at my son trying to carry the big package of water.

I really don't like my picture taken at all.

This sunset had me in awe. I sat and watched the sky turn so many different shades of purple, orange, red, pinks, blues, and ultimately the sky went dark and the stars started twinkling.

I counted my blessings. God has been so good to my family.

A few days after this sunset I was checking out my Stylecraft yarn I had purchased a while ago and I realized the colors were colors of a sunset. So I put the yarn colors in the order in which I wanted to use them. I have decided I will just crochet with each color until it runs out and then attach the next color no matter where the end is. It will be my take on the progression of a sunset. 

I am making this blanket using straight double crochets. Nothing too fancy.

However, I am enjoying it thoroughly.

Oh and I am happy to report that we are all still doing well.

That nasty virus had decided to stay away!

Praise God!

Well that is all. Short and sweet!

Be Blessed

Erin

Time for Change

Hello my friends. You will never believe what I just had to do! I just had to purchase more picture memory for my blog! That tells me that I have been doing a really good job at writing this year :)

This post may be boring to some of you because it has a lot of makeup pictures. I mean a lot. 

But there is a reason for this.

You see, when I was in school and in my 20s I wore makeup every day.

I took a lot of pride in my appearance. You know those "southern Belles" that you see who always have to have their hair and makeup and outfit just right....well I was just like that.

I took great pride in my appearance.

Well that all changed when I was going through the horrible anxiety and panic attacks!

I never did my hair or makeup. I would shower, brush my hair once and that was it.

Well, since I have been getting out more, I started to fix myself up more and discovered that I desperately needed more makeup.

So, wanting to keep with the trends, I turned to trusty youtube to see what kinds of makeup were good and what trends in makeup were happening.

Well I was shocked! Most of the makeup the people used on youtube was EXPENSIVE!

I am a walmart/drugstore girl so that didn't work for me.

So I found a couple of people I like who used a mixture of high end and drugstore brands.

Now I have been collecting makeup for a little over a month now so I wanted to show you all what I have.

All have either been given to me or came from a drug store.

Most of my makeup is by wet n Wild. Their brand is so cheap but the product is very good.

So let me get started.

Base:

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer, Loreal Visible Lift Foundation in 148 Natural Beige, Covergirl Professional Loose Powder in 115 Translucent Medium and Wet N Wild liquid concealer in 814

Eyeshadow:

NYC Custom Eye Compact for Blue Eyes in 939 U Bryant Park. I use the primer in this one for all my eyeshadow looks.

Wet N Wild Color Icon 8 Palettes

L to R: C783 Comfort Zone,  736 Petal Pusher, 737 Blue Had Me at Hello

Wet N Wild Trio

L to R: 382B Cool As a Cucumber, 334 I'm Getting Sunburned, 385B Don't Steal My Thunder, 

335 Silent Treatment

Cover girl Trios: 115 Golden Sunset, 110 Shimmering Sands

Covergirl Eye Brightener Quad 705 Vivid Greens

Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duos

10 Creme Caramel, 80 Sweet Dusk

Clinique Sets:

White: color surge eyeshadow trio daybreak, sparkling sage, like mink; Blusher-fig

Silver: color Surge Eyeshadow duo strawberry fudge

Blusher-cupid

Avon 12 in 1 palette

Eyeliners:

Wet N Wild

L to R: H20 Proof Liquid Liner 882, Color icon 661C Amethyst, 650D Purple, 655 Charcoal, 656A White, 155 Silver, and Copper

L to R: 

Maybelline Unstoppable in Onyx and in Expresso

Avon Ultra Luxury liner in U01 Black

Covergirl Smartliner in Blue

Mascara:

Top to Bottom:

Cover Girl Last Blast Fusion in Brown/Black (my favorite)

Sheercover Extra Length Mascara in Black/Brown

Clinique High impact in black

Clinique lash Doubling in black

Clinique High Lengths Mascara in black.

Blush/Bronzers:

Avon Tru color Blush in T201 Classic Aura and T50 Malto Mocha

Covergirl Cheekers in 180 Brick Rose and the other had the color peeled off

L to R: 

Wet N Wild Bronzer in 741A Princess, Revlon Beyond Natural blush/Bronzer in 400 Pink/Rose

Artisan color Baked Bronzer in 3516 Rum Spice

Lip Liner:

L to R:

Avon Ultra Luxury Lip Liner T520 Neutral, Wet N Wild Color Icon in Brandywine, Plumberry,

Berry Red, and  Wet N Wild Creme Liner in Willow

Lip Sticks:

L to R:

Wet N Wild 528 A Pink Ice, 553B, 520E, 505A

L to R:

Wet N Wild 908C, 364S Bare-ly Legal, 902 C

Wild Shine 925 Lustful

Wet N Wild Lip Wand (Stain n Liner in 1 container) 120

Mega Slicks 569B

L to R

Clinique Black Honey (it is more sheer than dark), Raspberry

Avon Perfect Wear P506, P304

 L to R:

Covergiril Lipslicks in Princess, Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain 420, Outlast Double Lips in 305 Sahara

My brushes.

The ones on the right are Real techniques brushes. The left are just mix n match ones from various sets. I really want to get the rest of the real techniques line! They are amazing brushes.

Well there you have it. I know I already have a lot of makeup and I plan on getting more. I love playing around with color but being classy about it.

Now I need to convince the hubby to let me spend some money on a makeup case. My little bag runs over.

Well I know this one is a bit boring but it is as much as a record keeper as a show off.

Thanks for reading.

Be Blessed.