It's beginning to look a lot like...

Project life?  Good things come to those who wait... I've been wanting this kit for some time now.  But I just couldn't pay the money.  Then BH put the 2010 version on sale for 40% off on black Friday... So... Merry Christmas to ME!

Now for it looking like Christmas... We went to our traditional Christmas tree lighting... it was awesome!  And now... it truly is beginning to look a lot more like Christmas around here... December Daily here we come... 

The First Sunday in Advent - Prophecy Candle

"This candle reminds us of the time for waiting for the Messiah to come.  It reminds us of the witness of prophets about the Savior.  It is a time for our waiting as we move toward the celebration of Christmas."

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

I found this advent wreath in a catalog years ago.  You can easily make your own advent wreath... or even use colored votive candles and place in a circle.  Even if you begin your advent wreath tomorrow... it's the thought and memories you make with the wreath that matters.

Keeping Jesus the Reason for the Season

Oh there is just so much to do, to enjoy, to watch, to ride, to experience, to bake, to plan, to wrap, to organize, to decorate, to light up, to clean up, to stuff, to shop, too much to do... *sigh*

As moms we sincerely want to make this the best Christmas ever. We want to do all of our traditions and build memories... and we want to keep Christ the center of attention.  With all the hoopla surrounding the holidays how can you keep Christ at the center?

Lower your expectations... keep it simple.  Stop, smile, enjoy it all... remember we celebrate Jesus all year long!  Grace.  Make your time alone with him a priority and you will make Him a priority naturally for the rest of your family... don't be too hard on yourself. Your kids need your presence... not so much your presents.  Take a moment to read this... good stuff.

Now saying that... here are many (too many) ideas I have gathered over the years to help make Christ's birth a priority over the next 28 days.  Do not... and I repeat... do NOT try to do all of these things.  This is just a compilation of ideas... every family will have their own traditions.  Pick a few that works for your family and do it with ALL your might!

The Advent Wreath - Every Sunday gather your family around the wreath of candles.  Read the Bible verses. Learn what each candle means. Pray together.  I personally love this tradition because you have to do this weekly.  (And there have been Sundays that were simply too full so we did our wreath on Monday... grace.  Right?)  Let me know and I can send you the word doc. on this.  More wonderful details and ideas on Advent here.

This book by Lisa Whelchel is a wonderful source for pointing our eyes towards Jesus during Christmas.  I love this book... just reading through this alone with your kids would be wonderful! Christ centered ideas from the Advent Wreath, Christmas tree decorating, wrapping to baking and even Santa.  Can't say enough about this book. 

Use Scripture - As much as you can... The Christmas tree star (Mat 2:2 NIV), the Candy Cane (Isaiah 1:18 NIV, Isaiah 53:5 NKJV and Psalm 34:8 NIV), Christmas Lights (John 1:5), Christmas Cards (Luke 2:10 NKJV)... Good quiet time material for this momma!

Children's Books - make it a nightly priority (even every other night) to read books about the first Christmas.  My favorite Christmas children's book is Mortimer's Christmas Manger... it's SO cute. I just love it.  Paired with a make-your-own gingerbread house - would make a great gift! 

Nativity Scene - (Luke 2:10-12 NKJV) I love the Little People nativity, Play Mobile, or the Veggie Tales set... that way the kiddos can "act out" their nativity.  Little hands can touch and play... Having a nice (untouchable) nativity is great, too... I've heard of some families waiting to place Baby Jesus in the scene until Christmas Eve.  Keep Wise men across the house and every day they get a little bit loser as they make their journey.

Birthday Cake - Younger children love having a birthday party for Jesus.  Recipe and details for this later... you can google it, too!


Service - Take an Angel from the Angel Tree - have kiddos help shop for the family in need.  Sing carols at a nursing home.  There is SO much you can do here... my kids are just at this age to get it... we will do more service this year...

I'm sure you have other ideas, too... please let me know so I can add them to my list!

Coming soon... creative, fast and easy ways to countdown the days 'till Christmas.

Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent

It's always a surprise to me when Advent begins when it's still November.  This is my favorite Christmas tradition we do as a family (a close second is the Christmas Eve pajamas!)  I love celebrating Advent every Sunday -- with all the enjoyment and excitement of this season -- our Advent wreath helps remind us what this Christmas season is truly all about... the birth of Jesus.

If you do not have an Advent wreath you can easily put something special together with four votive candles.  On Christmas Eve we place a white candle in the middle to light for the birth of Jesus.  If you'd like the details in a Word doc just email me at kimmysboutique at yahoo dot com (or send me a msg via FB) and I will send you what we do as a family every week during Advent.

Okay... time for me to put up the pumpkins and finish the Christmas decorating!

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December Daily Album Pages

I'm very excited to post the photos of my December Daily album for 2010... this is a first for me. I've never made an album like this before ... yet always inspired by my BFF Ali --  I've participated in December Daily in 07, 08 and 09.  This year I took the plunge and -- again -- influenced by AE's examples... here is what I have come up with... can not wait to fill these pages with my photos and finds from December 2010.  All details regarding December Daily check here on AE's project site.

I'm happy to report I have not really spent any money on this project.  Much of the paper I had from three years ago when I made these gifts.  I love the paper SO much -- the color combination of green, red, blues and browns...  The paper set came with punched out tags in the same paper and some stickers letter and numbers... I got lucky that this paper has a timeless look...  at least I don't think it looks "three years ago".

* Paper Set by Basic Grey in "Fruitcake" and "Dasher"
* Transparencies purchased this year from Scrapbook.com
* ribbon from my own personal stash
* rub-ons by Making Memories

To see other December Daily folks check here.  I'm #194!
More details to come... as we draw closer to December 01... I'm ready!

Gratefulness...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

I pray you have a thankful day full of fellowship, friends and family...

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:17 NIV

Shutterfly - how I love ya!

 The Christmas card photo…  we want it to capture the heart of our family… we want it to represent our year… and we want it to look good!  The Christmas card photo has been an important element to my Christmas since I got married 14 years ago.  We all send this card to our friends we never see, our friends we do see, our family far and near… it’s important. 

The card has a life of it's own... it has a job! The Christmas card connects our very Merry Christmas wishes to those we care about... I use to slave of paper, ink, stamps and scissors creating the perfect card -- well, now there's Shutterfly.  Check out these great these fabulous photo Christmas Cards here. These desk calendars make the bests gifts... don't forget to order one for yourself, too!

The Christmas holiday may slip past and sending a Christmas photo card may just not happen in a timely matter (It's busy, I get it!)  Look at this... send out a Happy New Year! card this year... beautiful!  So which one will you pick... ?  That might be your most difficult decision this Christmas...

 

 

I worry too much...

WAY too much about what other people think.  Time to get over it... I love this blog. I think it's fun.  I get inspiration from other blogs and I just think it's so fun to have my own little corner of blogger-world.  Even if I'm just entertaining myself... ha!

We've been busy this month... SO much to be thankful for.  I do not throw the word BLESSED around much... this thankful season in this blog post BLESSED is completely appropriate.

Number 1... I AM BLESSED with some terrific friends (YOU know who you are) and a husband who love me no matter what... truly love and care about me - faults and all.

Number 2... I AM BLESSED with children who are imperfect but greatly loved.  And I'm training them day in and day out and OH how I pray that they will know the LORD one day.  And be kind.  And love others.

Number 3... I AM BLESSED with family members who are beautiful, loving, giving and generous.

Number 4... I AM BLESSED to be forgiven by a Savior who died and rose again.

BLESSED: divinely and supremely favored; fortunate.

Serving spaghetti dinner Veteran's Day at the VFW.  The boys and girls did a wonderful job honoring these men who served our country.

 Fun Run at school...  never a dull moment.

 Career Day at school...  Danny does such a great job explaining K9 Police work to the kiddos...

 Pre-school... thanksgiving feast...  Truly a highlight to a 4 year old...  our Thanksgiving Feast reminds me of the Peanut characters feast...  so cute.

Pumpkin Art

I wish these photos were more clear... but my sweet friend made this in her home.  She painted the "S" and then did her girl's hand prints on the back...  I think this pumpkin art is such a great idea.

Linking up with Faded Charm "White Wednesday"
and Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Check out those blogs for awesome inspiration!

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Let's Make it Monday

Already gearing up for some home-made gifts...  this planter makes a great teacher gift!  For detailed instruction to how I made this one click here.

Linking up to: Keeping in Simple
and to Make it 4 Monday

On another note:

 Made these yummy pumpkin cookies yesterday SO easy... and they have a soft muffin texture...
Find the recipe here...

By the way... found this super nifty blog...  "Avoiding the Laundry" - the title is oh too true for me!  She has compiled ideas from other blogs... certainly worth avoiding the laundry!

trick or treat...

Make your mosaic at Mosaic Maker...

I'm a little late with this post... however, as we approach the Christmas season I'm beginning to become more inspired to blog...  I can't believe how quickly time is going by... here it is - NOVEMBER!  Gearing up for December Daily!  Yahoo!

Are you getting ready for Christmas?  Need I remind you there are 49 days until Christmas!  Less than 50... have you pulled out  your notebook that you put together last year - you know the one you wrote lots of notes in to help you this year???  What?... you didn't make a notebook?  Make one this year... you'll thank yourself next year... I promise.

There's an app for that!