Farewell 2011!!!

I am not sure there is anyone happier to leave 2011 in the dust as I am!!  It has been a rough year to say the least!!  This year I have lost my grandmother and brother unexpectedly, and I have also gone through a separation and divorce.  Along with other things that have happened this year, I felt like every time I turned a corner, I was being dealt with another hurdle to jump!!  I have high hopes that 2012 will be much more in my favor!!  I know that it is cliche, but I did set a few goals for myself, or "resolutions" if you will...

Goal #1:

My weight!!  I know this is one that everyone sets every year, but I REALLY need to get myself back in shape!!  I always led a very fit lifestyle, but when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was put on steroid shots, I somehow allowed myself to use this as an excuse to let myself go.  Well, no more!!  I am off my shots for now, and it's time to be healthier and a better example for my son!!!

Goal #2:

Spend more quality time with my little guy.  I am with Truett literally all day every day, but I feel like I need to make more quality one on one time a priority.  Who knows, he may end up being my only child, so I don't want to miss one minute!!  They grow up so fast!!!

Goal #3:

Make myself a priority/stand up for myself more.  I tend to always put myself and my wants last for everyone else.  I am also horrible at letting others run all over me!!  My Nanny would always say as she was hanging up with me on the phone, "Kanana, don't let people run over you!!"  If I am happy and have a better attitude, then I set a better example for my son and I am able to give him more of me!!

In college I would always write down my goals and carry them around with me, and believe it or not, having those goals there to constantly remind me, really worked and kept me on top of things.  Every year I would pretty much accomplish every goal I set for myself!  So, not only do I have my goals written on here for everyone to see and to constantly be there for me to see, but I have written these goals down and taped them to my refrigerator and my bathroom mirror.  Here's to a happy and successful 2012!!!!  I hope you all have a very....

Precious Babies

My sister Hillary and I wanted to do something special for my parents this Christmas, so we decided to have pictures of the grand babies taken.  Originally we were going to have them done at JC Penney or Sears, but we decided it would mean more if we had them taken in the pasture out at my Granddaddy's.  Our cousin Patience is an awesome photographer and said she would take the pictures for us.  So, we picked out a few wardrobe options and a few spots at my Granddaddy's house, and let Patience work her magic!  Well, let's just say, having a 6 month old, a 3 year old, and a 4 year old to be photo ready at the same time is near impossible!!!  haha!!  This was one of the first pictures Patience took, and well, it pretty much sums up the whole day!!!  haha!!

If this is how the day started, you can only imagine how the next hour or so went!!  But Patience definitely lives up to her name, and was more "patient" with the babies than we were!!!

Cohen slept through most of the photo session, so he wasn't in very many of the photos (we took individual ones of him inside after he woke up).  I also haven't downloaded many of them yet, as I have a notebook and the only way to get the photos downloaded is to print them off and then scan them onto my computer.  But here is a snippet of the pictures that were taken:

My favorite picture!!!!

The pictures were a big hit though with the Mimi/Nana and PawPaw!!!  Thanks for the memories and great pictures Patience!!!!



Show Me Christmas-Christmas Day

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!  Today I am linking up with From Mrs to Mama and Aly Blogs for their weekly Show me Christmas Link Up.  We had a fun filled few days that's for sure!!  All of the fun started a few days before Christmas for us!  The wonderful Brumback family, or "Santa" for the night, left Truett a special package at the door!!

His very own Elf on the Shelf!!  Meet Cole, the newest member of our family...well, during Christmas time anyway.  Truett was so very excited to get him!! 

Tru's card from Santa that was on his gift!

Cole's very first place of honor was on Truett's bedroom shelf sitting next to his David Robinson bobble head.

After Cole reported to the North Pole, he returned home, and hid in our tree!!  Truett thought this was the silliest thing ever!!

Truett left early Saturday morning to celebrate Christmas with his dad, so my mom and I ran a few last minute errands, ate an early dinner, and then went back to my house to exchange gifts.  Here's what all I got:

So, like I have said in earlier posts, I am off for two weeks for Christmas break while my class is out, so that means two weeks of no pay.  Well, for this single momma, that puts a strain on the finances.  When my mom and Oma asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told them groceries to help cut out that cost.  Boy, did they ever deliver!!!  As you can see, my kitchen was overflowed with goodies!!  I don't know how I was able to fit it all into my cabinets, but somehow I managed to squeeze it all in!

I also got a $25 Wal Mart card, this beautiful red scarf, and a new Coach purse!!  Now, yes my mom spoils me, but the only reason I got the Coach was because my mom was able to find it on MEGA sale.  It is the old "C" style, which I prefer.  I think she ended up getting it for 60% off or so!!  My deal shopping is finally rubbing off on someone!!  haha!!  Anyway, I was SUPER appreciative of it all!! 

Truett made it home just in time to put out the reindeer food and cookies and milk for Santa!!

Truett was very excited to find Santa had left him a note thanking him for the cookies and fudge that he left out!!

Christmas morning then came!!!  Truett was so exhausted from all the activities leading up to Christmas morning, I actually had to wake him up around 7:15 so we could open presents from Santa and head out to my dad's house in time.  I was worried, but Santa was able to pull off Christmas (all on about a $55 budget too...including the gifts that were from me to Truett!!!)!  Tru really loved all of his gifts!!  Here is what all he got:

Truett and all of his gifts from Santa!!

From me Truett got a Ninja Turtle costume, Batman slippers, and a Captain America pretend shave kit. From his Oma Kye, Truett got two pillow pets and a Bruno Mars cd to replace his other one that was lost.  His Oma Itz gave him a really cute cuddly blanket and a pillow.  If you haven't guessed, Tru loves pillows and blankets!!  haha!!  He is very much a cuddle bug!!

As soon as Santa was complete, we packed the car and I headed to Mena to have Christmas with my Granddaddy, my parents, brother, and my sister's family.  Later in the day, my other grandparents were able to come in and celebrate with us as well!  Even though this Christmas was hard for us without my Nanny and my brother Alex, being together and spending some quality time was great!  Here's a little run down of how all that went:

Tru waiting patiently to open his presents!!

 

Thank you to Granddaddy for the AWESOME guitar and Cars coloring stuff!!  Aunt Hillary, Uncle Greg, Clara, and Cohen gave him the super cool Batman hoodie, Mimi and Pawpaw came through with an awesome Joker playhouse for his Batman and Joker figurines, Uncle Neal gave Tru his first ever remote control car (which was a huge hit with all of the males in the house), and Nonny and Papaw gave Tru some super cool super hero jammies!!!

My brother-in-law Greg and my precious nephew Cohen opening gifts!!

My brother Neal checking out his LSU shirt from our sister.

Pawpaw opening his new dutch oven!!  Can't wait to try some of the yummies that will be coming out of that!!  I am so jealous!!

Mimi opening her pictures from Truett.

My sister Hillary and my niece Clara Grace opening their gifts.

Granddaddy opening his gifts from Truett.

 

I hope everyone's holiday was as blessed as ours was!  Getting to spend time with family is the ultimate gift!!  I will leave you with with a little something that is sure to put a smile on your face:

my precious nephew Cohen!!!  Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

A day of domesticity

Linking this up over at Someday Crafts!  Scroll down and find my awesome lotion creation!!  It's amazing stuff!!

Well, today I have been busy being a bit of a domestic diva!!!  haha!!  Truett will be going to his dad's house for a couple of days to spend Christmas with him, so we had to tweak our tradition of  baking cookies on Christmas Eve, and do it today.  I baked and cleaned, Truett and my mom took on decorating duty.

Truett decorating his cookies

Truett's Cookies

Truett's and Oma's cookies are all complete!!

Also today, I made lotion. I was once given a kit to make homemade lotion.  Well, after some digging, I found a "recipe" that was a lot easier with the same wonderful result!!  I plan on giving this out to the women of my family for Christmas.  Here's how you can make your own lotion:

This is what you need:

2 pink baby lotions

2 bottles of Vitamin E cream

1 Tub of Vaseline

1 bottle of Aloe lotion

*I bought all of my supplies from Dollar General.  This really cuts down the cost...and this makes TONS of lotion, so you can always tweak it a bit to make less!!

Throw everything in a stand up mixer if you have one.  If you don't, then a hand mixer will be just fine.  Start out mixing slow and then gradually work the speed up.  Mix until everything in incorporated.

This is what it looks like all blended.  When complete, it looks a lot like whipped caked frosting.

When I am finished, I place the lotion back into the containers that I got the ingredients from.  I remove the old labels and then place homemade ones on or decorate the containers.

This lotion is really smooth and soaks into your skin great!  The vitamin E, Vaseline, and aloe really make it a moisture rich lotion!  Enjoy!!

Glade House Party

I am a member of House Party.  This is a really cool site to join if you love hosting parties and if you are into trying new products.  Here is a little about House Party:

About House Party

House Party makes it easy to have a party in your own home and get exclusive access to awesome products for you and your friends. We provide the fun, you provide food, your friends and feedback and promise to have an amazing time.

Our parties are sponsored by the brands you love. By hosting, you and your guests get to try their products and receive an incredible Party Pack chock full of goodies! You don’t pay anything or sell anything. It’s a no-pressure party. Just tell us what you and your guests think.     

But it’s more than just you and your friends who are having a blast. Thousands of other hosts and guests from across the US are also having an amazing time, on the same day. Your party just went from event to epic!     

I have hosted one of their parties before, and I am so excited to have the opportunity again!!  It really is a great experience and a great excuse to have friends over!!!  Below is what I should expect in the mail to help host my party:

Your exclusive Party Pack will contain:
For you, the host

• 1 Tote
• 1 Spiral notebook

For you and your guests

• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Fragrance Mist in Pineapple & Mangosteen
• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Fragrance Mist in Cotton & Italian Mandarin
• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Fragrance Mist in Lavender & Juniper Berry
• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Fragrance Mist in Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice
• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Oil Diffuser in Pineapple & Mangosteen
• 1 Glade^® Expressions™ Oil Diffuser in Lavender & Juniper Berry
• 15 Home design booklets
• 15 Coupons to save on Glade® Expressions™ products and 2 additional coupons per person to share with friends
• 15 Magnetic picture frames
• 15 Sticky notepads

I can't wait to share with you when I get my package in and all the goodies that are included!!!

Show Me Christmas-Traditions

Today I am linking up with Aly and Becky for their Show Me Christmas.  This week is Christmas Traditions.  Well, my family has many traditions.  Most of these traditions have been around since before I was born, but may have altered slightly as I have gotten older and had my own child to better fit our lifestyle.  Here are a few of my favorite traditions:

Tradition #1:

The weekend after Thanksgiving is when the Christmas tree goes up.  This tradition has been altered over the years.  My family is made up of German descendants with strong ties to their German heritage.  Well traditionally, Germans do not put their tree up until Christmas Eve.  This is what my family did for many years, but because my mother and I are allergic to real trees, we then started buying the reusable trees.  Once we switched trees (around the time I was 6 or so), we started the tradition of decorating the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.  This is one tradition I have stuck to through my adult years!

Our Christmas Tree this year.

Tradition #2:

The Christmas Pickle!  Haha!!  I know what you are thinking...Christmas pickle?  I don't get it either!!  Haha!!  It's another one of those German traditions that I grew up with and kept because it was what we have always done.  My pickle ornament actually broke this year, and needless to say, here in NWA there isn't exactly the demand for pickle ornaments, so I am having to get my family to send me one from south Texas to replace mine.

A traditional glass pickle ornament.

The German Christmas Pickle Ornaments Story.
The German glass pickle ornaments are considered a special
"Christmas in Germany" decoration by many families where the Christmas
tree was decorated on Christmas eve.

The glass Christmas pickle ornament is always the last glass
ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree. The parents hide the glass
pickle ornament in the Christmas tree among the other German
glass ornaments. When the children were allowed to view the
Christmas tree they would begin gleefully searching for the
German glass pickle ornament. The children knew that whoever found
the glass pickle ornament first would receive an extra little gift and
would be the one to begin the unwrapping of the Christmas gifts.

Tradition #3:

Cookie decorating!  Every Christmas Eve we bake and decorate sugar cookies for Santa.  I have done this as long as I can remember!  It was always my favorite part of Christmas Eve, and now it is Truett's favorite part too!!  After they are all decorated, we plate them on our special dishes that are only for Santa to eat off of and leave a letter for Santa.  We also make sure the reindeer have a special treat as well!

Truett and his Oma (that's grandma in German) decorating cookies last Christmas Eve.

All of the decorated cookies.

These are our Santa cookie dishes.  The plates are for Santa's cookies, the cup is for his milk, and the bowl is where we put the reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) that we sprinkle on the lawn Christmas Eve before we go to bed.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas with their families and the traditions you share!