Whimsy

One of my main purposes of keeping a blog is for self learning. Being able to look back and read my thoughts from the not so distant past I realize how much life is taking it's toll on me. I am ready to reclaim myself and get back some of my whimsy. 

I have always had a playful mind. I like imagining and "looking at the world through rose colored glasses" as my Grandma use to say.

But lately the stress of this last big move, a growing family and shrinking income, possibly buying a house and an uncertain relationship between my parents, has made me heavy {as Marty Mcfly would say}

Looking to get a little lightness back in my life.

ASAP 

The Real Up house

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I spent last night up with a wide awake 7 month old. He was adorable and sweet but not asleep. As I struggled to stay awake myself I thought about Mary and imagined her taking care of a 7 month old baby Jesus. It made me think of the man he might grow up to be and the limited amount of Christmases I have left with little children.

 What a beautiful Christmas holiday we had.

 I used my Dad's camera to take these pictures, therefore they turned out a little wonky, but the glow caught in most the pictures is pretty accurate of the feeling we had around us.

 This years Christmas was filled with lots of last minute gifts and decorating but it all came together for a fun and festive holiday.

 We had amazing food 

 and amazing people

I made mostly desserts, including jello, bread pudding and {fake}cofee cheesecake.

 Alfred was the cutest of us all.

 But he had some stiff competition

 All the kids wildest dreams came true and they will be going home with tons of princess and super hero toys.

 Tober was adorable while opening her gifts with perfects gasps and awes at the right time. I especially loved seeing her go around doing her uncle's hair after she got a princess {fake}blow dryer and curling iron set, complete with lipstick and perfume.

C hasn't stopped being Captain America all day.

Jones got me a necklace from one of my favorite shops in Olympia, WA.

I haven't stopped stuffing my face all day. :)

Just taking in the joy of my family close by and the joy of knowing there is always hope, and enough love to go around.

Just a little more time

Christmas is almost here and despite the slow start I had I am starting to feel giddy and excited for tomorrow. We have been so blessed and looked after this year it just makes my heart swell.

Hopefully I will be able to get some good memories, and pictures to go with, to hold onto.

As I put the kids to bed tonight I couldn't help but linger a little longer and send up a few thank yous to my Heavenly Father for giving me these 3 beautiful healthy children.

All my talk of exhaustion and craziness can't take away how much I love these guys.

I hope they know that and forgive me for my moments of insanity.

The season came on to suddenly, I think the tree and snow balls might stick around at our house a while longer. 

We could use a little more Christmas in our house. 

Handmade

Last night a friend from church invited me to come over to her house after the kids went to bed and work on Christmas gifts together 

It was so fun, she, and two other ladies and myself sat around a table gluing, painting and knitting various gifts. 

I still have a lot to make but it was nice just to be with others sharing ideas and encouragement. 

Jones gets home tonight and I am so excited.

His work sending him to WA for a week was such a blessing but I am ready to have him back.

Not only did he get to be with family but I got a free way of sending some gifts.

Now if I can only figure out how to get gifts to Michigan and Arizona...:)

Wrappings

Do you have a traditional style for wrapping your presents each year, or does it change often?

I LOVE metallic for Christmas.

It gets cold and suddenly silver, golds and bronze pops up all over my house. 

This year I was fortunate enough to have left over wrapping paper from last year, otherwise I probably would have grabbed free newspapers from grocery stores painted them and wrapped the gifts in that.
I also saved all my cereal and oatmeal boxes so I could have gift boxes.

I added yarn and washi tape for a splash of color. 

Wrapping gifts is almost as fun as giving them :)

"please have snow and mistletoe..."

"and presents on the tree."

On Tuesday my neighbor came knocking on the door. She said that a friend of hers was giving away a bunch of toys and wanted to know if I wanted to go with her to check it out. I wanted to but I was watching these two little boys {hoping the money I was making might be saved for gifts, if it wasn't needed for bills} She left and came back 2 hours later with bags of toys for each of my 3 kids. She was very thoughtful in her picking of the toys and it was so sweet of her! 

I was so excited and relieved to know I didn't have to worry about the kids this Christmas, so I could focus on Jones. I have struggled to think of a gift I can give him made from what we already have.

Then one day when coming home from a very busy day of errands I found a secret santa had left a lovely note and  a way for me to give my sweet husband a gift. 

The only concern I had left were diapers,

And when I stopped by my cousin's house they told me there youngest was growing out her diapers and sent me home with a full package.

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, this year ours have come wrapped in the arms of those who love us and follow the example of Christ.

Whoever you are

Sometimes I feel conflicted when it comes to being open and honest about our hard times. I'll think to myself 'what good will it do?' or I'll think I am such a drag. Then I open up and I am immediately amazed by the amount of love and support we receive.
So I just wanted to say thank you, for myself and for my kids who are to young to realize that this Christmas was made possible by you. Thank you for the toys, diapers, and the spirit that you have brought into our home.