Christmas Eve "Eve"

A beautiful service at church, and afternoon with my family, a trip to Walgreens and Old Town Hall (don't ask me about that one), a nap, and a night full of baking.  I finally finished wrapping the last present and all that has to be done, is the tidying up of the house.  You may wonder why I am going to clean the house, since it is about to get trashed with toys?!  Well, I can't stand the clutter, dust, etc. etc. etc.  Usually, I am done with wrapping way before now, and have it all together.  This year, I haven't had it all together; at all!   Cleaning will be done first thing in the morning, just before Christmas Eve festivities begin, and hopefully, I we will be ready.

Now, Mills and I are watching "Arthur Christmas" and eating popcorn, "shooing" away the dog who is begging for a taste.  If I have to say, "Joey, get on!"  one more time....

The cookies are done, and the milk is ready.  Bring on Christmas!  We're fully ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday!  I hope!

The baking project tonight, that did not get completed  last night, were North Pole cupcakes that I actually found on Pinterest last year.  We made twelve hot chocolate cupcakes (with marshmallows) and twelve regular butter recipe yellow cupcakes, topped with butter cream icing.  I made the North Pole signs on my computer, glued them to soft peppermint sticks (with icing) and topped them with a red m&m.    I think they turned out pretty cute!

I'm Crashing

I'm Not a, but a wanna be...

I give up...for now.  I have turned out 85 gingerbread cookies, not one of them are decorated and I still have cupcakes to make.  Trying to be Super Mom is not working out today.  Mills is napping, and I'm hitting the hay.
I think I'll sleep for a week. Maybe I can work up more energy.

Tis the Season to be Exhausted

I mean that.  I. am. exhausted.  It's all worth it though.  Right?

Last night Erik and I headed to Memphis for his work Christmas party, and today, I managed to grocery shop, pick up our son from my Mom's, turn out 72 mini cherry cheescakes, reindeer food, get our son to his Dee and Pop's, attend a choir Christmas party, and a tacky sweater party. 

Erik and I at Memphis National Country Club.

 Justin and I rode together since E had to work.  The sweaters are probably circa 1990. Purchased at "Goldsmiths, those sweaters were not cheap.  Who would have thought that they would one day be considered tacky?   Oh yes, I am wearing my own, and Justin borrowed my mom's.  Erik got lucky, he could have been the one having to wear that awful thing! LOL  I am glad we saved them!

Summer's Goodwill find could not have been more perfect!

 

I don't even want to think about the four dozen gingerbread cookies that we will make tomorrow along with cupcakes, and finishing wrapping presents. Yawn.....Zzzzzzzzz.

Reindeer Food

Mills went ahead and made his reindeer food this morning.  We are going to be so busy this weekend, so instead of waiting until the last minute, we gave it a go today.  We on putting it on the lawn before dawn on Christmas Eve.  I am sure Santa's reindeer are going to love it!

 Oats!

 

 Whole wheat flour!

 

Confetti Sprinkles

We can't forget the glitter.

Mixing

And one happy reindeer food chef!

The Hope of Christmas

Just in case you missed our Christmas musical at FBC, you can click here to watch it.  Awesome huh?

On Friday and Saturday nights, the adult chor at FBC, along with the youth and children's choirs, and children from our school, TCA presented The Hope of Christmas.  It was a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful musical.  We have been working on it since August and it proved to be a true blessing worth each and every hour spent.  I hope you will take the time to watch it.  Your heart will be touched.

Christmas Parade

I'm getting behind on posts! Yikes!

Last Monday night, we bundled up, gathered our blankets, and headed to the square for our Christmas parade.  It's nothing extravagant, but is still a yearly tradition.  Mills loves it!

Waiting on the parade to start.  Dee bought him a light saber toy from a walking vendor.  He had a ball with it!

 

 Uncle Keith's truck is always the perfect stadium for the parade.  He always makes sure to get it there before the square is blocked off.  All of the kids pile on anxiously!!

If you're wondering what he is smiling at, well, a truck with what appeared to be tractor tires just passed by.  Mills said, "Wow!"  ha! only in Tipton County

Mills spies the Big Guy!

SANTA!

Day of Silence

He Thinks He's So Smart! :)

Our little one who has always gone straight to sleep, is now beginning to play in his bed for minutes, hours...whatever!  I would say that naps are going to have to come to an end, but they are not, because by 1:00pm  he's so sleepy that he cannot stay awake.

I shot video of him last night.  It was late.  He doesn't realize we can see or hear him, which makes it all the more fun! 

So, what did our 3 year old say when we told him to go to sleep?

 

If you couldn't understand, Mills replied, "I am asleep!"  Oh really now?

Sandy Hook Day of Silence

As a mother, the tragedy that happened yesterday in Newtown, CT will not leave my mind.  I cannot imagine how those parents, teachers, families, and friends feel.  I pray that it is nothing I will ever have to experience, or anyone else for that matter.  These families truly need our prayers for many days, weeks, months, and years to come.  With this being said, a blog I follow has let me in on a little information. Please read below!!!! 

 

 



to get the button above, please go HERE

On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

Love,
The Blog World

p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and repost any part of this, please do. Share on.

Today

I am glad its Friday, and looking forward to an EXTRA busy weekend with a LOT to do.  I mean A LOT.  The season's festivities are kicking in beginning now.

I wanted to mention, or announce that our church Christmas "cantata" is next weekend.  Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday Dec. 16 at 6:00pm.  We would love to have you at First Baptist Church, Covington.  Come and help us celebrate the birth of Jesus with a ton of beautiful music!!!  You won't want to miss it.

Mills is getting excited about Christmas.  Every morning he wakes up and calls for Ollie, our elf.  He makes sure that Ollie is minding his Ps and Qs, and is very adamant about no one touching him.   I have tried in every way possible to make this a memorable, fun Christmas for him.  I'm no Martha Stewart, nor am I a super duper crafty mom, but we have had a ball with Christmas cookies, crafts, books, and most of all learning about the REASON for the season, Jesus.  This morning I actually managed to whip up a batch of reindeer pancakes complete with bacon antlers and blueberry eyes.  Out of my element?  Maybe, but I am giving it a good shot and having fun doing so.

What is Ollie up to this morning?

I can't think of anything better that he could be doing.  Admiring baby Jesus.