Pin it Friday--Holiday edition

It's almost December and the holidays! More importantly... I have a house I can decorate!! Woo Hoo!!! Since moving to C-ville I have been dreaming of the day we get a house and I can decorate for the holidays. I am by no means Clark Griswold (via Christmas Vacation) or do I plan to make my place look like Santa and snowmen threw up on it... I love meaningful, family traditions--advent wreaths, turning off all the lights and sitting by the tree, a big wreath on the door, candles, and Christmas mugs full of hot chocolate. The smells of the holidays...fudge... I could go on and on. My mom is my inspiration for decorating-- she always made our the house the coziest most wonderful place during the holidays and I have wonderful memories of growing up there. Granted she probably ran herself ragged trying to do it all, but she never let it show. And since I am my mother's daughter after all, I hope that I can make Christmas as special for my son and family as she did for me.

So... how do I find inspiration for decorating my new huge house? Pinterest of course!!! Here are some of my favorites that I either do or are thinking of trying out. Enjoy.

                                                                              Source: make-it-do.com via Kate on Pinterest

My first pin comes from Make-it-do.com. It is one of my most repinned pins. At my house during the holidays it always smelled wonderful -- something was baking, the smell of the Christmas tree, a fire in the fireplace -- I loved it. So I tried this pin out last year to see if I could make our tiny place (we were in a tiny apartment) smell more homey, more like Christmas and it worked. This stuff is amazing. Try it. I know you will like it.

                                                                                                  Source: kimmccrary.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

My next Pin is about changing up the way do our advent calendar/countdown to Christmas. For so many years we had the advent calendars where you opened up the little window for the day and got a piece of chocolate. Now anyone who knows me, knows that I am all for chocolate, but do I really want my son to associate counting down to Christ's birth with chocolate? I want him to experience the season. So that is why I am trying this idea for kimmccrary.blogspot.com. Using activities to celebrate each day till Christmas. I hope this goes well and it can become a holiday tradition at my house.

                                                                                   Source: tinycookers.com via Kate on Pinterest

This last idea is from tinycookers.com. Cookie Cutter Pizzas! What a fun way to serve pizzas for Dunc. I'm thinking this would also make a fantastic holiday appetizer. Just cut the dough with any holiday cookie cutter and top with pizza sauce and your favorite toppings. this is going to be so much fun. I can have Dunc help make them too.

Hope you all find some inspiration! Happy Holidays. 

Father's Day Top 10: Why I love you

In honor of Father's Day I have created my very own top 10 as an "ode" to my husband. So here we go--the TOP Ten Reasons Why I love you!

1. I love watching you play with our son. You are such a great role model.

2. Who else could I share my politics obsession with?

3. When I'm sick, you always take care of me--and that say's a lot because I am a terrible patient.

4. It touches my heart when get a "SOS"-y, and show your emotions (and let the cat sleep on your lap).

5. You are the ultimate technology nerd.

6. I love that you have served your country for these last 23 years. I am so proud of you for that.

7. You kill/move/handle all the creepy bugs, spiders, and crawling things so I don't freak out! That is true love right there.

8. Your corny sense of humor never fails to make me smile and laugh.

9. You aren't afraid to try new things, meet new people or have a new experience.

10.  You married me, with all my faults, craziness, and weirdness, you married ME!

 Happy Father's Day my dear husband!

Memorial Day--Time to remember

Being the wife of a newly retired serviceman and the daughter of a soldier, niece of a soldier,  the daughter-in-law of a a soldier, and even the former teacher of many soldiers makes Memorial Day important. Growing up as a child we always flew the flag proudly and thanked others for their service. So many of my students don't realize what sacrifice our service men and women make for us. So when I saw this posted on a friends facebook page, I had to "steal" it to share with all of you. Happy Memorial Day and thank you for all you do.

 Happy Memorial Day and thank you for all you do.

Happy Mother's Day!

On this special day I want to say thank you--to all the mom's in my life. My own mother, who had been my teacher, guide, and friend; my sister, who has been an inspiration to me; my mother-in-law, who is so supportive of me and helps keep my husband in place (he, he);  my dear mommy friends who teach me about being a better mom, the fur-mom's who remind me that a mother's love has no boundaries--all moms and mommies. You are truly amazing. Happy Mother's Day to you.

As I look back on my life
I find myself wondering.....
Did I remember to thank you
for all that you have done for me?

For all of the times you were by my side
to help me celebrate my successes
and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
good judgement, courage, and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you for the simple things...
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude
For any of these things,
I am thanking you now....
and I am hoping that you've known all along,
how very much you are loved and appreciated.

           --Anonymous 

Have a wonderful Mother's Day. :)

Easter Memories

This year was Duncan's first "real" Easter--to know what is going on and to get excited for the day. This year we did our egg hunt after nap time since our morning was pretty busy with church and other things. All I can say was that bunny brought some pretty cool things--no candy, but lots of matchbox cars (in the eggs no less), and books. Duncan had a great time. How do I know? Here's a recap of our activities from both of our perspectives with a few pictures thrown in--enjoy.

Do I like my new Big Truck? Yes I do!

  Me: "Duncan, what did we do first today?"

  Duncan: "get dressed and eat pancake mom"

  Me: "Did we go to church?"

  Duncan: Yes, mom. I colored"
 
  Me: "What did we eat for lunch?"

  Duncan: "Dinosaur chicken (dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets),   cumber (cucumber), grapes, and drink!"

My first Easter egg hunt!

Me: "Did the Easter bunny come"?

Duncan: "Yes, jump, jump, bunny"

Me: "What did he bring you"?

Duncan: "Big Truck, cars, and eggs." (A matchbox truck and cars and of course hunting eggs)

Hey... what's over there?

Me: "What else?"

Duncan: "And Thomas mom" (as he shows off his new book about Thomas the Tank Engine)

Me: "Did you have fun today?"

Duncan: "Alright!"

Bringing my eggs to daddy.

Our day was pretty magical.  I hope you agree, and I hope you had a blessed holiday. Now... it's time for me to make the "after Easter day" deviled eggs. YUM!

Eggs, eggs, and more eggs!