Wishing you a Joyous Christmas

And no, we didn’t install Christmas lights onto Caitlin’s forehead.

What brings you joy?

Here are a few things that bring joy to my life. In no particular order:

• Early mornings before everyone wakes up. The house is nice and quiet while I enjoy my morning coffee.
• Christmas Shopping. I love picking out gifts for people.
• Wrapping my little one up in a towel and carrying her downstairs after a bath.
• Empty plates after dinner has been consumed.
• A good sandwich.
• Penguins
• Disneyland
• Spending time with my husband or my friends.
• A full fridge and full cupboards
• Making tamales with my (“ex”tended) family
• Eating one tamale from the first dozen tamales we make. There’s nothing like a fresh tamale.
• Playing Apples to Apples with the Wright boys.
• My grandmother’s apple cake recipe.
• Target and the chance to win a $300 gift card to my absolutely favorite store EVER thanks to Barking Mad

Here we are again. It’s that time of year where we struggle to find the perfect gift for the kids. I have a large whiteboard that holds my grocery list and any notes that need to be remembered. It’s also an art board for the kids. When people come to visit, half the time they leave little messages on it as well.

This time of year it becomes the place the kids write their wish list.

Here it is:

What’s that? You can’t read it? Well here, let me help you.

What do you think? Too passive aggressive? A mom’s allowed to wish for things too right? And hey, it won’t even cost the kids any money to fulfill my wishes!

Apparently my kids are not perfect angels. Who knew???

Yesterday the landlord stopped me to tell me a neighbor has pointed my son out to her as a potty mouth. I guess when he’s playing outside away from my ears, he curses like a drunken sailor. He doesn’t bother to look around and see who he might be offending (including his little sister) but just lets it fly.

I’m NOT ok with that. We don’t cuss at our kids. We don’t use the really heavy hitting swear words around them very often. Sure, there are times some words get out, but we never drop the F-bomb.

I understand that kids start to flex their bad-word vocab when they’re in Jr. High and even before. I guess it makes them feel grown up and mature when they use that kind of language. It’s been a reoccurring topic around our home for the past few days as well. I try to make the older kids realize that adults don’t look at teens cussing and think, “Wow, they’re so mature!” More often than not, I look at the teens that are cussing with annoyance, and I get really ticked when they’re doing so loudly with no concern for others around them.

Anyhow, back to my son. He’s out there with little kids all around then doesn’t think twice about the words he’s using.

Then there’s my oldest daughter. She’s been caught trying to make her little sister say all sorts of bad words. The little one usually tells her straight out NO! That’s a bad word!

I remember back when I decided I’d be cool if I used those words, and to be honest, I still use them. I just try to be considerate and don’t cuss around people that are offended by it. My kids need to learn the same lesson as well. Have a little respect for those around you!

With money being tight for many people this year, we are all looking for ways to save on Holiday gifts without giving up the thoughtfulness that comes along with gift giving. We want to give our loved ones something they’ll want, use and appreciate. One of the best ways to do this is to make them something.

I’ll admit there are people on my list I’d never make a gift for. Not everyone on my list would appreciate something made by me. My own kids would be really disappointed if I made them something. So for them, I stick to store bought, and I think that’s ok.

However there are plenty of people that seem to like it when I make them something. Not everything I give has been warmly received, but I’ve learned that the trick is to make them something they’ll like; not something you want them to like. Don’t spend days learning how to knit your sister a scarf if she lives in Hawaii. Don’t decoupage a wooden jewelry box for your mom if she already has a favorite box to store her jewels in. Think about the recipient and tailor the gift to that person.

If you’re not the crafty type, don’t let that stop you. Let this be the year you delve into handmade. Do you need some ideas? Well over at Just A Girl, she’s hosting an “I Can Make That” party today. As of this very moment there are 78 links to various blogs featuring hand made gifts with tutorials. Go on over there, and check out the amazing projects. There are projects for beginners all the way up to experienced crafters. Take charge of your budget and make something!

Just go ahead and click the picture or click right here to get to the post and get started today!