The Season of Giving: Last Minute Ideas

I am pleased to say that I am completely done with Christmas shopping. Everything is wrapped and under the tree. My type A personality just would not allow me to start the Christmas break with anything to do except bake cookies with the kids and wear my pajamas all day. I may have enjoyed a venti nonfat latte one night last week which in turn allowed me to stay up until 2 a.m. making sure I dotted my i's and crossed my t's. By the way, Starbucks....I love you.

Now, in case you aren't done shopping (which has been me at this point in years past), I have a couple of ideas for you. I am sharing a couple of price points!

1. Minnetonka "Cally" Slippers
Who doesn't love a nice, warm pair of slippers? At only $38.95!? You can find them HERE but they are also available in limited sizes at Northpark.

2. Pottery Barn Kids Duffle Bags
I may wait to see if these go on sale even more after Christmas. I know my kids would love one for visiting Papa/Nana and Pawpaw/Mimi or for dance class or basketball. Right now, you can get free shipping and also add a little for personalization. They range from $31-45. Check it out HERE.

3. Under Armour Quarter Zip Pullover
This is a great guy's gift and it's only $39.99. You can find it HERE.

4. This Coffee Tho Mug
I love the stuff from Sister Studio. I swear they have the cutest stationary and gift items. This cup is on MY wish list!!! Find it HERE. At $16.50, it is a useful yet super cute gift!

5.  Kate Spade Round Lever Back Earrings
These babies were $55 and right now they are on sale for $25! Find them HERE. I may have a new obsession with all things Kate Spade.

6. Up, Down, All Around
The author of this amazing book shared a copy with me... and my family absolutely loved it! This would be a great stocking stuffer or if you do 3 presents like we do, it would be a great spiritual gift. It summarizes the book of Genesis in a kid friendly way with beautiful illustrations. Grayson and Ella loved it and actually discussed what they read!!! They also had a lot of great questions because they were able to understand it. You can get it HERE! I am always on the lookout for biblical children's stories and this is one that I would definitely add to your collection if you don't already have it. It even touches on respect and love for others!

It is currently only $8.82 for paperback and if you order it tonight, it can make it in time for Christmas!!!

Last, there are always many wonderful organizations to donate to in honor of someone. Personally, I think that is one of the best gifts!!! Organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, St. Judes, Compassion International....and so much more. Attaching a copy of the donation to an ornament is a sweet, memorable present!!

Hopefully, this helps and if not...maybe you can add some items to your after Christmas list!!! Hope you all have a fabulous and safe Christmas and New Year with your loved ones!!!

Friday Favorites: Cozy Up Edition

In Texas, I don't even bother switching clothes out all of the way anymore. A week and a half ago, my kids were wearing t-shirts and shorts and now we are bundled up in the rain.

I do, however, love the cold weather when it is around...especially during the holidays. It makes it feel even more like Christmas! So this week, my Friday Favorites are centered on being cozy!!I am linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals, Erika at A Little Bit of Everything, and Narci at Grace and Love.


First, I am absolutely in love with hot green tea (which I know I have talked about before). I have been drinking it forever. Growing up, my mom and grandma would give us green tea a lot. My mom bought a really good kind at the asian market....it was pretty legit. Now, I settle for Bigelow Green Tea. I get the plain kind. Some days I add milk and stevia and other nights, like tonight, I add fresh lemon and stevia. Drinking hot tea and reading cookbooks or magazines have been a little bit of heaven lately! Green tea also has tons of amazing health benefits. It is full of antioxidants and it is the best source of catechins which halts damage to cells and is disease fighting!

The next thing I am loving is Coconut Oil. I eat it, use it as a moisturizer, lotion, lip balm, hair conditioner, moisturizer, make up remover, on the kids' skin. Now, how does this fit with being cozy? Well, there is nothing that drives me as crazy as battling dry skin and with winter here, it sure takes a toll on my skin. I have been reading about all of the amazing benefits and I have definitely seen them! As many of you know, I have struggled with eczema and I have not had many issues since using coconut oil. Joey even commented on how amazingly soft my skin was. I have read that it's important to get one that is unrefined and certified organic. I got the Now Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and I have been beyond impressed. 

When you open it, you will see that it is waxy and hard but as you scoop it out and rub it between your hands, it becomes an oil. Joey may have been a little grossed out the other night when I got out of the shower. I put it on my face, body, hair, and may have eaten a little...gross I know. Yet, it also helps with metabolism and energy. All I know is that I have been able to battle dry, winter skin which in turn sure makes me cozy!!!

The next thing that I have been loving is cuddling up with the kids with a soft throw. I recently checked out a website called Parachute Home which you can find HERE.  Their sheets, throws, and duvet covers are like top-notch, y'all! They only use the finest, long staple Egyptian cotton and everything they create is designed in L.A. and made in Italy. All of their products are actually made by artisans. They offer sheets in percale or sateen. Can you just imagine laying in bedding perfection??
I have my eye set on the percale sheet set in slate. With their products, it doesn't seem to be about tons of patterns and colors...it is focused on luxury.

 

Last, I would have to say there is nothing cozier than being with my family of four in our home with all of the Christmas lights on watching Christmas movies. This time of year is simply the best!

I hope you all have a Merry CHRISTmas and extend to others the reason of the season with grace, kindness, and love!!!

Sum It Up Sunday: It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!!!

We have been basking in everything Christmas!!! I love this time of year and want to make sure we squeeze in fun activities, a Christmas movie everyday, and all while taking the time to enjoy the little moments.

The past two weeks flew by and were crazy.busy. I mean....exhausted, running around, too much fast food busy. After buying size 4 pants a couple weeks ago, I may have to unbutton them. I think I have overindulged the past couple of weeks and now it is time to get on track. Tons of nausea and extra pounds are usually a big sign of gluten cheating! Guilty.

We started the month off with Christmas countdowns, lots of cleaning, and putting the finishing touches on the house for Christmas!

How many days???

Making a Christmas countdown at Nana and Papa's

Tree up and getting presents wrapped

Me and my sweet little Shelbs

Mommy's little helper

Priorities. When you wake up, you look at Pottery Barn ads.

I am officially old but nights like this are amazing

Pj's and Christmas movies? We think YES!

The first weekend, we did some Northpark shopping. Then we headed to Hometown Christmas in our downtown and then Joey and I went to a work party which ended up being so fun!!!

Our stinkin' cute little artist

Love him tons

Last week, Joey and the kids surprised me at work and we went to dinner and got some ice cream! Then, we went back to my school to watch the amazing fine arts students perform. I was so proud of them! The kids loved being at the "big kid" school. My counselor BFF and I dropped off toys at Buckner and may have drank too much coffee, I saw my fav social worker, and me and the kids made cookies and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas (one of my favorite Christmas shows)! Joey and the kids may have had a dance party after that!

At Mommy's school

Our morning Starbucks' stop

Charlie Brown Christmas, our advent calendar which they are so excited about each day, and cookies!

 This past weekend, we had too much fun. Saturday morning we headed to our neighborhood clubhouse for a Christmas Breakfast. The kids loved it. Joey and I were laughing because they had pancakes and waffles and Grayson put candy, candy corns, and syrup on his. We are sure that Buddy the Elf would approve!!! The kids ate a bunch of sugar, enjoyed the atmosphere, and even got a beanie baby from Santa as they left. Since we don't do Santa, it was funny to see how they were like, "Whatevs!"

After the breakfast, we headed to Ella's school program where she was the sweetest angel. Her class was absolutely precious and I may have laughed so hard I cried!

We ended the evening with friends and family at our home. Joey planned a birthday party for me and with the help of my mom and his mom....it was perfect. I told Joey it was the best birthday ever! Since there were so many kids, it was kind of perfect how the house a street over is insanely decorated and had a polar bear, Santa, a reindeer, hot cocoa, cookies, and goody bags. We all walked over after dinner for pictures and then headed back to hang out.

It was a perfect night. I wish I would have gotten more pictures of my family, Joey's family, and everyone there but it was definitely a great night and made it seem like the holidays are really already here!!!

I can't believe we have one more week. I can't wait to make more memories with the kids and Joey and to have 2 weeks off!! Before I go, let me share Grayson's news! He won 1st place in an art contest put on by The Forney Arts Council. Kids had to write about what they were thankful for. He got his first ribbon and a gift card to Kroger. We are so proud of him!!!

Christmas Traditions: Three Gifts

On Friday, I posted a picture on Instagram of a present I wrapped for Grayson that said "Need" on it. Since then, I have received Facebook messages and emails asking about how our family does gift giving with our kids during Christmas. I had planned on doing it next week but since I have had so many questions, I thought I would do it now...plus we all know that once I go back to work...I will totally slack on blogging!!!

It all started two years ago when we had decided on not doing Santa (you can read all about that HERE). We felt that Christmas was a time to rejoice in the birth of our amazing Savior and didn't want Christmas to be all about presents. Now, don't get me wrong we love presents...but we didn't want "getting something" to overshadow the whole meaning of the season. Joey and I started researching online and came across the 3 Gifts Idea. Some families did a want, a need, and a read and another family did a want, a need, and a spiritual gift which the latter is what we fell in love with.

There are so many reasons that we love doing this.

1. The above...we want our kids to value the reason of Christmas.

2. We do not have unrealistic expectations to live up to.

3. They always know they will get 3 gifts. Whether we continue to be financially blessed or ever hit hard times, our kids will always know they will get those 3 gifts and it is something realistic and attainable.

 Our kids get things all throughout the year. They get little things here and there for their effort at school and surprises when we catch them being a good helper or thoughtful, so they really don't need a time of year to go all out.

Again, I am just sharing a tradition of our family. Is it right for your family? Maybe not and that is okay. That is the fun thing about family traditions, you can pick and choose what works best for your family! My parents go all out and it's the one day they spoil all the kids. It's not what we do in our home but I know it's a tradition they have and enjoy.

Okay, on to what our 3 gifts usually consists of!

1. Need
This might be one box of clothes. So we do kinda give them more than three items but we make sure to put it all in one box. For example, in Grayson's "NEED" box I was wrapping for this year it had socks, a thick scarf, a new hat, and gloves. Another year it may have a couple of outfits but since I just bought the kids new clothes to wear now, I went went some things he was needing replacements of. Ella's "NEED" gift is a monogrammed Pottery Barn jewelry box because she has jewelry everywhere and she actually needs that! 


2. Want
This usually is the one big thing they want that year. You know...when you're a kid...that one thing you kinda have your heart set on.

3. Spiritual
This is something that helps them grow spiritually and build their relationship with God. In the past we have given them things like a bible, Christian book series made for kids, and Veggie Tale dvd's. Other ideas could be sponsoring a child through an organization that they could write to, donating money in their name to something like Voice of the Martyrs, or a personalized notebook and special pens to write prayers in.

This year Joey ordered them a dvd series called "What's in the Bible?" We had bought one dvd at Mardel and the kids loved it. He was so excited to find a complete series! You can find it HERE. It has a lot of great, solid information.

Our kids definitely don't feel as if they miss out. They have a whole playroom of toys. It's funny because we asked Grayson what he wanted this year and he really hasn't had a list of anything. Ella said I really just want two things. It really is a blessing and we also talk about helping others and giving more at this time.

 I hope this helps answer any questions or may help you and your family in deciding what your gift giving tradition may be. I am cuddling up to watch a movie! I will be back to post a Sum It Up Sunday tomorrow! See y'all!