A Fabulously Flawed Life

It's painfully obvious at this point that I'm never going to catch up on my posts. Therefore, here is one massively long one that briefly gives you an idea on how we celebrated the Christmas season. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your family!! Merry Christmas from Laurie, Jason, Davis, Dylan, and Drake Drake participated in his first pre -school performance. His teacher should have known better than to put Tyson behind Drake. I think Drake was more concerned about what Tyson was doing and getting his hands in his pockets. They sung J-E-S-U-S and Jesus was his name-o. The entire performance I couldn't help but feel sacrilegious! Putting Christ's name in a song about a dog. Geeze Louise. {{shaking head}} The kiddos had a hard time dealing with the paparazzi outside their classroom after the performances. We have had a LOT of friends over to play the past several weeks. Davis and Dylan both had their first sleep overs! They each went well and therefore t...

I know this post is a little late - but it was such a fun family moment and I wanted to be sure and capture it. Can you believe I forgot my camera Christmas Eve? {{bummer}} Tricia just e-mailed me some of the pictures I took with her camera, so here they are. All the kids dressed up as Nativity Characters and we re-created the scene. Davis and Drake were shepherds and Dylan was a wiseman. They did such a good job and took their characters very seriously. ;) After the program, it was time for the kids talent show, my boys sang a diddy. They loved the attention! It was such a magical night full of friends, fun, and the warmth and magic Christmas Eve brings. The next morning after unwrapping presents, we sang Happy Birthday to Christ and the boys blew out a candle. Our wish to our Lord and Savior this year is to be more loving to and understanding with each other. This is a new tradition for our family and it was such a treat to have cake Christmas morning. ;)

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! I can't believe I haven't posted this yet. I want to thank Ashley for designing our Christmas card this year. I am so pleased with the way it turned out. They're amazing, thanks Ashley!!

I had e-mailed my mom because I was trying to come up with a cute poem to attach to each of my 'Red Plate' gift bags and it wasn't working out. My mom being the lyricist that she is came up with the following and now you can have your own ceremony if you'd like. Here's her e-mail: ***** So, the idea here is that you have a little ceremony as you "bestow" the red plate on the recipient. And every good ceremony must have a song - don't you think? So here it is . . . . . . Sung to the tune of "The Star Spangled Banner" Oh, say can't you see? You are special to me! And we MUST celebrate, So I'll bring out the red plate! It's a honor you know, That I'm proud to bestow! Such a great thing to do, So we celebrate with you! You are loved, it is true, So what else can we do? You are honored tonight With this special delight. So, lift up your plate, It's going to- oo be- ee great!!!! You're the one we CELEBRATE!!!!! You have e...

How appropriate that this is my 200 th post !! It's about friends, a fun party, and a fabulous idea I've been sitting on for months. (he he) I realize it's customary to host a giveaway or do something unique to mark such a special event. But I can't add one more project to my over-scheduled life. Sorry Ladies! However, I do feel like the idea I'm going to share with you is a worthy treat. So enjoy! Last night we had our Mavens (girls night out) Christmas party! Can I just tell you that I adore these ladies. They laugh loud, tell stories, are real, and put up with my "flippant" remarks because they're endlessly talking about Jane Austen/British/PBS related topics. Yes, I'm able to look past our differences and love all the other things that are great about them, which are numerous. {{giggle}} After catching up with each other, we started the annual gift exchange. It started off so polite and congenial. Then the fun started and the claws came out. (...

I received my first Christmas gift Monday, and even better I got to open it up! It was from my mom. The card said: Christmas is a time to splurge. Sometimes I can't resist the urge. Boxes and bags hold a surprise. Here's a bit of Christmas cheer You can enjoy year after year. To merry Christmas to you all. Take a bow and have a ball!! Thanks Mom!! I love the lime green bows and balls, they were just what my tree needed!!

Really quickly, I remembered another gift that I make almost every year for the Grandparents, a calendar. There are so many ways you can do this. I make 12 layouts w/ pictures in Microsoft Publisher and print it out on card-stock with this calendar . I take it to Office Depot and have it spiral bound with a plastic front cover and black back cover. To personalize and make the calendar more useful, I add all the families birthdays and other special days. You could go one further and make this calendar holder. It's seriously so easy! Simply get some plywood and molding, cut the molding to frame the board. I painted the board red first and then black. (You can use any colors) Sand different places around the frame with sand paper to let the red show through. I then sprayed it with polyurethane. I ordered "Turk Times" in cream vinyl lettering . My friend makes a calendar every year for her parents using her kids artwork from school. I've always thought that was a great id...

I posted Mother-In-Law and Grandparent gift ideas that I've done in the past over on Tip Junkie .

Here are 24 quick, easy, cheap Christmas gift Ideas for friends, neighbors, bus drivers, and teachers. Simply attach one of these cute sayings or poems to the item to make a more thoughtful gift! Thanks to Lisa and my mom for compiling this list and taking all the pictures!! The Christmas Orange Cheese and a cheese grater : " Cheesen ’s Greetings To A Really “GRATE” Neighbor!" Christmas Towel: May the “Absorbing” Spirit of Christmas “Blot” Out Your Troubles, “Soak” Up Your Sorrows. And “Wipe” Away Your Difficulties. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Candle Here’s an early Christmas greeting For your family to share Let it brighten up your season And spread gladness thru the air. You can start a new tradition Every night till Christmas day To burn the Christmas candle While the family doth play. You can bake, draw, or read stories Sing songs or just play games And by the season finish Only memories remain. It is hoped that you‘ll enjoy A special season full of fun. And that love will burn mo...