Getting Crafty {Advent Calendar}.

We haven't had an advent calendar in our house, ever.

I know, horrible mother.

Truth is I didn't want the extra candy around and Ethan was still too small to really "get it".

This year is a different story.

He's starting to "get it" so we needed an advent calendar.

I was browsing all the fabulous ones on Pinterest but most required sewing (I do not) and many seemed really time consuming (I have very little).

So I made a really simple easy one.

 All I did was cut strips of paper, fold them in half and hot glue the sides to make a pocket.

Then I cut out squares of green and red paper, stamped them with the numbers and hot glued them on.

 I then filled each with Christmas M&M's (a favorite in our house), hung some ribbon and used mini clothespins to hang them.

 I couldn't fit all of them on one strand but I like having two.

Best part, I only had to buy the ribbon and candy.

Everything else I already had.

I'm very happy with the end result and I know Ethan will be so excited to start counting down the days.

I know I am.

InstaFriday {late}, Thanksgiving and Christmas Lights.

We have been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too.

Since I have a had little time to blog the last couple of days, I thought I'd just throw all my ramblings into one.

Lets start.

I missed InstaFriday this week because I pretty much forgot that it was Friday.

Here's my cell pics from the week.

The littlest Raider fan and he even painted his face.

 They got to ride in the "cool" cart together for the first time. Big stuff for these guys.

 An afternoon movie with the cousins.

 He likes to use a beer coozie while having a little juice. Super classy.

 We went to the aquarium this past week.

It always cracks me up that the kids are always so fascinated with the frogs.

 Miss Radley reading about the sea life.

 The turtle was showing off.

 We made blackberry banana smoothies the day after Thanksgiving...so yummy.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day.

We spent time with both sides of our family and Ethan told me it was the best day ever. 

Here are some pictures of the day.

The Lewis Family

Lewis cousins.

Just us.

My boys.

Game Time.

The last picture is horrible but it represents the most fun of the night. 

Every year after we've eaten Thanksgiving dinner and settled down a bit we play Left Right Center.

Have you ever played?

It's great for big groups, which is perfect for us, and we love it.

I heard that after we left (kids needed to go to bed) the rest of the gang busted out the wave while playing.

My family is awesome. 

On Saturday Brett got all the decorations out of the garage and I've been working on decorating the house. 

I think this is the first year I've had all the decorating done before December 1st.

Well all but the tree.

Today the boys "helped" Brett with the lights.

They only managed to break one light.

Not too bad. 

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday weekend!

Thanksgiving {and a new tradition}.

While we were having dinner tonight we went around the table saying what we are thankful for.

Ethan replied, "I'm thankful for my whole garden and my whole family."

So simple and sweet.

While I could go on and on for all I am thankful for, I'm keeping it simple as well.

I'm thankful for Brett, my boys, the roof over our heads and our health.

Right now, in this moment I couldn't ask for more. 

I'm happy and fulfilled.

I have a great sense of contentment, which is not always easy for me, and I like how it feels.

I love our life, what we are doing, what we are learning and how we are growing (I know that sounds really cheesy but it's true).

I'm also loving the stages the boys are in right now, while they are sometimes rough, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I don't want to forget it.

So this year, I'm starting a new tradition.

I'm writing both of the boys letters of thanks, telling each one why I am thankful for them at this time in their lives. 

I'll put them away in their keepsake boxes and hopefully years from now we can sit around the table at Thanksgiving dinner and cry as we read all the letters I have written over the years..

At least that's how I see it playing out in my head. 

I know things will change as time goes on and I don't want to forget why I'm thankful for each of them in their own special unique way.

Lastly, Happy Thanksgiving to you.

I hope you enjoy the holiday with those you love most.

I know I will be and thanking the Lord for every minute of it. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

  1 Chronicles 29:13

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

InstaFriday.

It's Friday!

Here's my cell pics of the week.

Ethan got a new job. 

He likes pushing his brother around.

 Some mornings are just too messy.

 Lately Ethan has become quite the helper.

 After playing at my mom's house both boys fell asleep on the ride home.

It didn't take long, we only live 5 minutes away.

The metallic, gold lining of my purse.

Does your camera just go off in your purse too?

I swear my phone was locked but apparently not.

 I love this sweater and I don't wear it enough.

And yes, I'm in a public restroom taking a photo of myself.
Weird?

 Baby Gap has this amazing leather jacket for boys.

Jacob needs it!

Gold Glitter Nails=fantastic!

 Tomorrow is my niece's 4th birthday so we had a little pre-party today.

Happy Birthday Radley!

Any big plans for the weekend?

We've got date night, a birthday party, football and some shopping to do.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Here and There.

We've decided to gut our master bathroom.

We were going to do this some time ago but decided against it, but recently one of the floor tiles chipped really bad, plus there are a ton of other cracked tiles, so now is the time.

Luckily we have 2 bathrooms. I don't even know what people do when they have 1 bathroom and need to remodel it. I can't imagine.

So today I went tile shopping. While I was there I suddenly felt very grown up. In my head I was thinking, "This is what grown ups do. They remodel their houses and pick out tile and toilets and light fixtures. When did I grow up?"

Really? The bigger question should be, "Why am I thinking this now as I'm picking out tile?"

I mean, I've gotten married, bought a house, had two kids....very grown up stuff.

But tile! Tile makes me think I'm finally growing up?

What the heck!

Speaking of growing up, I bought gold glitter nail polish today. My fingers are nice a twinkly. 

I feel festive and ready for the holidays now. Well at least my nails do.

Brett and I are going out tomorrow night. I'm pretty sure it's been over a month since we've gone out on a date. That's just not good. I'm not sure what we're going to do but I'm excited. 

I need to find a birthday gift for a little girl turning 5. 

I don't know what to buy 5 year old girls. Any help would be nice.

My nieces were over playing today and as Radley was leaving Ethan had this conversation with my Mom.

 Ethan: "Thank you for coming over." 

Mom: "Thank you for letting Rad come play." 

Ethan: "I take care of her."

I pray that he continues to say this forever and ever.

Oh how he loves his girls. 

He's a sweet boy, fast asleep on my couch right this minute.

I'm off to do more laundry, it never ends. 

And then Zumba tonight!

What are you doing?

Getting Crafty {Hoop Art}.

I don't consider myself a very crafty person, but when I started seeing all the fabulous hoop art making it's way around the blog I knew I wanted to give it a try.

I don't know how to sew or stitch but I do know how to use a hot glue gun so I went for it.

I pulled inspiration from this post and made these for our bedroom.

I got the wooden game pieces at the local flea market a couple of weeks ago. It just so happens that the A and B also have an E and J, for the boys. I didn't even realize it until I got them home. And the A and B numbers equal 4, the members of our family. 

I love how these little blocks have so much meaning to our family. 

I'm really happy with how they turned out and they are a perfect addition to our bedroom wall. 

I also made this.

 

I may or may not be making some of these for Christmas.

I love how tiny this is and it makes for a perfect handmade personalized gift. 

Like I said, I don't stitch, so it's not perfect but that's what I love about it.

Next up, fabric and yarn wreaths, if I can ever find the time. 

Have you made anything new lately?

A Lovely New Design.

I am so happy and excited to show all of you my new blog design!

Have you checked it out?

I've had several different layouts and designs over the last year or so but this is by far my favorite.

Everything else was ok but when I saw this I knew I had to have it.

Recently, Heather at Life Made Lovely opened up a design shop which includes premade blog designs.

When I clicked on over to her shop, I saw this design and loved it.

I am oh so happy and comfortable with my new little Internet space.

So with the new design there are also a couple of changes I thought you should know about.

I have a button! I feel fancy.

It's right over there on the right. Go grab it!

I've added an about me page. This was no easy task. For whatever reason I couldn't get the page to show. Thankfully Katy, who set up my design, figured out the problem and now it works. Woot!

You can now find me on pinterest and facebook. 

The links are also on the right.

You need to check out Life Made Lovely Designs. Seriously.

There is so much loveliness to choose from.

Oh, the holiday cards! How will I ever choose?

InstaFriday.

It's Friday!

Which means the easiest post ever!

Here's my cell phone pics of the week.

Mouth full of bananas. 

 First ever McDonald's breakfast.

 Movie night in the dark.

Ethan insists we turn off all the lights so it's like the "movie scream" (movie screen aka movie theater).

 A little hoop art.

This was my first time ever stitching anything. 

I'm pretty proud of myself.

 Jacob's new favorite snack, carrots and hummus.

 My kids have decided that tossing and throwing playing cards around the house is more fun than anything else. Why? 

I'm finding them everywhere! 

And yes, if you were to come over to my house in the middle of the day it most definitely would look like this.

A mess.

Have an awesome weekend!

InstaFriday {and Pinterest}.

I was really bad this week with taking photos, including ones on my camera.

So I only have a few to share. 

Our morning walks are getting a bit chilly.

And I suddenly have a 3 year old that doesn't want to have his picture taken.

 

 Ethan likes to wear his football costume as much as possible.

On this particular day he wore it from 11am until bath time. Nap and all.

 It's fun having nieces.

Doesn't he make an adorable flower?

 I got this ring yesterday at a charity boutique I went to.

I don't buy jewelry often, but when I do, I love it.

In other news...I've taken the plunge and joined Pinterest.

Oh how I'm hoping it doesn't suck hours of my life away from me.

I'm afraid it might, especially since my husband is going to be gone for 4 days. 

If you want to follow me click here and then I can find you!

Because I'm still figuring out how it all works.

I'm linking up here...