Snapshot of the Month

On the 28th (ish) of the month I try to get out my camera and snap pictures of Little Britches so we can see how much she grows from month to month.  I have done this since she was 2 months old.  In the early days she would sit still and I could prop a cute sign behind her.  Those days are long gone.  My little girl is 18 months old.  She loves to be outside and she loves to write.  Here is some of the proof.

I have my cool glasses "Aunt" Jackie gave me. 

I love my glasses and chalk!

Oh and I love my Aunt Brooke

I love to write

Nothing to look at here...move on

Play, Play, Play

Little Britches here, showing you some of the fun things I got for Christmas. 

I got this great kitchen and this cute shopping basket.  I like them both a lot.

My kitchen is full of all sorts of great stuff like food, pots, pans, trays, plates, cups, and water bottles.  I love it all!

I got this nifty pot that sings about eating yummy veggies.  I also got this cute pot holder and a apron that matches one of my mommy's!

Look at this great hat I got from my Aunt.  I like it!  It is cute, as I like to say.

Toys are so much fun, but when I am done playing with my toys I still want to play, so Mommy says, "Stick your arms up."  Every time I obey her she tickles me!  Silly Mommy!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 25

First there were no gifts under our tree, then there were gifts placed there on the 24th, then by 10am on the 25th this is what was left



It hit me.  He was there before the presents and he is there after the presents.  That is fitting, I think, since he is THE present we are celebrating.  And one of the greatest things about the gift of Jesus is He is there.  He is there when life seems empty, like our tree seemed empty when there were no gifts.  He is there when our life seems full, like on the 24th when there were more gifts than could fit under the tree.  He is there when life is crazy, though we may not see him, like when we opened gifts and there was wrapping paper everywhere, even coving up Jesus.  He is there, in our hearts, in our homes, and in our lives, loving us, teaching us, calling us, and making us into his image, if we have chosen to follow him.  What a gift!

The25 Days of Christmas Day 24

The play kitchen makeover is (mostly) complete. 

Like all great house projects there are always a few more little touches you would like to add and might or might not get around to them, but the makeover is complete for now. 

The before:

The after:

Tell me what you think! 



The 25 Days of Christmas Day 23

Making progress!

Remember the kitchen MGM is getting for Christmas and our desire to make it look more like "us"?  (The 25 Days of Christmas Day 10)  Well we A R E making progress.  Check my husband's blog for his take on the project.  As for my part.  I am currently doing something fabulous to give it that little extra touch.  Here is a sneak peak at the scraps I had after cutting my fabric.  Are you curious?

Don't worry!  You won't have to wait long to find out!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 21

Gift of Words




When I was teaching school there was always a dilemma at Christmas time. How do you celebrate Christmas with a classroom full of kids? Do they exchange gifts? How do you keep it fair? Some classrooms do a book exchange, some do an ornament exchange, and others just decorate cookies and call it good. But another option is "Gift of Words". To have students give "Gift of Words" each student must be assigned the name of another student and then write a nice note to them. This works best if you give the students lots of guidelines like: it must be at least 7 sentences and include at least one thing you like about the person with a specific example...etc. Teacher's names were not entered into the mix of names to be assigned during "Gift of Words" but my first year teaching at the school that did "Gift of Words" I had a family who took the time to write me a "Gift of Words". And what a gift it was! It was so encouraging to see in print what I meant to a family. As I thought about giving to my family who has most everything they want and need I decided to include a "Gift of Words" along with a small gift I got for each of them. I have done this for several years now. I don't remember what I got my mom last year, but I do remember what I wrote about in my "Gift of Words" to her, and I venture to guess she might say the same thing. So over the next few days I will be sitting down to wrap pretty packages and tie pretty bows, but that seems like a "todo" I MUST get done. But I will also be sitting down to pen a few "Gift of Words" and that is something I can't wait to do!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 20

Tonight we went to see Trail of Lights in Buda.  We usually go see the Trail of Lights in Austin, but sadly they are no more due to budet cuts.  We loved the smaller, more local Trail of Lights.  It was easier for us to take Little Britches and still get home in time for bedtime.  Here are a few pictures from our fun-filled night.  For those of you local or visiting, the trail is open until the 22nd, so hurry!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 19

Pretend Christmas


My mom's side of the family does Christmas a weekend early.  We get together for "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Day" but it is just a whole week early.  On Christmas Eve, as I mentioned, we went to a show in downtown San Antonio.  On Christmas Day we read the Christmas Story from The Message.  My grandmother quickly replied, "Well, that's a different interpretation."  I though it was cute.  We try to keep her young, but I think she would rather us not.  Then we opened gifts.  My mom's family draws names, so that every adult gets one gift for another adult and then we get for the kids in the family.  We take part of the money we saved from buying gifts for everyone and donate it to a charity.  The person who hosts gets to choose the charity.  I like this system.  It is simple and helps us remember that really we don't need more stuff, but our money can make a difference in the lives of those around the world that truly do need basic things.  Here are a few fun photos from "Pretend Christmas" and one from the day after where Little Britches is putting her gifts to good use.

Best picture we could get of 3 wiggly cousins

My grandmother not appreciating technology

Reading with Daddy

Loving the kitten Aunt Becca got her

Pretend Christmas can wear you out!

Putting her gifts to good use!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 18

Taking in a show

Today and tomorrow we celebrate Christmas with my mom's extended family.  Part of the celebration today included everyone taking in a show.  We were given free tickets to attend San Antonio Rose Live Classic Country Christmas Show.  We arrived at the Aztec Theater

in downtown San Antonio and upon entering the building we were immediately welcomed by relics that seemed to be from an Indiana Jones movie.  I am sure there is a interesting history to this building, but I don't know it yet.  We found our way to our seats, which were about 10 rows back in the middle.  As I settled into my spot I began to people watch.  I looked to my left, to my right, in front, and behind me.  There was no one any where, that I could see, that was under the age of 45 or maybe even 50.  Then I checked my ticket again....classic country.  Oh dear.  This was going to be interesting.  "The cousins", that is my sister, my cousin, his wife, and my husband, were the only people under 45 there.  We began to give each other knowing looks and mouthed things such as "Good luck," to each other. I could give you a play by play on the show, but suffice it to say it was mostly hokey, think Hee Haw, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  I mean, they did sing Christmas songs.  The one thing I noticed is when they sang songs about the birth of Christ they always mentioned it as the real meaning of Christmas and the other songs as fun songs of the season.  I appreciated them taking the time to make the distinction.  It reminded me that weather music sounds good or hokey is a matter of personal preference, but within every genre of music truth can be proclaimed.  I was also reminded that nothing says I have to prefer to hear truth proclaimed through classic country, but I do prefer to see my mom, dad, and grandmother smiling from ear to ear and tapping their toes to the music, so for today, anyway, classic country it is! 

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 17

These are a few of my favorite things-

Today at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) we did an activity called "Favorite Things".  We each had to bring something that represents our one of our favorite things without spending over $5ish dollars.  Want to see what I brought?

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 16

Felt Food-

I like to make things.  I like to make gifts.  I like to make gifts for kids because I feel like they are a little more forgiving than adults who have only ever had manufactured goods.  This year we have several friends whose little ones are getting kitchens for Christmas.  I had already purchased a gift for one of the kids when I found out they were getting a kitchen, but I had nothing for the other little boy.  I decided I wanted to make some felt food for all those getting kitchens, including Little Britches, even if I had already gotten them something else.  So I made an egg and orange slices based loosely on  this tutorial.  I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chips loosely based on  this tutorial.  I sent the orange slices in the mail and sent the peanut butter and jelly and the chips to work with my husband.  I forgot to take pictures of any of it- boo!  But I do still have the egg, and I plan on making more items for Little Britches.  Here is the egg. 

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 15

Words are powerful. I believe that. I wish I remembered it before I opened my mouth sometimes, but I do believe it. Sometimes what is not said is powerful too. We have been focusing on the Christmas story at our house and I was thinking about those shepherds. You know shepherds were the lowest of the lowly in their society. They really did not have it all together. They couldn't even go into the temple to worship because they were constantly unclean. Yet, when God sent his son into this world as a baby his birth announcement went out to the shepherds.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

I LOVE IT! They brought good news that causes great joy for all people. That makes me evaluate my life. Do I experience great joy? If not is it because I have forgotten how good the good news really is? And what is the good news? The angels said it next: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. The angels had every right to say: Today a Savior has been born, now go, make yourself clean, get your act together, and then maybe, just maybe we will let you take a passing glimpse. They said a Savior has been born to you- you the messy, dirty, stinky, low-class, unworthy shepherds. And the good news is that a Savior has been born to me too- me "just a stay-at-home-mom, nothing too pretty, too talented, or too bright, selfish, prideful, lacking in so many ways- unworthy

A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TO ME

AND THAT GOOD NEWS CAUSES GREAT JOY

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 14

"Love your neighbor" is a theme I have been taught since I was a little girl.  I try to think of ways to practically do that without being that neighbor.  You know the one you turn out the lights and shut the blinds when you see them coming.  Well yesterday I decided to make something for the neighbors on our street.  There are only 8 houses on our street, so that is doable.  We really only even kind of know 3 out of the 7 of our neighbors.  One family's dog attacked our and then ours attacked back on the third day we lived here, one lives next door and is always outside doing yard work, and the other family we kind of know is 3 doors down with a very social 11 year old that likes to keep tabs on everyone.  I loved the neighbors in our old neighborhood, but it took us years to get to know them.  I want to get to know these neighbors sooner, so I made some Cinnamon Honey Butter to take around to everyone.  Last night Little Britches, her daddy, and I loaded up the wagon and walked up and down our street making deliveries.  It was fun.  One of Little Britches’ new skills is knocking on doors, so she was delighted to get to try out her new skill 7 times in one night.  

May your Christmas be sweet!  ~The Moore's

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 13

Our tree.  Our tree has no presents under it.  We have presents, but they are not wrapped.  I kind of like our presentless tree, though because it reminds me that the Advent season is about waiting and anticipating The Gift.  Right now the only thing under our tree is Little Britches's Nativity set that she plays with daily.  I might just make a presentless tree our tradition.  Of course it is easy right now while Little Britches is too little to go snooping around for her gifts. 

*Note this is not actually our tree.  I was too lazy to take a picture and download it tonight.  There will be a picture later when I post about our Nativity.

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 12

A Night in Bethlehem

We love all the festivities that occur in December.  We especially love festivities that are close to home.  Tonight we had a wonderful experience right here in our neighborhood.  We went to The Fellowship at Plum Creek's A Night in Bethlehem.  It was wonderful.  A shepherd was our guide throughout the town of Bethlehem, meeting Elizabeth, Zachariah, Anna, Mary, Joseph, Angels, Roman soldiers, and many more.  Everyone was in character and did a great job.  As we gathered around a fire to stay warm a moment a wise man shared with us how we too can seek and find Christ.  It was a cold night.  I dressed MGM in warm clothes and put her in the Ergo carrier so that she would be close to me and as warm as possible.  She seemed to do great.  She even wanted to stay and hear a few more songs, but Daddy who only wore his workout jacket was too cold. 

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 11

I can do that!

Do you ever see something someone else has made and think, I can do that.  I often think that, or at least I think, "I think I could do that."  But often I don't do whatever it is I think I can do, but this week was different.  I had a friend who posted this picture on facebook this week:

And so this was my take on it:

So what do you think? 



The 25 Days of Christmas Day 10

MGM's big gift is a play kitchen.  We found it on Craig's List for a good price AND it included all the play food, pots and pans, and dishes!  We couldn't love it more except...the colors.  The colors are not bad in and of themselves, but this kitchen is going to have to be sitting out in our dining room from now until MGM (or a younger sibling of hers if we ever have one) gets finished playing with it.  That could be as many as 4- 7 years from now!!!  So I decided I would like the kitchen to more match our decor, which I am sure will change in 4-7 years, but I am pretty sure it won't change to pink, blue, and yellow.  Here are the before pictures.  The after pictures are yet to come.  I plan on working on this project a little every night after MGM goes to bed.  Everyone keep your fingers crossed! 

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 9

LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS!

We love lights around here.  We love that so many people go through such an effort to light up their homes for our enjoyment.  We went for a walk the other night to look at the neighborhood lights and they were great!  Everytime MGM see lights she says, "Pretty!  Daddy? Pretty!"  To which my hubby replies, "They are pretty."  It is our prayer that as MGM grows she continues to be attracted to light- the light of the world! 

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 8

Sorry, life got a little busy! Here are the Days of Christmas I have missed posting lately.




Craft Night! I love to make things for people. I love to hang out with friends. So what could be better than making things with friends? I gathered with a group of former teachers to make outfits for our little ones to wear during the Christmas season. It was so much fun we decided to do it again next month!! I am so excited. Well, I am practical, if nothing else. I decided not to appliqué a Santa or the word NOEL because then MGM could only display the results of my hard work for half a month, so I decided to appliqué a penguin.  Check out the pictures and tell me what you think.  And yes, I did add that cute ruffle to the bottom of the pants.

The 25 Days of Chirstmas Day 7

Waiting is part of the Christmas season.  More specifically waiting is part of the Advent season. I was thinking about that and talking to Little Britches about that today because waiting is not something is is naturally good at right now.  But then again, I am not sure I am naturally good at it either, but at least I don't shout No! and start to cry, usually.

I was thinking of how when you are a kid (or a teacher) waiting for Christmas to arrive seemed to take forever, but as an adult (who is not teaching) Christmas's arrival seems to be on the fast track.  Then I realized that waiting is what it is all about and we only wait four weeks, but Zechariah and Elizabeth waited everyday of their lives.(Luke1)  They waited on the promised Messiah to come.  They were not the only ones who waited.  Their parents and grandparents before them waited.  There had been hundreds of years of waiting for the Messiah to come.  (I am pretty sure I would have given up after the first 100)  Yet at the appointed time (not a minute too soon, or too late) the waiting was over.  Oh how I pray that my waiting is filled with meaning and not just the busyness of the season, and I pray that when I am, by God's design, waiting on something I will not lose heart, but will remain faithful to the one who I am waiting on.  

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 6

Getting the family together to have pictures taken for the Christmas card is difficult.  A toddler just does not understand the value of everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.  Here were some of our attempts.

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 5

In an effort to focus our heart on Christ during this season we are doing short advent readings from The Story of the Nativity by Tracy Harrast.  So far it has been great!  Everyday's reading focuses on one thing in the Nativity scene.  Then you get a reusable sicker to stick on the background provided.  The readings are short and they include a suggestion on how to worship today that relates to the part of the Nativity story told on that day.  For example tonight we read about Joseph.  We read that an angel told him to marry Mary.  He obeyed God even when it was hard to do so.  Then it suggested that we pray, asking God to help us be obedient even when it is hard to do so.  The only complaint I have is that Little Britches likes to stick and unstick the stickers, so they are pretty much useless as stickers by the second day.  I am thinking of making magnets out of all the pieces and letting her play with them on the fridge.  We will see if I get that done.  I have quite the todo list!

The 25 Days of Christmas Day 4

Sometimes things are not always as you remember them.  Then it is hard to know if you changed or if it changed.  This is what happened to my husband last night as we went to Sights and Sounds of Christmas in San Marcos.  He had been before and really liked it.  He had fond memories of a wonderful display of lights and of people enjoying the simple joys of the season.  When we arrived at the event there were some lights displayed, but not as many as he remembered.  And there seemed to be people everywhere eating turkey legs, funnel cakes, and ice cream cones.  There were some dancers clogging on stage.  The youngest one was my mother's age.  I was trying to imagine my mom up there prancing around with the whole front of her shirt covered in sequins with fringe hanging off.  There were carnival rides, a model train set up, a sock skating rink, Frosty the Snowman playing on a big screen, kids waiting to talk to Santa, and a "Little Town of Bethlehem" with people in costume and doing thing that would have been done in Bethlehem around the time of Christ's birth.  It was funny because we quickly decided it was all a little overwhelming for us and Little Britches, especially because we were out at her bedtime.  She was being great but she kept putting her head down on her daddy's shoulder and saying night night.  We did decide to walk through the "Little Town of Bethlehem" part on our way out.  We watch some people making candles and someone making bread.  There were Roman soldiers around, which Little Britches call knights based on a picture from our computer of a school mascot.  We saw camels and donkeys and sheep.  There were lots of people everywhere, but we had trouble finding the nativity scene.  The place where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were was off in a corner.  When we found it there was no one there.  The crowds were more interested in the candle making, bread baking, and the swords of the soldiers, but they were either not interested or had moved on from the nativity.  It was kind of sad.  I pray that this season I do not become more interested in the bright and shiny things of the season than I am in the nativity, for it is because of Christ's birth I celebrate.  Here are a few pictures from the night taken on my phone because I forgot my camera.  boo!