Christmas Is Changing.

As you may have noticed, it has been a while since I updated my blog. This is because a lot has changed in my life, and I have had absolutely no time to do so! At the end of November, just a few days after my last blog post, I received news that I was being offered a new job in West Virginia! Since then I have had to pack, move down, and unpack all of my stuff. Part of that process was to take down my Christmas decorations that had already gone up for the season. So as Christmas had been put up, it was then taken down, and when I finally had my apartment somewhat looking like an apartment instead of a FedEx or UPS loading area with all the boxes, I was able to put Christmas back up!

 

It's Santa Claws! He decided to model for me infront of our Christmas tree.

This year with all the changes and everything going on in my family, it sure hasn't felt like a normal Christmas. I am all about tradition at Christmas, but this year many of our traditions have been altered, changed or skipped over because of the circumstances in the family. This has helped me to learn again a very important lesson: Life changes. It never stays the same. We must adapt our lives with the lives of those around us. Change is good. Not everything changes so keep what you can keep, and adapt what can't be the same to fit the situation.


Gunney still got his Christmas bath!

One thing that has not changed throughout everything going on and my move across states is this: I AM STILL SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Somehow I was able to finish my Christmas shopping. The stores are mayhem! I've never shopped so late into the season (that I can remember) and it was just not the most pleasant experience. Ever year I plan to buy things throughout the year, but that just doesn't happen. I did buy one earlier, but that was it. I hope this year I can succeed in this!

Though life may change and throw us curve balls, and our Christmas traditions may have to change and adapt, the one thing to remember is this: No matter what our traditions are, no matter where we are, if we are with our families and friends or not, there is one constant truth: the meaning of Christmas never changes. Christ was still born in a stable in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary. Shepherds still saw angels and heard their singing. Three wise men still traveled far to see the newborn king. That is the important part of Christmas; the part that really matters. I hope that we can all remember this throughout the year and throughout the season. Life's changes are bound to happen. We have our ups and downs, but Christ still came, and he sacrificed all for us.

Have a Merry Christmas!!!

It's Reindeer Time...Bring Out The Craft Supplies!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the variety of crafts that you have to choose from. My favorite are the ones for kids. They are so simple, yet adorable! My absolute favorite is the Craft Stick Reindeer. It's easy enough that I can do it, but extremely versatile so that anything can be done to make each and every Reindeer unique.

Craft Stick Reindeer

Supplies:
*Glue Gun
*Ribbon (Any color)
*Craft Sticks
*Glue-on Eyes
*Small Colored Pom Poms
*Newspaper to work on (Optional)

Instructions: 

 First, place a drop of glue at the tip of one of the craft sticks. Add another stick, forming a V with the tip placed on the glue.

Second, place one drop of glue on each stick - about one inch below the top.

 

Next, add the third craft stick by placing it on the two drops of glue (try to keep it center to the V- as you can see, I was a little off!)

 

Glue eyes on, just below the newly added craft stick. It's starting to come together!

 

Choose a Pom Pom. I went with red on this one. When I did this with the kids at church, they had a blast picking out what color nose to use! We had everything from Green, to Black to Purple!

 

 For the hanging ribbon, I used a thin, almost string-like ribbon which had silver sparkle with a bright red. Cut it long enough that it can go over a tree branch to hang on the tree. Put a drop of glue on the cross stick and carefully push the two loose ends into the glue so that they will stay when it dries.

 

This next step is optional, but adds character and distinguishes between male and female reindeer. Using a thin ribbon, cut a small piece and tie it into a bow, and glue it to the top. Your reindeer is now complete!!! Wasn't that easy!

 

There are many variations to these reindeer, which makes them fun! Some that I want to try in the future are to paint the craft sticks a light brown first or maybe use a glitter paint to make it sparkle. The possibilities are endless!

 

One of these Reindeer ornaments has been on my family's tree since I can remember. They are too cute not to include on any Christmas tree, and the materials are cheap enough to make several at a time. They would make great gifts for kids to make for friends or relatives, such as grandparents. Don't forget to write the child's name on the back with the year they made it! It is sure to be a hit!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

It's Time To Decorate!!!!

Life around the holiday season always seems to be busier than usual as it is filled with special events, traditions, parties, etc. The list is endless as to what we fill our lives with. I say this because my life has already begun to become busy! And it has nothing to do with the holidays, just family. But through all of it, I decided to keep up the traditional date of decorating for Christmas, November 15th! So last night I started decorating!

Some people have traditions as to what they put up first, or where things go in the house, or who can put the star (or angel) on the tree. I don't have too many of those. The tree went up first, but only because it was easier since it was all put together. This year my grandpa and I got a new tree! It's smaller than the one we have been using, but we like that. Here it is first put up:

 

I just love it! Some people have this knack with putting Christmas up at their house to make it look like it came out of a magazine. Me, not so much. If there's space, it doesn't matter what goes there, just as long as it fits and looks good. It's my goal this year to make a few decorations myself, ones that will look unique. For now though, I love what I have.

 

One of my most favorite decorations is my very first stocking from when I was a baby. My sisters and I each got an animal stocking: a dog, a panda, a reindeer, and a bear. We used them for quite some time, and then we upgraded to new, bigger stockings. We may have gotten new ones, but I always put my first one up. It's just so cute!

 

 

I always listen to Christmas music while decorating. Putting up Christmas is a very magical time, and with the music in the background, it just adds to the season and helps me remember the true meaning of the season. Usually I'll play songs on Cd's I have, but this year I used the TV, and chose the traditional Christmas station to listen to. Most songs I knew, some I didn't....and no matter who sings it, "Baby It's Cold Outside" will always be my least favorite song!!! Ugh! Sorry to anyone who likes it, but that is not this girl's favorite!

 

 

 

I'm not quite finished all the way. It takes a lot, and there was a lot to do today as well, but it's almost done. I just have to finish putting up the garland and put the mostly empty boxes away....oh, and fix some decorations that got broken.

 This is an angel ornament that my mom made for my sister's bridal shower. I will not claim the idea as hers, or mine. They turned out beautiful though. We got the idea from a picture on pinterest, and followed it to this website: http://www.happybirdscraftinghaven.com/2011/05/sparkly-ribbon-angel-ornament-tutorial.html





 

 

Well, as the season has begun, I wish you all good luck in your decorating endeavors, both inside and outside! And please be careful if you're going on the roof to put up lights!!!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

 



Secret Santa...My Dilema

Lately I've been having something on my mind. Every year since I was little my family has done Secret Santa gifts. I wish I could remember what year we started it, but it was a long time ago. Around the beginning of October we would draw a name from someone in our immediate family and give them a gift. This is the gift that we open Christmas Eve night, and we look forward to it as much as Christmas morning!

My ornament from my sister Tasha. It's a picture of me and my Grandpa Parent that was taken at Sarah's wedding.

When we first started, we would buy each other a $5 or under gift. When we were old enough, we changed the rules: you now had to make the gift. At first this stipulation was daunting! Make the gift? Are you kidding???? Well, the first year for that arrived, and we all survived it! We did pretty good too. I can't remember what anyone made, but I remember being impressed, so impressed that the making the gift rule stayed. I believe the first year for that was about 2001, and it remained that way until 2012 when the rule changed yet again. I'll get to that in a minute.

What we found when we were to make the gift was that we put more thought and effort into thinking of the idea and you thought more of the other person and what they would like. Year after year the gifts got better and in some cases bigger. So as we continued this practise, it seemed that no matter what, you always received the same person's name every year. It may have been like this because of how long we had been doing this. Ideas of what to make the person you drew were getting harder to think of and as we were one by one leaving the nest and beginning our lives elsewhere and our lives were becoming busier with jobs and new families, we decided that the rule again needed to change.

 

So in 2012 we again changed our rule, with much thankfulness from my brother-in-law Jeremy since it was his first time with this project. My sister Sarah had just recently been married in 2011 and so they had decided to not participate that Christmas as life was chaotic. Well they didn't get to skip out in 2012! The new rule: instead of making anything you can think of, we were to make an ornament for the person. Doesn't seem too hard, but do you know how many styles or ornaments there are???? That was the hard part!

 

Within this blog have been pictures on last year's ornaments. Again, I think we did pretty good!

And now it comes to this year, 2013. This year I'm the one who changed the rule, yet again. This year since we will not be together at all before Christmas to draw names, it was decided to just make an ornament, and on Christmas Eve we will draw names and you'll find out who it goes to. Now the challenge is even bigger since there's no one to think of to base your ornament off of. I guess that just leaves the possibilities open.

What brought this blog post on???? Well, today I'm hoping to narrow down what kind of ornament I want to make. Thank goodness for Pinterest secret boards! They're a life saver! Now to sit down and write up a few possible ideas. This is going to be a great year! If you have any, let me know! Let the brain power start working!

Merry Christmas!

My Very First Blog Post Ever!

Hi all!!! Well, this moment is significant. This marks my first blog post...EVER!!! I never would have thought that I would give in to the blogging world, but why not? So to all, I say "Welcome! And Merry Christmas!" I love Christmas, and hope to share many wonderful and special experiences with you.

 

Some of the topics I wish to discuss throughout the year is my love for:

 

-Nativities

-Ornaments

-Movies

-Music

-Treats (of course, I cannot forget those!)

-Crafts

-Decorating

-Outside lights

-So much more!

Me and my dog, Gunney, Christmas morning 2012



As October is coming to a close, it is now just weeks away from decorating my house for the Christmas season! For my Grandpa Karn, it starts November 1. Growing up it was always November 15th for my family as it was the opening day of deer season and we were off of school and all home together. Now there's no specific day, just around the middle of November. Some people have commented that if we decorate so early we totally miss Thanksgiving. No, no, no, not a chance. In our home you can't have Thanksgiving unless Christmas is up and running! We decorate for fall and Thanksgiving during the Halloween season as we are not huge into decorating and celebrating Halloween. At least I'm not it's biggest fan.

 

Even though decorating has yet to occur, I have been listening to Christmas music since the end of September. To me, Christmas music is a genre itself, and should be celebrated as such and should be listened to year round. If you say you wish the Christmas Spirit lasted all year round, then the music is what brings that spirit. I have also been beginning to work on some of my family's traditions, and planning for future traditions as time will go so quickly! With a new baby in the family and a wedding just after the holiday season, time is going to fly! Better get started now...I'll keep you updated on my activities...as much as is not classified until after Christmas that is!

 

Well, I guess I should officially close my first post. You only get one first, and I guess this is it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!