Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to stay a head of Christmas this year. I didn't want to get stuck in the last minute rush of everything. So I intended on buying my Christmas cards early. Following our wedding this year in February, I wanted to do a wedding themed card, think: Married and Bright

from Minted.com
"May your days be Married and bright"

From Zazzle.com 

From Minted.com 
"There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing"

I think Minted.com has such amazing designs but it seemed overpriced to me at the time. Looking at the prices now I realize I paid more with my Zazzle purchase and received less cards! Next time I'll go with Minted.

We went with a pregnancy announcement/Christmas card. It was nice to kill two birds with one stone. (or is is it six french hens and one pear tree?) 

I couldn't be happier and we received great compliments on the card!

I was very satisfied with the quality and print of the card. The only unfortunate mishap was the shipping. But that's another story!

High heels!

My plans for Mothers Day

Mothers Day 2009
Me (#1), #3, Mom, Grandma, #2

Unfortunately we are not traveling to Dallas to be with my family on Mother's Day.  I'm seriously bummed about it.  The last time we were in Dallas was for our wedding!  I can't wait to be there on Memorial Day weekend. 

In the past 6 years I have been with my mom on Mother's Day for maybe 2 of those 6 years?  So it's nothing new to be away, but it still tugs at your heart. 

I did send flowers to my mom that she received on Tuesday.  Instead of roses I sent 30 tulips and she sent me an e-mail saying she was "getting tired of roses" so I'm glad I chose the tulips!  I also made it a point to send them early so that she could enjoy them all week.  Boo USPS for not delivering mail on Saturdays...I sent a Papyrus card in the mail, but I have no clue when it will arrive.  I knew the flowers had a better chance arriving before Mother's Day.

Last weekend was supposed to be a "free" weekend with nothing to do...of course it turned into tons of things to do and just all around unproductivity in the housekeeping department.  I am partially to blame because I wanted to take my nieces and nephews shopping for a Mother's Day present for their mom.  She's a single mom, and while my husband has been a part of their life for years, when I brought up the idea to take the kids shopping he was astonished saying "where do you come up with this stuff?!"  It's a girl thing.

So we went to Walmart and seeing those kids pick out presents for their mom was adorable!  Some of them saved up money while others had to ask mom for money.  Some wanted to spend all their money on their mom and others wanted to get the cheapest thing so they would have money left over for themselves.  Auntie Rachel would not allow that.  Just to make a point we went to the toy section so he could see that spending $3 on mom and $7 on yourself was not only WRONG, but impossible.  He couldn't find anything he wanted for $7.  So he spent his money on mom. 

This Friday we offered to babysit the kids while mom goes on a date.  We offered this weeks ago and she took us up on it, but came home 2 hours later.  I know dates, and a date that is 2 hours long is a lame date!  We told her to take her time this Friday. 

While mom is on a date we'll be wrapping Mother's Day presents and filling out this cute questionnaire I found on The Crafting Chicks blog.  You can download it here.

I'm also searching Pinterest for some fun Friday night dinners that these kids will like.  Hubby's idea? Let them eat junk food all night.  Now that's a cool babysitter. 

I'd rather not deal with sugar-rushed children and an irritated husband all night.  So we'll see what I can find....suggestions are most welcomed!  Just leave them in the comments below!

Weekend Update

NBC Saturday Night Live Weekend Update

No, not that weekend update...but I do love Seth Meyers!

My weekend update, which consisted of:

 

Going with Farmer J to the cows to give them water.  They were thirsty and started running right up to us.  I am still not comfortable around these cows, I've seen too many rodeos!  J says they aren't snakes or coyotes, I'll see a cow coming if it wants to charge at me.  But they usually just stare at us or run away.  Them running at us was a new thing.  In the end they posed for a picture so I can't complain!

 

I attempted this drawer organizer.  Instead of stacking shirts and pants on top of each other, roll them up and slide them next to each other.  This way you can see what is in your drawer without messing everything up.  My drawers are packed tight so we'll see what happens when I start wearing these clothes.  Will they all unroll into a huge mess?  Stay tuned....

 

On our way to Valentines dinner (on Saturday) I attempted this new scarf knot.  I loved it!  I kept un-tying and re-tying it at the restaurant.  We did have an HOUR wait...(no reservations)

 

Found this tutorial on Pinterest which led me to Meg's Blog

Super easy: end 1 over-under, end 2 under-over, done!

 

We went out to eat at Stella's, an Italian restaurant I am officially in love with.  After the hour wait, I found out Lubbock does have some nice restaurants.  Ok, one.  I've only been to one, but we'll get there.  When we got our oyster appetizer J asked "Are you going to take pictures of the food all night?" which I really meant 'if you get to have your phone out I get to have mine out' so we both put our phones away and enjoyed each other's company.  It was a blast.  A great first Valentines as a married couple.

 

Identity Thief

 

Before dinner we saw Identity Thief. It started at 4:30 and we figured since it's been out for a while there was no rush. We got there 5 minutes before the start time and the theatre was PACKED. We sat in the third row! I guess everyone went to the 4:30 movie and then out to dinner. Identity Thief was a funny movie. J said he would have done the same thing Jason Bateman does in the end. I won't spoil the movie, but if you've seen it and know J, you'll understand.

 

How was your weekend?  Hope it was great!  When did you celebrate Valentines Day?

High Heels!

I see red hearts everywhere!

I thought the world was celebrating my marriage when I walked into the grocery store today.  There were red heart balloons floating around, fresh beautiful flowers and love in the air!  Then I remembered it's Valentines Day.  After spending way too much money on a wedding, J and I are going to keep Valentines Day quiet this year and keep the honeymoon vibe alive. 

I did run across these CUTE printables yesterday.  If you haven't thought of anything for Valentines Day try some of the below items!

Valentines Coupons!

 

Via Love vs. Design

 

Hello Darling!

 

 

via Love vs. Design

 

 

St. Valentines Day for kids

 

I had to throw in a little Catholic activity for kids!  A Valentines Day countdown chain.  Or if you are blessed with many children, make this for Valentines day and have each kid tear off and read a bible verse.

 

via Catholic Icing

 'The Icing on your Catholic cake'

 

 

 

Visit my 'Be My Valentine' pinterest board for some other ideas.

 

Rachel's Pinterest Board

 

 

 

Ya know, I thought I missed the valentines cards and candies from school days, however my office has been handing out roses and candy all morning! 
But let us all remember what this day is really about....

via Catholic Memes Facebook

As Pope St. Gregory the Great said:
The proof of love is in the works.
Where love exists, it works great things.
But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.  

Do you love as much every day as you do on St. Valentines Day?  Do you love your neighbor as yourself today or is it just about your family and friends today?  Remember, GOD is love.

via Catholic.org

 St. Valentine, PRAY FOR US

High Heels!

I vote the 4th is always a weekend

I can't believe I'm at work today - It's the day after a holiday!  Anyone else exhausted from their 4th of July celebrations?  No, I didn't drink any alcohol... I just didn't realize how late the sun sets in the summer.  It's usually nice to have the long evenings and nights, but when your entertainment can't start until the sun sets...it's a bummer.  Nevertheless, we had a good time watching fireworks.  I've seen better in the city *cringe* sorry!  But it was incredibly relaxing sitting on the lake wrapped up in a blanket with my fiance jumping at the loud BANG! of the beautiful fireworks.  They did seem louder than usual...maybe because the city noise wasn't interfering. 

I pray you were all safe and enjoy the rest of your week!  Today is my Friday!!!