Elegant Christmas Cards

A few weeks ago, I was chosen to host a Shutterfly House Party. I think I can speak for all and say that we had a most wonderful time. Shutterfly was fabulous and sent 10 different card samples. I immediately had a favorite card which I highlighted at the party.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/family-wall-noir-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

The card is such high quality and very classy. I love the simple elegance of this card as well as the ever-popular monogram in the middle. My very favorite card even after looking through hundreds of Shutterfly cards.

While my favorite card was the one listed above, I also had others that I like a lot. This one is very similar, yet is a flat card...no inside.

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/family-wall-red-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

You may be noticing a theme here, but there's several options in the same style. I am really STUCK on this style because of the elegance. This one is a bit easier on the wallet, and has great color combinations!

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/with-love-chartreuse-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93491

Of course, I could go on and on about the various products that Shutterfly offers. Their photobooks, calendars, canvases make wonderful gifts...just naming a few. These are gifts that last the test of time, do not need to be returned for a different size, and are perfect for that grandparent that has everything.

What I love about the Shutterfly photo cards is that not only are you sending a card, but the recipient is more likely to keep it rather than throw it away when the holidays are over. This eliminates the need for a card and a separate photo to put inside. Not only that, it saves a TON of time. For me, the time saver of having the photo and card all in one coupled with the fact that I put my own greeting inside and they are already "signed", this is great especially having a newborn in the house! Check out Shutterfly...you will not be disappointed! They offer great promos and take care to make sure everything arrives lightning FAST!!!!!

I can't wait to see your creations, and I love getting Christmas cards...hint hint!

Goodbye Chaney

Today was interesting. I may be certifiably crazy as I took 3 little girls out by myself for Black Friday shopping. It has been a tradition since I was little. The girls did great and they were really good and patient. If only the adults were that well behaved =).

I made the mistake of going to Target today. I normally avoid that kind of store on Black Friday, however I was hoping to get a particular gift for someone. Once we trekked into the store complete with television camera remote out front (I avoided this completely), I saw the size of the lines and I remembered one of my cardinal rules...I don't stand in lines. I will for 5-10 minutes, however my philosophy is that time is valuable and it would take something pretty special and great to wait in a line. I didn't do it to see the Oprah show and I certainly wouldn't on BF.

We came home exhausted and ready to nap. After that, I was cleaning up the kitchen and thinking about our evening with Josh. Aliyah went outside to throw away the LARGE T-giving edition newspaper and came back onto the porch and I heard her talking to Chaney. Soon after, they both came inside. He tried to get into the lazy susan cabinet as he often does if I have it open. I sent him on his way. Aliyah was holding him in the LR. Within 5 minutes of Chaney being inside, Aliyah was carrying him out to the porch. I thought she was just putting him back out there. She said something and I went to the door where she said, "just bury him" with a disturbed look on her face. He was lying on the porch floor in a manner in which I knew he was gone. She was apparently holding him and we started making strange sounds (I didn't hear them and I was close by so they must not have been loud). She said that his body went limp after that. I asked her why she didn't say something and she said she was scared. I'm sure she was because he just died in her arms and she took him out on the porch and laid him on the floor.

He had gone to the vet in Sept. and was current on all of his shots and heartworm stuff and all was good. He had been purring at her when she came in from putting the paper in the trash and was as normal. We only can guess that he had a heart attack or something. So, we are sad and missing the little salt & pepper member of our family. Aliyah is pretty sad and I am too. Chaney loved me and would follow me like a dog. He would try to be right next to me if I was holding Noelliah.

Aliyah only has her little frogs, but she wants something cuddly that she can hold. She LOVES animals. I told her I don't know if right now would be good timing for a new pet. It is hard to adjust to a brand new pet with a brand new baby.
The thing of comfort is that Aliyah was giving Chaney love right before and right as he died and he went so quickly he probably didn't feel much pain. We miss him though!! He was a good kitty and was loved by a few little girls.
Bye Chaney, we miss you already! I miss you looking out the door as we would leave every day. I also miss your greeting at the door when we came home as well as your readiness with your paws on the door to go inside when we arrived home. You were a loving little guy who couldn't get enough attention.

First Thanksgiving

It is her first Thanksgiving...
Noelliah's that is.
Little does she know how thankful we are for her presence in our family. I do think that she knows and feels loved. The smiles and laughs tell me that.
So much has changed in our family over the last year. The most obvious being a new member. Aliyah and Keirah prayed almost every night for her before she was born. Aliyah talks about her lovingly and I ask her if Noelliah is everything she prayed for...she always has said, "yes and SO MUCH MORE"!

There are so many things to be thankful for, I will name a few. I often sit with Noelliah and just feel so overwhelmed at how blessed we are and thank God for His blessings.

-my family--they bring immeasurable love and joy into my life
--a warm, comfortable house
--cars (mine has heated seats and I'm loving those since I'm such a fan of winter--haha)
--remote start on my car (that will be great this winter especially with a baby)
--jobs (we are both blessed with good jobs, although I think and Josh would agree that mine is better than his...not complaining about his by any means though)
--a wonderful church
--being able to live in America
--being able to homeschool our girls
--health
--provision
--friends

I could truly go on and on, however I will cut the post short. I have 3 girls to tend to and one of them is a sweet little newborn. There is laundry to do and other household chores. Josh has a long evening at work due to this busy time of year.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

The Weekend

I'm not going to lie...I love weekends. Every now and then we get the opportunity to sleep in...a rarity these days for sure =). It offers a break from the busyness of the week.

I'm happy that the girls are settling into the routine. Some mornings are a bit rough especially the ones where I have to get them all ready alone. School is going well for which I'm very thankful and Noelliah is a very sweet baby.

Tomorrow, I am going on the annual shopping trip that some girls from church do. I'm hoping to find some gifts for some special people. We are finished buying for the girls. At this point, I am the most behind I have ever been in the way of Christmas shopping. If I haven't purchased it yet, I normally have in mind what I am going to buy...but not so much this year! Noelliah gets to join me tomorrow and daddy is going to be with Aliyah and Keirah. His big task tomorrow is to finish the leaf clean-up in the yard as well as finish the outdoor Christmas decorations.

This weekend officially starts busy time for our family. Josh works A TON around Thanksgiving. Then after that, he has meetings at corporate in WI. It will be my first time with him gone for a few days while having all three girls. We will all miss him.

Almost time to decorate for Christmas...with the busy fall that we had I must say that we have just begun getting used to it being fall. Somehow it transitioned from summer to Christmas time without us noticing. Maybe that is partly why I am so behind on the gifts. Life was busy with 2 grandparents being in the hospital, Noelliah being born, schooling, going back to work...and just junk like laundry and stuff.

Well, I had better get ready for bed since I have to get up early in the morning.

My Latest Obsessions

It has been a busy weekend well make that busy week AND weekend.

My weekend consisted of my latest/favorite obsessions:
~my sweet family which includes lots of pink--especially with their new pink pj's (thanks so much Aunt Juju)

~the colors aqua and pink (in Noelliah's nursery where we spent time)
baby photos (Noe had a 2 month photoshoot on Sat) filled with laughter, coos, and pure joy

~Shutterfly (trying to find that just right Christmas card)

~handmade baby hats (a local shop sells THE MOST ADORABLE handmade hats)...they are all different sizes/styles/colors and she gets different ones all of the time. They are made of things like mohair, angora, wool, cashmere etc...Noe (we say No E) now has 4 of those--along with 2 pretty pink hats from Aunt Juju. Hey, it's like shoes and purses...a girl can't have too many. Noe can't wear shoes (her feet are still too small to fit into any and she doesn't do purses yet so hats are IT--and it keeps her warm!

~snuggling--can't get enough of that

~sweet baby blankets (I purchased a new type at the same shop that sells the hats)

~Lisa Leonard necklace with my 3 princesses names (a lovely surprise in the mail) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE!

~thinking of friends...near/far and how they have touched my life whether it was 5 years ago, 10 years ago, or the present time I am thankful to have known them. Sadly, many of my best friends live far away. Most live in different states scattered everywhere! I think it is so funny though that whenever I see them again, it is like time stood still and the memories of our times together and the reason we are friends comes flooding back.

~my husband...I didn't get to see him much this weekend because he was working hard for us, but I appreciate his tireless and hard work whether at work or at home. I love you, Josh.

~our church...we are doing a parenting series right now in SS which is great!

~just sitting and looking around at my family and thanking God for His abundant provisions and overwhelming blessings!

Gorgeous Day!

It has been over a week since I last posted. There's so much to talk about, but I haven't had time to blog.

I guess I will go backwards. We are eeking out every nice day we can out of fall. Today was mid-70's and we couldn't be happier about it. The girls played at grandma's and we took a walk as soon as I got off work. That has been the theme of our week since the time change. If we go on the walk as soon as we get home, we can make the whole walk in the light. The girls even have a bit of time in the backyard before dark. If you have children, you know why we are diligent to do this. The pent up energy lasts way too long in the winter...not to mention mama needs the exercise.

Yesterday was a wonderful day as a family. It was nice outside and we just spent the day together---our favorite thing to do. It was Noelliah's 2 month birthday already. It is flying by I'm telling you. We got up early for a dr. appt. She had to get her round of shots. Poor little kids have so many shots to get now. They have increased in number with every child we have had. She did pretty well, however was inconsolably crying in the afternoon...thanks to the shots. She did weigh 9 lbs 9 oz. and 23 1/4" so she is growing (although still little). I compared baby books yesterday and she is my longest baby so far, but right in the middle on weight. Keirah was biggest and Aliyah was smallest.

We went to a nearby town and did some Christmas shopping at some neat stores followed by lunch at Cracker Barrel. They have the naughtiest/yummiest breakfast meal there. It is cinnamon french toast. It tastes like a cinnamon roll--even has the frosting. YIKES!! It was AMAZINGLY good! We were pretty tired yesterday afternoon so we didn't get a whole lot done, but we had to go grocery shopping. We got some great deals and then went and visited great gpa/gma. Grandpa is finally out of the hospital after 2+ weeks for which everyone is thankful. He seems to be doing well and looks good. We finished up the evening just talking and being together. As I sat and looked at the girls and Josh, I couldn't help but think of how blessed I am by my sweet family! Thank you, God!

Earlier in the week/last weekend I had a fun Shutterfly party. It was a great party because everyone got a free Shutterfly book and cards. We had a wonderful time and I loved the way the party worked. I named it Apple Pie & Shutterfly. The treats were all apple in nature...apple pie (I forgot to put out the ice cream--oops), apples & caramel, caramel apple candy corn, coffee (with caramel apple creamer as a choice), warm apple cider, and apple candles for the guests. It was awesome to hear the ideas everyone had and hear tips. I learned a lot myself and I was the one hosting the party. I couldn't help but think that Shutterfly could have picked a few of the party guests rather than myself b/c they knew more--lol! My sweetie took the girls to play at the park during the party and came home and promptly began cleaning up everything...what a wonderful husband! It was so fun to enjoy some friends and catch up!!
Oh yeah, I was able to get 5 Shutterfly books and 10 cards and my total was 0.00!!! I had some free books saved in my Shutterfly account 2 of which were from Similac. I was pretty excited about the big order for 0.00!!

In between, I have been working, homeschooling, laundry, cleaning, and everything else that I don't have time to talk about or have forgotten!

It is time to decorate the house (outside) for Christmas. It is a huge job, but hopefully will get tackled sometime this week if the weather is okay. Well, off to enjoy the rest of my Friday evening with my 3 girls.

Adjusting

Well, it has been almost 2 weeks back to work. The girls have been settling into the new routine nicely (all 3). So far, my house hasn't fallen apart in disaster--thank goodness. I am definitely thankful that I can take Noelliah with me to work.

Life has remained busy. Grandpa is still in the hospital and will hopefully be able to get out soon. Mom goes up there 2 and 3 times a day so she has been going back and forth a lot. She takes grandma up there in the morning and comes back typically to watch our girls. After I pick up the girls, she goes back up to visit grandpa and then bring grandma back home.

Yesterday I was just thinking of how much I love our girls and my husband. I feel so blessed by them. I remember people telling me when Josh and I were first married that after a few years I wouldn't miss him when he was at work or whatever the case. I'm happy to say that they were wrong!! I never believed that anyway. I always call him on my way to work. I do miss him and the girls. I can't imagine doing life without them. It would sure be boring! We are a team!

Well, I probably should go and do what needs to be done. Oh yeah, after dinner tonight we saw a rainbow and it was pouring down rain with the sun shining brightly. It was gorgeous I must say!! You don't see that very often...or in November for that matter.