Saying Goodbye to 2009

Life is a rough biography. Memories smooth out the edges.

~ Dante G. Roque

The sun has set on 2009.

Memories of yesterday linger, mixed with warm laundry to fold on the bed. Tiny socks fall from soft-colored baby blankets. The sound of baby's breath and his peaceful face as he naps... they are a gift from heaven.

Life. Anew. This year.

So thankful that I can take this with me in to 2010.

This new little person.

Part of us.



As we say our goodbyes to the year past, I hope we can all find the tiny joys from 2009... pack them up... and take them with us.

Let's leave nothing good behind.

Let's build on every happy thought, every cherished memory, every smile.

Let's remember to capture hearts and moments.

Let's share ourselves in a real way with the ones we love.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

~ Philippians 4:8

Happy New Year!



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Crazy Christmas Crazies

Christmas vacation makes you a little crazy. Some of us don't have the added advantage of not being crazy for the rest of the year, either... so some of us (not naming anybody in particular) get REALLY crazy over the holidays.

And weepy. And weird.

Not naming names. Or nothin'.

So I'm staying away from the blog in case I might incriminate myself with my craziness... but I wanted to pop in and declare a winner for my sneaky give-away. Yeah, if you missed it, that means you don't love me. I hid it inside a long post to see if you are really reading. I know who my friends are.

No, really - I'm sure you all are just busy on your very own, unique, endless Christmas vacations, right? Held hostage at your parents' houses, eating leftover turkey and dressing, forced to watch marathons of Xbox Live streaming Netflix flicks while nursing cranky babies that would rather be at home?

You say I sound like I have experience with that? No way. I love my in-laws. I'm as happy as a clam.

And I'm not eating leftovers, by the way. My mother-in-law is taking me to Yai Yai Mary's tonight.

It's only my favorite restaurant of ALL TIME.

I'll be taking my camera. Not just to take photos of their culinary expertise, but also to annoy and embarrass my husband. He deserves it after getting up at the crack-o-dawn today and whisking my dear daughter away to Fry's to let her spend her Christmas moolah on a Zune HD. I like to be with them when they waste all their Christmas money.



I also like to get out of the house. I'm a tad stir crazy and I miss my cats. I hope they are alive. No news is good news, I guess.

Oh, yes. The winner!

DAWN of http://sonshineinthewildwood.blogspot.com/

Congrats, lady! Now you can give your handyman a nice little pocket tool for 2010.

And now I'm off to get ready for the most mouth-watering treat of the trip. Besides the worm pie, of course. I'm still in tears about the end of that lovely pie. Until next year, my sweet precious pie...



Happy birthday week to me!

Happy Birthday to Me

I've been hiding. Have you noticed?

Behind a BIG slice of worm pie. It has other names. Like "Grandma's Surprise" and other names that might turn your family-friendly internet filter on that I won't mention here, comparing it to things best left unmentioned on a family-friendly blog.

It's delicious. And it was mostly mine. I'm not apologizing for eating more of it than almost anyone else at Christmas.

It's my birthday month, after all.

My mother-in-law, God bless her soul for making me that dessert, stuck my candle in the last slice of worm pie (named thus after the chocolate shavings on the top). They sang me a happy birthday song... and I ate every tiny last bite of it.

Chocolate pudding and whip cream bliss. In a snowflake bowl.

And tonight there will be Mexican food.

I'm getting too fat for anything but head shots. So my daughter took this nice head shot of me eating my wonderful worm pie. I look better in bokeh.

I hope you'll be here when I decide to come back. Right now the holidays are still keeping me in a whirlwind crazy state...

... but definitely WELL FED.

Crazy and fat. I'm sure there will be New Years Resolutions to follow.

Nifty Stocking Stuffers: Toys, Tools, Tunes

Need a few last minute gift ideas? I'm sure there will be a few people out there that are still not finished with their shopping at the time I post this... and of course, there might even be some who plan to purchase AFTER the holidays when you have a little 'fun money' from grandma and grandpa to spend. There are usually some pretty deep discounts to be found after Christmas when retailers are trying to lure shoppers back in to clear out the overstocked shelves.

I can tell you what we have on our wish lists here at the Bee household. I wonder if they will get checked off in the next few days? We have some very wonderful and generous grandparents in the family (my kids have four sets). I'll tell you what we are wishing for at the bottom of this post. But first, I wanted to mention a few things that we received in the mail to review. These are some of my favorite things we have gotten through my blog and I wanted to share them with you for the holidays because we loved them.

Disclosure: We got these free of charge. The opinions expressed about them are my own.

The first item is a groovy TOY for your kiddos:

Hexbugs

These are little pint sized robot bugs that vibrate at such a high speed that they appear to move like roaches - quickly scurrying across your hard-surfaced flooring. My kids have a few of them and they like to put them in a metal cookie sheet and have Hexbug wars. The one that falters the longest when it is knocked over is OUT and the last bug crawling wins. However, all of the bugs eventually pop themselves back up to a standing position - which is their neatest feature! My bug-loving boy is nuts about these.

You can even register your Hex Bug like a Webkins and play games online. My son calls it the "cooler, boy-version of Webkins".

Hex Bugs are made by the creators of VEX. You robotics kids will appreciate that. Shoot, you robotics kids probably already have them.

To learn more about Hex Bugs, check out the website: hexbug.com

You can get them at Radio Shack, Toys R Us, or here at Amazon:

The second item is a 'go-go-gadget' tool for the handy man in your life:



Screwpop

Oh, my dear these are cool. I actually know the dude who designed this little gadget. Can you believe that? It's a keychain, a Philips and a flathead screwdriver, and a bottle cap opener! And it fits in your pocket. HOLY COW, is that not a cool guy stocking stuffer or WHAT?!

See that little tip on the end of it? It pops out and has one type of screwdriver on each end. The flathead is a bit more sharp - so you'll want to stick it back inside the tube when you are done working with it and carry it with the Phillips pointing out.

This is also pretty cool: "When you take the screwdriver tip out, the empty shaft can then be used as a hexagonal 1/4" nut driver for tightening loose bolts." In case you didn't notice, that's 'Guy Language'. So, if you buy one of these, you'll want to memorize that line to tell the guy you give it to... so you can impress him, of course.

I don't think Amazon carries these little guys yet, but if you want one, check out my ad in my 'recommended stuff' section (top right sidebar). I'm sure my friends will be delighted if you order one.

The last item is a music CD for the cute little toddler or baby in your life that likes wrapping paper better than gifts:



Taft Brown - How Now Brown Cow

I got this awesome CD in the mail a while back. I have been meaning to post about it for like, ever. It has the cutest kid songs on it. They say it is for younger kids, but my big kids adore it, too. Just check out these titles:

Socks with Crocs (too funny!)
How Now Brown Cow (about the glory of milk-based products... MMMMMmmmm!)
Bye-Bye Tricycle (about a brave young boy who graduates from training wheels to a real bike)
All Cleaned Up (the bath song - I love it!)
Super Dooper Day

etc...

We find ourselves singing these songs all the time. Bath time with baby isn't the same without hearing "All Cleaned Up". "Socks With Crocs" is what sold me on it, though. Pure stinkin' genius.

If you want to buy one of these groovy CDs, you can do so on Amazon at this link:

Disclosure: I'm an Amazon affiliate, so I might actually make a penny or three if you purchase it through my site.

All of these items are exceptional products and super gifts. They have the Bee thumbs-up for sure.



Man, I need some Photoshop for those wrinkles and yellow teeth. And no, these photos have nothing to do with this post. I just had to share that tear. I'm not sure it's safe to look at that face it's attached to. It does things to you. Warm, fuzzy, squishy, happy things.

As for our personal wish lists this year... here's what we all were hoping to find under the tree:

Papa Bee
Academy Gift Certificates (saving up for his gun)

Mama Bee
Academic Superstore Gift Certificates (saving up for Photoshop)
A Shoot & Share Camera (Papa Bee got me one so I could have it before Christmas - and we ended up buying the Kodak Vi8 after researching them)
Michael Kors Cologne (I love love love this stuff)
Electric can opener (cuz I'm tired. Oh, so tired.)

Bee Boy
Amazon Gift Certificates (saving up for Zune HD 32gb)
Legos

Bee Girl
Amazon Gift Certificates (saving up for Zune HD 32gb)
Wall-E and Up soundtrack music

Baby Bee
GATE to keep him from falling down stairs
New car seat (since he's about as heavy as his current one will allow)
Tub toys
Tomy Chicks & Eggs


If you read all this to the end, and you want one of those really cool key rings up there, leave me a comment and tell me who you would give it to. I'll pick a winner and have my buddy who designed them mail you one! If you really love me, I'll know. Because this is a stealth give-away post. I'm tricky like that.

Don't ever say I didn't give you somethin' for Christmas.

Vanishing Blogs and Swap Gifts

I suspect there's at least a few of you out there wondering...

"WHAT HAPPENED TO THE POST?"

Well, I'm kind of wondering, too. One day it just vanished. And all that was left was this nasty error sign on the hsbapost.com domain. From what I hear, GoDaddy is supposed to be working at restoring the site, but I'm not hearing much.

I refuse to panic.

Luckily, we got the 2009 Blog Awards over with and the swap sisters paired before all these unfortunate turn of events. It's given me such a bad taste in my mouth, I haven't even been wanting to blog over here - on BLOGGER - where it seems it is much safer.

Still.

One wonders if a back-up of the blog needs to be made on a more regular basis. And I'm still wondering if there was enough of a back up made to salvage the Homeschool Post?

Time will tell. In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy my holiday.

And... my new swap gifts!

I got the privilege of swapping with TWO wonderful ladies since there wasn't an even number of swappers this time. That worked out nicely for me. Although... I think they went over their spending limit! Naughty swappers! Or is that extra-nice swappers?

I'll let you be the judge:

Here's what Lynn got me...



She made that card herself. And there were actually three chocolate bars (Italian milk chocolate), but someone - who wants to remain nameless - stole one.

There's DARK chocolate and peppermint coated popcorn in that little Moose Munch box. Oh, yeah, baby. Come to mama.

And did you notice the coasters? How cool is that? You put your own photos in them. That's a picture of Kaden and Morgan many Christmases ago.

Then there were TWO books.

Just for mom.

She really knows how to pack a swap present!

Thanks Lynn!

Here's what Bren got me...



Aren't those beads lovely? I heart chunky bead necklace, bracelet and earring sets. The bath salts are nice, too. I already used half of the pack.

Bren was a fast swapper. Her present actually got here first. In fact, it has been a while since I got it and I can't remember if there were munchies in the box that I ate before we took pictures or not.

I've eaten my weight in holiday goodies already this season. My mom is a piano teacher and she keeps bringing home cookies, cakes, loaves of bread, candies, etc. She shares her sweets with me since she's diabetic and would be in a coma if she didn't. How nice of her, eh?

I'm never going to fit in my jeans for our family present-opening frenzy.

But at least I'll look great wearing Bren's groovy blue and green beads! I already wore them to church last week. I got a few compliments and my daughter has threatened to steal them. I took her to Goodwill and bought her a stack of jeans, a skirt, and a shirt to buy some time. Don't worry, Bren... I'll hide them in my closet.

It sure was nice to open some gifts early this Christmas. Swapping is awesome. And of course, it beats opening the bills any day.

The King that Counts

My heart is too heavy to write about food, travel, gifts and holiday plans. The news of this health care bill passing against the will of the American public - our elected leaders betraying us - has totally thrown me for a wicked loop. I needed a reminder that this country is still worth allegiance; so, I have been re-reading the Declaration of Independence (something all Americans should do every now and again).

It does good to re-read your history - as a Christian and an American. In this particular instance, re-reading it reminded me that this Nation and the principles it was founded upon still count today. There's still hope even when the ugliness of what our leaders are doing threatens to ruin the mood of Christmas once and for all in 2009.

I lingered on the words and thought about what it must have been like to live on principle alone - knowing that the signing of your name would mean the destruction of your property, family and life... the ultimate sacrifice for an uncertain future.

"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

"We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

A ragtag band of farmers, fathers, God-fearing patriots, liberty-loving commoners... defeated the worlds most grand army of their time.

Because it was the right thing to do...

...to give their children a chance at freedom and a future of prosperity.

The legacy of our founding fathers live on in the hearts of all those who love freedom and the future of their children.

Miracles still happen.

I'll also be reading the story of the first Christmas in the coming days (God's ultimate sacrifice for a CERTAIN future)... savoring the details. The Romans wanted to make sure everyone was paying taxes, so pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem like a good wife and citizen - to be counted. She added one more little person to the world. God used her obedience and the decrees of a Roman Caesar to fulfill his prophecy:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." ~ Micah 5:2

Jesus was counted. Mary was counted. God's Word still counts today... these some 2,000 years later.

Just one more reminder that the tiny child we celebrate this Christmas season - the true gift to humanity - is still in control. He knows the future. He understands the fears and burdens of our hearts. He knows what the manger smells like (probably much like the inside of the United States Senate chamber - ha!).

Jesus is not phased by the muck and grit of reality - because He has plans to clean up the mess.

We shouldn't be phased, either. He is still on the throne. Whether we put Him there in our lives or not... He's still the King that Counts.




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Sickies

Hard to imagine this little guy sick, right? Or my big guy, either - poor 12 year old Kaden is feeling miserable today. The baby can hardly nurse for all the gunk in his nose and Kaden is feeling so bad that he asked me for medicine that would make him SLEEP.

School is on slow-mo around here with all these illnesses and distractions. We're doing as much as we can get done despite the need for tissues and medicine. I have some errands to run today and Chickie is watching the 'snotty wans' so Morgan and I can get some necessary things done. We are heading to the post office to mail a few things, to the bank to drop off a check, and to pick up burgers. Mmmmm. If you know me, you'll know that my middle name should have been 'cheeseburger'.

Anyway, I have a few last minute gift items that I think are really neat to blog about... all of them were review items that I've been enjoying - and you have just got to hear about them. I'll try to get them to you by tomorrow. Until then, send us warm chicken-soup, get-well wishes and put us on your prayer list if you think about it. I know my two little boys would appreciate it!

Get 50-75% OFF at DaySpring Today!

I finally joined up to be a DaySpring affiliate. I've been buying their cards and goodies for years. They are sold at Christian bookstores and online. I adore their stuff. They were also one of our sponsors for the Homeschool Blog Awards, giving away a Christmas apron set for mama and a young girl to one winner.

I got an email from them yesterday saying that yesterday and today they are offering up to 75% off on their Christmas items. What a great deal! DaySpring offers gorgeous jewelry, home decorations, nativities, coffee mugs, family Christmas cards that you can customize, greeting cards and more.

I am a greeting card addict, truth be known. Their boxed cards are some of the cheapest cards around. I love having cards on hand to send a thank you or encouragement note by snail mail. This is a habit that I have tried to instill in my kids through our homeschool as well. We do a lot of card-sending as part of our "correspondence" section of writing. They have quite a few pen pals and we write our Sponosored Compassion Kid in India, too.

Anyway, if you are trying to get your gift list checked off and you are interested in something from DaySpring, here are the shipping dates you might want to take note of:

Important Christmas Shipping Dates:

• Order by Dec 16 for guaranteed delivery by Dec 24 with FedEx Ground (free on all $50+ orders!)
• Order by Dec 21 for guaranteed delivery by Dec 24 with FedEx 2nd Day Air
• Order by Dec 22 for guaranteed delivery by Dec 24 with FedEx Next Day Air

If you do decide to order some little Christmas gift through my link, thank you in advance! Of course, my DaySpring link will be here all year, so please feel free to stop by if you are planning to get something from them. Every penny we make on commissions helps keep my family happy so they allow me more time to blog!

Less Than Ideal Holiday Season?

It has been a family tradition of ours since my oldest was around 3 years old to attend the Nutcracker. Our little niece invited us to see her in a local tap-ballet version of the Nutcracker last weekend and we decided to attend that instead of paying to go see the fancy one in the city. Truth be told, it has been a few years since we have gone to see the real one... so we were thrilled to get an invitation. They had a few technical difficulties and the children weren't professional ballet, but it was a beautiful performance. I practically got giddy during the tap dancing portion. I love a good tap dancing scene!

It was the baby's first time to see the Nutcracker. It was raining and muddy outside the performance center. The place was packed and I had to rearrange everyone's seating so I could have the end of the row (to sneak out if baby got upset). He cried before the sugar plum fairies came on stage and I had to miss my favorite Tchaikovsky song so I could nurse him. Allowing him to crawl on the floor through an empty back aisle during the last few songs and feeding him cereal kept him from being too loud. Having a baby with you at 'quiet' audience events isn't easy, but what a joy they are in your life. No pain or inconvenience can diminish the sweetness of new little people.

I took this photo of the kids out in the lobby. I would have loved it if all three of them were in focus (and wearing matching clothes for Christmas pictures - the way we usually did 'Nutcracker Night' when my oldest kids were younger)... and their smiles had not been faked.


Sometimes we don't always get everything we want, do we?

Do you ever get disappointed around the holidays that things just aren't 'ideal'? Our ideals are usually close to the same for Christmas time. In fact, there are a lot of songs that speak of our wishes:

"Winter Wonderland"... Everyone wants a beautiful happy season.

"Dreaming of a White Christmas"... No treetops glistening around these Texas neck of the woods... nor children listening to hear sleigh bells. Sorry.

I could go on; but you get the point, right?

The fact is that life - however nitty and gritty it may be - is often times lacking of our highest expectations. That's why we have movies like 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'. Life is like that. Life is where half the lights are out on the pre-lit tree, it rains on your Christmas cards before the mail man comes, and you get stuck in traffic and miss the first part of your kid's choir concert. That seems to be my own personal theme lately: embracing imperfection. Life is messy. Babies remind you just how messy it can get.

Just think about how it might have been at the very first Christmas. Imagine the smell of barn animals under the twinkling stars. Think about how Mary might have screamed or cried while delivering her baby - just a young, inexperienced virgin girl - on that 'Silent Night'. What about Joseph? His mixed emotions... his fear of caring for a wife and child - his sadness that he had to bring this baby in the world in such a dirty, busy, public place? It was hardly an ideal place for the King of Kings to enter in. You can almost hear the bustle of the packed town - teeming humanity - travelers from all over - crowded inns - life going on in oblivion around this crying little babe and his bewildered new earthly parents.

What might have been Joseph and Mary's 'Christmas' ideals? I'm sure a clean bed with a roof over their heads was one they were counting on - maybe even for Mary to not deliver until they were back home. God had something else in mind (as He usually does for all of us). He still provided the heavens over them that night (which is far more wonderful than a man-made roof) - stretched out in all their glory. He knew best. Sometimes we just need to look up - take a deep breath - and realize that we are in His hands. Even when the turkey is burnt, the kids are fighting and there's not a single parking space at the mall.

God is there... in the details; if we will only look for him.

Our ideals are wonderful things to have; as long as we don't let them keep us from enjoying the path that God places us on.

Proverbs 16:9 ~ In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Jesus... may our hopes and ideals this Christmas be in line with Your plan for us. Help us to see your beauty in ordinary moments. Amen.

Winner Slideshow

I sent out the winner emails last night after our weekend project of drawing and assigning prizes for the winners of the Homeschool Blog Awards. I wanted to share with you all the pictures we took - and graphics we made of the winner blogs. They aren't pictures of the blogs, but rather photos of my kids' stuffed animals that they 'assigned' to 'be' each winner in the drawing. It was kind of like a proxy drawing, I guess. Each blogger had an animal 'representative' standing in for them.

So cute to see the kids take ownership of the project and make it a fun and educational thing.



Aren't they cute?

Here the 'contestants' are, all lined up and nervous as they make their way to the front of the line...



The ones that didn't fit right in the slideshow are here:





I hope you'll stop over at the Homeschool Post and check out the actual links to these great bloggers' digs. All of the winners are now listed in the Post sidebar for your browsing pleasure!

The Unhappy Elf and Other Christmas Failures

Today I bring you the story of a sad, upset little elf that is cutting his teeth and has his napping and nighty-night schedule all out of sorts. Not only is our elf miserable, but his family is failing at having an orderly, organized, smooth, and focused holiday month.

If you skip over all my silly talk, be sure to check out the links I have below - they are December-sensitive and you might kick me if you forget to check them out and find out about missing out on them later. Trust the frazzled Mama Bee. If I took time at midnight on a Friday during the two precious hours I have to myself, there are worthwhile things in this post. So KEEP READING, OK?

You know I'm a list maker, so here are the things I'm #FAILing at lately:

1. Tomorrow err, Today is my husband's birthday. I couldn't wait and I gave him his present a week ago (despite his wishes that things be secret and wrapped). Which means, I have to go get another present - but our day tomorrow is booked from dawn until dusk (if I ever go to bed or wake up) - which means he'll go presentless. I'm such a huge present loser. The second I walk in the door with a present, I have this itching urge to SCREAM and THROW it in to the person's arms (I have been known to open gifts FOR people), saying "TADA!!!!" at the top of my lungs.

They say opposites attract. Never am I more sure of this than holidays. My husband is able to buy a gift 12 months in advance, wrap it quietly, hide it in a closet, and NEVER LET ON that he even bought it. What is up with that? It's almost like he's a robot. Hmmmm.

2. I didn't catch ONE SINGLE Black or Cyber or Free Shipping deal online or elsewhere this 'holiday shopping season'. Not a one. It wasn't because I was broke, either. Of course, I am broke, but I was planning to get a couple of things during the brief span of time that they were semi-affordable... and I couldn't get to it. There's a lot of things I'm not getting to lately.

Did I mention that I have a teething baby living in my house?

3. My email boxes are so full that I'm considering deleting them and starting over with a new account. I'll pretend that the computer crashed and I accidentally lost everything. So if you are trying to reach me, please keep trying. I figure if it is important, you'll nag me. If it's not, then... well, it's not. The stress from just logging in to my G-mail is what the word 'Bahumbug' was created for. It makes me feel all NOT Christmassy. And stuff.

4. Snail mail is even worse. Every Christmas card I get reminds me of how tardy mine are. And I'm a greeting card JUNKIE. I LOVE snail mail, people. Last year I abandoned the traditional 'annual letter' for a card because I was too pregnant and lazy to write it out. This year I figured I would write TWO YEARS WORTH of stuff to catch up. I love to torture my relatives. Aren't you glad you aren't on my Christmas list? But... as hard as it is for me to find the time to sit and write for longer than 15 minutes, I may have to resort to a photo card this year as well. Lucky for me that DaySpring (who I'm soon to become an affiliate for - because they ROCK) and Snapfish have some deals running... and I happen to know a few card publishers myself (name dropping for my buddy Darcy whose business cards I saw floating around at the Type-A Mom Blog Conference - shoot her an email and ask her about her 'cards' and 'business cards').

OK. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, here are a few things you need to check out:

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT CHRISTMAS SPENDING...



I discovered a really neat site called the Christmas Price Index - which teaches kids about money. It was so neat and fun that I added a link and graphic to their site in my "Recommends" box up on the top right. They aren't a paid sponsor, but I still think their site deserves a click. In fact, they are doing an online class for kids (that you have to register for), too. If it is as cool as their website, I'm signing my junior high kids up for it!

Info from PNC...

The third annual CPI Live Chat will cover educational and real-world aspects of the PNC Christmas Price Index and allow real-time access to PNC executives and experts.

When: Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Who: Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investments, PNC Wealth Management, Stu Hoffman, chief economist, PNC, and Joelle Keats, economics teacher, North Allegheny High School, will be available to answer questions.

How: Participants can pre-register through this link: http://azulweb.streamguys.com/pnc_12days.asx.

DECEMBER DEAL YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS...

Academic Superstore is offering $10 off your $150 order if you buy before December 31st. When you consider that their software is already cheap and you add the 10$ off... well, you would just be silly not to jump on it. And of course, if you do jump - please jump from MY site button (because I'm an affiliate and you would be helping me jump on a few deals over there this holiday season if you tell them I sent you). Info about the extra deals is here...

- To claim your extra 10$ off of your order, use the code PARENT10 ($10 off $150 good through Dec 31st)
- See their last minute Holiday Bargains - guaranteed to be in stock!
- Check out their Recommended Gifts from our more than 20,000 products. Of course, I'm biased towards the gifts I have on my wish list... (With the extra 10$ discount, Photoshop becomes: $288.95, Win 7 Upgrade: $109.95, & Office Pro: $169.95)!

PRIZES FOR THE HOMESCHOOL BLOG AWARDS WINNERS...



My kids did the drawing for the Homeschool Blog Awards winners today. All of the prizes are decided. They had a blast matching up their stuffed animals to the different winning blogs and drawing the prizes (written on tiny folded slips of paper) from a pitcher. We even did a photo op for all of the animals and created a graphic for each blogger. Hopefully you'll be seeing them all around the blogosphere soon - after I find the time to email them out.

TEX MEX THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK (COW FRIENDLY)...



I posted about Tacos on my food blog this week and updated a long-time favorite recipe for Lentil Tacos (which is extremely frugal, very healthy and totally delicious). You have to try it to believe it's as good as meat.

LATEST DECEMBER TWEETY LINKS & NEWS...

There are some really neat links popping up on Twitter lately for the holidays. Here are a few that I thought were worth sharing:

- Create your own Christmas Card tutorial
- Great idea for the list maker, a holiday Gingerbread Chain
- Please pray for Baby Josie Duggar (19th Duggar child), born this week at 1lb., 6oz. (was due in March)
- The Classic Housewife has an Advent Series going on at her blog. (courtesy of @AmberOliver)
- If you are like me and the cards aren't in the mail yet - here are 3 free Photoshop card templates you can drop a picture in & print! How easy is that?! (courtesy of @LightStalking)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. And it's 2:46AM. The birds may be up before I get in bed at this rate. I've already nursed the teething elf twice since I started this post and considered going to bed and giving up on writing both times (this is how blogging dies a slow death around here since baby was born 9 months ago - and the reason for all the days between posts). Not sure how much of a 'happy birthday honey' mood I'll be in tomorrow, but I'm certainly thankful my sweetheart of 17 years doesn't like breakfast in bed.

He'd much rather have a clean house. Which might be a bit of a Christmas failure as well... or rather, a birthday week failure?

Anyway... I hope you are enjoying your busy December. Just remember, every moment is a precious gift. Just try and hang in there and take a deep breath - ride the holiday wave with gratitude and joy in your heart no matter the circumstances. Easier said than done? Sure. But counting your blessings helps. I tried it this week and it really works at calming those elf-damaged nerves.

Too bad counting your blessings doesn't alleviate teething pain and magically wash your dishes like on Mary Poppins. If only.

Join Me 4 WW : Silly

I always cheat for Wordless Wednesday. It's too hard to 'keep my mouth shut'.

Morgan actually took this shot. She's my budding 10 year old photographer. She wants to start a family and wedding photography business with me. This is taken in my bathroom - where Mommy and Kohen are making silly faces.

Just look at his wittle face. It lights up my heart.

I love to see him smile at himself in the mirror. His giggles are the stuff that happy is made of.

Want to join me and share your WW links? I'd love to see them.

Meet My Christmas Ornaments...

I'm over at the Homeschool Post today. Follow me by clicking the groovy graphic that I made (that's my Christmas tree - all bokeh-fied and Picniked and stuff). You can come and meet a few of my Christmas Tree ornaments up close and personal over there.

C'mon. You know you wanna!

'A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart'

I'm doing it. I'm starting a gratitude list. I figure if it can change Ann's life (and look how great she is), it can change mine, too. I don't want to be known as a complainer (something that is so easy to do when we are looking at what we DON'T HAVE rather than what we have). I certainly don't want to teach my kids to be whiners, either.

I want to be happy. And anyone who has watched Veggie Tales knows that "A thankful heart is a happy heart." I want to be thankful no matter the circumstance. I want to be the person that someone says about once they are gone, "You know, she never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything."

Let my voice be an instrument of praise, Lord. Let it always bring You glory and honor.

Amen.

So here's my very first official Multitude Monday as part of Ann's Gratitude Community:

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1. Forgiveness and restoration through the blood of Christ. My life turned from dim to bright even though I didn't deserve it.



2. This Child; who gave me spiritual and physical life, spiritual and physical children...



3. This coming Holiday - the celebration of the true gift of heaven - that He would put on this flesh, this pain and trouble - for me.



4. Family ... hands and feet to share the burden and hearts to multiply the joys.



5. (my new "Wookie" boots aren't bad, either - half off at Payless Shoes per a twitter buddy)

6. New little eyes and fingers (and chins?) discovering the world... meeting the Christmas tree for the first time...



7. Lover of my soul. One True God.

8. Husband, partner... "Best friends with benefits"...

9. My children. Beautiful little people - something wonderful and new from the depths of your heart and womb - life's moving, breathing, changing, growing masterpiece.

10. Smiles. Connecting lines from face to heart... righting the downs with lips turned up, inviting you to participate in the shared happiness of others...



11. Angels watching over.



12. Acceptance despite flaws. Good to know that imperfection is still lovely and useful.