This Side of Sunny

Santa Delivers

One our favorite Christmas memories, ever.

 

Merry Christmas 2012

From the ultimate Christmas movie, White Christmas: May your days be merry and bright, 
And may all your Christmases be white... okay, well if you're from the desert like us, you can pretend there's snow.

be still

It has been a rough week here at the Breedlove household. Jake has chickenpox, all five of us have had a stomach bug, there's been a cracked iPad, a missing screw for my sewing machine, and the electric bill increased by $50 a month. I am worn down, physically and mentally and have yet to begin the Christmas celebrations. And yet, in the middle of all this, the tragedy of Newtown reminds me that I have so much. I have three beautiful children who make me laugh and who love to snuggle next to me on the couch. I have a husband who despite being itchy and sore, was able to stay home with each of the child as they had their turn at being sick. I have family who despite the sickies, a crabby limo driver, and the rain still managed to have a good time for our Christmas lights tradition. It's in those moments that God reminds me to 'be still' and focus on what I do have.

Today, there were some tears. Even though I know I have so much, I will always miss the one I don't have- my mom. I saw these flowers at the grocery store and instantly picked them up. They were beautiful and reminded me of my mom, she always loved flowers. And so they sit on my dining room table, brightening up the space, and reminding me to 'be still'. Even when one particular little person breaks one of the flowers and pushes it into the water. I'm sure they were only "helping" mommy arrange them. I take a breath, smile, and practice being still in the moment.

 

love this

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Carter is on your left...

 

 

last minute gift idea

I was inspired by a family member who made this cute and simple ribbon shirt for her little girl, which I thought would look adorable on Amelia.

Materials:

• Plain shirt
• Ribbon, varying widths
• Button for the top of the tree (sew this down)
• Scissors
• Fabric glue, I used Aleene's

How to:

1. Put a piece of cardboard in the shirt so the glue doesn't stick the shirt together.
2. Cut ribbon varying lengths, creating a triangle shape.
3. Glue down carefully- this glue stays on your fingers!
4. Let dry overnight, it says 48 hours until wear but who ever does last minute gifts with that much time?
5. Put on munchkin and enjoy!

Here's Justis' onesie (her cousin):

Amelia's turtleneck:

The girls wearing their creations:

Christmas memories

Free digital scrapbooking design generated with Smilebox

Christmas in August

The other day I caught a major deal at the Metrocenter Toys 'R Us in Phoenix- they were having 40-60% off of everything in the store (thanks Dad for the tip)! The store is relocating and apparantly it was cheaper to sell it off at a major discount than to move all the stuff, which meant major savings for me.

I was able to purchase:

• 3 birthday presents
• a temporal thermometer at half price
• Amelia's fav food at 30% off
• a few school supplies to donate in the boys' classrooms
• the best part of all- Christmas is done for our three kids, stockings included!

Since I work up until December 23rd this year, this is a huge time saver! Kind of hard to spend the money right now but I'll be loving it in a few months. Maybe now I'll have some time to bake instead of shopping in long lines trying to get good deals this year. I'll be making my rockin' rum cake!

Counting my blessings

One of our family's traditions is watching White Christmas every year.  Every time I watch it, I learn something new.  This year, this song by Bing Crosby spoke to my heart. 

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds

If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

Works every time.  You can listen to the song below:

 

Merry Christmas to All

I did the cards 'old school' this year- printed out the photo of the kids and wrote a message in the homemade cards.  Now I wouldn't have done this except my mom and I had made these cards about three years ago for a fundraising craft fair.  Well, the craft fair got rained out and I kept all the stuff. 

There was just enough cards to send out to everyone on my list, so I thought it was perfect.  All the cards were decorated differently too- some had rhinestone snowflakes and others had ribbon.  They were simple to make but more importantly, they left me with a wonderful memory of sitting with my mom, crafting and talking.  I loved doing that with her, its something I hope to enjoy with my own daughter in a few years- first she needs to start crawling first...

We like to display all the cards we get on the counter in front of our sink.  It adds a bit of cheer to my kitchen chores.

I usually put the photo cards on display on this, which you can read about here:

Whether you are family, friend or just stopping by reading this blog, may you have a very Merry Christmas!  I am so thankful for this outlet to share with other blogger mommies, knowing I am not alone in this crazy adventure of raising a family.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14