:: ADVENT ::

I know Christmas is over, but my Christmas decor needed a major overhaul. Now that I know we'll still be here until next year (which I NEVER hoped for in our apartment for the last 8 years), I can find permanent stuff. I found loads and loads of stuff at Hobby Lobby for 80% off. Whoa momma! However, I did not find a tree for under $50 so we'll have our little 4 foot midgie for another year I guess. I just need to be more aggressive next year.

image from Pottery Barn

One thing I want to make a permanent staple in the Van Wag house hold is the tradition of Advent. My brother-in-law's girlfriend bought the kids one of those cheepy chocolate and cardboard versions from the market and the loved it. LOVED it. Cohen said it made Christmas seem like FOREVER (in Sandlot voice) away.

image from tip junkie

I remember my mom having a lovely puffy fabric Christmas tree that she hanged mini candy canes on. I think eventually we just quit taking the candy canes off and they stayed there year after year. We'd only eat them when desperate for sugar.

image from the painter family blog

I would like one that I could use year to year without the kids getting too bored from it. I want it to be something they look forward to.

image from Ashley Woolf

I'm torn between several different versions... should I focus on a piece of candy? a small gift? an activity? a scripture? I don't know.

image from Linda Barutha Designs

I don't know. I've bookmarked a whole bunch of images of the advent calendars. It is a good thing I have a while to think about it before I need to have it done. But you all know me... I'll be working on it next Dec. 3rd.

:: IDEAS ::

Image Source

I came across this and I needed to bookmark it somehow. I would like to make something like this for Piper's bedroom. It would be darling on her "P" wall (that is still in the works). The monogram trend is probably already out and will be even more out by the time I finally get all of the Ps finished. I'm almost there.

:: OUTSOURCED ::


Today has been a strange day for me. I woke up knowing I had a hard decision to make. I've been offered more hours and responsibilities with my job. For the past 4 years I have been able to work for Carone Fitness entirely at home with my kids around. I've had help on busy busy days, but for the most part I could juggle it. But not lately. I can't stay up working until 2:00 am any more. I have too many other things going on in my life, but I really like (and need) my job. So - I have hired help. I don't feel wrong about it at all, just different. Cohen used to go to my in-laws house every day while I was working full-time and Mike was in school and we've had people babysit our kids all of the time, but this just feels so different. This is a decision that is going to help me stay on top of my job. I can set aside a specific time for work and not feel guilty that I have kids in the other room watching television. I won't mutter the words, "just a minute." so often. A little bit of my heart breaks thinking about it. But I am ready.

PS. This post is random. I don't even know what I am trying to get out...just some feelings. The end.

:: MAYBE I'LL START BLOGGING AGAIN ::

Photo has nothing to do with post.

Here we are at the beginning of another year. Judging by the activity levels and chaos during my life in the past two weeks, I am under the impression that 2011 is going to be gone before I know it. Then it will be 2012, which is supposedly the end of the world, so I guess I should really live this year up.

We finally got a DVD player so the kids don't have to lounge around to portable on my bed

I feel like I should make resolutions, but I know myself. They'll be out the door within the week. Changing habits is HARD! My resolution is to stay on top of things so that I don't feel so bogged down with tasks all of the time. I figure with my new calling as Primary President, added duties and demands at work, the goal of living in a more grown-up (read: clean) home, the desire to stay in touch with people, the inner need to create, and then there are all of those books I want to read... I think I've got enough to worry about. There are so many improvements to our home that need to be made like a yard, front landscaping, redoing the bathroom, crown molding and baseboards, and rain gutters. We NEED to go on a vacation this year and buy a trampoline. More importantly, I need to be a mother to my fabo kids and a wife to my husband. Isn't that the worst part of getting too busy... we neglect our families. (If I write it like we all do it, it makes me feel better).

Happy 2011 to you all. It is going to be EPIC! Okay... probably not, but I have a feeling it is going to be pretty darn good.