Christmas!

I have been loving this season.  Not just the Christmas season, but this season of everything.  I have loved being home the past two weeks doing all sorts of domestic things.  Crafting, Cooking, Reading, Writing, and loving on Addy have been so much fun! 

I am absolutely loving this "stage" of Addy!  She's learning so much and discovering the world around her.  She's so content and joyful, and I could just watch her her play with her toys all day long. 

We have been talking a lot about Christmas and how we want to "do" Christmas as parents.  A friend of mine sent me to a blog that got my wheels turning and I do know that I always want my children to see Christmas as a time of giving and not getting, a time of Jesus and not santa and reindeer.  How we go about that I'm not sure yet, but so much to think about. 

One thing I loved about the blog was the 4 gift principle.  Each child receives 4 gifts.  Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.  Simple.  I don't want to be like the author of the blog looking back on home videos and wondering why we bought into the consumerism of Christmas. 

Anyone have any traditions or thoughts to share on this topic?? The blog I read is here I encourage you to have a read and share your thoughts.

Seasons

Wow.  To think of where I was in life a year ago, I am astounded at how much change can happen in a year. 

This time last year we were painting baby Coats' room in neutral colors because Jon insisted on us not finding out Baby Coats' gender (I'm so glad we waited by the way).  We were also anticipating our long dreamed of New York Trip which we took last November (and was everything we hoped and dreamed.)

I would sit in the baby room by myself at night on occassion just thinking of what it would be like to have that sweet babe here. 

Obviously, yes, having a baby is a big change, but there was/is so much change in so many areas that it's almost like I was living a completely different life looking back.  So much change has stretched me in ways I never knew were coming and it has been painful at times- but the joy is incredible. 

Going from working in the office 5 days a week to 1 day a week has been quite a challenge.  While I WANT to be a stay at home mom, it is not easy.  I'm finding that without as much work I don't have an easy outlet to use my gifts/abilities.  I'm still on that quest for finding "me" in the midst of the day to day gift of beign home with her.

Stepping back in ministry roles has been quite hard.  I miss being able to put my energy into helping Jon with ministry ideas and brainstorming.  We used to come up with ideas and then a plan and them bam, bam, bam we'd knock out the planning and have something going in a flash!  I have lots of ideas still, but I rarely have the time or energy to do any part of the implementation of them... and let's be real... me giving Jon all these "great ideas" and not helping him implement them is just not nice. 

Our relationships have changed.  I knew this would happen although I did not realize how much it would change.  This happens all the time in life anyways regardless of whether you are having a baby or not.  But there is still a sense of loss when things shift. 

This is all normal.  Change can just be difficult.  Change can also be good.

While our hanging out with others has been reduced a bit, our family time has increased.  We are home as a unit more often which has been good.  I feel like Jon and I are closer than we've been even amidst the lack of sleep and life adjustments we've been in.  Way more team mentality than ever before.

And of course Baby Coats... baby Addison Coats... that right there is proof that change can be good.  Awesome in fact. 

Seasons change and I anticipate every one when the times comes.  And while some of this new season has been hard and challenging it has also been beautiful.  I look forward to the next season whatever it may be while still fully loving and embracing this one!

Family Day!

Saturday was the BEST day! It was the first day in about 2 weeks where the three of us were home. together. alone. We wanted to get out of the house so we first venture to Starbucks for a Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate (Jon) and a Salted Carmel Mocha (Cassie). Addy just chewed on her board book!


We then headed over to Hay's produce stand where they have the most awesome fake pumpkin patch set up. I wanted to try and do a photo shoot of Addy.... success!! She's so awesome.

After that we headed home for nap and Addy slept 2 hours. Jon and I prepped for our dinner guests while Addy was napping.

After nap we headed with our friends Will & Julia to Wilson Banner Ranch for their Harvest fair and the REAL pumpkin patch. We picked out our pumpkins, walked around the vendor stands. It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day. I love the weather in this valley. Such a gift.

Will wanted to take a stroll in downtown Lewiston so we did, and had some (more) coffee. We also strolled the Diamond Shop. We ended at our house for some white chicken chili, cornbread, and apple crisp. Yum. And then watched a movie.

I am loving this transition into fall and all that it entails: comfort food, cooler weather, rain, the furnace. It's just so awesome. God knew what he was doing when he created the seasons in the Pacific Northwest!!

We are so blessed, and it has been so fun watching Addy grow and start to enjoy things and somewhat participate in our day to day activities :)


Oh by the way - I have kind of deemed this blog my personal blog - but I have a blog that will focus on the deals and couponing i have posted on before if you'd like to check it out head here :)

Magazine Subscriptions $5

Amazonis having a $5 sale on selected magazine titles right now! My favorites listed happen to be House Beautiful and Country Living! Check it out if you are wanting some new reading material! I always have a few subcriptions at a time. I use them for fun ideas for house projects and recipes!

Kudzoom $2.95 for Knee Pads or Skid Socks

A few weeks ago I posted a sign up to receive a $10 credit to a new deal site called Kudzoom! Well they have launched and today there are some deals that you can snag with that credit for $2.95 (that price already includes shipping). There are different stores open on the site but this price is for the crawler's knee pads, or some no-skid socks! They also have Melissa & Doug items, some maternity belly bands, tutus, and more! If you haven't signed up to receive their deals go ahead and do so in case there are any other steals to grab!

75% off of Baby legs

Baby Legs is currently running a 75% off sale of purchases $75 or more!! This is probably the lowest I've ever seen baby legs prices. They also have $3.95 flat shipping always so this makes for a great steal!

This excludes their winter holiday collection. Head over to Baby Legs and use the code FB75OFF75 This sale ends October 3, 2011!

Financial Peace Home Study and Financial Peace Junior for $159

I cannot emphasize how much Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University has affected our life and marriage. I'm sure you knew this already but the #1 reason couples get divorced is money fights and money problems. Shortly after Jon and I got married our church was offering the Financial Peace University Class. We decided that we would participate and really weren't completely sure what we signed up for.

I thank God that he put us in that class so early on in our marriage.  I can honestly say that Jon and I have NEVER had a fight over money.  NEVER.  We have had discussions about where we should cut, or where some extra money should go, but we have never had a money fight!  What a blessing.  For us this was a class that prevent money stress and money. 

Right now You can get the Home Study package and the Financial Peace Junior package for only $159!  I can say this is probably the best $159 investment you will ever make!  There is only a limited amount of packages on this sale, so hurry!!