bring joy

black Friday giveaway & supersale

shop

Do you shop on black Friday?

I have a few times, in years past & may this year, but probably to just to one store–Kohl’s. Kohl’s always has some awesome black Friday deals, plus I like buying my kid’s church clothes new & it’s a great place to get nicer clothes. Joseph & have decided we really like the four gifts idea for our kids (we’re also going to have them draw names & do an in-family gift exchange & I’m making each child a set of PJ’s) so shopping this year should be rather simple.

I remember a few years ago going to Wal-mart at 10 pm on Thanksgiving day. I got a few good deals, but to be honest, I felt like a little guilty. Shopping on Thanksgiving? Just seemed a little wrong somehow. Also, the crowds, the lines, the mania, it was ~~a little~~ a lot crazy.

So online...

cravings for snow

motherhood

pinned to my holiday board from on extra pixel

This is my first winter without snow. And I miss it.

Having grown up in Washington state, then lived in northern Utah for 9 years, I’m accustomed to snow. For me, the holiday season has always equaled cold, dark nights & snow.

Don’t get me wrong, I did my fair share of complaining about the dark nights, chill-to-the-bone wind, & dreary days.

But I did love the magic of snow.

image from on extra pixel

It’s still odd for me to go outside, mid-November at 8 o’clock at night and experience 70 degree weather & humidity. San Antonio does have it’s cold days, but most likely, there will be no snow.

We’re taking our Christmas family pictures this weekend & we were brainstorming creative ways to take a Christmas inspired photo. Joseph & I both...

Let’s get honest: my daily routine

the good life, motherhood

A few weeks ago, a reader mentioned that she’d love to know about other women’s daily routines.

A few days ago, I asked the question of facebook what the hardest/most stressful part of your day is.

“Late afternoon. I’m usually disappointed at how much I didn’t get done and overwhelmed with getting dinner on the table. My children tend to be cranky around that time and anxious for Daddy to come home.”

“Mornings are toughest for us […] because I’m tired and SO not a morning person. So I’m grumpy and have no patience, everyone needs something at the same time, and it feels very overwhelming. I would love (sort of….only if I got to bed early the night before) to get up before them, shower and get ready first, but our house is old with very creaky wooden floors and everyone just wakes up...