Blogmas: Surviving Christmas Morning Photos

Merry Christmas Eve!! Mackenzie this morning was telling everyone "Happy Birthday." I am not sure if she meant Baby Jesus but hopefully she was. Currently I am swamped in wrapping paper. I got all of the gifts for the family wrapped last night and today will be wrapping the remainder of Mackenzie's presents. We will be leaving right after her nap time for Christmas Eve festivities and won't be arriving home until later tonight. I am hoping to set up Mackenzie's presents before we leave so I can get to bed early. I still am not sleeping great. I am dealing with hip pain, so the earlier I get to bed the better.

Max's First Christmas

Christmas morning the inevitable will happen and the chances double when you have kids that pictures will be taken! In today's age they will be downloaded instantly to the interweb. So here are a few of my tips to surviving the dreaded first thing in the morning photo shoot.

1. Hold the family off for a minute. Okay maybe 10 to 15. Give yourself sometime to compose yourself. These pictures will be shown at your kids wedding, lets get some good ones.

2. Do a 5 min hairstyle. If need be sleep with your hair in a bun or braids the night before, in the morning you will have insta-waves. Try a top knot or fishtail braid. Tame that unruly hair, if you have a lot of fly-a-ways. A little bit of baby oil can help tame it.

3. Do a 5 min face. I love tinted moisturizer! Use some of that concealer, mascara, and maybe a little blush. Much better!

4. Put on some cute jammies. My family buys new jammies each year. If you don't do that, make sure you have something better on then your holey t shirt. If need be, leggings and a hoodie are a good backup.

5. Get some coffee or hot cocoa. Something to help wake you up.

6. Smile! If you want while you are doing your makeup put on some lip gloss. Also, try to remember these are family members taking the photos. There are going to be some funky ones.

Have fun and enjoy the moment!

Max Christmas Eve last year

Now what you really came here to find out. Who won the legging giveaway? 

First of all I want to thank Kathy from LuLaRoe for sponsoring this giveaway.

Also, I want to thank everyone for entering! You made this giveaway a success. I hope to do more in the future.

And the winner is.........

Vanessa Reiter

I will be sending out your leggings soon!

Congratulations!

Have a Merry Christmas!

After Christmas I will be returning to my regular blogging schedule.

Blogmas: Silent Night

Activity: Decorate a snowman

Scripture: Luke 2:19-20

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I started an advent devotional through the youversion bible app. 

There is a devotional by Kim Walker-Smith for her new Christmas CD. My bestie loves Kim Walker-Smith so I thought I would check it out. This is the perfect rise and nine. I read the devo, read the scriptures, then find the song on youtube to worship a little, it's my favorite worshiping to Christmas carols, then I spend some time in prayer. I really liked today's devotional and wanted to share, the devotional is called "Christmas Overflow"

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Silent Night

I absolutely love that in Luke 2, the Bible makes mention of Mary taking a moment to ponder all that was happening. She took the time to store up every precious moment as a treasure in her heart. My favorite line in the song "Silent Night" is "Christ our Savior is born!" in the moment Jesus entered this world, everything changed. From this point on, there was no going back. Jesus came into this world to save us all. Mary and Joseph must have felt the power of the moment and the stirring of overwhelming joy inside of them; nothing would ever be the same again.

In all of the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season, it is so important for us to stop and just take a moment. Ponder in your heart the miracle that is Jesus and the beauty of what His birth meant for us. Take the time to let your heart feel the excitement and anticipation of what Jesus is doing in your life.

Scriptures: Luke 2:17-20 

Kinda funny that the scriptures of the devotional and the the advent scriptures go together. I love when God works like that. 

Don't forget to get an extra entry for the leggings in yesterday's blog, or just enter in the legging giveaway in blogmas day 1.

Blogmas: Pregnant Lady Wishlist

Activity: Watch a Christmas movie (or turn on ABC family!! haha)

Scripture: Luke 2:15-18

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

My family kept asking me what I wanted for Christmas and my typical response is usually clothing but, this year I really don't want clothes. I either a. have to wait a month or 2 to wear it or b. can only wear it for a month. Neither sounds appealing. So I thought I would come up with this wishlist to help them out, and maybe you if you need to buy for a momma to be or momma, or have a baby shower to attend soon. 

1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6

1. Nursing Tank: I did not have one while I was pregnant with Mackenzie but, I now understand the necessity of one and need one for baby number 2.

2. Scarf (Nursing scarf): This is a go to baby shower gift for me anyways!! Mommas always spill, get spilled on, have a mess or stain that needs to be hidden. It's inevitable, so here comes a scarf to save the day!!

3. Diaper bag sorter: You can either use this or even get her a few stylish bags. Turn any purse into a diaper bag. I think I am going with the bunch of stylish little bags in my purse. 

4. Chatbooks: I just saw these this week and I instantly fell in love. Turn her insta's into a cute book!! At $6 each you can't beat that!!

5. Teething Jewelry: I love that it's stylish and functional! When baby teeths you don't have to worry about what jewelry you are wearing. 

6. Gift Certificate for a massage: This was my "push" present after Mackenzie. I have already requested one for after baby number 2. Nothing felt better!!!

Those are my top 6 requested gifts this holiday season. Anything you would add?

Another reminder to enter to win a free pair of leggings. Just for fun, if you comment on this post one gift you want for Christmas, I will enter you in the drawing, if you have already entered I will add you for another chance to win!!

Blogmas day 15: Our weekend in review with pictures

Happy Monday!! Christmas is only 10 days away!! Mondo and I plan on finishing up our shopping tonight, then it's time to wrap, wrap, WRAP!!

Here were the advent activities for the weekend

Friday: Bake goodies

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Saturday: Visit Santa!!

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Sunday: Decorate Tree

Scripture: Luke 2: 6-7

Monday: Deliver Christmas drink to Aunty Amy

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Friday Night we made gluten free cookies, we still have to decorate them. They didn't turn out so great, very dry and I think it's because I had to add coconut flour to roll them out. So the hunt is still on for a yummy gluten free cookie recipe. That was pretty much it for that day.

Saturday after naps we decided to head downtown and see SANTA!! We get there to see a super long line, after 20 min of waiting we moved 5 feet. This wasn't going to work. So we opted to head to dinner instead, heart crushed!!

After dinner we met with my mom and gramma to ride a horse drawn carriage through the park to look at lights they set up.

After that we went back to see Santa, the line wasn't as long so I took Max to the bathroom to get changed (I put her in warm clothes for the park). Mondo stood in line. Mackenzie was ok with talking to Santa and even excited but, when we put her in his lap for a picture, that was a big H-E double hockey sticks NO!!

After dinner we went to Old Navy to do some shopping and I scored a pair of maternity shorts for 50 cents!!! More on that in a later blog post. Yes, I think they are worthy of their own blog post!!

Sunday we went to church, Costco for lunch, home to watch the Chargers lose (come on chargers get your act together). After dinner we decorated the Christmas tree, 1/2 way through I started having Braxton Hicks contractions so we stopped. No pics of the tree since it's not done. 

And that was our weekend. I hope you had a great weekend!

Don't forget to enter the drawing for a free pair of leggings. Here is the link again. I will announce the winner on Christmas Eve, drawing ends next week!!

Until tomorrow,

Dorinda

Blogmas day 1: Lularoe giveaway!!

Blogmas day 1!

Last time I did blogmas Mackenzie and I also gave daddy a gift each day. This year I just have a fun activity planned for me and my tot to do. Today's advent was Dance to Christmas music! I know it's nothing out of the ordinary but taking the time to just dance with my toddler will totally make her day! I plan on doing freeze dancing with her which in enforces listening skills!

For the first day of this blogmas my mom and I spent some time at Thanksgiving doing a photo shoot featuring our Lularoe clothing. At the end of this post there will be information on a giveaway where you can enter to win your own pair of Lularoe leggings!!

My mom is showing off the "Julia". We choose to show how this dress could go from fancy to casual! I love both ways it's styled!!

Here is the maxi, probably one of their most known pieces. I love all the fun prints they have. In fact that is a great reason to host a pop-up boutique to see all of the fun prints!!

This skirt is the "Cassie" a great, comfortable pencil skirt!

This is probably my most favorite top right now. You can't really see the print in the picture but it has a subtle silver marks on it. I chose to pair it over a dress but it's great with leggings or skinny jeans! This top is called the "Irma". 

I love the fun print of this shirt!! The "Randy" is such a closet staple! I love how long it is to fit over my big belly!!

Probably my most favorite items from Lularoe is the leggings. I have washed mine so many times and yet they are still just as soft!

Another outfit I paired with their leggings. The camo leggings are a fave! Camo is also considered a neutral and can go with anything!!

Another pair of their leggings. Pair with a chunky sweater, scarf and boots you will be so comfortable and stylish for the whole day!

Lularoe does have a website here, but the way to see their stuff is to host a pop up boutique. All of their items are one of a kind and the prints don't come in multiple sizes. Also, the sizes run big, the two tops I am wearing are mediums. Makes you feel good!! The leggings come in 2 sizes, one size or plus size.  The black and white ones are plus size so I can pull them over my expanded belly. The other 2 featured are one size, they are kinda like the sisterhood of traveling pants, they fit everyone. Don't take my word for it try them!!! The prices are completely reasonable and for laundering it's just wash cold, hang dry. I can do that!!

If you live in the Spokane area I recommend getting in touch with Kathy! She is who I hosted my pop up boutique with and was also super kind to give me a pair of leggings to giveaway!! If you are not in the Spokane area go like her fb page anyways just to show her some mommaministry love!!

Okay Rafflecopter giveaway time!!

Like I said I am giving away a pair of Lularoe leggings given to me by Kathy!!

Thank you Kathy for this opportunity!

Everyday during blogmas you can enter to win. Just check in everyday!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas favorites

It's hard to believe that Christmas was 3 weeks ago!! Time is going by so fast! I wish it would slow down more!

Here are our favorites from Christmas and these are all things we are still using.

Baby:  wagon/ farm/ mega blocks/ owl: similar/ puzzles: similar

Mommy: books/ long sweater/ bring it on the musical

Daddy: Shave club/ ammo/ Skillet shirt

I don't think the wagon pictured is quite right but, my parents bought this for her and she loves it! It even came with skis that you could replace the tires with to use in the snow. So far that's all we have used it for. The Little people farm is quite funny she, loves to make all the animal sounds and open the door and sing the song. The mega blocks and puzzles are played with daily! She has become a pro at these puzzles I may need to find her more. Even though the puzzles are playskool I was unable to find any matches online. My aunt made the owl she carries it around yelling hooooooo! A few other favorites not pictured are a barbie doll her bestie got her, a princess phone a friend gave me that her daughter had outgrown, and a Sophia blanket, doll, and pj's.

I got 5 books for Christmas!!! I was super excited this is the series I chose to start with and I love it!! I am almost finished with the last one. I think I will post a mocked up picture of what my empty shelf would look like because I have been a reading fool. My husband bought me these and he is smart to have bought me all three if he would have bought me one, I would have ran out and bought the others right away!! He also got me the sweater that I have been living in! I could not find it online though, I got mine at Costco. Bring it On the Musical!!!!! Sister in law got me tickets, I CAN'T WAIT! It's coming to town in March.

Husband didn't want anything for Christmas but here are a few things he got. Dollar Shave Club Membership, so far he really likes the blades and loves the Shave butter. I am thinking the shave butter will be great for Easter, they only sent a sample with his first box of blades. He also got ammo, I don't think the box pictured is what he got. We got to see Skillet in town last week and while we were there his sister bought him a Skillet shirt because, the one she got him for Christmas didn't fit. If you have not seen Skillet in concert I would recommend it!! Great show!!

Those are all our Christmas favorites, this year was truly a blessing and I can't wait to see all this next year holds. Any Christmas presents you are still loving? Any one read the Divergent series? Did you like it?

Here are some pics of us using Mackenzie's wagon in the snow!

Until next time,

Dorinda

Our Christmas!

Hey, Everyone our Christmas was a whirlwind of busyness, and I was determined to enjoy every last minute of it!!

Here was how our house was decorated this year. Minus Mackenzie and our room. Mackenzie's room I put up her pink tree from last year and hung some snowflakes above her bed!

Mackenzie's tree

washi tape decor

It all started with Mackenzie's bestie coming over on Monday. I had her all day and it was a blast!! The only bad thing was with 2 toddlers by yourself you can't take pictures! boo!!!

playing with washi tape

The girls' had a busy day. We wrapped presents, after I wrapped them in craft paper they stuck stickers on them. We baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa, also made homemade play dough. After the nap they tested the cookies with some "hot cocoa" chocolate milk with marshmallows in it. They also played with washi tape. Seriously though this is the best way to entertain a toddler, I also have used painter's tape. Just stick a bunch of strips on a table and let them peel and stick on.

Tuesday (Christmas Eve) we always spend with his sister, my BFF! Usually we cook a nice meal but, since me and hubby had to work, panda it was! After dinner we put on pj's and opened presents! Then off to look at lights! When we came home I still hadn't wrapped any presents, so time to wrap.

christmas pj's

opening gifts with aunty

cats loved the boxes!

Christmas morning we opened stockings in bed! Favorite tradition! Then came up and opened Mackenzie's presents before family came over. I made apple crisp oatmeal for breakfast with bacon (what is a holiday with out bacon?), we also had "special juice"; which is juice with more that one flavor. My family came over for breakfast and after breakfast we opened more presents. Although Max saw one of her presents before breakfast and loved it!! Her little happy dance is so cute, I must get it on video!! That was her new wagon my parents got her! Mondo and I can't wait to use it!! It also has like ski things to put on to use in the snow. I am going to see if I can track down a canopy for it for summer use!  I will post another blog on what our favorite presents were, I don't want to take up to much of your reading time! 

stockings

new headband!

opening gifts with mommy and daddy

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her with her new wagon!

playing with gramma and granty before breakfast

she moves too fast for pictures

Of course after breakfast and family leaving we napped, then went to my mom's house for a super yummy dinner! And we also skyped with his family in Minnesota!

attempt to get a family pic

her outfit

another shot

Day after Christmas we all went over to my cousin's house for our day after celebrations. This is probably one of my favorite things! We eat leftovers and play games with extended family! LOVE IT!!

How was your holiday? I have a lot of posts to catch up on, so stay tuned!!

Dorinda