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 Day 3: Our Thanksgiving in review

Yesterday's bake goodies activities; I decided to be a good girl and not make the full of sugar pancakes for my breakfast, instead I made healthy ones out of almond flour. I am currently trying to cut out gluten. They were gross and I was slightly disappointed, I plan on trying a different recipe in the near future. Actually a friend (wholesomelyfit) posted some chocolate peanut butter, gluten free, veagan ones I want to try! Yesterday's advent activity was to bake goodies, I decided we would make our popcorn bark or mix or whatever you want to call it. Wednesdays we have a book study group come over so I thought it would be the perfect snack for tonight. Mackenzie loved helping make it, and it's a super easy one to make. You can view how I make it  here, but basically you fill a lined cookie sheet with chex cereal, popcorn, pretzels and drizzle white chocolate on it. Then add other fun toppings, we did one with graham crackers, mini chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows for a smore's flavor, and one with eggnog candy corn I got from Winco.

Today's advent activity is to watch a Christmas movie. Easy request to fill except when we actually have to pick one movie!

Here is the scripture we are reading for the day. I hope you and your family are enjoying these scriptures too.

Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious

Here are how all the Thanksgiving decorations turned out. I did back out of the coffee filter poms, which made me sad. I realized I just didn't have time to make them. I am thinking Christmas but, not super sure. I really love the look of them.

As usual once the fun started I put down my phone and forgot to take pictures. Mondo borrowed a turkey fryer from a guy at work. O my! That turned out to be one of the best turkeys ever. I think I need to buy him one as a Christmas gift so we can have more fried turkey!! Everybody loved the turkey and it cooked in half the time. If you haven't tried fried turkey I would recommend it!! We had lots of food including Whole 30 butternut squash apple soup, garlic mashed potatoes, individual candied yams, homemade cranberry sauce and so much more!! For dessert my mom and I made a bunch of mini pies, my sister in law brought peanut butter brownies with a whipped peanut butter topping, and my aunt brought ice cream. It was enough to put you in a sugar coma. After dinner we sat and looked at black friday ads plotting our shopping and then after dessert everyone left to get rested up for SHOPPING!! More on black friday later.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!! I will see you tomorrow but, don't forget to enter to win free lularoe leggings, here!!

Blogmas day 2: Pregnancy Update 34 weeks

I did forget to add yesterday I plan on doing a Christmas scripture advent with Mackenzie. Each night we will read scriptures about Jesus' birth. Yesterday was John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

Today is: Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

I invite you to join us as we read these scriptures each day!

Yesterday for Blogmas Max and I had a dance party! It was so fun and she loved the freeze game. Whenever the music stopped she would put her hands up and say "freeze". HAHA!! Today's activity is too bake goodies. It is my birthday and I want goodies. We will start off with some red velvet pancakes and then I have to run off to a couple of doctor appointments and after nap we will make some cookies!! Mackenzie's favorite place to be is in the kitchen helping cook!! Here is a quick update!!

The weeks are just flying by, every time I blink a new week has gone by. 

Just last week I was driving to go pick up my husband, Max was in the car and she starts blabbing about baby sister in mommy's tummy. I chimed in saying, "Mackenzie in 8 weeks (at that time) you can hug and kiss baby sister, she will be here." Mackenzie responded; "hug baby sister?" I said; "Sure, thing baby. She won't be in mommy's tummy forever." Mackenzie then started to babble about something else. I was telling my husband the story after we picked him up, he interrupted and said "8 weeks!!!" I said "Honey, she is 50 days away." He sat there shocked doing the math in his head; "Wow! that's not far away." I just laughed. So, yes baby Ainsley will be here in less than 50 days!! I am not done being pregnant, she is easier to contain and care for in the tummy. I am done with the discomfort and lack of mobility. I went to Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 with a couple of girlfriends. Man, those seats are uncomfortable (which none prego, I like to think they are comfy) and at the end of the movie from sitting straight up and down my feet were swollen! Ugh! I am patient though, she can keep baking for 6 more weeks!!

How far along: 34 weeks.

Gender: Girl!! Ainsley!

Weight gain: 33 lbs, food has been a major weakness lately.

Maternity clothes: Yes, I found my favorite jeans from when I was prego with Max making for a good day!

Stretch marks: Still putting on my cream. A friend recommended some oils, I plan on trying those out soon!!!

Belly button in or out: In

Sleep: Hasn't been as good. Although no need for naps lately. Having a pillow between my knees helps with the hips and one under the belly helps with the pain from the weight. I plan on getting a body pillow soon, just every time I go shopping I forget to get one. HAHA!!   

Best moment this week: Seeing Mockingjay was definitely a highlight!! Of course yummy turkey on Thanksgiving!! Lasting for 12 hours on Black Friday was huge!! I rewarded myself with pedi and oreo mcflurry!! I can't believe I lasted the whole time!! Got some good deals too!

Miss anything: I work outside and to make it doable I have some great coveralls. They barely fit and the extra layer makes moving extra difficult, I can't wait until moving is easy again. 

Cravings: Not really, I just like eating bad for me food. 

Queasy or sick: No, I did have an actual sick spell one morning a couple of weeks ago. That wasn't fun! Other than that all good!

Looking forward to: Christmas!! Most of my shopping is done and it's so nice to be able to relax and not worry about fitting in shopping time. We still have some crazy schedule stuff coming up so I will take it easy in the meantime. 

Don't forget to enter the Lularoe legging giveaway. Here is the link for the giveaway and yesterday's blogmas!!

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