Countdown to Christmas Scripture Chain

I recently shared a photo on instagram of my Countdown to Christmas Scripture Chain and got a lot of questions as to what I used for Scripture and questions in general about making this chain.

From the time that we found out I was pregnant, I've gone back and forth on my feelings about how we will celebrate Christmas as a family. I want Christian to know that Christmas is about Christ...not just about presents. 

::It's about PRESENCE::

Practicing the presence of Christ as we lead up to the celebration of His day of birth.

While the jury is still out on how we will handle Santa {luckily Christian doesn't quite get it this year so we have some time}, one thing is for sure -- We WILL make Christmas about Christ.

We won't just count down the days til Santa comes, but we will count down the days until we celebrate Christ's birth. And to help us remember that that is the reason for the season I decided to add short, daily scripture verses to a regular count down Christmas chain.

This is something from our Family Christmas Traditions Bucket List so CHECK!

The verses are super short, so I'm planning to read them to Christian too.

I wish I could say that I came up with the verses to use all by myself, but I actually found them listed here and then just decided to add them to the chain.

For your quick reference, here are the verses {1 starting for December 1st and should be cut off the chain first and 25 on Christmas day}

1- Isaiah 7:14
2- Matthew 1:18-24
3- Luke 1:26-27
4- Luke 1:28-30
5- Luke 1:31-33
6- Isaiah 9:6
7- Luke 1:35-36
8- Luke 1:37
9- Luke 1:38-41
10- Luke 1:42-45
11- Luke 1:46-56
12- Luke 2:1-3
13- Luke 2:4-5
14- Luke 2:6
15- Luke 2:7
16- Luke 2:8
17- Luke 2:9-11
18- Luke 2:12
19- Luke 2:13-14
20- Luke 2:15-17
21- Luke 2:18-20
22- Matthew 2:1-2
23- Matthew 2:3-7
24- Matthew 2:8-10
25- Matthew 2:11

Also, if you've been following me for long, you probably know that I blog based on my experiences. In this situation that means that I'm experiencing this with you! I have used this chain of scripture before, so I will be deciding as I go how I like it too. You can't really go wrong with scripture, though! I hope you enjoy it!

How are you counting down the days until Christmas? What traditions to you have to help keep Christ in Christmas? 

Toddler Approved Fall Crafts

I love to craft. And because mama loves crafts, Christian will love crafts. 

Luckily, so far he has been a fan! 

Crafting with Christian has gotten to be more fun, though. 

Crafting used to be mama taking attempting to take Christian's footprints and hand prints. Seriously. How is a mama supposed to get a good hand print by the way!?! If you figure it out, be sure to let me know! 

Now, as Christian is getting older (almost 18 months!!!) he is getting the hang of using a marker and actually doing some controlled scribbling, and also able to maneuver a paint brush across paper pretty well.

So that means we can do some legit projects now! 

Here are my top favorites from this fall {Side note...can you really call November "Fall" if there is already snow on the ground??? I'm feeling conflicted...}

This one is SUPER simple! 

1. Let your little one scribble ALL over a coffee filter. The more scribbly, the better! This is the perfect craft for toddlers. Seriously. The way the "color" is the BEST for making a colorful turkey! 

2. Once they are satisfied with their coloring, let me give their filter about 2 spritzes from a spray bottle. **You will want to be prepared with someplace for this to hang to dry. If you set it on a paper towel all the color will absorb onto the paper towel. Also, too many squirts and the color will all run off**

3. Cut out a turkey body from construction paper. Mama, this will be your job. Or Dad's! Or some adult :) Add the eyes, nose, and gobble too of course! 

4. Once the coffee filter has had time to dry, glue it onto another piece of construction paper. Depending on your child's age, they might be able to do this themselves. Christian isn't quite into gluing yet, so I did this part for him. Then glue on the body and you have yourself a little turkey! 

{Original idea found here.}

Another perfect project for a toddler! 

I actually started this project with a rectangular piece of construction paper. I gave the whole thing to Christian with a few drops of orange paint and let him go to town with his paint brush. When he was done painting {you can see he over painted one spot and put a hole through the paper!} I let it dry and then I cut out a "pumpkin" shape in the area of the paper that had the most paint. You of course could give the cut out shape from the start, but I waited so that I could get the most painted part on the pumpkin. Add a construction paper stem and you are good to go! 

This last project didn't quite go as planned, but I still love how it turned out! 

I found this fun idea on pinterest for wine cork painting and was excited when we finally had some wine with a cork so we could give the project a try! However, Christian wasn't super into the "stamping" with the wine cork. He much preferred to just use a paintbrush, but that worked well too! 

1. Cut out a "trunk" shape or trace child's hand and arm onto brown construction paper and cut out and glue onto another piece of construction paper. 

2. Dip wine cork into various colors of paint (we used yellow, red, and orange). 

3. "Stamp" wine cork onto paper for the "leaves" of the tree. **Even though Christian wasn't into the stamping part, I stamped a few colors for him and then let him use his paint brush to smear the colors around. I think it turned out great this way as well! 

What have been your favorite fall crafts? Have some fun winter and Christmas crafts planned? Please share!! 

Happy Crafting! 

P.S. For more fun craft ideas, be sure you are following me on Pinterest and check out my "Fall" board! 

Social Media and Motherhood -- 5 Tips to "Disconnect" and Find {Connection}

Have you heard of Thrive Moms? If you haven't, you need to check them out --->> Click Here.

"Empowering Imperfect Moms with His Perfect Grace."

Intentional Motherhood.

Embracing Chaos.

Genuine Community. 

Refreshing Rest.

This is the heartbeat behind the ministry of Thrive Moms. We are not just called to survive motherhood, but to thrive in motherhood. And that's exactly what Thrive Moms is here to help us do.

Thrive!

Every Monday morning I wake up to an email of encouragement for Motherhood in my inbox.

Recently, Thrive Moms offered a FREE online retreat. Yes. It was free!! And it was online. Doesn't get much better than that! Okay.  Maybe getting away to a hotel and attending a retreat would be even better...but let's be real. Free and online is much more doable in my life!

Yes, the retreat was free and online and it was live, but you can still check it out!

Fall Retreat 2014

The theme of the Retreat was "Warrior" and how to be equipped for the battles of motherhood by putting on the armor of God daily. It was a great reminder that the battle is already won through Christ. It is in Him and through Him alone that we are victorious. All we need to do every day is show up.



In the very first session, Lara Casey encouraged us to live life and do motherhood "In His strength alone". We examined some of our "fears" and distractions and the whys behind our running to those distractions.

This hit me. It's definitely been something that God has been putting on my heart lately, but as Lara talked, God stirred my heart.

So what distracts me? And I would also ask - what distracts you?

If I were to answer that question honestly, I would have to say my biggest distraction on a daily basis is my phone. {Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, texting}

Why am I running to this distraction? 

Yes, a big part of my being distracted by my phone is that I'm  looking for connection---Especially as a SAHM. But I'll get to that in a minute.

What I'm really running to this distraction for is comparison.

To compare myself to other moms, other friends, other bloggers and even compare Christian to other kids.

Is my house as beautiful? As clean? As organized?

Am I cooking as healthy and yummy of meals?

Are my blog posts measuring up to those of other bloggers?

Am I doing pinterest worthy activities with Christian?

Is my house pinterest worthy?

Is Christian as developmentally advanced as others his age?

If I were to be honest, I usually don't measure up.

Jesus should be my source of strength and comfort, my point of comparison. In Him, I will always be enough. 

"He wants to replace our distractions with His strength" ~Lara Casey

So how exactly do we make this happen? How do we disconnect from social media and the comparison trap? Yet, how do we stay connected?

:::My top 5 tips to "Disconnect" and Find {Connection}:::

1. Plug your phone in out of reach with the ringer turned on. This will not only have your phone "out of sight and *hopefully* out of mind" but it will still keep you accessible in an emergency. You might even consider setting your phone to "Do Not Disturb" at least during certain times of the day. You can schedule this and even allow calls from certain people. That way when your hubby tries to check in during the day, you don't have to worry about scaring him when you don't respond!

2. Set aside designated time to "plug in". Set a timer! Limit your "screen time" just like you do for your kids! Make your screen time only as available as it used to be when you could only access the internet from a computer. Maybe you want to designate the first 15 minutes of nap time to zone out on your phone or computer. Or maybe the same thing after bed time. I don't know about you, but I don't want my son seeing me constantly attached to my phone like its an extra arm! The tricky part here, though, is actually setting that timer (but lucky for you, you probably have a built in timer right on your phone!). Now when that timer goes off, just be sure to also sign off! ;)

3. Build "connection points" into your day. While my phone and social media can become a source for creating comparison, it does also serve an important purpose for me as a stay at home mom -- It's a way to connect with adults and the outside world!! However, if I'm not careful, I can end up only connecting with people through technology and social media, which, if I'm being honest, just isn't as fulfilling as in person connection. It's a fake substitute in a lot of ways! Are you with me!?!  I often find that if I build in times to have real connections throughout my day, I automatically am on my phone less and choosing to connect with my son more!

So what does this look like? How do you build "connection points" into your day? You will have to figure that out. Try some things out and see what works for you! Maybe its setting aside time each day to check in with your spouse in a voice conversation on the phone. Or even calling up a friend to chat for a few minutes. There's also this fun thing called Facetime (Or Skype) and is another great option for finding connection in a more real setting! I don't know about you, but when I scroll Facebook or instagram, I often feel like I have "caught up" with someone without even making contact with them! That isn't growing a very strong relationship.

4. Get out and connect! AKA PLAN PLAY DATES! Getting out of the house is hard and takes a lot of planning sometimes, but every time we do it, I'm SO glad. The same can be said of having people over! But SO worth it! And guess what? The days we have play dates, I usually go almost all day without even looking at my phone! Yep. There's something to be said about real connection! Amiright???

5. PRAY! This should probably be "Step 1" but I saved the best for last in my list!

Pray for God to build connection into your days and for you to run to Him to not only find connection but to see who you are in Him and who He is calling you to be.

{To get a FREE print of this quote by Dr. Seuss, visit my friend Nicole at nicolejoelle.com and be sure to check out the rest of the prints in her shop too!}

It doesn't matter if Ann plans play dates with coordinating crafts and snacks and you're lucky if you can feed your kids a balanced meal, or if Susie keeps a spotless house and your's is always in disarray, or if Jane has 5 kids and is involved in everything and you only have 1 and can barely keep up with your housework, or if Johnny is talking in full sentences and your child is barely saying 10 words individually.

YOU are the only one who can be you! Don't waste time trying to be someone else. 

Pray also that God would help you not to be overcome by distractions. I love this prayer Lysa Terkuest shares in her book, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God."

"God, I know you are more powerful than this pull I am feeling. I know this thing I want will only provide temporary pleasure. I know the consequences of making this choice will rob my peace and joy in the near future. Through Your power I am making the choice to walk away. I will find my delight in You and look forward to feeling Your fullness replace the emptiness this desire is creating."

So, will you join me? Will you unplug and "disconnect" in an attempt to find greater connection? Or is social media not a distraction for you? What are your distractions? Why are you running to these distractions? Do you find yourself ever getting caught up in the comparison trap of social media? How do you break away? How do you disconnect and still find connection? Please share in the comments! I would love to hear your tips too!

Starting Family Christmas Traditions - Our Christmas 2014 Bucket List

I've always been a "Christmas doesn't start until December" person. No rushing Thanksgiving!

But MAN. Now that Christian might actually be able to get into Christmas a little bit this year
I. Am. So. Excited!!!!!!

I shared a little bit about our {Fall Bucket List} in this post and decided I wanted to get a jump start on planning for a winter or {Christmas Bucket List} too!!

Did I mention that I am SO EXCITED!?!?!

So here you have it! Our {Christmas Bucket List}! Hopefully some of these can become yearly traditions for our family...if they haven't already. I so hope that I also have a chance to share about our experiences checking things off this list this upcoming holiday season!

{Here's a break down of the image list (plus a few extras!) and links too!}
Go Sledding
Drink Hot Chocolate
Write a letter to Santa
Decorate Cookies
Make a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday!
Do random acts of kindness -- Last year we started the tradition that we hope to continue of buying breakfast for a random family at a restaurant
Read the Christmas story from the Bible
Play with the Nativity Set -- We have this Little People Nativity Set
Build a snowman
Make a Gingerbread house
Read Christmas Books {we LOVE the library!}
Make a Countdown to Christmas Scripture Chain 
Light the Advent Candle
Donate a gift to a child in need
Listen to Christmas music...duh!
Watch a Christmas Movie (or 2 or 3 or 4!) Sooo wish we had cable just for Christmas shows!
Make Reindeer Pancakes for breakfast...and Santa pancakes too!
Drive around and look at Christmas lights
Hang a stocking for Jesus
Leave a key on the door for Santa
Make Paper Snowflakes
Watch Santa's Reindeer on the Reindeer Cam
Play Snowman Bowling
Make fun winter/Christmas crafts! I need a whole post just for this!
And maybe...just maybe...the Elf on the Shelf will appear at our house!?

Oh. And for more fun Christmas ideas, be sure to be following me on Pinterest!!

We want to make Christmas magical and for Christian to learn the mystery of faith that is connected to Santa...so Santa comes to our house, but we also want Christ to be at the center of Christmas in our home. So hopefully we can maintain a good mix!

Okay. December hurry up and get here! I'm ready for ya!

What's on your holiday bucket list? Do you have any family traditions you try to do each year?

One and Done?

Wow. There sure are a lot of things no one tells you in life! Amiright????

From pregnancy to parenting, I feel like there is a lot that got left out. At least for me.

For example, I thought pregnancy was going to be a walk in the park! All "glowing" and fat in a cute way.

For starters, that "glow" that they talk about isn't a "glow" at all...It's more of a sweat like sheen that your face takes on as your skin goes CRRAAAZZZYYY from all those pregnancy hormones and you start sweating your butt off because growing a baby sure makes you heat up!

And I never really felt cute. I just felt huge and swollen. Ain't nothing cute about that.

Oh. And there's something called morning sickness that doesn't just happen in the mornings...and it's not much like what they show in the movies. For real. Why don't they just be honest and call it 24/7 sickness? Does anyone ever just get it in the mornings?

I thought life wouldn't change until AFTER having a baby. Boy was that thought wrong. Pretty sure our lives changed abruptly right after we found out I was pregnant.

I finally had a reason for being SO tired all of the time...which meant I started to give myself permission to go to bed at like 6pm...ha! And to take several naps throughout the day and not feel guilty in. the. LEAST!

And then of course there was the puking which started around 6 weeks and lasted for at least 22  weeks but the constant nausea lasted all 41 weeks. Yep. 10 months of feeling sick.

That's right...10. You didn't misread that. 40 weeks is actually 10 months. Not sure how they get off saying you are only pregnant for 9 months... Do the math...4 weeks in a month. 40 divided by 4 equals 10 last time I checked. Not 9 ;)

And then once said baby is born, you have to start thinking about when you might want #2! No one told me that!

I thought, okay, we will have a baby and just enjoy parenthood and our growing little squishy boy!

And then BAM!

Christian turned one and everyone is all like "When you going to have #2?"

Whaaaaat???

#2? That wasn't even on my radar yet ha ha

I mean, I've always known I wanted more than one little munchkin, and hubby too, but shoot. Time is getting away from us. We have friends with kids Christian's age who have already popped out #2 or #2 is on their way soon! And friends with kids younger than Christian already expecting #2.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Time to step off the comparison train, though. We don't all have to do life on the same timeline.

Yes, I've been pinning to my baby #2 board on pinterest. But really, who actually reads all the things they pin?? Wait, you do? Oops. I guess that's just mean who only pins...

Anyway, this post is getting super ADD...Back to one and done.

We went to see some friends a few weeks ago who recently had a baby boy. SUPER cute little man. Wish I would have remembered to take some pictures. Christian gave him kisses and it was so cute!

Both hubby and I thought we were setting ourselves up for major baby fever to begin to set in.

But guess what???

It didn't.

Yes, he was super cute and cozy and fun to snuggle. But man I love this toddler stage so much more. I love the ability to interact. That Christian is starting to have such a little personality with likes and dislikes...that he isn't afraid to let you know :)



That on top of loving Christian so much more than I ever thought possible...I left loving other people's newborns, but unsure if I want one any time soon.



I mean, I don't want to lose any one on one time with Christian and I seriously just love him so much. I can't imagine loving another that much! Although, I hear this is a common mom fear of future second time moms.

But wow. I never thought I could ever even THINK about being a "one and done" mom.

Don't worry. I want more. Hubby wants more. There will someday be more cute little Foote's running around this house. But when, I don't know. I mean, can I even handle all that pregnancy is with an active little boy running around?

How did you decide it was time for #2? Or are you a "one and done" family?

How to be the "Perfect" Parent

Step One. Don't have kids.

Step Two. Read all the parenting books and tell your mom friends how to do it. And judge everyone who does it differently.

I think that about sums it up.

I was the perfect parent before I had kids.

I read all the books, I studied early childhood in college and even worked as a Parent Educator for awhile!

Oh. And I was a nanny which I figured was basically the same thing as being a mom so I had it ALL figured out. I had tried my theories and had the chance to try them out on other people's kids.

But that's the thing. They were OTHER people's kids.

Man. It is SO much easier to tell your nanny kids "No, you cannot have that toy, candy, etc just because you are throwing a fit in the store" than it is to tell my own cute little monster no.

It's so much easier to say, "Yes, I will keep my child rear facing in his car seat until he is 2" when you haven't yet had a 1 year old who meets the weight requirements for forward facing screaming about being strapped into his car seat suddenly be happy in the car when he can see forward....

Guess what else? Did you notice that we don't have the super expensive Britax car seat? Nope. But ours has great safety reviews too. And what really makes a car seat safe is having it installed correctly. Save your money and visit the fire department for an inspection. Just sayin'.

It's easy to judge and say, "Wow. That kid is almost 2 and STILL has a pacifier..." when you aren't the parent with the child 24/7 and all night long when he sleeps better with the pacifier.

And what about "Cry it Out"? I know so many moms who say this is the way to go. They are getting great nights sleep after a few nights of cryinig. Yes, maybe their babes started sleeping consistently through the night at less than a year old. Cry it Out  just hasn't been for us.

Christian started sleeping really well at just 2 weeks old. Maybe I jinxed us and maybe I'll jinx us again...but after almost 17 months, he's sleeping almost 11-12 hours straight most nights! And it's great.

Was it on the timeline of other kids? Maybe not. Did I do what the doctor even told us and let him cry it out or stop feeding him in the night? Nope.

I did what worked for us and trusted myself and my baby.

 And maybe cry it out is the answer for others...that's great! But it isn't the only "right" way.

It's also easy to say that you will never bed share...Until you have a sick or teething baby or just a baby who has learned that you still exist after you leave his room and cries because he wants you. Or is scared because you're traveling and he is sleeping in a new place. So yep. Bed share we will.

And we aren't partial to which bed we share...ha  ha

And then there is the issue with blankets. When are they safe? We started letting Christian use a blanket once he could crawl and pull to standing. I figured if he could crawl and maneuver himself in the crib to stand up, he could move away from a blanket if it was blocking him from breathing.

Some moms use blankets from day 1! *GASP* But guess what?? Their babies are alive and happy :) Pretty sure I slept with a blanket since I was born too...and whoa...I was fed FORMULA!

But...I grew up happy and healthy. And to me, that's all the matters.

That's what makes the "perfect" parent.

It's about trusting yourself to know yourself and your baby and not worrying or over stressing about all the little things. And really, what does all that research really show? They just keep changing what is "best"!

What is best is a happy baby and a happy mama. And the way to that is by doing what is right for you. Even if what is right for you, isn't what is right for Susie, or Johnny, or Jack.

What are your tips to being a "perfect parent"? Do you break the "rules"?

Halloween 2014

We started off our Halloween Week with pumpkin carving on Sunday night. We always play spooky Halloween music and dance along as we carve our pumpkins. 

Last year I took about a MILLION pictures while Christian "carved" his pumpkin and played with the guts. 

This year it was a much more interactive experience. He really got into it and actually "helped". 

It was so cute! 

I basically only took a video this year...and maybe 2 other pictures!

I used a drill and "carved" a simple boo, Jim did the middle pumpkin, and I carved a traditional 

Jack 'O' Lantern for Christian on the right. Baxter even gets a pumpkin...I'll make his into pie soon!

Halloween Day started off with hubby at home to help get ready for the Toddler Halloween Party that afternoon. Christian wasn't the biggest fan of wearing his costume (we were going to a Halloween music time) soooo he got to have his paci when he wasn't napping so he wouldn't scream :) He looks pretty cute with it, though, I think :) 

Since daddy had off, he even got to come hear Wendy's Wiggle, Jiggle, and Jams.

With all the craziness of getting ready for the party, I almost forgot to finish Christian's treat pail! 

A "milk pail" of course! 

It was the perfect size for him too and he loved carrying it around :) 

And here's a little throw back to last Halloween! 

Christian didn't like his costume once again...but a few kisses from his girlfriend, Nora, and he was a happy camper again :) #friendsforever 

I also think I ended up doing more for our Halloween party than I did for Christian's first birthday! But it was probably because the party was at our house, so I could do more. And I sure had fun with it! 

::Pumpkin Play Dough::

::Pumpkin Oranges::

::Pumpkin Cupcakes::

::Goodie Bags::

::Monster Juice::

::Witch Broom Races::

::Ghost Toss::

:Spaghetti Worms::

{This was probably the biggest hit AND the biggest mess}

:Mummy Hot Dogs::

::Witch Broom Sticks and Witch Hat Treats::

Christian and all his little friends at the party!

After the party we headed around the block and did some trick or treating! 

This little cutie got SO excited when he got his first piece of candy that he dropped his bucket to hold his treat with both hands! He also cutely told everyone that a cow says "Moo". 

He was a hit! 

#besthalloweenever

After trick or treating, we hung out on our front steps to hand out candy...which was a good thing because I almost forgot that I never got a picture of Christian with his pumpkin! 

He so loved the light!

Can't wait to see this little guy next year!!! 

Definitely one of the most fun moments as a parent yet! 

How did you celebrate? What was your little one? Did you dress up too?