Princess Valentine's Box

We were asked to provide a decorated Valentine's box for Grace's preschool.  They are doing a Valentine's card exchange.

I went around and around with different ideas for a box and couldn't decide.  Finally, it dawned on me to ask her what she wanted.

And of course she said she wanted a princess box.  Should have guessed!

So here is what I made for her.



I couldn't find a shoebox that I felt was the right size so I ended up buying a plain white craft storage box at Michael's.  I also envisioned Disney princess style scrapbook paper to decorate the box with, but they don't sell it at Michael's anymore.  Just the stickers and embellishments.  So I found this glitter paper.  I like it better!  I also added felt glittered crowns to each corner.  The heart stickers are also felt with glitter.  I used the Hello Kitty Font cartridge to cut out her name using my Cricut.

The crown was an extra she had from her dress up clothes.  She has plenty so I am sure she won't miss this one.  The princess stickers I bought at Michael's.  I spent a little more that I had planned to, but I love how her box came out.

 

Poor little Caleb...he doesn't need one, but I have decided to make him a Thomas the Train box.  More to come...

Blessings,

Beth

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!  It's 2014!  That was fast.  It feels like the holidays flew by.  2013 was literally a whirlwind for me.  I am looking forward to a fabulous 2014.

2013 brought us many unexpected blessings.  Mostly the blessing of our new home.  We certainly didn't expect to buy a home when the year started out, but by May we were on the house hunt.  It didn't seem like it was going to happen for us, but by June we were in Escrow.  The Lord really blessed us through this process and by the end of the month we had moved into our new home.  Literally a new home.  We bought a model home in Eastvale, CA.

Our new home.  Our gift from the Lord.

This is my third week off and I have spent the time with the kids.  It has gotten easier for all of us being together so much.  I have learned that I need to keep them busy!  We did a few crafts.  We decorated a gingerbread house. They loved it especially because they ate a lot of candy. I am actually surprised that this much candy made it on the house.

Caleb adding candy to the house while Grace eats it.

I found this manger scene and the people for it online at Design Dazzle.  It was cute!  I printed out the manger scene and cut out the people.  With a little direction, they added the people to the manger scene.  It turned out well and I was able to tell them about Jesus' birth.  I will definitely keep this for next year.

Caleb's manger scene

Grace's manger scene

I think I might have gone a little overboard on Christmas gifts for the kids.  I started buying gifts back in June and even though I got lots of things on clearance and great deals...like a doll house for $18 (normally $230!)...it was a bit overwhelming.  The kids stopped opening gifts halfway through because they just wanted to play with the ones they had opened.  Lesson for next time...

This was the best picture I could get of the kids Christmas morning.  They couldn't wait to start opening gifts.

Christmas day I hosted lunch with my family.  It was so much fun to have them over.  We enjoyed a yummy Christmas lunch and great company.

This is a small portion of my family.  I have three sisters and six brothers.

I am looking forward to a prosperous and restful 2014.  I am praying that this year is not as busy as last year.  I am also looking forward to family time.  And mostly importantly, I am focusing on improving my health, fitness, and my relationship with the Lord.  I have put these things on the back burner and it's time to make them a priority.  I fell prey to the hectic pace of my life...work, kids, husband, etc.  And now it's time to take the reins and take care of me.

Hoping you get a chance to also take the reins in 2014 and take care of you.

Blessings,

Beth

1st Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Luncheon

I hosted my first Christmas Cookie Exchange party!  It was so much fun!!  I invited ladies from work.  It was a small gathering, but it was perfect.  I didn't have the ladies tell me what cookies they would bring to ensure there were no duplicates, but it worked out because no one brought the same cookies.

I made White Chocolate Peppermint cookies.  I found the recipe here: http://www.galonamission.com/peppermint-white-chocolate-chip-cookies/.

The cookies were yummy and festive.

I made Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, hot chocolate and apple cider.  It was a simple lunch, but yummy.  Afterwards, we test tasted the cookies.  All yummy!  I was planning on saving them for Christmas, but not sure if they will make it that long...

The kids were so good!  They played with block and Legos.  They let us ladies have girl time.  Oh and that little guy Caleb, he's a tall one!  He had his 2 year doctor's appointment this morning. He's 36 inches tall.

Here we are with our cookies.  Thank you ladies for a wonderful afternoon.

I made these Christmas card holders for the ladies as party gifts.  They loved them.  They are like the one I made for myself.

Christmas is next week!  I can't believe how quickly it has come upon me.  I'm ready!!

Blessings,

Beth

I Crafted!

I wish I had been the person who had won the Mega Millions today!  It would have helped if I had bought a ticket...

One day into my Christmas vacation I had the inspiration to craft and I did!  I wanted something cute to display Christmas cards.  In our old home, I taped cards to a wall in the hallway.  Not the coolest, but it worked.

I googled Christmas card holders and I found this on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/199002877258086181/

This is my version.

I love how it looks.  I have it hanging in the kitchen.  I might need to redo the ribbons.  They might need to be longer.  Plus I didn't realize that I had bought two ribbons that are wired (that's what happens when you shop with a 2 and a 3 year old).  As you can see they sort of curl up.  I am debating whether to leave it as is or replace them.  I went to Michael's today.  Their selection of Christmas ribbon is minimal.  It's the 70% to 50% off all their Christmas stuff!

So I am completely done Christmas shopping.  Now I need to stay out of the stores!  

I am enjoying being with the kids.  Although, there is some adjustment for them and me being together all day.  I know you working moms know what I'm talking about.

Shopping can be hard with both kids in tow.  So this is what I did this morning and it was smooth sailing at Target...

Thank God for Icees!  Not a peep of fussiness.

Blessings!

Beth

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

 Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We spent ours in Sacramento with my side of the family.  It was a lot of work to travel with our little ones, but they did a great job!  And I think we packed way too much stuff, but better safe than sorry.  It's a good thing we own a mini-van!  Mini-van used to be a bad word for me, but now I am in love this this vehicle!  It makes life with our little ones so much easier!!

 Grace refused to take her nap on Thanksgiving day.  I think it was being in a a new environment.  We were a little afraid that she'd be fussy that night, but she did great.  Other than being a little shy, she was well behaved.  And she crashed hard that night.

 Caleb stole the show!  He was all smiles and not shy at all.  He was held a lot!! Our little guy turns one year old next month!!  That was fast!!

Our Thanksgiving family picture!!  I am so very thankful for my little family.  I loved my life before, but now with my hubbie and these two little angel, I am loving life on a whole new level.  I could neve have imagined what it would be like to be a mother and it's such an awesome thing!

We have been teaching Grace the names of her Nashville family members.  It's so cute to hear her say their names.

Blessings!

Beth