Merry Christmas!

The five of us are headed to Colorado to spend time with family. I'll talk at you the first of January. Can you believe I got so busy I forgot my own blog party on Tuesday? It was a good kind of busy.

Have a great weekend!

Why are they laughing?

My kids... I told them to go to bed. At least five times I must have said it.

They finally left the living room and 10 minutes later I heard them laughing in the other room. Ugh! I was done being mom and ready to shut this show down and sit mindlessly watching a little TV until the Mr. gets home. But, I had to go investigate and growl a little so they'd go to sleep.

The laughter got louder as I entered their room. This is what they found so funny. Kid Two would read one and then wild laughter would errupt. Repeat about a million times... I'll admit, I laughed too -- not so much because it was funny, but because THEY found it so entertaining.

How Dumb Is He?
He tried to buy a garage at a garage sale.
He thought the English Channel was between HBO and Nickelodeon.
He went to a drive-in to see "Closed for Winter."
He flunked recess.
He went cordless bungee-jumping.

How Dumb Is She?
She threw her ball on the ground, and missed.
She got her gold medal bronzed.
She wanted to know how many One-A-Day vitamins to take.
She asked for the number of 911.
She put her iPod in the oven because she wanted hot tunes.
She took the Pepsi challenge and chose Skippy.

The funniest part? They were laughing hysterically but didn't even get the last one.

I love those guys.

Free Breakfast for a Year...that's 365 days, y'all!

Raise your hand if you like breakfast! I.love.it. It's my favorite meal of the day and if I could convince my family, we'd eat it for dinner twice a week.

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How would you like a FREE breakfast for a year? Well, someone's going to win. Might as well be YOU!

Check out ConsumerQueen.com for the 7 Ways You Can Win free breakfast for a year. Consumer Queen has a TON of information for saving money, giveaways, product reviews and consumer resources to give you a money-saving edge!

Fast Fixin produces terrific convenience foods at a great value. They are offering 15 winners free product for a year! And...while you're waiting to win in January, sign up to be a Fast Fixin Fanatic and get free product coupons.

I have personally tried each one of these products. Our family loves them. I'm not sure they are available in all areas, but check your local Walmart. Kid Two is crazy about the Eggs N Pancakes in particular and I've even overheard him "selling" the neighbor kid. My favorite is the Southwest Omelet!

The Foxy Mr. works for Advance Brands, the company producing Fast Fixin and Fast Classics food items. Okay, OKAY, he had a little something to do [which means BIG] with the launch of this line, it's true. He's sooo cool that way. Cool AND foxy. Dang. If I weren't married to him, I'd wish I were. :)

Given the fact he is the Fast Classics Brand Manager, we probably can't win the year of breakfast but maybe one of you will win...and you'll invite me over for coffee and a Fast Fixin Breakfast Wrap and stimulating conversation (where you'll beg to see pictures of my kids). I'm there.

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Find out how you can serve up a hot breakfast everyday for your troops!
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By the way, do you know what would look good with all that breakfast? You guessed it. An apron. But of course.

The Apron Winner & FAVORITES PARTY! - Christmas Tradition

First things first... the winner of the apron giveaway is..... Bunny B! See the short video below.

I look so tired in this video, because I am. If I worked at it, I could look a little more refreshed but I've been in my makeshift "factory" all day. And since I was working the camera, all I managed to show you of the apron I was wearing was the waistband. Professional apronista, amateur videographer. Oh well. You can't have it all, it's true.

More aprons coming soon. I'm booked up for Christmas orders (If you've already contacted me - I gotcha, no worries!)

Now...on to today's FAVORITES PARTY topic! - Favorite Christmas Tradition.

Since the Foxy Mr. has been in the picture we've had a tradition of sweet family time over a big breakfast casserole. The boys are old enough they don't scurry out of bed too early to open gifts. I've never been a fan of "get up at the crack of dawn to make a mess in the living room." Ugh. By 9am, you're already cleaning house!

At a reasonable hour of the morning we gather together to first spend some good family time talking about our year and the "state of our family". The account of Jesus' birth is read from the Bible and we talk about it. Each year the discussions go a little deeper. It's fun to watch the boys growing up and gaining a better understanding of God.

After a while, we exchange gifts. For the final gift we put together a scavenger hunt that takes them all over the house looking for clues. Each year the scavenger hunt gets a little more challenging. This year they have requested to keep all of their gifts hidden and have a scavenger hunt for each one. "And make them HARD clues," they said. "Not things like 'Go look in Kid Three's closet.' We want to have to work at it." I took that as a challenge to outsmart those two this year. I hope I don't disappoint! I'm going to need to get started soon to make it a good one. Maybe I'll post one of the clues on my blog... The things a girl does to get her family to read the blog...

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Weekend Giveaway - Aprons, Aprons, Aprons!

Need a last minute gift for a favorite girlfriend?

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Think APRONS!

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For quite a while I've been wearing an apron in the kitchen. It makes me feel like I'm a real grown up. (Yes, apparently I need props for this.) When the kids come home from school and I'm wearning my apron, I'm more likely to feel like making them a snack. When guests arrive for dinner, I like having one on because it gives the illusion I've been slaving over the stove - just for them. I'm a professional wife and mom, and frankly, an apron just helps me feel like it.

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So, lucky you - I'm giving one away next week to kick off my business venture and provide you with a little holiday cheer!

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Giveaway Entry...

Leave a comment telling me which of the three styles you like best and you get 1 chance. Between Friday 12/12 and Monday night 12/15, either write a post about the apron giveaway or at least mention it somewhere on your blog (with a link to this post, please) and you'll get 3 chances! (Leave me comment to let me know you gave me some free advertising). The Foxy Mr. will draw from the entries on Monday night and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, 12/16.

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Want to know what you're playing for?

This.

I call it Bag of Skittles. It's a Hand Towel Half-Apron - great for a quick dry of the hands without getting your whole apron wrinkled and wet. (Yes, I know that's what aprons are for, but come on, no one wants to look frumpy in an apron.) All half-aprons are lined and have long ties so you can make a cute bow on your backside!

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I hope you all win!!!!! Wait, that wouldn't be much of a business, would it?!

If you're interested in purchasing one, email me for more information or color preferences. These are the styles currently available but I've got tons of fabric options!

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Reversible Full Aprons - These full aprons hit around the knee and are reversible. One side has a pocket. The apron has long ties so you can wrap them back around to the front or make a bow in the back.

Ruffled Half-Apron - Oh, these are cute. This is perfect for the chick who may not cook from scratch but wants to look foxy in the kitchen! A great hostess gift for your holiday party! 4 ruffles in coordinating fabrics.

My Apron website is coming soon...and so is Valentine's Day. Just putting a bug in your ear. What little bug? What did you say? ...Buy an apron? ...Oh, good idea, little bug. Splendid idea.

View a sample of fabric options here.

Update: 12/17 - I'm not taking any more new orders before Christmas. (I don't think...) Email me for 2009 prices and fabric options if you're interested!

Giveaway TO-MOR-ROW.

I know, I know. Why not today? Because... I have yet to take pictures of the little bag of awesome I'll be giving away. So, come back tomorrow and find out how you can win something girly.

I've been really busy with a little business venture so I haven't been on the web for several days. The Foxy Mr. is traveling next week so maybe I'll let the laundry hang out in the living room for the night, all crumpled up but clean, and I'll read and read and read blogs. Perhaps I'll find the answers to all of my conundrums in this life! I'm counting on you all to be so very wise for me!

Also! Next Tuesday's Favorites Party topic is FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION. You knew that one was eventually coming. It should be oh-so-easy for some of you. Anyone dress up like elves and ding-dong-ditch the neighbors? Yeah, we don't either...but wouldn't that be fun?

See you tomorrow!

FAVORITES PARTY! - Favorite Kid Stories

Happy Tuesday!

It's our third week of the Favorites Party. I'm looking forward to your favorite kid stories! Be sure to check out these other links for more good laughs!

Kid Two has always been great for a laugh (or a panic attack, or a few frayed nerves!). Since he could talk he has been entertaining us both with funny things he's said and several things I can't believe he said!

My favorite Kid Two story occurred one evening after an "altercation" of sorts with him. He was about five and very sparky. SPARKY, I tell ya. Wow. Never a dull moment with that little guy.

I had just finished a holy moment "laying on of hands" as I "trained him in the way he should go" if you know what I mean... He sat on his bed and cried as I tried to talk to him and explain why he had to be spanked but seriously, at age 5, it wasn't always easy. But discipline never is.

Honey, I love you.

"I know," he said sniffing and never making eye contact. They were mad tears, not sad ones. "love you too" he said, but he didn't make a very compelling case for his sentiment.

I love you more, more more! I was trying to play the little back and forth game we would do, trying to "outlove" the other one. He apparently didn't want to play at the moment, because with all the sarcasm a 5 year old could muster, he raised just his eyes to meet mine, never losing the scowl on his face he said, "You probably do."

Ouch. That hurt, kid.

That is the same kid who once told me he loved me all the way up to God...with his hair sticking straight up! (Infinity PLUS hair?! Awesome.)

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Share a favorite kid story, (or link to a previous post). I love to laugh at the small people. :)

My Mom

My mom lives about 100 miles from me. Tuesday morning she rang my doorbell BEFORE 8am to spend the day with me to celebrate my birthday. I had the pancakes buttered and ready! She showed up with a fun present for me and this:

However, when the boys got home from school it looked like this... [I may have helped them with some of it. I'm old. I can't remember. I plead the 5th amendment...] I forgive them.

I loved that she took a day off work to drive at the crack of dawn to do whatever I wanted. No fussy plans. No expectations. Just spending time with me because I'm her baby. Her favorite baby. [That was just to get a rise out of my little sister. I love her.]

We kicked the boys to the bus stop said good bye to the big boys and quickly got busy on our day of unplanned fun. She helped me do a couple of little things around the house and then we headed out for a little Christmas shopping. Just an easy day with my favorite mentor.

Let me give you a dozen reasons my mom is the greatest chick ever...

1. She plays the accordion VERY well. Growing up I remember laying in bed at night, listening to her play hymns. My sister and I would yell out from the other room, "Play #157" and she'd strike up a little Victory in Jesus!

2. She is my FREE counselor when I need to be talked off the ledge.

3. She is the reason I experienced God at a young age. No one lived a more selfless, God honoring life in front of me growing up.

4. She can't tell a story without useless details and at this point, I don't want her to.

5. She chews 1/2 piece of gum at a time. I don't know why. Gum is cheap

6. She makes the best brisket in the history of red meat.

7. She believes "forever" is more than just a fairytale.

8. She is a servant to the bone. Need help with the kids? Mom will do it. Someone at church needs a meal? Mom will cook it. Run you to the airport? Mom will take you. What.ev.ah. you need.

9. When I was young she would sew dresses for me and my sister. [Why did we ALWAYS have to dress alike?!] Then she would sew little doll dresses for our "babies" so they would match us.

10. She hasn't quite mastered "leave a comment" on my blog but she sends me the sweetest notes when if I write something good.

11. She can rat hole money better than anyone I know. She's always got a few $20s tucked away for a special occasion.

12. She digs Jack Bauer. puleez. who doesn't?

What about your mom?
Give us a couple of fun facts!

FAVORITES PARTY! - My Favorite Gift

Welcome back for the second week of our Favorites Party! I loved your Thanksgiving posts last week! Now, on to our FAVORITE GIFTS!

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First of all, today/Tuesday is my birthday (and the crowd goes wild) and no matter what kind of old or new math you use, I am undoubtedly now in my late 30s. And 'sokay, I'm good with it.

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I've had sooo many good gifts in my life that it's hard to narrow it down. There is one in particular that stands out even though the gift was small and most people may not have given it a second thought. It still gives me the happiest feeling to remember this event.

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At the time I was single with two kids and the Foxy Mr. [who then was just the Foxy Manfriend] was just beginning to come to terms with the facts as I had explained them to him, which were: You ARE going to spend the rest of your life with me, you just have not yet accepted it. (He was kind of a tough sell at times.)

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We had dinner out with several of my friends one weekend and then went back to my house to visit for a while. (I can't really call it "hanging out" anymore like we did when we were 22. It's much more sophisticated in your 30s....right....) It was around my birthday but that really wasn't the reason for our get together. Maybe it was an early Christmas party or something. Who knows.

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The Foxy Mr. had surprised me by bringing a cake to celebrate my birthday.

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You might be thinking "so what?" Lemme 'splain. That kind of thing, even though it seems trivial, didn't happen to me a lot, if ever.

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As a single mom I had a brain full of irrational concerns that I might not ever be someone's favorite girl like I desired to be. I sometimes worried I would never know what it felt like to have a man really lay down his life for me and cherish me. I wanted a man to make a little extra effort for me. Simply put, I wanted to feel loved.

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The birthday cake, a Raspberries and Cream ribbon cake, was the most beautiful and tasty cake in the world that night. I know it seems silly that a birthday dessert can mean so much but seriously, I was so impressed that he would go to the trouble to drive across town, pick up a cake and surprise me. It had fresh flowers on the top (what girl doesn't like fresh flowers?) and the yummiest icing. And it was round. (I think a round cake is classy. Maybe that's weird, just go with it.)

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Once everyone left I sat down at my kitchen table by myself and just looked at what was left of the cake. I picked off the roses and some greenery from the top. Pressing them between pieces of waxed paper in an attempt to preserve the sentiment I was reminded that my God hears the prayers of his children. My desire to be a Godly wife to a Godly man had not been forgotten. It was only a matter of His timing.

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Every time I eat a cake from that bakery I think of the time I was caught off guard by a sweet display of love from my favorite guy.

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PS. Dear Foxy Mr., in case you actually read my blog post today, the truth is, YOU are my most favorite gift. Ever.
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For other Favorite Gift posts, visit these links!