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Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Opening Christmas Eve Pajamas...
is such a fun tradition for us.
I try to be mindful of all the Christmas waste we're producing and wrapping paper we're going through.
So, on Christmas Eve - I pulled out a pair of Christmas Pajamas for each child that I had hidden, removed their pillow cases from their pillows, stuffed the pillow cases with the new jammies, tied them up with a bow and announced,
"You each have a gift under the tree! Find your pillow case."
They all recognized their individual pillowcases, screamed with excitement, opened them up and put on their new Christmas Jammies.
Over the years, this won't be a SURPRISE anymore.
It will be expected.
It will be fun.
I just love Family Traditions.
Do you have any fun Christmas Traditions to share?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Gift Idea - for my wine drinking friends...
ok, this one was one of my favorites...
I found a brand of wine called "Mad Housewife".
Not that I'm "mad" :) just thought it was a cute label!
and the description on the back is funny.
Not that I'm "mad" :) just thought it was a cute label!
and the description on the back is funny.
I bought 6 bottles {because I got 15% off},
put a fuzzy sock on the top and a fuzzy sock on the bottom,
tied a handmade note {made from a grocery bag}
that said, "May you relax and remember the true meaning of the season"
that said, "May you relax and remember the true meaning of the season"
and attached the note with raffia.
It was super cute and the receivers loved it!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Gift Ideas - for our teachers...
I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite homemade {hand assembled} Christmas Gifts - even though Christmas is over...
Just because, you may like the ideas for next year.
I know I promised I would share before Christmas, but it felt a little strange sharing, because a lot of my readers would be receivers of the gifts.
So, now you have it.
I purchased a beautiful mug and filled it with fuzzy socks, several tea bags and a cute note pad {teachers always need cute, fresh note pads} for our teacher gifts.
My handmade note card {from grocery bags} said,
"May you relax and remember the true meaning of the season."
I wrapped the mug and goodies in tissue, raffia and love.
There's nothing like a gift in which you pour your thoughts, time and love into preparing.
I'm confident they feel that when they open it.
We put the final product into a brown gift bag {decorated by the student} purchased from Michael's.
We received so much happy gratitude from the teachers.
We put the final product into a brown gift bag {decorated by the student} purchased from Michael's.
We received so much happy gratitude from the teachers.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Our Christmas Letter...
In my efforts to be frugally green, I decided I would save on cost and materials and not mail out our Christmas Letter. So, if you'd like to read it... here it is:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our home to yours!
I hope this letter finds you in a good place.
I’m certain we’ve experienced every emotion this year - from pure joy to pure exhaustion - total peace and total frustration - confidence and wanting to throw in the towel!
But, I know we’re all stronger and wiser than we were in December of 2009 and for that - I’m grateful!
I will begin with the man of the house - my love - and amazing father.
Josh: Josh has had a very busy, strenuous year. He spent January through June at CMS* working as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director and was then presented with an opportunity from the district in which we live. He resigned at CMS* at the end of June 2010 (and that was really hard on him) in order to accept a position at SMS* as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. SMS* is about a 10 minute walk from our home! In fact, his radio (walky talky) works from our house! As expected, it’s been challenging starting a new job, but Josh always enjoys a good challenge and welcomes new opportunities to learn and grow. In August, he started working on his PhD in Educational Leadership through Purdue University. So... it’s been a crazy, hard year for him (and me)! When he’s not working or studying, he enjoys playing guitar in our church worship band a couple times each month and loves playing in a tennis league. He continues to be the best husband and father he can be and works so hard to provide for his family. He’s a good man. We are blessed.
Myah: I am at home full time with our 3 little ones. I am beyond grateful we have made this a prority and absolutely love serving my family full time (most days!). In August, I started working for my Dad and his business - Trellis Growing Systems - on Mondays for 5 hours. In a nutshell, I “keep him organized”. I have really enjoyed it. In my free time, I enjoy writing a blog (www.joshmyahsophiehalle.blogspot.com), cooking up new recipes, working out at the YMCA, attending MOPS, socializing and doing my best to create and maintain a peaceful haven for my family! I grow stronger and stronger each year. Being a Mother has been the most challenging, most wonderful, most exhausting, most joyous thing I’ve ever done. I grow and learn each day. It’s amazing how much these little things teach us. God is good.
Sophie: Sophie will turn 7 on January 14 and has had a wonderful year in 1st Grade. She loves school, learning, all social events and playing outside with our neighbor friends. She loves to be on the go! She enjoys her Daisy group, swim lessons and gymnastics lessons. At home, she loves playing with her sister and brother, crafting, coloring and listening to music. She is a leader and loves to be in charge! At times, this doesn’t go over too well with me... Because I like to be in charge too! We’re learning and growing together. The first born. She’s strong.
Halle: Oh, Halle. Halle turned 5 on December 20. Halle is very unique and has had a wonderful year in Pre-K at Sonrise Christian Preschool - our church. Halle is very smart, thoughtful, playful, energetic, strong and sooo loving! She loves her brother and sister and social events too. She enjoys swim lessons and gymnastics lessons. She is beginning to read and is becoming a good writer! Halle just goes with the flow and melts into moments. She’s spontaneous and is always saying and doing crazy things! I never know what’s going to come out of her mouth - and now - she thinks the word “poop” is really funny... so, that’s been fun. :) She is a great big sunshine in our family. She’s a gem and truly unique.
Ian: Baby Boy! Ian will turn 2 on January 18. These have been the fastest 2 years of my life! Really. Ian is turning into a little toddler - no longer a “baby”! Although, we are still hanging onto the “baby”, I think. I carry him around a lot, rock him a lot, just got rid of his bottle... I can’t believe he’s turning 2! He screams, throws fits, is impatient, absolutely adorable, smart and funny. He loves balls, candy, dancing, books, his sisters, trucks, his Lowe’s Dates with Daddy... but, his absolute favorite thing is ME! Ian is our “icing on the cake”. We are so grateful we get to experience a little boy after our two beautiful girls. As Josh put it, “What did we do to deserve this?” And that’s really how we feel. Ian is a doll baby.
We are in a very busy season right now: Raising a family, Josh is working so hard in his career and towards a PhD...
But, we are good. Very good.
We have a VILLAGE around us! With all the Grandparents (5 within 10 miles around us) and our amazing friends and neighbors. God has provided us with great resources.
We rely consistently on our Heavenly Father to get us through each day. Some days - moment by moment. And we praise Him for all He has blessed us with.
We truly hope your 2011 is filled with many moments that make your heart smile, peace and hope during the rough times, and lots of love to get you through it all.
love,
The St. John Family
Josh, Myah, Sophie, Halle and Ian
*abbreviated for privacy
I hope this letter finds you in a good place.
I’m certain we’ve experienced every emotion this year - from pure joy to pure exhaustion - total peace and total frustration - confidence and wanting to throw in the towel!
But, I know we’re all stronger and wiser than we were in December of 2009 and for that - I’m grateful!
I will begin with the man of the house - my love - and amazing father.
Josh: Josh has had a very busy, strenuous year. He spent January through June at CMS* working as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director and was then presented with an opportunity from the district in which we live. He resigned at CMS* at the end of June 2010 (and that was really hard on him) in order to accept a position at SMS* as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. SMS* is about a 10 minute walk from our home! In fact, his radio (walky talky) works from our house! As expected, it’s been challenging starting a new job, but Josh always enjoys a good challenge and welcomes new opportunities to learn and grow. In August, he started working on his PhD in Educational Leadership through Purdue University. So... it’s been a crazy, hard year for him (and me)! When he’s not working or studying, he enjoys playing guitar in our church worship band a couple times each month and loves playing in a tennis league. He continues to be the best husband and father he can be and works so hard to provide for his family. He’s a good man. We are blessed.
Myah: I am at home full time with our 3 little ones. I am beyond grateful we have made this a prority and absolutely love serving my family full time (most days!). In August, I started working for my Dad and his business - Trellis Growing Systems - on Mondays for 5 hours. In a nutshell, I “keep him organized”. I have really enjoyed it. In my free time, I enjoy writing a blog (www.joshmyahsophiehalle.blogspot.com), cooking up new recipes, working out at the YMCA, attending MOPS, socializing and doing my best to create and maintain a peaceful haven for my family! I grow stronger and stronger each year. Being a Mother has been the most challenging, most wonderful, most exhausting, most joyous thing I’ve ever done. I grow and learn each day. It’s amazing how much these little things teach us. God is good.
Sophie: Sophie will turn 7 on January 14 and has had a wonderful year in 1st Grade. She loves school, learning, all social events and playing outside with our neighbor friends. She loves to be on the go! She enjoys her Daisy group, swim lessons and gymnastics lessons. At home, she loves playing with her sister and brother, crafting, coloring and listening to music. She is a leader and loves to be in charge! At times, this doesn’t go over too well with me... Because I like to be in charge too! We’re learning and growing together. The first born. She’s strong.
Halle: Oh, Halle. Halle turned 5 on December 20. Halle is very unique and has had a wonderful year in Pre-K at Sonrise Christian Preschool - our church. Halle is very smart, thoughtful, playful, energetic, strong and sooo loving! She loves her brother and sister and social events too. She enjoys swim lessons and gymnastics lessons. She is beginning to read and is becoming a good writer! Halle just goes with the flow and melts into moments. She’s spontaneous and is always saying and doing crazy things! I never know what’s going to come out of her mouth - and now - she thinks the word “poop” is really funny... so, that’s been fun. :) She is a great big sunshine in our family. She’s a gem and truly unique.
Ian: Baby Boy! Ian will turn 2 on January 18. These have been the fastest 2 years of my life! Really. Ian is turning into a little toddler - no longer a “baby”! Although, we are still hanging onto the “baby”, I think. I carry him around a lot, rock him a lot, just got rid of his bottle... I can’t believe he’s turning 2! He screams, throws fits, is impatient, absolutely adorable, smart and funny. He loves balls, candy, dancing, books, his sisters, trucks, his Lowe’s Dates with Daddy... but, his absolute favorite thing is ME! Ian is our “icing on the cake”. We are so grateful we get to experience a little boy after our two beautiful girls. As Josh put it, “What did we do to deserve this?” And that’s really how we feel. Ian is a doll baby.
We are in a very busy season right now: Raising a family, Josh is working so hard in his career and towards a PhD...
But, we are good. Very good.
We have a VILLAGE around us! With all the Grandparents (5 within 10 miles around us) and our amazing friends and neighbors. God has provided us with great resources.
We rely consistently on our Heavenly Father to get us through each day. Some days - moment by moment. And we praise Him for all He has blessed us with.
We truly hope your 2011 is filled with many moments that make your heart smile, peace and hope during the rough times, and lots of love to get you through it all.
love,
The St. John Family
Josh, Myah, Sophie, Halle and Ian
*abbreviated for privacy
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Gift of Water...
Each year, I try to be creative, frugally green, Christ centered and meaningful while giving gifts at Christmas time. I LOVE giving gifts to people. I don't spend a lot of money, but I try to create each gift with lots thought and love - without adding more stuff and clutter to people's lives.
For the next few days, I will share some of my favorite gifts from this year - and please share yours too! I always love discovering new ideas.
I'll begin with the GIFT OF WATER.
I found these really cool reusable water bottles and snatched up several right away with this idea in mind. This is the gift we gave to Josh's boss and 3 secretaries.
It's an empty reusable water bottle wrapped in tissue paper with a homemade tag tied on that reads:
"Please accept this water bottle as a sign of hope.
$10 was given in your name at www.charitywater.org
$10 will give one child clean, safe water for life."
When I go to the store, I've been asking for paper bags. I'm using the bags to make homemade gift tags. They are adorable!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Traditions that keep Christ at the center...
can be found here.
One new activity we added to our home this year is our Christmas Adventure Box.
Our family has been truly blessed (and continually reminded of the true reason of the season) this month through doing our Christmas Adventure Box.
Doing a devotional and praying each night as a family has been transforming for my children (and very touching for the big people too).
It feels different this year. It's not all about them. It's not all about Santa. It's not all about all the stuff they're going to get. It feels good - and peaceful.
What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions?
One new activity we added to our home this year is our Christmas Adventure Box.
Our family has been truly blessed (and continually reminded of the true reason of the season) this month through doing our Christmas Adventure Box.
Doing a devotional and praying each night as a family has been transforming for my children (and very touching for the big people too).
It feels different this year. It's not all about them. It's not all about Santa. It's not all about all the stuff they're going to get. It feels good - and peaceful.
What are some of your favorite Christmas Traditions?
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Charity Water Stats
I will add this note to the back of the card I attach to the water bottle gift:
"Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We use 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years."
"Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We use 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Give Water!
Consider giving the gift of clean, safe drinking water this Christmas!
Do you want to bless others - other than your family?
Visit Charity Water to learn more about the stats and different projects going on.
You can watch a video here.
Charity Water is my charity of choice this Christmas.
I have purchased 4 really cool looking reusable water bottles and plan to attach a note with some cute ribbon that says, "Please accept this water bottle and a sign of hope... (I need to firm up my wording) $10 has been donated in your name at charitywater.org peace & love, The St. John Family" I have 4 - so $40 will give 2 people clean water for 20 years!
What a neat gift alternative for someone who already has it ALL!
Do some research and see if it touches your heart like it has ours.
Baby Steps... Maybe buy $60 less in unnecessary "stuff" that will simply clutter our home - and give 3 people clean drinking water for 20 years.
$20 can give one person clean water for 20 years.
Do you want to bless others - other than your family?
Visit Charity Water to learn more about the stats and different projects going on.
You can watch a video here.
Charity Water is my charity of choice this Christmas.
I have purchased 4 really cool looking reusable water bottles and plan to attach a note with some cute ribbon that says, "Please accept this water bottle and a sign of hope... (I need to firm up my wording) $10 has been donated in your name at charitywater.org peace & love, The St. John Family" I have 4 - so $40 will give 2 people clean water for 20 years!
What a neat gift alternative for someone who already has it ALL!
Do some research and see if it touches your heart like it has ours.
Baby Steps... Maybe buy $60 less in unnecessary "stuff" that will simply clutter our home - and give 3 people clean drinking water for 20 years.
$20 can give one person clean water for 20 years.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Christmas Adventure Box
Read this for now and I will elaborate soon! I just wanted you to be able to read it now - so you have time to prepare - if you want!
I am VERY excited to be doing this as a family during the month of December.
We already made our box!
My goal: To keep the children (and Josh and Me) focused on the true reason of the season - and not get caught up in the chaos and stress and overspending that can overtake you - if you let it.
More details coming soon!
I am VERY excited to be doing this as a family during the month of December.
We already made our box!
My goal: To keep the children (and Josh and Me) focused on the true reason of the season - and not get caught up in the chaos and stress and overspending that can overtake you - if you let it.
More details coming soon!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Gift Giving... Our Way
I was reading through an article on a Christmas Gift Giving philosophy at Live Renewed that has been on my heart for a few years. Over the past few years, I've been trying to figure out what is best for our family and how is it that we will do Christmas. I think it's important to establish that now - while our kids are young - so they never know any different. I do not want my children to think Christmas is all about them - and all about Santa - and all about them getting more stuff. What is the balance of blessing our children, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and blessing others? I'm trying to figure that out - and establish traditions for our family that will keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas.
I have always loved the idea of giving each child 3 gifts - like the 3 wise men gave to Jesus. Today, I read this - and I love the explanation of the 3 gifts and how we can apply this to 2010 - and use it as a guideline to help us stay focused.
So, here is our plan for Christmas:
taken from Live Renewed
We are going to give three gifts for each child, based on the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that baby Jesus received from the magi.
It will help us to keep our focus on our celebration of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, and will also make shopping much easier and less stressful for me!
What are some of your ideas?
I have always loved the idea of giving each child 3 gifts - like the 3 wise men gave to Jesus. Today, I read this - and I love the explanation of the 3 gifts and how we can apply this to 2010 - and use it as a guideline to help us stay focused.
So, here is our plan for Christmas:
taken from Live Renewed
We are going to give three gifts for each child, based on the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that baby Jesus received from the magi.
- The gift of gold will be something the they really want - maybe a bigger item or just something they’ve really been wanting for a while. As they get older they’ll be able to give us a gift list, for now, we’ll just decide on an item that we think each of them would really like and enjoy.
- The gift of frankincense is something that will encourage their spiritual growth - at this point in their lives, that will probably be a book or music that teaches them more about God. As they grow older, this could include a devotional, bible, or a magazine subscription.
- The gift of myrrh is something for their body - this can include clothing, shoes, socks, or a new coat.
It will help us to keep our focus on our celebration of Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, and will also make shopping much easier and less stressful for me!
What are some of your ideas?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thinking about Christmas...
I want to be INTENTIONAL with our gift giving. I would like to give the give of TIME and RELATIONSHIP more than stuff...
I would like to SPEND LESS on the rich so we can GIVE MORE to the needy.
What is the BALANCE? I am not sure, but I will do my best to find what works for our family -
1 year at a time.
I got a post from Simple Mom the other day on Stocking Stuffer ideas that I thought was fun.
Thought I'd share!
What are some of your gift ideas for stockings, your children and even your spouse or parents?!
What are some ideas you have that go beyond STUFF and get to the HEART?
Share! I LOVE IDEAS!
~~~~~~~~~~
Simple Stocking Stuffers
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