The Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is here! I am SO excited! Last year, I took on a HUGE blogging task in doing the 25 Blogs of Christmas. I am NOT doing that again this year. While I loved that experience, it became more of a chore then a joy.

This year, I am making most of my gifts. I have some great ideas and I wish I could share them with you all now, but since most the people I am making them for, read this blog, I will have to save them for after Christmas. Thanks to everyone who gave me ideas.

If you are wanting a good site to find some great ideas check out THIS SITE.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope your dinner is more enjoyable then this guys!

May we all take time to share with each other what we are thankful for.

Over The Top Award

I got the Over The Top Award from my cousin Liz a little over a week ago. I am just now getting to doing something about it. (I know....S-L-O-W)
1.Where is your cell phone: On the couch next to me
2.Your hair: in a ponytail as usual
3.Your mother: is creative/crafty
4.Your father: hard working
5.Your favorite food: Steak
6.Your dream from last night: HMMM, don't remember but I have had some WEIRD ones lately
7.Your favorite drink: Mtn Dew
8.Your dream/goal: To be a great mom and live a happy and fulfilling life
9.What room are you in: living room
10.What is your hobby: Blogging, photography, scrapbooking
11.What is your fear: Not sure what to put. I have always put never having kids, but now that we are expecting....I don't know
12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: Healthy, happy, hopefully living somewhere warmer.
13.Where were you last night: At home watching the BSU game. GO BRONCOS!
14.Something you are not: crafty...my mom and sisters got all the craft skills
15.Muffins: blueberry
16.Wish list items: A home we own, a 60D Cannon Camera
17.Where did you grow up: Boise, Idaho...never moved away from this city.
18.Last thing you did: Worked on my Sunday School Lesson and our class's sharing time
19.What are you wearing: Jeans, cami (always have one on) and a t-shirt
20.Your TV:is currently on. Mike is watching King of the Hill while I blog
21.Your pets:Sage, our boxer/shepherd mix. She is a great dog. Unfortunately she is living with my parents right now.
22.Your friends: are wonderful and uplift me constantly. I miss those who are far away.
23.Your life: is going great. Very excited to start the next chapter of my life- parenthood
24.Your mood: good.
25.Missing someone: The Bolanders. We are so bummed we are not able to go down there this New Years for Drake's baptism. LOVE YOU GUYS!

26. Vehicle: Subaru Impreza AWD....LOVE MY CAR!
27.Something you're not wearing: shoes
28.Your favorite store: Not sure. We go to WalMart a lot, but only because it is close. I like Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant
29.Your favorite color: Deep purple, like eggplant
30.When is the last time you laughed: This afternoon. Mike and I laugh daily.
31.When is the last time you cried: I don't remember.
32.Your best friend: I have a few close friends. All are great supports. One is the most positive person I know. Another one is more like my sister then a friend, and has allowed us to be apart of her family, and the other is the one who is always up for a good time. Like Nashville.
33.One place you go over and over: Store wise: WalMart, Location: SLC and Disneyland

34. One person who email me regularly: My Dad
35.Favorite place to eat: Olive Garden, Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel

I'm going to pass this award on to:
Stephanie @ the Johnson Family Blog
Monae @ Backstage Center
Courtney @ The Tam Fam
&
Terrilyn @ The Houdek Household

I Am Thankful For~

My Family~ I am so blessed to have them

Mike~ my best friend and eternal companion, need I say more?

My friends~ they inspire me every day

The Gospel~ I don't know where I would be without the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan for us

Employment~ I know it could change in a heartbeat, but for now we are both employed by wonderful companies

Modern Medicine~ Our little miracle would not be on the way, if not for medical treatments that are relatively new

There is so much more I am thankful for, it would take pages to list it all. I feel like I have everything I could ever want/need.

I {LOVE} Thanksgiving!

It reminds us all of everything we have to be grateful for. Even during these hard times, we all are so blessed! I loved the Sunday School lesson for the SR primary last week. It talked about how even with all the trials the pioneers faced, they still gave thanks to Heavenly Father for their many blessings. Our trials seem so small compared to theirs, how can I not be thankful for everything I have! I hope we all give thanks every day, but ESPECIALLY this Thanksgiving.

Fall Pictures

I have been very blessed to be able to put my camera to good use lately and take pictures for several families for their Holiday/Greeting cards and presents. I am a strong believer that we should be constantly working to develope new talents (although for me this may not qualify as a talent...LOL). Below are a few of my favorites.

Fall Pictures

Being Sick is No Fun!

Ugh! I am going stir crazy. Thursday, I got one of those soar throats where it HURTS LIKE HECK to swallow. I came home after work, and was in bed (well, on the couch) all night, all day Friday and most of Saturday. I felt a lot better Saturday so I met up with someone to do some pictures for her. After that, I came home and took it easy. By the end of the night though, I was coughing like crazy. My ears were plugged and my nose is stuffed up. No fun! So Sunday, my birthday, I have stayed home and in bed. I am feeling better, which is good because I have to go to work tomorrow, but I still have a cough. I never got a fever luckily.

Other than that, we have led a pretty boring life recently. I am looking forward to the Holidays. Mike has been rolled over as an official full time employee at his work and is now getting benefits, paid time off and more. I am spending a lot of time decluttering our home. I am also going to try and get a lot of Christmas crafts done.

5 Things To Be Happy About in November

1) BIRTHDAYS!!!!- both mine and Mike's (busy time of year, good thing baby is due in May)
2) The smell of pies, turkey, and so much more.
3) Another full month of BSU FOOTBALL
4) Christmas Crafts!
5) The new Jeff Dunham Show (FUNNY!)

NEED HELP!- Christmas Crafts

So now that November is here I am starting to think about Christmas. I have decided that this year I want to make 90% of my gifts. I have already decided the few gifts that will be bought and have my budget for them, and for crafts. I have been searching tons of blogs and sites for ideas. I thought that one way I may get some great new ideas is from asking you~ the wonderful family that are so creative (AHEM JENSEN FAMILY MEMBERS~ THIS MEANS YOU) and also my creative friends. Give me some of your ideas. Right now I am going to do a large picture thing (not sure what to call it) of "The Living Christ" that has the Christ pictures surrounding it. Anybody that saw the one I made my friend Terrie of the Proclamation, it is a lot like that. I am also thinking of making some fun purses, etc out of old jeans or something. That one may require to much planning for me though.

What are some great home-made gifts you have either made or received? Leave me a comment with the idea.