A Perfectly Imperfect Christmas

This year hasn’t been the picture-perfect Christmas by any stretch.  There’s many things left undone, traditions skipped, and not everything has went as planned.  Laying in bed most of the week last week with a respiratory illness was difficult when there were presents to wrap, Christmas cards to be sent, neighbor gifts I wanted to …

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Merry and Bright: Christmas Card 2013

  I had the Christmas crud last week. Hacking my lungs out to the tune of FA-LA-LA-LA-AUGHRHRHGHHHHHH! It had me down for the count for the week, therefore, I still have a hefty stack of Christmas cards yet to be mailed, along with another zillion things that just won’t get done this Christmas. Remember when …

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Ornamental Memories…

Don’t you love how so many ornaments hold a story?  The tradition of hanging them on the tree isn’t just for looks or for show. They hold memories. Memories from our childhood, that turn into memories shared with our own children. This fall, I had a couple of minutes between writing at a nearby coffee shop …

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A BLUE Christmas with the Colts

The boys had an opportunity to play on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium over the weekend during the “Bleed Blue” Blood Drive event. It’s a great deal all around – Brad gives life, gets a free football, and the boys call score touchdowns on the same field our beloved Colts play. If only I …

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20 Easy Last-Minute Teacher Gifts

The boys have their end of the semester performance tonight, and their last day at the 1-day a week school. So what will I be doing today?  Putting together last-minute teacher gifts, of course. I have a date with Trader Joe’s, some gift bags, and ribbon. No apples, just some simple gifts to show our appreciation for …

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Christmas Traditions To Make The Season Magical

It’s a precious thing to behold Christmas through a child’s perspective. This year I’m soaking up these Christmas moments with my Littles while they last.  I know that the excitement, the innocence, the wonder, are depleting by the year. The way they light up when we plug in the tree for the first time, the way …

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Teaching Gratitude at Christmas Through Hand-Written Cards

  We’re doing our best at making this year a simple Christmas season. Less fuss. Less stress. Less stuff. More of focusing on what MATTERS in the Season. I don’t want to leave thankfulness back in November. I’d love for it to be heavily sprinkled onto the things we do during this month of December. …

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25 Ways to Have a Financially Responsible Holiday Season

With Thanksgiving behind us, the stores are in full out competition for your dollars – flashing lights, bonus bucks, “free” gifts, and gimmicks galore! The temptation is to spend in the moment, go out to eat more, and treat ourselves to something well outside of our budgets. Without a plan, things can quickly get out …

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