DIY Advent Calendar and Tree Decorating

For years I have wanted an advent calendar to help me count down the days until Christmas. I think they are so fun. However, I had never purchased one because I have ENOUGH other things to buy in November and December. The other day, I was on a friend's blog. She is really crafty and always has fun DIY crafts. She referred her readers to TatertotsandJello for a fun DIY advent calendar. The TatertotsandJello lady was doing a give away for a free advent calendar. I entered the give away, but since I am cursed with the luck of the Edwards, I went ahead and got to work on making my own. Here it is!

The other lady's is probably cuter, but I really like how mine turned out. The best part is that it only cost me about 9 bucks to make. I already had a bunch of the stuff. I loved making my own little advent calendar.

The next item of business was to decorate the house for Christmas. The job seems to get bigger every year. I got my tree all set up and ready to add ornaments. Here is the tree before ornaments.

Here is the tree after.

Sometimes I think I would like one of those fancy shmancy designer Christmas trees, but every time I dig out the ornaments we have and put them on the tree, I change my mind instantly. Our tree is a hodge podge of all sorts of ornaments. We have hand me down ornaments from my grandma, ornaments that were given to David and me while growing up, hand made ornaments, ornaments that were given to me from former students, ornaments that have been given to Lincoln from both sets of grandparents and everything else you can imagine. Each ornament is tied to a sweet memory of some sort. One tradition my family had growing up was that we would choose a Halmark ornament every year. The ornament had to have the year printed on it and it usually represented something significant we experienced that year. David and I have continued that tradition. Here are some of our Halmark ornaments.

This ornament is from our first Christmas married.



We got this ornament this year because Lincoln is obsessed with trains and I am obsessed with Peanuts characters. :)


This one is from 2007 when Lincoln was born. It's a baby's first Christmas ornament. You can't see it very well, but there is a baby sleeping in the basket under Pooh and Piglet.

I am grateful for my chaotic Christmas tree. I would not trade it for the fanciest, most expensive tree in the world. To me, my Christmas tree represents the happy life I have had and the many memories I hold dear.

Aside from my Christmas tree, this is probably my favorite Christmas decoration. Do you know what it is?


It's the Christmas tree from A Charlie Brown Christmas. That is one of my favorite Christmas shows. I love the message behind the tree. To me, the tree represents humility and simplicity. We often get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas and forget the real reason for celebrating the holiday. Although he is the only begotten son of our Father in Heaven and the Savior of the world, Baby Jesus was born in a stable in the most humble of circumstances. We all have the potential for greatness regardless of our circumstance or outward appearance. I love when Linus says, "This tree isn't so bad. All it needs is a little love." This is true for all of us.

I wish you all a happy holiday season. Remember, find joy in the small and simple things. Enjoy!

My Attitude of Gratitude pt.12

Today I am want to express my gratitude for my family...again. I know I have already used that one, but seriously, my family means so much to me. Over the years, my family members have become my best friends. I get frustrated when I try to write about the place they hold in my life because I can't quite find the right words to use to express my deep love and appreciation for them.

I want to start with my mom and dad. I don't know why this picture is so small. They really deserve a much bigger one. I am so very thankful for my mommy and daddy. They provided such a happy childhood for me and my siblings. They taught me so much about myself and the kind of person I want to be. They sacrificed so much for us to be able to do the things we wanted to do. They have been such great parents and grandparents. Again...I am getting really frustrated because I can't come up with the words I want. Just know that I love my mom and dad so much and I am so thankful that they are MY mommy and daddy.

Next, I want to talk about my brother, Mike. Michael has always been a very good big brother. I think every girl needs a big brother to protect her. Mike definitely protected me from bullies and other things that tried to hurt me or bring me down. He is a fun person to be around. Mike is funny and loving. He is very smart too. Kathi, Mike's wife is wonderful as well. I love her like a sister. Mike and Kathi compliment each other very well. Mike is a great daddy, husband, son, brother, uncle and all the other titles I can think of. Lincoln blesses him in his prayers every night...and so do I!


Tori is my very pretty and talented sister. She and I didn't always get along growing up, but now, I feel very bad for the way I used to treat her and I am so thankful that she is my lil sis. Tori is a fantastic mommy. Lexie loves Tori more than anything in this world. Tori always has a positive attitude. She is very smart and loving. She would do anything for her family. Dan, Tori's husband is wonderful as well. He is perfect for Tori! He works very hard and loves his wife and baby girl very much. Although Tori is my little sister, I really look up to her.



Daniel is my little (younger) brother. It's not very accurate to say he's my little brother because he is TALL. This kid is the funniest person in the world. He has a lot of personality and charisma. He is also very loving and kind. He has a good heart. Daniel always makes me laugh with his funny comments. Daniel is a great uncle. He loves the nieces and nephey-poos so much. Daniel is going to make one girl very lucky someday.

Last, but definitely not least, I give you these dudes.

David is the best husband I can imagine. He puts up with my womanly hormones and mood swings. When I have a problem I am facing, he is always on my team. He helps around the house and works hard during the day to provide for us. He makes me feel special and beautiful. David is a wonderful daddy. Lincoln loves him a lot. David is already teaching Linc to appreciate football, baseball and basketball. He loves reading to Lincoln and wrestling with him in the morning before work.

I never realized how much joy a child would bring to my life. When I look at Lincoln, I feel like my heart is going to explode with love. This boy has brought me so much happiness. I love him and I know he loves me. He teaches me how to be a good mommy. He is always doing something funny or sweet and he makes me laugh every day. I love his sweet personality and funny quirks. He is a good boy and a very loving son. I can't remember what it feels like to be without him. I am just so glad that Heavenly Father blessed us with such a sweet little boy to love and raise.


Ultimately, this year I am thankful for eternal families and the sealing power of the temple. I am so glad to have the opportunity to be with my family forever. To me, that is heaven!

My Attitude of Gratitude pt.11

Tonight I am thankful that we have been blessed with abundance. This though occurred to me tonight during FHE. We went to Dixie Care and Share to help organize the pantry and get boxes ready to go to families for Thanksgiving. I can't imagine how scary it would be to have to choose between paying rent, or buying warm jammies for my son. I hate to think about what it must be like to wonder what the next meal is going to be or if there will even BE a next meal. I would feel so helpless putting Lincoln to bed at night with an empty tummy. I am so thankful for organizations like the Dixie Care and Share that help people in tough situations.

My Attitude of Gratitude pt.10

Since today is Sunday, I find it fitting to write about how thankful I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I don't think that I am eloquent enough or a good enough writer to appropriately convey the love I have for the gospel. I am extremely grateful for the role that my religion has played in my life. I am so happy with the life I live every day. I know that without the gospel, my life would be much different. I have tried to make choices based on what Heavenly Father would want me to do and as a result, I love my life. I am so thankful for my brother, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifices he made for me. I love that because of him, I can be with my family forever. These are the basics of my testimony and I want everyone to know that I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus and that I love the gospel.