are you ready for this?!

Hello again!
I have been on a sort of Christmas vacation from blogging. Completely unintentional, but unavoidable.
But, I'm back.
I have lots to share and lots of pictures to post.
I am not sure you are ready for all the catch up that is about to go down, but brace yourself.
Loading pictures as you read this and ready to share our memories with you!
(while I enjoy some college football bowl games!!! can't get enough!)

Sienna-isms

I have been meaning to document these for some time now, but after I just heard one I have to share.
Hope these make you smile as much as they do all of us.

• Ruhppear--"How does the soap jelly ruhppear?" Instead of saying "appear"
• Just as you know--"I am going to finish that cookie, just as you know." Instead of "just so you know"
• Yogrit--"I love strawberry yogrit for lunch." Instead of "yogurt"
• Who-wah-yee--"When I get older, I want to go to visit 'Who-wah-yee'." Instead of Hawaii
• Bery--"I love you bery much!" Instead of very
• Dark Vader--"I love Star Wars and I love when he turns into Dark Vader" Instead of Darth Vader
• Justin Biever--"I am Justin Biever's biggest fan!" Instead of Justin Bieber
• Patteren--"I made an AB patteren with my candy." Instead of "pattern"
• Bemember--"Do you bemember what I told you?" Instead of "remember"
• Yoyos--"Can we go to Yoyo's for ice cream after school?" Instead of "Yogo's" (fave frozen yogurt place)

Well...I know there are more, but at the moment this is all Mycah and I can think of. We are brain dead on this Friday evening! :)

Crazy Sienna in the midst of her own dance party in the living room.

projects, projects, projects

Happy Friday!

I have been a bit busy lately, but not in the usual way. I have been finding some very interesting projects to dive into. Between Pinterest and The Dating Divas, I have been keeping myself busy! I wanted to share with you a few of the new things I am working on, have just finished, or that are in process. Maybe, just maybe, it will be of some inspiration to you or spark some kind of idea in you. The holidays are a super fun but super busy time. If you take a few moments to try something new or do something just for you, maybe it will keep the magic of Christmas alive and not let it get drowned out by the hustle and bustle.

• Affirmation Christmas Countdown--This is the best idea! I had seen this idea on The Dating Divas website some time ago. The author of the post had done this for her husband for his birthday. I immediately thought it might be a fun way to give a gift (of words, dates, etc) for my man for Christmas. We are coming up on celebrating one year of marriage and we have been through a lot this year. I wanted to do something creative to show him how much he means to me and how I'm more in love with him now than ever. This idea could totally be done for children or roommates or whatever! It cost me nothing but time! I even enlisted the help of some special folks to make this project even sweeter. So, who could you totally bless with some words of encouragement, praise, love, and thankfulness?

 

• Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)--Thanks to a link on Pinterest, I have found this very interesting method for facial care. If you know me at all, or have seen me more than once, you have known that I have trouble with my skin. I didn't really have issues until I went to college. Since then, all the way to right now, I have had problematic skin. Think: oily, dry, clogged pores, breakouts, deep under-the-skin kind of bumps, & uneven skin tone. I see these ladies who don't have to wear makeup because their skin is near perfection and, I must admit, I tend to be a bit jealous. I have heard, for some time, that using oil on your face is actually good for it. This flew in the face of any and everything I had ever heard and I dismissed it completely. Until now. My thinking now? I've tried it all--from drug store cleansers to prescription cleanser and meds--what have I got to lose? So I've started the Oil Cleansing Method. I am only on day 3 of this endeavor, but so far have been pleased. My face feels clean and has not been as oily as it tends to be. I will definitely keep you posted on progress as I continue. 

• Going 'Poo Free!!! While I was doing some research on the Oil Cleansing Method, I happened to find the link to THIS blog post. I was so intrigued. Here's the thing. I'm not a hippie or a peacer or a treehugger, however, I do think natural methods tend to be very helpful. I also hate spending money. As my husband will tell you, since I would rather buy my clothes at the Goodwill than a retail store. So, I did more research and read the many comments of readers who had success and had variations on this subject of cleaning your hair without shampoo and conditioner. I brought this idea to Scott and he was game for me trying it (not him, but I could go for it) :). So I started last night. There is a transition period, so I hear, and today I feel like my hair is a little limp, but on our date night last night Scott couldn't tell I had done anything different to my hair. This method costs next to nothing and I am excited to see if my fine, limp, straight hair will improve over time. We shall see. Again, what have I got to lose?
• Christmas Fun!! Thanks Pinterest! :) I have tried these few projects and been pleased with their results! I love to be creative and am thankful that my creativity has the spark from other creative folks. We are all in this together! :)

                                                            

         

•  Last but not least, here is the latest thing I am trying TODAY! Here's to hoping it turns out well because I think it is too cute!

Well, TGIF!!! We have the girls this weekend and there are lots of new and exciting things happening. If we don't chat before Monday, have a GREAT weekend! Love you all!

Guilty Pleasures

This morning I happened to be randomly thinking about things that I love or indulge in that may seem odd to others. I have no idea why I am sharing this, except I am wondering if any of you do the same or wanted to share your guilty pleasures.

Here's the thing...most of the time you guys never respond. That is okay, as I am just glad you visit! But just want you to know that I would love to hear from you! :)

Here comes real honesty....

• When my hubby gets up in the mornings to go do his Quiet Time, I LOVE stretching out on the whole queen bed and enjoying a few more minutes of sleep.
• I absolutely LOVE the first spoonful of JIF peanut butter...can't keep it in the house because I have an addiction problem with the PB
• I adore reading and have a hard time passing up on new books
• I have a slight problem with playing solitaire on the computer. I know...it is crazy. But sometimes I just have to play until I win...weird.
• I love watching old reruns of Beverly Hills, 90210. Soap Net is awesome! (okay, well not really, but they do play 2 hrs of 90210 a day...which I do not watch daily, just randomly)
• Flavored coffee creamers...aaahhh! Love them!
• Exploring the DIY/Crafts section of Pinterest! I almost have a compulsion that I have to check it daily to see the newest ideas! Crazy!
• Warm fuzzy socks! I have 2 pair of crazy socks (one fuzzy blue with penguins & other fuzzy blue/green with gripper bottoms). Turn down the heat, throw on a sweatshirt, comfy pants, and fuzzy socks...and I'm in heaven!

Okay. There you have it folks. I am a tad odd and shared some of my secrets with you. Hope to hear from you and hope that you have a fantabulous weekend!!!

We have the girls this weekend so I'm not sure there will time for posting. If not, I'll check back in with you on Monday! Love you!

Becoming

I read an article from a new favorite website, The Stepmom's Toolbox, and had to share with you.
I need to preface this by saying that I think you need to take this article a step further. As you read through this and even try these activities to find out more about you,  you need to think of what the Lord is speaking to you through this. Who are you becoming IN HIM? What has He wired you to do and what do you find that drains you? How can you use this information to serve HIM? Is there too much clutter in your day that you could free up in order to spend time with Him daily?

I really think this is a neat exercise and well worth the read/practice. If I am becoming something every moment of every day, I pray that it is less of me and more of Him.
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Who You Think You Are vs. Who You Really Are

"You are becoming every moment in time" ~ Karen Casey

How often do you reflect on the you who is becoming in every moment?  Where do you spend your time and energy? How is what you are thinking, saying, and doing creating who you are as a person?

The real you is in between who you think you are and who other people perceive you to be. This first lesson is all about finding that real YOU.

For the next three days, your mission is to take a self inventory. It's pretty simple!

As you go through your day, answer the following four questions:

• What am I doing
• How am I feeling
• Is this what I really want to be doing with my life right now
• What is my energy level (1 = completely negative - 10 = over the top positive)

Following the example, please do this at least three times a day. More is better. When Teresa and I did this, we set our cell phone alarms to go off at different times in the day. We found this exercise to work the best when jotting down six notes per day. Remember: these are not journal entries. These are 30 second notes and should be done without thinking about them. Also, do not do this when you are driving, if this will get you in trouble at work, or any other time that it would create a hazard in your life.

At the end of the third day, take time to reflect about this experience in your journal.

• What activities made you feel good?
• What activities brought on feelings of boredom, resentments, stress, anger?
• What activities did you do because you felt you "should be" or that you "ought to" do them? How do you feel about these activities?
• What activities do you really want to be doing in your life?
• What activities do you want to eliminate or change?

When were you saying "yes" when you really wanted to say "no" and when were you saying "no" when you really wanted to say "yes?" How did that make you feel?

What have you learned about yourself by doing this activity?

Few things I love more than Autumn and taking pictures! :)

Happy first day of Fall!!!