Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!   This year we made Oreo pancakes and we all loved them.  Fairly simple recipe and it was easier for me since my husband helped make the whipped topping.  Yum!!!   I love this tradition that we have and my Pinterest pancake board is filled with ideas.  We have tried so many different kinds of pancakes over the years and always seem to love them all.  

Merry Christmas!!!  What traditions do you have for Christmas?   This year I ordered matching Jammie's to be opened on Christmas Eve to wear to bed.  We opened them up early so I had time to wash them.  I ordered these off a website called PatPat... I don't recommend them.  It took weeks to ship so I'm thankful I ordered them early November.  They are soft so that is good!  

Look at how adorable these two kids are!   They sure are growing up!  Makes me emotional a little bit just looking and knowing how fast time is going. 

Merry Christmas 2017 I realized I never ordered enough pictures to send them out to everyone. Oops.   We are praying that you and your family enjoy the true meaning of Christmas.  Jesus we praise you that you love us no matter what... unlike Santa who makes a list of all the bad things! 

Titus is in cub scouts and his pack did some Christmas caroling last week.  They did a great job singing songs and I love that they were able to do songs with a true Christmas meaning. 

Merry Christmas one and all!   I pray that as this year comes to a close you are excited for 2017!   That with an expectant heart you set goals and follow through to reach them.   If I have to be honest this last year has had many ups and downs.   Even this Christmas season I struggled to find balance and energy for the most wonderful time of year.   Then I had a friend gift me these journals that got me a little more pumped!  I know this year I need to rely more on God and not on my own strength.   I know I am a very strong person who takes on many tasks but this year I am slowing down and making sure my priorities are in align!   

"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"   This was another Pintrest find!  Thanks so much to Pink Peppermint Design for this great freebie!  I love when I can find an affordable gift to give students!  They all were excited to get the Jolly Ranchers and I didn't break the bank!  

If you are looking for a new tradition to do with your child and their friends then this is a keeper.   This was our 3rd year for the ornament exchange.   Each child and mom both buy a Christmas ornament and we have a fun little party with food and games and draw names for the ornaments.   It is pure fun to be around all the kids and their moms!   It is one of the best ways to get to know more of the moms from my daughters grade.   Each year the parents take turns hosting and planning so it isn't one persons responsibility!  

Flickr Credit: Carrie Stephens There’s no getting away from it youngsters are mischievous, and the kitchen is full of items that can cause serious harm to a curious child. This holiday season forget about baking, hot ovens, and small hands and instead whip up some kid friendly sweet treats! Your little ones will love decorating them with buttons and candies while older kids can experiment with different flavors, styles and colors and all without a dull Christmas cupcake in sight! Rice Krispie Snowmen Soft, squidgy Rice Krispie snowmen are delicious as well as being great fun to make and then decorate. Warning, this recipe can get a little sticky so be sure to have a damp cloth on hand for getting melted marshmallow off of small fingers. To make a snowman, you’ll need lots of white mini marshmallows, butter and, of course, Rice Krispies as well as loads of yummy sweets for decoration. We’re talking tic-tacs for noses, choc chips for eyes and so on plus extra whit...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Flanigan House!   This year we downsized the Christmas tree as we are redoing our living space and are going to be getting a bigger couch soon.   Thanks to Target we got this beautiful tree for only $27!  WOOT!  My favorite think on the tree is the new star on top.  I love the distressed wood look with the lights.  

Mary Engelbreit presents A Night of Great Joy, a delightful picture book that celebrates the joyful season of Christmas. This book tells the story of the nativity through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant. With adorable illustrations and simple storytelling, Engelbreit paints a wonderful picture of the night that Jesus was born. A Night of Great Joy recalls that fateful night with wonder and awe. From the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem to the gathering of many before the baby Jesus, this holiday treasure leads children through the tale of the birth of Jesus, guiding them with the star of Bethlehem. Mary Engelbreit, New York Times bestselling illustrator of the blockbuster Christmas classic The Night Before Christmas, brings readers a new holiday picture book that’s sure to become a family favorite. My Review: This book had me giggling because of the pictures.   As you read the story and imagine the story like a narrator in a play and then look...

The festive season is an expensive time, for obvious reasons. Christmas presents, food, drink, decorations and so much more. But there are a few other additional expenses too that you might not have thought about. Don’t be caught off-guard. Being aware of these hidden costs can help you plan and budget better and prevent running out of money or worse- running up debt. Here are a few of the things to watch out for. source Travel Will you be traveling to see family and friends this Christmas? If you’re going away then you, of course, have things like plane, train and bus tickets to think about. But even if you’re just visiting locally, the cost of fuel can add up. When you’re to and fro to parties and other social gatherings, driving to drop off charity boxes, going Christmas shopping and everything else- your gas usage is likely to be higher than usual Postage Most of us send at least a few cards and gifts in the mail each Christmas. And postage isn’t something you...

In the newest Berenstain Bears Living Lights book, The Berenstain Bears and the Christmas Angel, the cubs discover there’s more to angels than wings and flowing white robes! It is almost Christmas and there is finally snow in Bear Country. Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear are ready for some winter fun! But when they can’t decide what kind of snowbear to build, Honey Bear’s snow angel gives the older cubs a great idea. Soon the cubs have built a Christmas snow angel. Later, as they warm up with some hot cocoa, Mama and Papa give the cubs a little lesson about some very special angels and the work they do for God. My Review: One thing that my kids seem to want to know more about is angels and this was a cute story that shares some stories about angels.   After the story is complete there is some scriptures to guide your family in discussing angels with your kids.  Some of the stories in the back that you can discuss with your kids include: Angels ascend and descend fr...

Get ready to follow Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. They are in a hurry! Mary is expecting the baby Jesus and they need your help to find many things along the way. This holiday board book is perfect for young children who will love finding the 48 objects hidden on the pages while reading the classic story of Christmas, accurately retold and with scripture references. On your mark, Ready-Set-Find! My Review: This adorable board book will be the perfect stocking stuffer this Christmas!   The creative portion of this book is the seek and find pictures on each page while you still to read about the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Birth!   The art is absolutely adorable, as they use cartoon like characters.   This is a book that is geared for younger children from infant to 4.  I do have a 5 and 9 year though and we still had fun searching for the pictures as well as enjoying the story.   This book is also a great addition to any Christmas rou...

I had a great weekend visiting my family!  :)   Yes, the box is fun. Auntie and Titus Auntie and Selah

We have a tradition in our house for Christmas breakfast.  We make "happy birthday" waffles that we get to decorate.  This year Selah picked pink sprinkles and white chocolate chips.  We put a candle in it and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus!  :) Even Titus likes waffles!   Time for presents.... Giving Daddy hugs after she opened a present she loved! Giraffe jammies...I heart them! Favorite pic of the morning... he had a ton more fun in the paper then actual gifts.  :)