Five Years

It's been five years since we said "I do" and I am still falling in love with my husband a little more every day. He makes me laugh, works hard to provide for our little family, and is a fantastic father to our two daughters. Some days I can't believe how lucky I am, and thank God that certain doors closed so that this one would open. I am so excited to see what else our future holds.

Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start.
I see it in your eyes, you can feel it from my heart.
From here on after let's stay the way we are right now,
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow.

I cross my heart and promise to
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine.

You will always be the miracle that makes my life complete,
And as long as there's a breath in me, I'll make yours just as sweet.
As we look into the future, it's as far as we can see,
So let's make each tomorrow be the best that it can be.

I cross my heart and promise to
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine.

And if along the way we find a day it starts to storm,
You've got the promise of my love to keep you warm.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine,
A love as true as mine. 

 George Strait "I Cross My Heart" (our wedding song)

Popcorn and a shopping cart

I'm not one for bribing my child (oh, who am I kidding, don't we all do it one time or another?)...and this is not a new idea, but I had to share my shopping experience today.

1. Emmalyn has a time limit that she will last sitting in a shopping cart.
2. My shopping trips usually outlast this time limit (especially at Target, because I will walk out with a cart full of things, none of which were on my list).
3. Target popcorn is $1.29.

I got her a little cup and filled it with popcorn and she happily stayed strapped in the cart for my entire shopping experience. Worth. Every. Penny.

(plus I got to enjoy a $1 soda and the leftover popcorn)

You're welcome.

DIY Advent Calendar

Growing up, we always had an Advent Calendar. I remember it had little doors on it and every day of December, leading up to Christmas, my two sisters and I would take turns opening the door and seeing the surprise treat behind it. It was a great way to celebrate the season and got us excited in the countdown to the birth day of Jesus.

Now that Emmalyn is two years old, she's starting to understand the concept of Christmas a little more. I wanted to make something that would get her excited in the same way I did when I was little. After scouring Pinterest and blogs for ideas, I headed to Michael's and Target to get my supplies.

 

I bought Emmalyn a miniature tree of her own. I wanted her to open a bag each day that had a small ornament she could put on her tree every morning. 

I found some mini clothespins and sparkly scrapbooking paper at Michaels. I cut thin strips of paper and used double-sided tape to stick each strip onto the clothespin.

 

I made a quick template on the computer and printed them out on a piece of cream card stock. I trimmed the edges so they looked like little hang-tags.

I put an ornament in each paper bag and added one peppermint M&M (which, by the way, was the first time I had seen them in stores. People, if you have not had them, you are seriously missing out. Go get yourself some NOW!)

 

I strung some jute rope and red and white bakers twine to hang all the bags from. Every morning, when Emmalyn puts her ornament on the tree, I put the empty bag back on the twine. I like seeing them all together, and plus I plan to reuse them in the years to come, so putting them back helps ensure that I will not lose them.

Photo bomb by this blonde cutie - hey there!

 

 

Supplies:

Ornaments - $5 (Target)

Bakers Twine - $1 (Target dollar bin) 

Peppermint M&Ms - $4 (Target)

Paper Bags - $3 (Michael's)

Clothespins - $5 (Michael's)

Jute Twine - $2 (Michael's)

Two sheets of Scrapbook Paper - $2 each (Michael's)

Cream Cardstock - Free (already had at home)

Total Cost - $22

Have any of you attempted DIY projects this Christmas season? Do tell!