Christmas Overload!

Gahh! I haven't written in so long I feel like. With all the hustle and the bustle of the holiday madness I've just been busy. Between getting last minute presents, actually enjoying Christmas Eve, then Christmas and all the festivities that go along with it and now cleaning up after it's all over, it has just been mad house around here. Thank goodness I had a week off so I can get this house back into order before going back to work!

Before my big craft post I will write about our holiday fun. This year was the first year that we were together as a married couple. Actually the best part was going to sleep on Christmas eve and waking up next to my husband on Christmas morning. I felt like a little kid! I woke my wonderful husband up at 7:30 in the morning (I was a little excited!) but it was a good thing to because at 7:45 we got a call from my nephew Kody saying "Merry Christmas! We're at Mimi's and Papa's already so hurry up and get here!" The kids were so excited that they had to open up a present while they were waiting for us.

 Me and Miss Adora Fae, hanging out after I dropped off presents!

 Sisterly love!

Delivering presents!

I'm getting too ahead of myself here. Let's back it up to Christmas eve. We spent the night with Scottie's family. We all had dinner & watched Christmas movies. The adults worked on a beautiful gingerbread house and the kids got to open up a present. It was relaxing, it was just nice to enjoy each others company. For me it was nice to know that Christmas was almost here and I was done running around. I had finished all my presents so I was quite content.

 Our gingerbread house!

 Noah and myself :)

 Logan and myself

 Logan enjoying his sweet new robe!

 Our first Christmas Eve together, married!

 First present on Christmas Eve!

Our awesome stockings hand knitted by  Grandma Comley, she finished Scottie's just in time for Christmas!

Moving on to Christmas day. The day went quite smoothly considering all the places we had to go. Scottie and I opened our presents together (he spoiled me this year!) then we went to my parents. We made out quite well and the kids loved all of their presents. I always worry if I'm getting them enough and I always spend way to much money trying to be the best Aunt when in reality they just forget about half the stuff in a week. So I got them good stuff this year and even was able to make them a few home-made gifts. I got Kody a sweet new leather jacket (on sale for $17 and some change- major score!) an angry birds JUMBO coloring book, a hot coco mug (designed by me) and I think that's it. I got Adora two princess JUMBO coloring books, a hot coco mug, and a hair tie organizer (which she probably could care less about but her parents will appreciate) Between all the gifts they got from Santa, mom & dad and my mom and dad they made out good. So I was glad I didn't go crazy.

 Kody's sweet leather jacket!

After my parents we went to Scottie's parents for breakfast and more presents. We made out quite well there too! Very creative gifts this year that we loved! And breakfast was so yummy. Awkward moment when Logan opened his gift from us. I don't think it was exactly what he thought it was going to be (even though I typed in exactly what he showed me- I was very careful to write the exact website down) but I think he got over it and we all moved on to the next present following that awkward silence.

After his parents we went to Grandma Comley's. Always a good time over there. I got more presents and handed out more presents. I feel like everyone was so thoughtful this year. My cousin Amanda and myself always exchange presents because we've always been close. This year she got my a beautiful frame with pictures from the wedding in it along with the invitation she saved and her ribbon from her bouquet. So sweet. She also got me a shadow box with a picture of me and Scottie having our first kiss, and in that was the place card, her maid-of-honor speech. Seriously so sweet I almost cried! Love her.

After Grandma's we went home for a little break. I made mashed potatoes for his family dinner then decorated the cupcakes for family's dinner. Aunt Alison came over and dropped off our gift to us as well. They got us guinea pigs! I can't believe I just wrote that, and yes you read correctly TWO GUINEA PIGS! At first it was a shock. We had no clue where they were going to go, or if we even had any room for them. But we decided to keep them. After organizing everything they now have a home on our desk in the dining room. They are still very shy with us, and very skittish. But I do think they are slowly warming up to us.

Meet Tim & Eric!

Next up was my parents house, sadly we couldn't eat dinner there because both of our parents had set the same time for dinner but we hung out for a couple of hours then went to his parents for a big turkey dinner. So yummy! After stuffing my face there I went to my Uncle Craig's (by this time Scottie has had his fill of family for the evening so I let him skip out on the uncles house) Uncle Craig's consists of more family and more food. Just a nice way to end the night. I made a pit stop before coming home. I went to my parents o steal left overs because we couldn't not eat what my dad made. He's such a good cook and we couldn't miss out on that!

Probably my favorite gift! The wedding cake pandora charm! 

Loved writing "Husband" on the gifts. I know I'm a corn-ball!

So that was our Christmas. Whew I'm exhasted just reading about it. I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas with their families and enjoyed every minute of it.

Ohh and p.s. nothing makes you feel more fat than having someone come up to you and rub you're belly like you're pregnant and you having to say "Nope not yet, just getting fat" And then you smile and feel gross. And yes this really happened to me!

Rambles

I've been itching to write but don't really have any one thing to talk about, hence the name of this post. Let the rambles begin.

First off I'll start with some very exciting news! We finally got our tree. My poor husband wanted so badly to have a truck to call his own when we got our first tree but sadly that was not in the cards. We borrowed his dad's truck (thank you!) and set out to Bob's last Saturday night. He insisted we cut down our own tree. Long story short it was foggy and creepy and I was in a bad mood and declared that we were not happy enough to get a Christmas tree. Our Christmas cheer was gone so no tree. After searching for trucks again Sunday we finally got our tree (still no truck just our car) and because we only had the car Scottie was a little hesitant on making the trek to Bob's so we settled for a pre-cut tree from Burhmasters. It's just as good (at least I think so. My family always got pre-cut trees when I was growing up and they seem to do just fine, so there!) So we got one, and after some comparisons we went a Douglas Fir or maybe it was a Balsam. I don't know whatever it was I was in love. I thought it was the perfect tree, and to make it even better it has a little cork screw on top. Too cute!

 As you can see he's thrilled that I'm comparing. But hey this is our first tree, there can be no screw ups!

Found the perfect one! He's so happy because he doesn't have to hold up any more trees and I'm happy because we found a good one for a decent price.

Getting ready! Pulling out all the ornaments and putting those stupid hooks on them, which by the way should already be on them! I'm spending however much on these ornaments and you make me buy hooks! Not cool!

Finished product with some of our (my) favorite ornaments.

I'll have to get a close up of the cork screw. My mom said it reminds her of Dr. Suess, which I love!

Can I just say I am really peeved right now! In order for these pictures to get up here I had to go all the way upstairs- get my phone and my charger, plug that all in then e-mail the pictures to myself and then load them all up on here. If the instagram profile would work like Facebook I wouldn't have to get up at all, and I would have really enjoyed that. Yeah I know pathetic but whatever.

And here's my view on the whole real vs. fake tree debate. I vote real all the way. You can't beat the smell of a real pine tree. It's wonderful. To me that smell defines Christmas. Candles just don't do it justice. And yes I get it. I really do get the fake tree thing. Like if you're older and have no kids and you don't want to go out in the cold. And I get that it can save you money in the long run, blah blah blah. To me personally you just can't beat a REAL tree. I just love it. I think my dad wants to get a fake one. I'm hoping my mom can make him hold out for a couple more years but we shall see.

In other exciting news our futon is finally gone! Thank goodness. Not that I didn't love it, I did, I really did. I just didn't like it on the front porch which is where it went while it waited to be picked up by it's new owners because I couldn't stand having my house in disarray anymore! I'm a little OCD, so kill me! To replace our futon we got a navy blue sectional (from Scottie's lovely aunt & uncle). I feel like I've talked about this before but whatever. I'll have to get a picture of it. I love it! Lots more seating for more people to come over!

I'm very excited for this weekend. I get to go to Plattsburgh and watch my little sister graduate from college! So very proud of her! Pictures of that to come and I'm sure I'll have some funny stories when the trip is over. I get to ride up with my parents and share a hotel room with them for the night. It gets even better- after her graduation we get to pack up all her shit and get the hell out of there. So yes I'm sure there will be plenty of stories from that trip. For example: My dear mother has already suggested that we could work on the stockings that I make for her work every year together. There are new doctors in her office along with some other staff which means more stockings. I just don't know if that will work out. I'm a bit of a control freak so I'm not sure if she would be helpful or just get on my nerves. We'll see.

I think I know why I've been itching to write. It's because I am so excited to share all my home-made Christmas gifts! I am so pumped! Not to toot my own horn or anything but......I think they came out really cute and I really can't wait to share them. I'll have a couple of tutorials but not many because I never stop to take pictures of the process when I'm doing it. But I have most of the websites where they came from so you can just go there and look at their tutorial!

New topic: My job. Everyone always ask me if I like being a nanny and my honest answer is yes. Some people I guess just couldn't work alone, or have no one to talk to and coming from my old job I really don't mind. I don't have any stress, my work place is drama free and I get a two hour break pretty much everyday. I love the girls like they're my own and we just have fun. I love to let them play down stairs and sneak away so they can't see me and just listen. I love to listen to them play. I love seeing where their imagination will take them, what silly game they'll think of and what crazy characters they come up with. I love watching them grow. We have so much fun together. We bake, we craft, we're crazy, we're silly. I mean don't get me wrong they all have their moments. Moments of bratiness, sassiness, being bold or fresh but the good times always out weigh the bad. My secret pleasure is when the big girls are sick and they actually want to cuddle. (Even though it sucks that they're sick!) Especially Addie because she hates when I kiss her but if she's sick she'll lay with me all day.

 My girls!

 Big girl snuggles

 All cuddled up!

 Bat girl!

 Early afternoon cat naps

 We love hot coco!

 Making houses out of cardboard boxes

 The stink eye

 Crafts! Thumb print reindeer ornaments

 Good hiding spot!

Thanksgiving crafts!

Well that's all I got for now. I'll leave with this sweet picture. My cousin Holden and his sweet shirt. 

A little reflection.

I can't believe it's December already! December 8th to be exact. Which means its my favorite cousin's birthday. She was my maid of honor, and is one of my best most cherished friends. I couldn't imagine life without her. Now that we are older, we've traded sleep overs for game nights and dinners. I love this girl with all my heart and am so proud of the woman she has become. And yes you will always be a year behind everyone else! (She always hated being the youngest of the group)

 There we are. My beautiful maid of honor & I.

 Had to add this in. This is one of my favorite pictures. Adora made this picture.

Crying.

And crying again! All happy tears. 

My second family. 

Another one of my all time favorites. Love these beautiful women.

Can you tell we love each other?! Lol!

Ok so now that that's out of the way let's continue. It's been like a week since I last posted and I've been thinking......a lot. [Please stop reading if you don't want to hear my rambling] We've decided instead of getting me a new car and Scottie getting the blue car, we are switching gears. We are saving up to get him a truck. First we wanted to just get one off of Craigslists. We were planning to spend about $3,000, and that can get him a fairly decent truck. But of course he wants one as soon as possible and of course he found one. We only have $1,000 saved up right now so he went to the bank and asked for a loan. Just a small one, only $2,000 and we could pay it off in less than two years. No big deal. Well of course you have to jump through some hoops just for them to tell you no, you can't do it on your own you need a co-signer, a strong co-signer mind you. And bless my parents hearts they couldn't do it because they've signed their lives away numerous times already with all of the school loans my sisters and I have out between the three of us. Scottie's parents said no per usual so we were back at square one. We're going to look today at some small dealers. Hopefully we can find a cheap one, and get financing. We just need someone to have a little faith in us. We can afford it no problem (not to say we are rolling in the dough because that is certainly not the case) but we just need someone to give us a chance. I wish people would see that we aren't going to screw them over. They're not going to get burned. I wish people could see that we are responsible adults who are trying to make good decisions, trying to start to build up good credit. Everything just has to be so difficult. So here's to hoping we find something. Something great, that he loves and that I can live with the price.

In other news we are getting our tree tomorrow! Whoo hoo! Our first Christmas tree together (yes that's right- our Christmas tree, NOT a holiday tree) in our first place. It's going to be lovely. And I can't wait. I can't wait to put the lights on it. I can't wait to decorate it. I can't wait to look at it every night. I can't wait to get home from work and turn on the lights and look at all of our ornaments. I think I'm going to make a book of all of our ornaments, saying when we got them & who gave them to us. With pictures of each ornament to go along along.

I want to have an ugly sweater party this year. Or maybe a "North Pole" party. Not sure just yet what would entail but I'll think of something. Some corny games to play, some silly crafts to make. I just want it be fun. I want people laughing and having a real good time. Keep that in mind with any party and I'll think it'll be good.

WARNING: Emotional me is coming out, prepare yourself or just stop reading. Sorry this post is so long. :)

I'm writing this in hopes it will help me to "let go". I know I need to stop thinking about it. I know it's going to happen when I do stop thinking about it, stop stressing about it. I need to realize I can not plan this. This isn't my plan, this isn't Scottie's plan, this is God's plan. So last month I totally thought I was pregnant. I was reading all these different symptoms that women had when they were pregnant and I thought I had them all. I was nine days late for goodness sake. Not one or two or even three but nine days! I took I think five pregnancy tests. All negative. The first one I thought ok maybe I took it to early. The second one I took on Thanksgiving. Negative again and I cried. I cried like a baby. I knew I had to stop obsessing. Then I talked to my sister who said she got a false negative with Adora so I had a little hope. I waited three days and took another test and got another negative. I was just mad now. I couldn't understand it. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I mean not to be crude but we had sex like everyday. I just didn't get it! I felt like all I saw was pregnancy commercials, all I heard all the radio was stuff about pregnancy. It was so frustrating. I was trying not to be think about it, but it was so hard! So I waited again and took another one and again it was negative. I know at this point you probably think I'm a crazy lady and I even started to think that.Then two days later, I got it. I got my best friend back. NOT. Ugh being a girl stinks sometimes. When I got it I felt like it was mocking me. It was laughing at me, sticking it's tongue out. The whole nine yards. "Oh yeah, you thought you were pregnant well take this!" It was awful but it's gone now and we're trying again. And I'm just enjoying it. Not thinking about it. I felt like I had to write this to everything out of my head. And it feels good. I'm ready for round 2. So bring it on baby, we're ready.

Ok that is all. At last this post is over. I really have to go because my lovely husband will be home from work soon and we have to go looking for the perfect truck. And I need to re-do my nails. Tried to be awesome and put trees on my nails- didn't work out so well and now I have to take everything off and start again. So annoying- but at least I tried. :) Until next time......