Christmas Time is Here {Insert Hallelujah Chorus}

Is there anything in the WHOLE world better than Christmas, I ask you?

I think not.

Normally I am ALL about the fall. But this year the fall treated me horribly. I was nauseated all fall long. I couldn't eat, socialize or move. Fall is dead to me, I tell you, dead to me!

But Christmas is another story. I am now feeling loads better and able to enjoy making merry, eating goodies, and celebrating out Savior's birth.

We got our tree on Tuesday, and slowly but surely things are getting Christmasy around here. Come... let me show you!

Here is our tree:

These 'Peace' blocks were a handmade gift from my friend Lizzie. I LOVE them!!!

*Insert grandiose-sounding trumpet*

THIS is the banner I bought from tidbit at our MOPS group's Christmas Boutique last night and I AM IN LOVE WITH IT! I smile and feel merry and bright every time I see it!

The mantle all decked out with our stockings and advent calendar (I put it up high so no wee ones can peek ahead) :0)

A few of my favorite decorations and ornaments:

I made these silhouette ornaments of the kids last year, and I cherish them.

Goodbye Stinkies! (Another Awesome Product I'm Loving)

Had to give yet another shout-out to a product I've been loving over here at Casa McPreachy.

Does your potty training toddler or puppy piddle all over the carpet? Has anyone had a tummy bug lately that has left you with a yucky mess (thankfully, this has not been us...) Does your toilet ALWAYS smell like pee no matter what you do to clean it? (GRRRR!)

Then you NEED this AMAZING product:

(insert trumpeting)

Kids'n Pets All purpose Stain and Odor Remover!

Not only is this stuff non-toxic, it REALLY works! I've used bottles and bottles of it! (We have a doggy who is very naughty... but we love her!)

You just dab up the yuckies, saturate with the cleaner and let it air dry.

I get mine at Walmart. Just do yourself a favor, and stock up on few bottles at once! You'll use it, trust me!

LOVE this stuff!

I have found an AMAZING natural hair care line for kids (and adults) that I LOVE, so I thought I'd pass the info on.

The company is called Original Sprout.

So far we have tried the natural styling balm, which has kept Bennett's hair out of his eyes and looking very handsome. I LOVE this stuff!

Also, I got a free bottle of the deep conditioner and have been using it on Mallie and myself. It is naturally lice-repellent (don't worry, it smells great!) and it even did a incredible job conditioning my thick mass of hair!

After using these two products, I am sold. I have had a difficult time finding a shampoo and conditioner for the whole family that I love, so this place is a goldmine.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Fetus Heard 'Round the World

Hello Faithful and Devoted Readers,

You may have noticed that this recent blog-iatus has been longer than normal.

And you, O' observant one would be correct.

The reason being... I am with child!

And excited to death.

And sick as a DOG. (That's dawg if you are gangsta.)

So I really don't have much to write about these days except:

1. All I have been able to eat for the last 7 weeks is graham crackers, cereal and cran-grape juice. I've gone through an entire Costco box of graham crackers, and if I never see one again it will be too soon.

2. Yes, I've been sick the other two times I was pregnant, but it has gotten worse with each pregnancy, this one being about 10 times worse than the last.

3. I am 10 weeks pregnant... so it should only be 2 more weeks of sickness and misery. Yahoo!

4. The rude pregnancy comments have already started. I'm trying to tell myself not to take them personally this time. To just enjoy being pregnant since it's my last one. But it is hard when people are just so darn rude. One lady told me that the third child would "make me or break me." She said it all dramatic-like for emphasis. Thanks so much for the encouragement, person I barely know!

Then on Facebook another dear soul commented that my husband and I must be doing well financially in order to bring another mouth to feed into this horrible economy. Yes, seriously. I am not paraphrasing.

5. I really can't wait to eat again.

So until that day, my dear ones, these mundane details will have to suffice.

The First Day O' School. Or, The Beginning of the End

Is it melodramatic that I'm feeling like life is over because this is Bennett's last year before Kindergarten?

It may be, but I'm freaking out nonetheless.

It's the beginning of the end. The end of his toddler-hood, the end of being home all day every day, the end of his whole world being our family, the end of him thinking Mommy and Daddy are the coolest people in the world. Pretty soon he'll be moving away and marrying some girl from the University.

I object.

I often voice these objections to Benny-boy.

Me: "I don't WANT you to grow up. Please stop."

Bennett: "Moooom... it's OK! I'll still give you hugs and kisses, even when I'm big."

Sigh.

Do you see now why I refuse to accept him growing up?

Nonetheless, school started today, and I decided to get over my temper tantrum and make it a special day. After all, I do love a good reason to break out traditions!

Like the "Special breakfast on the First-Day-of-School" Tradition.

I made these apple cinnamon muffins. They were amazing (I made mini muffins instead of biggies, just FYI). I served Benny's up with some yogurt.

Along these lines, we also celebrated the "Bring-the-Teacher-an-Apple-on-the-First-Day-of-School" Tradition. Also known as "My-Mama-is-a-Kiss-Up" Tradition.

I packaged up 12 of our Apple mini-muffins in an egg carton. I found this cute idea on Pinterest. Benny was excited to give them to his teacher Miss Mary!

Moving on... to the "Picture-on-the-Front-Steps" Tradition. Our pics were a little sub-par this year. We were rushed, and we have two young children. Enough said.

Still we got a few semi-cute shots.

Getting a semi-decent picture...

When we got to school, it was all craziness and hustle and bustle, which is not Benny's favorite.
He likes it calm and quiet like his Daddy.

He said hello to sweet Miss Mary, who greeted each child outside the door with a big smile and hug. Love her already.

She oohed and aahed over the gift Bennett brought her, and I saw his little eyes twinkle with pride.

Inside the classroom, Bennett found a quiet corner where he played Dinosaurs and "Guys" (which basically means action-figures in Bennett-speak").

For the first 10 minutes or so, he kept asking me to stay, and then all of a sudden, he said very calmly, "Mama, can you please leave me here now? You can go."

So I kissed him (twice) and told him to be good (10 times) and drove away.

When pick-up time came, my buddy emerged from the classroom wearing a green Birthday Crown since he just had his birthday. He had a great first day of school and told me all about the special snack, the toys and the friends.

We then went and celebrated with our final tradition of the day... the "Special-Lunch-After-The First-Day-of-School" Tradition. This was one my Mom always did with me, and have fond memories of the first day of school!

He picked "Pandamania Express" :0), and we had a really nice lunch and playtime at the park afterwards.

After lunch he said, "What a beautiful day this was. I love this day."

Enough with the preciousness, kid. Can't you see your Mom is hanging on by a thread today? Sheesh.

5 years ago today...

...God blessed me with the most amazing gift.

It was this.

And this...And this.

A precious little baby boy who would change my whole life, deny me of sleep for 5 months straight, smear dirt on everything I own, melt my heart and kill me every day with his preciousness.

I like to call it Death by Bennett.

Because I die a little bit every time I look at his precious, little face.

As he grows up, I get to see more and more of the unique, special boy God has made him to be. God has given his such an amazing heart, character and conviction. Just like his Daddy.

Of course I can't sum all of Bennett up in one blog post, but here is a glimpse.

My Bennett is:

The kind of boy who just likes to sit back and watch sometimes...

Imaginative!
Lover of bad guys. He wants to redeem them all so they won't be bad anymore.

Loves to play, play, play!

A quiet and complex little boy. And old soul... He loves to sit quietly and play by himself away from the chaos of life.

Lover of the outdoors...

Lover of adventures...

Always holding a stick or gun... he is ready to defend and protect others!

Sweet and thoughtful... he loves to cuddle and is always telling me he loves me.

Sometimes precocious...
Loves quality time with his family. Here he is with his Bobob.

A very sweet brother to Mallory (most of the time) :0)He melts my heart and he knows it. He is the joy of my life.

Happy Birthday, Benny-boy. I can't believe how quickly these 5 years have gone by and how many special memories we've had. You are SUCH a blessing to me. I am so blessed to be your Mama. I pray that God will continue to bless and keep you and grow you into the young man He has designed you to be.