Top 12 of 2012

Here are my top favorite 12 things that happened during 2012!

1. We welcomed our 2nd beautiful baby girl into the world!  Krissy Alexandra was born September 20th!  It's kind of wild to think I spent 3/4ths of the year pregnant!
2. We decided to adopt a very hyper, destructive, but lovable pup - TJ.  It took a few months for him to grow on me but I just love his big furry face now.  It has been fun to watch him have "firsts" - like playing in the snow for the first time :) 
3. We took our 1st big family vacation to Destin, Florida.  We are hoping to continue traveling once a year with the kids.  It gives us parents something to look forward to, and the kids absolutely LOVE it!  
4. I taught myself how to sew.  It's obviously not rocket science, but it's a skill I'm looking forward to building on, and I simply can not wait to make the girls matching Easter outfits this year!  So far I've made:  burp cloths, pj pants, pennants, plastic bag holders, scarves, diaper changer covers, and a car seat blanket.  I may try to make our family new stockings for next Christmas... we shall see!
5. We took a mini vaca to the Ozark Mountains.  The vacation was planned before I knew I was pregnant, but we went anyway, nauseous and all, and had a blast!  Looking forward to going back in the warm season when we can do some fishing!
6. We celebrated 5 years of marriage this year.  I know it's a small milestone, but I can't believe how fast 5 years has gone!
7. I started my "mommy books".  My mom gave me 3 blank books (one for each kiddo) this past Mother's Day.  The kids are supposed to draw or write or color in the book.  Hayden has just taken an interest to drawing and writing, so I'm gluing things in the book, writing down little stories about every day life, and I'm excited I'll have these little memories in a book.  One day the kids will love to read them!
8. I got my first gun.  It's a cute little gun I can conceal if I ever feel the need to. After the CT shooting, you just never know what kinda crazy person will have a gun and decide to use it, so this mama bear wants to be ready to protect her cubs!
9. We finally got some descent snow!!! Since Hayden has been old enough to play in snow, we hadn't had a big/wet/significant snow.  The last few days he's loved having sbowball fights and building "Frosty".  Allie liked the snow, but didnt love being cold.
10. Hayden and Allie got to be roommates.  They seem to love sharing a room together and I think that will be the case for several more years!
11. I got a new niece last July. Eleanor Rose.  I just have a feeling Krissy and Eleanor will be best buds since they are so close in age! 
12. Watching the kiddos grow has probably been my favorite thing of 2012.  Hayden is the best helper and big brother.  He can do anything as long as I am encouraging him.  He can be so thoughtful and is usually very giving.  He loves little babies and I think its the sweetest thing ever!  Allie's attitude has changed for the better this year!  She use to be so defiant, but now she minds pretty well these days.  Her nurturing instinct has been in full gear since I brought Krissy home.  She loves taking care of her baby dolls.  She told Hayden a few days ago, "I love you so much Bubba," and she constantly walks up and hugs him.  Krissy is a smiley little baby.  She's very easy going, the best sleeper of the 3 (11 hours at night is normal for her) but when she gets hungry, she uses every ounce of her being to scream and let us know she's not happy!

Overall, this past year has been great!  We spent lots of time with family, watched lots of good movies, ate lots of good food, grew several friendships, shopped when we needed to, vacationed when we wanted to, and enjoyed (almost) every second of the time our family of 5 got to spend together!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Love, The Devines

My Ornaments Dec 24

And last but not least......
December 24 - Christmas kitties
I don't remember what year we got these ornaments, and I wish I did!  They came from either Elder Beerman or Lazarus - I can't remember.  I remember not being able to choose at the store which I liked best, so I got all three.  Actually they were a birthday or Christmas present that year I got them.  If I had to choose only one now, I'd pick they grey stripey one :)

My Ornaments Dec 23

December 23 - Girly Snowflake
I mentioned in yesterdays post that in 1992 I fell in love with Hallmark ornaments,  One reason why I love this one so much is it's one of the first ornaments I remember buying with my own money (in 1994).  We went to the hallmark store the day after Christmas when all the ornaments were half off and my sister bought this one, so I did too.  I remember thinking "Oh, cute snowflake" but it wasn't until I looked closer and saw the snowflake was made up of cute little girls :) And there are hearts on there and I love hearts <3

My Ornaments Dec 22

December 22 - Open Heart ornament
This is a Hallmark ornament from 1992.  I think the reason why I love it so much is because when I was little and my mom gave it to me, I was so in love with the fact the heart opened AND inside was a little Christmas scene.  It's one of the first Hallmartk ornaments I actually remember getting. 

My Ornaments Dec 21

December 21 - Bama snowmen ornaments

While I can't claim to be the biggest Bama fan that has ever lived, they are my favorite team.  I caught about half of their games this season and I'm soooooo looking forward to the BCS Championship game that's quickly approaching!  I got these ornaments my freshman year of college.  Football season is usually over now for most teams, but not Bama!  These ornaments get me in game mode!  Roll Tide!

My Ornaments Dec 20

December 20 -Pregnancy ornament
Back when I worked at the bank, my BFF Amy gave me this ornament.  There are so many reasons why I love this ornament so lets get to it!  I had never seen an ornament to celebrate pregnancy before, so it never occurred to me to get one.  Amy didn't know my love for ornaments, so it just happened to be a perfect gift.  I wasn't expecting a gift from her so it was a lovely surprise!  I love that it's personalized too.  Kevin and I were only married 3 months before I got pregnant, and sometimes it feels like we've always had kids, so it reminds me of that first year that it really was just the two of us and our two cats. 

My Ornaments Dec 19

December 19 - Wedding Cake Ornament
It's no secret I made our wedding cake, so this was my favorite "1st Christmas together" ornament!  My parents gave it to me for Christmas in 2007.  I had a Lenox cake topper and cake knife and server, so it only made sense to have a Lenox cake ornament! 

My Ornaments Dec 18

December 18 - S'more ornament
My sister gave me this ornament in 2000.  It was her first year in college.  I remember opening the ornament and I said something to the effect of "oh, cute snowman!" and I was on to the next gift.  She stopped me and said, "Did you see what it was?"  I was like, "Um yea, clearly he's a snowman".  And I think she told me to look again and she had to tell me he was a s'more!  Now you see these ornaments everywhere, but it was such a unique ornament when I got it, that I still love it :)

My Ornaments Dec 17

December 17 - Mini Christmas kitty
This miniature ornament is about the size of a christmas light.  It's tiny!  My friend Shannon gave this ornament to me on my 16th birthday.  I think she knew I loved cats, but didn't know how much I loved ornaments.  It has always been a favorite!  I love it's little dangly legs, it's little pink pads on the back of it's feet, and the fact it's a cat!  It hangs at the top of my tree every year (which is why I had a hard time getting a picture of it) and my Christmas tree would be incomplete with out it!

Decembers Mid Month Update

Outside my window . . . It's dark and chilly

I am thinking . . . I should stop watching the news.  Sometimes I think I'd rather be uneducated and clueless rather than educated and disappointed/angry.

I am thankful for . . . in light of what just happened at Sandy Hook, I feel thankful for everything.  My family, my faith, that there is life after death.

In the kitchen . . . I have really been trying hard to keep my counters cleaned off.  We have this big furry pest, named TJ, that will eat anything (literally) that he can get his paws on!  i.e. bibs, spatulas, and food of any sort.

I am wearing . . . pjs, and I've maybe been wearing them all day.

I am creating . . . scrapbooks for the kids.  My mom gave me the books for mother's day this year and I just now got organized enough to start them.  It's not photo scrapbooks, just pictures they have made or hair Hayden has cut off his sister's head...... yeah, things like that.

I am going . . . to get a gun for Christmas.  I'm so excited to learn how to use it and it's small enough to conceal and take with me if I ever feel the need to.  Let's face it, there are way too many crazy people in this world and you really can't feel safe anywhere anymore. 

I am wondering . . . what the new year will hold.

I am reading . . . Nothing at the moment, but I'm sure that will change by the end of the week.  (I have a stack of books on my bookshelf that I want to read, just haven't had time.)

I am hoping . . .my kids stay healthy for the rest of the month!

I am looking forward to . . . seeing lots of friends in the next couple weeks!

I am hearing . . . the TV.  I have been sort of addicted to Fox News since Friday.

Around the house . . . it feels like Christmas.  I added garland to my mantle and some above my kitchen sink, and it feels really warm and cozy :)

One of my favorite things . . . is my fiestaware.  I got a new color for my birthday and it really makes me happy to open my cabinet and see all those bright happy colors!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . laundry, Christmas shopping, sewing, dinner date with some girl friends, hanging out with my sis, baking for Christmas - it will be a good week!

My Ornaments Dec 16

December 16 - Elf Yourself Ornament
Have you ever visited the JibJab website?  My kids (and I) LOVED it! You insert your face into an elf body that dances to a song - it is quite entertaining.  This year I'm not as impressed with the selection of videos to elf yourself, but the kids still are in love with it!  I bought this ornament in 2010 and it still cracks me up seeing elf Kevin on elf Hayden's back :)

My Ornaments Dec 15

December 15 - Memory Ornament
Last year on December 15th, at about 10pm, I was talking to my sister on the phone.  I had taken a positive pregnancy test earlier in the week, and as we were finishing up our conversation I felt a gush of blood.  I knew the feeling and I knew it shouldn't be happening.  Once I confirmed I was bleeding, I frantically tried calling Kevin but couldn't get ahold of him (he was at work), so I called my parents.  My dad stayed with Hayden and Allie and my mom took me to the ER.  I got a hold of Kevin and he met us at the hospital.  It wasn't till about 2 in the morning, after doing blood work, an ultrasound, exams, that they told me I had miscarried.  It was such a sad time for me, but I wanted an ornament to represent this little life that we only knew for a moment - even if it does make me sad.   

My Ornaments Dec 14

December 14 - Personalized Gingerbread ornament
Back in the day I use to take piano lessons.  I really enjoyed them for several years, but eventually stopped taking lessons.  In 1990, Mrs. Skidmoore (sp? {my piano teacher}) made all her students one of these ornaments and decorated a tree with them.  As a 7 year old, I thought that was pretty cool.  One other fun memory about Mrs. Skidmoore, I remember she had a coo coo clock.  It's funny the little details you remember about certain people/events.

My Ornaments Dec 13

December 13 - Bear and Clown ornaments
I don't have really any regrets in life, but if I could do one thing over again, I'd buy about a dozen more of these ornaments!  There was a little seasonal store in Washington Square Mall (back when it actually was a descent mall) that sold these hand painted ornaments.  My sister has two adorable cat ornaments and she got cat garland (which I stole for several years and still have at my house - remind me to give that back sis!).  These two actually were Christmas gifts that year from my sister.  I love how unique they are and I so wish I could find them again!!!

My ornaments Dec 12

December 12 - Mirror ornament
One of my favorite classes in high school was home economics.  My teacher, Mrs. Walters, had us make these ornaments for class around Christmas time.  We had to bring in a picture for the ornament.  We used steal wool and paint thinner to take a small section off the back of the mirror, which turns that little section into a spot of see through glass.  You put your picture in the little spot you created, glue a little felt to the back, and voila, you have a neat/homemade ornament!  I always loved this ornament, but even more so now that Tootise is no longer with us. 

My Ornaments Dec 11

December 11 - Caribbean Cruising Ornament
Kevin and I took a Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon and this was the ornament I bought on that trip.  We are dreaming of another cruise sometime in the future - maybe a bigger anniversary - like 10 or 15 yrs. 

My Ornaments Dec 10

December 10 - Annalee Cat ornament

I am 100% a cat person, and I fell in love with Annalee cats several years ago.  There's just something about their painted faces that make them so loveable!  I have two Annalee Cat ornaments, but I wish I had enough to decorate a whole tree. 

My Ornaments Dec 9

December 9:  My Braces ornament
Yes, you read that right.  I loved my braces.  I didn't want to get them off, so when it came time to remove them, I asked the orthodontist if I could keep them.  That was a first for them, but they didn't have any objections!  My mom found the clear plastic ball, and they have been hanging on my tree since my freshman year in high school!  Don't judge, I'm sure you've done weird things too! :)

My Ornaments Dec 8

December 8: Panda Jingle Bell Ornament
When I was younger, I had a huge obsession with panda bears, and I still kinda do!  My Aunt Teresa, who has passed away, had this ornament on my gift for Christmas in 1989.  I don't know if she made it or not, but I'm going to guess she did because she was such a crafty lady.  It was my first panda ornament and it's still my favorite panda ornament I have!

My Ornaments Dec 7

December 7: Baby's First Christmas Ornament
Today is my birthday!  Last year in my twenties - kinda scary!  I thought a fun ornament to showcase today would be one I had to have gotten shortly after I was born.  This is a Hallmark ornament from 1983!  I actually have 3 "baby's first Christmas" ornaments and I love them all - this one just happens to be my favorite of the three :)  I've made sure that all my kids have a couple cute ornaments for their first Christmas too!

My Ornaments Dec 6

December 6:  Hayden's first Christmas hand-print ornament
My sister and mom stole Hayden for a few hours when he was 7 months old.  I thought nothing of it, but was so surprised on Christmas when I opened this sweet little ornament! I've carried on the tradition with Allie, and will do the same with Krissy this year.  I'm sure when they get older they will get a kick out of seeing how little their hand print use to be! 

My Ornaments Dec 1- Dec5

Oh boy, you're going to be so proud of me!  I've actually planned something... while I was decorating my Christmas tree (which is one of my favorite things to do all year), I kept reminiscing on the memories my favorite ornaments hold.  I decided I'd showcase an ornament each day in December until Christmas, and tell you why I love it so much, or the memory behind it.  I also wanted to highly suggest giving ornaments as gifts or getting them when you take a vacation!

Obviously I'm a few days behind so I'll get all caught up in this first post :)

December 1- Merry Merry polka dot ornament
This ornament was given to me on my birthday three years ago, by one of my favorite people, Candice!  It's been on the front of my tree since I got it, and it is the first ornament to catch your eye when you look at my tree.  I was also 4 weeks pregnant with Allie on that birthday (which I didn't know at the time).  It's just an all around happy ornament with lots of happy memories! :)

December 2:  Hand painted tree ornament
Back in 2004 when Kevin and I were dating, and he was trying to woo me, he painted this ornament for me at FiredUp!  Kevin is not into things like this (like at all), but he knew I was and he took the time to make it for me.  Ever since he gave it to me, it's been one of my favorites!  I think this is one of those ornaments when Kevin and I are dead and gone, the kids will fight over who gets it!

December 3:  Dumbo Ornament
Every vacation I've ever taken, I've bought an ornament to remember that vacation.  This one was bought (I think in 1999) when my family drove across the country to visit family in California. One of the biggest highlights of the trip was going to Disney Land.  I was so excited to ride the Dumbo ride, and that's why I bought the Dumbo ornament. 

December 4:  Sweet stuff ornament
Back in 1986, I was 3 years old, and I colored this ornament!  My mom (or sis) will have to correct me if I'm wrong (or if anyone even remembers) but I think this came in a kids meal, I want to say Long John Silvers, and you colored it, then baked it, and it shrunk.  That's the story I have in my head (who knows if it's right?!), but this ornament has been on my tree for as long as I can remember, which makes it one of my favorites!

December 5:  Canadian Soldier ornament
In 1995, my family drove East to visit my cousin in New York.  It was our first big family vacation.  I still have several souvenirs from that trip, but this guy happens to be my favorite.  We were close to the Canadian border and decided to drive across and see Niagara Falls.   It was amazing, the trip was great, and this cute little ornament reminds me of that whole fun trip!  This happens to be one of my kids favorite ornaments at the moment too!

What's Been Going On...

My blog has been put on the back burner since Krissy has arrived.  Adjusting to life with three little ones has been/was quite a challenge for me!  I struggled with post partum issues as much as I did with Hayden.  Things really started to turn around, for the better, when Krissy was 7/8 weeks old.  Since the beginning of November, Krissy has slept all night (going about 11 hours between bottles).  She is the most consistent sleeper and it's been such a blessing!  Keep it up Krissy!

I'm not trying any new recipes - and to be honest - it's an accomplishment just to get a meal on the table!  I haven't sat down and really browsed Pinterest in months, so I haven't had any fun projects to post.  Those two reasons, plus having very little down time, are the biggest reasons I haven't blogged much lately. 

Here's what has been going on:

• We spent the night at Christmas Lake after Thanksgiving.  It was our first overnight trip as a family of 5.  We got to see Santa and I was able to take Christmas card pictures of the kids.   I had a really hard time choosing a picture because I had too many cute ones!
• Any spare minute I get, I'm trying to get my Christmas cards ready to mail!  I am planning on mailing them from Santa Claus, IN at the end of the week!  It seems like there is always some little task, whether it be laundry, dishes, picking up, decorating for Christmas, ect. that is keeping me from blogging. 
• For months, I have felt torn about whether or not to send Hayden to public school, a Christian school, or home school.  Just in the last couple weeks, I've really felt led to home school.  It's not written in stone, but that's the option I'm pursuing the most.  I may post more on that later since 95% of the people I know aren't supportive of the decision.  Right now, I'll leave it at I think it's the best decision for Hayden and our family. 
• We installed new blinds in our house and I LOVE them!  I need to dedicate a blog post to them because they are that wonderful :)
• Have I mentioned that we temporarily got cable back.  I am staying up later than normal and the oldest two kids are going to bed about 7pm and I was just getting bored... with that being said, one night I saw New Moon was on.  I haven't watched any movies in the Twilight saga or read any of the books, but I decided to watch the movie.  I was so into it and I never thought in a million years I'd be so hooked on vampire movies!  Twilight came on the next night and I watched that too.  Then, I rented Eclipse and Breaking Dawn part 1.  I think I got Kevin interested too!  I need to go see part 2 while it's in theaters!  Definitely on Team Edward... I agree with Bella - I love Jacob, just not as much. 
• ALAMABA won the SEC Championship (WHAT A GAME!) - which obviously I'm thrilled about - but I can not wait for the BCS Championship game!!!!  Alabama VS Notre Dame.  Any unbiased predictions (which means my sister, a huge ND fan, isn't allowed to comment!) on who will win???  Roll Tide Roll~!
• I've decided next year, and probably two more years after that, I'm not putting ornaments on my Christmas tree.  I've already had 4 ornaments broken this year, either by the kids or dog, and I just have so many favorite/irreplaceable ones that I don't want to risk them getting broken too.  
• My house stinks like beef/deer jerky.  Kevin got a dehydrator and jerky canon for his birthday and he's already made 15lbs of jerky in the last two weeks!  Everyone that has tried it, and likes jerky, thinks it is great.  I'm glad he's found something he likes to make - just wish it wasn't so stinky!

Do you feel caught up on my life now? :)  Maybe, just maybe, I can try to squeeze in a post or two every week so I don't have to do another one of these lame generic posts!  I'll leave you with the second runner up for my Christmas card picture...