Every Couple of Days Seems Like Christmas With All of the Swaps!

I received this wonderful swap package the other day but I was waiting until my partner received hers before I posted it. This swap was A Very Vintage Christmas Swap hosted by Heidi and my partner was Kim. Kim sent me 2 Little Golden books (I collect them), 2 glass Santa ornaments, a jar filled with beautiful ornaments, a Christmasy scarf, and some gorgoues and special lace that she had inherited from her recently deceased Grandma. I am going to use the lace on something special. I love everything you sent Kim!! Thanks for a wonderful swap!
Here's what I sent to Kim. I made matching aprons for her and her little girl and a matching bib for the baby. I made her son an apron out of cowboyish fabric. Kim wanted an apron and something that would involve her kids. I hope she likes pink!

The next swap is Priscila’s Vintage Christmas Stocking Swap and my partner was Ellen. Ellen sent me this wonderful package. This is package before Mallory got to it.

and then this is the opened package. A wonderful stocking, chocolates, ribbon candy, hot chocolate and coffee's, a hanging Santa, a yo-yo lollipop, a little bag that Ellen made filled with tags, a pincushion she made, and then

finally this beautiful little girl that has a planter in the back. She is so pretty!!!! Thanks so much Ellen! Everything is so perfect and I really love it all!! Thank you so much!

This is what I sent to Ellen. She collects tea cups so I sent her a stocking, a tea cup, a vintage hankie and doily, a tissure cover, a couple of yo-yo pins, some ribbon, an ornament, candies, notecards and aprons for her 2 little girls.

Please go check out both Kim and Ellens blogs and Etsy Shops!! They both have beautiful families and wonderful things in their shops. Kim makes baby carriers that are so nice for busy moms and she also has some of the cutest pillowcase dresses for girls. Ellen makes the most amazing pincushions that you have ever seen!

I also received my package from the Monique from the Netherlands for the Snowflake and Sparkles Swap hosted by Holly, but I'm waiting for her to receive my package before I post.

And the Swaps Are Coming In!

I participated in the Polka Dot & Ric Rac Swap hosted by Sharon - Red Geranium Cottage . I received the most beautiful quilted "Welcome" wall hanging from Nan. She also sent a couple of Moda Packs of bright fabric squares that will be fun to make something up with and a cute little notepad. I can't wait to hang the wall hanging up in the new house! It's so bright and cheery! Thanks so much Nan! You did such a wonderful job!

My partner from the swap was Dawn who lives in Australia. I'm not sure if she's rec'd my package yet because she's been having computer problems, but I hope she has. I made her an apron that the beautiful Mallory is modeling for me.

and then some notecards and a polka dot yo-yo pin and a ric rac pin and a tissue holder. The ric rac pin was fun to make. I found the directions on Knick Knacks and Ric Rac. It's a really cute blog!

Then Melissa was my swap partner for Jennifer's Vintage Pink Christmas Swap. Melissa made a cute stocking out of a vintage dress and sent some yummy peppermint bark and some other candies ("Yes!" said the kids), some candles, scrapbook stuff, a CD, Christmas coasters, a necklace with my initial on it, a vintage candy cane pin, a nutcracker ornament and some cards. I probably forgot something there was so many neat little things tucked in. Thanks so much Melissa! I love everything you sent and it was nice to get you for a swap partner!

I sent Melissa a pink start ornament that I got from Funky Shique on of my favorite Etsy Shops and I found some vintage Putz houses on Ebay since Melissa is starting to collect them. Then I made her a couple of yo-yo pins, cards and a tissue holder, a vintage pink doily and added an ornament and some candies.

Then my feet were freezing last week so after making and ripping apart a couple of different slippers I finally found a pattern that I liked. I made a pair for me and for Jace. Jace wanted nothing to do with them though so Anthony took gladly took them. Thanks Anthony! Ezie and Mallory have already picked out colors for 2 pairs each for me to make for them. They did turn out to be comfy and not to constraining on my feet,

because after all,

I am a barefoot kind of a girl,

but darn it my tootsies wouldn't stay warm.

Now they will though!

Cherishing a Pregnancy

My daughter-in-law Jenn is pregnant with her and my son Chad's first baby. Chad, Jr. is due Jan 20. All through her pregnancy Jenn has been having pictures taken of her showing her developing belly. I love the way she is cherishing her pregnancy! Here are some of the recent photos taken last week. Oh, it helps that Jenn works at a photography studio!

This is my favorite picture!

and Chad, Jr. looks like he is getting plump and ready to be born next month.

I can't wait to meet my little grandson!

Some Pics of Our New House

As many of you know I have been talking about the possibility of us moving. Well, we finally are!! Earl lost his job a little over 8 years ago, 2 weeks before Mallory was born. We were so broke and were pretty much forced to move to public housing. The apartment we moved into wasn't so bad, but the neighborhood was a cultural shock to me. The police were on our street several times a week and the adult neighbors were constantly fighting.

Two and 1/2 years ago we moved up a street and into a 4 bedroom which is a lot nicer but still it is public housing and still it is in a terrible neighborhood. We can here our neighbors cussing their kids out through our walls and it just hasn't been our idea of a decent place to live. Also every room is on a different floor which has been really hard with little ones!!

Earl's second job is at a church and they have a house they rent to the maintenance person. I couldn't believe the house when Earl finally got to take me to look at it last week. We started moving in the next day.

It's a real house, with a real yard

and we're really going to live in it!!!!

The front porch is enclosed so the little ones can play on it when the weathers nice and then there is a little entry way before you walk into the living room.

This is one corner of the living room

Look, the walls actually have color on them.

I haven't lived in a house with color on the walls in probably 13 years.

LOVE IT!!

This is looking into the dining room from the living room

(yes, a real dining room!!!)

This is just a little indentation between the dining room and the kitchen that we are using for a computer room. We can fit a bookshelf on one wall and the computer desk on the other. There is a 1/2 bathroom across from this room.

This is one side of the kitchen. I think I am going to do a little bit of painting in it to make everything match a little better.
This is the other side of the kitchen looking down into the dining room.

On the other side of the kitchen is the laundry room which has a door that leads to a full storage basement and another door that leads to the back porch.


and then the best room in the whole house

a craft room just for me!!!

It has these built in cabinets and this beautiful door that also leads to the back porch. It also has 2 beautiful windows to let the sunshine in and room for my sewing table, ironing board and some more cabinets for storage.

It is a dream come true!!

For the last 8 years the computer, baby toys and all my craft stuff have been in the living room. Now they will all be spread out over 4 rooms.

We can have a living room that will not be cluttered!!

This is our room

This is Mallory's room and then there are 2 more bedrooms.

All 4 bedrooms are upstairs along with a full bathroom.

There is also a nice full attic off one of the bedrooms for more storage.

Check this out! I love that most of the doors in the house have glass doorknobs.

They are so beautiful!!!!!

We have a huge front yard for my flowers, a side yard and a small backyard that Earl can plant his garden in. There is also a 2 car garage that Earl shares with the church. The backyard is also connected to the church parking lot so the kids can ride their bikes there when church isn't in service and a big playground from the church run nursery school that the kids can play on when the school isn't in session.

I'm sorry if it seems like I'm bragging

BUT

considering where we have lived for the last 8 years

this house is like a piece of heaven!!!

Check Out A Very Mary's Blog for a Great Giveaway!!

The Lovely and Generous Mary Ann

from A Very Mary Design is having a giveaway on her blog

until Dec.12.

Make sure you go and enter!!!

Christmas Swaps, Oh What Fun they Are!!

I have been so busy doing Christmas Swaps and most of them are in the mail on there way to my swap partners.

Yay!!!

Check out the this banner from Chooyblue's blog for her Secret Santa Swap.

It is an amazing swap with 156 people from 19 different countries.

Isn't that so cool???

We don't know who our partners are in this swap......ssshhh.....it's a secret. We also aren't allowed to open our packages until Christmas day. I think it will be so much fun. I'm also in the Pink Christmas Swap and it is being run the same way. I can't wait to get a tree up in our new house and put some presents for me underneath it!!

My package was mailed out to another country on 12/1/08.

I hope it makes it to it's destination safe and in time for Christmas morning!

This swap package is on it's way to my blogger friend Melissa.

It is full of some pinky vintage goodness!! This stocking and swap package is off to another wonderful blogger Ellen.

I can't wait to get to know her better! and this Stocking Swap is going out tomorrow or as soon as I get Jill's address. Sorry Jill, I'm a scatter brain and I can't find your address anywhere.

I will have more packages going out by Friday and then on to Christmas for my family and moving into my wonderful new house!!

Have a fantastic day!!

Sherry

A Visit To Santa

Tonight Earl, myself and part of my kids and grandkids met at the mall and went to visit Santa. It was a fun meeting and one full of excitement for the kids (well, some of them!)

Ezie, Mallory & Jace

Mallory was so excited she was about to burst, Jace was okay as long as he sat with Ezie and Ezie tried not to show how excited he really was.

Anthony was in awe

Jordan & T.J. were a little grumpy

and sweet little Austin just slept comfortably in Santa's arms.

PreThanksgiving Preparation & Fun!

As the Pumpkin Pies that Mallory & Jace made and I got to be a "helper" on, finished baking

Three little monkeys made Monkey Bread for the first time.

Mallory cut the dough balls into 4 pieces, Jace put the pieces into the bowl and Ezie tossed the cinnamon sugar around on the dough balls. Then they all had fun putting the little cinnamony balls into the "cool" pan. Jace added a couple of extra scoops of cinnamon onto the top of the monkey bread when no one was looking because he is a "helper". Oh well! He had fun!

Then for the goo and the fridge until morning.

Hopefully it turns out yummy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

Through the Eyes of Jace

This is my almost son-in-law Jake.

Jace loves Jake.

Jake and Lexie started dating a month before Jace was born

so Jake has always been a part of Jace's life.

We have a place mat that has pictures of all of the Presidents on it.

Over the last 2 days Jace will look at the place mat

and point to the picture of President Andrew Johnson

and say, "There's Jake!"

I'm not quite sure where Jace sees the resemblance but he consistently will look at the pictures and point to Andrew Johnson every time.

I just thought it was funny how a 2 1/2 year old sees things.

Do you see the resemblance???

I'm Still Here I've Just Been Busy!

I'm almost done with all my Christmas Swaps...... finally!! I've been so busy doing these I haven't had much time for anything else. I miss blogging and reading everyones blogs! I finally got to see my new grandson, Austin. He is so cute and tiny. He reminds me a lot of Jace when he was born. Here's Jace holding Austin. The way Jace would look at Austin was so cute!

The kids are on break now and Earl will have 4 days off of his main job and Thursday and Friday off from his second job. It will be nice to have him home a little bit!! We are going to be packing a lot this weekend so we can hopefully be moving soon!! I can't wait!

I hope everyone has a great day preparing for tomorrow!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

More Swaps

I finally got my package sent to Angela for Lori's Fall Swap. I was so late in sending it. Angela sent me mine like a month ago. Sorry it was so late Angela!

I participated in an Ornament Swap hosted by Shannon and my partner was Angie.

Angie made me this beautiful red and silver beaded ornament and sent some mint candies and hand soap from Bathy and Body Works.

I sent Angie 2 Fabric Christmas Bags, 3 pouches of simmering potpourri and a crocheted stocking.


Then the Aqua & Red Swap that was hosted by Shannon was next. I love these colors. My partner was Lisa.Lisa sent me these 4 cool bowls and 4 cups, a super cute hotpad, 3 really neat containers with buttons, flowers and pom-pom trim in them, a red clip, a red helicopter, an aqua and blue little notepad, a cute little pin with a pinchushion on it, an aqua & red marker, some paper strawberries, some aqua cotton crochet thread and some beautiful red fabric. Wow!

I found some aqua and red scrapbook stuff, a hankie with red on it, a vintage aqua doily, a red star and some vintage Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus salt & pepper shakers with aqua mittens on, a yo-yo picture thingy, and some red and aqua buttons and then
I bought this pretty little robin ceremic coaster from an Etsy Store, RobotCandy.

I'm finishing up my swaps. I only have Christmas ones left and then I'm done swapping for quite awhile and then on to Christmas!

Things That Make Me Remember

Today would have been my Grandpa's birthday. He died about 6 years ago and I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't thought of him. My Grandpa always had plants, lots of plants, indoors and out. I don't know the official name of this plant, but Grandpa had one that we called a Christmas Cactus and one was a Easter Cactus, thats when they bloomed for him. Mine is in sad shape. I had it outside and I think a bike or scooter handle squashed it a little bit. Still, about 3-4 weeks after bringing it in the house for the winter it bloomed reminding me of Grandpa.

This is my favorite piece of furniture that I have. My Grandpa made it when he was young out of little strips of wood. He shaped it and glued all these pieces together to make this wonderful little stand. It has a piece of wood on the top that comes off and there is a little storage place on the inside. I'm not sure why he gave it to me, but all of my older kids have already claimed it when I die. No pressure there! I am glad that they all love it as much as I do.

Thanks Grandpa for being such a wonderful man and giving all of us such wonderful memories!

Don't Forget About Me!!

I haven't been on the computer nearly as much lately as I used to be to visit other blogs. There are several reasons. I've been overwhelmed with swaps, I'm trying to catch up on housework, I have to share the computer and my legs really start to hurt when I sit in the computer chair.

I don't want any of my blogger friends to think I'm being rude or just brushing you off. It definitely isn't that!! So please don't think bad of me, I'll be back visiting everyone again as soon as I can see the light of day!

Happy Birthday Daniel!!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY DANIEL!!

Daniel is my 4th son. I can still remember the day he was born. I had wanted a girl so bad after having 3 boys already, but the second I saw him how could I not be ecstatic!! He was so precious! I had a miscarriage a year earlier and I has told Daniel the reason I lost that baby was because God wanted me to have him. I got pregnant with Daniel about 2 months after loosing the other baby. Having Daniel always reaffirmed one of my favorite quotes, "Behind every cloud there is a silver lining." Daniel was my silver lining after loosing a baby.

This was when Daniel was 3. We were at an outdoor wedding and he was stealing the attention away from the wedding ceremony!

This was on Daniel's First Communion day.

Isn't he handsome!!

This is Daniel and his family, Tedi, T.J. and Jordan last May.

Happy Birthday Daniel!! I'm so proud of you!