A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Christmas 2014

Showing posts with label Christmas 2014. Show all posts

Saturday, January 31, 2015

2014 Roundup ... A Little Late

Once again I am late on these type post but as I am enjoying the peace in my house if only for a moment I thought I would do my 2014 Roundup!

2014 has been full of ups, downs, twists, and turns. I am not sure where to start so the easiest way I thought about going at this was hitting 12 highlights/moments of the year. These are not going to be in any sort of order just things that I wold like to share.

Me: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So lets get started with my 2014 Roundup...

1. My husband has had an interesting year for sure. Back in 2004 he actually tumbled/fall down a mountain Afghanistan on a deployment and screwed up his knee. However, like most Marines he kept on pushing, fighting, band-aiding his knee, and the straw finally broke the camel's back. So it was decided that he would have cartilage replaced in his knee. He went through the surgery like a champ and the recovery was interesting. It was decided that we would take him down to my parents upon his command approval so my family could help me with the kids and of course him. However, that had a twist in it. While we were at my parents' house my dad's cat bit him on his hand and it did not look so good I took him to the ER because he was being stubborn. Well come to find out it became infected and he ended up in the hospital. So when he got home we had two grown men to take care of! I must give a huge shout to my sister-in-law Shelly who stepped upped and helped play nurse to those "big babies"!!!! They are both doing well and back up to no good.

Christopher: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

2. Caydance turned 1 in August! She puts us through our paces, fearless, tom-boy, princess, and so smart!! She loves her big brother so much and loves to annoy him as well. I could not be happier with the little girl she is becoming. Health wise she has been staying on the small size and has not been wanting to gain weight like she should. It is sometimes so odd to have such a tiny child when we are all taller but then I realize I am actually the odd one in the females in my family most of them are short! So maybe she is just taking after them but until then she is just monitored.

Caydance's 1st Birthday: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

3. I closed down my small craft business Gifts By Vaughn and it is okay it was one of the best things I could have done. I lost the will to create and be me when it came to my crafts and crafting. When I closed Gifts By Vaughn I became free again.

Image Found On Google Free Images

4. My husband I celebrated 10 years of marriage actually on the last day of the year! Had an amazing date at the Melting Pot.

Christopher and I on our Wedding Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

5. We have adopted a more frugal lifestyle. It has been a learning process and it has not been perfect! In 2014 we still have made mistakes but have paid down a lot debt minus my student loans. We also had a debt free Christmas. However, our savings sucked eggs but agreed to keep moving forward with trying to be frugal.

6. It was wedding season for 2014! Christopher was his brother's best man and I was my friend's Matron of Honor. I made the custom favors for Christopher's brother wedding! I cannot believe how beautiful the came out. However, my friend's wedding was in Florida so Christopher and I got a little vacation! So not only was I part of a beautiful wedding but Christopher and I could sleep in!!!!

The Brothers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The favors I made: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Sierra and I: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Rocking the flowers: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

7. Caleb turned 3! He has become such an amazing little boy and each day he grows and grows. Last year was big changes for him. In the past year his speech delay needed be addressed. So he started speech therapy lessons and has improved so much over the months that he was in the program. It was decided he needed he needed to be transitioned into the preschool program after he turned 3 to keep his speech therapy going and improve his socializing skills. He is such a loving little boy and very energetic. Caleb is also very protective of his sister.

Caleb and Daddy: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

8. I launched my facebook page A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life to go along with this blog shortly after I closed my craft business and it has been one of the best things I could have ever done. I had no idea how fast it would take off in that short amount of time. It makes me excited to see what 2015 has to hold.

My Facebook Cover: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

9. Sadly I was more isolated this past year. I am an introvert by nature who much rather read, listen to music, and enjoy my own company. However, this can be a bad at times for some reason I felt no desire to see anyone or do anything. Well I take that back I know of reasons that made me not want to see anyone but that is nothing to bring up here because it is past and it is move forward.

Was Me On an Off Day: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

10. We had amazing holidays! Easter- The weather was on the bad side but we had a lolly pop garden along with Easter Bunny visit. Halloween- we carved pumpkins, painted pumpkins, watched movies, and went trick-or-treating. I made Caydance's costume and let Caleb pick out his costume for the very first time! Christmas included not only a debt free Christmas but 24 books advent count down, Christmas eve box, feeding Chickens, and a Christmas scavenger hunt in the dark.

The Lolly Pop Garden: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Halloween 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Advent Christmas Countdown 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Caydance: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

11. My friend Sierra and I came up with the plan to become "Pen Pal Crafters". We use to craft all the time together and because of normal life events are now separated by a couple of states. So we came up with the idea to do crafts about once a month and share, talk, and have a good time creating once again even though we are couple states apart.

Sierra right before the wedding ceremony: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The Crocheting Gloves!!!! : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Pen Pal Crafts: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

12. In 2014 I struggled with my faith and what I considered to what was becoming a toxic religion. However, later in the year I never have been stronger faith and beliefs. I could not be happier, positive, grateful, open-minded, faithful, giving, loving, and hopeful person.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So Yeah.... That is my 2014 Roundup

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Christmas Eve Box

A Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life! : Christmas Eve Box: I know this is late but I still wanted to share this Christmas Eve Tradition! I have seen this idea floating now for several years now on ...

Christmas Eve Box

I know this is late but I still wanted to share this Christmas Eve Tradition!

I have seen this idea floating now for several years now on Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media websites....the Christmas Eve Box. When I saw this box a couple years ago this is something I knew I wanted to do with my children. This is the first year though I have actually put Christmas Eve Box Tradition into action because I wanted to wait until my children were old enough to enjoy the box and hopefully have some understanding of what this tradition is and will be about.

You can go Pinterest and I am sure other social media websites and Google terms like Christmas Eve Box you will find tons of ideas an how you would like to do you to do your Christmas Eve Box. There are tons of ideas out there but I thought I would show how we did our this past Christmas!!!

My husband and I wrapped up a huge box with some Christmas Wrapping Paper. Than we decided on the items for the box.

~Items is the Vaughn Christmas Eve Box~

The first ever Vaughn Christmas Eve Box! : Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

* New PJ's for the family

* A couple of movies (Christmas themed one and the new Ninja Turtle Movie)

* Game

* Coloring Books

* The Books "Night Before Christmas" and "Christmas Story"

* Hot Chocolate

* Slippers for the kids

* Reindeer Food (See a special Thank You a little later to a wonderful shop owner)

* Cups for the kids

About 3pm we presented the Christmas Eve Box to the kids! To see their eyes and reactions to the box was surely entertaining and heartwarming enough! With Caleb's saying "wow" and "what's that?" to Caydance climbing in the box!

Caleb and Caydance- The Best Picture I got: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So we had them change into their pjs, played games,ate junk food, watched movies, and read stories! I have no idea why these pictures kept coming out like this!!! However-here are my little ones in their new Christmas Jammies!

Caleb: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

One of the special moments of the night though is when we went to place the reindeer food! Now before I continue I must send out a wonderful and huge thank you to the lady who sent this wonderful gift to my children! The owner of The Sweet Season sent my children this amazing reindeer food and it just added such a special touch to their night! They make wonderful handmade goodies so I really encourage you to check out her shop and check out her amazing and drool worthy items. I have been trying to find a way to thank her and wanted to share this with her! I know I do not have a lot of followers or readers but if you check out The Sweet Season I promise you will not be sorry! I put their contact information down at the bottom of this post!

Reindeer Food- Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Reindeer Food: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

So to round out the evening we put on our coats even though it was raining and sprinkled the reindeer food so Santa surely would find the house!

Caleb messing with the lights: Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb getting the food from his Daddy and Caydance missing a slipper! Property Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

This will be a tradition that will be going strong in our household! I am sure we will adapt and make changes as our children grow and get older. I however, know I will be loving this for years to come!!!

The Sweet Season Contact Information
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/thesweetseason
Email: thesweatseason02@gmail.com

The Sweet Season - Gourmet Hand-Wrapped & Dipped Chocolate Covered Cherries are the specialty of the house. Other items include specialty breads, cakes & trifles. No designer cakes here...just made from scratch goodies like grandma used to make!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Christmas Lights Oh Joy!

Image Found On Google Free Images

If you are a member of this household putting up Christmas lights is an annual tradition!

You know where your the man of the house drags out lights he so "neatly" put up last year, climb up on a latter to new heights, asking his wife if they are even for the 100th time, a couple of curse words after discovering a strand of lights have stopped working once they have been strung, chasing kids, scoping out what the neighbors are doing, and so on.

Christmas 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

My husband came home early from work one day and the weather was just prefect so he declared it was Christmas light outside day! I must admit my eyes rolled for this event. I love the end results but it is always adventure to get there. So hubby changed clothes and I got the kids ready for their first adventure of putting up Christmas lights outside in this household.

So here are some amazing highlights of last week!

The weather was actually really nice not winter feeling at all so we were all enjoying the "winter" weather in our T-shirts. Hubby rocking his gym shorts as he climbs the latter and other objects that had me repeating more then once "I am not taking you to the emergency room" or "how are you going to explain to your command that you hurt yourself by climbing on something you shouldn't?".

My Marine : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

I also had numerous heart attack moments! Christopher would ask me for something and I turn around and both of the little monkeys would be trying to climb up the latter to help Daddy hang up Christmas lights on the roof. I realized that playing in parks may have aided into their no fear of wanting to climb on things. Oh the joy of having little ones who dare to be fearless!!!

I Know What He Is Thinking: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caleb and Caydance are able to entertain themselves very well and during this fun adventure found the stroller/trike to mess with. So Caleb was pushing Caydance through our leaf riddle yard giggling as they crunched over the leaves! I did find a massive leaf among the many. I can tell you I cannot wait to rake these bad boys up! When you live in military housing there are only so many days that they will pick up leaves and yard stuff so when you have massive treats you wait until the tree drops that last bad boy!!!!

Christmas 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Pushing Caydance Around My Bulb Tree:Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Caydance Christmas 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

My Massive Leaf: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The one of biggest highlights was Caleb getting into decorating and wanting to help! He is always wanting to help so we always have to find ways for him help or he will get in over his little head. So Caleb and I decided to make a chocolate truffle bush from our left over shatterproof bulbs. So I had Christopher string the lights and we created something that I wanted to eat!

Little Man Decorating: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

He Did A Great Job: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Christmas 2014: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Finally as the evening winded down I was able to snap the end results and a couple of selfies of this adventure! I am often the one snapping the pictures and I have to make an effort to get on the other side of the lens more often.

Hello! :Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

End Results!

The Outside Lights Of This Bipolar Mom's House Hold : Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Then The Next Part Taking Them Down After Christmas!

Image Found On Google Free Images

It was sure an adventure for this Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

24 Books of Christmas Advent Countdown

Picture Found On Google Free Images

As we all know Christmas talks earlier and earlier each year. I went to store during Halloween and they had Christmas trees ups and we are not talking about a craft store where they help get crafters get an early start on their products. I am serious a no joke chain store! However, that is neither here or there for this post! However, one of the things I did see floating around Facebook was about 24 books of Christmas. Now there are many versions of this on Pinterest and links all over Facebook but the overall basic concept is that you wrap 24 books and have your child unwrap each night and you read it together as a family. I could not help but to love this idea! I mean I am huge bookworm and my kids are always wanting me to read to them.

So here is my version of 24 books of Christmas!

Now I first obviously needed 24 books and I know this could get very expensive if you are wanting to go the all new route. Have you seen the price of new books and children books? However, if you are like me buying used books is something that I love to do and you can find really great used books at the thrift stores, local used book stores, and 2nd in Charles. So you can actually be frugal in this project and can be budget friendly if you plan it out right. I was able to do everything including by adding a little bonus of those little chocolate advent calenders just right over $20 dollars when everything was said and done. You will also need to decide what type of books you want! I decided that I really did not need 24 themed Christmas books but I made sure to mix and match! I also had to make sure for my 24 books of Christmas there were at two must haves in this count down.

1. The Night Before Christmas By: Clement Clarke

2. The Christmas Story - This is actually written by many authors so you find the version or the author you like

My Bounty Of Books: Property of Bipolar Mom and Her Daily Life

The possibilities of what type theme or how you would like to approach you want to take whether it as all Christmas, Christian overtones, Winter themed, non-themed books, and so on. You can do anything you want!

The next you will have to wrap all 24 books. Now if you are super great wrapper be my guest go all out and wrap them and make them all look pretty! I however, have two little ones a 16-month and a 3 year old I highly doubt they were going to notice the fine wrapping that I have done. Actually when I am older they will not notice that either because I suck at wrapping gifts. So I found some white tissue paper I had buried in my craft room and wrapped up the 24 books. Nothing fancy and simple for my kids to tare apart. However, if you are looking for some really fancy ideas I suggest for you to check out Pinterest !!!

One of the last things you will need to decide is where you want to put these 24 books. I would say think about your children's age for this one. I have two little ones so putting them under the tree or in their reach would have been a complete disaster on my end. So I decided to actually keep them in my bedroom where my books are stored and my children's books are stored as well. However, I did make a small presentation for my kids and I think it went over well with them. I have seen on Pinterest people putting them in little wagons, stacking them in a form of Christmas tree, putting them under the tree, having them in a specific order, and so on. So if you need inspiration just log on to Pinterest there are tons of wonderful ideas. I also decided to add those cute count down calenders with a small piece of chocolate for each night! I mean who does not like a little sweet treat at the end of the night?