Sunday, November 27, 2016

Christmas is coming!

Christmas...like every year comes and comes fast! I know its coming and every year, I say next year I am going to be more financially prepared! Every year comes...and here I am again, counting my pennies to make sure I get everyone what they want.

Every year for as long as I can remember, has a tragedy wrapped around the holiday season. Of course, the holidays are always hard on me as my family, the ones I love most in this world have all passed within a couple months from Christmas. My sister passed the week before Christmas. I will never forget that for the rest of my life. It was the worst Christmas I have ever had. That was the first hit my family had taken. Or at least the one that affected me the most.

A year after my sister, we lost my Dad. His health was bad and in many ways it was a blessing as he was a different person after he had the stroke. He was completely dependent on my mother and while she missed having him near, she was relieved at the same time.

In 2014, I lost my Mom. Something I will continue to live with for the rest of my life. I hate that she isn't here to watch Liam grow. It makes me angry and question my faith greatly. I have always had a great love for the holidays (I got that from her). This is why all of my children have the same love. Christmas music is hard for me to listen to, even the upbeat ones. It's so funny (or not really) how a song can take you back to a certain time in your life. Holidays from many years ago. I remember vividly and hope that they always stay fresh in my mind even though they are painful, it is all I have left.

My family was able to get together for the Thanksgiving holiday. This is the first time I prepared a meal on my own for so many people. (How did Mom do this for so many years??) I fretted over it all week, and although I didn't have the fancy table cloth and old farmer salt and pepper shakers that Mom always used. Or even the Thanksgiving napkins, It was a success (and maybe I will work on my presentation more next year...this year it was DON'T BURN ANYTHING AND GET IT ALL DONE AT THE SAME TIME)

This year, we added yet another member to our family (not legally) My older kids seem so happy and I am anxious to see what the future brings for them!


One of the things I remember as a child at Christmas time was that Mom would get an advent calendar every year and I would get so excited to open or change them every single day. I wanted to create that same thing for Liam as he is sooooo very excited about Christmas this year! I decided to try my hand at making my own calendar and Liam and I sat down together to come up with some ideas on what we would do for the month of December! I think it turned out great. Next year I will revamp and be marketing these in my store as well!!!











Liam is so proud of this (as am I) and I think we will have a lot of fun with it!!! I love Christmas, all of it!!! The red and the green, silver and gold, the tree, the corny Christmas movies and music. The time with family, the gifts, the tree, the lights, making new traditions/memories every year.





Saturday, October 15, 2016

FINALLY the weekend!!!!

This week seemed to be never ending. Our babysitter's little boy has been sick so I have had to swap days for evening and Duane has been working early mornings all week. Which means I get to bed at midnight and up at 7! BLAH!

Oh well I can sleep when I'm dead right?

Oh how I love Fall! I love everything about it. Everything. The cooler weather, the changing leaves, pumpkin EVERYTHING. But with the first signs of fall, I have to teach myself to say goodbye to our flip flops. My schedule is crazy and its just so easy to throw our flops on and go! (Especially with a toddler!)

My favorite part of October??? Halloween!! (of course) Quite possibly my favorite holiday but it's a toss up because I do love Christmas. Mama always made Christmas special. I had such an amazing family growing up. So very blessed. Tomorrow marks the 2 year mark that I lost Mom. This week has especially been hard. Facebook has a "Time Hop" which I typically love but not this week. I have tried to just avoid it. It is my personal weakness and always will be. 2 years? Really? I remember every single day of that last week, and the days that followed. Nobody ever plans on losing their parents. I mean, they know it will happen one day but there is nothing to prepare your soul for losing someone you have known your entire life.

All of my friends and family were so good to me and I will never ever forget that but that is the only good thing I have to say about that period in my life. I miss her every single day.

Fly high Mama!

BACK 2 MY LOVE FOR HALLOWEEN!!!

This is the first year that Liam has actually been old enough to understand my excitement of the holidays and want to participate too! He has decided to be a Ninja Turtle (Michaelangelo). Daddy is just excited he is not Doc McStuffin or Peppa Pig. My baby boy likes girl stuff...and that is fine with me!

This week we finally painted our pumpkins. Liam's appeared a little caved in on one side but he was just happy that he got to paint! I am on this Jack Skellington kick so of course that is the direction I went. Liam? Well we had aimed at doing polka dots....but it turned into SO MUCH MORE!






Meet Frank! Liam loves him!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

I'M BAAAAACK!

Today on my Facebook Time Hop was a post from this blog. The very same blog that I have not thought about in a really long time. Life does seem to get in the way. Over the next several days, I will be revamping. I don't scrapbook anymore although I want to...I just have trouble finding time for it now. Having said that....I miss it A LOT so might have to check out some of my old sites! My addiction to scrapping was what brought me to the great big world of blogging!!

What's new? My last post was over 3 years ago....so lets start there.

Last time I posted...Liam was a baby. He is still my baby but we just celebrated his 4th birthday. 4???

Where has the time gone?

As many of you know. I have started my own business. My kids bought me a sewing machine for Christmas last year. I have always wanted to learn and like many things. I never did. I taught myself to sew and one thing led to another and now I have this....


It consumes much of my time...but I love it. Wouldn't have it any other way!

In August we moved to Stanberry, MO. I have worked in this town for 4 years...was getting tired of driving 300 miles a week. I now work both days and evenings...sounds odd, but I kinda love it! Love getting off at 2 but hate getting up @ 5 so its a win win and not a constant. I get bored so easily.


In October of 2014, I lost the best friend I have ever had. Complications from pneumonia but what got her was the cigarettes. They were her crutch. She loved them and calmed her. I miss her every second of every day. 



In September 2015, my husband was diagnosed with Stage III esophageal cancer. He underwent an esophagectomy in November of the same year. In January 2016, he began chemo/radiation. As of today, he is cancer free. He has lost 50+ pounds and is now able to work some. He is currently working at the grocery store, half a block away. Can't say he loves his job like I love mine but he is ABLE to work and hasn't been for years! 


Next scan is in November and hopefully I don't have to post too much about the cancer stuff cuz we are praying it is a thing of the past!


For further Whitham ramblings....STAY TUNED!