A Part Of Our Family

What a sweet little gift from above. 

She means the world to us and we are so thankful to

 God for giving this sweet soul to us.

Christmas Jammies & The Christmas Stocking...

Christmas traditions are extra special. We have enjoyed many different little traditions in our family since our kids were little ones. And even though our son is grown and living on his own and our girl is still home...She may be a teenager, but she still loves the traditions. She looks forward to the special Christmas Jammie's she gets every year and The Stocking she gets to open when she wakes up Christmas Eve Morning. I love it too. I make or find the special jammie's that will be worn throughout the year before getting the new ones next Christmas. I usually give them their jammie's the night before Christmas Eve, so they can wear them to bed and when they wake...They have them on while opening up The Christmas Stocking

The Stocking is filled with particular items every year. It consists of:

Something to Read, something to eat, something to play with and something you need. I place The Stocking in their bedroom while they sleep. And when they wake on Christmas Eve...(even if no one else is awake or with them) They can open The Stocking and enjoy their goodies. It's a nice way to have a quiet morning, make breakfast while they are reading the book they have wanted so badly. The treat tides them over while they wait for Christmas Eve breakfast. The thing to play with can be a little toy or game or puzzle. That will also keep them amused for the morning. The something they need. I add in something like socks, or bubble bath...Just something they can use throughout the year.

This is a tradition I will hang onto for as long as I can. I am sending my son a stocking of his own via snail mail..Because your never too old to enjoy some Christmas fun! This year I let Freckles have her jammie's early...But...She will have to wait on The Stocking just a couple more days. 

Missy Girl

Our Missy girl has been with us for seven years now. We saved her from a shelter in Washington. She was about two when she was adopted into our home. We searched far and wide through the place for the perfect dog and couldn't find what we wanted...But something pulled us back that day to go through all the cages again. And there she was sitting on a little blanket, with her droopy ears and spunky personality. We were not sure how we missed her the first time round...But thankful we went back. She blended into our home as if she was always with us. She was meant to be for Freckles since at the time our son had his dog. A year after we had her with us our son's dog passed away. Missy Girl has always been a fun loving, playful girl, always by our daughters side. We can't imagine our family without her. These little critters become a family member for life. Thankfully she has also been a very healthy girl. We have never had to take her to the vet for illness. Still to this day she is as playful as the day we got her. Energy pours out from her well tempered spirit. She is precious. I needed a model to try to learn the camera my son sent me. Trying to get a hang of all the gadgets and doo hickeys. I just have to work on getting a clearer pic without blurring too much. Missy Girl was a sweet model. Her personality shines through the lens. We just love this dog!

My Girl

So excited that my son sent me his camera. 

Now, I can play around with taking crisper pictures of my girl.

 Freckles and Missy were my models for this little test run photo shoot.

Thought I'd share my first attempts with you. So far I love it, but now I have to learn it.

Until next time....

Work Before Play...

Good morning everyone....Today will be filled with bustling around the house, school, art projects, a bit of sewing and perhaps a little fun. But first we must play work then play. Other than that, I really don't have much. I am looking forward to this weekend...My mom and sister are coming down to do a bit of shopping and lunch for our birthdays...That ought to be fun. The rest of the week is mainly working on purging stuff, staying focused and keeping joyful while we do it. Little things like this tiny pencil sharpener globe brings a smile. Isn't it adorable? Freckles found it while thrifting. She has a good eye for stuff we like.

We also found these cheerful rainbow socks at The Dollar Store.
Too cute to pass up.
Now she has Happy Feet.

 

Missy is sporting some funky shades we also found for a buck at Target.
 I love that pooch.

OOOH...Remember Pick Up Sticks? We found this for a buck at the Thrift Shop...Now I just have to teach Freckles how to play. Would you believe, Duncan Hines Pancake Mix had this in the box? Remember when the prizes in cereal were way cool and even Cracker Jacks had fun prizes. Now there is junk in them. After all our work today...We will do a little play...Pick Up Sticks anyone?
Happy Thursday to you.

Nope...No Snow Here.....

Freckles got all bundled up today for our walk to the park this afternoon to enjoy a little exercise, fresh air and a picnic in the great outdoors. Though it's not snowing here...She wanted to sport her Winter wear out today. So sweet, she is. Exciting news for her this year she will be attending her very first Winter Camp next month...She's going alone...(Sigh). If you have ever met my daughter you would know that she is very shy..Which partly worries me and partly makes me thrilled for her. She is also a big time Mama's girl. I can't believe she actually wants to go. There will be a few girls from our church going as well, so hopefully she will feel comfortable. I really pray for me...I am a big ole' worry wart. I trust where she is going... Since my son has gone several times in the past few years. He's actually going again this year but, for the HS~College group. So he won't be there to look out for her. I will be driving her up and dropping her off for three days. Three whole days without my little girl. I hope I can stand it and won't be home sick for her ( I know I will ). I hope she will be happy. She seems to be really looking forward to it. And preparing just how she will be dressing when she's up there...And she's hoping and praying for Snow.

Well, one month to go and I will let you all know how it goes. On another note...We had a fun time at the park today...had a picnic basket lunch nd sat on our picnic blanket while people watching.
 
 Our dog Missy loves going to the park too...
So much so that she was rolling in the grass with glee (grin).
 Oh look she's making grass angels...
Since we don't get snow here, that is the next best thing.
Funny doggie girl. We spent a while at the park then walked back home.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Missy....

I am thankful for:

36. Fluffy pups

37. Our sweet loyal furry friend

38. Wet kisses

39. Playing fetch

40. Canine Cuddles

Going...Going...Going...

   

Gone.

Goodnight...Sleep Tight.

Come Along With Us Today...

Rise and shine...
We're eating Cheerios this morning with banana's cut up into each bowl...Yum!
 I used to do that as a kid yet, we didn't have yummy cheerios like this when I was young.

Let's take a walk!
 Missy loves going to the doggy park!

Finishing the morning chores!

Leaving the bathroom in order before going on a little field trip!

Freckles at The Old Town Museum....

All dressed up as a Ranch Girl.
 

Still in Old Town...We are dreaming and window shopping.

Back home having a snack...

Yummy home made dried fruit!

 

Maestro working on his score.

 So happy that he's back from Seattle!

Freckles set up her owls and played for a spell.

 This is her family of owls...Aren't they sweet?

Getting ready for dinner...

Here I have my little collection of Pyrex bowls.

 Hope you all had a lovely day!

Linking Up With:

It's A Very Cherry World!

A Bit Of Sunshine!