Oh Christmas Tree(s)

Christmas is a big deal in our house.

It is my favorite time of the year.

There is something so magical about this time of year.

I love to decorate my house and if possible

I would keep up my decorations year round.

Hubby wont let me so they are up from Thanksgiving night

until New Years Day.

I thought I would share with my readers my

Christmas trees and decorations...

Last week I showed your Ninja's

 Here is Carter decorating her tree

 Of course Miss Rosie's would be Pink

 Here is my 'Charlie Brown' tree

Has all the kids ornaments and hand made ornaments on it.

 My main tree

My mini house divided tree

Georgia vs Georgia Tech

Some of the other work in progress decorations...

I have seen this repinned a few times on Pintrest

and think it is worth sharing here as well.

Source: lilluna.com via April on Pinterest

My Comfort Cross (review and giveaway) rafflecopter

Comfort Crosses are individually carved from a single unique piece of beautifully grained olive wood pruned from the olive trees around Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus. Christians have been carving crosses like this for hundreds of years, originally for pilgrims and more recently tourists visiting the Holy Land. Each craftsman receives a fair price to support their family and Christian community. The Comfort Cross is designed to fit comfortably into the palm of your hand as an aid to prayer or meditation. Ideal as your spiritual companion for easing children's fears, comforting worries and stresses of adults and focusing the prayer of the sick and elderly.

The olive tree is probably the most significant plant mentioned in both the New and Old Testament.  First mentioned in Genesis as the leaf brought by the dove to comfort Noah it was the tree Jesus prayer under before the last supper.  The Olive tree also provided food, lamp oil, anointing oil and building material during ancient times.

The olive tree is an evergreen which can grow for thousands of years.  The tree admired by Hosea whose leaves have been a sign of abundance; glory and peace are still used to crown victors in the Olympic Games.  The oil from the fruit used to anoint the sick.  The olive trees of Jerusalem are pruned to remove the hard wood and open the tree so new growth can provide a bountiful cop of olives the next year.  This hard and beautiful timber is used by local craftsmen for carving.

What I love most about My Comfort Cross is that it fits

perfectly in my hand while I am praying. 

Once my children return home I feel like they will 

become comfortable with the cross as well while they pray.

I know that my oldest will love it and it will more than

likely become hers once she sees it. 

Two lucky Our Crazy Bunch readers will win a My Comfort Cross of their very own.

How To Be God's Little Princess Book Review

When I first saw this book I knew that my
Rosie would love this book.
First of all she has the
God's Little Princess Bible
and because just by the cover.
I mean it is pink, purple and has a crown on it.

Once I got it in the mail and started thumbing through it
I fell in love with it.
This book helps to reiterate the important things in life
like...

Manners
Being a nice person
How to dress appropriately
How to behave at all times
Also, how to tell when you are being selfish.

My daughter loved reading this book
and telling me all the things in the book
that she already does.
I have seen my daughter pull this book out and show her friends.
telling them this is how God wants us to act.

You can buy the book here.

Thankful Thursday

This morning I have been sitting here

rewatching the final moments in

last nights American Idol.

Watching Scotty McCreery win 

and his humbleness is amazing.

It has just made me think about how very blessed I am.

So today on this beautiful spring day

I am THANKFUL for

God's love

Healthy kids

A Wonderful Husband

My family

Friends (new and old)

Life in general

Sunshine outside finally

Talking with one of my baby brothers today

This picture my grandmother sent me last night 

of me and my great grandmother 

when I was only 1 week old.

Enjoy your day.

I am headed outside.

See you tomorrow bloggy friends!

Happy Easter

I hope you all are having a 

wonderful Easter Sunday.

We are going to be busy busy today.

We'll do the Easter baskets this morning

before heading into church to celebrate that

our Savior is alive!

Once we get home I will

 begin making our Easter dinner.

This year since we are far away from 

family we will once again be

spending the day with friends.

That is one of my favorite things about being military.

Holidays spent with friends.

We will eat, have fun, hunt eggs and make lots of memories. 

To all our family back home we miss and love

you all very much. 

We wish we could be home with you on this 

Easter Sunday. 

To all our readers...

Resurrection Rolls

I love this time of year.

It reminds me of something that I know every day

that Jesus died for ME! 

For my sins and for my eternal life.

Do you know Jesus? 

He is great

He is love

He is our Father

One of my favorite things to do while 

I blog hop or blog stalk

is to listen to kLove radio

and read the stories about how great MY god is. 

So in all the excitement of the Easter Bunny this weekend

just take time to remember the true reason for Easter.

Here is a little activity that I plan on 

doing with my children Saturday night.

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients:

One can of crescent roll dough

8 large marshmallows (or one for each roll you’ll be making)

Melted butter

Cinnamon sugar

Bible or Easter storybook

Assemble rolls and read the story:

1. Read John 19 while the oven is pre-heating according to the package directions. If you’re really on top of things, spend the week before reading John 12-18 with your kids.
2. Unroll the crescent rolls. Explain that this is like the cloth they wrapped Jesus in.
3. Give your child a marshmallow and explain that it represents Jesus… all white and pure because He was without sin.
4. Roll the marshmallows in the melted butter. This symbolizes the embalming oils.
5. Roll the marshmallows in the cinnamon sugar. This is like the spices used to prepare his body for burial.
6. Wrap the marshmallow in the crescent roll cloth, pinching the dough together securely. Don’t worry about the shape so much, they’ll taste the same no matter how you roll or bundle them. This represents how they would have wrapped Jesus’ body. I like to brush them with more melted butter, but it’s not necessary.
7. Put the rolls in the oven (symbolizing the tomb) and bake for the amount of time specified on the package.
8. While the rolls are baking, read John 20:1-18.
9. Open the tomb and remove the rolls. When they’re cool enough to handle, break one open and discover what happened to the marshmallow. Jesus is risen! At this point, I also read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. Jesus is coming again!

Imagination Station Book Series Review and Giveaway

 CLOSED
Winner:
Number 4 chosen by random.org
Larissa who tweeted about the giveaway!
You have 48 hours to respond via email.
Thank you to the sponsor for this great giveaway! 

I was recently asked to do
a book review of 
The Imagination Station book series from 
Adventures in Odyssey. 
This is the first time I have ever read one of their books.
I gave the books to my 10 year old
to read since I knew they right up her alley.
She LOVED them both!

(from the back of the book)

“Mr. Whittaker, a kind but mysterious inventor, has sent cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland through the Imagination Station. It’s the year 1000, and they meet Viking Erik the Red, who is angry about the new God. Mr. Whittaker wants the cousins to find a Sunstone, but what does one look like? And what does it have to do with the mysterious letter found in the inventor’s workshop? Most important, can Patrick and Beth find a Sunstone before Erik’s son Leif sails away with the Imagination Station on board his ship?”

(again from back of book)

“Cousins Patrick and Beth are off on their second Imagination Station adventure. Mr. Whittaker’s mysterious invention takes them to ancient Rome where they must find a special silver cup. Near the city gate, the cousins are separated when Beth is enslaved to the emperor and Patrick meets a wise monk named Telemachus. All three end up in the famous Roman arena. Telemachus wants to share an important message with the emperor. Beth wants to know how to get the cup. And Patrick just wants to escape with his life!”

What I love about the books is that each book

is about a different historical 

time and place. 

Also, the books help children to learn

new things and have great 

positive reinforcement behind them.

All while my child just thinks she is reading for "fun".

Ha I tricked her.

Buy It!

You may visit Tyndale.com to make a purchase!

Win It!

 One very lucky reader will win the first 2 books in the series. 

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me 1 thing you think you will like about the books?

Extra Entries:

Follow Our Crazy Bunch on GFC

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Tweet about this giveaway

Prayers 4 Logan

Really, I don't have anything extra ordinary to blog about today.

I have a sick kid at home and one with a busted mouth

but other than that it is boring town around here.

So instead I thought I would shoo you in the direction of

my bloggy friend Amber over at Goodnight Moon.

She is one of my every day have to reads

and for good reason. 

She is funny, charming and right now giving.

She has a raffle going on for her neighbors son who has cancer.

Logan is only 8 years old. 

You can read more about Logan's story by clicking the button below.

If you can please make a donation to help the family of little Logan through what

can only be one of the hardest times in their lives.

I do not even want to imagine what they must be going through as parents.

Also, if you make a donation then you will be entered into the 

Amazing raffles that Amber had graciously donated for this cause.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible Review

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of anything Precious Moments.

When Rosie was born her room was done int he Precious Moments baby bedding collection.

Her baby book is the 5 year Precious Moments baby book.

So when I saw the opportunity to do a review of the Precious Moments Storybook Bible I jumped on it. 

I just knew that this Bible would be perfect for my little Hulk and I was right.

The Precious Moments Storybook Bible is a bible created for young children. It is broken into four different sections: Favorite Bible Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of the Faith, and Songs & Prayers. The pictures in the book are just beautiful and fit so perfectly with the stories.

When I am trying to read the bible to my children there are a few things that I like to consider. 

 

How easy are the stories going to be for my children to understand, how accurate are the stories and how is the book illustrated.
Now, I know that the pictures in a book should not be all that important however when it comes to children being able to fully understand something, sometimes they need a visual.
The stories in this Bible are just perfect for young readers. My children have enjoyed me reading the stories and learning more about God.

Another thing that I love about this Bible is the family history at the front. I love that one day when my children are all grown up they will still have in writing where they came from and who their past relatives were. I hope that one day my little Hulk will pass this Bible on to his child and so on. Bibles like this one are meant to be a family heirloom.

Pay It Forward Project

I came across this idea on a few different blogs sites and thought what a great way to start off the New Year by doing something good for random people. We all know the concept you do something nice for someone else and they do something nice for someone else and it just snowballs. Just a little something to brighten the persons day. I am a full believer in the idea of pay it forward. I love making people smile and making someones day a little brighter.

So here's how it works...

1.  The first THREE commentators on this post will be my three "Pay it Forward" recipients.  Stipulation:  You must have a blog to participate.

2.  I will contact the THREE commentators to get their home address, and then ship out a fun little gift.  Cause we all love getting something other than bills in the mail!

3.  You must then be willing to host a "Pay it Forward" on your own blog for THREE blog commentators. 

Any questions?? Email me at kriswhite82 at gmail dot com

Twas the day before Christmas...

and all through the house...

All the kiddos were stirring and causing a fight.

The stocking are still the bag from K-Mart

and the baby is taking the trees all apart.

Ok, so that is way harder than it seemed in my "blog idea" dream. :)

When do these kids go back to school? 

Oh that's right they are in between schools right now and wont go back until Jan 10th.

Oh, please help me now!

Every five minutes the older two are fighting with each other.

Rosie: "Mooommmyyyy... Carter is being mean to me"

Carter: "You started it first" (sticks out tongue) remember she's 10

Ninja: " I'm telling.... Mommmmmyyyy Hulk is taking things off the tree AGAIN"

Cue little sweet baby Hulk throwing himself on the ground pitching another fit.

What is with these kids? 

It's not always like this. 

I mean really they don't fight like this if a grandma or grandpa are around.

Oh, no they save the bad behavior just for me.

Was I Really that bad as a kid? 

A kid I don't think so, as a teenager still not a terror.

Really though Christmas Eve is just starting and they are all mad at each other for this second. 

Although once I pull out the "lets make Santa cookie" supplies I can bet they'll all be much nicer.

That or they wont be helping with the baking.

Oh and craziest of all...
I still have presents to wrap!

This whole being "homeless" during the holidays is not for me.

I get lazy.

Hopefully by the end of the night all will be well and the stocking will be well

not hung by the chimney with care but placed by the gifts without dumping them out.

All the gifts will be wrapped and delivered by the big man himself.

And the kids all snuggled in their beds with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.

Although, as long as they sleep all night I wont really care what they are dreaming about.

Merry Christmas to you all and to all a good day and night!

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them...'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!'

~ Luke 2:9-11, NLT

Moving Update...

Well, we got all of our stuff packed up and in the moving truck. 

Well, we didn't really do anything other than supervise and run ourselves silly chasing Hulk everywhere.

We are currently bouncing back and forth between my parents house and my in-laws house.

Enjoying our time before we move up to Massachusetts.

I believe we have a house all ready for us when we get there which is great!

I can't wait for Christmas morning this coming week and watching the kids open their presents.

Please over look all the random posts this coming week as I have some blog things to catch up on. :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and enjoy your children.

Make sure to take the time to slow down and remember the reason for the season.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

Luke 2:14 

The Best Gift I Ever Gave

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards.
For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up to $125,000.
Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

The best gift I ever gave to someone.

That is a hard one to think about.

I mean if you ask my kids they would say some of their favorite toys that they have gotten. Or if you ask my hubby he might say the Dan Marino college jersey I got him one year.

I think the best gift I ever gave someone was my time or my help.

One year when we were living in Kansa City we were out doing some last minute Christmas shopping and it was cold. I mean like cold cold with snow flurries and everything. When we pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot I happened to notice this little girl standing by a corner in the parking lot by herself. She was maybe the age Carter was at that time so maybe 6 or 7. She was in a jacket that at least kept her warm but she looked miserable and cold even still.

I kept looking and had my hubby do another drive by so that I could look for an adult. What I saw was her parents and her 4 other brothers and sisters to include a baby under 1 in an old beat up van. The mother was walking over to the little girl when we drove back by.

Ok, so she wasn't alone standing by the road. I was good. Let's go inside and get what we need I told my hubby.

While we were inside I kept getting this nagging feeling that that family needed some help. We had recently been blessed with some extra money and as we walked by the deli in Wal-Mart I got the overwhelming sensation to go over and buy a meal large enough to feed 10 people.

I walked over to the deli and started ordering food. My husband was looking at me like what was I doing. I didn't tell him first I just went and srated ordering.

When I told him he was like ok but you're giving it to them.

All in all with the dinner, desert and drinks the meal was around $60.

Since we had been blessed with the extra money that season it was no problem.

We payed for our items that we needed and then I paid for the food. We got into the car and headed over to give the meal to this family.

The mother got out of her van as I walked toward them with the bags from

Wal-Mart almost in tears.

I gave her and her family a hot meal to eat that night and made life a little easier for them with one simple meal.

I believe that is the best gift I ever gave to anyone.

I try to pass my good fortune on to people whenever I can.

Although, I can not always go out and buy an entire meal for every family I see that is hungry, I like to think that if I could I would.

In fact I know I would.

I know with all my heart that God has blessed me and my family.

Genesis 12:2-3

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

For more information about Stand Up to Cancer please visit http://www.standup2cancer.org/

Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Giveaway- closed

Who doesn't love the Chicken Soup for the Soul books?

I know I love to read them.

When I start reading a Chicken Soup book I always make sure I'm in a comfy place with a warm blanket and a box of tissues.

I am guaranteed to cry whenever I read the stories in these books.

I recently recieved the Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Magic book

full of 101 Holiday Tales of Inspiration, Love and Wonder.

or as I like to think of it

101 ways to make me cry. :)

The publishers of the Chicken Soup books have graciously supplied 2 copies of the Christmas Magic book for 2 of my readers.

How to win:

Go to the Chicken Soup for the Soul website and tell me a new book you'd like to read.

Extra Entires:

Like Chicken Soup for the Soul on Facebook

Follow Chicken Soup for the Soul on Twitter

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Leave a seperate comment for each entry.

Include your email address in your comments.

Giveaway will end on December 30 2010 at 1159 EST

Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to repsond.

I was sent a book to review and was not given any monetary compensation for this review. All opinions are 100% honest and true.

Our weekend... the extended version :)

This weekend we had so much to do...

I mean as you sit here and read this there are packers everywhere and I'm probably regretting everything we did this weekend.

 But right now Sunday afternoon I sit here thinking of the few things left that HAS to be done. 

Not the things I wanted done. 

Anyway, this weekend we were busy but not busy doing packing things. 

We were busy doing family things...

minus Ninja who is at grandmas but I have no doubts he is getting his own special time.

Friday evening was my husband's Christmas party at work.

We went and had fun. 

The kids ran everywhere, jumped in the bounce house, made Christmas ornaments, ate WAY to much candy but it was fun!

I got to talk with a bunch of wives that I haven't seen in awhile and then some I have.

Here are some pictures from the night...

Story time...Night Before Christmas (before Santa came out on a Humvee)

 Sisterly love

Hulk has NOW decided that Santa is NOT ok...

 Family photo minus Ninja... :(

 Myself and Tanyetta (check out her blog Days Like These!)

On our way home from the Christmas party I got one of the lovely Christmas display gems that got FINED here.

Saturday we got up and went to go look at some yard sales. I will miss the fact that in December people actually can still and do have yard sales in Florida. 

I'm sure my yard sale days are now numbered to mid-May til August. 

There were not many that were of interest to us in our usual route so we ventured up north a little bit.

We went way off the beaten bath to a yard sale that said "HUGE YARD SALE" and it was huge too bad it was mainly junk and what wasn't was WAY over-priced for a yard sale.

So we left and went to Dunkin Donuts for a late breakfast and yummy donuts.

When we got home we were supposed to start some of the packing and fun stuff that I will be regretting about now with movers here. 

However, my curiosity got the better of me and from about noon until 4pm we did nothing but watch old home videos.

The girls loved watching videos of themselves from when they were younger. 

I wanted to cry watching the videos and we even found one of me before I was a mommy.

My little brothers and sisters were in the video and it made me sad since

one of my brothers does not talk to me right now and then my other brother just started talking to me more often. That 2nd brother is 16 so he normally doesn't speak to anyone.

He also, was seriously hurt this weekend being a dumb 16 year old and is now recovering at home with 17 stitches in his leg. (and if you Nick are reading this or Katie ask him "Are you having fun now") 

Saturday evening we went downtown to the Pensacola Christmas Parade. We didn't tell the girls until we got there and they could not have been more excited.

Here are some pictures from the parade...

Sunday we got up and went to church. Which was bittersweet since it was our last time going to Liberty for church services. I'll go Wednesday for my last MOPS meeting here.

We came home ate some lunch and are now doing some of the things on our check list.

Like painting touch-ups, laundry, yard work, topping off the suitcases and of course watching Miami Dolphin football. 

I have learned this weekend that no matter how much I want to control everything I can't.

I am putting my faith in God that everything will go smoothly these next 3 days and when we get our stuff in Massachusetts that it will all be in good condition and not broken. 

I am rolling with the punches and not letting the small things get to me at least until Thursday. :)

Daily Devotional

So with the New Year right around the corner and lets face it, it will be here before we know it, I am already thinking about New Year's resolutions.

Now I know that I should not make any resolutions since normally when I do I don't keep them. 

However, this coming year 2011 I have a whole list of resolutions I plan on keeping.

But that's another post yet to come...

Right now though I am excited that I am getting a jump on my upcoming resolutions.

One of my resolutions is to become better acquainted with God.

Can't we all use that? 

To feel closer to God.

Well, I was recently sent 

Unto the Hills by Billy Graham.

It is a daily devotional. 

I can not wait to start using it and putting it to work in my life. 

I have the book now but have only skimmed through it only because I want to start this at the beginning of the year.

I was sent the book Unto the Hills for review from BookSneeze.com. All opinions are my own and 100% truthful. I was not paid to write this review.

Book Review: Out Live Your Life

So let me start off by saying that I have never read Max Lucado book before in my life. Now, let me say that I need to get and read all of his other books, I am a fan. This man has a way of taking certain things from the Bible and making them not only work into your life but shows you how to apply them to your everyday life.  

This book has made me start to think even more about where my life is heading and what I want my life to reflect after I am gone from Earth. The book is based on the Book of Acts to help inspire you the to help others. I have always been big on wanting to help others and this book has shown me that it is not always the big things that make a difference it is the little things as well.

All About Me in 30 Days

Day 1 – your favorite song

My favorite song? I actually have a few... I have some that are older, newer and whatnot so I guess I will cheat and do a few of my favorite songs.

One of my all time favorite songs is an oldie from the 80's (gasp... I'm an 80's kid... this freaks out my 10 year old) would have to be Hey Mickey by Toni Basil. And just in case you don't have the song stuck in your head now like I do for just saying the title...

 

One of my favorite current songs would have to be Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland and just so you know its catching too...


And then one of my favorites to listen to whenever I am feeling a little down or just need a spiritual lift is Jesus Saves by Jeremy Camp. Just watch this video and tell me you aren't moved!

Operation Christmas Child

I thought I would share this wonderful opportunity with all of you wonderful bloggy friends. Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful organization that helps to get Christmas present and the message of Jesus to children in parts of the world that do not have a lot. And it is SO easy to get involved. You can get a shoebox fill it with small items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene items and other fun things. There are a few things that can not be sent in the box but for obvious reason like lotions, chocolate, medications, anything breakable. Pack all your little goodies into you shoebox or shoebox sized plastic container from the dollar store with a $7 check or money order and take to a drop off location near you. That easy and you have helped to spread the love of Jesus and bring happiness to a child. 

My MOPS group is doing this as our November project and each table is sending at least 1 box out. I took home an additional box to send out from my children. I think this will be a great way to show and teach them about giving. I try to explain to them often that they are very fortunate children and that there are less fortunate children in the world. They were so excited to do this. I asked them if they wanted to send to a boy or a girl and of course my girls said girl and 'Ninja' said boy. So I may make 2 boxes to send out. 

Please take the time to go by the Operation Christmas Child site and look into this very worthy cause for yourself and if you feel led to pack a box or two please do! Also, if you just do not have the time to actually get a box, pack the box and deliver it to a drop off location you can simply donate online and then you can follow your "box" and see where it goes. How cool is that?!?

Are you looking for a cute baby gift?

Well look no further than Really Wooly Bible Stories by Bonnie Rickner Jensen. This padded book is great for babies and young children. It is easy for children to hold and look through the pages without tearing them.

The stories are easy to understand for little kids and the colorful illustrations by Julie Sawyer Phillips are adorable. On every page there is a bible story geared for children to understand on their level. Along with where you can find that particular story in the bible.

The stories included in the book are Creation, Noah, Abraham, Moses,
The Ten Commandments, Jonah, the Birth of Jesus and many many more.

This is a great introduction bible to young kids who are just starting to understand and learn about God and Jesus. I highly recommend buying this book for the smaller children in your life. It would make a great Christmas present!