Sunday Social

Hey! This week I am linking up with Neely for Sunday Social! I hope you all are having a great weekend! It has been a blast here and I can't wait to update ya'll tomorrow!! 

This Weeks Questions:

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?

I LOVE watching Elf with the husband! It is a family tradtion to watch Christmas Vacation. Then of course who can pass of FA LA LA Lifetime movies along with all those fun movies on ABC Family Channel!! 

Source: Uploaded by user via Christina on Pinterest</

2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?

We always give to toys for tots. We taught our eight year old early that it is good to give to those in need. Since just moving here to Oklahoma we are not familiar enough with food banks and what not but the plan next year is to take a day as a family and volunteer at a food bank on Christmas for a few hours or even on Chrismas eve. 

3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?

My parents always got me the collectors Barbies. I still have them and they are still in mint condition in the boxes! It was also fun to display them in my room!

4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?

I never really had a must have because let's face it I am an only child and was/is spoiled. So I got things throughout the year. If I had to pick tho I would say a computer you know when the whole IM thing was so cool and you had to have ICQ or whatever it was called! 

5. Item you begged for the most and never got?

There was honestly nothing I ever begged for and didn't get. Do I sound like a snobby brat? I am not honest! :) Like I said I am an only child! 

6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?

Growing up we would always go to my Uncle Robins house and have Christmas. When I was way young we would break up which family we would see on which day. It was fun, my most favorite part growing up was spending the time with all the family and getting to play with my cousins!

Next Weeks Questions:

What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?
What do you keep beside your bed?
What is your least favorite chore?
If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
What do you do to vent anger?
What is your favorite Holiday of the year and why?

Link up with Ashley and I and get a little Social….great way to make new bloggy friends!!

So glad it is Friday

Hi lovelies! I hope your week went well! Mine went fast, I've been supah busy with the boys and they have been W.I.L.D. this week! The husband has been busy with work this week so I have been playing the single mom card, which is okay because him and I are a team! :)

• Thank you to everyone who has sent emails to my best friend back home on the Cancer Sucks post. 
• It makes my little heart get so excited when I get comments from you guys! It also makes my little heart get excited when I see that my following is growing! YAY
• I'd like to have a few of ya guest post for me from the 26th-28th of this month. Please comment and let me know if you are interested, you can write about anything your little heart desires.
• What is on your Christmas list? 
• Until December 31 I am still offering FREE ad space ALL SIZES please use promo code Holiday.
• I am going to leave you with this video. It brought a smile to my face, have you guys seen this yet? Which this brings me to I would love be in a flash mob for dancing..just sayin! :)

SAW IT. PINNED IT. DID IT. CHANDLIER PRETTIES

Today I am linking up with Katie and Steph for Saw it. Pinned it. Did it! I hope you enjoy these two beauties! Yes that is right I said two! I got on a role with one of them then I knew I had to have my husband do another one because I loved it so much! Yep my hubs did these BUT he wouldn't let me climb on our ladder because 1. My foot is broke 2. We all know I woulda fallen or done something g dumb and gotten hurt and 3. He is OCD so when I come up with a new DIY he wants to do it especially if a glue gun is used!

Here is the picture that was my inspiration. 

Source: pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

This one is at my entry way.

The idea behind this one was to make it look like a Christmas tree! Items that you will need are:

1. Garland which I got at Hobby Lobby for 7.99 with 50% off
2. Ribbon I got at Hobby Lobby for 9.99 with 50% off
3. The snowflakes were 7.99 with 50% off from Hobby Lobby
4. The ornament balls were 6.99 with 50% off from Hobby Lobby
5. Wreath I got for free from my dad! 

What you will want to do first is take the wreath and turn it upside down and have little ties or you can tie it with ribbon onto the light fixture. Once that is secure take the garland and start at the top and wrap it around. Make sure it does not touch the lights itself. Then decorate it the way you like. I added the ribbon first then I put the ornament balls then the snowflakes on. My wreath has pine cones stuff all through it. 

This one is over my kitchen table.

I couldn't get it to show in the picture very well but this one the way I did it was I did not use a wreath this time. This light fixture is a little smaller than the one in the entry so I just took my garland and wrapped it around. I then got some ribbon and different size ornaments and tied them so they would hange down from the light fixture and different lengths. Then I took the ribbon and tied it at the top of the light fixture and have it coming down and hanging as if you would from a tree. All supplies were bought from Hobby Lobby with all them being 50% off. I believe total cost for these little projects cost around $30ish give or take. I was able to use the same gold ribbon that I used in the entry way.  I hope you enjoy these little projects! Please follow me on Pinterest here and you can also follow me on instagram @linsw00 P.S. If you have not checked out my post on Cancer Sucks please do. My bestie is a mother of twin boys where one of them is battling terminal brain cancer. They could use your thoughts, prayers, and support. 

OHP

I am so excited about yesterdays post! Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to my friend! Please keep them coming until Christmas! Lynn has been going through a few rough few weeks here as of lately. If you didn't catch that post you can read it here.

I am linking up with Michelle for OHP! I hope you enjoy these pins! Be sure to come back tomorrow to see the two projects I've been working on! If you don't follow me on Pinterest already please come follow me!!

Source: houzz.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: blog.omghaircut.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: pinterest.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: ideacloset.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: soyouthinkyourecrafty.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: tumblr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Cancer Sucks

Hi guys! I need some help like major help and I hope I can count on you guys to help me! I've done a few post saying short things on my best friend, her son has cancer not any kind of cancer but brain cancer. It SUCKS! I have Lynn's permission via text to tell about Peyton and use some of these pictures. She just doesn't know what I have up my sleeve! :)

Peyton is a four year old twin who was diagnosed in June with pontine glioma. He has had several brain surgeries to relive pressure. The tumor he has can not be taken out. The prognoisis is usually a year no more than two years. He is on Chemo to try to extend his life which at the moment Lynn has been having issues with the pharmacy because they have not been able to have it or get it for the past two weeks! His MRI last week the doctors told them that Peyton's tumor has stabilized AND the cyst has gotten smaller. His brain is also bigger, which is good news as this means there is less pressure on it. This is amazing! They also said on the flip side as they have seen in the past expect in January for his health to start going down hill. 

Let me tell you a little bit about Lynn. First she is one strong, beautiful, loyal, selfless, and nicest women I know. She started this journey with both twins when they were born as a single mom. Luck being on her side God put a fantastic man by her side. John has stepped into the dad role for these boys and is one of the biggest support systems for Lynn. She has the biggest heart and I love her for that. Side story to tell you about Lynn. The first full week/weekend my husband had left to go to Houston to live until we got there Lynn and our other bestie LB jumped in the car grabbed pizza, wings, breadsticks, beer the works came over on a Friday night hung out and kept me company. This is what friends do and what they are for. :) 

Here is where I need your help. Most likely this is going to be the last Christmas as a family of four for them. They need an extra special Christmas! I was thinking that if they could get emails daily tons of them telling them Merry Christmas, you are thinking of them and praying for them, or send an e-card just what ever you can think of to raise their spirit, I think would make her smile! So I have set up and email account peytonangels@gmail.com 

If you would like to follow along on their facebook page too you can go here. If you would like to make a donation then you can send money to  Peyton's Angels and send checks to the IU Credit Union in Indiana! This is not about the money this is more about I want to fill the inbox with her knowing people all over are thinking of her and her family. If you would like a mailing address to send a card to please get with me and I can give you that address. 

I want to thank you in advance for all of your help! Ready. Set. Go! and make a special Christmas happen! 

Tis The Season

**I am writing this so we can look back and read what our kids were doing at this time in our lives. :)


Instead of doing a recap of our weekend I want to tell you about one particular event happened this weekend. I also want to state that before you continue to read my husband and I never once told our son what to do he came up with this all on his own. Another thing you should know about Brayden is that he has a heart of gold. He is a kid that wears his feelings on his sleeve and has a heart of gold!

Brayden started asking questions two years ago when he was in Kindergarten about his friends getting a Christmas and some were not getting a Christmas. That prompted my husband and I to explain to him that sometimes there are children that do not get Christmas because their families simply could not afford it. When he found this out he got huge tears in his eyes and cried for them. He decided at that moment he was going to save his money to make sure the next year there would be presents for the ones who would not normally get any. Last year he saved $120 and went out and purchased toys and donated them to Toys for Tots. He also wanted to use his money last year to purchase a gift for his little brother too.

Ealier this week he reminded my husband and I that he and dad needed to count his saved money. On Friday evening they sat down and started counting to see how much he had saved for the year. The money that he earns is from getting good grades in school, tooth fairy, and doing chores around the house. By the time they were done counting he totaled out was $160! Saturday Todd and Brayden were going to go cash it in, but the night before we asked what he would like to do with it and he responded he wanted to donate like he did last year.

When he told us that he did want to go buy gifts for others it was all I could do to hold back the tears. I've always known that Brayd was special but I realized how special he really was at that moment. I do not know many 8 year olds that would want to spend their money that way. He is the typical 8 year old that loves to get gifts but he is also the kind of kid that loves to give and to make sure everyone around him is happy. I am so proud I was chosen to be his mom, I am also so proud our values we have taught him he has taken to the next level and he has shown how selfless, kind, loving, and caring he is.

Once Todd and Brayden got home they told me what all they got. Brayden was so excited about everything he was able to purchase. On the way to Toys R Us they had to make a couple of stops to cash in the change, the two stores they had to go into he stopped and gave some of his money to the Salvation Army when they were rining their bells. :) Brayden ended up with two huge sacks of toys for both boys and girls. While he was there he decided to go ahead and pick up and gift for his brother for Christmas and a toy now for him and his brother to share.

Just getting out of the truck with his goods.

Once Gannon woke up from his nap we were off to deliver the goods. I had looked up online where the drop off sites were and we decided that the Fire Station would be a fantastic place to leave the toys off. 

Here we are waiting for the Firefighters to come so we can give them the toys. Once they came and opened up the door they had a huge smile. Brayd got very excited to see real firefighters too! He told them why he was there and they just praised him on his good deed. Then they told him since he was such a good kid did he want a tour of the firestation and the trucks. Well we all know what that answer was..YES! Brayden's face lit up! He had to tell them where we were from, what his dad does for work, all about his Mamaw, Papaw, Grandpa, Grandma, dad, and brother of course!

They all followed him around talking to him and giving him tours but the sweet lady in the picture above really took him under her wing and talked up a storm with him. As you can see in the picture I think he was a little sweet on her! ;) Who wouldn't be she was very pretty and so incredibly nice. Unfortunatly I didn't get any of their names, I really wish I would have!! If any of you guys from the station are reading this please tell me your names!! 

Little brother had to get in on the action too of course! 

Before we left they gave Brayden his own fire hat that looks like thiers then they also gave him a baseball cap too! Brayden being the kind and thoughtful kid he is he had to make sure that his brother got a firehat too!

Thank you to all of you at the station, you guys were so kind to Brayden for taking time out and showing him around and letting him play in all of the trucks. He talked about it the entire evening and has yet to take off his firehat on Sunday too! Thank you for everything that you do to help all of us.  Please let me know when you guys are on shift working together again I'd love for my family to bring you guys some sweet treats to snack on! :)

To my readers if you have the capability to donate please do. There are so many children that need clothes and deserve a Christmas even if it is something small, at least they know that they are being thought of. :)

Sunday Social-Christmas

It is Sunday so I am linking up and doing Sunday Social with Neely! This week we are talking all about Christmas! I hope you comment and tell me your answers too! :)

This Weeks Questions:

1. What is your favorite Holiday season tradition?

Every year we would get together with my parents and make Christmas Cookies together. This would be an all day event! We would schedule it when the Santa Train would come into my hometown. Since we don't live in the same state we are doing our Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve so Santa will have something to eat! ;)

2. Do you have a certain Holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?

We always watch Christmas Vacation and Elf! 

3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have.

I love this and I have my eye out for an old sled. I have the perfect spot to make a home for one!! 

Source: applestonecottage.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

4. Favorite Holiday song?

All I want for Christmas by Mariah Carey

5. Favorite Holiday dessert?
I don't have one favorite dessert but the most special things we make are our family cookies. 

6. What is on your wish list this year?
My first thing on my list is for everyone family and friends to be happy. Is that cheesey? If I have to pick a physical item that I want it would be the Nikon D3200. I have been asking for a big girl camera for almost a year now!

Be sure to come back tomorrow. I have the most touching selfless story to share. If you follow me on instagram (@linsw00) you will have seen a few pictures as to what tomorrow will be about!

Next Weeks Questions:

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?
2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?
3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?
4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?
5. Item you begged for the most and never got?
6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?