I Couldn't Resist I Guess...

Earlier today I posted this to Facebook: If you haven't received a Christmas card from the Bishop's this year it's not because we don't love you. It's because we didn't send any this year. So just look at one of our millions of Facebook pics, attach a "Merry Christmas" to it and we'll call it good ok? :)




I was serious too. With the rough past couple of months of pregnancy symptoms paired with trying to keep up with an active two and a half year old, I had a certain list of priorities for the Christmas season and sending out 50 cards was NOT part of the top 10 priorities. Things like teaching my son the story of Jesus's birth and Christmas songs, buying and making homemade gifts, baking, having Aiden create holiday crafts, and showing up at holiday parties with my hair actually washed were. Period.
But then I remembered a $20 Shutterfly promo card sitting in my desk I got a while back while shopping at Destination Maternity. And Aiden decided to nap today. So we purchased only 20 of these just for our families. Maybe we're not so bah-humbug after all. But I'm still not setting foot in a mall until after the holidays are over. :)

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

If I Watched TV...

If I watched TV I would have missed out on playing the "Garbage man letter block game" with Aiden this morning.
I would have not finished the amazing novel,  The Help this month and gained the new perspective and wisdom this book brought to me.
I would not have taken the time to write this blog.
I would not have the pleasure of knowing it was I who taught my son to sing the "A B C's" perfectly because it may have been Elmo who taught him. 
I probably would never take the time to teach myself new songs on the piano. I'd probably just stick with the old ones because they are safe and easy. 
I would spend less time outdoors at night with my family and watching my son ride his bike.
I would most likely be less social because it would be much easier to turn on the TV than to persuade my friend to run out to the store with me at 8pm for some much needed girl time.
I wouldn't have discovered all the inspirational, amazing and talented blogs that I keep up with which give me new ideas for fun art projects and outings to do with my son while we are at home together.
I would be less motivated to attend my mother's group events and church events.
I would read less to my son at night and he probably wouldn't be able to pronounce, "Constitution" as well as he can. :)
I would probably consume more salt and vinegar kettle chips, (yumo!) than I should.
Speaking of food, I would probably be heavily influenced by all the junk food ads on TV like Jack N the Box and take up eating fast food again like I didn't know any better. 
Consequently, I would eat less healthier than I do.
I would cook less and get takeout more.
I would then need to loose 25lbs instead of the 15lbs I need to drop.
I might get caught up in all the petty, meaningless drama of a show and it would swallow me whole.
I'd probably not listen to music as much or get lost in it as I do sometimes.
I may end up like a robot, programmed each night to watch this show, then that one, without ever creating anything in my own life.
I would be more numb and less alive.
I'd start actually taking the Pull-Up's commercials seriously and end up with a three year old who is still in diapers! Oh wait! They're Pull-Ups! RIGHT. (My excellent potty-training karma is probably ruined for saying that out loud now but I couldn't resist!) :)
I would be teaching my son that there's nothing better to do than to watch TV.
I would spend less time talking with my husband.
If you think I'm bad at calling you on the phone now, sheesh! Imagine if I watched TV regularly! HA!
I wouldn't have time for all that Netflix has to offer :)

Oh Just Breathe Honey!

For any man who's wondered about childbirth and how painful it really is, this video is a must see. I love how in the beginning he says, "When it comes to pain, research shows that men can withstand a whole lot more than women. " Yeah right, now that's total hogwash! We all know that when men get the mildest flu they act like they are on their deathbeds! Pluck a stray hair from their unruly unibrow and they scream like a schoolgirl. 

By the end of this labor simulation experiment the good doctor has a big change of heart! He didn't even make it four hours drug-free and he was ready to end the experiment. Try 18 hours of completely un-medicated labor WITH the water broke way before the contractions even began, as in my own labor.  (Intact amniotic sacs act as a cushion, protecting you from the full intensity of the pain.) Not to mention the pushing, tearing, healing and breastfeeding! This was a fascinating experiment for fathers to see just how intense labor pains can be but in my opinion provided just a glimpse for this man into the pains of actual childbirth. 

A Classic Christmas Greeting

Now that hubby is home for the weekend, I can start thinking about our 2010 Christmas card! I have always used Shutterfly because their designs are just simple, classy and beautiful which goes right along with my personal style of Christmas decor and well, Christmas in general. Classic, not plastic is my motto when it comes to anything Christmas related. :) I don't want to give anything away, but I'm loving this lovely design and oh...OHHHHHH and  this elegant little number! Oh so many to choose from! How ever will I decide? The ONE annual family card that captures the essence of your whole existence! It's a HUGE decision! :)
I've used Shutterfly in the past for photo books, holiday cards ect. One of the reasons I love using Shutterfly is because it is very easy to use, (no program to download) and the quality of how the pictures turn out is great! They also have the best prices around and GREAT promotions!
If you are still looking for gift ideas, you can't go wrong with a personalized calendar because you'd practically have to be without a soul to not want to look at THIS FACE every day for the upcoming year! :)

And while we're on the subject of our family stationary needs, let's not forget that in only 4 SHORT MONTHS my little baby boy will be turning TWO years old! EXCUSE me, didn't we JUST have his first year birthday! How in the world is this flying by so fast!? Well, now that I've practically almost choked on my toast with this new realization, it's time to think about birthday party themes, activities and the invitation of course! Cute CUTE options from Shutterfly! I'm off to get lost for a while in design heaven :) Ta Ta!

Green Your Halloween!

This year, instead of shelling out mucho cash for a costume your child will only wear ONE night, try greening your Halloween by participating in a costume swap. Go here to find a local costume swap in your area and if there's not one than think about starting one maybe through your mommy's groups, playgroups, or churches. I'm going to plan one as soon as I get home!
According to Green Halloween, if just half the children who celebrated Halloween swapped costumes instead of buying new ones each year, annual landfill waste would be reduced by 6,250 tons which is equivalent to the weight of 2,500 midsized cars!
Be green, save some green!

Whip 'Em Out!

3 Things

 1- I am now an affiliate of Kelly's Closet, the web's premier cloth diaper store! This means that on every sale I refer to Kelly's Closet I will earn 5% of it! You can just go to the right sidebar of my blog and click on the Kelly's Closet icon to make your order! Thank you for helping a mama out! :)
2- My favorite magazine now has what may become my favorite blog- All Things Mothering, check it out!!!
3- See my beautiful little niece Emma in the picture below? See what kind of diaper she has on? She's sporting the new 4.0 Bum Genius! Her 'sposie-using mama just couldn't resist ordering one for her to use, "When I want her to look cute in her diaper..." Maybe I'll have another cloth-convert to add to my running list of 7 mamas...maybe. She's already said she wants to order a few more :)

Can't Wait!

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I cannot wait until this movie comes out! I think it's the best idea for a documentary I have ever seen; about what's important and what is NOT. I can already tell it's going to be a Laura-favorite :)
Makes me think I should replace Aiden's mountains of plastic toys with some sticks and stones and he'd be just as happy and well-adjusted. :)

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