The New Year.....

Hi All!

Along with the new year, always comes changes. 

After the Elementary school shooting recently, I really began to look at my life and where my time was being spent.  I started this blog as a new stay at home mom.  I went from working 60+ hours a week to being home full time.  I never realized how lonely I would get by going from one extreme to the other.  I began my blog because of that.  I wanted to be able to still have some connections outside of my house.  I have met so many amazing people through blogging.    I loved staying home then, as I do now, but over these past few years a lot has changed.   

I have three small kiddos at home, and they are growing up right before my eyes.  I now have two boys in school, both with tons of homework this year.  And my daughter is now 4, so I need to start working on getting her prepared for Kindergarten this coming school year.  I also have an Active Duty Soldier for a hubby. It's about that time to where he will begin traveling a lot, and even be deployed for a while soon. So I will be mom and dad in the coming months. Even after 11 years of doing this in the Military, it's always a struggle to keep on top of things and make sure everything goes smoothly at home for the kids.  I am half way done with my Bachelor's in Psychology. The farther I get in classes, the more they are demanding of my time.  So I feel my life is changing, as well as my priorities.

The past few months I feel like I have been grasping for things to blog about. I know I haven't given you, my readers and friends, the kinds of posts and information that you all deserve and look for. I'm sorry about that.  After much thought and prayers I have decided to step back from the blog for a while.  I will no longer be co-hosting the Tip-toe thru Tuesday link party.  And I will also be cutting back on the number of posts that I do.  I have always tried to keep up with 3-4 posts a week, and I just don't have the time, or want {honestly}, to keep up with that.  Instead I will only be blogging when I have something I really want to share with you.  You may still see me once a week, maybe once a month.  I KNOW I am not done blogging for good.  I do love it, and the community of friends that I have come to know through blogging.  So I hope that you will keep me in your readers or lists from time to time.

I hope the new year finds you all well.  Thanks SO much for reading and commenting the past few years.  YOU are the reason I didn't loose my mind while becoming a SAHM.;)  Prayers for you and your families.

Tip-Toe thru Tuesday {Link Party}

 

hello lovelies!!  Welcome to tip-toe thru tuesday co-hosted by myself, Andie from Crayon Freckles, and Kim from Tiaras and Bowties! 

      
I have some news for all of you.  Tip-toe has been happening for almost 2 years now.  It's been a wonderful journey and I appreciate all of you who've linked up faithfully week after week.  But all good things must come to an end.  This week will be the last week of tip-toe thru tuesday.

Thanks to everyone who linked up to last week's party!  Here are the toP 2 pOSts from last week plus one of mY faVEs.




Best Kid's Activities from 2012 from True Aim Education

Snowman Milk Chugs from Creative Kid Snacks



Bilingual Traceable Calendars from Fit Kids Clubhouse

 

If you were one of the featured posts from last week, please grab a fEAtuRed button below and one of mine if you'd like!

<center> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TJk8yRjMhdBlT-6KR_7k2kIlRomV_wQROqlCWbW2s3zSe4iVD-ttHOLxweg2m10dpzg4YkpWAJkAQq7q-9p3n9crC_lIoo7dqZ0MZiX3NB9Na2SB8XAn0n38cbchouxBoCLkKLVSXfeL/s1600/t4+button+150x150.jpg"/></a></center>

 

 

PoST aNYtHiNG you've created (show us some etsy shops and giveaways!)

Feel free to share several posts

Link back to my page somewhere on your blog

Stay around and check out a few other links. wE aLL LovE fEEdBaCK!

Keep in touch with Crayon Freckles on Facebook to get daily post previews and hear about other great activities! You can also follow Crayon Freckles on Pinterest and Twitter.

Pajamas {Christmas Eve Gift}

I love Pinterest like everyone else.  Last year, after Christmas I seen an idea for homemade pajamas to give as a Christmas Eve gift.  I have always let my kids open one gift on Christmas eve, and I make sure they wear a pair of their good pajamas on Christmas eve night so that they look decent for pictures on Christmas morning.  HA.  So what better gift for them to open then a pair of new pajamas to wear?  Win, win!

So when I seen this idea, I knew I had to do it from then on. 

Riley is in love with Hello Kitty right now.  So I was happy to give her some pajama bottoms of Hello Kitty.  I think it's cute.

 

The boys room is done in space and the solar system. They are at the fun age of knowing all of the planets and all of that stuff, so their pajama pants are in that fabric.

Since both of the boys are in the same fabric, I added a red strip to the bottom of Luke's.  This way I will be able to tell the difference.

 

I bought some plain t-shirts from Wal-Mart for their tops.  And I used this tutorial for the pants from U-Create.

 

Do you give your kiddos pajama's on Christmas eve? 

 

Thanks so much for reading. 

 

I like to party at these awesome places.



Sunglasses Case Tutorial

 A few months ago, right after my new wallet, I made this sunglasses case.  I figured I would do a tutorial for how I made this as well.  Just in case you want your sunglasses case to match your wallet also.  :)

 

 

 

First you will want to measure your sunglasses.  All sunglasses are different sizes, so you can't really go for one straight measurement, I don't think.  Just cut your material a few inches larger than the length and width of your glasses.  You will want a outside piece, a lining for the inside, and some fusible fleece.

Iron on your fusible fleece to the back of your outside fabric.  Fold over width wise, and sew down the side and across the bottom, right sides facing.

Now do the same with your inside piece.  Folded right sides together, sew down the side and across the bottom.

Now you will turn your outside piece right side out, and slide your inside piece down into the middle of it.  Fold over the top of the inside piece to hide the cut edge of the top. 

Now fold that fold over on top of the outside piece, and sew around the edge.  This part is a little hard to maneuver on the machine, but it can be done. 

 

That's it!  Slide your sunnies into the case, and admire your work!  Super simple, right?  

 

Thanks for reading. 

 

I like to party at these awesome places!

WIWW - Church

Here are a few outfits that I have worn to church the past few weeks.  Our church isn't really "dressy", so you won't see me in any pantyhose.  HA. 

Cardigan - Banana Republic {Goodwill}

Jeggings - Old Navy

Boots - ?

 

 I wore this on Christmas Eve to our Church service.  The top is sequined.  I love the little added "bling" that it has.  I've had it for years, and can you believe this is the first time I've actually worn it?  Yep.

 

Top - AAFES {Store on the Army Base}

Cords - Target {Clearance}

Boot - Old

 

Do you dress up for Church?  Sometimes I miss it!

I'll be partying at these awesome places.

Tip-toe thru Tuesday {Link Party}

 

Hello lovelies!!  Welcome to the first tip-toe thru tuesday of 2013 co-hosted by myself, Andie from Crayon Freckles, and Kim from Tiaras and Bowties! 

If you weren't here at the last party, you'll notice the cute new party header and button.  Andie thought it was time to spruce up and decorate for the party that you make awesome every week!

           

I can't wait to see what you all have been up to!  Let us see it!

 

 

PoST aNYtHiNG you've created (show me some etsy shops and giveaways!)

Feel free to share several posts

Link back to my page somewhere on your blog

Stay around and check out a few other links. wE aLL LovE fEEdBaCK!

Keep in touch with Crayon Freckles on Facebook to get daily post previews and hear about other great activities! You can also follow Crayon Freckles on Pinterest and Twitter.