A year ago today I was holding my newborn son.
Twelve months, four teeth, many snuggles, quite a few diapers, a couple first steps, some bumps and bruises later, he's a year old.
Just like that.
Happy Birthday, Bumblebee!
I caught this funny moment between Ladybug and Bumblebee when I asked Ladybug to share her banana with Bumblebee. It's OK, he's just getting her back for the past.
You can't get much more "real" than that around here-
Can You Capture it?
Today is the last day to participate in the 'Tis the Season carnival by linking up a gift ideas post to one of the categories from this week. I will choose the winners of the giveaways tomorrow morning (my time-- I'm seven hours ahead of EST) and email them!
Here are the categories you can post about and link up to:
1. Gift Ideas FOR HER
2. Gift Ideas FOR HIM
3. Gift Ideas FOR THE KIDS
4. Gift Ideas FOR THE BOOK LOVER
5. Gift Ideas FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
So, link up any time today and good luck in the giveaways!
Don't remember what the giveaways are?!
Lisa Leonard Aqua Stone Earrings
AllforAbby Frame-A-Name
Today's gift ideas are all about creativity-- a gift that is a little different.
1. Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog: My parents give each of their kids a gift from the Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog each Christmas. Basically it is a gift in honor of. They are gifts like milk for children, blankets for families, toy lambs that play Jesus Loves Me, a bicycle for a pastor around the world-- you pick out whichever gift you'd like to give, and you can give it in honor of another person. They have really beautiful "in honor of" cards you can get to tell the person what you gave in their honor. It's a super gift idea for anyone, especially people who have a heart for the world. Here's an example of a gift:
The anguished cries of hungry infants is an all-too-familiar sound in famine-stricken villages and impoverished communities. Even if they survive, malnourished children are at risk of serious physical and mental problems. In Ethiopia and other crisis areas, Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the cries of hunger through a variety of child-feeding projects that provide a tangible witness to the gracious Lord who “fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9, NIV). Just $9 can feed a baby or a nursing mother for a week.
Suggested Gift: $9
2. A personalized T-shirt Quilt: I got a T-shirt quilt made this summer with T-shirts symbolizing
my relationship with Hubby. A shirt from the college we went to, the college ministry we were apart of, a trip we took to NYC, a shirt I got on our honeymoon, the shirt I was wearing when Hubs proposed-- it is such a special way to preserve memories! My friend, Courtney, has started a little business making quilts, and she did a fabulous job. I actually just got a tacked blanket, so there's no quilt stuffing, but it's a perfect couch snuggling blankie! Here's a picture Courtney posted to her business blog after she finished my blanket. Isn't it fabulous? I love it! Having a special blanket or quilt done like this would be a great gift idea! (I even thought about having a blankie done with snippets of all my favorites of the baby clothes the Bugs wore... wouldn't that be sweet?)
3. Homemade goodies: This is always a hit. My mom has always been a Christmas baker, whipping up all sorts of deliciousness during the month of December and presenting pretty plates of the goodies to teachers, pastors, and friends during the holidays. I have continued the tradition since getting married. It's special to get in the kitchen as a family (or by yourself) and make some delicious treats to gift! (It's also quite a bit cheaper than buying gifts for everyone in your life.) Plus, you get to sample the goods yourself, so this is a win-win situation!
