Christmas Countdown (25 Books)

Posted on December 2, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

We did this a couple a years ago and I decided to do it again this year. Basically, you pick out 25 Christmas books and you wrap them up. We are wrapping a mixture of books because we don’t have 25 Christmas books. Each night, one of your kids will choose a book to unwrap for the family to read. If the child is old enough, and they would like, they can read it out loud, instead of the parents. We are also going to switch up the times we read our book. Most of the family readings will be at night, around bed time, but other days we will read at breakfast time, around the table. Last but not least, you can make your collection of books mixture Jesus’s birth, winter time, Santa, or just the good old classics.

Below is our book list, some are new that I just purchased this year and others I pulled off our bookshelves. I actually pack away all the Christmas books each year, so it’s like they are opening a new book each day!

The Christmas Countdown Book List:
1. God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Bergren
2. The King’s Christmas by Eldon Johnson
3. The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
4. The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
5. Isty Bitsy Christmas: You’re Never Too Little for His Love! by Max Lucado
6. Living Lights: The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving by Jan Berenstain and Mike Berenstain
7. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
8. Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
9. Who’s Hiding?: A Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book by Vicki Howie, Krisztina Kallai Nagy
10. Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer
11. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
12. Every Which Way to Pray by Joyce Meyer
13. Mickey’s Christmas Carol
14. The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
15. Dance Me, Daddy by Cindy Morgan
16. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
17. Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
18. You Are Special by Max Lucado
19. The Mitten by Jan Brett
20. A New Coat for Anna by Harriet Ziefert and Anita Lobel
21. The Story of Ferdinand by Robert Lawson
22. Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
23. The Christmas Story by Patricia Pingry
24. Christmas is Here! Flap Book
25. The Christmas Story by Nick Page

So go pop some popcorn, grab a couple of blankets, snuggle up close with the family on the couch, and start a new family Christmas tradition!

Get PAID to Shop!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by fromthecommittedheart

Being a mom to four young kids, can have its challenges when shopping… until I found Ebates. For the past three years now, I log onto Ebates, if I already know what I want to purchase, select the store of choice, then shop away ONLINE.

This site is extremely helpful around the holidays (cyber Monday) and birthdays! Ebates won’t only give you cash back for buying items you were already going to purchase, they provide discount codes and free shipping promos.

I have collected over $800 dollars back from Ebates!!! This is not a scam, it really does work! If you haven’t tried it yet, click here to start getting paid to shop ONLINE!

The Boy Family Christmas Traditions

Posted on December 23, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

We love Christmas and all that it brings…times of reflection on Jesus Christ’s birth, spending time with family, yummy treats, fun crafts, and lots of days to play!
Here are some of our family traditions we do every Christmas.

Each little one gets their own Christmas tree for their room to decorate.

Celebration, FL “It’s Snowing”

I fight the temptation to take over and let them create whatever design they want!

“One for the house and three for me!”

Christmas Cookies

Mickey Mouse Advent Calendar

…and our new one we added this year…unwrapping and reading a book from under the Christmas Tree each night.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and don’t forget the reason for the season!

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. (Luke 2:8-14)

Christmas Cookies

Posted on December 20, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

This is my all time favorite cookie recipe and I usually only make them around Christmas, so I have decided to call them Christmas Cookies, clever I know!

Christmas Cookies
2 sticks of butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups of self rising flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (I use quick, uncooked)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup craisins
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 walnuts
1/2 coconut flakes

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325 F (dark cookie pan)
2. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. In a separate bowl mix together flour and cinnamon.
5. Stir in oats, raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, walnuts and coconut
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
7. Drop by rounded tablespoonsful onto ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

The most I can wait is a minute for cooling, then I devour!

ENJOY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just Don’t Do It….

Posted on December 3, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

Galatians 6:4 “…Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,”

For eight years, we have put up our Christmas tree with old miscellaneous ornaments. We loved our tree, it told the story of our life. This year I decided to do a themed tree in our living-room, in front of the window, therefore moving most of the other ornaments to our 2nd tree, in the family room. After browsing online pictures, I had a vision of what I wanted our tree to look like. I then went out and bought ornaments for 70% off at Michael’s, Joann, Hobby Lobby, and even some from T.J. Maxx. I was so proud of our tree, but when my husband got home, I found myself saying, “I know it’s not like such and such’s tree, but don’t you like it?” Of course he loved it, why wouldn’t he? Five minutes before he walked through the door I was so proud of my work, but as soon as I showed him, doubt and comparison came into my mind.

Comparing is one of the deadliest things to do. There is nothing good that comes out of comparing yourself with someone else. Most people compare themselves and will end up feeling inadequate, other times people compare themselves with friends and family and end up feeling greater than they should. Either way, wrongful thoughts come out of comparing.

This time of year, you will see lots of Christmas decorations on trees, houses, yards, mailboxes, etc. Let me encourage you to not compare. God has given each of us a beautiful creative spirit. Be proud of your designs and art pieces you come with it. Stop all thoughts of comparison, which can lead to jealous and low self-esteem. You are unique, handcrafted by our Heavenly Father. Put your heart into your work and do your best, then take pride and let no one take that from you, including yourself!

Christmas Countdown (25 books)

Posted on December 1, 2013 by fromthecommittedheart

I saw a great idea online a few days ago, so I thought, why don’t we try it this year. Basically, you pick out 25 Christmas books and you wrap them up. We are wrapping a mixture of books because we don’t have 25 Christmas books. Each night, one of your kids will choose a book to unwrap for the family to read. If the child is old enough, and they would like, they can read it out loud, instead of the parents. We are also going to switch up the times we read our book. Most of the family readings will be at night, around bed time, but other days we will read at breakfast time, around the table. Last but not least, you can make your collection of books, all Christ centered for the Christmas season (which is great), but again we have chosen a mixture, between Jesus’s birth, one or two Santa books, a Mickey Mouse Carol and old favorites.