I found this website, Be More With Less today, via Ali Edwards, as I was searching the internet for answers to life.  Of course, you know my relationship with the internet and looking for answers.  Never. A. Good. Thing. In my constant quest to better my life, to increase happiness, reading this website brought inspiration into my day today.  Be More With Less.  How simple is...

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Max meeting his gifts this morning, just after waking up.  I loved his face when he was looking at them and the tree.  I am sure he was like, 'Wow...cool! Check these out!'. He really took to the Pillow Pet!  Take one of many.  I love the fact that its not perfectly posed.  I love Charlie looking at Tyler.  I love Tyler trying to escape. ...

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...in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.Its Christmas Eve and I am watching White Christmas, sitting by the tree.  I just finished the last stocking I said I would make for Max and the twinkie nephews.  I am pleased with them.  They dont have the professionally made look, or even an experienced/serious crafter touch.  But they do look like the pictures...

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(couldnt come up with a clever, catchy title) How can you say no to this face? Especially when its right in your face?Here he is today, admiring the tree. What did you do today? ...

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Lately when reading my blogroll, those that have young children all seem to have this The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition with Blue Eyed North Pole Pixie-Elf toy.  I find it interesting that many have the same tradition.  Or better yet, same approach of incoporating the 'he knows if you've been bad or good' theory, ie, get their children to behave in...

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One of my favorite things to do outside spending time with Max, reading, photography and shopping, is to bake.  I'll tackle all recipes once.  Though the easier the better for me.  I whipped up this cake last night for a holiday lunch today at work.  This is one of my favorites.  Check out how simple:1 box of chocolate cake mix (any brand)All the...

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Everyone can thank my blog friend Emily for sharing this on her blog.  Love this version.  (really love anything from coldplay!)  Thank you Emily! ...

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It's these moments that I love.  We get to do this, spend good quality time together, on Saturdays and Sundays.  I look forward to them every week.  This is when I get to be Mom, all day long.  Not that I am not during the week, but I get to feed, teach, play and soothe him, not school, not Grandma or Ginga.  (though I...

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For my craft social last weekend, I wanted to serve traditional high tea fare.  On that menu are scones.  All flavors of scones, from sweet to savory.  Since I had already had a few savory items, I went with sweet for the scones.  I had made orange dark chocolate chip scones.  They were a big hit!I had used a muffin mix and followed...

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I was right!  I did have this book as a child!  As mentioned in this post about our seasonal reading list, I thought this book was part of my childhood reading.  And sure enough it was!I stopped at Mom's house tonight to pick up my new phone, and she had said she found it.  She found it!  Thank you Mom for not throwing out...

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Today I hosted a Holiday Tea + Craft Social at my house for friends and family.  I wanted to start something that I would host annually, in addition to other times throughout the year.  I am not familiar with any events of the like in the area, so I figure if I cant find one, why not just host one? So today, about 10...

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December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++My writing.  I never thought of myself as an author or a writer, however seeing I am authoring my blog, and my story to www.thenextfamily.com, I just might be a writer after all. There are many things that do not...

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December 1 One Word.Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++New.Everything this year has been new in my life.  Not so much the material items, but definitely the new roles I’ve taken on, the new people in my...

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Dear Max,I absolutely cannot believe it.  You are seven months old today.  I feel like I just wrote your six months letter.  You are evolving into a little person right before my eyes.  Your personality is starting to break through and I have no complaints.  It seems you will be a happy and funny, genuine person. You are sitting up, basically unsupported.  You are...

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Over the past few years, each Christmas season I've read a 'christmas' book.  I started this tradition with a fiction book, last year it was non-fiction.  This year, back to fiction.  (maybe a pattern here??)  I really like this idea that just adds a little bit more magic to the season.  I am starting Max on this tradition this year.  Here's our reading...

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*jjill holiday catalogThe holiday mailers are in full swing.  I like them.  They are welcomed  in my home.  (much more so than the political crap!)  They are pretty and happy and full of good things that I want to purchase.  They are also very inspirational.  I like this one. What's your simple wish?This is the first thing I read when I pulled the mail...

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*charlie + max, thanksgiving 2010.If there is nothing else in the world that says everything else doesnt matter but this, this picture says it all.  For everyone. Charlie is one half of the twinkies and is the shy one, or the one who likes to do things his way, and he'll come around when he wants to.  Up until now, he really hasnt shown...

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I am thankful all year through, but this time of year I find myself being exceptionally grateful.  Now that Max is here, I wake each day saying a prayer of thanks for him, but he allows a whole new light to shine and giving a new meaning to the holidays. Besides Max, I am thankful for my family, all of them.  For my health.  I...

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This week I've noticed so many changes in Max, especially around his mobile independence.  Take a look at the photos below and you'll wholeheartedly agree. **He now holds his bottle all by himself.  Rarely does he need my help.  Maybe on days where he practically wants to like the inside, is when he needs my help.  **Or sitting in the store carts.  No more...

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Making some changes around here.   (As I have been saying for the past few months, if not longer!)  I am expecting by the first of the year this will be a whole new place.  I am excited.  ...

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I'll be the first to admit that I surely am my own worst critic.  I think my critic though has a chronic problem.  Its unusually critical.  Like over-the-top-obsessive-compulsive-wicked-witch-of-the-east problem. I had posted this shortly after I had given birth.  My body simply amazed me at what it was capable of.  This week, the critic, lets call it Lord Voldemort, had found its residence again in...

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*photo creditI have been surprising myself lately with the things that I want for Max.  Before I was pregnant I never gave two seconds of a thought to christmas stockings, school pictures or how much of an impact I will have on Max just being a role model for him.All of these items have come front and center as of late. Over the weekend...

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photo creditDating.I've been doing it since I was probably fifteen or sixteen years old.  Seems the type of male I am attracted to might not exist.  This morning I was able to actually verbalize my frustrations with it. In case you didnt notice, I'm single.  Have been for a while now.  Seems the men that present themselves in my life are of the same...

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All parents love their children.  How many parents can say they actually like their children?  Over the weekend, I was able to get a snippet of what is to come, I think.  Max was just talking away on Saturday as we were getting ready to run some errands. He would talk a bit, then laugh (or what appears to be a laugh), then talk...

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Its starting to feel like the holidays now.  Today I am inspired to fancy the Goodwill and a few other resale and craft shops to get ideas for the blank canvas I have in the dining area. I read something the other day in a parenting magazine how dressing up for Halloween left an impression on one parent as a child, and is doing...

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Dear Max,Today is your half birthday.  You are six months old.  I remember about a week after your birth, I had wished for you to be six months old so that I knew what you would like, dislike, smile, laugh and most of all have a routine.  Thankfully my wish didnt come true too quickly, but the time does move fast.  You are...

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Today they had a Halloween Parade at school.  It wasnt anything spectacular, its basically the kids walking around showing off their costumes.  Mom brought Max in for the event.  I didnt want him to miss it.  It probably lasted all of 3 minutes and it was adorable! **the monkey sitting next to Max, is Jack.  He was the youngest in the class until Max...

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1. mummy, 2. Untitled, 3. Halloween Decorations, 4. Halloween Greetings!, 5. Follow Us...If You Dare, 6. Halloween, 7. Merry Halloween, 8. Autumn in Lafayette Cemetery (New Orleans), 9. Rising Full Moon...(Spook-tacular 27/31), 10. halloween treats, 11. Halloween Ghost., 12. bokeh pumpkins, 13. Potion Ingredients Label, 14. spook-keh, 15. Halloween Chase | Persecución, 16. Extreme Primitive Halloween Cat Doll ...

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For the longest time I thought I would be a Mac user, seeing it has so many applications that lean towards the creative.  Each time I have had to purchase a computer, I've walked into the Apple store armed and ready to fork over more than enough money.  Yet on two seperate occasions I have walked out frustrated because I just dont get along...

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Someone, you know who, had taken a first class trip to Cranky Town today.  He didnt want to be on the floor, or in the exersaucer, or in the swing, or in the crib, or on his playmat, just in my arms.  After about 2 hours too much of Sprout TV, I decided it was time to get some fresh air.  He needed it, I...

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