{Christmas Theme 2011}

I have been wanting to do some posts on our December. I just feel like I was so distracted with everything that I couldn't even get to it....until now...so hang on to your boots. Here we go!

Anyway, I always do a different theme each Christmas. It's a lot of fun for me. Up until Kearyn was born I lived in a house full of boys so they didn't really much care. If I would have done my decorations in camo or something like that they probably would have sat up and taken notice.

I feel like I am a pretty good boys mom. I do the whole camping/hunting/shooting thing. I embrace it. After all, I did marry Jason. It isn't like I didn't know what I was getting into. But you have to draw the line somewhere and my line happens to occur somewhere before the Christmas decorations. So they tolerate me well.

Another aspect of the whole changing of the theme is that it has to be done on the cheap. I cannot justify spending a whole bunch of money each year on new ornaments when I have perfectly good ones already. So, that makes it an even better challenge for me because if you know me at all you know I like to do things frugal. I seriously like the challenge.

This year I am proud to report that I spent $7. $2 on the supplies to make my new ornaments and $5 on ribbon from the dollar store and I am sure I will reuse that year after year because it was in red. So, it was more like an investment ;-).

Moving on... My inspiration this year was this....

That's right. Book pages! Love them. However, this pose a huge problem in our house.... My oldest son is absolutely in love with books. He reads, reads, reads. Which we love of course. But when mama wants to do a craft out of old book pages it stirs up quite the controversy. I start seeing picket signs and he starts doing sit-ins and chanting things like, "save.the.books....save.the.books...."

For the record, I purchased ONE dictionary at the thrift store for $2 (half off of course) that was printed in the 80's and had a broken spine. It wasn't even vintage. Again... it was a dictionary AND It was from the 80's! We don't even need to talk about the 80's let alone that it was a dictionary. And this book will complete all of my book page needs probably for the rest of my life.

However, despite the above mentioned facts my son was still not happy with me. Then he continues to rat me out to all of the other book lovers he knows and then they just sit around and glare at me. Sheesh.

I also solicited his help to create the ornaments. I thought he would appreciate seeing something beautiful emerge from an old dictionary. Big mistake. He read every page before he would "authorize" me to use it. And yes, there were some that he said I couldn't use! When he got to a list of the signers of the Constitution he refused it and instead filed it away for safe keeping. I tried to explain that he could simply "Google" that information and he said it wasn't the same....

But we made it through all of that and actually got enough ornaments done to decorate the tree. Here are a few of the things we ended up making...

{The whirly-gig looking thing, the star looking thing, and the paper rose were all things I just made up. (All of that child-hood paper folding did serve a purpose after all.) The bird idea I got off of Pinterest and you can take a peek at the tutorial here. I will be doing a tutorial on that paper rose technique because it is just a lot of fun and everyone needs to know how to make a paper rose. Why? - I don't know, it is just cool and you never know when you will need to make one.} 





This is a picture of the things I made to hang in front of the windows as window garland. 

I also like to do my wrapping in a coordinating theme as well. I know, I know, my husband gives me grief all of the time. But it is just a thing with me. I wish I would have taken a picture of our packages too but I did get this one of the gift bag version. 

These were a lot of fun because I just took the plain brown paper bag and the brown paper for the gift wrapping. I "dressed them up" by making an extra bird ornament for them and attached it with fuzzy red yarn. I even made the gift tags from the book paper too. 

Anyway, that was our Christmas theme for 2011! :-) 

The End of 2011...

With the end of 2011 happening in 6 minutes and my husband already asleep beside me  - it felt appropriate to write one last blog for 2011. I haven't written in a few weeks which is a great frustration for me. I had such high hopes for December..... {sigh}

The truth is that I am struggling daily with fatigue. I know most of you will say that I look "fine" on the outside but I can honestly say that my outsides evidently don't match my insides. Really, I feel like that has been the way it has been for this entire year. I also think that people are just being nice because I have seen pictures of myself when I was going through treatment and they were frightening.

Anyway, when I have a normal day of just taking care of my kids I do okay. But when I start adding things, that is when caution has to come in. It is like I get one extracurricular activity every 3-4 days and then it takes me the next 3-4 days to recover.

I know this is completely "normal" after all my body has been put through but just because it is normal doesn't mean that I have to be happy about it. I want to be back to normal so badly but it just doesn't matter how much I will my body to get there - it definitely has a mind of its own. 

They tell me that it will take at least as long as my treatment took for me to feel okay again. 10 months. Yuck. I don't have time to wait 10 months. Well, once again, this is evidently not on my time table. (You think I would be use to this by now.)

So, each day I have to take each and every item that I want to complete into consideration. I cannot just plow through things like I once did. It is frustrating.... but I do have to admit that there is a valuable lesson in this. (When I figure it out I will share it with you all... just kidding.)

I too am having to learn how to have grace for myself. I seem to overflow with grace for others but when it comes to myself... it just seems to be a different story. (I am just overflowing with life lessons lately aren't I.) 

So, with literally one minute to go before I ring in the new year with some farewell words to 2011 - I have to quickly say that I know 2011 will be a year I will never forget for obvious reasons. I would love to say that I will forever remember 2011 for..... {insert 10 lovely events here}... however that is most likely not going to be realistic. Most likely I am going to forever look back on 2011 and say that it was the year I battled cancer.

Here is hoping and praying that 2012 will be the year that I get my life back.

Happy New Year everyone. May it overflow with love, peace, and blessings from above.

~Andrea

Keeping {Christ} in Christmas.... {idea.2}

As I shared earlier {here}, I absolutely love Christmas. I love the gift giving and the decorations - but it is so important for me to remember the "reason of the season" and even more important that I pass this down to my children. I wanted to share some ideas that I either use in my own family or ideas that I plan to use. Here is another idea...

{idea.2}

[the.nativity]

                                                                                    Source: Uploaded by user via Andrea on Pinterest

I love nativities. Even before I really had a relationship with Christ - I still loved nativities. Evidently that was just another way that God was tugging at my heart strings.

I think a nativity is a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is about. It doesn't matter what one looks like or how often I see one -  I just can't help but to imagine that holy night in my mind. I think of how Mary must have felt and how Joseph must have felt. It takes me back to when each of my children were born. How wonderful each of those precious moments were... How much joy Mary must have had and then to know that she just gave birth to the savior! Wow!

There are so many different nativities out there and I wanted to share a few that I found...

I love the simplicity of this one...

Source: learning-to-b-me.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

I love this super sweet ornament. This would totally fit in with my theme this year and would be a great way to recycle a pretty Christmas card for next year.

Source: ipic.su via Andrea on Pinterest

For those who don't have room for a traditional nativity scene on the mantel - how about a sign. Love this combination of colors.

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

How about an outdoor sign? What a great way to spread the message of Jesus' love for all to see.

Source: makeandtake.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Another sign.

Source: poppiesatplay.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Can't resist the black and red combo.

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Check out this card... cute enough to frame...

Source: tinyprints.com via Andrea on Pinterest

{inspired'11}... Day 12

{inspired'11}

day.12


l
{Describe one person you look up to and why you look up to them.}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5
day.6
day.7 & 8
day.9
day.10
day.11

{inspired'11}... Day 11

{inspired'11}

day.11


l
{Do you have more grace for others than you do for yourself? Do you need to have more grace for others? Do you need to have more grace for yourself?}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5
day.6
day.7 & 8
day.9
day.10

{inspired'11}... Day 10

{inspired'11}

day.10


l
{What is your favorite Christmas tradition and why? Are there any new traditions you have started this year or want to start this year? If you haven't started it yet - what is stopping you?}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5
day.6
day.7 & 8
day.9

{inspired'11}... Day 9

{inspired'11}

day.9


l
{If you could be any superhero of your choosing.... which one would you be and why?}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5
day.6
day.7 & 8

{inspired'11}... Day 7 & 8

{inspired'11}

day.7 & 8


l
{day.7}
{Pick one word that describes 2011 for you.}

{day.8}
{Pick one word that you want to describe 2012.}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5
day.6

{inspired'11}... Day 6

{inspired'11}

day.6


l
{  What is one goal you have for 2012 and how do you plan to achieve it? Was there a goal that you had for 2011 that you were able to achieve?}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4
day.5

{inspired'11}... Day 5

{inspired'11}

day.5


l
If you had to pick one way to inspire someone else this next year – what would you do and who would you chose to inspire?}
l

Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3
day.4

{inspired'11}... Day 4

{inspired'11}

day.4

l {What is your favorite Christmas memory and why is it your favorite?} l
Previous writing prompts are listed below:

day.1
day.2
day.3

{inspired'11}: Day 3 - One Thing I Have Always Wanted to Do....

{inspired'11}

day.3


{Prompt Response}

l {What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't?} l

To be honest this was a very difficult question for me to answer. You see, if I were to die tomorrow (God forbid) there wouldn’t be anything that I would say, “Boy, I wish I would have really gone here or I wish I would have really done this…” That just doesn’t go through my mind right now.

Sure, I would like to do more traveling – but I have already been blessed with some great travel opportunities. Sure, I would someday like to take an art class with one of my children just for the heck of it but that isn’t a “deal breaker” in life for me.

For me, it isn’t about the “thing” I am doing - it is about the “someone(s)” I am doing it with, the time I get to spend with them, and the memories that I get to create. So, to be very honest, it doesn’t matter if we are curled up for a movie or learning underwater basket weaving – it is just good and that is what my heart desires.  

To see my previous responses check below:

day.1

day.2

{inspired'11}... Day 3

{inspired'11}

day.3

l {What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't?} l

{inspired'11}... Day 2

{inspired'11}

day.2

l {What was the highlight of your 2011 and why was it so great?} l


To learn more about what {inspired'11} is go here.

{inspired'11}: Day 1 - 30 Days to Live....

{inspired'11}

day.1


{My Prompt Response}

I remember, (Wow! It was actually 10 months ago from today!) when I was first diagnosed that the thought that I was going to die in the near future was very real to me. So, as I think about this question - if I only had 30 days to live, how would I spend it? - I would most likely do the very same things that I did when I was first diagnosed with cancer – only even more deliberate.

I remember that it was very difficult for those who were closest to me to see me plan for the worst. Many would tell me that I needed to be optimistic - they would reassure me time and time again that I was going to be fine - they would tell me to keep my faith. It wasn't that I was not optimistic - that I didn't believe with all my heart that I was going to be fine - or that I didn't have faith…. What was going through my mind at that time was that you never know what is going to happen. I wanted to hope for the best but be prepared just in case.  

I am sure that nearly everyone else out there that is diagnosed with one form of cancer or another (or any other potentially life-threatening disease) do not actually believe that they are going to die. But the fact remains, that sadly some of them do. I knew that even though I hoped and prayed to the very core of my soul that it wouldn't be me - it could be…. I also knew that if it were me - I had a duty and a responsibility to my husband and my children to leave as much of "me" behind as I possibly could. 

The first thing I started doing was writing on {here} as much as possible. I wanted my children to know my voice and if I wasn’t going to be here so they could verbally hear me then at least they would have my written word. I wanted them to know my journey – even the struggles. I wanted them to know how hard I fought for them to stay here as long as I possibly could. How I didn’t go easily. I wanted them to know my love for them and their daddy. How it was an honor to be Jason’s wife and Cale, Ky, Creide, and Kearyn’s mama.

Most importantly – I wanted them to know how much I love God. Despite it all – I love the Lord with all my heart and I wanted them to know that I wasn’t angry at Him, I didn’t blame Him, all I had was love. Even though I had cancer and was going through the hardest time of my life – I knew God was right there with me and without Him I wouldn’t have any of it…. Not even the good things that I cherish so much.

The next thing I did was have our family pictures taken. My friend, Jess (you can see her work {here}), graciously agreed to take them for us and I will truly be forever grateful for her heart of willingness. She did an amazing job and was able to truly capture the personality of our family. I will treasure those memories forever. 

It was important for me to have these done right away. I didn’t want them done 6 months down the road with my hair gone and me looking awful because of the months of drugs that had been pumped into my body. I wanted my husband and my children to remember me as healthy as they possibly could.

When the pictures were taken I had actually already gone through one chemo treatment. I remember the thought of cancelling went through my mind because I didn’t feel very well at all but I am so grateful that I didn’t.

Another thing that I did was I arranged a potluck and invited all of our friends and family. I knew that the next few months were going to be tough and that I wouldn’t be able to see them very much. I wanted one last time where we could get together and celebrate life together.

If I knew that I only had 30 days to live… after I did all of the things listed above I would spend every second possible with my husband and my children. I would ask my husband to take off as much time from work as possible and I would create as many memories as I could with them. I would document everything – both in writing and with photos. I would write letters to each of them and make sure that I was right with God….

How would you spend your last 30 days?

You can post your comments below (even anonymously) or you can email them to me at andreagressman (at) gmail.com  

This is a {prompt-response} for the {inspired'11} series I am doing for the month of December. If you would like to participate, check back daily for the writing prompt. It is as simple as that! 

{inspired'11}... Day 1

{inspired'11}

day.1

l {If you only had 30 days to live, how would you spend it?} l

If 

Something Totally {New} & a Little Bit {Crazy}!....{inspired'11}

It is absolutely remarkable. A miracle if you will. But for the last year I have felt so totally and completely inspired. Yes, even going through cancer treatment. I have wanted to do SO much. There are literally projects upon projects saved in my email inbox, on my hard drive, in my phone, and across my desk. However, for most of it, I sadly have not had the energy (or the time as I was literally a full-time patient). I was barely hanging on to the things that I desperately needed to at the time and even my own blogging took a backseat from time to time. But no more!

I am inspired and I want to inspire. But how, you might ask? Great question! Well, I thought of the one thing that I am continually inspired to do myself. Write. I know there are so many of you out there that are "closet writers" too - like I was for many years. Have no fear - you can remain in the closet if you want to. I will not be asking you to send in your work. I mean, you can if you would like. I would LOVE to read it. But it is not a requirement to participate. 

You also don't technically have to be a "writer" to participate either. Maybe you have always wanted to write but have never had anything to write about. Perhaps you want to photograph your responses.  Maybe you are like my pastor and do what he calls "man-journaling". (What is "man-journaling" you ask?) Well, it is when you journal in bullet points of course!) Maybe you have a weekly coffee with someone and need a good conversation starter - whatever. But I am getting ahead of myself. I haven't even told you what it is yet! So here it goes...

Each day from today (Dec. 2) to Dec. 31 I am going to list a prompt here on my blog. You can then write about the topic, discuss the topic with others, or whatever! Maybe you don't want to do anything with it and you just want to come here and see what crazy ideas I have for 30 days - or if I can even do it for the 30 days. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. :-)

I am calling this... okay, there has VERY little originality here.... {inspired'11}

I, of course, will be writing about each prompt here on my own blog. So, there is going to be lots of writing here going on (at least for me anyway - hopefully you too!) 

Here is what you need to do..... Just check back here everyday and then it is up to you on how you want to go from there. I would love to hear from you if you do decide to participate. You can send me a note at andreagressman (at) gmail.com If you could please put {inspired'11) in the subject line that would be helpful. You can also select "follow" in order to follow my blog and see when things are updated and probably the best way to ensure that you don't miss a prompt - you can subscribe for email updates. :-) If you decide to post your {prompt-responses} on your own blog, please send me the link and I can post them on here as well. 

Anyway, that is it for now! I am so super excited. I hope there are some of you out there who are excited too! Day 1 - here we come! 

~Andrea

Happy New Year!!!

Well, some of you may have been wondering where I have been... We took some much needed down time as a family but we are back at it again full steam ahead. I just wanted to wish you all a very happy 2011. I hope that it is an incredibly blessed year for all of you.

Here is a quick little update on the fam!

Jason - busy as usual with the youth group. He recently started a new bible study at the boys detention center here in town and it has been amazing to see how God is working through that. Please pray that the boys find God for themselves and are able to turn their lives around before it is too late.

Andrea - busy writing, writing, writing. I have actually sold some of my articles recently and am super excited about that! Please pray that God continues to provide these writing opportunities for me and continues to provide me with inspiration!

Cale - busy with school again and basketball. Please pray that he continues to do well in his studies and that he has a fun and safe basketball season!

Ky - is back to doing school as well. Please pray that he continues to enjoy learning!

Creide - is busy being Creide in all things that Creide does. He just makes us laugh. One of his new things....when he is thirsty he says, "I'm so drinky!" I have no idea where he got that from but it is too funny. Please pray that he stays safe as he seems to continually get hurt trying to keep up with his big brothers.

Kearyn - now 7 months old, can you believe it?!? It seems to be going by so fast. She is doing super well being the center of the household. As much as Jason and I try not to make her the center of the universe her brothers just pick up where we leave off. Each one of them simply adore her in their own special way. Please pray for her continued health and happiness.

We love you all and want to thank you all for stopping by and reading this little blog of ours. We had over 800 some hits last year! Please feel free to leave comments and if you want an email update to let you know when I post automatically just subscribe. (Upper right-hand side. :-)