The Martin's got a bad rap.

Today is merging day!! We do an advent box we use to count down to Christmas. It has a piece of candy or small gifts for the kids each day. This year they will also get a piece of paper with a Scripture on it they have to go look it up in the bible. I'm so excited today also starts Christmas attire season.  Don we now are gay apparel fa la La la la la la. Now we get to the idea of the day. Red thought we gave the kids a bad "rap" yesterday. So this year he came back "Pimping" with a little flavor flav style. What better way to do it then a Song Martin style merging the two. When you read the song it is set to the beat of the popular song called "All about the Bass". Matt and I had so much fun rewriting all the lines.  I loved this idea because I think this sums us up pretty well.

Because you know
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf

Yeah, it's pretty clear, you ain't no good kids
But I can help, help
Like I'm supposed to do
'Cause I got that connection  that all the kids chase
And all the right friends  in all the right places

I see the TV show’s workin' that Hallmark channel
We know that crap ain't real
C'mon now, make it stop
If you got Jesus in your heart, just raise hands up
'Cause every inch of you is saved
From the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about Santa
She says, "kids like you need a little more pow-pow’s and less time outs."
You know we won't be no sugar coating parents
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm
All about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel

Hey! I'm bringing Jesus back
Go ahead and tell them Santa freaks that
That I'm not playing. I know you think he is the reason
But I'm here to tell ya about Jesus
Every inch of him is perfect from the bottom to the top

Yeah, my mama she told me don't worry about Santa
She says, "kids like you need more pow- pows and less time outs."
You know we won't be no sugar coating parents
So if that's what you're into then go ahead and move along

Because you know I'm
All about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf, no Angel
I'm all about that Elf
'Bout that Elf8

Because you know I'm
All about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel, no Elf
I'm all about that Angel
'Bout that Angel

You know We love Jesus

A Epic Fail to the Golden Rule

Matt and I were so excited about the kids getting The Christmas Angel this morning and talking about the birth of Jesus. Well it didn't turn out quite like we had planned. Landon and Payce cried because they were so sad Red didn't come back. Landon and Matt read the book and Payce held the doll. She liked that since she doesn't get to touch the Elf. Matt and I set down and truly talked to the kids about the true meaning of Christmas they didn't get it they keep saying Red is not coming? We talked about St. Nicolas and how Santa is a giver. We talked about their behavior to each other and when they are round other people. About how God wants you to give your time or donations to others. We talked about the birth of Jesus and what we could do to make sure others knew Jesus was in our hearts. It has been an hour since the kids got The Christmas Angel they are sad they think Red is not coming because they haven't been good or given to others they promised God they would start being good. Fast forward to the rest of the day and Payce hasn't put the The Angel down and Landon out of the blue said I know what we will name her "Grace". It is growing on them a new tradition is sometimes hard on everyone. Nothing like teaching the kids the true meaning of the season and feeling like you have failed for 15 years. Such an epic fail on Matt and my part. I do believe it is not to late for the kids to learn what Christmas is all about and incorporate in their everyday life. We are so blessed for 2013 to really show Matt and I the true meaning of Christmas and now we have The Christmas Angel we have named Grace. I'm so glad this product is out to remind us during the season of God's love and understanding.
Today when I logged in on to Facebook someone had posted a time hop from two years ago today, that the citizens of our town stood up for the nativity scene in the park. It was before Matt and I arrived in town. The story goes like this City hall was in and dated with Christians standing up for a manger scene in the park because some people didn't want it on display. I'm here to report that Christians won! I posted a picture of the time hop in my collage tonight for y'all to read. I just can't believe we live in a town where people stand up for Christ openly.
I truly wish our country would still stand up for it's Christian values the way our little town did. With everything that has been happening in America of late the one thing that no one is saying is missing is Christ. We don't do or act according to the "Golden Rule" we all learned as children. To treat others the way we want to be treated.
So in closing my hope for this Christmas Season is that everyone will remember the "Golden Rule" and live it to it's fullest. If we all do that I truly feel this world will turn around and become a place that is amazing and awesome again and full of love.

Noeyville with a little ale collecting

Yesterday the alarm went off at 5am so the boys could go hunting. Payce and I stayed home and watched Maleficent. What a great movie the best one I have seen in years.

Payce's class is performing a Christmas rap and she is trying out for all three solo parts. She has been practicing at home for Tuesday's try outs. She is a little sassy and makes me laugh. Out of 60 kids we will see if she gets a part. I have a video but I can't figure out how to link it to the page.
Matt and I were ask to donate to the volunteer Fire department in our town last month and we donated a brisket, potato salad and beans to be cooked to the highest bidders request. So when the boys got home from hunting Matt started cooking for they request it today for their daughters birthday. Funny story about this family when we moved to this very small country town everyone was talking about Noeyville I thought it was a subdivision coming from the city. One day I ask my friend to take me their so I could see it. Their was more land then the eyes could see and only  Noey's lived there. So I had to laugh at myself to think I was picturing a huge subdivision and really what it was is the most beautiful land with breathe taken sunsets made of a small community of Noey family members. What could be better then that? Tonight as a sweet girl turned 12 We are very blessed for my kids to have such a great role model right next door and I got to see a little Noey living and I'm here to tell you it is a beautiful thing.
     One of my favorite things to collect at Christmas is Holiday alcohol. I pulled the bottles out to display yesterday. I collect very random things so it is not a shock I would collect alcohol because I'm not a big drinker. I made some cool wine cups with candle sticks and solo cups yesterday as well. Matt and I don't take things to serious when it comes to our dinner table so it was only fitting to mix fine China with plastic. I think it turned out great.
Tonight is the big night the Christmas Angel makes her debut. I'm really excited and can't wait to make her a tradition in our house.
I wanted to tell you something you should know about us. We are not perfect we may do things in our house you frown upon but we try. I feel whenever you in corporate religion in anything people always have a strong option. Yes Matt and I drink a little, Yes we want our kids to believe in fair tails and Santa's magic and of course we want them to know the true reason for the season of Lord Jesus Christ. It will not be easy to incorporate all these from day to day but we are going to try. Please don't judge how we incorporate the two and know we try really hard to live day to day and enjoy life as one big adventure while raising three kids.

Somebody stole baby Jesus and they think I have OCD!

Several of my friends say I have OCD. Obsessed with Christmas Disorder. I start decorating the week after Halloween and finish the day before Thanksgiving. I don't like to cook and people never come over for Thanksgiving so why not enjoy Christmas for two months. This year all the kids have done is grip and complain,  to the point where I was in tears thinking it shouldn't be this hard. So upset I'm like just screw it and started putting stuff in the attic. We already had three tress up that was more then enough, right??. Then Thomas ask why does Christmas mean so much to you? I stopped and went to the living room and thought what a great question. It took me some time to think about it but I think the answer has nothing to do with Christmas. It is the state of mind everyone goes in to during this time of year. Giving, thinking of others, slowing down enjoying each others company, saying hi to a stranger, generally caring and of course I get to redecorate the house in themes!! Truly though If we could all live our lives everyday the way we do between Thanksgiving and Christmas wouldn't this world be different?  So to answer his question Christmas means so much to me because I feel I see a little window to people's soul. After answering Thomas' question he was more willing to help and we finished putting all the tress up.
For the record I don't think I have OCD but you may if you come over this Christmas season. We put up Six trees that are 7 foot tall and two trees that are 3 foot tall. One village and numerous decorations. I was thinking the other day I have had some of these ornaments for over 20 years. We have these themed trees put up princess, hunting, Mickey Mouse, Precious Moments, Coke, Longhorn, Scooby, and my favorite tree is one that is all Hallmark ornaments Matt's mom collected as her boys were growing up. The decorations outside and the inside are ready for company. FINALLY!!
Our town's Economic Development and City started hosting Christmas in the Park every Thursday until Christmas. Tonight we attended it was great to see so many families enjoying hot chocolate, S'mores and local churches singing. The lights were awesome for our small town I was very proud of Matt and his crew they worked very hard. Their was one problem the town's nativity, someone already stole baby JESUS. Who does that?? I'm just so glad to live in a town that displays a huge nativity scene every year. Matt has a plan to add a doll wrapped in swaddling clothes Monday.
Payce wore her first Christmas attire of the Holiday, bring on The Christmas season the Martin's are ready. Oh yes Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

I finished my Elf on the Shelf quilt!

My excitement is hard to contain right now. I made a string quilt with pieces of material. OMG so excited! When Matt and I moved to the country population less then 900 we wanted to embrace the country life style as much as possible. October I attend a quilt show and was totally captivated with how to make quilts and all the work that went in to it. I attend a bed turning and met two local quilt shop owners that took me under their wing and taught me as much as they could in two days. For two days I took it all in and learned so much. One of the vendors was selling an Elf on the Shelf quilting kit and I joked about adding quilting to my bucket list and I would love to make a Elf on the Shelf quilt. My friend Kristy ask was I serious and I said yes and we walked off.  Well Kristy surprised me and had bought the Elf on the Shelf quilting kit for me when I left. So for the last month I have been working on it when time permitted. Today we were joined my another Elf enthusiast Shelly. I'm making two Elf quilts and she is making three and we both have never quilted before. So between Kristy, Shelly, myself and Neal I finished my very first quilt!! I can't tell you how excited I am to cross making a quilt off my bucket list. I did it, I did it, I made a quilt. Please check out these local quilt shops to get started quilting today. http://www.acowgirlquiltshop.com/ and http://www.countrylivingquilt.com/

exhaust breathe with a little southen charm.

I have mentioned her name a few times but I really haven't talked about Payce just in case you think your not saying her name right it is pronounced Paycee. She is the true definition of a hot southern mess. After two boys I prayed for a girl and God delivered me a bona fide DIVA. She is smart, very literal and a little sassy would be a understatement. She loves fashion this girl has style that is out of this world at 7 years of age. Sometimes when she is sleeping I like to sneak in her room and watch her sleep because I can't believe she is mine. With that being said I debated to tell this on my blog because it deals with me but it is really funny about something she said.
Last week I walked Payce in to school and their was a car parked on the cross walk so we walked behind the car. Payce said mom do you smell that I said yes it is the exhaust from running the car. She said oh it smells just like your breathe in the mornings, when you are brushing my hair and my face is dirty you wipe it off with your spit and I make that terrible face. In the morning your spit stinks like a dead deer. What do you say to that? I just busted out laughing and stayed like 2 feet out of everyone's bubble that morning at school because I was late and had forgotten to brush my teeth. Tonight I had to laugh as a parent at dance was praising me for being a great mom and Payce walks out of dance class with no shoes, her dad's coat on and talking about drinking whiskey while holding a mason jar with water in it. Her mouth and actions shocks me everyday. Like when we were in Target last year she was an aisle ahead of me. When I got to the aisle where she was, she was on her knees praying to Jesus to tell Santa she has been really good and deserves this horse stall. It is one of my favorite pictures she didn't even know I had taken. Its a picture where she was in deep talk with the Lord about Santa.
To know her is to LOVE her!!! She is a true Angel sent to me by God even though she is a true southern hot mess.

Don't be broke next Christmas... Layaway!

Today is a Christmas tip that I have used year after year and it has proven to be the most helpful thing I do. What is it you ask?  It is putting things on Lay-a-way.  First have who ever you know you are buying for in December (kids, parents or even yourself) make a Christmas list in June Sounds crazy but here is when you find out if they want a TV, gaming system, iPad, camera or gun. The large items are really what you are looking for on the list. Then in July you head to your local pawn shop (I used Ezpawn) most of you are saying what is that. Wait stay with me and keep reading. Most offer Christmas in July and you can put the stuff on layaway for 6 months. They sale a 6 month guarantee that starts after you pick it up from the store and some times you can save over $100 per item. I have bought both the kids iPads, Thomas a Xbox360, two TV's, 2 laptops and 4 guns and almost 3 years later everything works just fine. You have to make payments once a month and I would check everything when you get it home just to make sure it works and if not you can take it back and exchange it just in case it doesn't.  Christmas morning you become the best Santa ever getting the big items they asked for. My kids wanted no large items this year thank God.
Now in September tell the kids you lost the Christmas list and have them make another one. Here is where you start looking for the smaller items. I know you are saying right now my kids have no idea what they want in September yes they do and trust me they really have no idea What they want in December either. So stay with me and you will thank me next year in December. Wal-Mart offers Layaway the end of September so have a list and know how much out of your paycheck you can spend with out putting yourself in a real pinch. Matt gets paid every two weeks so that gave us 7 paychecks and Spending $40 out of each check wouldn't hit our pocket book that hard. Wal-Mart doesn't make you pay once a month but I suggest you do. We pay on ours every two weeks. This year we didn't get to Wal-Mart in September but we still took $40 out of each check and when I finally got to Wal-Mart I put $120 as my down payment. Now it is November have them make another list and make sure you talk up what you have already put on layaway . The list will be a little different so in November and December you pick up the things they wanted you couldn't put on layaway. For example Thomas wants a North Face jacket we bought that on this paycheck. Landon wanted an adventure game for the xbox360 we bought that with the last paycheck. Yes, there is going to be last minute gifts everyone can't live with out and impulse purchases but you can afford them and more. Think how nice it is when Christmas comes your not freaking out saying your broke or your not running around like crazy looking for gifts that have been picked over or sold out. The holidays will be smoother and you will have a lot more time for Christmas activities with the family. I have three kids and this method has worked year after year. I Hope you try it next year and see if my method works for you.