Homemade Advent Tree Tutorial

Here is a short tutorial on how I made my Advent Tree.

First I cut some branches from the tree in the front yard. I looked for one that had forks in them so I knew there would be many places to hang the little packages.

Then I went to the Dollar Tree and bought a ceramic flower pot. I wanted one heavy enough so it wouldn't fall over with all the top weight.  I also found the floral foam and moss there as well.

I had red spray paint at home.

Total so far I've spent $3.00 plus tax.

I cut the branches to the lengths of my liking.  You can cut them long and then shorten them as needed.

I spray painted my pot as it was yellow and not very Holiday looking.

I used a kitchen steak knife to trim away the foam so it would fit into the pot.  This is the messy part.  LOL

I added small pieces back in the sides to make it a tight fit.

We then glued the moss onto the foam.

Below is the semi-finished product. 



Below you can see I bought a silver charger plate from Walmart for .99 cents.  And used Handy Man glue I already had to glue the pot down as my pot wasn't very wide at the bottom and was easily tipping over.  Easy fix!  And now that total is $3.99 plus tax.

As for the little boxes I bought those at Dollar Tree as well.  You can find several different ones but I preferred them to be white or silver.  They came in packages of like 6 to 8 for $1.00.  I have 26 little boxes. (silver and white)  So I spent maybe $4.00 on these.

I used a heart punch that I had from previous yrs. of scrap booking.  And card stock.  Had that too.  For day "25" I used a piece of red construction paper.  Had that too.  LOL  I used a fine tip Sharpee to write each number.  It was the most economical way.  And then glued each one on with Tacky Craft glue.  I also had the white curl ribbon from gift wrapping and balloons from who knows when.  Imagine that I had that already too!  haha

Here is a view of the little nativity Gabriel bought for me last year at the school sale.  It's perfect for the bottom of our tree.  And of course the final gift!

These boxes are from Dollar Tree as well.  They came together inside of each other.  I have 4 boxes total for $2.00.

One other thing I purchased was tiny little zip lock bags I found in the office/craft supply at Walmart.  I paid something like $1.40 for 100 of them.  I had to use these for the candy.  Since I have three children and wanted each one to enjoy the prize for the day. 

I bought small bags of candy from the check out lane.  Keeping it cheap!  ha  M&M's, Skittles, Mini Reeses, Almond Joy Minis, Hershey Kisses, Mini Hershey drops, whatever your heart desires.  I also bought Whales and Dunkins!  :)  Found them in the cracker and cookie aisle at Walmart.  These little bags made it possible for me to put small amounts in them for each child and stack the little folded over bags into the little boxes.  Everyone has something.  And I didn't have to buy all that in $3 and $5 bags of candy.  I spent way less.  More like $1 for some and less for others.  I am not sure how much I spent on the treats but I was frugle and you can be too.

You could put little notes in them for instance that say a hug or whatever little things that would make your children smile! 

I bought an Advent cardboard type tree and booklet last year from the school.  It was a fund raiser for PTO.   We never completed it.  So we are using it to read from everyday to remind us of why we are even doing this and to point us to HIM everyday!

I juggles ideas around before I decided to do the tree.  We like to focus on those in need during the yr and especially during this time of yr.  It's cold outside and people are homeless.  I just felt in my heart that my children needed this special time between us to make those special memories.  We are still serving others and Praise God for His leading in that area!  We don't like to share too much about what we do as we feel it's God's glory not ours.  But our hearts are for people!

God Bless you all!  May you have a Merry Christmas!!

If you have something special you've made or a tradition you'd like to share we'd love the hear about it and even share it here if you'd like.  Be sure to comment and let us know and if you have a blog and want us to post it here be sure to include the blog address below!

**If you have trouble commenting, please use the Name/URL option.  I have to use it.  For some reason blogger has issues with this.  I even have to click to submit it twice sometimes.  ;)>

Aspergers Syndrome

Well it's been a long road and still have a much longer road to travel as we raise our children.  But we have come to a conclusion!  Gabriel was tested as mentioned before and today we took the long trip over to meet with the Dr. and listened to his diagnosis.

So long story short Gabriel has Aspergers Syndrome.  Exactly what I had decided with God's leading.  There is so much to this story that is probably severely boring but one day I might share.  I am just so thankful God has brought us to this moment and we have confirmation so we can move forward with the correct therapies.  And we can begin to utilize programs that are available to help children with Aspergers.

I just wanted to share with those that have been praying for us through the valley!

Will be back when I'm not so completely exhausted so I can start sharing more of the "funny" parts of our days!  :)

Thank you all for your love and prayers!!

New Business

I've always believed you can make a business from anything if you truly "LOVE" what you do.  Your passion for it flows onto other people and they know you love what you do.

Several of my friends have their own businesses.  You can feel that passion for what they do.

I have tried many different businesses over the course of yrs. staying at home with my children.  Some more stressful than others.  Some just weren't meant to be at all.

All my life I've wanted to have my very own business.  Whether a small boutique with clothing or even a thrift store that people can go to for great savings.  I've always known that I was meant to do it. 

It is with great excitement that I announce I am now a new consultant with Thirty-One.  If you are familiar with Thirty-One then I am sure you know why I love them so much!  I am a huge bag lover.  If I had a lot of money (this statement is too funny), I would own every choice in the catalog.  But with great resistance I will refrain!  :)  ha  But seriously, I've always loved bags, handbags, beach bags, overnight bags, backpacks, lunch bags, suitcases, cosmetic bags, wallets, giant carry all bags, bags you organize with whether it be in the car or closet.  I love them! 

God works in wonderful ways.  I have looked for a way to work from home and continue to be in God's will.  I homeschool and love it.  Thirty-One will allow me to stay at home with my children and do something I have always wanted to do.  AND (I love that word), I get to sell BAGS!!  How incredible is that.  I can share my inner passion with others.  And meet new friends along the way!  And guess what??  "Thirty-One" stands for?  Proverbs 31.

A company after my own heart.  I am so inspired!

Hope you'll support my adventure with PRAYER!  I need all I can get!

If you or you know someone interested in learning more about "Thirty-One", please comment or click on the two links to my webpage and give me a call or shoot me an email!  I'd love to talk more about it!  God Bless!

My Thirty-One



What a day

I've held off writing.  Trying to decide what is proper to share and what is too personal.  Sometimes we share too much and sometimes we bottle things up when we might help others if we share.  Who knows?  It's a catch 22.  Whatever that means.  haha 

Gabe has been to Dr. after Dr.  It's truly been a long road.  After yrs. of telling us he's sick and doesn't feel well I feel we've finally came to the place God wants us to be.  Not that it ends here but that we have reached the point that we just might have some answers.  But those answers still feel like an eternity. 

It's so troubling when you take your child to one Dr. and they think one thing and another Dr. thinks another thing.  And they are conflicting.  Or even another Dr. is drawing at straws and has not even the slightest clue but not willing to help you find "for sure" what the culprit might be.  It's just so mind boggling to me.

I know our issues seem so small compared to life threatening illnesses and even death itself.  And I would never undermine the hurt that is involved in those circumstances.  So please don't mistake my whining with self pity, that our world is unbearable or worse than others.  That is so far from the truth.  But this is our valley at this given time.  It has good days and bad days.  I am thankful daily for what God has blessed us with and without.

A few months back Gabe's therapist decided to refer him to a NeuroPsychologist.  (Very well paid and very educated persons)  Just in case you're asking "say who??". ha   We went and had an initial consultation a couple of months ago and finally this week, Wednesday and Thursday, we went for a total of 4 hrs. of testing.  I suppose you'd call it testing for learning curves, differences.  Basically they determine if your child might have one or more of: Autism, Aspergers, PPD, ADD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, etc...  This list goes on. 

Gabe seemed to be quite hyper and happy when I would return to get him both days.  Very interesting.  I've asked and asked about what he asked him and what they did.  Not much response but a few things.  One of the questions he told me the Dr. asked was: "why do people put stamps on envelopes?".  Gabe told me he didn't know the answer.  I was floored.  Anyway, another question was: "why does the government test meat before it is sold?".  He had no clue about that one either.  Of course he has now been informed in both areas. LOL  What threw me is what does that have to do with anything??  hahaha  I suppose that is why I am not getting paid to do what this Specialist does.  haha  I have thought and thought, "how on earth does that tell him anything?"  LOL  Oh well!

So long story short.  We have to wait 2 weeks to return for results.  I just want to hybernate and wait it out.  Not do anything until I get answers.  I keep telling myself we made it this far!  What is 2 weeks?  Well if you're me and have been watching your child suffer for all these yrs. IT'S A LIFETIME!!  I know God is in control, not me.  It's just been so hard.  I think my drive to P'cola that day will be the longest driver EVER.  rotfl  You that know me, can't you see me???  People will pull over and get out of my way because I'll look so crazy!  ha 

So all in all!  I feel like we are so close to finding that central piece of the puzzle that has had us so tripped up and searching.  But I am also so impatient.  Pray these next two weeks fly at the speed of light for us.  So we can begin the new chapter of our sons healing!  God Bless!!

Baby Boy

My neighbor had a Baby Boy a few days ago!

I have spoke to them a few times but we really haven't

been able to get to know one another.  People are busy and it's

hard to throw yourself at someone like you are needy for friends

or something!  LOL  Can't you see me doing that?  eeek! ha

Well I wanted to give them something and well I have some fabric

from some time ago I was making all kinds of things. 

And with my recent "bag" making I felt compelled to make

a bag and blanket.  How fun!  On Sunday afternoon I cut the

bag and blanket out and then last night I sewed it all together!

I love to SEW!!! 

Well here is my creation.  Now all I have to do it is feel better

from this miserable headache and shower so I can give it to her!  ha

By the way, the babies name is: Jackson!  How cute is that!!

Now I'm off to hopefully get rid of the headache, tummy ache and

find something else to make!!



Guess What? Photo Answer

My last post included a photo to see if you could "Guess What" it is??

This one was not that hard!  LOL

Here is the entire pic:

Morning Coffee to be exact!  LOL

It's fun to do these.  I am going to incorporate them at least weekly!

Thanks for participating!