Christmas in Newtown

Their presents were wrapped with care and placed under the tree. Their stockings are no doubt stuffed and hanging on the mantel. Those goodies will never be opened by their intended recipients, and the stocking suffers will go unused. Christmas is Newtown will be very somber and my prayers will be with all the families who don't have children bouncing on their heads to wake up on next Tuesday morning, or the loved ones who came from near and far to celebrate birth are now memorializing their loved ones.

My prayers, thoughts and well wishes are with all those who will cry this Christmas not because of the birth of our savior but because of the loss of so many innocent souls.

Pray with me and join any of the following pages and show your support for the families in Newtown CT.

How You Can Help
Christmas for Newtown Facebook page

Until next time...
MUAH

New York Cares: Winter Wishes

Hey Y'all,

OK I am not in denial anymore... Christmas is quickly approaching. My children (Erick especially) have already created their massive Christmas wish lists and I'm getting on it by the end of this month!

Now... there are little kids out there who don't have mom's and dad's who can fulfill their Christmas wish lists. Especially after Hurricane Sandy I know that their will be many children that won't have a home to celebrate Christmas in! I went on a search and found New York Cares this organization has been around for a long time and does coat drives and fulfills the wishes of underprivileged children.

From their site...

Children all over the city eagerly await the holiday season. It's a great time to celebrate with friends and family, and of course, to get gifts. Unfortunately for many children in New York, their families simply can't afford holiday gifts. That's what makes the Winter Wishes program so special - you can fulfill the holiday gift requests of children, teens, seniors, and families, to make their season brighter.

This year with your help, we'll makes the wishes of more than 35,000 children teens, and families in-need come true. We collect and screen each letter and gift request, and then send them to volunteers who purchase, wrap, and send gifts to shelters, schools, and community organizations throughout the five boroughs.

We can't do it without you. Create a team of Wish Makers with your company, friends, family, church, or alumni association, or sign up as an individual and commit to transforming the holiday season one New Yorker at a time.

This year I created a group of volunteers that will receive letters from these children and answer them to the best of our ability. Please join me if you can.



Until next time...
MUAH!

It's December; are you ready?

Hey Y'all:

I was caught off guard last Thursday when I had to flip my calendar to December.
I'm not ready.

Not for Christmas
Not for 2012

I'm just not ready to say 2011 is over. Not that is was that great a year but because I'm not sure what 2012 will hold. So many things have changed that I'm anxious about the next 12 months. Praying that many things change for the better in this new year but unsure of what actions are going to cause a reaction. Will I be pushed into change or will they organically come?

I haven't purchased one Christmas gift.
Don't even have my customary list.

I don't like being unprepared but I am this year.
Many of our traditions are not going to be upheld this year and this too makes me sad and not ready.

Then I read this scripture and my soul is soothed; if only for a little while
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Are you ready?

Until next time...
MUAH!

25 Days of Christmas

Hey Y'all:

The countdown has begun, I know I'm a little late but the 25 Days of Christmas is here! We are just 2 and a half weeks til Christmas. I don't know about you but I'M NOT READY. I haven't purchased gift one but I will say that I'm excited for the holiday. Last year I started a family tradition of putting up the Christmas tree on my oldest son's birthday! So next week the fun begins.

Although I haven't decorated yet, we are enjoying the holiday season with ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas! Last night when I got home from work my son was excited to share with me the box that came in the mail. It was Christmas themed and he was confident that the box contained something for him. Sadly (for him) it was a box just for me :-)

ABC Family shared with me their programming for the 25 Days of Christmas so I'll know exactly when to tune in, along with a pretty cool BPA Free cup with a cute candy cane straw.

Do you remember Frosty's Winter Wonderland or Jack Frost? What about Home Alone 1 & 2 and of course the classic Miracle on 34th Street? Well they will all air this year with so many more wonderful shows on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas, check out the list here which includes some original programming and great movies. Bake some cookies with the kiddies and get into the holiday spirit.

Until next time...

MUAH!

The Candy Cane

Hey Y'all:

There is no evidence that the following is true but, I find it sweet and want to share it with you as my Merry Christmas!

Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church firmness to represent the promise of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season!

Please find the history of the candy cane here.

Until next time...
MUAH!

The Santa Issue

Hey Y'all:

The Christmas tree is decorated, lights are up at the window with snowfall as the back drop and then the question came; "Mommy, what's Santa gonna bring me for Christmas?" Honestly folks I just looked at him and said, "I don't know... what do you want him to bring you?" Erick didn't say much but I was left with the question, how do I explain Santa to my son?

I am a Christian and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ more so then anything else. I don't incorporate Santa, his Elf's or anything of that nature into my decorating. I've never taken Erick to get a picture with the jolly fellow at the mall or anything of that nature, but he's everywhere you look. How do I truly explain what Santa represents to us as a family and the fact that he's not bringing Erick or the twins anything this year, without totally smashing my little ones dreams?

Personally I want to tell him the honest truth - there is no Santa coming to our house. He doesn't come to any ones house during the wee hours of Christmas morning, mommy and daddy buy your gifts and place them lovingly under the tree.

I just don't know how! So I did what any respectable mother does, when ever he asks about Santa I say "Go ask your father"

How did you are will you handle the "Santa Issue?"

Until next time...
MUAH!

Twin Tuesday: The Christmas Tree

Hey Y'all:

So we (I) finally put up the tree on Monday night! It was a task! Some of the lights didn't work (had to call my mom in NC to figure out how to fix them), it's an artificial tree so I have little scrapes from the branches AND as I put ornaments on Myles and Leah took them off!

Thankfully I don't have any valuable ornaments (I do have a swarovski crystal Santa that's packed away in my jewelry box) last year I found a couple boxes of plastic ornaments at Big Lots! and will continue to use them this year.

When I came home last night from seeing the musical Fela! half the tree was decorated and half the tree wasn't! Apparently my little ones took all the ornaments from the bottom of the tree off! I'm sure they were running around the house yelling "ball, ball" and throwing them around.

What are the odds that my tree is up past the 25th?

Fun times in the Brown house and yet another fab journey!

Until next time...

MUAH!

Happy Shopping...

Hey Y'all:

It's not Friday but there is still Christmas shopping to be done. Hope this is a nice find for you!


www.thechildrensplace.com
· 15% off using promo code HHHA9 through 12/15

www.newyorkandcompany.com
· 30% off $75 or more use code 2516 through 12/31
· Save $25 on purchase of $75 or more. Valid till 12-31-2009. Code 7386
www.fashionbug.com
· 15% off by using code 776214306. Good through 12/31
www.lanebryant.com
· $10 off – promo code 010004906 through 12/31
www.pajamagram.com
· $10 off an order of $60 or more – promo code PETBK8 through 12/31
www.shoes.com
· 20% off using promo code ENTSHOES09 good through 12/31
· 20% off using code Enjoy09 through 12/9
www.sketchers.com
· 15% off plus free shipping by using code SK09ENT. Good through 12/31
· 25% off Purchase of 2 or more Items at skechers.com. Coupon code: MC25OFF expires: 12/31/09
www.champs.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code CPSP93KB through 12/31
www.thesharperimage.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code EB9 through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $250 or more – promo code EB9 through 12/31
www.brookstone.com
· $10 off an order of $70 or more – promo code ENT5SAVE through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $140 or more – promo code ENT6SAVE through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $350 or more – promo code ENT7SAVE through 12/31
www.frontgate.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code EB0810F through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $150 or more – promo code EB0820F through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $300 or more – promo code EB0850F through 12/31
www.skymall.com
· $5 off an order of $50 or more – promo code ENT5 through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $100 or more – promo code ENT15 through 12/31
· $25 off an order of $150 or more – promo code ENT25 through 12/31
www.lillianvernon.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code 009750000 through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $75 or more – promo code 009760000 through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $100 or more – promo code 009770000 through 12/31
www.current.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code UA2UAA through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $75 or more – promo code UA3UAB through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $100 or more – promo code UA4UAC through 12/31
www.personalcreations.com
· 20% off entire purchase using promo code ENTB20 through 12/31
www.berries.com
· $10 off using promo code EB28
· 20% off using promo code EB38 through 12/31
www.bigdogs.com
· 20% off using promo code ETBK2009
www.victoriasecret.com
· Free shipping over $100 – FA919549
· 30% a single item using code item30
www.barnesandnoble.com
· Save 15% off one eligible item with coupon code B3U9U7U. Pair the 15% off coupon with an item from our 50% off Holiday Gift Guide and find an incredible deal on books, movies, music toys and games! Shop now and Save!… expand
www.babiesrus.com
· $10 off purchase of $100 or more with promo code 930985
www.express.com
· $20 OFF $60 or $30 OFF $100 now thru December 31, 2009 using code 4532. Not valid on clearance.
· $30 dollars off $120 purchase $15 dollars off $75 purchase using code 4424 through 12/5
www.ninewest.com
· 20 off of your purchase of 75 or more using promo codes NWHOLD9 or NWHOLW9 through 12-31

www.eyeslipsface.com (ELF Cosmetics)
· 50% off order up to $15 using code FACEBOOK
· Free mini makeup kit worth $15 with any order. You can only use one coupon per order. Use code LOYAL
· 50% off any Brush using code EGBRUA
· $10 off $30 using code EEHGGAB
www.dsw.com
· Free shipping using code snowman
www.timerland.com
· 15% off using code work15

www.llbean.com
· Enjoy free shipping. Valid till 1-1-2010 using code 3013598

www.coach.com
· 50% of anything from the poppy collection using code coachpoppy
www.armaniexchange.com
· 15% OFF "Online Exclusive" items using code 15OFF1101
· Free shipping using code FRSHP09 through 12/31
www.brylanehome.come
· 30% off highest priced item using BHREWARD
· 20% off using code BHENTERTAIN
· $15 off your order of $75 or more. Expires 1/15/10. Code BHZR1575
www.bathandbodyworks.com
· Free shipping with any purchase of $40 or more until 12/24/09 using code SHIP40
· $10 off a $40 purchase using code 1419 through Jan 31
www.sephora.com
· Choose 1 of 3 minis: -NARS lipgloss duo -Yves Saint Laurent Mascara in Black -Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Body Emulsion – use code WISHME
· FREE Sephora Brand Birthday Vanilla Cupcake Bath & Shower Bubbles on purchases of $25 or more using code CUPCAKE
· Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara Free with any order using code BEFLAWLESS
· Free
Metallic Flower clutch filled with 8 samples with any $50 purchase using code CLUTCH4U
www.clinique.com
· Free shipping using code FSEMAIL, FSCHAT07 or CCNEW
· Free lip gloss using code chatgloss
· Get a shimmering silvery tote free with any $49.50. While supplies last. Code TOTE
www.aveda.com
· Free Standard Shipping and Gift Wrap on any order (plus 2 complimentary samples) use code HOLIDAY9
· Free standard shipping with order of $40 or more and a sample of rosemary mint wash use code 09WEBPC.
www.toysrus.com
· $10 off toys r us purchase of $100 or more. valid 11-1-09 thru 12-24-09 use code 930999
· $15 off $100 purchase use code HOLIDAY2
www.leapfrog.com
· 15% off your next order of $50 or more by 12/15/09 use code N9LFC
www.hasbro.com
· 20% off using code family2009
· free craniac fun pack use code 2ppyp5e
www.littletykes.com
· Free standard shipping on orders of $200 or more use code DTFA2020
· 10% off using code DEAL2009
www.theavenue.com
· Free shipping on $60 or more use code AV91142 through 12/31
· 20% off your first item, 30% off your second item when you buy 3 or more using code AV91143 through 12/31

www.bluefly.com
· $40 off $200 or more using code AFF40 through 12/31
www.delias.com
· 20% off through 12/3 using code 4YOU20
· Free shipping over $25 orders using code SHIP25D through 12/17
· $20 off $75 or more order using code 20DEL75 through 12/17
www.disneystore.com
· Free shipping on $89 or more order – code SHIP89 through 12/17
www.eddiebauer.com
· Free shipping on $100 or more using code EBHOLIDAY through 12/24
www.fashionbug.com
· 15% off through 12/31 use code 776214306
www.icedoutgear.com
· 30% off $230 or more use code VIP30
· 10% off $30 or more use code VIP10
· 20% off $80 or more use code VIP20
www.JCrew.com
· Free shipping $150 or more use code HOLIDAY through 12/2 only
www.maxstudio.com
· $20 off $100 or more – code Holiday09 through 12/31
www.nordstrom.com
· Free shipping on $100 or more using code HOLIDAY09 through 12/20
www.stevemadden.com
· Free shipping using code SMFREESHIP
www.whitehouseblackmarket.com
· $20 off $100 or more using code 8978
· 20% off $100 more using code 8976 TODAY ONLY!

A holiday getting to know you!

Hey Y'all:

My Sista friend Mrs. Cooper posted this little holiday getting to know you and I figured I'd share too!

What 5 items are top on your holiday wish list this year?

• Rest and relaxation (noting happening)
  
• A gift card from Bath & Body Works
  
• Money (what girl doesn't want some long green?)
  
• Some new Gospel CD's
  
• I'd love a laptop (I think I want a mini something or other)
  

What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• A little tray from notes from my sister Nicole. I kept that thing for YEARS. Not sure where it is now.
  

What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (I always get the refrigerated kind)
  

What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• A china tea set from my uncle who was in the army. I think he was in Germany .
  

What items are top on your kids wish list this year?

• My kids don't have a list yet... I think if they did it would be EVERYTHING on Nick Jr.
  

What is your favorite holiday food?

• Don't really have one. I think I'm going to make some spare ribs this year though.
  

What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• Nothing
  

What is your favorite holiday movie?

• Charlie Brown Christmas
  

Favorite holiday song?

• Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus & Lucy from Charlie Brown Christmas
  
• Kirk Franklin & The Family - Jesus Is the Reason for the Season

Favorite holiday pastime?

• Chilling with the family

Feel free to share yours.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Tis' The Season...

Hey Y'all:

I looked at my Christmas stuff... then I quickly closed the closet door and put the box back. I'm not ready!

But yesterday I figured out why....

Decorating the Christmas tree, stringing lights around the house, sending out holiday cards and even preparing for the Kwanzaa feast are all fun traditions that families look forward to at the end of the year.

This year I haven’t been inspirited to put up the tree just yet and I think it’s because I’m trying to figure out what my family’s holiday tradition will be. Although my husband and I have been married for over 10 years we are a relatively new family. Erick will be five soon and Leah and Myles are 20 months so we haven’t created a real family tradition for the Christmas holiday. As I’m writing this post I think I have it…

I have a great idea for the Brown Family Holiday tradition. Erick was born on December 14th so maybe we can celebrate his birth by decorating our Christmas tree and preparing the house for the holiday season! I think this is a great idea! It’s a great way to guarantee that he’ll spend a part of his birthday with us when he becomes an adult! He won’t want to let his dear old mom and dad down! What do you think?

Do you have a holiday tradition with your family?

Until next time...

MUAH!