Our 2008 Christmas Card

I love ETSY!!

Merry Christmas!

Cookies for Santa!!

I meant to follow through...and Mason really did!!

I goofed on the December Daily challenge...and I'm not a big fan of saying that I failed the attempt; however, I had a good time using my time doing other things.

Mason's Project was a huge success this year! I was a little concerned because we changed our wish list from toys to books, but lots of people came through and we were able to donate over 600 books to Our Children's House, The Nelson Children's Center and the LISD Student Parent Program!! Thank you so much to everyone who helped!! The employees of OCH and NCC were overwhelmed...we are going to surprise LISD next week!!

Dancing, Prancer food and cute, CUTE ornaments = HAPPY DAY!!

Gracie had a little holiday show-off at ballet this morning. She was so adorable with her little jingle bells, tap shoes and big grin!! We love Miss Tera at The Dance Space and we appreciate her so much for helping G have some extra twinkle in her toes!

After ballet, we ran to Southlake to do some last minute shopping and I finally bought the Crate and Barrel heirloom ornaments I've been wanting! They are hand-painted and represent the twelve days of Christmas. I love the bright colors and I think they will be so cute mixed in with the kids' artwork on the tree upstairs!!

And this evening (really it's morning...2:06am to be exact!!!), I was crazy enough to slap together 18 jars of magic reindeer food for Mason's buddies at school! Mike was such a sport...he cleaned out all of the baby food jars and even used the goo-gone to get ALL of the stickers off (my kind of OCD man!!!). I think this is such a great gift for the little ones. We made it last year and M and G had a magical time sprinkling it on the grass!! Here is the recipe and poem:

Baby Food Jars or bags

Uncooked oatmeal

sugar

red and green sugar crystals (some recipes call for glitter, but it's not good for the birds!)

*add ingredients to bag or layer them in a jar, attach poem.

MAGIC REINDEER FOOD

Sprinkle on the lawn at night

the moon will make it sparkle bright

As Santa's reindeer fly and roam

this will guide them to your home!

OK...so, I think I'm all caught up and I can't believe it! I have a little more shopping to do in the next couple of days and then I'm going to sit back and relax!!

HAPPY 6th Birthday Mason!

I can't believe my chunky monkey is SIX!! It really does seem like yesterday when I was snuggling a little butter ball!!

Today was action-packed! Mike, Gracie and I took Mason his favorite lunch to school. But Subway took the backseat when we whipped out the cupcakes that were designed to make a big fish!! After school, Mason wanted to go to Build-a-Bear where he was thrilled to find a Texas Longhorn. He immediately made his decision and now TEX can sleep better at night knowing he has the best owner in all of longhorn land.

My parents always did a wonderful job separating my birthday from Christmas...I always felt so special! I hope Mason feels the same way! I am completely overwhelmed with sappy love for him! I catch myself glancing at him with so much admiration and gratitude. With the help from the Man upstairs, Mason helped make my life what it is today. I am thankful and I am so blessed to be the mommy to the most amazing 6-year-old boy I've ever met!! M: I love you with everything that I am!!

32, shmirty-two!!

What a great day!! I woke up to the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen...red roses, white mums and a hint of pine!! THANKS MIKEY!! I went to get a much needed pedicure and the sweet lady rubbed my feet and toes until they felt like butter...especially the toe without a knuckle - boy, did she get after it!!!

My sweet son made me the yummiest strawberry cake and to top the night off - I had front row seats to the best concert ever! Shepherd Mason sang his heart out and played the bells like a rockstar at Faith's Christmas program. Aaaahhhhhhh - to be Queen for a day!!

Got chicken???

I am so excited about today's Etsy purchase!! Gracie loves to cook in her play kitchen and I keep finding the cutest felt food! We have waffles, fruit, sanwiches, pasta, pancakes, etc. I even made some cookies myself!! Today's big find...a chicken leg, ravioli, snap peas, broccoli and a baked potato!! THIS IS TOO MUCH FUN!!

Etsy's BeckyM has THE CUTEST FELT FOOD!!!

Party on!!

...and the birthday bash continues! Our families came over today to celebrate Mason's birthday...and mine!!! I love that we share a special cake every year.

BOWL!!

December is a birthday marathon in my family! Oh, what I wouldn't give for a summer birthday away from all of the red, green and everything in between!! Today we had a bowling party for Mason's school and neighborhood friends. He had so much fun!! Not only is he a fabulous bumper bowler...he is a pro at the crazy claw game. He won FIVE basketballs...who does that???

And my Gracie would say, "that's much better"!!

I'm so much better...just needed to get my priorities back on track!! There is still so much to do, but I really am blessed that everything that's on my list is on my list!! Does that make any sense at all???

OK...so I'm totally about to cheat on the December Daily challenge! I love that you can edit dates with a blogspot account...haha!! Here it comes...

Looking forward to tomorrow

I'm participating in the December Daily challenge - well, I missed a day because our stupid computer monitor decided to bite the dust! I never really realized how much I depend on technology to help me through my day! So, I'm just getting caught up on emails, etc.

Yesterday was awesome! I relaxed a lot of the day (after cleaning!) - and Gracie and I had lunch and tea/coke party at her little table. I just love spending some one-on-one time with her. Mason had a buddy come home with him after school. It was SOOOOO cold, so we decided to stop at Blockbuster to choose a Christmas movie. Mason picked Veggies Tales: The Star of Christmas. It was very cute!!

And so now I'm having a little chaos going on in my noggin...I'll spell it out...and then I'll leave it here...and then I will go read and remind myself about yesterday's message at church.

• We need a new computer...and that's not what I want to spend money on!
• I still have some Christmas decorating to do (and although it's 'not so much important', it still is on the mental list that has tendencies to squash me by the end of the day.
• My first born is about to be 6 years old!! Hooray for growing and learning - but there is also something about it all that makes me somewhat sad. I remember holding his squatty little body in one arm like it was yesterday!
• I miss my mom...especially at this time of year!
• Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays! One down, two to go.
• Shopping and wrapping, wrapping and shopping
• And I got my haircut and I'm not a big fan! Why can hair sometimes make or break our attitude? It's not even that different from yesterday...it's seriously a mental thing!
• I have what seems like thousands of blisters on my heels from 'winter shoes'! I want to wear my flip-flops!!!

OK...and when I look back at it, I see that it's not really that bad. SEE...I feel better already! Thank you for letting me vent!! I owe you one :)

Here are pictures of our new dos: (Mason is turning into quite the photographer!! He took my glamour shot...haha!)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow!!

Today had FLAVA!!

Can you believe how cold it is??? This is the kind of cold that hurts my bones!! The wind is crazy and we've heard that it is snowing in some dfw cities. I love this weather...when I'm inside with a fire going - hot cocoa in my hand - warm fuzzy socks on my feet!!

Today was a great day! I love Flavour at Fellowship Church and today was especially grand because I was with good friends, the message was just what I needed and my FAVORITE FC band dude sang for us!! I'm a sap when it comes to a soulful voice and an old guitar!! Lisa Young was great as usual and reminded us all that we need to keep Jesus at the center of Christmas. We all get very caught up in the decorations, cards, shopping, etc. and the message was...'focus on that which is significant'. So, if (like me) you are stressed out about getting everything done of your list...take a minute to reflect on what's most important this time of year. I did...and putting things into perspective not only takes away the pressure - it fills me with so much gratitude!! God is so good!!

After Flavour, we went to Mason's karate class to watch him break a board with his foot! OUCH!! It took him several tries, but he did it!! I was overwhelmed by the determination on his face - he wasn't going to give up and seeing that drive in someone so small is just pure greatness! I am so proud of my little karate kid!! (I took a video, but haven't figured how to put such a large file on my blog - the look on his face was priceless!!)

Tomorrow: clean, clean, clean!!

Dex Alexander - LOVE his voice!!

ME and Lisa Young

Hot dogs and Marble Slab = GOOD DAY!!

I WON!! I won a raffle prize at the pta auction this morning...10 cub dollars for Build-a-Bear!! Mason is so excited because he wants to go there after school on his birthday! It was so great to catch up with friends this morning...and dang, that breakfast burrito was goooo-oood!! After the meeting, I went to the post office where I was glad to see my favorite PO employees...they are all so sweet and they make the long lines a little less miserable. I mailed our MA box and what felt like thousands of Christmas Cards. I chuckled to myself...those little nutcracker stamps are so cute!!

Mike is at home today with a stuffy nose...I mean a really bad cold. Gracie stayed with him so Mason and I took a trip to Sprouts after school. I love that store!! I love to look at all of fresh fruit and veggies - and just the smell of it makes me feel a little healthier!! After our nice gourmet hot dog dinner (right...that wasn't on my cute menu planner!), I called several stores to try to find reindeer antlers and a red nose for the CAR!! I finally found them at Walgreen's - HOORAY!! And after that wild goose chase, I treated myself to Marble Slab...cheesecake ice cream with reese's peanut butter cups!! It was a good day!

December is a DAILY CHALLENGE!!

OK...so since my last post, I went to lunch with the neighborhood divas for my birthday lunch, helped Mason's class make gingerbread houses, slipped in the garage, dropped and caught the gingerbread house, pulled lots of muscles, made a scrapbook for my hubby, threw a surprise birthday party for him, spent 3 hours at Walmart (at one time), addressed our Christmas cards (big props to the hubby for helping me lick the envelopes), addressed my grandfather's Christmas cards (BTW: I think envelope glue should be flavored with the fabulous taste of yummy cake!), sent out book exchange letters, sent a book, collected lots of books for Mason's Project, wrapped gifts to send to our fam in Massachusetts and planned our meals for next week (with my awesome menu planner list from Etsy).

Etsy Menu Planner: search seller 'jotitdown' on Etsy. She is taking a break for the holidays, but you can make a special request!!

December is such a challenge. We are so busy with birthdays and the holiday season that I barely have time to slow down to enjoy it all! I have simmered down a lot with big hopes for this year and the years ahead. I really want to make sure that I take it all in!! My dear friend Rhonda is participating in a December Daily challenge...post something each day for the month of December to give your readers a glimpse into your family's Christmas. I missed a couple of days, but I'll start today - I think it's a great way to reflect on the joy of each day and it's a great reminder to not let the hustle and bustle get in the way of the good stuff!! Thanks Hauney!!

I just realized that today is not today anymore!! It's 12:04! I was about to let you in on my plan for tomorrow, but I guess it's today's list: PTA Christmas party and auction in the morning...post office madness in the afternoon. Later Skater!!

MAGIC!!

Mason and Gracie went to visit Santa Claus tonight!! They had SO MUCH FUN!! Mason brought his list and Gracie carried on a 15 minute conversation with Santa!! It was such a magical moment for both of them!! Santa knew their names…knew that they do a little bickering every now and then…and he touched Mason’s nose and it lit up like Rudolph’s!! I got a little choked up as it brought back lots of my Santa memories. I can remember feeling the magic as a child…and I felt it all over again tonight!! We came home and took a great picture under the tree!! It was a merry day for sure!!

Thankful!!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you , God, for all of your many blessings - I am filled with gratitude today and always!!

Our blog has a new home!!

Welcome to our new blog! I was so tired of paying a monthly fee when I couldn't even have a pretty banner!! Please update your blog lists...our typepad blog will not be active after November 27th. This one is still a work in progress (aren't they all??), so please excuse our mess while we "unpack" some of our older memories...it may take awhile since we are busy creating new ones!

Stay in touch with the Mabery family: http://www.amazinglygraced.blogspot.com/.

Mason's 3rd Annual Christmas Project

A special message from Mason:
Can you believe Christmas is almost here? It's time for my 3rd Annual CHRISTMAS PROJECT and I am so excited! Last year, you helped me donate over 350 toys to children in need. This year, I received some special information from my school that I would like to share with you...there is a huge need for books in our area and I think we have what it takes to make a big difference! My sister and I are going to go through our books to get together the ones that we no longer read...won't you do the same?

My family and I will be collecting your new and gently used books all of November and the first two weeks in December. We will be donating them to three different organizations listed below. All of the books from "Mason's Project" will be donated to children in our immediate area - and we are going to make our delivery the week of December 15th. My daddy has made room in our garage for storage. Please feel free to bring your books at anytime! We can even pick them up for you!!

Your book donation will help the following local organizations:

OUR CHILDREN'S HOUSE - Books for younger children will go to this lecensed pediatric facility that provides complete and comprehensive care and services in a family-centered environment for children who need treatment for developmental or birth disorders, traumatic injury, or severe illness. This place holds a special place in my family's heart because they helped my sister, Grace, for the first year of her life. Visit http://www.baylorhealth.com/ and search Our Children's House for more information.

LISD SCHOOL AGE PARENT PROGRAM - This program provides pregnant and parenting teen mothers and fathers in the Lewisville Independent School District the support and resources needed to complete their high school education, re-examine their life goals and focus on the responsibilities of parenting and providing for their child. Your books will be placed the the program's "closet" where students go to get the items they need for their babies/children. For more information, visit www.lisd.net/sapp.

NELSON CHILDREN'S CENTER IN DENTON - Books for ages 6 through 15 will go to this special social services center that serves abused and neglected children. They are currently partnering with Faith Lutheran Day School to start a library for the children who live there. Visit http://www.nelsonchildrenscenter.org/ for more information.

If you have any questions, you can contact my mommy, Heather, at heathermabery@verizon.net. And please be sure to pass on the information about my Christmas Project to all of your friends...the more the MERRIER!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH LOTS OF LOVE,
MASON

"I will honor Christmas in my heart..." Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

"The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live." Ethel Percy Andrus

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

New Creation

This is one of my favorites off of Fellowship Church's Closer to the Start CD!!

http://fellowshipchurch.com/closertothestart


New Creation from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

Rock the Vote!

We love Stonyfield yogurt at our house and they are having an 'election' for their next flavor! The candidates are: Pomegranate Berry, White Chocolate Raspberry, Dulce de Leche and Pina Colada. I've never been one to push my opinion on anyone, but please vote for McCain...I mean Pomegranate Berry! :)

Go to http://www.stonyfield.com to vote for the next new flavor and to enter a drawing for free yogurt for a year!!

Now wait just a cotton picking minute!

We had such a great weekend together! It was a fall-filled good time...we went to the Nash Farm Fall-Roundup in Grapevine on Saturday and Mason's school's Fall Festival on Sunday. I even got to sneak in a 'just girls' dinner on Saturday!!

I love this time of year...the cooler weather is on its way, I love pumpkins, the leaves are starting to change - it's almost like my own new year. I start to feel renewed...I am so thankful...life is good!!

How often do you get to pick cotton???