Reason #4,561,230,625 Why My Life is Rad

 

As many of you know, I live for summer, but lately the tides have slowly be turning here at Haus of Girls.
This December has been filled with more joy than I can ever recall in past Decembers.
I’ve been a mom for seven and a half years, but this Christmas season seemed extra joyful in the mommy department.

Maybe it’s because each day, I take the time to remind myself how lucky I am, more that I have in the past.
Lucky to spend everyday at home.  Never having to rush anywhere.
I get to spend every minute of every day with Gracie, except when she’s at school.
I get to see my two big girls off to school and welcome them home as well every single day.
I can’t imagine anything different.

The memories I am making with my girls seem more  important and meaningful  as I age.
At thirty- two I  probably  have over five billion laugh out loud moments that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
They make my life perfect filled with very few regrets.

And here are a few other reasons why I’ve been so joyful this month….

I get to witness my girls excitedly search for “Clyde” every morning.

I happily get to bake for my sweet clients and friends while all ten children sleep at one time.

I get to laugh all day at this crazy girl who is really into “layering” this winter.
She has NINE shirts on in this picture.

I get to eat hundreds of candy canes while my sweet hubby keeps refilling the supply on our tree.

I get to anxiously wait for Gracie to wake after finding her at 11 pm fast asleep with underwear on her head.  When she finally awoke at her usual time, 8:45 am, she decided to keep the undies on as they “really keeps my hair out of my face, mom.”

I get to enjoy an early evening tea party.

 

I get to sew my girls fun shirts and then take 2,000 pictures of them posing in the cold.
They hate me now, but will love me when they are grown.

I get to make fun little presents for my girls to hand out to all their teachers at school…. PE, art, music and even the bus driver.  I’ve always tried to teach my girls how just a simple gesture goes a long way.
Making someone smile and feel appreciated is one of the most important things in life.

 

Speaking of feeling special, I received the most amazing and thoughtful Christmas gifts from my clients this year.  I wish they could know how much this means to me.  From wine, to a pedicure, to handmade thank you notes, to an amazing book (one thousand gifts)  I can’t wait to read, I am so grateful and thankful.
For them to take the time out of their busy schedule to do something kind for me, has me smiling from ear to ear.   For them to make me feel noticed and appreciated for caring for their  sweet children all year,  is absolutely the best feeling in the world. 

I even get to lock my self out of Steve’s car when attempting to finish up my Christmas shopping.
The good thing about that was that I was at Target.

 

As usual for this crazy family, there have been several nights out filled with fun.
This particular night we were celebrating my mom, as well as my brother in law Austin’s birthdays.
We started at the Burger Bar, then moved into the attached casino, got kicked out of there, and then walked down the street to another bar.  Yes, we got kicked out of a casino.  Long story.
We officially entered into a “club,” parents in tow, and had the best time dancing.

I have three best friends (sisters)  who don’t mind my creepy dance moves.
What could be better than that?

 

Well, I guess these three are pretty awesome.  

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 

“Girls Rule” Giveaway Bundle: Project 320

Happy Monday to you all!
Are you ready to build another well together?

This is how it is going to work:
For each $10 donation to our Project 320 well page, through the charity:water, you will earn ONE entry to ONE blog giveaway.
There is no limit to how many times, or how many giveaways you can enter, as long as you adhere to the $10/ one entry rule.

One comment = one entry.

Here is what I am giving away this year: "Girls Rule."

1. Plain Jane 5 pack of felt bows from   Kristyn at Chic Baby Rose             

 

2. Two zip pouches and a pair of adorable fabric covered button earrings from Amber at Good Night Moon the Shop

.

3. A “Peace” Vintage Dictionary Pendant & Pretty Flower Coffee Cuff from Jaime at Little Bird Creations.

5. Several adorable items from Tara at Plum Posh.
A Red Flower Hair Clip with Feather, a Black and White Silk Fabric Flower Clip, three Yoga No Tug
Elastic Pony Tail Holders / Bracelets " Team Edward " and a $10 gift card to Plum Posh Boutique as well!

6. A $10 Starbucks Gift Card
Kindly donated by my sister Maggie’s brand new sister-in-law, Heather McRoy.

7. An adorable clutch wallet handmade by a family friend, Kathy Tucker.



8. $20 Store Credit to my Etsy shop, Haus of Girls

9. A personalized light up bucket from Erin at Lizzie Jeans Cookies.

10. A pair of adorable handmade rosette earrings made by my sister Maggie Viefhaus Panter.

11. Two super cute handmade picture frames made by my friend Stacie at EST.

12. Two items of your choice from Heather at CM Handmade!
The cutest little boys' bowties or bowtie headbands for the girls.

13. A $10 ITunes gift card donated by my sweet friend, Kelly Berg.

14.  And finally, how about this adorable Brown Lid…

 

…and Pink Tee from Kara at Eli’s Lids?
Can you handle the cuteness?!

Amazing right?
I know you want to win it all. So, how do you enter?

One $10 donation to the Project 320 Well equals ONE entry.

First, Donate at the Project 320 Charity:Water page.

Then come back to this post and leave one comment for each entry.
$10 equals one entry.
$50 equals five entries.

*Please make sure that either your email is attached to your profile, or is included in each comment.

Comments will stay open until midnight pacific time on Sunday, December 19th.
One winner will be chosen on Sunday, December 18th.

The winner will receive all 14 prizes in this Girls Rule Bundle of Goodness!

Think about it.....$10 will give one person in Africa clean water for 10 years!
(For us, $10 is 2 Starbucks. Wow.)

Help build another well this year.
Win prizes & Save lives.
Thank you for making a difference this Christmas!

Don’t forget to go check out the the Project 320 Blog to see all the other fantastic giveaway bundles to be won.

Good luck!

‘Tis the Season

 

For building a well.
Who is ready to help us do this again?

Just like last year, you can enter any of the amazing giveaway bundles that we will have next week by donating $10 to our Project 320 Well.
For every $10 donated, you can enter once to win any of the bundles. 
So one comment = one entry.
Get it? Easy peasy. 

Let’s do this.

I will have a fun little bundle next week that I’m pretty sure every single one of you will want to win.
It will be filled with clutches, zipper pouch wallets, dresses, Starbucks, rosette earrings and more!

Until then, here’s a little Christmas cheer from Haus of Girls.
Gracie Lou, brilliantly performing a rendition of Jingle Bells in her very own unique  sing-mumble fashion.
Enjoy!

 

Merry Christmas Eve

This morning, we woke to a snow filled yard and three happy little girls running around the house cheering with excitement after realizing that we would be having yet another White Christmas.

(Photo card created by Mel from Daylight Designs)

(Photo card created by Kimmie from Sugar and Dots)

God’s blessing to you and your family this Christmas Eve!

On Your Marks…….

 

Get Ready…….

And next week I will happily say GO!

You will have the chance to donate $10 to our WELL giving you one entry at the chance of winning my bundle of goodness that I will be giving away.

There will be over 30 other bloggers doing the same thing.

 
All in hopes of reaching our goal of funding another well this year……..will you join us?

Santa Through the Years….

This weekend Santa came to our town.
Every year he kindly finds the time to stop by the fire house where my mom works.

His entrance.
Note Sophie’s intense nail biting.

The girls checking him out.

Patiently awaiting their turn on Santa’s lap.
Can you tell by their faces who was most nervous?

Continue on to see our Santa pictures from the past years leading up to this weekend, and you will see if you are right about which blondie was least excited so sit on Santa’s lap.
This same girl has, for the past two days, been saying “I don’t like Santa.”

All. Day. Long.

2004

 

2005

2006
I was too lazy to scan in our Santa picture from this year so here is a cute shot of them in front of Mimo and Grandpa’s tree.

2007
Two criers.

2007
A quick pep talk.

2007
Round two.

2007
Bonus photo showing how Mia hid under the table when Santa entered the building. Being pregnant with little Gracie, I almost peed in my pants.

2008
Gracie may or may not be trying to fly away.
 

2009
Two criers this year, again.

 

2010
One crier,
three festive dresses that I am so happy I squeezed in the time to make
and many more memories made.