TV Time

I had never been a huge fan of the TV...until becoming a parent. I know that sounds terrible, doesn't it? I honestly didn't watch much TV, and neither had Rich, before kids came along and it wasn't something that I wanted my kids to see too much of either. (We actually didn't even HAVE TV the first year we were married.) I don't know when exactly things went downhill, but they did!

There was a point that the kids watched TV constantly! They'd ask to watch something, so I'd put it in for them never thinking that I should offer a different activity instead. The kids TV time is actually much better now. They may watch 1 or 2 shows a day, possibly a 3rd before bed at night but, for the most part, they play a lot now, we have nearly an hour of reading time most days (divided into 30 minute periods), we listen to music more, play games and do activities. I'm actually quite happy with how little time the kiddos watch TV compared to what they used to.

The thing is, it's still a problem for me...

I LOVE my down time each night after the kiddos go to bed. I tend to turn the TV on at 8 or 9, depending on the night and what shows are on, and watch until at least 11:00. I don't think a little TV time for myself is bad, but the amount I feel like I watch is getting to be TOO much. On top of that, I end up snacking and by the end of the night I feel fat and lazy. :-/

On a positive note, at the times that I'm not snacking, I do get some cross-stitching done. Also, I'm proud that we only have one TV on a little TV stand in the corner, and Rich and I have agreed that we will never get more TVs for our bedrooms. We feel TV takes away from family time enough without having it separate the family into separate rooms to watch their own shows too.

So, I'm hoping that I can just take the plunge one day soon and stop watching TV so much...cut back to a couple shows a week and, in turn, make more time for working out, spending time with Rich (and the kids), reading and studying the Bible, etc. I think it'll help make the days more fulfilling and create a stronger bond as a family....maybe for a New Years Resolution?! Then the next thing to tackle will be this computer time!! ;-)

K-Mart Gift Card Giveaway at Flying Giggles and Lollipops

Michelle at Flying Giggles and Lollipops has an amazing giveaway going on right now for a $500 gift card to Kmart! Can you imagine all that you could do with that? I think I'd finish my Chrismas shopping (I don't have much left-yay!) then grab several names from Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree and go to work shopping for them! Or, if the giveaway ends too late for that, maybe buy a bunch of groceries for those who are less fortunate. Either way, it would be awesome to have the opportunity to help others in my community to have a Merry Christmas this year :-)

Be sure to stop by and get your entries in. And while you're there check out the giveaway for a $500 Sears Gift Card as well!! Even more awesomeness, right? ;-)

Our Christmas Tree Search Adventure

Yesterday we decided we'd brave the cold and go get our Christmas tree. Rich's mom mentioned that the field they are cleaning out to farm has some nice trees if we'd like to get one from there. So the four of us jumped into the truck and headed over to the family farm planning on getting a free Christmas tree and helping clean out the field at the same time (not that it was going to be a lot of help, but it'd be one less tree to clear out.) We first had to stop at Rich's parents' for a saw, then to his grandma's for a key to take the chain down in the entry to the field, then into the field where the real adventure began....

It was SO COLD yesterday, that we wanted to drive to where the trees were, which happened to be across the field that had already been cleaned out and worked. Rich slowed down near a low spot to put the truck in 4-wheel drive, but apparently thought about it a little too late...

The truck sank in the mud and we were stuck...

Rich's uncle came to the rescue....

And we were free within 10 minutes.
Blake missed all the excitement, but woke up to a little boys dream of trucks, tractors and MUD! LOL!

Needless to say, we gave up on that field and went to the hill behind Rich's grandma's for our tree. (If it looks like the kids are standing funny it's because it's a fairly steep hill and they were trying not to fall backwards into the tree.)

And our free tree wasn't so 'free'....it ended up costing us $11....at the car wash....getting all the mud off the truck!!

Dollhouse Giveaway at Mom Spotted!

Morgan asked for a dollhouse this year for Christmas and they are SO expensive that I'm not sure that it will happen this year...unless I'm lucky enough to win one!

Mom Spotted has a giveaway going on right now for a Melissa & Doug Multi-Level Solid Wood Dollhouse.

Isn't it beautiful!?

Morgan would absolutely LOVE it! And I love that it's wood. It could be something that she keeps and hands down to her daughter someday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!! If you'd like a chance to win for a little girl in your life, just stop by Mom Spotted and follow the super simple rules to enter. :-)

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Event at Hip Mama's Place!

Hip Mama's Place is currently hosting a 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Event where you could win some AWESOME prizes. Some of the prizes include several gift cards to K-Mart and Sears to help with Christmas shopping this year! :-)

Make sure to stop by Hip Mama's Place before midnight, December 11th to get your entries in. You really won't want to miss out on the chance to win!! :-)