12.22.2014

Christmas Break


Taking a break to be with my family and friends, Coming back Jan 2015 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Joyful and Prosperous New Year. 

12.19.2014

Confessional Friday

Linking up with Leslie for another Confessional Friday 


This week feels like it flew... 
its because work has been so busy 

1) I cannot believe Christmas is in 5 sleeps- like how did that happen.. I have been ready for a long time but now it is so real and it really is here.. Brooke is so excited and she wants to open her presents now, she can't handle the excitement. 


2) For the 4th week in a row we have gotten a storm, then it rains and we have ice around, we still might get a green christmas, I really hope so. 

3) I am not sure if I have some sort of bug or what is going on but everything I eat, makes me sick to the point of wanting to not eat... #notpregnant at least I don't think so. 


4) Making Christmas Cookies this weekend, have a couple new recipes I want to make 

Peanut Butter Fudge 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cracker Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough truffles 

5) I am on a blog break until Jan 5th, 2015 

12.18.2014

News coming Jan 2015

Hey friends 

When I started blogging almost 3 years ago, I thought this would just be a space for me to write about our daily lives, I had no idea for how long or what my "theme" would be. 
For some time now I have been doing a Marriage Monday post and I get so many emails every week, thanking for me the post and that I should turn my blog into a marriage blog... 

I am no marriage expert, I have only been married 12 years but I have been thru some hard parts, some good parts and MORE great parts.  
I want this to be a place where women can come and be encouraged, uplifted and enriched, to let them know they are not alone in their struggles thru marriage. 

I am hoping for a facelift,(maybe) a new name, (maybe). I want this to be a big change for me, there are some things that will not change- My weekend Recaps, my wednesdays for women, I will not post all marriage topics, I will post once or twice a week, but I want to help hurting relationships.  

My marriage topics will be a different range from dating, to marriage, to dealing with kids yet pleasing your husband etc. 
If there is anything you want me to write on, please don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment. 
What do you think I should name this bloggity blog?

Thanks for following along, hope you stick around while I make some changes 


12.17.2014

W4W- Holiday Ideas to cut down on stress





None of us want to be so stressed during the holidays that we have no time to enjoy the real reason for the season. So here are some tips to cut down on stress 


Start cooking and freezing foods early in the holiday season- items like lasagna, cakes, candies or cookies. You never know when you might need them for unexpected visitors who you want to treat to something special.

Cut up onion, peppers, celery and carrots; freeze them so they are ready for that special dressing or dish ( of course you can go the route of buying them already cut)

A cheese ball or a vegetable tray is great for a holiday event to allow people to nibble before dinner. It's fun to visit over appetizers- and can be a great conversation item if someone should want your cheeseball recipe

If sending greeting cards, have your family photo taken early enough ( if you are doing a picture card). Address and stamp envelopes before the holiday rush. I suggest you keep a check list to make sure the card is addressed and ready to mail

Make a list of everyone you want to present a gift

Wrap gifts early. mark each one so you will know to whom they belong.

12.16.2014

Just Be Cosmetics

Today on the blog I wanted to share one of my favourite shops with you. 


Just be cosmetics - Our business caters to those women that want a healthier alternative to their daily makeup and body care. Our makeup line is chemical, paraben, talc-free. Our body products are all chemical and detergent-free.

They have everything that you need to get ready for that Christmas party, date night, wedding etc
Right now up to Dec 19, they are having a 15% off sale. Use coupon code: JOY2014

Here is how you can reach them 
Website
Instagam
Twitter
Facebook

12.14.2014

Weekend Recap


Friday: 
Worked til 3 pm, then hubby and I went away for the night for his work Christmas party, we have such a great time every year, I think this year may have been the best time yet though. 
Here are some pictures:
 
The tree is the hotel lobby, i thought it was so pretty

Our comfy bed 

I love pictures of how people fold napkins

Ready to party 

One of his co workers wives, her and I laugh a lot 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpbl1Zs2L5M His co worker Ken, His Manager Tara, Ken's wife and I 



I love these ladies 

We had such a great time, stayed up to late playing games, and laughing a lot. 

Saturday:
Went shopping, drove home ( 2 hours away), went to get groceries when we got home, i wrapped some presents for friends, then watched some hockey and off to bed. 

Sunday:
Our chritstmas Play at church, the kids did such a great job, I got some pictures 







here is videos: 


Brooke played Silent Night on her clarinet, I may be biased but I think she did a great job

after service we went to jungle jims for nachos and wings, it was so good 

12.12.2014

Confessional Friday




This week I confess:

1) I am tinkled PINK for a new baby girl for Leslie . Congrats my friend, she is so beautiful.

2) It is good to be home, I was travelling too much for work lately, now im home as of yesterday and back to Saint John next week... then I am home to work. It was nice to go into the main office Monday and meet my co workers that I never did meet, we had a good time, good food, laughing and good coffee.


3) I am so excited for a getaway with my hubby, I am wearing a new sparkly christmas dress, we are going to his christmas party, it will be nice to go away with him and hang out with his awesome co workers.

4) I am so OVER frozen theme anything and everything.. I feel it is so over done, everything you say is in Frozen.. im just not a fan


12.10.2014

Tired Mothers Creed

Lisa Jo Baker shared this on her blog and I asked if I could share it. 
  1. I shall not wait for my house or my life to be perfect before inviting someone in.
  2. I shall remember that big hospitality has nothing to do with the size of my house.
  3. I shall not judge my house, my Holidays or my gift wrapping skills by Pinterest’s standards         See more 

12.09.2014

Alexis Krystina. com

It is that time of year when we are on the search for the most perfect christmas tags and christmas cards that are unique.

I was on Facebook one day when I came across this lovely etsy shop , I immedialty asked for some items to be shipped to me, when I received them, they were of top quality, she had everything so neatly wrapped.

Are you a hostess who wants to impress? This is the shop for you, everything is such high quality, so neat and tidy.



You can check out this great shop here: 

I have a 15% off code that you can use: VIP15 just use that at check out to save 15% of your entire order. 


12.08.2014

Travel Tips

This summer after  a beautiful 18 day vacation all over the United States, I wanted to share some thoughts with you and I wanted  post some tips for travelling because I know some people will travel for Christmas




1) Do a lot of research to know the best things to do and places to see. There are so many things and places to see that people don't always know about so the more research the better. 


2) Dont over pack- You likely won't wear all that clothes anyway due to weather. We were gone for 18 days, I packed 8 outfits each, you can wear them twice and I also got to do laundry when ever I needed to

3) Don't pack clothes that you need to iron- some hotels are no longer offering a iron in the room

4) Schedule out each day- then there is no wasted time trying to decide what to do that day

5)Never pack something that you haven’t worn before. Otherwise you’ll find your new shoes too uncomfortable, your new jacket too flimsy, your new underwear too wedgie-prone.

6) Tip your hotel housekeeping staff. (A good rule is to leave them about $2 U.S./day.) While you can leave it every day on the pillow, most staff is instructed not to move money or personal items, so they might not pick it up. If this is the case, just leave it in a prominent spot when you check out.

7) Never carry your wallet in your back pocket, and never carry your purse on just your shoulder, much to easy for someone to grab it and run 

8) Take notes. As much as you believe the contrary, once you get home you will not remember your tour guide’s name, or the artist whose worked you loved so much, or even the city where you stayed. Write it down.

9) The second you think of packing something, PACK IT. If you wait, you will forget. And then you’ll end up using a plastic bag as a shower cap.

10 Call your credit card company before you leave and put a travel alert on your card. While you’re at it, jot down their international customer service number.

11 Stuffing socks into your shoes can help you save space and ensure your loafers retain their shape.

12 If you’ve forgotten something, check with the hotel before running to a drugstore. Most housekeeping departments carry toothbrushes, combs, sewing kits, shower caps, and disposable razors that they will give you free of charge.

13 And, most importantly: never, EVER leave any valuables in your vehicle. I don’t care if it’s safely hidden in the trunk. I don’t care if you’re parked in the safest part of town. Don’t do it. It’s not worth the risk.



12.07.2014

Weekend Recap


Friday:
Another day, another dollar earned ;) 
I got off work at 7:30 thanks to my co worker for pulling some strings, it wasn't busy so we got off early.  
We went out for Chinese food after work... 
Hung out as a family and had a good time. 

Saturday:
We all decided to sleep in and not rush out the door for errands, we got out of the house around 2, stopped at Monkeycakes for coffee- the best coffee in the world well except for Kona that is. 
We ran some errands, Brooke wanted to buy us presents, so I took her to get Daddy's and he took her for mine, we ran to pick up a couple of things at Walmart, I came home and made wings, cheese ball with crackers and mozza sticks for a quick dinner, we were not in the mood for nachos. it was hock night so we watched that- bruins FINALLY won , after 4 loses, they got one up on Anaheim Ducks. 

Sunday:
Church for one service today, we normally do 2. 
We had a practice for sunday school program after service. 
Hubby took me to dinner at Montana's, it is like Texas Roadhouse for you americans. 
I had to go pick up a final present for hubby, and milk at walmart... always something to buy if you ask me ;) 
I went to babysit my friends 5 month old, he rolled over for the first time for me, It was a proud moment for me. 
About to head to bed :) 

12.06.2014

Louise- Guest post

  

                                    



I just want to let you know that God, our creator, is an awesome God! I decided to write on this topic because I often hear people say, “God is good!”

Every time I hear that comment, I just scream, God is better than good, God is awesome!  Then, I began to tell them all the reasons why I say that god is awesome!  Here are at least ten reasons why God, our creator is so awesome!


  • Number one, he haves so much mercy and compassion on us.
  • Number two, he watches over us each and every day, and not only does watch us, he watches over our children and our loved ones as well!
  • Number three, God loves us unconditionally, meaning, he has no strings attached with his love because he is love!
  • Number four, God is working everything out for our good, in other words, whatever we face in this life; remember God is working it all out for our good!
  • Number five, God loved us so much that he gave his one and only son to die for us so that we will have a right to the tree of life!  How many people you know will give up their lives for anyone and everyone? Not many!
  • Number six, God meats all of our needs according to his riches in glory!  He made everything in the world, so he has no problems sharing them with his children.
  • Number seven, God lifts our minds and spirits when we ask him too, and he does it because he loves us.
  • Number eight when we trust in God, he will never let us down. How many have you came to that never let you down? Not only that, how many have you let down?
  • Number nine God feeds the poor!  How many of us have turned our nose up at the poor and needy? Not God, he takes care of the poor, and if you ever get poor, he’ll do the same for you too
  • Number ten, when we’re sad, god will wipe the tears away from our eyes when we ask him too, and he’ll never ever leave us or forsake us!  Now, that’s awesome isn’t it?  


In my conclusion, I beg of everyone who reads this article, to please rethink your word when it’s on your tongue to say God is good, because as you can see in my article, God is better than good he’s awesome! God I love you


Minnie Louise Douglas  

12.05.2014

Confessional Friday


Another Friday to Confess my thoughts to you 

Today I confess....
1) I am loving the Good Wife show on netflix, 
This show is an American television legal and political drama, i love it,always something new and you learn about crime and lawyers.. I like it 

2. Christmas has arrived to our house- the tree went up Monday, i am not sure how I feel about the purple, but Brooke loves it, so if she is happy then I am happy 

3.  Very excited for next weekend, it is our annual trip away with my hubby, we have done it for 3 years now and I look forward to it very much, we spend time together, meet up with his co workers for dinner, it is also his work christmas party, it is a great time.


4. Many days I feel like such a failure as a wife and a mom- I am a clean house freak.... if my family comes home and they don't hang their coat up or they leave a glass not in the dishwasher, I feel like my world comes crashing down, I have to have a spotless house at all times.. drives my family crazy but I cannot help it.


5. my husband is the best in the world, I have been having a crazy week and he brought me a tea and a candy cane doughnut, he is the best. I love those little things he does.

12.04.2014

Grothe Family Christmas Traditions

Every year we have travelled to my parents or my in laws or both, this year we all live in different states that are quite aways away ( in laws- 12-14 hour drive, my parents 10-12 with a 8 hour ferry ride)  or we have gone to my aunts 2 hours away.
This year for a couple reasons we are staying home, just the three of us.
We have talked about some traditions that we do every year since we have been married and had Brooke

1) Decorate Christmas tree ( Dec 1) 
Hubby and Brooke have been sick with a head cold, but we managed to get it up Dec 1, Brooke helped me.
2) Go look at the light show on Christmas eve in our Pj's with hot chocolate 
a family about 6 miles from here, has thousands of Christmas lights out, they do a light show and I cannot wait to go see it.
3) I'd love to go see a Christmas movie
I mean go to the theatre and watch something while holding my hubby's hand, eating popcorn and pretzels.
4) Christmas Eve party ( maybe) 
We have done a Christmas Eve party the last 4 years, this year I have not decided if I will do anything, our house is smaller and not much room for a party. Really thinking about a ugly Christmas sweater party.
5) Gingerbread houses 
Brooke loves doing ginger bread houses, we need to decide when we want to do this
6) Read the Christmas Story before opening presents.
I think it is super important to start the day with a story about the real reason before we dig into the commercialization of it.

What are some traditions at your house

12.03.2014

Wednesdays for Women- Secondhand Christmas Traditions




Secondhand Christmas Traditions

It's the most wonderful time of the year! At least that's what the song says. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, joy and reflection. A time when you gather with the ones you love the most and celebrate the birth of our savior. It's also a time when we get to hunt for for the perfect treasures to give the people we love.

Gift giving can be wonderful, but our family began realizing we were spending a lot of money of gifts we hoped others would like or use. We were stressing at the mall and big retail stores and breaking the bank all at the same time.

I have 2 siblings- a brother and a sister, growing up we spent Christmas at our grandparents house with aunts, uncles, and cousins. We always brought gifts for everyone. When we were young, we wanted in on the gift giving but unfortunately an eight year old's budget just wouldn't cut it. Instead of buying gifts, we would make something or dig to the bottom of our toy box and find something we thought was the perfect gift.

My memories of those times are precious! We would gather in the living room with the familiar scents and sounds of cookies baking, fire crackling in the fire place, carols playing in the back ground, and the laughter of our family as we went around the room and opened the gifts one by one.

As time went on and we grew, our family also began to grow. My sister, cousins and I got married and begun having children. We were still bying gifts for everyone- because to whom do you not give a gift? However, that was getting very expensive and stressful. We decided to get creative.

We still wanted to give each of our extended family members a gift but there were some rules we had to follow. We would bring a girl gift and a guy gift to Grandma's and we would give them "white elephant" style. We also still brought each of our immediate family a gift. The creativity however was on the gifts. They had to come from either a thrift store or a garage sale. Secondhand gifts only ( We made exceptions with the kids)

The hunt was on, I started digging through thrift store shelves and racks searching for the perfect treasure. It was amazing what I started finding. Instead of junk, I was buying designer clothes with tags still attached, vintage dresses fit for a queen, beautiful antique dresse, books in perfect condition, pictures, serving dishes, silver spoons and on and on. I was having more fun than ever! It reminded me of the times when I would dig out the perfect toy from my toy box. I was gift giving from the heart. When Christmas finally came, we were giddy with excitement. We couldn't wait for the other to open that "one gift".

We had so much fun, in fact, that we decided to start a new tradition. We realized you do not have to spend a lot of money to have the perfect christmas, I would much rather get a gorgeous tarnished antique than something new and shiny any day! The joy came when we stepped back and put a lot more thought into our gifts.


After all, it isn't the most costly gift that will make a life long memory in your heart 

12.02.2014

Loving Lately


1) 

I said for a long time that I wasn't able to find anything of interest on Pinterest, but I have been spending more and more time on it and I am finding a lot of stuff :p 

2)  Notebooks 
 
I Think I need to go to Notebook Anonymous, I have so many notebooks and I love them, I don't use them but I like to have them in case I ever want one, yet every time I get the chance to buy one I do.. #addicted 

3) Mac Book Air

best computer I have ever used, Love my baby 

4) 
 I found a new show on there " Little People"and it is such a great family show, Look it up

5) Infinity scarves and its Chevron, I love anything Chevron print 

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