on failing at gifts, adoption, and drooly beads

so funny story, yesterday, for like 3 hours, I researched the crap out of husband's christmas present. But upon realizing we don't have the extra money right now, I decided to wait and just get it for his birthday in Feb. Y'all, I searched for it high and low and found the best deal. I even made husband go into our room with the door shut so I could measure his laptop and current computer bag. You see, husband has a cheap messenger bag. He is also the hardest person in the world to shop for. You think I'm just exaggerating there, but I assure you, I am not. He just wants amazon gift cards all the day long. I finally thought of something he really needed. I even bragged all night about how I was finally going to break my bad gift giving reputation oh shoes.  Yeah, I totally give him shoes every year. It's my default gift.

Then, this morning happened. Husband logged into OUR JOINT AMAZON account and immediately saw his gift in the cart. Hi, my name is idiot. We share a joint amazon account. So that was fun. OH, and husband hid one of my Christmas presents and now can't find it anywhere. I would say it's funny if it wasn't my gift that he lost. #wearenailingchristmasthisyear

So I thought I'd update y'all on our adoption process. A big fat nothing has happened.
still w a i t i n g.

and here are a few photos of C playing in our christmas tree garland bc you know, I can't seem to blog without a few pictures of him thrown in for good measure.
Take us out, C.

tree pickin

First things first, let's all join in a round of hallelujah's that I've now caught up on pretty much all my editing and can now resume blogging. I mean, I'm way behind. ready. 1.2.3. HALLELUJAH!

So, Tree Pickin. Around my house growing up, this day was a major event. All 6 (now 8) siblings would compete over who could find the bestest most greatest most beautifulest tree on the entire lot. Anyways, we've carried this tradition over into our little family. Real trees only for the Kublers. Since Thanksgiving came late this year, we actually got our tree a few days before Thanksgiving. And don't bahumbug me. If I had it my way, we'd be getting it every year before Thanksgiving.

We pick our tree, grab some yummy lunch, head home and decorate the mess out of it all in one evening. And you know Christmas music is drowned out by our imitating voices singing along. Chex mix usually accompanies an ornament in our hands and hot chocolate (if we have it) is steaming close by. It's our "let's kick this season off right" tradition. Our "who cares if Thanksgiving hasn't come yet, we are putting this tree up early dangit" tradition.

This year C was a little more aware of what was happening. He considered us bonkers when we dragged him out in light rain to pick a tree. He considered us even more slightly off our rocker when we put said tree in our living room. He was all like "guys, do you know that's in here. in our living room. why?" He walks by it occasionally hitting a branch and shaking his head no. We've got a real scrooge on our hands, but by golly I'll fix that if it's the last thing I do.

 There's a real art to picking a tree. It never fails every year I like one tree and husband likes another. I'm pretty sure last year husband gave in to mine, so this year I returned the favor. What's that you say? Every tree looks the same? ummmm no mam or sir for any of you are sirs out there (should I be weirded out your reading my blog?? I'll just go with it). They do not. Some are stiff, some loose. Some have needles, some don't. Some smell just like christmas and the others just like an allergy attack waiting to happen. When you get really lucky,  you happen upon that perfect tree. You know, the one that peaks ever so perfectly. It's heavy on the bottom and perfectly proportional on all sides. No gaps for this master of a tree! That's the tree I'm determined to find every year. This year, I wasn't really convinced husband found the tree of all trees, but once we fancied that guy all up, he was perfection. Perfectly filled. Perfectly peaked.

Hopefully, like really, hopefully this is a tradition in your home. If not, get with it and make it one! Just a fun way to start the season off. Dedicate an entire day to the tree decorating.&&&&& be sure to document it!! I can't wait to look back on these images year after year and look at how my children have grown. oh goodness, my sappy soul, look at how tiny C was last year.

Be sure to head over here today. I'm talking tips for starting traditions for your family!