Favorite Pictures from Each Month 2012

In doing this post, I went back over all my pictures with my "real" camera in the last year. I really tried to pick pictures that I took. It was a hard task because I took so many pictures with my iphone. I think I might make one of my resolutions to be to use my SLR more. But for everyday normal messy life the iphone comes in really handy.

January:

February:

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

August:

September:

October:

November:

December: 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

We pray that you had a blessed Christmas.

The Brandes Family

Cyber Monday

Recently, my family and I have started really using essential oils for everything. You can read more about our journey and what we do with them at brandesoils.blogspot.com. I am loving DoTerra brand because they are certified therapeutic brand (that means they test every oil 5 times before it gets to you, and if it's not up to par- they throw it out!). Plus because it is therapeutic, it means you can using it internally.

Because I love them so much, I want you to try them. Today only, I am offering 20% off (retail price). Just text, call, email (brandesfam at icloud dot com), find me! and place your order. You've got to get it to me because the offer will not be good on my site; I have to place the order. Got to my site and look around and get your order to me by midnight. You're going to love them!

Minted.com

Ooooohhhh, I'm always on the hunt for a good deal. I'm loving all the free photobooks I've found lately.

But right now, Minted.com has a GREAT deal for Christmas cards.

Once you sign up for an account, you get $25 credit to spend however you want. Then you can enter HOL25SHIP as a promo code when you are checking out and get another $25 credit AND free ground shipping. The only catch is that the last one has to be used on Christmas/Holiday Cards. AND if you go through ebates.com first you can get 5% back on whatever money you do end up paying out of pocket. This offer is good through Sunday only, and then its gone.

Pretty good deal on high quality, great looking Christmas Cards!

Vote!

It's your right as an American citizen.

Many people have served and died for your right and opportunity to vote.

Doesn't matter how you feel about the election. 

Just get out there and make your voice heard.

I'm so glad my husband and I early voted! Today, my grandmother is in the hospital and we are unable to stand in line- but I would if I hadn't already voted. If you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for her and our family, we truly appreciate all of them.

The Happy Day Project is back!

Last year I participated in a great week of doing for others. If fact, my grandmother still talks about her granola I made her during that week. I really had fun and loved getting to do something for someone else. The whole premise is making someone else's day a little bit more Happy. So easy to do if you try just a little!

Starting tomorrow you are given a task (and there's a cheat sheet below) along with an adorable printable to help make it a little easier. But if your day is crazy and you don't have time to complete that task, there's also a giving option. Just a little bit can go such a long way. Last year, I did both- I did some of the tasks, and I gave also. So rewarding.

So, are you going to participate?

Operation Christmas Child

Have you heard of Operation Christmas Child? No, well you are missing out! They are a great organization that takes up shoeboxes for children all over the world and gives them out for their Christmas presents. And this year the 100 millionth box is going to be delivered! How cool is that!?! Each year my boys and I pack a shoebox, usually for a boy. This year was no different. 

Here's us with our shoebox...

I usually try to pack in a plastic box so he can keep his goodies in it. 

And here's what I fit into the box...

So now it's your turn! Go pack a shoe box and drop it off today!