Easter Cookie Loveliness and Today's Tidbit: Don't Stress!

Let's start this blog off on a good note. heh.

Yesterday I had some of the youth girls over to decorate Easter cookies with me and the kids. We had such a fun time, laughing and squeezing icing that was a little thicker than I like it! Sometimes even though its a lot of work and mess I feel like its important to do things like this. Not just for my kids, but for girls who might not have a mother figure to do things like this with. Secretly its fun for me too :)

Now for the stress part. Do you ever realize that once you challenge yourself, or pray for something..like patience or whatever all of a sudden you are challenged to work it out?! yeesh.

well yesterday for my 'today's tidbit' I talked about stress and trying to not let it get to you. Well, needless to say...my stress was challenged (and still is this morning).

as Oprah says "overworked and under appreciated" not always...but feeling it today! I'm sure that feeling will pass in about an hour. I'm hiding out in the kitchen downing some coffee, which conveniently is also a mood enhancer for me. haha!!

have a good day everyone, you are loved!

MVP Milani Bronzer

yeah eee yeah!!!

so i told you guys the other day that i won the MVP of the day or whatever on twitter for Milani Cosmetics and I got them today... they are HUGE! woooo... i be lookin tan!

they are two great colors and not so shimmery so I will definitely get good use out of them! oh, and in case you are reading this any time soon...

Target is giving out FREE beauty bags. just like "Target Style" on facbook and there is a link... all you do is fill out your address and it'll be at your doorstep in 4-6 weeks. a friend of mine told me about it and said it was pretty good last year.

have a great evening!

coming up together

life is good.

today was another long day, but today i'm ending the day feeling good. satisfied.

my husband and i have been reflecting the last couple of days on the things that God has done and through our lives since we've been married. We have come a long way... but i am so proud of all we have done and how God has used us.

i heard a someone say once that the gift of service is more service. and i think its true. i give and serve because i want to, because i love it... when it is no longer a burden but a joy, that is when you know you are doing what you should be doing. the best leaders are the best servants.

too many people are stepping on others and pushing others down to promote themselves. i don't ever want to be one of those people. meeting with several people this week i am excited for the things to come. excited for all those around us to come up together.

one of our good friends Eric is such a talented singer, they recently made a music video and need to hit a certain amount of views by easter to potentially get a good deal. so please take a minute and watch his video and please like it!! i think he has another song on video, i'll look for it and post it too. (and tell him jeannie sent you..i'm trying to get 1000 views and there is a boba on the line! hehehe!!)

hope you all have a great week! xoxo

just one of them days....

its been one of those weeks. busy busy busy. i feel like every day we had something to do hour by hour....and i feel like my emotions changed hour by hour. part me thinks i must be getting my period soon *crossing fingers i don't. ugh. i can't imagine. haven't had my period in what...over a year!? the only thing i can attribute to my moodiness, or that i'm sleep deprived... or that i'm a woman. haha!!!

this past week i've had such conflicting feelings about different people. its hard to just 'forgive and forget' especially if that person has no clue that they even hurt you. *sigh. i usually try to just suck it up and let it go, but then when you come face to face with them...or they remind you by doing something else to totally piss you off, hurt your feeling, make you roll your eyes...it all comes back. am i the only one that struggles with this? i can't be. i would think just by being human, having different personalities there is always a constant struggle in relationships. especially those you have not by choice.

ah i'm rambling. probably should blog when i'm so tired. g'nite y'all!

Best Baby Products: Part 1

Here are some baby products that I absolutely love. I

hope this helps you save time and money in your search for baby stuff!

Carseatcanopy.com

i got this carseat canopy free! all you pay is shipping which turns out to be $11.95, but it is still cheap considering the cover is free. it is such high quality and is so much more stylish than throwing a big ol blanket over top. you can always find promo codes to get it free. i think 'family2012" works right now. if not, if you join planning family.com it always has valid promo codes for these!

i got this nursing cover at uddercovers.com and they are a great lightweight fabric so you and baby don't get all sweaty while nursing. i love mine so much i have two! this is also free and you just pay shipping. usually the same promo code as the carseat canopy and can be found on planning family.com too.

Robeez by Stride Rite Socks. These socks are amazing!! I wasted so much money on newborn socks that don't even stay on baby's feet. these are 'kick proof'. I got mine at marshall's for about $5 for a pack of 6, but if you google them it looks like you can find them a lot of places

i hear baby waking up so i gotta run, but i hope this is helpful!

March: Things I love

I wanted to share a bunch of good finds and things I've been using and loving this month!

I have been searching for good quality face paints forever, and I've finally found them! These are from Michael's and the original price is $19.99, but every week there is a coupon for any item 40% off (sometimes more) so I waited until I got one to get these. My daughter asks all the time if she can get her face painted at disneyland, but its $18!!! so I thought we could buy it and do it as much as we want! The little pods are small, but you don't need a lot.. you add a bit of water to a brush and you are ready to go. I absolutely love them.

Going back to my Revlon photo ready. It really has to be one of the best foundations ever. Great natural coverage and doesn't feel stuffy or thick. I love it!!

Revlon Lip Butter in "lollipop" is amazing. It's a beautify fuchsia color that I think is much more wearable and fun than a red lip and is really flattering on most (and it makes your teeth look whiter!)

Avon nailpolish in "Aqua Fantasy". I love Avon polishes, they have great coverage, smooth and the formula is nice and not so thick.... I think they are on sale right now for $2.99 too!

Got this face wash as a sample from cvs.com and I really like it. It is a gel face wash, so there is no foam, but it really cleans well and leaves my skin feeling fresh and not tight. perfect for sensitive skin!

I shared this before, but I got this perfume at Marshall's and I love it so much I bought 2. Fresh and slightly fruity (?!) I don't know, but its cheap and wonderful!

Favorite websites for FREE or CHEAP stuff

hey gals! I thought I'd make a video since I'm always talking about all this with people!! so here it all is in a video...although i thought of atleast 3 websites i forgot! waaah... i guess we'll have a part 2 some time soon!

Only One Me

If someone were to tell me I would have a beautiful life filled with JOY one day back when I was in high school I would not have believed them. I don't share this very much, but when I was in high school there were so many days where my prayer before going to bed would be "God, if you love me... don't let me wake up" Then, in the morning when I woke up...I would be genuinely disappointed. I felt like I had no purpose, no reason for being created. I had a sister who was good at EVERYTHING, but me...well, I wasn't good at anything. I didn't do well in school, I wasn't athletic, musical...nothing. I often questioned why God would make someone like me. Someone who wasn't good at anything...someone without purpose.

I remember a pivotal part in my life where I heard God so clearly say "I am proud of you, there is only one you" Such simple words that changed my life. I'm not saying I never had those 'what is my purpose' days anymore...but I did have a lot more days where I knew that God made me with purpose, special..and the only one like me. So, with that said I am still on a journey living my purposes. being who I was created to be. My life is full of joy and purpose and now I feel like there are SO many things I could do, I just need to choose!

haters gonna hate

i realize more and more how our society bases their success on other peoples failures... why can't' we be happy for each other and encourage and uplift rather than tear down and judge? been thinking about this a lot lately.

so today's tidbit is on people pleasing and haters....

remember, haters are gonna hate.. if you have haters, you're doing something right!

good friends

now i know i am not the 'best' friend in the world or anything... but i am trying to be a better friend each day. i have been blessed with some great friends in my life who encourage me and push me to be a better person. there are definitely a lot of things i need to work on...work in progress....

inspiration

talk about inspiration. I've been really challenged lately to try to make a difference, stop focusing on myself and what i 'can't' do...and focus what i CAN do through Him...

in my late night online-ness i came across this video that just blew me away... then i found another about his story. if you haven't seen this before.. please do and be inspired.... God is love, and He loves you!

4 months

so i took baby for her 4 month check up the other day... she is doing good! i was kinda worried because all the other babies around her age are so much heavier... but doc said as long as she is growing, pooping and peeing good... she is good. i was beginning to think i was producing skim milk when all the other mommies were making homo milk! hahahah!!!

she is the sweetest, most delicate baby... i love her so!

also filmed some of my favorite blushes and tidbit of the day! xoxo

Chubby Bunny

my kids think photo booth is sooooooo funny! the other day they took about a hundred pictures together and were giggling so hard. there is something about a little kids laughter that heals your heart.

today i took the little one to her 4 month check up and get her vaccinations. poor little baby. the silent cry is the worst. now she has a fever and is quietly whimpering as she tries to fall asleep.. *sigh. i wish i could take away any pain and sickness from my kids for the rest of their lives!

so i video taped a whole update VLOG on baby... just to find out my voice didn't match the video like a bad chinese movie....oh well. i'll try again tomorrow. gnite world.

california king

so my california king bed arrived... and i was so so so so excited. i got the knock off version of the tempurpedic called the bodypedic. i read about a gazillion reviews (approximately...) and they were all positive. it was a fraction of the price. since i have such a bad back, 3 herniated discs in all. i thought this would be my life saver. i woke up this morning and couldn't move... PAIN!!!!! luckily throughout the morning the pain dissipated... i'm hoping my body is just adjusting, hoping for a better nights sleep tonight.

anyways i am gonna do a 'today's tidbit' here and there.. just little words of encouragement, thoughts when i get a chance, just a couple of minutes.

so here is the first one... i realize that i like staying mad sometimes, so i'm learning to let things go faster than i naturally want to!

hope you all are well. thank you for reading!

DIY Ombre Hair

so i decided to re-ombre my hair last night since i cut off all of my previous ombre, and thought i should go a bit more bold and make it a whole new hairdo. i thought about filming it, but i had to do it as fast as i could before baby woke up...so here is how i did it!

you will need:

bleach powder (i like the blue or violet to cut out brassiness)

devoloper, for most people vol 20 will be fine, i used vol 30

gloves

non metallic bowl

brush

foil

shirt you don't care to ruin

hair clip

mix the powder bleach 1/2 part developer. i did this in small amounts so i didn't use it all at once, in case i needed a touch up later. mix until it is a creamy consistency.

apply on to sections of hair. make sure not to do a 'straight across' line or else it will look too harsh and abrupt. i just moved the brush up and down so that certain sections were higher than others.. then fold it into foil and wait... (check often!)

after you wash it out if you want a little more of a gradient effect you can do it one more time concentrating more on the tips... and voila! so easy!!!

mommies and babies

today was my little nieces first birthday. its funny how people say 'enjoy it, it goes by fast' you do the half eye roll 'uh huh'...but it really does go by too fast. seems like yesterday she was born!

its neat seeing moms with their kids (although i hope that no one watches me! haha!)

i feel like so many moms think that they will never be like their mom, or that they want to be just like them. I've really tried to make it a point to take a chill pill and not be a naggy mom or uptight about everything. its hard when you are a control freak! i have to remind myself all the time that they are just kids, and i need to stop and enjoy the moments. i often tell myself 'they will never be this exact age every again'. it's sad, but it reminds me that most things are not a big deal and that i need to savor the moment.

ok so i did a bad thing and weighed myself yesterday. i kept telling myself not to...but i did, and i regret it. waaahhh... and then, i realize i've become one of "those girls" and that my hair had become my security blanket. so even though i miss it and really think i should have left it (which by the way is dryig from be re-ombred) i think it is good to feel vulnerable. hehe...

new beginnings

i am so excited! I got my first laptop in my whole life!!!! wooo hoooooo!

That along with finally getting a new bed for my aching back I have to say this is gonna be a pretty amazing week. Gotta love tax returns! So I was playing around and trying to figure out all the cool things on here. I haven't had a mac since I was in design school, so I'm trying to re-learn everything. anyways, here it is! (i wish i could transfer all my files over but after trying too many times to 'migrate' i decided my frustration was taking away my joy of discovery so i stopped.. hehe)

Outfits

ok as much as I'm trying to "embrace" my new body... its hard to dress. I'm not about to go buy a bunch of new clothes.. but the clothes I have, well they just don't fit the same. So I'm trying to make different combos of stuff I already have. Just a few ideas for you postpartum momma who don't just snap back when you walk out the hospital doors! haha!!

February: Things I love

Yeesh babeesh! I need to be better about blogging... which I will soon. I ordered my very first laptop of my life!!!! woooooHOOOOooOoOOOoo! and a new bed (finally! my back needs it) I am so grateful today for tax returns and being debt free. Trying to be a better steward of our money and be more smart about our spending.

anyways, here are my favorites for February. Hope you are all well! xoxo

Nail Polish Prayers

This is my beautiful friend Amy when we took a little 'mommy vacation' a couple of years ago. She has been such an encouragement to me throughout the years and the other day she posted something that really got me thinking and I thought I would share! She said that she reserved her time to polish her nails as time she would spend in prayer for her good friends. What a blessing! Then in my study this week one of the questions was about why we don't spend more time in prayer. And as most people would probably attest to.. its usuallly time, priorities... even though we all know that it is such an important part of our lives our schedules get the best of us. So this nail polish prayer got me thinking.. what if I assign each 'chore' to different prayers that I need to be praying? Vacuuming will be time spent praying for my ladies group, washing dishes will be fore close friends, brushing my teeth in the morning I will thank God for everything I can think of..and so on. I just thought after a couple of days of doing this, it will just become natural to pray for those things AND it'll make those chores more meaningful and purposeful.

anyways I thought I would share that little gift she shared with me!

I made these private videos for a couple really good friends a couple of thanksgivings ago to tell them how much I love and appreciate them. This is the one to Amy, and I am just showing you guys so that those who know her and are around her will love and appreciate her too! (as if you don't already!)

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV

I ordered this Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV off of Hautelook recently. If you haven't heard of Hautelook its a site where you can get name brand products/clothing for up to 90% off! every day they have a new set of deals so check back often!

www.hautelook.com

Anyways, I hooked up with Callie from cajuncouponer.com i

n getting these makeup palettes and said I would do a seri

es of makeup tutorial for her subscribers and mine to follow along when

we got them. I received mine yesterday and was so excited to start playing. Mind you, I rarely have a moment alone..let alone time to film makeup tutorials. So with that in mind, I snuck off to film as fast as I could before my little mini me's noticed I was missing (dont' worry, dad was watching them). So I apologize this isn't the best of the best...but hopefully somewhat helpful. I'll be filming more when I get anothe

r chance! enjoy!

Look #1 kind of a copp

er and teal look

Look #2 purpley

highly favored, greatly blessed

its so weird how sometimes you can be thinking about something, and then someone says something, or something happens...and it all comes together at the right time. some might think its coincidence, I think it is favor.

I know that I have been blessed. It hasn't always been that way, far from it...but I DO know that once I put my life in God's hands, things have changed. My life is nothing I ever could have imagined or dreamed. I'm not rich, famous or fancy.. but I have a wonderful husband and three healthy kids that are full of love. Our bills our paid, we have beds to sleep on and cars to drive. What more could I want? I don't need anything, but I know that God has more for me. So... I have been asking for His favor. In ministry, in life, in family and new endeavors I've been asking for His favor, His blessing... so that I can do more and bless more people. I feel like since I have been praying for this so many words of affirmation have followed, opportunities have opened up and my dreams have gotten bigger. There is so much more out there.. I just have to see it, believe and receive. I truly believe He has so much more for you too. Ask Him.. seek and then receive. What father would not want to give the best to his kids? now being a parent I understand that so much more.. and understand His love for me so much more.

So today with dry eyes, sleepy headache and a belly ache..I could not be more thankful, excited and aware that I am richly blessed!!

(I thought I'd add a picture of my little princess, cuz.. well.. she's just so darn cute!)

tired eyes?

my eyes (and mind and body) have been so tired lately. here are some products that might help rejuvenate, reduce puffiness and minimize dark circles!

and most of you know I'm a lover of Korean Sheet masks!! You can get all these things here at:

naturalradiance.net

Just for signing up you can get a choice of 2 different kinds of masks for FREE! all of their products are super dee duper affordable, but just to put a cherry on top enter "aboutalot" in the promo code for an additional 15% off! woohoo!

Here's an old review I did on some purederm masks I did about a year ago. I'll be doing one on the Beauty Clinic ones soon! Have a great week :)

how to find a good boyfriend/husband

of course after making this video I thought of a million more things that are important.. but atleast its a start!

when in need...give

I hate money. I feel like it is the cause of so much stress, tension in people's lives. So after much hesitation...I've decided to one step further with this couponing. Oh yes... I'm going there.

So after hours of researching, clipping, sorting.. I finally ventured out for my first big trip. (well, big to me) I feel like its especially stressful for me because I'm so bad at math AND I have really bad anxiety. As it is, I usually can't go into a drugstore, grocery store, Target, Ross without having to hit the bathroom within about 10 minutes in a BAD way. Needless to say I know where all the bathrooms are in every store. So this couponing just takes that anxiety up a notch. ANYWAYS, on my way to my first trip.. I got pulled over and got a ticket. GAH! I was so upset and mad at myself. All this planning and sorting and excitement for money I was gonna save, and the ticket will no doubt be more expensive than what I saved. So with tears in my eyes I headed home with a "screw couponing!" attitude. When I came home my husband gave me a big hug and reminded me that money is just money.. not to worry about the ticket and that the worst thing about getting a ticket is the time I spend worrying and feeling bad about it. what an awesome man. So with his encouragement I went back out. I have to say, I didn't do too bad.

my first trip is going to making care packages for our troops!

The awesome thing too was the same day we received 2 letters in the mail from soldiers that had received our last batch of packages and just shared how uplifting and encouraging it was to receive. made it all worth it. All this to say... I give when I am in need..because I know He will always provide for me and when my heart is right... my heart feels good :)

on a totally unrelated note, here is a video of things I've been loving this month. baby is crying.. gotta go!

DIY hair clips

I found these super cute felt stickers at Michaels that I thought would look perfect as hairclips.. cute and crafty! so here is a quick video on how to make them. SO SO SO EASY!

goals

So every year when January 1st comes around me and my husband go on a date and set our goals for the next year. Before we start we pull out our lists from last year and check if we had done them or not. We write 20 goals, for us personally as a family and other. This year we got a late late start and did it last night. It is good to see last year (and past years) things we accomplished and the ways in which God blessed us and provided for us through the year. When we are done, I have a cork board by the bathroom mirror where it stays for the whole year so as we brush our teeth in the morning we can look over and remind ourselves of our goals.

A couple of my goals this year are simple, yet hard. To be more patient, smile more, laugh hard with my kids and make sure to tell every family member every day how much I love them and how important they are to me.

My beloved grandma passed away last year. She raised me and was such a beautiful soul (my youngest baby looks just like her!). After she passed I've had a lot of 'I wish I' moments. Where I wish I visited her more, brought the kids to see her, called her more often.... So in light of that I want to be more intentional about those small things that I wish I could just have one more chance to do. Give hugs, laugh...

puts things into perspective. reminds you not the sweat the small stuff... and really savour each day. So in the moments when my kids are driving me nuts, I tell myself they will never be this size again and one day I will miss this.

anyways, I am loving the rain outside and am gonna enjoy my morning cup of coffee! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and know that you are loved :)

Boingy Curls!

I've wanted a curling wand for a while but didn't want to pay a lot. I took a chance on a cheaper one at Target for $25 and I love it!

memories

I have not printed pictures since my son was about 2 months old, he is now 3. I have all these folders on my computer of pictures that have been waiting to get sorted through. Digital cameras are awesome because you can download and be done with it.. BUT you take so many more pictures, so sorting through them is a lot more work! So I spent all day yesterday making folders to print and I am only halfway through 2009! waaahh! I am printing them through shutterfly, when you sign up you get 50 free prints, use coupon code ship30 for free shipping and print30 for 30% off PLUS you can prepay and get your prints for 9 cents! *phew. that was a mouthful. So... if you are like me... start printing those prints! I keep having this fear that if my computer crashed I'd be totally screwed. Now I need to go to Marshall's/Ross and get some cute photo albums. I have to admit, going through the pictures was fun. It seems so long ago, but yet just yesterday that my older two were just babies. I am glad that in this short time we've already made so many good memories. That they laugh a lot and have a good life.

So on this gloomy, cloudy morning.. I have thousands of rays of sunshine to look through as I get myself organized! Have a great day!

how to be a more thoughtful person

I am always striving to be a more thoughtful, intentional person. I think that one of the best gifts you can give someone is your thoughtfulness....so here are some simple tips that I think will help as you work on being a more thoughtful person.

listen. This is the first and most basic step. A lot of people ask you how you are doing, but not a lot of people really care or stay long enough to listen. Usually they say it mid stride and don't really slow down if you happened to say anything more than "fine". So when people are talking to you, or those around you... listen. Listen to what they are going through in their lives, upcoming events (tests, performances etc.) things that they are excited about, worried about.. need prayer for. Usually people are pretty open about sharing what is going on their lives, you just have to take the time to listen.

pay attention. This goes along with listening, but using your other senses. Some of us are naturally observant people.. others, not so much. Whether you are or aren't..practice paying attention. Notice when people are carrying a lot of bags, carrying an umbrella that is broken, what they are drinking, colors they like, things they collect... all these things will help you in being more thoughtful. Noticing these things are the key to being thoughtful in the way that will bless them where they are, rather than what you think they want or need.

act.This is often the step that I have a hard time with. A lot of times a certain person will come into my mind over and over throughout the day or even the week and I think to myself that I should give them a call, text, e-mail just to see how they are doing or do something thoughtful. I often get sidetracked even though I keep reminding myself to do something for that person. So the easiest thing is to do it as soon as you think of it. I really believe that many of these times God is telling me to do something for them, or to encourage them because they need it. He uses us to build and encourage each other in a tangible way.. so I like to think God is using me as His hands and heart to bless someone He loves.

so whether it is a quick note in the mail, a text or maybe its something HUGE... be aware of those around you and people that come to your mind, you can be His hands and feet too :)

Couponing

ok. *deep breath

I've been thinking about becoming more serious about couponing. Every time I watch Extreme Couponing on TLC I think... woah, that is SO me.

I think I hesitate because I'm an all or nothing person. and when I'm all in, I'm ALL IN.

So in fear of becoming a crazy addicted, hoarding couponer.. I've satisfied myself with the regular coupon life... until last night.

Last night I had a burst of excitement an energy and went on a rampage for coupons. So.. I think, I may have let a monster out of the closet.

I was online for about 5 hours yesterday printing, clipping and sorting coupons.. then this morning, tied up my hair, fed baby and trekked out to what I thought would be a easy quick trip. WRONG. couponing is a lot of work AND time consuming people!!!

so with that said, I'll start posting really good deals if I find them and keep you updated :)

here are some good sites I've been using so far: ( I know there is more, but mama is tired!)

www.krazycouponlady.com

www.cajuncouponer.com

www.dealseekingmom.com

http://www.hip2save.com

http://www.coupons.com

so with that said, I saved about $30 on my trip to Target today.. not too bad.. CVS was a different story. I almost pooped my pants.

oh and I changed the settings on this blog (because Amy made me) so anyone can comment or e-mail posts. hopefully that helps!

Yummy Breakfast Scramble

I made this the other day for my friend while she visited and she asked me what was in it, so I thought I would post it. All the ingredients can be altered depending on how much of each thing you want, and what you have in your fridge. I usually make a mish mash of whatever I can find. This is what is in this one:

7 small red potatoes. peeled and cut into cubes

1/2 sweet onion chopped

1 red bell pepper (or any color, i just had red)

6 eggs

1/2 polish sausage link cut into pieces

( I had mushrooms too, but I forgot to put them in!)

1. cook potatoes in vegetable oil over medium heat until golden brown and crispy (this takes the longest to do) when they are 3/4 done, add onion and bell peppers

2. in a separate pan cook sausage links, when they are done put them on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the grease.

3. in a separate pan scramble eggs. I add a little bit of milk to make them extra fluffy and a pinch of salt and pepper

4. when everything is done, mix them all together and serve! yum!

Toe Tourniquet

Day 2 after Toe Tourniquet

Yesterday I was changing my 9 week old baby and she started crying, then screaming. I didn't know what was wrong so I started searching her body for something that was hurt. When I reached her feet, one of her toes was PURPLE!!!!! upon further inspection, there was a hair that had wrapped itself around 2 of her toes in the fold of her toe joint so I couldn't even see it. It was so tight I could not even get a nail around it, and every time I touched she would scream. *panic

So I got my little pointy nail scissors. uh, scarey thought when your baby is screaming and kicking her legs! I managed to cut the hair off to find that it had cut through her skin, all the way around her toes. it looked like she had fake toes screwed on! Poor baby. I put some neosporin on it and put some socks on. I was hoping when I looked today it would look better, but it still looks so ouchie. especially the under toe.

so I googled it, like I google everything...and I guess it pretty common, but some babies loose their toes that way!! I guess if the blood flow is restricted for too long the ligament can die?! scarey so scarey. So today I've been checking her toes and fingers like every 10 minutes... waaah!

expectations

I think one of the worst things in the world is to be told you did not live up to someone's expectations. Even if they say that is a 'compliment' because their expectations of you were so high... still make you feel like a failure. I realize I have high expectations for people...and that's why I feel let down a lot. I guess it goes both ways! (of course I would like to think I NEVER make mistakes and am perfect.. hah!)

on a completely unrelated note: Kissing Elixir

Isn't this cute? its 100% all natural fresh breath mist.

"Give sugary breath mints, and artificially sweetened products the kiss-off! Sugar Free, Long Lasting. Like love itself this potent and concentrated mint vanilla flavor burst is not for the faint of heart. It will take your breath away. On the go instant breath freshening.

Convenient size for pocket or purse."

Love Languages

ok this is a book i read probably over 10 years ago that i still refer to, so i thought i would share!



ok i am so bad about blogging. when i started this blog i thought i would do it more and stopped my old blog, and now i hardly do it. so i will make it one of my new years goals to blog more, and try to be interesting about it!

Postpartum Outfits

hopefully this will help in your journey of dressing your new postpartum body!

baby is here!

i just realized i never posted this!

the juggernaut

can I just tell you how much I love this little boy?!

I remember when I was pregnant with him wondering and worrying how I will love another little human being as much as I loved my daughter. I don't think I fully understood the magnitude of love multiplying. He is my heart. There is just something so sweet and pure love about him (that it makes it hard to discipline him!) He is super cuddly and sweet... and even though he's big, rough,all boy and we call him the juggernaut.. he is so gentle and caring. I think he is going to grow up to be a big boy, a gentle giant. Can't wait to be a little old lady and go out on dates with my big, buff baby boy.

He is so animated. We took some pictures for Christmas cards and in every picture my eye was just drawn to his little faces, he cracks me up. I thought to myself, how could anyone NOT love him?! haha.. so I thought I would share.

Oven is beeping, gotta go~

Elf on the Shelf

my sister got me onto the whole Elf on the Shelf craze and then sent some for my kids!! woohooo~ so excited for this elfish fun!

Christmas Cookies

my little girl all bundled up :)

I love Christmas. The crisp air outside, warm cozy blankets, yummy candles, cookies, family, music, movies...spending time with people you love.

Every year we have been discovering our family traditions. Since

we are growing, I really want to do things that my kids will remember whe

n they grow up and remind them of the love they felt in our house since they were young. So one thing I started this year is making Christmas cookies with the kids to make and give

to our neighbors, family and friends. We have made probably about 6 different kinds so far.. I will post recipes and pictures and we do more!

My kids are so sweet and creative and love doing little projects like this. (its good and therapeutic for mom too!)

Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

5 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover, chill dough for atleast an hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, cut into shapes. Place cookies 1 inch apart and bake for 8 minutes.

Royal Icing

3 tbspn meringue powder

4 cups sifted confectioners sugar

6 tbspn water

(you will also need piping bags, tips, gel food coloring..I got mine at Michael's)

Beat all ingredients on low for 7-10 minutes (or if you don't have a beater, just do it by hand.. I did!) until icing forms peaks.

Keep icing covered with a wet kitchen towel while you make your colors, it can dry out quickly.

Let dry, if you are putting them in containers, separate each layer with parchment paper so it doesn't stick! enjoy!! (so fun, we are doing another batch today!)