Birthday Scrapbook

Jesse's birthday is about a month away. How scary to think my little boy will be one! I was at Big Lots the other day, and I bought this little 8 x 8 scrapbook. I think Im going to try and scrapbook (in a month eek) the last twelve months. I am a simple scrapper-- I dont have a lot of snazzy embellishments so my pages are mostly pictures and journaling and thats about it.  If I get some completed soon I might post some pictures. But I will see how it goes. Been busy trying to fit any kind of blogging into my schedule. :)

This is Jesse's early birthday present. He was sleeping in a pack n play forever and when we finally had the money (well, on a gift card) we went and bought him his very own crib. I put it together and he seems to enjoy it (except when he wants to stay up and play and then cries himself to sleep).  He has been using it this month and I just noticed something the other day-- there are teeth marks in the wood. My little guy (who has 8 teeth) is scrapping his teeth against the wood.  Everything goes in this little ones mouth!

Thats all for today. Have a wonderful tuesday!

Well- as life turns out I didn’t get any crafting done.  (Semi-not a big surprise). I did go to a wedding and a mission farewell. And my poor little baby is slightly sick. He has hay fever. Poor thing.  I did get to clean up the bedroom a bit which was helpful to my sanity level. But mostly just hang out with family this weekend which was nice. Oh, Chuck and I started a That 70’s show marathon. That show makes me laugh.

It's Friday!

Hello friends! Today I am participating in Fab Friday Newz. Find all about it here! I was trying to think if I had any big news to share, but decided on a couple of smaller things.


First, I am almost finished re-reading the third book in the twilight series. In fact, I will finish before the day is done. I like to read these because they are easy and quick. I ♥ reading! So much!

Second, I am excited to be seeing family this weekend. We are going to a wedding on Saturday and to a family luncheon/gathering/thing on Sunday. I'm glad I will be able to hang out with the ones I love.

Another FFN (Fab Friday Newz) is that after this wedding (my mother in law is a wedding coordinator and is doing this wedding) I will be able to get some sewing done. Maybe I will be able to actually complete a project. Or two! Then I will def. be posting some cute things!


Well, Please check out Neuffj’s blog. :D She is way cool and you can share your own news and link it from her site! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!



***Update***  Today is a wonderful day! Finance department invited my CP (cube partner) and I to a hallway Ice cream Social! Oh it was divine!

Romance on a Budget

You are going to love this blog when you check it out! Who wants to spice up their relationship! I love to read about little things to do that are cute and oh-so-fun for the love of my life!  I am going to follow this blog because of the great ideas, and I thought I would pass it along! Enjoy!

Me. Katie:)

HELLO!! My name is Katie. I'm super excited to be a part of this blog! A huge thanks to Melissa for inviting me to contribute! (By the way,I don't know if its actually possible for me to refer to her as Melissa, she'll always be Missy to me:) ) Like Missy/Melissa, I am an absolute craft addict! I have three little girls so of course I am busy busy busy trying to find new ideas for girlie accessories!
Thanks for looking and check back because there is going to be lots of creativity going on over here:)

My new header bar

I am so excited for my new header bar! I have created some tabs with the help of my friend Jenna at The Neuff. Here is her Navigation Bar tutorial so be sure to check it out. Great directions! And dont forget to look around her site while you are there! Thanks Jenna.

Sewing Machine

Since we are currently living at my in laws, most of our things are in storage. Until yesterday, so was my sewing machine. I would occasionally use my mother in laws machine but I always felt bad using it all the time and she has a lot of projects that she is busy with, so I brought my case to the house and Im going to set my machine on the kitchen table anytime I want to use it.

Oh, the endless possibilities. I have a lot of ideas of things I want to make and a little bit of fabric I bought at Joann's. I start sewing and all I have is issues. My mil's sewing machine is much nicer than mine and does things easier. I have to remember how to thread, and it comes in handy-- I had to rethread it almost 15 times in a half hour. Okay, maybe just 10. It was a nightmare.

I was getting frustrated and didn't want to complete any of my projects. That, and I just didnt have enough time. Taking too much time to figure out how to use this evil contraption, I only had enough time to make 5 cup sleeves.

I dont drink coffee, and the only time I have starbucks is when my little sister brings me a Zebra Hot Cocoa to work (and its not scorching hot by then). But, I know that these reusable cuties are good for the environment, and good for those who need them. I gave one recently to a coworker for her birthday. I would use one around the house on a regualr cocoa cup.


Now all I need to do is figure out how to put things on my etsy shop. and put a widget in my sidebar. Oh, these things will probably be put on the back burner for now.

Homemade cookies

My husband asked me the other night if I would make cookies. I wasn't feeling baking, so I told him I would help him make them. He wanted to make peanut butter cookies, but with my mom's chocolate chip cookie recipe. I didn't think this would work, until he pulled out some peanut butter chips. ah, now I understand.

Delicious Cookies

1 c shortening
1/2 c brown sugar
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 c flour
2 c chocolate chips (** We used Peanut Butter Chips **)


Thoroughly cream shortening and sugars, add eggs and vanilla. Beat well and add dry ingredients. Add chips and nuts (optional). Place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes


Well, I think Chuck should always be the one to make cookies because he stirs them so well! :D I envy my mom though. She has one of those little cookie scoopers so that she can scoop a tiny bit amount in a perfect cookie shape. Mine never come out in uniform sizes and I like the smaller size too. But, here they are; they were delicious.

Side blurb. My little brother recently turned 17 and I mod podge a wood frame and put in a picture of him and my son for his birthday. Just thought I would share how it turned out.

Yay! My first Award

How exciting! I was nominated for my very first Blog Award! I am so excited and so grateful! I was graciously nominated by Neuffj at her blog here

Check her out! Her first giveaway is closing at the end of this month so make sure to enter to win! (but not too many times because I want to win :D)

Now for the Rules:

1) Add the logo to your blog

2) Link to the person from whom you received this award

3) Nominate 5 blogs

4) Leave a message on their blog – letting them know that they are ‘One Lovely Blog’

Nominations:
Craft Rookie
Craftaholics Anonymous
Lena Blair
Ann Matta "My world"
This is the year

Tip Junkie's Trade Sercret Swap

How would you like to be sent a box full of ideas? Or to learn someone else's secret?

Me too!

I signed up for the Trade Secrets Sway hosted by Tip Junkie and my wheels are already turning. Imagine all the secrets I can share. Some of my secrets arent as secret as others, but it will definitely be interesting to see where to send my package.

So here it is, the button link to this great idea:



Check it out and sign up! It should be a lot of fun to think of your secrets your could share. Just imagine the secrets that will be shared with you! Most worth it! Have fun :)

BreadWinner

For the past 3 1/2 months, I have been the working woman. Well, I have been working longer then that-- but that is when my husband was laid off. It has been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. No one ever expects something like this to happen to them, but I have decided to look at this in a good way.

First, my son now has a stay at home parent.


Jesse is our first child and it is so fun watching him learn and grow. Charles has been also learning a lot from being a stay at home dad because it isn't as easy peasy as he thought it would be! (Ha Ha, he thought it was easy). It is hard to leave the two of them every morning and trudge my way to work, but I know that they both will be so happy to see me when I get home at night.

Second, Chuck has been able to go back to school full time. It is difficult trying to squeeze in homework between macaroni and patty-cake, but he is learning fast on how to be a juggler. He is currently taking night and online classes. Hopefully this will speed up the degree process (much better than the one class he was taking a semester).



Finally, Job searching can open your eyes. Trying to find a job when companies are cutting back is difficult; it can be hard on the optimism as well.

That is why, I am so glad that job searching has brought out the best in us. Well, at least in me :) The more we look for jobs and realize there isnt much that a. he qualifies for or b. that he could actually do, I remember all that we have. First, I have a wonderful job. I am good at what I do and I try hard so that I can be the best. Second, my husband is able to receive unemployment. Yeah, it stinks for me to think he gets more from unemployment then I do working 40 hours a week, but hey! we need it! Third, we are still being blessed. The Lord hasnt stopped caring for us just because of this. In fact, he is definitely making sure that we are taken care of as long as we are taking care of ourselves.

Lifetime and Braided Hair

I am very excited! Today I reached Lifetime Membership at Weight Watchers! I had gained 50 pounds while pregnant. Now that my son is 10 months old, I have lost the 50 pounds, plus an additional 8 pounds I wanted to lose pre-baby. I am very excited because it is definitely hard work! To all of you who are working towards the goal of a healthier weight I support you! I am so happy that I had others who supported me. What a help it was!


One thing I love and want to learn is to French Braid Hair. I enjoy asking my mom or mother in law to french braid my hair. If I ever have a little girl, I have to learn how to french braid hair! My mother in law braided my hair last night and I enjoyed my braids all day today.

A moment of Silence

First birthday

My son doesn't turn one until November, but I am already planning his birthday party! Oh how excited I am. First will come the ideas and the lists. I am definitely a checklist girl! I will write and re-write and the categorize my lists. My husband and I have decided on a baseball theme party (even though it is after baseball season, we are huge Dodger fans). I am going to make some home made invites, a 3d baseball cake, and have hot dogs. Those are just the tentative plans but I am so excited to start planning!

Two New Things

I have two exciting news bits. First, I have asked my friend Katie to be a co-author on this blog! I am excited. She and I are both busy moms and so we are going to try and update as often as possible and just get some of our fun ideas out there! Welcome Katie!!

Second, if was recently my DH and my 3 year anniversary. Just yesterday, my present arrived (via Avon!) and I am so excited. It is the new Butler Basics Organizer Bag! It is really stylish (for my "mom" style) and keeps me super organized! I have already organized all of my things and I still have tons of space!





P.S. You can get one too! They are $40, or if you spend $15 worth of products it is only $20 (So you get $15 of makeup and a bag for only $35) What is one of the best presents that you have received this past year?