Kinder Keepsakes {Blog}

Featured Today: Forever Andrea {Gift Boutique}

2012-03-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

Feature Friday!

We all love our babies and toddlers to pieces. But let's face it, our little ones won't stay babies and toddlers forever. They will grow up. As much as you don't want believe it, it will happen. Some of you may already have older kids in your homes! Aren't they a joy? Built in baby-sitters right? (gotta love that!) They are able to do everything themselves and they are starting to discover who they really are.

Our little girls always get spoiled with little gifts here and there. But what about the teenagers. They deserve to get a little praise too! After all, it's hard being a teen/tween!

This is where I would like welcome FOREVER ANDREA {Gift Boutique}. owner Dawnmarie.

"Handmade crochet hats and scarves for teens and tweens, little girl jewelry, pretty bobby pins, big flower rings and other fun stuff!" ~ Dawnmarie

Each item is handmade and is very high quality material. So you will be getting the best and it will last! Show your teens and tweens that they are special and unique and deserve to be treated as the queens that they are! I know my girls would absolutely LOVE this stuff! What girl doesn't want to be hip and stylish?

Go check out Forever Andrea's FACEBOOK PAGE! She will be doing a hat giveaway soon, once she reaches 2,000 fans! So don't miss out on this great opportunity! Go check out this shop! You won't regret it!

Rare Disease Day!

2012-02-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Wing-it Wednesday!

Today is a very special day. As you can see from the title of my post, today is Rare Disease Day! It is a day where we recognize and focus on those men, women and children with diseases or health issues that the world has no idea about.

This day is near and dear to my heart. It is honestly hard--especially when little children who get teased or made fun of because no one really understands what's wrong. But we are going to fix that because today is National Rare Disease Day, and we are going to make people aware of those health issues that are unknown to the general population.

So, I am going to get a little personal with you. I hope that's ok. I would like to share something with you about me. I also have a rare disease that most people have never heard of.

I am a vampire.

No, seriously. Let me explain.

When I was about 4 years old I went on a trip to Lake Powell with my family. Which is a huge lake that is in southern Utah. Anyway, we went camping, boating, and had lots of fun. And I was having a ball (for the first day).

I was playing in the sun and sand and my arms, hands and face started to get all tingly, and they began to burn like they were on fire. Nothing could help them cool down. Then the itching started. It wasn't like an itch you need to scratch when you get a mosquito bite. It was a deep itch, under my skin. And when I would itch it would hurt. My hands and face started to swell a little while later and I got this purple-ish rash on my hands. And the pain lasted for about 3 days before it went away.

We found out later that I have a rare metabolic disorder called Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. EPP for short. I am missing the last enzyme that helps my body break down the UV rays from the sun. The UV rays just build up and build up in my body. So if I am out in the sun for longer than about 15 minutes or so, then I start to get all of these symptoms I spoke about. The only way to get it to go away is to stay in doors until it subsides. It will usually take 24 hours to about 3 days for it to go away. EPP doesn't usually show up until you are about 3 or 4 years of age. There is no cure for this disease. But it preventable and for that, I am blessed.

I don't go out in the sun very often. If I do, I am usually all covered from head to toe. It does make it hard for me to be able to go swimming with my kids or take them to the park or even go on a long walk. But we manage. I like to joke around all the time that I am a vampire because it makes it a little less, shall I say, "weird." Because in this day in age, vampires are cool! It is actually been said, that is were vampires came from. People with severe cases of this disease who could not go out in the sunlight. There are only about 350 cases of EPP in entire world.

For the next week I will be donating 15% of my sales to The American Porphyria Foundation in honor of Rare Disease Day, so that the research can continue and we can hopefully one day find a cure for this rare disease.

Today, please honor all of those wonderful people in your lives that have to live with these things. It's hard enough as it is to live with it, day to day. Let them know you care by supporting Rare Disease Day!

Please share your stories and let me know if you or loved has a rare disease! I would love to support them in any way that I can!

I love this one! My hubby says I look like a ninja. :)

In my nice wide brimmed hat and long sleeves and gloves. I am also wearing long pants and tennis shoes.

I thought I would never do this, but I actually ran a half marathon last September. In my sleeves, gloves and scarf to cover my whole face. Whoohoo! :)

Happy National Rare Disease Day!

Got Tips?

2012-02-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hi gals! I just had to hop on and write a little something today, even though technically I don't post until tomorrow. But that's ok right? As a mom we have to learn to be flexible.

Well, here I am sitting on my bed with my lap top and it is almost 3pm (and yes, I am still in my pj's). My girls are supposed to be napping, but I can hear them talking and banging things around in their room right now. I honestly wish they would just sleep, because when they don't sleep, guess who gets to enjoy THAT? Oooo! Oooo! ME! Yup--super fun.

So today has been one of those "off" days, where I should be motivated, but I'm not. I have a nice list of about 4 or 5 things that I need to get done today, and that's so bad, but I still don't want to do them. So, I have come on here to get some tips on how to stay motivated? Anyone?

How do you do it? Even on your "off" days, how do find the strength to keep going? Or even, how to not feel guilty about having a non-productive day? I've noticed that as moms we really like to be perfect moms and wives. We want to keep the house clean, have the kids fed, have dinner cooked. It can get exhausting. And for those of you moms you are businesses owners--add that to growing mountain of stuff and phew! Where do we start?

(photo courtesy of blogs.babble.com)

Comment and let me know what you do to keep yourself sane. I could use it right now. And if there are some really good ideas I will be sure to post them on the blog as a Top 10! Thanks bunches! See you tomorrow on "Wing-it" Wednesday!

Crock-pot Teriyaki Chicken

2012-02-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Meal-Time Monday!

Sometimes coming up with dinner is rough. Especially when you don't make a menu for the week. (I highly recommend doing this whenever possible!) It makes life so much easier!! (Believe me, I know.)

However, on those weeks when no menu is prepared I dread dinner time. I am frantically looking through the cupboards and trying to figure out what I make. All the while, my kids are hanging on my legs and whining about how they are going to die of starvation!

ENTER: Mr. Crock-Pot

Hooray! We are saved! There is nothing like coming home to the house smelling divine! It's as if you have been slaving all day in the kitchen but with none of the work! Knowing that you can just sit down and eat right then, is such a great feeling. There is something about eating a nice, hot, home-cooked meal without having to do all the work that just makes me happy. And what mom doesn't want to be happy around dinner time? (Now, if I can just think ahead, in the beginning of the day, and throw something in, then we'd be in business.)

So here is what I made for dinner the other night! It was sooo yummy!

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
recipe from: http://thisweekfordinner.com

- Chicken (I used 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts)

Sauce (I double these measurements)

- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Marsala cooking sherry
- 2 T oil

Place chicken in crock pot. Mix all other ingredients together then pour over top of chicken. Cook on low eight hours. Once chicken is cooked, shred with two forks and mix with sauce. Sauce will seem too thin, but once the chicken is shredded and mixed in it will be perfect.

Serve over rice.

My little kitchen helper

Yum! This has become a family favorite! So pull out "Mr. Crock-pot" and enjoy a home-cooked meal without all the work!

Sew-vivor Sewing Competition: Baby Graduation Cap and Gown

2012-02-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sewing Saturday!

So, as many of you know, I am participating in the "Sew-vivor" contest over at Family Ever After Blog. So this post will be about the sewing project that I am submitting. If you would like to submit something yourself please do!

Are you graduating? Or is a loved one?
No one should be left out of this wonderful celebration! Great accomplishments should be shared with everyone. Let your little one enjoy the wonderful experience with you! This little cap and gown is one-of-a-kind and can be used for any graduation.

It comes with it's own frame-able diploma to remember that special day.

The cap and gown is made with polyester cotton and is very "kid-friendly." This cap and gown is handmade by me.

Here are some pictures! Enjoy!

*If you would like to purchase a Baby Graduation Cap and Gown for YOUR special day, go to:
Baby Graduation Cap and Gown

Have a great weekend!

Featured Today: We Love Being Moms!

2012-02-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Feature Friday!

I love Fridays! Although I have to say that being a mom all my days run together. lol!

Now, I would like to introduce you to Holly and Heather. These are not only amazing moms, but they LOVE what they do! Hence--the name of their blog. We Love Being Moms! What mom doesn't love their kids, but seriously, sometimes you have those days where you wish you could jump ship and go on vacation for a while--(by yourself.)

But at the end of the day--even on those hard days you find ways to enjoy those rough times and you find creative ways to spend time with your kids and doing things that are fun and enjoyable. You enjoy and cherish those special times. That is exactly where Holly and Heather come in!

"We love being moms is a blog where we share unique activities for children, crafts, recipes, and inspirational thoughts and quotes for moms." ~ Holly & Heather

That just about sums it up! They have everything here to help you become a successful mom. And on those hard days you can get inspirational thoughts to lift you up and keep you going.

My favorite part about their blog is the their "theme weeks." This is genius! My 3 year old is not in preschool yet and some days I just feel fresh out of ideas keep her busy and entertained. But these "theme weeks" gives you activities and recipes to do with your kids during the week to help them learn about a certain theme.

Here is an example:
THEME WEEK #6: Health & Nutrition

Here are some of their organization tips:
You use shower curtain rings to keep all your tank tops together. (How cool!)

A Few Easy Organization Tips

Also, here is an awesome tutorial: How to make your own Mater from CARS! Love it!

From CARS: Cardboard Mater Tutorial

If you are a mom and are in need of some AMAZING Tips and Tricks about organization, recipes, printables, tutorials etc. Please, do yourself a favor and hop on over to We Love Being Moms! blog and start following! You won't regret it! You can also follow them on PINTEREST.

Thanks again Holly and Heather for your wonderful blog, chuck full of such valuable information for all moms! Keep up the good work!

Happy Feature Friday!

Handmade Laundry Soap

2012-02-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Thrifty Thursday!

Today's Thrifty Tip for today comes from my sister-in-law. We were talking on the phone the other day and she was telling me about her latest way to save some money. It's kind of like a hobby for her. She thrives on being thrifty and takes great satisfaction in knowing she can find the best deal out there or make it herself.

Honestly, I wish I was like that. But I'm not. I'll just admit it. I guess that is why I am enjoying "Thrifty Thursdays" because it opens up my eyes to new ways to save and be better at using what I have. Maybe some day I will love it as much as my sister-in-law. But for now, I will just take her word for it.

So, without further ado here is her "recipe" for:

(picture courtesy of http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Laundry-Detergent/)

Handmade Laundry Soap

This simple laundry soap recipe will leave your clothes clean and fresh and only comes to about 2 cents per load, or so my sister-in-law says. You can't beat that! And with as much as I do laundry...(with kids, it's AT LEAST once a day) this could be very beneficial to me. I think I will try this and let you know what I find! So stay tuned!

Liquid Laundry soap

Ingredients:
1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap ( Ivory and Zote will also work)
½ cup washing soda (found in the laundry section at most stores)
½ cup borax powder (the 20 Mule Team brand is a good choice)
2 gallons water

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda (NOT baking soda) and the borax. Stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into a 2-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours until it gels. Use a ½ cup detergent per load of laundry.

Dry Laundry Soap

Ingredients:
1 bar Ivory Soap (or 2/3 bar Fels Naptha)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda (found in the laundry aisle)

Grate 1 bar of Ivory soap (or other not strongly scented bar soap). Add 1/2 cup of borax. Add 1/2 cup washing soda. Mix together and store in air tight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

Both recipes are for a low-sudsing detergent and work especially well in high efficiency washing machines.

Most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store in the laundry aisle and at some Walmarts and Targets. Some people have a difficult time Fels Naptha soap. If this happens, you can either try a substitute (such as Zote, Ivory or Sunlight bar soaps, or other low-scented soap) or buy it online at Amazon.com.

So what are some tips or tricks that have worked for you in making laundry soap?

And how much money have you saved in doing so?

Being as I have never done it before, I need your expertise before I jump in! Please share your thoughts! Thanks!

GIANT Sidewalk Chalk

2012-02-22T10:34:00.001-07:00

(picture courtesy of www.ohmyhandmade.com)

Wing-it Wednesday is here! I really enjoy this day because I can talk about whatever I want! It's a "free" day so to speak.

You will usually find me referring to pinterest on this day because I could spend hours and hours on pinterest, as I am sure all you moms can. There is just so many great ideas for parenting and yummy recipes and tutorials for just about anything you can think of! Enough to last you 10 lifetimes. :)

Anyway, back to the post. So today I was searching for something unique and fun. I came across this website: Oh My Handmade!  This woman is amazing fun and very creative. She gives you a tutorial on how to make GIANT sidewalk chalk with toilet paper rolls as the mold.

What you will need:
•   Toilet paper or paper towel tubes
•   Scissors
•   Duct tape
•   Wax paper
•   Small bucket or disposable container to make the recipe
•   ¾ cup of warm water
•   1 ½ cups Plaster of Paris
•   2-3 tablespoons of tempera paint
•   Paper bag or a “mess mat”

(picture courtesy of www.ohmyhandmade.com)

To view the entire tutorial and make your own sidewalk chalk CLICK HERE!

**Tutorial Credit: "Oh My Handmade!"

I am going to do this with my kids this week! I hope it get's warmer soon my kids can play outside. It needs to be summer. *sigh*

Anyway, I hope you have a fabulous day! Remember that as a mom, sometimes you just have to "Wing-it."

I Heart Pizza!

2012-02-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

So I know I have already done a post for Valentine's Day, but this was so much fun I just had to post it again. :)

For Valentine's Day this year we made heart pizza! Kyrah helped me do everything. She helped me roll the dough, put sauce on, and all the yummy toppings. She loves to cook, and I would not be surprised if she decided to become a chef when she gets older :)

Here is the recipe for the pizza dough. Believe me, you are going to love this pizza crust! It is sooo YUMMY! (I make mine in the bread maker, but you can just make the dough the regular way if you don't have a bread maker.)

Pizza Dough Crust
(**this will make two pizzas or pizza and bread sticks if you want**)

1 1/2 cups of water
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cups of semolina flour
3 cups of regular white flour
2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast

Toss everything it the bread maker and walk away! It should be ready in about 50 min.

1.) Roll the dough out in the shape of a heart

2.) Spread your favorite pizza sauce on

3.) Sprinkle cheddar or mozzarella cheese

4.) Add your favorite toppings

6.) Pop it in the oven at 375 degrees for about 30 min or until the crust is cooked and a little golden color.

The funnest part about it, is this is an easy dinner that your kids can you help you with. They will love it and you will love it! Enjoy!

Kyrah rolling out the dough with her rolling pin

Kyrah's pizza and mommy's pizza

Spreading the sauce

Putting on the cheese!

It's coming together...

Yummy toppings

Kyrah's yummy pizza!

We (girls) got flowers from daddy!

The girls and I made homemade Valentine's cards for Daddy! What a wonderful day!

For the LOVE of the children

2012-02-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

I love Valentine's Day! It is the one day of the year that I have an excuse to be mushey, and my hubby can't say anything. :) But I also enjoy it because it's a day for me to show my kids how much I love them too! We often think about Valentine's Day as a day to love and focus on your significant other. (Which not bad at all! I encourage it!) But at the same time, today, I want to focus on my love for my dear sweet children.

As a mom, my kids are the ones that see everyday, day in and day out. I love them and there simple laughs and smiles. I love their curiosity about the world around them and the way that they play with each other. I LOVE their unconditional love and their forgiveness of my short comings. They are such blessings in my life and I love them with everything I have.

So today, let's not only focus on our love for our spouses and significant others, but also on the love we have for our children. After all, they are God's greatest gift!

I want to show my love this Valentine's Day by giving 25% off TODAY ONLY!
Call (877)409-1061 to place your order and tell me the code LOVE25 during checkout to receive this special offer! Thanks so much for being such wonderful fans and customers. I couldn't do it without you!

"Love makes life sweeter!"

Like mother, like daughter

2012-02-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sewing Saturday!

As a parent you always want the best for your children and you want them to follow in your foot steps. Well, about 2 months ago I found Kyrah in the living room with wipes spread all over and she was "cutting fabric" with her pretend scissors.

It just warmed my heart that she understood what I do when lock myself in my craft room. She knows that I sew and that I cut fabric; and she wanted to be just like me! So sweet :) I love to just stop and soak in those special moments.

( Here is a little video clip that I took on my phone, so please excuse the poor quality.)

Flour Party!

2012-02-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

So the girls and I were all stuck in the house today because the weather decided to be yucky and cold. They were a bit restless and bored. That's when I decided that I wanted to do something fun and crazy (for me anyway), and change up our routine a bit.

I remembered a friend of mine telling me about how she let her kids play with flour, and that they LOVED it! So I thought, why not! Let's go for it! (Just make sure you have a vacuum handy.)

Kyrah and Syd loved it so much it ended up getting EVERYWHERE! Not just all over the table and chairs and floor but all over them! It was in their hair, up their nose, you name it. It was literally coming out of their ears. They were adorable and couldn't be happier. They kind of reminded me of those geisha girls, with their faces painted white.

I think the funnest part of all was when Kyrah said, "I can't believe you let us play with all of this flour, mom! We made a bi-i-i-g-g-gggg mess! Can we do it again, tomorrow?" (If I didn't actually have to use flour for any kind of baking or anything, I might actually consider making it a daily ritual. We'll have to see.)

If you want to have your own flour party here is what you need:

-baking sheets to put the flour on (optional)
-table
-flour
-little hands to play in it
-camera (believe me, you are gunna want pictures, or even video)
-vacuum (this is a necessity)

ENJOY!

Here are some pictures of my Kyrah and Syd enjoying themselves. These are the memories I will treasure.

They wouldn't smile for me when I would try to take their pictures together! But I promise, they had a blast! (Don't believe me? Come check out the HUGE mess I get to clean up!)

If ever you need a good laugh...

2012-02-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

I've had a hard couple of days lately. My daughter Kyrah has had an ear infection and has not been the happiest kid. Endless crying and tantrums, and completely inconsolable. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon. Let's just say, I probably would not have won the "Best Mom Award" yesterday. But I guess that comes with the territory right? And as moms we are allowed to have those hard days. But the important thing, is to start over the next day and be ready to tackle whatever life throws at us, and not let it get us down.

Well, if ever you are in of a good laugh and something to cheer you up on those..."not so good days" of being a mom, just think of the special, funny times of being a mom and it will cheer you right up! It's good to remember those times in the times of stress and frustration. It's all worth it, being a mom!

Top 29 Ways to Stay Creative

2012-02-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

So, some days are really good and I am able to stay "in the zone" of creativity. But other days I am just stumped and can't figure out, for the life of me, why I can't come up with a single good idea? Well, as I was surfing pinterest the other day I came upon this great list of 29 ways to help you to stay creative! For all of us moms out there trying to stay sane and creative at the same time...here is a list that may help!

Oh, and comment below and tell me which one is your favorite!

To fold or not to fold...that is the question

2012-02-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

So last night was laundry night...again...*sigh.* I washed all the laundry and then separated it and was getting ready to put it in the little kiddo's drawers. I sat down and proceeded to start folding everything and putting it away. Then I stopped.

Wait, why I am doing this again?

Kyrah always picks her clothes out by herself anyway, and it gets all messed up in less than a day. Syd likes to pull out her clothes and jump all over them. So I am constantly putting the clothes away.

If I have to keep putting clothes back in the drawer over and over just to have them messed up IN the drawer, is it really worth folding them? Would I be a bad mom if I just put the clothes in the drawers (in the right spots of course), without folding them?

What do you think? What have you done with your kids?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

I’m Thankful for You

Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!

By Joanna Fuchs

I Hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I have a lot to be thankful for this year! I have two healthy daughters and I have a wonderful husband, who I love so dearly. I absolutley LOVE my job as MOM and even on the hard days it SOOO worth it! I wouldn't want it any other way!

I have a thriving business and wonderful customers and friends that are a joy to work with! I am so thankful for all of you who have made everything possible!

I am so very thankful that I was able to write a book and share my story with the masses. I am thankful that I was able to run my first-ever half marathon! It was surly a test of my endurance and persistence but I made it! :) It was an amazing experience! During this Thanksgiving time don't forget to let your loved ones know how thankful you are for them!

Tutorial: hanging book display

2011-11-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Tutorial: hanging book display

I want to make this! How cute is that! :)

Gift Baskets & Craft Fairs!

2011-10-17T06:49:00.000-06:00

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLGmaMiFuk8]

*Disclaimer!* Since I have done the video some things have changed. The only difference is, I will not be having the Caterpillar be with the gift baskets. It will be sold separately! I will now have washcloth lollipops and diaper butterflies instead. :) I will post pictures soon!

$20 Gift Certificate FREE!! (Ends tonight at Midnight!)

2011-09-27T10:13:00.000-06:00

I am doing special on my site for today only. You have until tuesday night at 11:59pm and if your purchase is $20 or over you can get a $20 gift certificate for FREE with your purchase (to use on your next purchase) --you can use it for yourself or you can give it someone you know. That is a $40 value for $20!

I have a some new products out!! I am making baby boy onesies with ties on them! They are so cute! You've probably seen them, they are very popular. And the other product is the gift baskets. If you are interested in those let me know. I would send you to my website, but as of right now my etsy site has more stuff right now...

go to http://www.kinderkeepsakes.etsy.com

and get something for your little one! Or get something for your friend that has a baby or toddler! Again, please forward this to anyone you know! (And don't forget! You get $20 to use in my store FOR FREE!) THANK YOU!

Kyrah turned 3 today!

2011-09-14T10:18:00.000-06:00

My little Kyrah turned 3 today. She was born Sept. 14, 2011. I can't believe it has been three years! It feels like just yesterday I brought her home from the hospital. She is such a good little girl. She is so helpful and it learning and growing so much! I will most more tomorrow, but for now enjoy this slideshow I made! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71iovEIeyDY]

Children's Miracle Network

2011-08-24T10:10:00.000-06:00

We all need miracles. Especially children.
They are so precious and so simple.
To look through a child's eyes, you are looking at a piece of Heaven.

For this next week, starting

Aug. 25th-Sept. 1st,

I will be donateing 30% of my sales to the Children's Miracle Network. Hospitals Helping local kids.

Please...think of the children...you can make a difference in one life and help them to survive. Make a donation...save a life.

http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/

I Heart Organizing!

2011-08-19T10:11:00.000-06:00

This really good friend of mine introduced me to this AMAZING website. It's called "I Heart Organizing." Holy cow! Talk about organization! This women has so many fantastic ideas and tips that I don't know where to begin. All I know is, I REALLY REALLY have this desire to get my butt into gear and start with my...well...my whole entire house actually. But one room at a time right?

My favorite thing that she orgranized was her fridge and freezer. I am so excited to try her tips. Here are some awesome pictures.

She also has help and tips for family and LIFE in general. Go check her out! You won't regret it! Your life will be so much similar if you just organize it!

Now, I HEART ORGANIZING!

CHECK!

2011-06-27T10:06:00.000-06:00

I am a list maker. I find that when I make lists I actually get a lot more done. Take today for example: I ran 3 miles (I'm training for a half marathon in Spetember), I got the dishes done, laundry folded, website updated, e-mails sent out, kids dressed and ready for the day, dinner made, bills paid, I went to the mall to get another set of errings for Syd because one came out and we lost it :(. And I got some faxes sent out as well. And that was just part of my list. But like I said...I LOVE to check things off my list. I feel so accomplished when I do.

But I always wonder, lists are good...but you don't want to be so consumed by lists that they control you right? So what lists are the most important to keep your world running as a mom? Here are some suggestions:

1. weekly to-do list
2. running grocery list
3. bithdays of families and friends
4. favorite scripture verses
5. emergency contacts
6. school or child care information
7. your wish list
8. house rules
9. personal goals
10. questions to as the doctor
11. items to buy
12. things that needs fixing
13. school events and holidays
14. upcoming deadlines
15. appointments
16. frequently called phone numbers
17. addresses
18. holiday shopping
19. a master packing list for vacations
20. birthday wish lists for the kids

This list is an excerpt from:

Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists, A: 100+ Lists to Save You Time, Money, and Sanity

Now, keep in mind you don't HAVE to keep all these lists. Just pick the ones that work for you! But these are some great suggestions! This will help you be able to keep track of all the things you know you should do...but aren't. (That's how I feel!)

Writing my blog post for today: CHECK! :)

My Broken Arrow--The Prosperity Summit 2011

2011-06-20T10:07:00.000-06:00

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvu9soyNiJs]

She is ONE!

2011-05-25T10:03:00.000-06:00

Sydnee was born 1 year ago on May 11th! I can't believe how fast this year has flown!

Here are her one year stats:
Weight: 16 lbs 0.5oz (3rd percentile)
Height: 28 inches (25th percentile)
Head circumference: 17 1/3 inches (25th percentile)
(She's still super light! But she eats well, so we aren't really worried.)

What Sydnee does:
* She now crawls like Speedy Gonzalez and sometimes it is hard to keep up with her.
* She also LOVES to pull herself up on stuff and walk around holding on! (It won't be long before she is walking by herself)
* When she eats she loves to put food in her hair. It doesn't matter to her that mommy just gave a bath five minutes before.
* When Syd goes to sleep she has to roll around and stand on her head a few times before she will actually surrender to sleep.
* She always has to have something in her mouth while she is crawling around. (Usually it is a "play kitchen" spoon)
* If something is not the way she wants it...she will let you know. I took a piece of chalk from her today when she put in her mouth, and from the way she cried and squealed you would assume the world had come to an end. There is no lack of drama with this child! But I love her for it! She is always keeping me on my toes.

What Sydnee says:
* Her first word was: "K-ee-aa" (Kyrah- her sister)
* Her second word was: "hi"(she will say this about a hundred times every day. The thing I love most is the way that she always smiles when she says it :) )
* Sydnee has yet to say "mama", but she has said "dada" before, but I don't know if she knows what it means. Every time I try and get her to say either "mama" or "dada" she just looks at me like I am crazy and just laughs. She is a to smart for her own good.
* She also has to blow on all of her food that we give her before she will eat it, whether it is hot or cold. :)
* Syd will sing in the car while she is playing or when there is music on. She even likes to sing with us in church while we are singing the hymns.

What Sydnee likes:
* Syd has become a lot more of snuggler than she used to be. (And by a lot I mean she will snuggle for about 2 minutes or so instead of 30 seconds)
* She also loves the piano and will bang on the keys and laugh
* Her favorite food is peanut butter and honey sandwiches and string cheese
* To color with her magnet board
* She LOVES her Hippo Luvi Blanket and her binki. They go everywhere with her.
* She loves to splash in the bath tub and would seriously stay in the water all day if I let her.
* She follows Kyrah around everywhere and likes to do everything she does.
* Syd loves to read books and points to the pictures.

Best Friends!

Eating her Birthday Cake! YUM!

We love you Syd! You bring so much life to the party and there is never a dull moment with you around! You are quite a little lady. You seem to be 1 going on 5. :) Don't grow up to fast! Happy (b-lated) Birthday baby girl!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy & Kyrah

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Child Care Provider

2011-05-23T10:05:00.000-06:00

Image courtesy of ladcblog.org

This past weekend was so awesome! I was able to attend my sister's wedding :) She and her sweetheart are now married for time and all eternity! I'm not going to lie, I'm glad it wasn't me getting married. Even though my wedding was one of the best days of my life, it can be pretty stressful leading up to the big event. There is a lot of take care of, but in the end it is totally worth it! I am so happy for them and I wish them the best!

Recently, I was realizing that if I was going to get everything done at home and at work I needed some help. So I began the hunt for the perfect sitter for my kids. (I would still be home if they needed something, but that way they would be entertained and I could get some work done at the same time. (Genius! I know, right? lol :)) So the hunt began. Luckily I was able to find a fabulous girl that actually lived right down the street from me. She is amazing with my kids and they adore her. I love the arrangement and I feel like I get so much more done now. She comes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm. And those extra 4 hours a week make such a huge difference. Now I just need to make sure I don't waste that precious time. :) Time management is the key. But that is a whole another blog post.

So here are some questions that you should ask when you are interviewing a child care provider.

A Nanny or Babysitter

If interviewing a nanny or babysitter, be sure to ask:

Why do enjoy working with children?
Why did you choose to work in a private home rather than a center?
Are you available to work the hours I am offering?
Are you CPR and first aid certified?
What is your experience? Ask follow-up questions relevant to the type of experience you expect a qualified candidate to have. For example, if you have a child with special needs, ask if the candidate has experience with special needs children.
What is your education?
Do you drive?
Do you have a reliable vehicle?
Do you hold any child care credentials or certifications?
What is your salary range?
When are you available to start?
Are you flexible with scheduling?
When do you plan on taking vacation?
Do you like to pick up additional hours for additional pay?
Are you willing to travel with our family?
How do you feel about light housekeeping?
Can you prepare meals for my children?
What was your last child care experience like? Why did you leave?
How long are you planning to stay at your next job?
Are you willing to make a one-year commitment?
What is your parenting philosophy?
What methods of discipline do you use?
What would a typical day caring for children be like?
How do you feel about kids and TV?
Do you develop a routine for the children? Are you structured?
What do kids like about you?
What kind of activities do you do with children the ages of mine?
How do you handle a baby that is crying inconsolably?
How do you handle a temper trantrum?
Are you willing to take my children to age-appropriate activities and outings?
What is your relationship with your family like?
With whom do you spend most of your time?
How do people describe you?
Do you have any special skills?
Do you have any habits I should know about? What do you do for fun?
Do you have any habits that may negatively influence my children?
Can I have informations for contacting three references?

Now, I know this list may be extensive. You don't have to ask EVERY SINGLE question. Just ask the questions that you feel are the most important to you and your family. But also remember that hiring a care provider for your children is really important because they will be taking care of your kids for you and you want them to do and be the best possible fit for you and your kids. So be thorough when interviewing them.

A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists: 100+ Lists to save you time, money, and sanity by Michelle LaRowe

Family & Mexico

2011-05-13T10:29:00.000-06:00

I am a week shy of not posting on the blog for a month! Normally I would say something like..."I've been really busy" or something like that. Well, what I am going to tell you is...yes, I have been busy but that's not all of it. Honestly, I just needed the break. I have been getting some business coaching and it's been transforming my business and my life. I highly recommend it if you are in business! But because of that, a lot of what I was previously doing has been changing and evolving. So I have needed time for these changes to take effect before I charge ahead!

Some of the changes are: my blog has been really fun to update and I enjoy it, but I really want to be able to spend more time with my family on the weekends and not worry about work, so with my blog I will now be only posting only Mondays and Wednesdays. And you can expect more videos as apposed to writing. I enjoy doing videos so I am going to make them more of a priority :)

Oh, also feel free to grab a free diaper bag pattern from my website. It's super easy to make and it's got lots of places to put all of the stuff you need for your baby! :)

Another reason why I haven't been posting is because my hubby and I went on a trip to Mexico this past week. Oh my gosh! It was so much fun! It was very warm and humid and beautiful! We did so many fun things like snorkling and diving (my hubby saw a shark on his dive :) Totally would have freaked me out! ) lol! We also went zip lining and sky cycling. We were able to see the ruins in Chichen Itza and Telum, (it was all so fascinating! The architecture was unreal.) We were also able to swim in underground pools called "synotes." We had the best REAL Mexican you've ever tasted! I am going to miss the corn tortillas the best. You can't get them as good here in the U.S.

So a special THANK YOU to my parents for taking my hubby and I and my sisters to the beautiful country of Mexico :) We had an absolute blast!

One more special thing that happened this month: My daughter Sydnee turned ONE on the 11th (Wed)! So a special Happy Birthday to my adorable little girl! We love you!

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! I am going to spend it with my family! We will see you on Monday!

Happy Easter Weekend!

2011-04-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

Easter is tomorrow! I feel bad because I haven't even gotten around to decorating or anything. But hey, at least we will have a wonderful meal of Lamb and red potatoes. Yum! My girls went on a little easter egg hunt on Thursday and it was really cold and wet but still fun. Kyrah was so funny because when the whistle blew she just stood there and watched all of theother kids run around grabbing all the eggs they could find. In the end Kyrah ended up only getting 2 eggs. And that was after some encouragement from mom and dad! And Syd got 1 egg, which she proudly picked up all by herself. Good job Syd! I love Easter Egg hunts! If I was still a kid I would have run around too grabbing for all the eggs!

Even though Easter Egg hunts and the Easter Bunny are fun ways to celebrate Easter; I hope this Easter Sunday we remember Jesus Christ and his resurrection and sacrifice for all of us. Happy Easter weekend! May your days be filled with new beginnings!

We had so much fun!

Happy Easter!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes

2011-04-20T09:53:00.000-06:00

After a long and busy day, Mickey Mouse pancakes really hit the spot!

Twenty Family Outings that are fun for EVERYONE!

2011-04-18T09:54:00.000-06:00

We LOVE to go to the aquarium! :)

We are sitting in the living room staring at the TV. Bored. There is little to no communicating. Now tell me...how is that helping to strengthen your family relationships? Well...it's not. If fact it may be hurting them in long run. I know that sometimes it's hard to come up with fun things to do together as a family that EVERYONE will enjoy. Well, here is a list of fun family activities that might have something in them for the whole family to enjoy!!

Now...get up off the couch...turn off the TV...and go have some fun as a family!

1. A trip to the zoo. (My daughter loves the monkeys)
2. A day at the beach or lake.
3. An afternoon of sledding.
4. A trip to the museum.
5. A day of hiking.
6. A visit to a corn maze.
7. A trip to the farm.
8. A camping adventure.
9. Pick your own fruit or veggies. (Then you can eat them!)
10. Attending an outdoor concert.
11. Miniature golfing.
12. Take a bike ride.
13. Bowling.
14. A trip to the aquarium. (my hubby and I could spend ALL DAY at the aquarium! so fun!)
15. A trip to a homemade icre cream stand. (homemade ice cream? I don't think any one could pass that up!)
16. Visit to a state park. (have a picnic!)
17. Trip to a theme park.
18. Attend a circus. (I can't remember the last time I did this!)
19. Go to a family show.
20. Do a drive-in movie.

List provided by A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists by Michelle LaRowe

Giveaway with The Copper Brick Road

2011-04-15T09:55:00.000-06:00

Can it be Friday already? I feel like yesterday was Monday. Wow, this week has gone by way to fast. So, this week Kyrah got sick and has had a horrible cough and cold. :( I took her to the Dr. yesterday and all he said was we have to wait it out. Ahhh...that is so frustrating. I wish there was a magic pill to fix the common cold. Anyone want to invent it? I will pay top dollar to get my hands on one of those!

Since it has been 5 days since Kyrah came down with the cold I thought...maybe...just maybe...Sydnee would be free and clear. Well...this morning I was woken up by my poor little 11 month old coughing away. *sigh* I hope this next week goes by as fast...(for the sake of my daughters). I really feel bad for the kiddos. They have to be cooped up with their mommy all day and they can't see their friends. (Not to mention...mommy can't see her friends either.) Those yucky germs! Why can't you just go on a vacation and come back in...oh, say...100 years! Oh well...enough of my ranting.

Yay! It's that time again! GIVEAWAY TIME! Don't forget to register and you can win any Luvi Blanket of your choice :)

The Giveaway is taking place starting tomorrow 4/16/2011!

Go to:
http://www.copperbrickroad.com to enter :)

The contest will last aprox. 2 weeks. Good Luck! :)

Have a fabulous weekend!

The Fly Lady

2011-04-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

image courtesy of local.aol.co.uk

So as you all know, I have been trying different ways to become better organized in my family life and business. Sometimes you have so much to do that your "wife-ly" duties (like cleaning the house, for example) get put to the wayside. If this sounds like you...you are in good company! Just last night I was looking around my house and saying to myself:

"OK, where to start? Everything is a mess! AHHH!"

But then I remembered The Fly Lady. This woman knows how to get things done. She breaks everything down into "bite sized pieces" or "zones" as she calls them. But everything is laid out so nicely you don't have to panic and think..."Where do I start?" She takes all the guessing work out of it and leads you step by step a long the way.

Not only does she help you organize your house, but she also helps you to de-clutter your mind and body too! So it's the entire package to help you become a new and better YOU! And best of all...you won't spend a dime. So if you need help getting a handle on your house, your self, or your life--hop on board and let's start making those changes together! :)

WWW.FLYLADY.ORG

****PS--You have until the end of the week (April 16th) to get all of your orders in if you need them before or by the May 1st. I am going to Cancun for a week! Whoohoo! (May 1st-May 8th). So no orders will be going out until after I get back. Thank you!

What to have in a well stocked-car

2011-04-11T09:58:00.000-06:00

(image courtesy of lifeonahanger.blogspot.com)

As moms there are always things that we forget or things that we know we need to have on hand with kids. Here are a few simple lists of things that you should always keep in your car.
(For more great tips and lists, get the book A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists by Michelle LaRowe)

For Babies:

* a seasonal change of clothes
* diapers
* wet wipes
* formula
* bottled water
* sippy cup
* baby food
* baby utensils

For Toddlers:

* a seasonal change of clothes
* pull-ups
* snacks (dried fruit, granola bars, or crackers)
*sippy cup
* bottled watter
* 100% fruit juice boxes
* an extra pair of shoes

For Older Children & Grown-ups:

* a seasonal change of clothes
* an extra pair of shoes
* bottled water
* snacks

For Safety:

* blanket
* duct tape
* extra car fuses
* first aid kit
* flashlight and batteries
* "Help?" sign
* ice scraper
* jumper cables
* map
* paper
* pen
* pocket knife
* roadside flares
* tire inflator (such as fix-a-flat)

Cold Feet & Oreos

2011-04-08T09:59:00.000-06:00

OK, so there were some pretty memorable things that have happened in our family in the past couple of days and I just needed to blog about them!

Here is what happened when I gave an Oreo cookie Sydnee (11 months). Her face was clean when I gave her the cookie and I turn around for about 30 seconds and when I look back this is what I see:

She must have really liked the Oreo! :) I know they are some of my favorite cookies! YUM!

The second thing actually happened this morning. It snowed a ton last night. (yes, it is April--gotta love living in Logan, UT with crazy weather!) Anyway, Kyrah wanted to go outside in the snow. So she grabs her flip flops and her beach ball and looks up at me and says: "Ok, I'm ready!" My hubby being the father that he is, thought it would teach her a lesson if she went out in the snow in flip flops.

Needless to say, it backfired.

Kyrah went out in knee deep snow in her flip flops and just stood there. Ry tried to get her to come back inside but she wouldn't. She walked around a bit and then stood some more. I don't know how she was able to stand in the snow that long! It's like she was practically barefoot. Finally after about 8 minutes of watching this I told my hubby that he had better go get our daughter out of the snow before she freezed to death. Ry went to get her but she insisted on walking inside. Once she got inside she put down her beach ball and said: "I had fun in the snow, mommy!" She touched her feet and told me that they were cold. But that was it! I bet if we let her do it again, she would! So much for the lesson learned. I guess that is the way kids are though :) I love it!

Lastly, we went (just a few days ago--when it was nice, sunny and warm) on a walk and to the park. Here are my adorable girls sporting the most stylish eye-wear!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you on Monday!

Go Slow

2011-04-06T09:59:00.000-06:00

As entrepreneurs we get excited and want to go go go! And jump on every opportunity that comes our way. But the best advice that I can give you is GO SLOW! You will become a more stable and better business because of it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spqSe2LJxM0]

Feeding a Picky Eater

2011-04-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

photo courtesy of babble.com

There is this book that my Mother-in-Law gave to me for my birthday last year. I totally forgot about it until a few nights ago when I was searching for a good novel. Well when I came across this book I couldn't believe that I had not read it yet. It's a book that every mom should have on hand.

It is called "A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists: 100+ Lists to Save You Time, Money, and Sanity" by Michelle LaRowe. Now, tell me...who doesn't use lists? Especially us moms! We LIVE by them! At least I do. That is the only way that I am able to get stuff done. If I write it down. You know what I mean?

Well, for the next several weeks I am going to pick a different list each Monday to share with you. They are so helpful and I feel that I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't share them with you! Better yet...pick up your own copy so you can have it on hand, it will come in handy--I promise!

Here is today's List:

FEEDING A PICKY EATER

(Is your toddler not wanting to eat anything you make? Mine is. It's so frustrating! They just want chocolate and french fries. But here are some tips to help!)

*Serve small portions, in small pieces, in small spaces.
An ice cude tray filled with colorful cut ups in each compartment is a great way to present a combination of new foods and old favorites in a non intimidating way.

*Dip into Dips
Cottage cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, and peanut butter make for great fruit and veggie dips. When it comes to meat, ketchup covers a multitude of unforgiving smells, textures and appearances.

*Let your child feed himself/herself.
Presenting any new selection in a finger friendly way will increase the chances that your child will try it.

*Prepare it differently
A child who doesn't like the texture pd crispy raw carrots may love them steamed and soft.

*Slow and steady
Less is more when introducing new, exotic, or ethnic spices.

*Color your food
Food coloring can dynamically impact the attractiveness of a food. Add a few drops of food coloring to new foods and you may be surprised how eager your child is to try them. (Use strong colored veggie juice for a great all-natural alternative.)

*Share a fork
Kids will often be more eager to try something new if it comes from your plate.

*Encourage turn taking
Insist that your child try the new food before she eats her favorite food. Encourage her to take turns , taking a bit of the old favorite, followed by the new.

*Keep it low-key
Don't make a huge deal about serving up something new; instead, keep a nonchalant attitude that says, "This is just something else we eat."

*Offer positive , purposeful praise.
Offering an "I'm really proud that you tried a bite!" goes a long way in promoting an attitude of willingness when it comes to trying new foods.

*Don't give up.
It can take on average eight times of being exposed to a new food before a child may even try it, never mind acquire a taste for it. Offer the same new food often, even if it was previously rejected.

**Tip: When it comes right down to it, introducing new foods is really about trying--not necessarily liking.

To read more go to http://www.amazon.com/Moms-Ultimate-Book-Lists-Sanity/dp/0800733827 and order your copy.

April Fools Day!

2011-04-01T10:01:00.000-06:00

Today is the day to pull jokes and pranks on your family and friends. I woke up this morning realizing that I hadn't even thought of anything to do for this day. And of course I had to teach my daughter about April Fools Day! It's one of funnest days of the year. So I just started out small this year. I switched the cereal from the cereal boxes so they were all mixed up. So when you poured one cereal... cheerios for example, instead you got honey bunches of oats. At first Kyrah didn't really get it. I had to explain to her that even though the box said there was one cereal inside, another cereal was actually coming out. Once she got it, she thought it was pretty funny. We all had good chuckle when the light bulb came on in her head. It was cute.

But then the best part of the morning was when I got the milk out of the fridge. I had dyed the milk green with food coloring. I brought it over to Kyrah and started pouring it in her bowl.

She looks up at me with a disgusted look on her face and says:

"Oh...milk old!"

That totally made my day! I was surprised that she associated the color green with yucky and rotten/old. What a kid! :)

I would love hear of some of the things you did today for April Fools!! Or what was the best April Fools Joke that has ever happened to you or someone you know! I need some laughs today! Share away! :)

You're Invited!

2011-03-30T09:38:00.000-06:00

sizzix.com

Well, it is Wednesday again! It's already the middle of the week! Wow!

Honestly, I can't wait until this week is over. My poor hubby has been leaving about 6:30am and not getting home until 11pm. He hasn't even seen the girls in 2 days. :( I am really proud of him though because he is working so hard! He is almost done with his research for his thesis, so that's good. Then for the next month he will have to do an analysis on all of it and actually write out his entire thesis. Phew! I'm just glad that he is the one doing it and not me! He is a real trooper. :) I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who works so hard to support his family, and who also follows his dreams.

OK, so here is a little bit of "house keeping" for ya...there are going to be a few changes going on over the next few months. Obviously, if you received the newsletter today you probably saw that it looked a little different. There are some things that still need to be tweaked, but that is generally what it will look like :) Also, I will be getting some help so hopefully things will start to improve over time. :) I have just gotten to the point where I can't run the business by myself any more and still enjoy it!

So...if anyone is interested...I am looking for a VA (Virtual Assistant) (with a strong social media background); and a second pair of hands that can sew. So if you know any one that is interested in any one of these job openings let me know!

Secondly, I have some great news! We have picked the time and place for the official "launching party" of the Logan, UT Chapter of The Mom-e Club!

Where:
The Springs @ Logan River Club House

1721 S 1150 W

Logan, UT 84321

When: April 23, 2011

What Time: 7pm-8:30pm

Please feel free to bring any refreshments you would like. There will be light refreshments provided.

So that's exciting! :) Hope all of you in Logan, UT and the surrounding areas will be able to make it! :) If you don't know what the Mom-e Club is or what it's all about, check out this blog post.

Well, this was kind of a boring blog post, but not all of them can be as exciting as yummy LEMON BARS right? lol! Have you tried them yet? I will have some at the The Mom-e Club meeting so if you come you will be able to try them! :) Well, have a fabulous day! I would love to go take a nap right now but unfortunately I have to clean the house while my kids are still napping. Wish me luck!

Melt in your mouth Lemon Bars

2011-03-28T09:39:00.000-06:00

Growing up I have always loved dessert! I have this thing for sweets. I know my waistline is now begging me to stop my sweet tooth addiction, but unfortunately it's not going to happen. I love them too much! That is why I exercise more, and only have my savory sweets in moderation. :)

Since I was a kid one of the sweets that I wasn't to excited about was lemon bars. Now, I know you are thinking...you are crazy right? Who doesn't love lemon bars? Well, I didn't. I mean I didn't despise them but I never really enjoyed them either. And aren't you supposed to enjoy your sweets? If you don't enjoy them, I don't think they are worth the calories.

Well, when I got married, my hubby introduced me to the most "out of this world," melt in your mouth, lemon bars. I am now officially hooked! They are THAT good! Not only are they the best lemon bars you have ever tasted, but they are SUPER easy to make!

I know, I know, you are saying to yourself, "ok Aly, if they're that good let's have the recipe already....

OK! I get it! I won't keep in suspense any longer. All I have to say... is be prepared to savor every bite! Enjoy!

Lemon Bars

Crust:

1 box yellow cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg

Mix all (crust) ingredients together until crumbly. (I usually use a hand mixer). Save 1/8 of the mix and put it aside. Take the rest of the crust mixture and pat it down in a 9 X 13 pan. Make sure you make a little lip or edge around it so the lemon filling stays in the crust. Bake in the oven @ 350 degrees for 11 min. (Make sure you play around with the time depending on your oven. Some ovens cook hotter than others).

Lemon Filling:

8oz of cream cheese
1/3 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon of lemon juice (or more if you like it more lemon-y.) I usually do it to taste.

Beat all of the (lemon filling) together and pour into the crust. Then sprinkle the remaining 1/8 of the crust (that you saved) on top of the lemon bars and pop it into the oven for another 15 min. And then you are done! I recommend you let the lemon bars cool for a little bit before you cut into them. 20 min should be good enough. My mouth is just watering talking about these lemon bars! Yum! :) I hope you love them as much as we do!

5 Great Ways to Juggle it all!

2011-03-23T09:42:00.000-06:00

image courtesy of classesandcareers.com

Being work-at-home moms there is a lot to juggle. But here a few tips to make your life a whole lot easier. It is possible to be a entrepreneur and a mom and rock both!

1.) Get a great planner to help organize your schedule.
This is critical. Having a schedule will help you remember all the things you have to do for your family and for your business. No more missed appointments or missed deadlines. Put it all together in one place.

2.) Get a great tool to organize your stuff.
Get a great looking bag or set of drawers to organize all of the miscellaneous stuff that sits out. That way you won't loose all of those important things.

3.) Talk to an expert.
There are some people that are naturally gifted in these areas. If you are not one of those people, talk to someone who is! Having expert advice will save you from having to spend time trying to figure it out yourself. A lot of times we find that certain things don't work and then we just give up. The experts will take the guessing work out and will help you find solutions that will work for you!

4.) Cut out the clutter.
This means not only getting rid of stuff, but learning how to change the way that you look at accumulating stuff as well. This can be the hardest to overcome but there are a lot of tools out there that can help you become clutter free!

5.) Try a timer.
When you are doing something, set a timer. When the timer goes off, STOP! We usually spend more time than we need to on menial things and then when it comes time to do the big or more important things we run out of time. Setting a timer is a good way to help you manage your time.

To read more of the original article and get more tips on how to stay organized go toWork it Mom.

Also, there is a great website that I just found out about, it isbizmomtips.com. If you really want help from an organizational expert, Debbye Gallager is your gal! She has tips to help you from organizing your kitchen, to what planner to use, to travel tips and much more!

Hope this helps! Let's get organized!

New found time

2011-03-21T09:44:00.000-06:00

I know as a mom one thing that I can never get enough of is sleep. We are told that we need to get at least 7-8 hours a night to be healthy. I try, but honestly, if I get 6 hours a night, that's great! I am making a new goal of getting to bed at an earlier time, but I know that it will be a challenge. Sometimes I wish I never had to sleep! Can you imagine all the stuff you could get done? I could sew all the time and get all of my projects done that I have been putting off. (Such as making two storage bags to go on the back of our double umbrella stroller.) Spring is here (even though it doesn't feel like it), and Summer is on it's way! I need to get cracking! And that's just one of the things on my long list.

I could also get all the chores done around the house too! My house might have a chance at being clean for more than 20 minutes at a time! :) I think sleep is over rated. It's to bad our bodies require sleep to function!

Imagine you no longer have to sleep. The world has been granted a full night's rest with a push of a button.

What would you do with your new found time?

"Not quite"

2011-03-18T09:45:00.000-06:00

I got my first wholesale account for the Baby Caps and Gowns about a week and a half ago! Yay! That was a p.r.e.t.t.y good day :) If I do say so myself. For those of you who don't know what a wholesale account is it is where someone orders from you in bulk at a discounted price. Some people say that it is good because you sell more, other people say it's not good because you loose money on each item sold. For me, I believe it to be a good thing because I am able to get my name out there and have my products sold in a brick and mortar store. So in addition to selling my Baby Caps and Gowns on my website you can also purchase them at the Brigham Young University-Idaho Bookstore. That will come into affect starting in about 2 weeks. I will let you know when.

Today has been a great day! I was able to drive up to Rexburg, ID and meet the fantastic woman that is handling my wholesale account of Baby Caps and Gowns. She is awesome! I was able to give her the caps and gowns, and we talked and got to know each other better. I think we are going to have a wonderful relationship.

So enough about the boring business stuff...and onto my kids! I have to tell you, I have the most adorable children. They are so smart. We were in the car this morning and Kyrah had the hiccups and so I suggested that we try and scare her to see if they would go away.

Me and Kyrah together: "Boo!"

Me: Kyrah, are your hiccups gone?

Kyrah: Not quite.

Aww...children and their simple perspectives.

Sydnee has now learned how to crawl, so nothing is safe in the house! She loves her new found independence. She is clapping, talking, and moving and loving it all in the process. Where is my little girl? Before I know it she will be walking and ordering me around. :)

Cherish this special time you have with your kids. It doesn't last very long. What are you doing special with your kids to cherish them?

Hiring help?

2011-03-16T09:47:00.000-06:00

image courtesy of slovly.com

I know that today is supposed to be a business topic, but frankly this week has been so busy I just don't have the energy to think of something to write. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that I am getting so many orders, it's a dream come true! However, I have a whole sale account for my caps and gowns that needs to be done by Friday. Well, yesterday I was sewing away and my serger broke. I thought to myself...for real?? This has to happen this week? Of course it does! *sigh*

So...I had to take it to get repaired. I really hope that I can get it back today. I have countless hours of sewing left before I will be done. I need all the time I can get. I am so grateful to my neighbor who offered to watch my girls tomorrow all day so that I can get the bulk of my sewing done. What would I do without great friends! Thank you!

I have a lot going on in regards to mommyhood as well. I am watching neighborhood kids today and have a meetings tonight and tomorrow night. I feel like I need to hire help, but I don't know where to start. And I don't know if I will be as busy as I am right now (with orders.) I hope so though. I like being busy. And I want my business to grow! (Which means more orders to fill :) )

For the future, does anyone have any recommendations for great VA's (virtual assistants) that they just love? Or what to look for when hiring a team or help? I'm excited to start exploring these opportunities, but I would love some guidance! So you experts out there...I'm looking for you!

Faith brings Miracles

2011-03-14T09:47:00.000-06:00

(This is the bracelet I was given at the "Ignite Your Spark" Conference. I have been wearing it every day since I got it.
It has very special meaning to me now.)

It's amazing to me what a little faith will do. Going to the "Ignite Your Spark Conference" this past weekend was an extraordinary experience! To be honest, even though my business has been doing ok, I've only been in business about 2 years and so we are still in the struggling phase. I am getting a decent amount of orders, but right now I have a lot of expenses because I am still in the "start-up" mode.

Well, at the conference we had a lot outstanding speakers. One thing that I took away from the conference was the fact that in a business sometimes you have to give more than what you think is possible. It took pretty much all I had (as far as finances) to get to the conference. But I was told, even if it did take all I had to get there, I need to give a little bit more. At first I thought, that is easier said than done! Where is the money going to come from. Well, after doing a lot of soul searching...I decided that it was time for me to take the next step. If I wanted to get ahead and if I really wanted to succeed, I needed to make some changes. So, I hired a business coach. I used what little money I had left in my account and paid it. Going on faith that all would work out.

Can I just tell you...that was on Saturday when I made that decision.

It is now Monday.

And between those 3 days...I have received 5 orders in addition to my wholesale account that I was able to get about a week ago. I believe in God, and I know that if you are faithful and trust in Him, that He will provide a way for you. And He did. For me. Because I just trusted that all would work out...2 days later...I have made back everything I have spent on hiring that coach. A coincidence? I. think. not.

FAITH brings miracles.

G.I.F.T.S. from Within ~Ignite Your Spark Conference 2011

2011-03-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am currently at the Ignite Your Spark Conference! Yippi! What a day! It has been jammed packed with so much wonderful empowerment and knowledge that I think my head will explode! I can't wait for tomorrow! I have also met so many wonderful people that have enriched my life and I have become a better person just because I know them.

So here is a fraction of what I have learned today. The video is a bit on the longer side, but I promise you, watch the whole thing. You won't be disappointed. After it is finished, please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts and feelings on our G.I.F.T.S. from within.

How does knowing your G.I.F.T.S. change you?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVGbx9770vQ]

Have a fabulous weekend!

My Craft Space & Ignite Your Spark

2011-03-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's been about a month since I have done a vlog. I know, I know, that is WAY to long. So here you go! There is a lot going on. You get to see where all of my crafting is done and where I like to spend my time when I am not with my kids or hubby ;) I also have the opportunity to go to "Ignite Your Spark" women's conference on Friday and Saturday! I am soooo excited!! http://www.igniteyourspark.com

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xVHRGGhXA]

"Here Kitty Cat"

2011-02-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's Friday! I love Fridays! Today's blog post is just going to be something fun and entertaining. The other night my daughter was being silly and I was able to catch it on my cell phone. It's not great quality but it's still hilarious. Hope you enjoy it! We are going to see my mom and sisters this weekend. I love hanging out with family. It's always fun! Have a wonderful weekend!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBSnnFk9lE8]

Imperfect Action

2011-02-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Trying new things can be nerve racking. It causes us to get out of our comfort zones and it tests our abilities. I know for me, speaking to large groups of people terrifies me! I think to myself, "oh yeah, no problem, I can do this." But then when the time actually comes I stand up there and my mind just goes blank and I freeze.

It happens to all of us. It means we are normal. It's good for things like that to be hard. Hard is often referred to as a negative word, but I think of it as a way to become better and reach our full potential. If we didn't have things that were hard, or mountains that we had to overcome, then what would be the point of living? We are here to become better versions of ourselves and to push the limits of what we think is possible.

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts yesterday (Craft Cast with Alison Lee) and she had on her show a woman by the name of Christine Kane. She is a songwriter, performer and life coach. Alison and Christine were speaking about the fact that so many people, whether it be in their business or in their personal lives, have a hard time with confidence and getting out and trying new things. We always have this fear that we are going to fail at something or that we are going to do something wrong. We care to much about what other people think.

Well Christine said something that really stuck with me. She said that we need to start taking "imperfect action." How we are going to know if that song we wrote is going to be a hit if we don't get it out there? How are we going to know our truest potential if we hold ourselves back because of our fear of failure. We can't just sit and wait until "next time" to start making a difference in our lives. It's not going to just come to us. The only way to get better at something, or to gain confidence is to take action and continually do it!

Even the greatest celebrities and important people in today's world started with that one decision to get out there and make things happen. We've all been there. I know for me, every time I write a blog post of do a video blog I am worried about, "Does this sound ok? Am I making sense? Is anyone really reading this?" But then I put those thoughts aside and just go for it. Like I said before, the only way that I am going to get better is to take "imperfect action" and learn from it! And if you don't feel like you can do it, just ACT like you can and eventually you will be able to!

So stop waiting around until "some day" decides to show up at your doorstep. Make "some day" be TODAY! Take that "imperfect action" and become a better wife, mother, business owner...a better person, because you decided to jump in with both feet and reach your full potential.

I know you can do it! Now believe in yourself and follow this formula for success (by Alison Lee) and you will see amazing changes start to take place in all areas of your life. This has become my new motto.

Fear + Action = Results with Confidence

Podcast

2011-02-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

I love spending time with my kids; laughing, playing and loving them. I have to be honest though, one of my favorite parts of the day is when I can just put the kids down (after having a fun filled day with them) and have some “me” time. Recently, this has involved sitting down in my comfy chair and grabbing my latest sewing project, be it a Luvi Blanket, Cap & Gown, or just some other fun sewing “want to-do” and listening to a podcast of crafty/mom goodness!

I love to just be sewing and get lost in a completely different world. It's just me, my sewing and a crafty/mom podcast. Plain and simple. I get so much more accomplished when I am listening to the podcast than I do when I am watching a movie, or just listening to music. It's amazing! And I absolutely love what the topics are that I am listening to because pretty much they have to do with some kinds of crafting, or mom entrepreneurs. Two topics which I love!

I had no idea what a podcast was until maybe about a month or so ago. I found out that it is basically your own radio show. Anyone can do it, and there are a lot of places that you can get free “hosting” for your radio show. Just google it. But seriously, I learn so much from these podcasts. I feel my brain still absorbing all this knowledge while at the same time my hands are working a mile a minute sewing on the machine or hand stitching... or just making stuff. I love it! I am improving myself daily! Even though I am a mom and not in school anymore, I am still learning something new and it feels good.

You should try it sometime. Whatever your passion, whatever your hobbies, or just something you want to learn more about. I can almost guarantee you there is a podcast out there that will fit with you.

Here are some of my favorite podcasts: (of course some of them are craft related because I love craftiness!)

http://craftcast.com/

http://www.craftypod.com/

http://www.momtalkradio.com/

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thesavvywahm (for work at home moms)

Enjoy! :)

Snow Day!

2011-02-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

Kyrah has never been out in the snow before. Well, she hasn't "played" in the snow. Last year she was a little to young and this year we haven't had a ton of snow. It has been a little challenging taking two kids out in the snow by myself. (Hubby is always at work or school during the day so he can't really be there.) But I bucked up and decided that if Kyrah was going to discover the white, fluffy wonderland, it was going to be today. Who knows when more snow would come our way. So, we got all bundled up and ventured outside.

Can I just tell you...this girl was in HEAVEN! She ran around telling me over and over:

"Playing in the snow, Mama! Playing in the snow!"

The snow was about knee deep for her so when I say she was running around, what I really mean is she was trudging around; falling on her face a couple of times. But, having a blast! We sang, "Once their was a snowman" and crawled around on all fours like dogs. We started building a snowman, but then that mean old "nap time" decided to interrupt our fun. Maybe today we can go finish our snowman.

Even though it was a lot of work to get the kids out, and I had to hold Syd the whole time, it was well worth it! I just love snow days. Don't you? I think my favorite part is coming back inside and wrapping up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate to thaw out my frozen fingers and toes. B.L.I.S.S.

Guest Post: "Dance your Way to Healthy" by Kathleen Thomas

2011-02-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day because you get to hear from someone other than me! (yay!)

This post is provided by Kathleen Thomas on behalf of Dr. Mary Zurn, Vice President of Education, Primrose Preschools. If you want to give back to the community and help children in need please listen carefully to what Kathleen Thomas has to say:

Kathleen Thomas: We hear about the concern over “childhood obesity” so much these days that, unfortunately, it can feel like an inevitable problem that’s out of our control. The CDC tells us the national childhood obesity rate has nearly tripled in the past 30 years. As a result, more and more young children today are developing adult health problems like high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Childhood obesity is a critical issue for young children in America, but fortunately, there is a great deal we can do to prevent it.

We all know that in addition to eating a balanced diet, physical activity plays a vital role in keeping children’s bodies healthy. Dancing is a fun, easy way to incorporate lively physical activity into your family’s routine while enjoying quality time together. Not only is dance an entertaining way for children to keep their hearts healthy, but it is also a creative form of self-expression that builds their self-confidence and promotes their development as happy, fit and healthy individuals.

In 2010, Primrose Schools launched a program that gives families an opportunity to embrace healthy lifestyles and impact children in their local community at the same time through a dance contest benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This year, we’re back with our second installment of the national Family Dance-offcontest, and the prizes are even bigger and better!

All you have to do is submit a 30-second home video of your family's best dance moves any time between Feb. 1 and March 19. We will select 14 finalists based on how many votes each family’s video receives (you can vote 5 times/day), and each of the 14 finalist families will receive a Flip Video Camcorder. Viewers can then vote for their favorite weekly finalists on FamilyDanceoff.com from March 20-26. From there, our guest panel of judges will narrow it down to three winners. The grand prize winning family will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a $30,000 donation will be made to their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. The second prize winner will receive $3,000 and a $20,000 donation to their local CMN Hospital, and the third prize winner will receive $1,500 and a $15,000 donation. The grand, second and third prize winners will be announced the week of March 28.

Please visit FamilyDanceoff.com for more information, and I hope you’ll decide to join in and groove with Primrose. You can help local children in need in your community by entering and voting to bring one of our three tremendous donations to your local CMN Hospital. CMN Hospitals creates real miracles, and at Primrose, we believe in moving for miracles – please join us!

Thanks so much Kathleen for your invitation to participate in such a great opportunity! I challenge all of you reach out and see how you can help children in need!

Please leave a comment if you have any questions or if you would like more information. :) Have a great day!

"Love-ya" Day

2011-02-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

When I was little my my dad used to always call Valentine's Day, "Love-ya" Day. It just stuck with me. Honestly, that's how I love to refer to Valentine's day now. There is something so simple about the phrase "love-ya" and yet it encompasses so much at the same time.

"Love-ya" means: I will wash the dishes after dinner, I will change that messy diaper so you don't have to, when you are having a bad day I will cheer you up, I appreciate all that you do, I will cherish you for ever and ever. That phrase helps me to remember the true reason we have "Valentine's Day" is to show the special love we have for each other. Whether it be a spouse, sister, brother, mom or dad, or anyone that is special to us.

There is a movie that I love, and I am sure you all have heard of it.. it's called The Princess Bride. Whenever Buttercup would ask Wesley to do something for her he would always reply, "As you wish." Eventually she realized that when he was saying "As you wish," what he was really meant was "I love you." That is what true love is. It's not just saying, "I love you," but showing it by action. So this Valentine's Day, (or "Love-ya" Day) showyour special someone that you love them. Don't just say it. I means more when there is action involved! So get creative and feel the love today and every day, for the rest of your life! :)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8jrhtPz2Ac]

Happy "Love-ya" Day!!

(Comment below and let me know what you did to "show" your love today! :) )

Family Fun Night

2011-02-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

When you were little, simple things like kicking a ball can make you happy. As adults we need so much more to keep us entertained. Think back to when you were about 5...(I know for some of us that is a LONG time ago. It's ok, just imagine!) What did you and your family do for entertainment when you were little? Did you play board games together? Go to movies? Play "camp out" with the bedsheets in the living room?

For me, I remember that we would go outside and play yard games. Like tag or the girly version of Football. My poor dad, he was totally outnumbered. 6 girls to 1 boy. We love you dad! He was such a good sport, and still is! We also really liked to play board games like Shoots and Ladders or Break the Ice. Do you remember those games? They are still some of my favorites! (I'm a little girl at heart!)

Since we moved around a lot when I was little I remember that the one constant in my life was my family. I could always count on them. I think that's why I really liked family night because we were able to bond together as a family, and have a blast at the same time!

So, what was your favorite family entertainment, way back when? Before video games and the internet.

Thinking about that, my kids won't have any concept of not being able to just hop online and look something up, or skyping with grandparents that live across the United States. It's just second nature. Crazy how the world has changed since we were little.

Oh, and one little side note...Sydnee turned 9 months old today! My little girl is growing up so fast! Happy 9 months baby girl! Love you! Love, Mom

My Story: Behind the Craft

2011-02-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Behind each handmade craft there is a story. Having a story behind your products makes them more valuable and unique to you. That's what makes handmade items so special. Their story. I have been hesitant to share my story because it's kind of personal, but hopefully this will help others to view my crafts in a new light! Enjoy!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce7QKOy0_YU]

So what's your story?

Make it fun!

2011-02-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

I can always tell a difference in my mood and my energy level on the days I exercise and the days that I don't. This past week was a hard week as far as exercising goes. I was only able to workout once the entire week and boy did my body feel it. I felt like my patience was very thin all week. (My poor kids.) and my overall energy was very, very low. It's so frustrating when you are sick and you miss out on all that fun physical activity. Yes, I did say FUN physical activity! I am so glad that we are into another week! I was finally able to run again today and it felt sooo good! I feel the motivation just surging through me!

If there is one thing that I have learned from exercising, if you don't like it, you won't do it. Pure and simple. I enjoy running and doing Turbo Jam by Chalene Johnson , but just because I love that, doesn't mean that my next door neighbor will love that too. She may enjoy other forms of activity; like water aerobics, jump-rope or riding a bike. It needs to be something that is enjoyable to you, and something you look forward to doing every day. It's important for not only your body to get physical activity, but also your mind and spirit as well. I find that on the days that go for a run or do a workout DVD the whole day goes so much better and I get a lot more accomplished and I feel better about myself!

When I am running I just get in this zone where all of my worries and stresses just disappear and it's just me and my tennis shoes. And I feel like I can do anything. It's very therapeutic for me because before my run I can't stop thinking about all the stuff that I have to get done during the day. I stress and worry and it puts in a bad mood. But then I throw on my tennis shoes and start my run and immediately I am calmed and I know that the day is going to be great! I love the mind shift that I get as well. I know that exercising helps me be a better mother, wife and person.

So find some kind of physical activity that you like or even love to do! That way you will enjoy it and not dread it every day! :)

So now I have a question for you:

What was the most fun you've ever had exercising?

It can be any form of physical activity!! Dancing, playing football, hopscotch, jumping up and down... the possibilities are endless! :) Please leave a comment and let me know! I am always looking for ways to change up my exercise routine! Remember you have to keep it fun! So get up off the chair you are currently sitting in and do some jumping jacks...ready!? 1...2...3...

(photo courtesy of cebutte.ucdavis.edu)

Behind the Scenes: Mommyhood

2011-02-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's Friday! Wow, I thought this day would never come. It's been quite a week. Not a bad week per say, but all of us have been feeling a little under the weather lately. As much as I don't like being sick and it kinda throws off my routine, I enjoy having a day "off" every once in a while. Yesterday was fun, the girls and I all sat on couch and watched 3 episodes of Barney and Thomas the Train while eating cinnamon rolls for lunch. Yum! Sometimes you just need the cuddle time. I know I do! :)

I took this video earlier this week with my kids. I hope it gives you a little "behind the scenes" look at my life as a mom. I won't apologize for the mess of my house. That's one of the things that goes on when you have kids...toys and "stuff" everywhere! :) I love it! Enjoy! Have a great weekend!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThtjghnLYTY]

It's time to flip the “Switch”

2011-01-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

To ring a new year we all make resolutions. We make promises to ourselves that this year will be different. This will be the year where we actually will follow through. This will be the year that we achieve all of our goals and change our lives.

Fast forward to six months down the road...

{Well, I tried to keep up with my goal but then “this” or “that” came up.}

{It was to hard, so I just had to stop.}

{Well, I made it 4 months at least. There's always next year right?}

The list of excuses could go on and on.

We all have good intentions, but then when it comes right down to it, we just don't feel like we have it in us to achieve what we set out to do. Well, this is where I tell you...you do have what it takes. The secret is this:

You have to be deliberate in your actions. In everything that you do in life, from getting up in the morning to making those tough decisions at work or at home with the kids. Make everything in your life have a purpose.

I've been reading this book by two brothers, Dan and Chip Heath. It's called Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard. This book has completely changed my outlook on life. Just because I have tried to change before and have failed, doesn't mean that it has to keep being that way. I can indeed c.h.a.n.g.e. And stay that way.

In the book, the Heath brothers talk about when setting goals, set “SMART goals—goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely.”

Specific—so that it's something that you can pinpoint and strive for. Not just some general blanket goal that is out there in space.

Measurable—a goal that is easily broken up in to little steps of pieces along the way. That will make getting to your goal a lot less daunting and overwhelming.

Actionable—something that you can act on. Something that requires doing and not just wishing, wanting or waiting.

Relevant—something that is in line with your priories and values. A goal that is bringing you closer and more in line with the way you live your life and what you want to achieve.

Timely—make sure that is the right time in your life for you to achieve this goal. If you try and achieve a goal but the timing is off, then you are setting up yourself for failure because that goal will never be realized.

If you are SMART you can achieve anything. I truly believe that. That is why, I am now going to conquer the world!

Well...let's start with today. One step at a time.

Top 10 Crafty Blogs (a must read)

2011-01-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'd like to think of myself as a very crafty person. Not overly obsessed or anything, but just someone that likes to create for fun. Most of my craftiness is sewing, however, sometimes I like to branch out into different avenues. The other day I was looking for some good blogs to read, to keep my crafty skills sharpened. In doing this I came across blogs.com. This is a really cool site because it has all different topics of blogs. In my case, I was of course looking for crafty blogs. It's those really creative minds that love what their doing and love to share their knowledge.

I've always wanted to be that person. The person that everyone wants to get advice from. The person that knows. Before I used to only dream about being that type of person. But now I realize the way that those knowledgeable crafters becameknowledgeable was through experience and reading. Learning all they could about the subject. Constantly. If I had time I would read a book a day, but unfortunately..being a mom of two kids, I do not. Oh, well, maybe I'll just settle for reading at leastsomething each day. :) Just to keep my edge.

Here are some blogs that I have found that are considered to be (by Craft Gossip) the top 10 favorite Craft Blogs:

Bakerella

Imagine making something that not only looks divine but tastes it too. This blog is sure to inspire you into the kitchen for some edible crafting delights.

CraftFail

A close up look at when crafting goodness goes terribly wrong.

Cuteable

Looking for cute handmade finds? This blog is jam-packed with cute (as the name suggests) finds from around the Internet.

Dollar Store Crafts

The global economy is no excuse to not do craft and this blog shows you just what you can do for pennies.

Hostess with the Mostess

This blog is all about parties. It’s not actually a craft site but it is filled with inspirational party ideas that will make your next DIY party the talk of the street.

Makes and Takes

A mix of craft, kids craft ideas and recipes - this blog has some fun realistic craft projects you can do at home.

Not Martha

This blog has a fun name and lots of fun projects from craft, sewing and cooking.

One Pretty Thing

A collection of inspirational crafting ideas from around the Internet.

The Crafts Dept.

Martha's craft blog is obviously written by a team of crafters, but the projects are fantastic, the images devine and the skills needed are minimum yet effective.

The Purl Bee

If you are into crochet then you just have to stop by this blog filled with fantastic projects and amazing photos.

What are some of your favorite craft blogs? Or any blog (for that matter) that leaves you feeling inspired or enlightened? Please share! I am always looking for great blogs to follow!

Let your crafty adventures begin! :)

Snickerdoodle Pie!

2011-01-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is such a yummy recipe! Snickerdoodle cookies are my favorite and this is just another twist! It has become a family favorite! Thanks so much Larissa for sharing! You can find other great things on her blog. Enjoy!!

Snickerdoodle Pie

1 rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust
1 Tablespoon raw sugar or coarse sugar (I used regular sugar because that is what I had, it still turned out delightful)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 cup butter plus 1 Tablespoon, divided (some softened, some melted)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons light colored corn syrup
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, divided
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350^o F. Prepare pastry and line 9" pie plate. In a bowl combine raw sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Brush melted butter over crust. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set aside.

For syrup, in saucepan combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, the water, corn syrup and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil gently 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

In mixing bowl beat 1/4 cup softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Beat in granulated sugar, powdered sugar, baking powder, salt and cream of tartar until well combined. Beat in egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in milk until combined. Beat in flour. Spread evenly in crust-lined plate.

Slowly pour syrup over filling in pie plate. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cover edges of pie with foil.

Bake pie 25 minutes; carefully remove foil. Bake 20 minutes more or until top is puffed and golden brown and a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes on wire rack. Serve warm.

Brushing Teeth

2011-01-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

January 18th and on our way to the bathroom. It's 7pm. Same routine as always. Kyrah runs into the bathroom and says:

"Brush teeth! Brush teeth, mama!" (Honestly, I don't know where she came up with the idea of calling me "mama." She's always called my mom or mommy in the past. Oh, well, it's cute anyway.)

I plop her up on the counter and reach for the beloved pink, princess toothbrush and the jungle animal toothpaste. Here is the exchange between mother and daughter:

Me: "Open wide."

Kryah: "A-h-h-h"

Me: "Let's brush your tongue. Good job! Now lets get inside. On the top...now on the bottom. Now teeth!"

Kyrah: * Huge big smile, showing her pearly whites. *

Me: "Oh, such pretty white teeth you have!"

Kyrah: "Oh, pretty brown teeth mama, pretty brown teeth." (As she points to her mouth full of toothpaste.)

Me: "What? No, your teeth are white sweetie."

Kyrah: "Oh, white teeth? No brown teeth mama?"

Me: "No brown teeth, Kyrah."

It's silly moments like this that I cherish being a mom.

Valentine's Giveaway!

2011-01-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

(picture courtesy of Disney)

Yes, it's that time of year again when we get to show our loved ones how much we LOVE them! I love LOVE! It's the one time during the year where I have a good excuse to be sappy and smitten. I know how much my hubby likes this... . No, really he's a good sport. That's why I love him so much! He always finds a way to make that day special for us and the kids. Even if it is a little cheesy.

However, the most memorable Valentine's Day that we had was actually before we were even married. I was running around like a crazy person trying to get ready for class and I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to see my adorable boyfriend standing there FREZZING cold. (We lived in Rexburg, Idaho at the time. If you have ever lived there, you know...it can get pretty dang cold in the winter. You walk outside for two seconds and your nose hairs freeze pretty much immediately. Not. so. Fun.)

He smiled at me and then proceeded to tell me how beautiful I looked. Mind you...my hair was a mess, no make up and the huge bags under my eyes from the lack of sleep that college kids are known for. He then presented me with 2 roses. It was sooo adorable! I think the reason that it was such a big deal was because I knew how much Ry disliked giving flowers. It bugged him that you would spend money on something that would just die a few days later. HOWEVER, he knew how much I loved flowers so he still got me my two roses. :) Now that, is TRUE LOVE!

Because I love this holiday I am going to be doing a Valentine's Day Giveway:

The PRIZE: a $15 gift certificate to Kinder Keepsakes shop AND free shipping.

The RULES: 1) you MUST “Like” the fan page for Kinder Keepsakes. 2) Under the “Discussions” tab on facebook comment on: One way that you can show LOVE this Valentine's Day.

This giveaway will continue until February 1, 2011. The winner of the gift certificate will be picked at random. You can only enter 1 time.

Remember, this can be the perfect gift you can give your loved one this Valentine's Day! Can you feel the LOVE!!??

2011-01-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Kids certainly have a way of making you feel like you always need to be on your best behavior. I mean, that's good right? We always want to be doing our best as parents. However, there was a moment this week where I began to question the fact that my daughter is only two and she already knows way to much for her own good.

Kyrah (she's 2) was playing with her little baby doll. She was playing nicely with her baby, just talking to her, feeding her, changing her diaper, you know, all the stuff that you are supposed to do when you are being a good mommy. ;) Well, out of the blue Kyrah runs over to Sydnee (she's 8 months) who is happily sitting on the floor playing with her toys. At first I thought she was just going to give her toy or something, but low and behold, she takes her baby doll's hand and wacks Syd on the top of the head with it!

Before I could do anything about it, Syd starts to cry and Kyrah looks at her baby and exclaims:

"Time-out, don't hit!" (As she is shaking her finger at the baby, scolding her for her misbehavior)

She then grabbed her baby and sat down with her in her lap and folded her baby's arms and held them. (Just like we do for Kyrah when she is in time out...) I couldn't believe how a little two year old could be so observant. I mean I realized that she was watching us as parents but I didn't realize how closely. I mean she's only two right? How much can a two year really know?

Apparently...a lot.

Stroller Rides

2011-01-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

After you have a baby, getting back to the gym just never seems to happen. We all have good intentions. But let's face it: it's hard enough to get the kids up in the morning and get the daily routine under way! But taking them to the gym for an hour so you can workout- forget about it! At least that is how I feel. Especially after I had my second.

Today I found a great solution! The company is calledStroller Strides. This company (founded by Lisa Druxman, M.A.) specializes in helping mothers with kids get a good work out in! They have different workout programs to fit your fitness levels as well. Most of the classes are offered outdoors but you can get classes that are offered in doors as well. You get to workout and get fit with other moms in your same situation! How awesome is that! All while still being with your kids. The exercises are basically basedaround your kids. There are no classes in my area but I am looking into getting them brought here to Logan, UT because I know that their ideas and concepts would be very widely received.

I encourage you to get out there and get fit! I know it's hard to feel like you really want to exercise, especially when you are chasing your kids around all day. But I can tell you from personal experience that when I am the most patient and the most engaged with my kids is when I have exercised that day. It just seems to release all the tension in me of the day and it makes me want to eat better and just be a better person!

So even if Stroller Strides is not in your area you can still find ways to make exercise fun and enjoyable even with your kids! Just get some girlfriends together and makeyour own group. But remember, just get some kind of physical activity in during the day. It will change your life in more ways that you can imagine!

Values [of Stroller Strides]

We will help moms achieve their ultimate potential, both physically and emotionally.We will offer support and education for moms.

We will inspire moms to reach optimal health and well being.

We will inspire children to emulate their moms and make fitness a part of their lives.

[all content & images are courtesy of www.strollerstrides.com]

Potty Training Pep Talks

2011-01-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

So my little K is being potty trained right now and can I just tell you...it can be really stressful at times and rewarding other times. We have tried to potty train her a couple of times but she or I just wasn't ready. But WE ARE NOW! I have set a goal that by the end of the week she will be potty trained to where she only wears pull-ups at night and maybe naps. Some days are good, some days are not so good. It's just hard having to take her to the potty every 30 minutes. But it must be done. I keep telling myself:

"It'll be ok! By the end of the week she will get it!" I give myself potty training pep talks. :)

Now that I have been potty training my toddler I have realized that there are things that are a little tricky for her to master. (For example: telling me when she needs to go before she actually goes. We are working on that one.) But I know that if I am patient and I continue to give her positive reinforcement then she and I will be able to master this challenge together! So, far today she has done really well! No accidents yet! Yay! :) Wish us luck!

What are some things that you do/ or have done with your child when it comes to potty training? What has worked and what hasn't? Share your thoughts and tips! PLEASE! :)

I'm back!

2011-01-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hey! It's been a while! A LONG while! Honestly though, I was enjoying my time with my family for Christmas and New Years so it's ok. I just wanted to say that it's good to be back! I am so excited for the new year and all of the changes that will be taking place! It will be a crazy but I am ready for the challenge. So please bear with me as I try and sort everything out! There has already been a few changes already and I am really excited to share those with you soon. I will start taking orders again on January 17th. And there will be a lot of great coupons coming with that as well so stay tuned! Happy New Year!

Hurry!

2010-12-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

HURRY! Get a great Christmas gift for your little someone

special! You have until DECEMBER 15th at midnight to place

your order! No orders will be accepted after this date until

January! :) Merry Christmas!

Novemberfest

2010-12-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all that came to the Novemberfest! It was great success! This is my second year doing it and it was just as fun as the first time. I know that it was over a week ago that it took place, but I am happy to be posting about it now.

I really appreciate all of your patience with me. I had to mass produce my products and so it took a lot of time and energy but I think it was well worth it! Melanie Fowler (Cutest bows ever!) and I shared a booth this year which was so much fun! We both did pretty well, and just enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the wonderful creations and unique Christmas gifts. I swear I had a list forever long of all the things I wanted to buy myself! It was a great experience and one that I will want to continue! Until next year :)

Toddler Tuesday: Turkey Hand

2010-11-16T21:24:00.001-07:00

I loved this! It was a little twist on the standard Turkey Hand. I love this art project for little kids! You just trace their hands on a piece of paper and they can make a little turkey out of it. My K's Grandad really wanted to get the Turkey Hand from her soon, so we are going to probably do it tomorrow. Oh how I love Thanksgiving!

Stay tuned for some THANKS that will be given soon!

Meal-Time Monday: Best Lasagna

2010-11-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

Best Lasagna
By: Kristen
"This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
4 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Romano cheese
2 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 medium zucchini, sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Boil lasagna noodles 6 to 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay noodles flat and remove excess water with a paper towel.
In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add onion, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until there is no remaining pink color in beef. Drain any liquids and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, 2 cups of the spaghetti sauce and the seasoned ground beef. Mix until well blended. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Add a thin layer of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add a layer of noodles lengthwise and a few noodles in the opposite direction. Pour in a generous layer of ricotta mixture on top of noodles. Top ricotta layer with several basil leaves. Add another layer of noodles lengthwise. Spread on 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Line up the zucchini slices on top of the mozzarella cheese. Add another thin layer of ricotta cheese. Add the last layer of noodles lengthwise. Top the noodles with the remaining spaghetti sauce, several more basil leaves in an eye catching arrangement and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes. If Mozzarella cheese becomes too browned, loosely cover with a piece of foil.

Announcing...

2010-11-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

We have just added a new product to our product line!

The new "Soft Minky Blocks."

These blocks are the softest you'll find! The are made out of the softest minky fabric. Each block measures approximately 4" x 4" in size. Each block also has a bell inside which is fun for the child when they shake it. The Minky fabric is irresistibly soft! Even parents will want to play with them!

The blocks are completely machine washable and machine dry-able. These Soft Minky Blocks will quickly become your child's favorite toy that they will carry everywhere they go!

**You will be able to choose from pre-made Minky Blocks or you can also customize your blocks with the colors you want!

These would make great Christmas gifts for any child!

Check out the new Soft Minky Blocks @ www.kinderkeepsakes.com

Wing-it Wednesday: Make Baby Stuff...

2010-11-10T15:33:00.001-07:00

Ok! So this website is AMAZING! With Make Baby Stuff I was able to make my daughter's cute little bucket hat and also her cookie costume for Halloween. It's free and pretty easy to follow. If you are looking for some for some great little sewing projects for your little ones, check this out! You won't regret it!

Here are some pictures of my handi-work:

April 2008
Here is the bucket hat!

October 2010

Cookie costume for Halloween!

Toddler Tuesday: Counting...

2010-11-09T21:02:00.002-07:00

Today my daughter (K) was counting in Spanish with her daddy and she was counting uno, dos, tres etc. Well, they counted all the way to 10 with her repeating the numbers that daddy said. Then she started to count... (while holding up the number of fingers associated with each number) "uno, dos, tres, cuatro..." *long pause* looks at daddy..."FIVE!!" She hold's up five fingers with a huge grin on her face! Oh, my sweet little girl! She is growing up to fast!

Please listen to this song by Taylor Swift. It's called: "Never Grow Up". It's on her new album SPEAK NOW. Here are the full lyrics. Let me know what you think of this song. I know when I listened to it, it pretty much summed up how I feel about my two little girls. I know that a lot of us parents can probably relate. :) Enjoy!

Mark your calenders!!

2010-10-23T15:56:00.002-06:00

So I know I told you a while ago, that I would let you know what events our company will be participating in! We are really excited to meet new people and just get the word out! Come see us! :) Can't wait to see you there!

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Seussical Carnival

The Caine College of the Arts of Utah State University welcomes Cache Valley residents and friends to the Chase Fine Arts Center for the Seussical Family Carnival held in conjunction with the Utah State Theatre production of “Seussical the Musical,” beginning Oct. 28.

Admission to the carnival is FREE, and various booths for games, arts activities, concessions and shopping will be set up throughout the Tippetts Exhibition Hall during most production dates of the Utah State Theater production.

Dates and times include:

Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

Oct. 29, 9-10 p.m. (after the show)

Oct. 30, noon-2 p.m., 4-7 (I will only be there from 4-5 p.m.)

(before the matinee, before the evening show)

Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

Nov. 6, 5-7 p.m. (before the show)

The production runs October 28-30, and November 3-6, in the Morgan Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State University campus.

I will be there selling my products, but, I will also have free candy! So come stop by and say hi! The show is amazing and geared towards your kids! So please bring your families and enjoy a fun filled family night out!

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Novemberfest Arts and Crafts Fair

The 27th annual Novemberfest Arts and Crafts fair will be held on the 26th and the 27th. It is a fun and anticipated community event which blends arts and crafts with the Christmas season. Talented artisans from all over Utah and surrounding states participate and bring their finest wares to sell. Items vary from Christmas and home decor, dolls and toys, fine jewelry, candles, baby items, clothing, calendars, books, lotions and soaps, to purses and photography.

Food booths will feature award winning chili, pizza, cinnamon rolls and donuts, frozen chocolate covered bananas, roasted nuts and kettle corn. Hourly entertainment is provided by some of the valley's most talented singers and dance groups.

Website:	http://www.loganutahnovemberfest.com
Time:	10:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday
Date:	November 26-27, 2010
Location:	Logan Recreation Center 195 S 100 W Logan, UT 84321
Cost:	$1 admission (children 5 and under free)

I look forward to this craft year every year! It's amazing! There is so much to see, eat and buy! You could spend hours in there! And the entertainment is fun too! I will be there as well, so come get your free candy! Don't forget to say hi! Can't wait to see you there!

Meal-Time Monday: Supper Nachos

2010-10-18T23:48:00.000-06:00

People might call this by any given name, but this is what we call it by. Supper Nachos! YUM! This is so quick and easy and my hubby LOVES it! :) Bon Appetite!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg of taco seasoning mix

1 can of refried beans

grated cheese

optional:

olives

tomatoes

sour cream

Directions:

Brown the meat and add the taco seasoning mix. Then spread the beans in a 8 x 8 pan. Layer the meat next. Then add the grated cheese on top (however much you want). Put it in the oven @ 350 for about 20 min. (Just to warm everything.) Then, you can add all the optional stuff to after you serve it: olives, tomatoes, and sour cream. And don't forget to eat this marvelous dinner with tortilla chips or tortillas :) YUM!

(I promise we don't always eat Mexican food.--despite what this blog shows! :) )

Toddler Tuesday: Thumb Sucking

2010-10-12T21:25:00.000-06:00

S is has been sucking/chewing her thumb. I have been a little worried about it because I have heard that it can be bad for the children's teeth (when they come in) among other things. I know that S is young, but it says in this great article that it can effect toddlers as well! But honestly it is so darn cute! This picture was actually taken a few months ago, but it just melts my heart! Cute huh?

Here are five tips to help stop thumb sucking:

1. Make Her Think it's Her Idea

2. Weaken the Habit

3. Help Her Notice

4. Use Authority

5. Consider Peer Pressure

To read the whole article (which I highly recommend) click here.

(This article is from www.babyzone.com)

Meal-Time Monday: White Chili

2010-10-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

We love love love White Chili! :) I hope you do too! :) Let me know what you think!

WHITE CHILI

Ingredients:

6 cups water

1 teaspoon lemon pepper

1 teaspoon cumin seed (powdered)

4 halved chicken breasts

olive oil cooking spray

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup chopped oinion

2 9 oz frozen white corn--Green giant

2 4 oz diced green chilies--undrained

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 teaspoons lime juice

2 15 oz Great Northern Beans--undrained

crushed tortilla chips

Monterey jack cheese

Directions:

Combine water, lemon pepper and cumin seed. Bring to boil--add chicken breasts--cover and simmer 25-30min. Remove chicken, and save the broth. Break up chicken into bite-size chunks, return to broth the put aside. Spray skillet with spray then sautee the garlic and onions. Add to chicken mixture. Add rest of ingredients except the beans and bring to a boil. Add beans and thoroughly heat. Serve with crushed chips, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Well, sometimes life happens! & (Attention: BLOG FOLLOWERS!)

2010-10-11T21:28:00.001-06:00

So, I'm back!! I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted! That is what happens when you take a spur of the moment trip to Provo, UT. It was a much needed trip though. We were able to see friends and family which is so important to keep in touch with the ones that we love :)

Attention all blog followers: If you would like to get the 10% discount for following my blog make sure to subscribe to the Newsletter. Go to the website www.kinderkeepsakes.com :)

Meal-Time Monday: Hot Dog Men!

2010-10-04T20:28:00.001-06:00

It's hard to get kids to always eat what they should. But this is one dinner that you won't have to fight them on! :) Enjoy!

HOT DOG MEN!

Ingredients:
8 hot dogs
8 slices bread
8 slices American cheese
ketchup and mustard to taste

Directions:

Make a slit down the middle of one end of each hot dog; this will be the legs. At the other end, make a small slit each side; these will be the arms. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, and add the hot dogs. Boil for about 5 minutes until the slits open up.
Place slices of cheese onto slices of bread. Set the hot dog men on top. Use ketchup and mustard to make a face, hair and clothes or buttons.

(http://allrecipes.com)

Thrifty Thursday: Free Cold-Stone Ice Cream Today!!

2010-09-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

September is Make-A-Wish Month and you can join Cold Stone Creamery for the 9th annual World's Largest Ice Cream Social! You will receive a 3oz portion of Kate's Creation FREE at participating U.S. locations from 5-8pm on September 30th. TODAY!!!!

CLICK HERE FOR INFO!

What's in Kate's Creation?:
Features the Gold Cone Flavor of the month, Caramel Apple Ice Cream, mixed with Chocolate Shavings, Graham Cracker Pie Crust and Apple Pie Filling.

Enjoy!

Wing-it Wednesday: Halloween Costumes

2010-09-30T15:31:00.000-06:00

So I think for my daughter's Halloween costume she is going to be a cookie :) She LOVES cookies! So we will see how it turns out! Here are some pictures of what it's supposed to look like. If you want more free patterns go to www.make-baby-stuff.com It's free and cute stuff :)

Cookie Costume Materials:

Tan felt
Dark Brown felt
Thread
Stuffing

Afterwards...Cookie Cushions!

(pictures are courtesy of www.make-baby-stuff.com)

Toddler Tuesday: It's a Crayon Tree!

2010-09-28T15:57:00.000-06:00

To those of us that have toddlers, we all know that they get bored quickly and we always have to be coming up with new ideas and fun activities for them to do. Well, here is a simple activity that would be really fun to do together! I'm going to do this with my daughter sometime this week! Yay! :)

Have fun!

It's a Crayon Tree!
Wow...look what's growing on this tree!! You and your toddler will have a blast making this crayon tree. Adult: take a paper towel roll and use some scissors to punch/poke some holes around it just big enough for a crayon to fit snuggly. Then let your toddler take some of her favorite color crayons and put them in the holes. It is easier to put them in tip first. Yay! You have made a crayon tree!

Supplies Needed:- Paper Towel tube
- Scissors
- Crayons

Tips/Suggestions:
- Once you have made the crayon tree, you can put the rest of the crayons away so that your toddler only has a few out. Tell her that she can color with just the crayons that are on the tree! That makes clean up easier!
- As your toddler is putting the crayons in the holes, talk about the color name
- You can count the number of crayons that your toddler puts in to make the tree.

(this fun craft idea is from http://www.toddlertoddler.com)

Meal-Time Monday: Zucchini Supreme

2010-09-27T14:21:00.000-06:00

6 cups zucchini or summer squash

1/2 c chopped onion

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 cup grated carrots

<medium box of stove top stuffing

1/4 cup melted butter (goes with stuffing)>

Cook veggies together 'til tender. Drain. Fold gently into sour cream and soup. Combine stuffing and butter, spread 2/3 of mix (stuffing) on bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan. Add veggie mix. Sprinkle remaining stuffing over top. Bake @ 325 for 30 min or 'til bubbly.

ENJOY! :) (This is a family favorite! Even my kids will eat it!)

Thrifty Thursday: My Coupon Binder

2010-09-23T22:02:00.000-06:00

Here is my coupon binder! I am very proud of it! In order to "coupon" you need to be organized. So this is my first step in the process!

If you need ideas on how to organize your coupons you can go to www.coupondivas.com and watch some of Kitty'a tutorials, or you can also check out www.theobsessiveshopper.net. Both of the these women know where it's at :) They are helping me get pumped and ready to go to save money! We really need to start saving money because we went over the past 3 months on groceries and also in our miscellaneous category as well. So...HERE'S TO SAVING MONEY! Whose with me?

Does anyone have any feedback on what "coupon-ing" method works best for you? Please Share.

Wing-it Wednesday: Desitin vs Sunscreen

2010-09-22T22:24:00.000-06:00

Which one is better to block out the sun? Obviously my daughter thinks that the desitin IS sunscreen :) But hey, I guess either one would work. What a funny girl! I love being a mom :)

Toddler Tuesday: Potty Training

2010-09-22T22:10:00.002-06:00

I have started potty training my daughter and I found these free potty training charts online that you can print out. Of course since K LOVES "Cars" (the Disney movie) I printed out that chart for her. They have a lot of cool free stuff (tutorials, charts etc.) along with other things for purchase.

K also LOVES stickers so for right now, any time she sits on the potty she gets to put a sticker on her chart. She thinks it's pretty cool. However, she has yet to "go" on the potty. I feel a little lost as far as how to start this whole process. I mean stickers on charts are good, but if she doesn't "go" than what do I do? Does anyone have any advice or tips for a "new-to-potty training" mama?

http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/CTGY/FREE-Potty-Training-Charts.html

Website Makeover!

2010-09-20T16:39:00.002-06:00

Well, I promised I would tell you when the website finished it's makeover... it's done! :) It still looks about the same, but now I can accept credit cards as well, so that is great! And it's a little easier to navigate! Check it out! Give me your feedback! Do you like it?? Yes? No? :) Is there anything that would make it better?? Thoughts? Have a great Monday!

The New and Improved:

www.kinderkeepsakes.com

Meal-Time Monday: Tortilla Soup

2010-09-20T16:33:00.000-06:00

You might want to double this if you are serving more than 2-3 people.

2 Chicken Breasts (diced)
1/2 cup onion (diced)
2 tablespoons of oil
2 cloves of garlic
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
1/2 teaspoon of Salt
4 cups of chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cilantro
1/2 can of corn (drained)
4 corn tortillas (sliced into strips)

Cook chicken in oil w/onion and garlic 'til done
Add-
Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies, chicken broth, salt, cumin, dried oregano, and cilantro.

Bring to boil
then add-
corn (drained), and corn tortillas

Simmer for 20 min

Then, serve with corn chips, grated cheese and sour cream.

YUM! Enjoy!

Friendly Friday: Pretty Sweet Bows by MJ

2010-09-20T16:09:00.001-06:00

MJ Fowler

I am a homemaker and proud mother of two wonderful children. Besides crafting I enjoy music, sports and baking.

My really good friend MJ is the owner of Pretty Sweet Bows by MJ. She is amazing! She makes the cutest bows you have ever seen! My girls and I love all of them. The thing I really like about MJ's bows is that they can be used for little babies all the way up to little girls! They are very versatile.

I made sure to get doubles of some bows so that when I did pigtails in my daughters hair I would have matching bows.

Pretty Sweet Bows are vital to any little girl's collection of bows! They are unique and very durable. Kyrah, has a tendency to pull her bows out of her hair all the time and all of the MJ's bows have stood up very well to all that tugging and pulling! She can custom make any bow that you want. She has endless possibilities in store! She is great to work with and is very professional. Her prices are the best I have seen and her bows are absolutely adorable! And best of all she is always coming up with fresh and new ideas for her bows. So there is never a dull moment in the Pretty Sweet Bows store. So go check it out! You won't regret it! :)

Thrifty Thursday: Date Night

2010-09-20T13:36:00.001-06:00

Even Mom and Dad deserve a date night. Or should I say...especially because Mom and Dad are parents they deserve a date night away from the kids. It is very important for their relationship as husband and wife to, at the very least, go on a date with just each other twice a month. (If you can swing it, it should be once a week). It does help you become better parents as well!!

The problem is though, because we have a families there really isn't much money to spend on date night. DO NOT WORRY! There are a lot of fun things you can do as a couple for free or very little money.

I know my hubby and I have to do that all the time, because we only have 2 kids and yet all of our money is going towards diapers, bills and food on the table. But we find that if we are really frugal and set aside just about $5 a week towards date night, we can usually go out together about twice a month and do something fun.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:
*Go on picnics
*go to the park
*wait for movies to come to the "cheap seats" in the theater
*have friends over and everyone pitch in on dinner and a movie.
*find some local free entertainment in your area (concerts in the park etc.)
*do a puzzle together
*play games with other couples (we love card games!)
*come up with fun ideas together
*fly kites
*work on a fun project together

My goofy, adorable, fun hubby and I (we are on a date at the park--FREE)

GET READY!!

HAVE FUN!!

START DATING!! again...

Company in town...

2010-09-18T10:06:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not slack off and get lazy as far as posting goes. I have company in town so I will catch up with my postings by Monday. Monday should be a fun one because I will be posting "Thrifty Thursday", "Friendly Friday" and "Meal-Time Monday"! So please keep checking back! Have a great weekend everyone!

PS- the website is getting a make-over! Soon I will be posting the new look! Fun things to come!

Wing-it Wednesday: Anything and Everything...but most of all SMILES!

2010-09-15T17:14:00.001-06:00

On Wednesdays I have decided that I can blog about whatever I want! So today the topic is going to be about smiles. Don't these smiles just melt your heart? I love being a mom! It is the best job in the entire world! I wouldn't trade it for anything. These smiles are what makes the sleepless nights and crazy days all worth it! So, don't forget to cherish these special times with your kids!

They are priceless!

Kinder Keepsakes {Blog}

Featured Today: Forever Andrea {Gift Boutique}

Rare Disease Day!

Got Tips?

Crock-pot Teriyaki Chicken

Sew-vivor Sewing Competition: Baby Graduation Cap and Gown

Featured Today: We Love Being Moms!

Handmade Laundry Soap

GIANT Sidewalk Chalk

I Heart Pizza!

For the LOVE of the children

Like mother, like daughter

Flour Party!

If ever you need a good laugh...

Top 29 Ways to Stay Creative

To fold or not to fold...that is the question

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tutorial: hanging book display

Gift Baskets & Craft Fairs!

$20 Gift Certificate FREE!! (Ends tonight at Midnight!)

Kyrah turned 3 today!

Children's Miracle Network

We all need miracles. Especially children.They are so precious and so simple.To look through a child's eyes, you are looking at a piece of Heaven.

I Heart Organizing!

CHECK!

My Broken Arrow--The Prosperity Summit 2011

She is ONE!

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Child Care Provider

Family & Mexico

Happy Easter Weekend!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes

Twenty Family Outings that are fun for EVERYONE!

Giveaway with The Copper Brick Road

The Fly Lady

What to have in a well stocked-car

Cold Feet & Oreos

Go Slow

Feeding a Picky Eater

April Fools Day!

You're Invited!

Melt in your mouth Lemon Bars

5 Great Ways to Juggle it all!

New found time

"Not quite"

Hiring help?

Faith brings Miracles

G.I.F.T.S. from Within ~Ignite Your Spark Conference 2011

My Craft Space & Ignite Your Spark

"Here Kitty Cat"

Imperfect Action

Podcast

Snow Day!

Guest Post: "Dance your Way to Healthy" by Kathleen Thomas

"Love-ya" Day

Family Fun Night

My Story: Behind the Craft

Make it fun!

Behind the Scenes: Mommyhood

It's time to flip the “Switch”

Top 10 Crafty Blogs (a must read)

Snickerdoodle Pie!

Brushing Teeth

Valentine's Giveaway!

Stroller Rides

Potty Training Pep Talks

I'm back!

Hurry!

Novemberfest

Toddler Tuesday: Turkey Hand

Meal-Time Monday: Best Lasagna

Best LasagnaBy: Kristen "This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."

Best Lasagna

Ingredients

Directions

Announcing...

Wing-it Wednesday: Make Baby Stuff...

Toddler Tuesday: Counting...

Mark your calenders!!

Meal-Time Monday: Supper Nachos

Toddler Tuesday: Thumb Sucking

We all need miracles. Especially children.
They are so precious and so simple.
To look through a child's eyes, you are looking at a piece of Heaven.

Best Lasagna
By: Kristen
"This recipe is called 'Best Lasagna' because it is rated best by my family and friends. May be served with a light garden salad with Italian dressing."