Making the Most of your Time!

Our Sunday school class just finished up a great book by Dr. James Dobson.  It ended perfectly - by reminding us how quickly our children grow up!  I know you are all well aware of how quickly the time goes by.  I'm sure that just yesterday you brought your now graduating son or daughter home from the hospital.  And you're wondering where has the time gone?!  

 

Well, if you're like us, you enjoyed every minute of being a parent and of their lives, even the challenging times.  However, you cannot slow down time, you just have to be part of it everyday.  

 

Good or bad.  

 

God brought you to this moment and He will get you through it, again good or bad! 

 This is Del and I the Spring of 2009, the beginning of our journey with our first son!

 This is Del now, at Abe's birthday party, about 2 weeks ago! 

Me, Del, Ry and Abe at the hospital, the evening Abe was born!

 

This is Abe as of Friday, I'm sure he's even grown since then!  

I honestly can say that we've enjoyed every minute with our boys and we learn from them just like they learn from us!  We believe very strongly that when we teach our children right from wrong, and discipline them, God is doing the same to us.  It's our decision as adults, just like our children have a choice, to learn from it and choose more wise the next time.  Children learn by example and they watch their parents, Grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc closely!  

All I'm trying to say is, enjoy this moment for you will not get another moment like it!

Why Did God Bless Us With Facial Hair?

Today I got my hair done along with my eyebrows and lip waxed. I feel like I'm having to wax my lip more and more often and I am not liking it.  Is it because I'm about to turn 30??.. if so people are right when they say once you turn 30 your body goes down hill!  I am one of those people that can't stand any facial hair and I'm not sure why God thought it was necessary to bless woman with it.  It takes so much work to get everything looking good.  When I was getting my hair done I shared a story with my stylist on a recent experience: I had a conversation with a lady who literally had inch long hairs coming from her lip and chin and it was soo bad I could not look at her; I'm not sure how come she allowed it to get this bad, but maybe it was intentional?  Please if anyone ever notices me with dark long hairs on my face please let me know and know that it is not intentional :)



 

 

It's Official...

It's official...our house is for sale!  This is something we've been discussing for awhile now...a few years!  Apparently, we or I have been talking about this for so long that so many people thought our house was for sale a couple of years ago. 


There are different ways to go about putting your house up for sale.  Usually, you've found another house you LOVE or are going to build.  With us, we have no plan right now.  We just wanted to see if we would be able to get any interest. 

I know one thing, I LOVE having our house as clean as it has been!  I do need some help in the decor part though.  I'm hoping that maybe Jen will help me out there!  I'll never forget walking into their house in Indiana and I felt like I was in a magazine!  Everything was beautiful and so inviting!  That's how I want our house to feel to people when they are walking through it!  I do know that staging your house is very important.  So, we are going to be working on that each week!  Probably one room at a time.  No real plan yet on that either! 

We also decided to list our house with a local real estate company, actually the same realtor Ryan bought the house from 8 years ago! 

So, if you are looking to list your house, I personally suggest listing with a trusting and honest realtor who is motivated and has a great website.  After looking at so many houses over the years, having a good realtor is important.  It's a lot less stressful on us and we know that he will not direct us in the wrong direction.

Enjoy your weekend, maybe we'll get another showing!  Already had 1, in just the first week! 


 

Camper Renovation: Before & After

I tell ya, I always have to have something going on in my life.  Being a SAHM you are busy but I'm always thinking of new "projects" to do around my house.  Right now, I have Vegas next week with Heidi, I'm planning my daughter's big no 1 birthday party, getting ready to plant all our flowers Mother's Day weekend around our house, planting our garden and most of all getting our 5th wheel around for our camping season.  We never make arrangements for Memorial weekend, as we never know if they will be done planting or not.  But, I'm counting on it this year.  We've had our 5th wheel for 4 years now, and if you know me I'm about sick of the same O' decorations.  We spend almost every waking weekend in our camper {down to the family lake}.  Being this year we have a fun one-year old,  thought it would be fun to dress it up tropical!  And to make it super special, I bought 75% of the decor at the dollar store!

This is what my living room looked like before:

And this is what it looks like now:

I added a sofa cover.  I didn't really want brown but white would not work out with a one-year old!! I had some paper lanterns from last year, and I made some tissue pom poms.  I also took down the curtains as much as I can....we never used them anyways!  I added some new pillows {green from Kohls}, and then on some I bought some fabric and covered my existing {black flip flops and orange polka dots}.

I ordered this cover from Etsy.  I love this fabric!

I got all these Hawaiian luau's, cute signs and the paper grass from the dollar store!

I also made this frame and painted the glass with chalkboard paint :-).  Can't wait to use it!

Maybe I will get more ambitious and do something different with the rest of the camper :-)

 

 

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

As you read, Heidi and I are getting ready to leave for Las Vegas - one week from today!  I'm very excited as it's been a long time since I've been on a "girl" only trip; before I got married!  Even more fun since it will be for Heidi's 30th birthday. 

Since it looks like my husband will be in the fields {we hope}, I'm organizing and planning for grandma {my MIL} to stay at our house while I'm gone {wed-mon}.  She is very excited to come bond with her grand daughter for a while, and I'm very excited to have some mommy time.  Since I'm a SAHM i don't get much time alone :-).   I'm one of those people who want to make it a comfortable place when someone stays with us or at our house as if it was their home.  So this week, I'm baking, freezing, cleaning and organizing for grandma to stay!  I plan going grocery shopping, making fruit and pasta salad.  But so far, I've made banana muffins, cookies, and zucchini chocolate chip muffins to freeze.  I usually don't bake with zucchini, as I love to grill it and never have any left overs but today I did have some that was going bad.  I used Paula Deen's recipe here which is used as a loaf recipe but I used mine in muffin tins.  I also left the zucchini chunky instead of shredding it. :-). 

 

 

Prepare to be AMAZED- HOT DOG!

 So this post is for Jen-the ULTIMATE COOKIE BAKER. This blog is all about being honest right?? Well..I am not a good cook or baker and I have never made homemade Sugar Cookies until NOW.  Last weekend I was in the mood for Jen's famous Secret Sugar Cookies and because we live too far away I couldn't just drive to her house for some.  I decided to ask her for the recipe and give it a shot.  I told my husband Paul and he was like "Heidi I hope they turn out"..and to be honest I was kind of thinking the same thing.  I asked Kylie if she wanted to help and she was soo excited- she put on her new Minnie Mouse apron and helped me from start to finish.  We decided to use the new Mickey Mouse Cookie Cutters that we got at Disney World and they worked great.  Here is what they looked like prior to the oven:


and here is what they looked like with the icing and sprinkles on them:


Now I know they are nowhere as nice looking as Jen's, but they sure did taste good.  Paul even said "Heidi those are the best homemade Sugar cookies I have ever had", which made me feel great!  Kylie loved them too- if you can't tell from her face.





Stay tuned ..who knows maybe I will be starting a bakery soon...ha.

Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggety Dog!

 

Finding confidence in ourselves!

Do you remember my post about Baby Steps from Dave Ramsey?  Well, if not, click here to read it!

I know that Ryan and I have a ways to go with saving and being "smart" with our money, but as we learn I'm hoping that some of the things we have or are trying, will also help you!

I am really proud of Ryan and I with our budget.  Especially with our grocery budget!  It's amazing the items I have not purchased and have not missed either!  I've gotten really good at staying under our grocery budget and I'll even put those extra items aside until I know the total and I love having the confidence to tell the cashier that I do not want them.  At first, I was totally embarrassed but knowing how much money we are saving by not purchasing the unnecessary items makes up for the embarrassment!  

I do not use coupons as often as I was, I honestly do not have time to cut and go from store to store, so I do most of our grocery shopping at Wal-mart and I also get most of the off brand items, which saves a ton of money too!  This may work for some and I'm sure you can save tons of money by cutting coupons but so far this is working for us!  I also get the bulk stuff at Costco, Love that store!

I make a list of items we need for the week, plan out our dinners and only buy what's on the list, most of the time! 

I received one of my purchases in the mail this last weekend from Kohl's, a beautiful bracelet, I paid $11 and it was originally priced at $28.  Good deal!!!!

What good deals have you gotten lately?

 

 

Viva Las Vegas

In a week and a half Jen and I will be in Vegas celebrating my 30th Birthday and I am soo excited (not that I'm turning 30, but that I get such a big celebration with my girl friends)   Jen and I haven't been on a vacation together in over 6 years- that is crazy as before we were married we used to go on vacation all the time!  We are planning on having a lot of fun with some gambling, shows, pool parties, and of coarse shopping (Paul please don't put a hold on our credit cards).  I"m not going to lie I'm kind of nervous if I can keep up as I am a mom of two and am usually in bed by 11 these days and on top of that I don't remember the last time I have danced- so look for me to be on America's Funniest Videos or Caught on Tape :)  It's also so funny everything I'm doing to get ready for this trip: hair, nails, spray tan, shopping..I have quite the list, but it's all stuff I love to do.

Below is a picture of Jen and I over 6 years ago in Vegas during our last trip together, which was soo fun!  I'm looking forward to this trip being even more memorable!

I'm doing this post in Gold because all the glitz and glam along with the fact I'm feeling lucky :) 
 

Abe turns 1!!!

 Abe turned 1 last Friday, the 13th!  I took the day off work, Abe, Del and I had a great day together!  

Jen made me a highchair banner, since I'm not crafty and she volunteered to, so who would say no?!  Not me!  :)  It turned out great, except for Abe liked to kick it so we put it behind him! 

Jen made the cupcakes for Abe's party, which were amazing as usual!  And I LOVED the coffee cupcakes, which I kept in our fridge!  :) 

Definitely contact Jen at her site here!!! 

Have a blessed day! 

Sweet & Sour Chicken

I was inspired this week by a new blog I've {we} been following for a little while now........365 Days of Crockpot.  I love cooking in a crockpot, even though I couldn't imagine making a dinner every night in one for a whole year.....and that's just what Karen did!  It seems like I run out of ideas when I use my crockpot, or it's just the same old stuff cause I've never tried anything else!  Well Karen shares all her recipes and it just so happened I tried one of them today.  Sweet and Sour Chicken is one of my favorite Chinese food, which I don't eat very often and have NEVER tried to make it homeade.  I gave it a shot and it was so yummy!  I highly recommend it! I followed the recipe except the last hour of cooking, I put in a bunch of fresh chunky veggies {onion, carrots & green pepper}.

I also had to fill a cupcake order today, which was a variety order for a birthday party.  I usually don't do this, but it was for a special someone for her birthday to share with her work.  I thought I would try something new, and it turned out yummy.  Check out Jen's Bake Shoppe  to place your order :-)

Chocolate cupcake infused with chocolate chips
topped with whipped topping dunked in chocolate ganache

DIY Birthday Party Crafts: Part 4

Did I tell you Maddie's birthday isn't until June {I know Ive mentioned it}? Well, I think they're will be over 10 parts to this birthday party craft thing {or more...ha}.  I think I seriously have enough projects to post up until her party--for real!

Cupcake Toppers & Food Label Tags

So, by now everyone should know how much I love food and entertaining{if you don't, that means you don't read our blog enough}.  Today I'm sharing a very cheap {less then dollars!!!!} way to dress up your cupcakes & label your food in a cute way.  I like to make food labels that way, everyone knows what exactly it is and what's in the food!

Supplies needed:

Stock sheet paper {on sale this week @ Michaels:  7 for $1}

Foam stickers

X-acto or scissors

Using Microsoft Word, insert the shape {plaque} sizing 2-1/2" wide by 1-1/2" tall.  Then by either adding a text box or word art, add your food name {in your favorite font} and what else you would like. You should be able to get 12 on a 8-1/2" x 11" pc paper.

Using a different color paper, cut pcs 3-1/4" wide by 5" tall.  Fold in half like a tent {you should get 12 out of each 12" x 12" pc paper}



 And here ya go :-)

Cupcake toppers are cute too.  They are not edible but sometimes it's the way to go if you want to dress them up quick!

Supplies needed:
Stock sheet paper
2" scallop punch
1-1/2" circle punch
Popsicle sticks {white or brown ones}
Hot glue gun

Using Microsoft Word and Avery Wizard, pick the template that has 1-1/2" diameter circles to design what you want on it.  Print and punch out using the circle punch.



Also punch out your scallops

Using the hot glue gun, glue the stick to the scallop first.

And then glue the top of the stick with your circle and here ya go!

I'm also really excited because the dollar store has their Hawaiian luau items out, so I picked up these umbrellas too.....for only a dollar {heck ya...I even got some for our camper}!  And I also got these cute purple polka dot paper straws {I've had them for a while now}, but like always......you'll have to check back in June to see where I use them :-)

 

 

Baby Steps

I was shopping the other day online at Kohl's, who loves Kohl's?!?!  And I was using a gift card that I still had from Christmas.  Yes, I know it's middle of April and you are all wondering why I still have a gift card to use, right?!  I honestly am not a big shopper anymore and there's not been anything we've needed!  Anyways, I ended up purchasing 3 items that took me two different times to purchase them because I really wanted to know if I needed them, if we needed them.  The boys do not need clothes or toys, I couldn't find anything I LOVED that was cheap enough, and the clothes Ryan's needs were not on sale or cheap enough.  And household items really are not a necessity right now.

Well, as Ryan, my husband, and I are getting further and further into Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps, I have found myself being more conscientious about what I am buying!  I use to add a few extra items to my cart while grocery shopping, since I was at the grocery store (usually Wal-mart), whatever was on the receipt was considered groceries, right?  WRONG!  You know you've done it, been keeping an eye a cute top, throw it in the cart, nobody will ever know but you!  That's where I went wrong.

I am so glad we are taking our budget more seriously now!  It's amazing how much money we've been saving just by being honest with ourselves and each other!

We sit down together every Sunday night and do our bills and budget for the week.  I didn't realize how much pressure this was on Ry every week until I started helping him.  He would tell me how much extra we had each week and we would usually go over but we were always okay!  We've both been pretty good about money and we have good jobs, so we were never worried but we also were not saving near as much as we could have been.  This also has brought us so much closer!!


With Dave's Baby Steps, you start by saving $1,000 for an Emergency Fund for baby step 1.  Dave's definition of Emergency Fund - "An emergency fund is for those unexpected events in life that you can’t plan for: the loss of a job, an unexpected pregnancy, a faulty car transmission, and the list goes on and on. It’s not a matter of if these events will happen; it’s simply a matter of when they will happen."  I totally suggest saving more than that for an Emergency Fund and I thought Dave did too but I cannot find anything online right now about that.

Baby Step  2, is pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball.  This is genius!  Per Dave "List your debts, excluding the house, in order. The smallest balance should be your number one priority. Don’t worry about interest rates unless two debts have similar payoffs. If that’s the case, then list the higher interest rate debt first."

This all sounds pretty easy, huh?  It is hard at first, but so worth it!! 

Well, we can all pay off our debt!  I suggest sitting down with your spouse and list out your expenses and get serious about saving!  It can be done, the first few months are a struggle until you see how much money you're saving!  There are so many helpful tools on Dave's website and so many people out there saving like crazy, research it and even ask around your church! It is amazing to me looking back at all of the purchases I made, why did I make them?  Usually impulse since it was such a great deal!  But honestly, was it something we absolutely needed?  Usually not!

Live today like no one else, so tomorrow you can live like no one else!  Love it when Dave says that! 

 

 

What We Do For Our Kids

For Christmas my girls got a Pink Barbie Jeep..my husband Paul was a trooper and went to Walmart the night of Thanksgiving to get this for me and he put together Christmas Eve....well I thought we were getting a 2 seater Jeep, but we actually got a 1 seater.  I knew this was going to create problems as my girls are at the age where they both want to drive a jeep..well guess what we got the Jeep out recently and there were a LOT of fights over who was going to ride in the jeep.  I decided that I was going to get another jeep so there were two.  I found a brand new Purple 2 seater Escalade on Ebay that I decided to bid on.  I don't have any experience bidding on Ebay so I was a little nervous; I won the bid and found out that "local pickup" means I have to pickup- I thought it meant they would ship locally (yeah let's just say Paul wasn't too happy).  I figured out that I had to go all the way to Indianapolis to get this Jeep, which is a 10 hour round trip.  I decided to drive down the next day to pick up the Jeep; when I got there the Jeep didn't fit in my car.  Luckily the couple was very nice and spent 2 hours taking apart the Jeep so that it would fit.  My car was completely loaded with pieces and my drive home was very long.  It ended up being a 12 hour day to pick up this Jeep and another 4 hours for my husband to put it together.  However I completely forgot all about this once the  girls saw the Jeep as it was priceless- they were in love.  Kylie my 3 year old is the driver and Alivia is the passenger and they absolutely love it: they play pretend driving to the store and gas station- So CUTE!  Every day they come home the first thing they ask is if they can ride in their Purple Barbie Jeep.  My husband and I were just talking today that we are so happy we got this for them as it will provide lots of hours of fun for all. 

Just an FYI Jenn I'm sure you are going to have this same problem as I just noticed on Facebook that your boys got a race car :)


 

Bighting the Bullet

Well we decided today that we are going to bite the bullet and put our house at a price that is below what we bought it for 3.5 years ago.  Our house has been for sale for almost a year and we have had very little activity and now is the time to get serious.  My husband Paul works 40 miles from our house and brings the kids to daycare near his work.  This drive is really starting to take a toll on him and it is time to do something about it.  I drive for my work all the time so another 40 miles each way isn't a big deal to me.  We have a feeling that our new price is going to create a lot of activity so we are preparing ourselves that we will be moving.  We are likely going to build a house, which is something that I never thought we would do, but the inventory of houses where we are going to live are very low and we haven't found anything that we like.  I'm scared to build as both Paul and I are not very good at visualizing and building requires a lot of that, but thank goodness we have Jen who is an expert with this given she just build their dream house!  Look for updates in the coming months of our journey of building our future dream house. 
 

 

Happy Birthday Abe!!!

Today has been a fabulous day!  It's our son's 1st birthday!  The milestones have been amazing to see Abe master each day.  His laughter is contagious!  His smile warms our hearts!  And his curiosity reminds us to live life to the fullest!

A note to Abe:

The first time I looked into your gorgeous eyes, I knew that I could not be happier!  I imagined  you and Del growing up together, getting into trouble together and also being the best of friends.  You amaze us and yourself everyday.  You want to run after Del so badly but haven't quite figured out how to walk yet.  You will soon though!  We love you so much!!

We thank God everyday for both of our sons!  Del and Abe, we love you SO much!