Pancakes!!!

For the month of July, my Pinterest craft was Pancakes!!!  Here's my pin!

There are SO many different ideas on Pinterest, it's ridiculous!  Sometimes, it's overwhelming. 

I am trying to find the courage to make some curtains for our sliding door, our future sliding door!  I think I'm just scared, nope...I know I am! 

One, we don't have a sewing machine.

Two, I can barely sew a button on!

And three, I don't even know where to begin!


However, I love the idea of being crafty.  And like I said in my last post, You Never Fail Til You Stop Trying!


So, what am I going to do?!


Well, my cousin and Grandma, are very crafty, so I'm going to ask them for help!  :)


Have a blessed week!!

 

 

You Never Fail...

So, it seems like everybody setting goals for themselves lately...which is great! 

However, when I set a goal...I usually forget about it or change it so I will accomplish it and move on to something else.

I am not a runner, but I use to love to run!  A few of my friends are running/walking in 5K's this year, not me!  I'm totally okay with that!!

I love where I am with my photography business, of course there's always a new camera, lens, or bag I'd love to have but I really do not need right now.  I would love to be completely booked til 2013, but that's seems a little stressful so right now, I feel pretty content with my business!

So, that leaves our house!  Our house is still for sale, so I really do not want to do too many projects around the house, especially expensive projects.  

However, as many of you probably know, Pinterest is very encouraging in the project area so I'm going to commit to making 1 item a month!  

How fun, right?!  

For somebody who is crafty, sure.  Jen - I'm sure I'll be asking for your help!!!  But that's so not me!  

So, this is going to be a challenge but I think once I get the ball rolling, it'll be fun!  I'm sure there will be projects that are a complete fail, but at least I tried!

I have a saying in my kitchen - You Never Fail Til You Stop Trying!  How wonderful is that!!!  

My first project, is going to be a crazy new braid/twist/bun with my hair!  Hey, it counts!!!  I'll post the Pin and also my results!

 

Here's what I pinned...looks simple, huh?!  I can't wait to try it for girls night tonight!!!

 

I am also working on a little project of redoing the boys play area downstairs!  This area drives me CRAZY!!!  They love it, but it's SO unorganized and I cannot stand it!!! 

  

Here's a picture of the madness as of this morning!

 They love it, however it's way too busy for me!!!  :)

 

abc's Canvas

Since I haven't been home much this summer, I haven't posted much about crafts or food.  I also posted that I was going to start re-decorating Maddie's bedroom as a big girl room.  First I started with salvaging the tissue pom pom's that I used from her 1st birthday party.  I'm taking baby steps and making sure what I do is going to be for a while.  Since she likes circles and balls part of her room will include that.  I figure I would make a canvas picture that had circles and incorporate the abc's somehow.  This is what I came up with:

I'm not going to hang it up on the wall until her room is done, as I have the entire room a disaster!

Here is what you need:

White canvas
White contact paper
Circle template (size of your choice, I used a 3")
Foam letters
Spray paint of your choice in color

First, trace on the back of the contact paper the circles.  I did enough for the entire alphabet and then some extras.

Make your pattern on the canvas board.  This is what I came up with.

Spray the entire board with the spray paint.  I did 4 coats and let each dry completely.

After it dries, peel off the contact paper circles.

Place your foam letters on however you want and Ta Da....

 

 

Maui Here we Come..well maybe ?

You haven't seen a blog from me on vacations lately so I thought I better bring you up to speed.  So I booked a secret trip to Maui for next March for our family and have been holding it in for several months (I try not to overwhelm Paul about vacation until it gets somewhat close..he always tells me to just book it and he will come)  When I booked the trip for some reason I didn't book a plane ticked for my husband Paul..I really don't remember why..well now  I am very thankful that I didn't book that ticket for him.  Paul has been attending Progressive Orthodontics for the last year and I found out on Saturday that his last class and graduation is actually a day after we leave for Maui.  I had to break the news to him and I don't know what I am going to do as the trip is already booked.  He was actually very calm, which is his usual self and just said "I will be in Detroit for my class so when I'm done I will just fly out".  This sounds great except that I am now flying to Maui by myself with 2 small children- 14 hours + - wow I think I'm going to have an ulcer.  I can handle a lot of things, but I'm not sure about getting to Detroit for an early morning flight and surviving through the day.  Once we make it to Maui I will be fine with the kids for a few days before Paul arrives, but the trip there is going to be an adventure.  I for sure am going to make sure that Paul's ticket home is on the same flight as the rest of us no matter the cost! 

With that said..anyone want to join me in Maui??  Jen? Jenn??
 
I'll keep you all posted with my plan!
 

F*A*M*I*L*Y

Family.

This is a pretty common word.  We all have family; rather it be our immediate family, in-laws, or friend's.  We all are welcome by somebody, somewhere.  

We have that one person that we call when we're making a new recipe.  

When we need somebody to listen to what is on our hearts.

When we've tried everything to help with a situation with a child/children.

When we are being tested to the limits by God's perfect timing, which lets face it, He is never fast enough.

You know you have that one person you call, it may be a different friend for each situation.  That's okay!  That's why we are all different, to help people in different situations!  

To me, family does not necessarily mean a blood relative.  

Over the years, God has brought many friends into my life for a reason or a season.  I'll always cherish those friendships that have only lasted for a season.  For those other friendships, I'm learning how to be a better friend.  To listen more, to be there more for them and most importantly reach out to them as well.

For all of my friends, rather it was a season or a reason, I hope you all know how much you have meant to me!!  I have loved every minute, every memory and most importantly every reason!!

What does family mean to you?

 

 

Let's Say a Prayer

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families affected by the Colorado shooting.  It breaks our hearts to hear of such a devastating act.  In this time of sadness all we can do is pray and hold our loved ones close.




 The Prodigy Mommas

~Being an Aunt~

Being a wife is everything I have imagined. 


Being a Mom is wonderful!  However, no matter how many books you read or now a days how many blogs you read, you will never be prepared for parenthood.


Being an Aunt, now that is wonderful!!!  Don't get me wrong, I love my children but being able to spoil, spend time with other children and send them home, that's something special.  You don't have the challenging times like you do with your own children.


I have always been close to one of my aunt's.  I remember going to Traverse City every summer from the age of 9 or 10 until I could drive.  I loved being at my Aunt's!  I loved how she taught me so much and was and is always there for me! 


Now, as my nieces and nephew get older, I am spending more time with them!  I honestly do not know why I haven't spent more time with them.  I think as we have been expanding our family over the years, I have been a little busy with that!  I've always spent time with them but not nearly enough.


This week, my brother's youngest daughter spent a couple of nights with us.  She is so much fun!  The boys just adore her and she was a huge help!  I hope that she knows how much we enjoyed having her here and we are looking forward to VBS week when her and her sister will be here!


Have a blessed weekend!!

 

 

I Love T.C.

You have to admit we do live beautiful Pure Michigan.  Most people forget that the U.P. is a great place to take your family and make the best of memories!  I can say that from experience :-).  Traverse City is probably my favorite place in Michigan.  Its a beautiful city and I love the wineries (especially in the fall).  My mother-in-law will be camping at Silver Lake next week, so we will be joining her for part of it.  We plan to take Maddie to Lake Michigan, and give her some rides with the Razor.

My hubby and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary the first part of August.  We are celebrating in the Grand Cayman Islands but not until November.  So while we are at Silver Lake, Dusty and I are sneaking away to Traverse City for the whole day Monday.  I can honestly say that since Maddie was born, we haven't done anything together, not even a dinner date.  We have planned them before but always cancel at the last minute.  Its not that we didn't  want to, we just felt guilty I guess.  Now that she is a year old I think we are finally ready but it's not for over night :-).

Check back to see if we won big as we plan to check out the Turtle Creek Casino up there.  The Roulette table is calling me name. (Thanks Heidi!!)

 

 

My Bubble

First of all, so sorry for not posting at all last week.  I've been living in what I call my bubble for almost a month (or some may say a year), and I can honestly say I've been enjoying it.  I thought I would go stir crazy having no access to Internet but having the total opposite effect.  I realized how addicting I am to the computer/Internet and lets just say it's not healthy! As most of you have read, we've been spending most of our summer down to the lake in our camper which we are very fortunate to have.  Spending unlimited amount of time with friends and family.  Even my phone was put in the camper at most times and I probably checked it once or twice a day instead of hooked to my "hip".  I would come home maybe once a week to do laundry, water my flowers and attend to my "now"  lap cat, Willis.  I also would go to the grocery store once a week, so all in all it was weird to be in a bubble with no public crowds at all but secretly loving it. 

We are now home this week because my hubs has some much needed farm things to attend to.  In which reminds me to remind everyone to keep praying for some much needed rain for our crops this year.  We certainly don't need another disaster like they had in 1988!!

I would call myself a very outgoing person, but probably the people who know me best (Heidi) have probably noticed since I've became a mom (aka SAHM) I've become a home body.  It's not that I don't want to go to the things like I used to, it's just that I have different responsibilities now.  Even being down to the lake, Maddie plays so hard with the kids that you kind of feel bad for taking her away.  Now I know that we can't just have once child because she needs a playmate.... but no worries my friends it will be a while before that........................anyways..............I grocery shop at the crack of dawn now because I can't stand a crowed Meijer at Noon (not even on a week day), I make a list of all my errands in one day so I usually go out once or twice a week, I shop a lot online, and rarely ever eat out anymore.  It's not because I'm on a highly budget and don't like to spend money because I do, it's just that I don't like much crowds anymore.  I will just keep it at that. 

However, I do still like to travel--it's just not as much......................which we are doing next week.  You will have to check in tomorrow to see ;-).

 

 

Thankful reminders!

I was reminded this weekend just how much our children look up to us!  They are smart cookies!  I believer that our children, and other children watch our every move, even if we don't think they are even listening to us!

They watch the way we respond in situations, they watch our tempers and they also watch our actions in normal everyday activities.

I am so very thankful for where my attitude is today!  As some of you may or may not know, I tend to get a little upset and frustrated with some situations however over the years of having a very laid back and go with the flow husband, he has helped me to appreciate every moment, good or bad and how to deal with my frustrations.  I am so very grateful for that!!

Saturday, Del, Abe and I were swimming at my sister-on-law's cousin's pool, enjoying the heat that summer has brought upon us.  We all ate lunch on the deck which is attached to the pool.  I cleaned Del up and went to clean Abe up and all of a sudden everything went into slow motion.  Those moments are never good!!

Del was in the pool before I knew it, and without his life jacket!  

I jumped up, ran to the pool and noticed he was okay!  Until, he looked at me and saw my face of horror.  So, I knew at that moment, I had to decide, do I jump in, do I calmly walk in on the ladder or do I encourage him to swim to the me. 

Since I knew he was okay and I chose to encourage him to swim to me! 

And he did it!  He swam from the middle of the pool all of the way to the ladder!  

I could not have been more proud of him!  

Once he was out, he was a little shaken up but pretty happy he did it.  He did say to me that he just forgot to put on his life jacket and that he wouldn't forget again!  

 One of Abe's many faces!  :)  He is saying "Ohhhh!"  And throwing the bucket around!

He loves to make noises in cups, bowls, and of course buckets.  So, he was yelling right now but loving every minute!

So, I love taking scary moments likes these ones where everything ends up okay which reminds me of how much our children learn from our actions!

 

 

How Easy it is to Slip

Back a few months ago I blogged about my addiction to Diet Coke.  I was doing so well with not drinking any soda until I went to Vegas in May.  While I didn't drink much in Vegas it broke my commitment of not drinking it at all.  I haven't been drinking much soda; however I have been having a couple a week, which is very disappointing.  I now understand how drug addicts have a hard time kicking their addiction as it is soo easy to give in.  I do believe I am no longer addicted to it because I don't crave it like I used to; however there are certain meals that I just really think a soda would be the icing on the cake. 
 

Clean Sink

As many of you know, Pinterest is fabulous!!  Well, at least it is some days!  I find that for me it works best if I do not search for specific items and just browse through what comes up!

I was on there briefly last week and came across a cleaning idea!

This idea is genius!

You sprinkle baking soda salt in your stainless steel sink.  Take a wet sponge and scrub it clean!

 Before

After

As many of you probably do, I clean my sink often but I do not always scrub it!  So, now our sinks look like brand new!  And it was so easy and quick!

What have you tried on Pinterest?!

If you want to follow me, here's my link!

 

 

I'm Really Bad at This...

First off sorry Jen and Jenn for missing my blog on Saturday!  I'm the first to admit that I am a bad blogger! I'm supposed to blog every Tuesday and Saturday and for some reason it often slips my mind. It's not that I don't want to blog- it's that I just forgot.  The funny thing about it is that I'm very organized at work and never miss deadlines, but that is because I use Outlook for everything. I'm thinking I'm going to need to schedule my blogging in my Outlook! 

Ok so really my blog isn't just about being bad at blogging, it's also about being bad at keeping secrets.  If you remember back on my blog about surprises I talked about a surprise that I haven't told anyone and I'm proud to say that I have still kept it a secret, but it is getting very hard.  I have to keep telling myself that I can do this..I think I can I think I can.  I can't reveal the surprise yet, but soon I will be letting you all know what it is.  Stay tuned.

Drummond Island

We decided awhile ago to spend 4th of July weekend on an island!  We'd been watching videos and looking online at what to expect but nothing can prepare you for Drummond Island.

It is beautiful, quiet, fun, relaxing and most importantly Pure Michigan!!!  

 This is Del's face when he finally saw the big Mighty Mac!!  :)

 Apparently, it was too much excitement for him!  :)

 After we got to Wa-Wen Resorts, and were all set up, we went for a ride!  Both boys LOVED every minute in our rhino!  Within, minutes Abe was usually asleep!  :)  

I believe the picture above is Scott Bay, not sure...

 This shoreline was breathtaking! 

I would highly recommend visiting Drummond Island!  Stay tuned to many more posts on our wonderful trip to the U.P.!

 

 

This is the Life

I can officially say we have a happy little camper on our hands.  Yup, this has been what life has been like for the past couple weeks and weeks to come.  It's nice to be able to spend some quality time with family.  Maddie LOVES to be outside and around kids so much this is where we will be for most of the summer.  The family have lake frontage property that we all bring our campers to for the summer.  We are very fortunate to have these memories and milestones for sure.  And thanks Auntie Heidi for the bathing suit--everyone loves it!

The kids sleep so good down there because they play all day--I love it!  We make some good food and most of all relax while we watch the kids, gotta love it.

Maddie even had her first jet ski ride and of course..........she loved it as well.  She even shakes her booty with the radio playing on the pontoon boat.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! 

 

 

Happy 4th of July!!!

We hope you all have a great day with your family and friends! 

 

 

Hurts soo Good

I recently joined a health club in Rockford and I have decided I am going to do a half marathon in October. I can't believe I am saying this as I really do hate running and the one half marathon I trained for over 5 years ago I blew my knee out a week before the race.  I think the reason why I am committed to training to the race is that it gives me a goal and will make me dedicated to running.  This past week I have worked out quite a bit and am really feeling the pain; however it is a good pain.  Working out helps relieve stress and helps clear my mind, which is exactly what I need!  Stay tuned over the next few months as I plan to post my progress- I also plan on losing some weight along the way with the help of my Evolv products and running. 

 

Perfect Timing!

Just when I'm feeling blue.

When I think to myself, "Okay, must not be our time!" 

Just when I'm making more house plans to where we are staying.

I love this!!!

God tunes in and guess what?!?!  Do you give up? 

We have a showing today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It's been almost 3 months since we've had a showing!  Maybe it's our time or maybe our house needed to be cleaned!


Either way, it's in God's hands and we are completely trusting Him!  :)


Have a blessed day!