Fabulously Domestic: March 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Yes, I am a slacker...

I know, I'm a TOTAL slacker.

I didn't do a single, solitary post last week.

Wanna know why? Well, my two oldest kiddos were out of town for Spring Break. They went to see my hubby's dad and stepmom in Oklahoma. Boy were they missed.

You'd think with all that time and only one kid, I'd have LOTS of time to devote to my lovely readers. But nope. Turns out the older two keep the youngin occupied!

I PROMISE I'm done slacking now. I'll have a little write up tomorrow about last week, as well as some make up posts for the 30 day photo challenge that I've completely failed!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Mornings in my house are always a hurried mess of running up and down stairs for school clothes, cereal flying across the table, and school papers being signed. For some reason today, I took time to turn on the television to catch the news for a few minutes. My whole morning stood still.

Breaking news.

Almost always scary words on tv. Earthquake in Japan, devastating tsunami followed.

The kids and I were glued. We watched the news clips over and over in shock. I told the boys that we needed the pray for these poor people and of course they agreed. My boys are young - 8, 6, and 3. They were filled with questions - why did this happen? Where will those people live? Did people die? Did moms and dads die? Kids? I hate that children often have to see these disasters and learn hard truths about life.

During these natural disasters, it always warms my heart to see how people come together to help strangers. People they've never met, and probably never will meet. I think it really shows you the general love we all have for other people. I want to show you just a couple of ways that you can help during this tremendous time of need. You can donate directly through the American Red Cross - they make it so simple to even designate where you want your money to go.

There are also some very generous shops on Etsy that have decided to donate a portion of their profits to help the many many victims. I have even added a special item to help in this effort.

Please help in whatever way you can, especially in prayer!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18, with a disclaimer

*Disclaimer - do not read if you don't want to see me whine and cry like a baby. Just an honest blog post about my true feelings, like it or not.*

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

We all have insecurities in life. I have many that I'd imagine are similar to other women - my face looks like a teenager in the middle of puberty, yet I'm getting crow's feet. My hips are wider now than I ever thought they'd be, and covered in stretch marks, no less. I'll never look right in a bikini again. My house isn't clean all the time, my laundry is never done, I burn dinner sometimes. And yes, all of those insecurities stress me out fairly often.

But my biggest insecurity?

Motherhood.

I worry ALL the time that I'm not doing a good enough job with my boys. I know there are BIG areas where I'm doing everything wrong. I know I get angry too quickly. I know I yell too much. I know I say, "just a minute" too often. I don't serve balanced meals most of the time. I don't play with them enough. I don't read them bedtime stories anymore. The list goes on and on and on and it kills me. My kids deserve better. I try, and sometimes I fail. It's been on my mind a lot lately because I've just lost another pregnancy. My 4th miscarriage. So I have to wonder, does God see me the way I see me? As not doing good enough? I'm doing the best I can most days, but I always know I could do more. As mothers, we are told not to compare ourselves to other moms. But it's really hard not to. I am friends with moms who have the patience of a saint, who homeschool, and do crafts every day, or are very involved in the PTA, the team moms, the successful juggle-everything-working-moms, etc etc etc. I know we all have our great moments in motherhood that show us we MUST be doing a good job. I have those times, too. So why do I focus on the bad? Why do I feel like I'm not doing enough for my boys?

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Thursday, March 10, 2011

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Baseball and...

T-Ball!

Good grief - having two kids in ball is not easy. Of course they practice on opposite ends of town, usually on the same days and at 5pm, which is too early for my hubby to help! Somehow we've made it work so far - and without me pulling out my hair! I can't imagine what next spring will be like with three boys in ball!

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

This beautiful lady is my grandma. This was taken on the day of my high school graduation, about 13 years ago.

She has such a BIG part of my heart, I can't even describe it. Every time I smell cookies baking, see pretty flowers growing in a garden, or sit at my sewing machine, I miss her.

She inspires me to be a good mom, a good wife, a good woman. I think in all the time I spent with Grandma as a kid, I saw her lose her temper one time. Even then she didn't yell, she just made a little comment under her breath about my grandpa being bull-headed. And I'm sure he was! lol

Every single memory I have of my grandma is one that I treasure. She is now in a home, where she is cared for full time because of Alzheimer's. I HATE that one of her fears came true. Both of her parents suffered with Alzheimer's, and I think she knew it was coming for her too. Such a heartbreaking disease - to rob someone of their memories and independence just isn't fair. I'll never forget our last visit. I KNOW she knew who I was. Her eyes lit up and she smiled at me and tried her best to talk to me. She's such a strong woman and I hope someday I can make her as proud of me as I am of her.

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Blog Swap with Running with Glitter!

Hey guys! Today I'm very excited to do a blog swap with Kelly from Running With Glitter. She's got a fabulous new blog that you guys are going to LOVE! Lots of crafts and tutorials to check out. And super cute kiddos, too! So after you check out this great tutorial, please head over and show her some love - tell her Ambrosia sent ya!

I'm Kelly form over at Running With Glitter. I'm a mommy to two very busy and children and I'm always working on some sort of a project. My blog is a new blog and I have so many ideas I can't wait to share.

Today I'm going to share a little girly love. My daughter is 100% girl and hair pretties are mandatory in our home!

St. Patrick's Day Shrinky Dink Shamrock Korker Tutorial

Who would want to pinch my little cutie pie?! Well just in case... I thought I'd put together a super cute hair pretty for Aubrey Rose.

Making korkers and Shrinky dinks in the same project makes me smile. I'm a nerd, I know.. But hey, here is a little tutorial so you can be a nerd with me.

To make the korkers you need:

1/4 inch Dowel Rods. You can find these pre-cut in a package of 12 at Hobby Lobby

Wooden clothes pins.

3/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon

Liquid Starch

Oven

Fire

Take your ribbon and pin it to the clothes pin to hold it in place.

Start Twisting making sure that your ribbon is not overlapping and you don't have any gaps. After you do it a few times you will be a pro and it will go super fast!

Secure your Ribbon at the end with the other clothes pin

So simple, right?! Bake at 200-275* for 20-30 minutes depending on how your oven runs.

Remove from oven. Spray lightly with starch and let cool.

Remove from dowel rod and see how cute these are!

Cut your ribbon in 3 inch strips. I used my paper cutter to measure and help hold them in place while I cut ribbon

Heat seal the ends of the ribbon by moving fire quickly over the ends. This will prevent fraying.

Take a thick piece of thread/yarn place under the center of your ribbons and gather all your pieces tightly together. This can be a bit tricky so again I used my paper cutter to help hold them in place.

Wrap the string tightly around your bow a few more times and tie a knot. There you have it.. A korker bow!

Now for the Shrinky Dink fun!

I found this great Shamrock clip art here.

http://www.leehansen.com/clipart/Holidays/StPatrick/pages/shamrock-orange-edge.htm

I loved the orange outline Because it gave me a line to cut on :)

Resize to 50% larger of your desired size. Print on InkJet Shrinky Dink paper. Cut out the clip art from your Shrinky Dink paper and follow the Shrinky Dink package instructions for baking and making your shamrock.

When the shamrock was shrunk I added a little bit of glitter. I love when I make something that can be glittered! {Though you can skip the glitter all together}

Seal the glitter with clear finger nail polish

Hot glue your shamrock and secure it to the Top.

Slip an alligator clip on the bottom under the string. {I personally do not like to line my clips with ribbon because they don't stay in as well.}

There you have it! This hair pretty ensures NO PINCHING next week on St. Patty's day!

{Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think}

{Here is where I LINKY PARTY}

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

I'd love to go snorkeling in Australia someday. And it won't hurt my feeling any if I look like ^that^ in a bikini!

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Monday, March 7, 2011

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Without these guys, my life wouldn't make sense. My whole life revolves around these four precious people. I LOVE being a wife and mother! As stressful as it gets, I wouldn't trade a second!

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Sunday, March 6, 2011

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 13

Day 13 - your favorite band or artist

I have to choose one?!

I'm going to choose Garth Brooks for this one.

But I love so many artists and groups - in all different genres of music.

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html

Saturday, March 5, 2011

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

The list of things I love is at least a mile long! But at the top of the list, right under Jesus, is my family.

I love, love, love these guys. Even though they drive me right to the edge of insanity most days.

Now it's your turn!!!

Day 1 - photo of yourself with 15 facts

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close to the longest.

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 4 - A picture of your night

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 9 - A picture of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you are afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Find the challenge and link up here:

http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/02/30-day-photo-challenge-join-fun-and.html