Thursday, March 28, 2013

Egg Time....

 
I never get tired of looking at all the pretty eggs....

 
 
 
 
Waiting is Booorrrringgg!
  
 
 
 
 
"hi there, mr. smiley face"
 
 
 
of course, they ditched when it was time to clean up...
 
 
so pretty!
 
 
 
Nathan giggled for 20 mins....it was worth it :)
 
 
Me with Amanda
(it's pretty sad when your 20 year old daughter is your math tutor, huh? LOL)
 
 
look how big this baby girl is getting...
 
 
 
  


Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Dreaded 'G' Word

Let's face it...we've all been through it.
 
Mom Guilt
 
People ask me all the time 'how do you handle six kids and give them all attention?"
 
The truth is I honestly don't...I can't...and I feel kind of bad about it too.
 
It's not that my children lack love, attention, sympathy or the like.  I'm pretty good about all that...but I can't do everything and the last time I checked noone duplicated me into a clone.
 
But, I still feel bad about it.
 
I can't remember every little thing that each one has going on, unless of course I write it down and even then, some things still get forgotten.  Yeah, I remember all the super important stuff...but there are plenty of doctor appointments, dentist appointments, sporting activities, book fairs, birthday party invites, snacks, story times and more that slip my mind.
 
I'm only human after all....I do make mistakes....and I feel terribly guilty afterwards...I mean like for days afterwards.

Then, there are those times when the kids decide to throw some guilt my way, just because.


you never did crafts with me.
you never take me anywhere with you
you never read stories to me
you don't go to my concerts or games
you don't help me with my school projects.
you never brought my {insert whatever forgotten item was left behind} to school for me


It's constant and it comes from all of them.

Mostly it is stupid things that really don't matter or things that they just don't remember me doing with them.  Sometimes, things went undone, because....um, Mommy did work - even if it was part time, Mommy worked and couldn't be there for every single thing.  Maybe Mommy didn't make as many crafts with you, because you decided to make your own art...by smearing poopy diaper messes on your bedroom walls and Mommy was a bit busy scrubbing that off.  Maybe Mommy didn't read you stories because you were too busy fighting over who sat where on Mommy's lap.  Maybe Mommy didn't help you with your school projects because you didn't tell Mommy about them until the day they were due.  Maybe Mommy gets tired of running to the school 3-4 days a week...so that the office staff says 'who forgot what this time?'
 
 
 
I guess I could let all that guilt eat me alive....but at the end of the day, my kids know that I love them, would do just about anything for them and that's really all that matters.

that, and one day....they are going to be dealing with their own parental guilt.


hmmm.....turn about is fair play, after all.....good luck with that!

 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Nutrisystem #47

Today wraps up my 47th week on Nutrisystem.
 
This was also my last week on the prednisone meds...yay!
 
I didn't lose anything this week, but I did manage to stay the same, which I guess is pretty good considering the steroids.  I'm so hoping that now that I am done with them that I can start losing again {fingers and toes crossed}
 
 
Here is a recent side shot, so you can see the tummy area
 
(for the first time in years, my boobs are bigger than my stomach hahha)
 
 
I still have much to lose here.  I am being realistic in my thinking that I have had six children, so I realize that that flat tummy I had wayyyyyy back when is never, ever going to come back, but I would like to see the muffin top get a little smaller, if you know what I mean.
 
 
here's a look at some of my favorite Nutrisystem breakfast foods...from bars to cereal, from pancakes to burritos...there's something for everyone.
 
NutriFlakes Cereal

Cinnamon Streusel Muffin

Breakfast Burrito

Buttermilk Waffles

Granola Cereal

Peanut Butter Granola Bar
 
 
 
Looks yummy doesn't it?
 
 
'til next time....
 
 
 
If you would like to learn more about how to get healthy and lose weight on Nutrisystem - Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog
 
 
My Stats

4/27/12 - 180 (starting weight)

05/04/12 - 175 (week one)

05/11/12 - 174 (week two)

05/18/12 - 172 (week three)

05/25/12 - 170 (week four)

06/01/12 - 169 (week five)

06/08/12 - 169 (week six)

06/15/12 - 168 (week seven)

06/22/12 - 166 (week eight)

06/29/12 - 166 (week nine)

07/06/12 - 166 (week ten)

07/13/12 - 164 (week eleven)

07/20/12 - 164 (week twelve)

07/27/12 - 165 (week thirteen)

08/03/12 - 163 (week fourteen)

08/10/12 - 160 (week fifteen)

08/17/12 - 160 (week sixteen)

08/24/12 - 160 (week seventeen)

08/31/12 - 159 (week eighteen)

09/07/12 - 159 (week nineteen)

09/14/12 - 157 (week twenty)

09/21/12 - 155 (week twenty one)

09/28/12 - 155 (week twenty two)

10/03/12 - 155 (week twenty three)

10/12/12 - 154 (week twenty four)

10/19/12 - 153 (week twenty five)

10/26/12 - 153 (week twenty six)

11/02/12 - 152 (week twenty seven)

11/09/12 - 152 (week twenty eight)

11/16/12 - 151 (week twenty nine)

11/23/12 - 150 (week thirty)

11/30/12 - 150 (week thirty one)

12/07/12 - 150 (week thirty two)

12/14/12 - 149 (week thirty three)

12/21/12 - 148 (week thirty four)

12/28/12 - 148 (week thirty five)

01/04/13 - 147 (week thirty six)

01/11/13 - 147 (week thirty seven)

01/18/13 - 145 (week thirty eight)

01/25/13 - 145 (week thirty nine)

02/01/13 - 144 (week forty)

02/08/13 - 144 (week forty one)

02/15/13 - 144 (week forty two)
 
 
02/22/13 - 144 (week forty three)
 
03/01/13 - 146 (week forty four)
 
03/08/13 - 146 (week forty five)
 
03/15/13 - 147 (week forty six)
 
03/22/13 - 147 (week forty seven)
 
 
*Disclosure ~ I am receiving access to the website and food in exchange for reviewing the diet plan. All opinions herein are my own and were not influenced by Nutrisystem
 
 
 
 


Marbled Easter Eggs

Nathan has been wanting to make some Easter crafts lately....so we made these Easter eggs today.
 
 
this is like the marbled leaves craft we made a year or so ago.
 
You will need paper shaped eggs (we used paper plates, but you can use card stock or any other type of heavy paper, thin paper will rip) shaving cream, paint and a squeegee.  It's also a very good idea to layer some newspaper or use an old plastic tablecloth to cover your table...this craft is SUPER messy.
 
 
Squirt the shaving cream into a container large enough for the egg to fit into.  Then, put some brightly colored paint on top of the shaving cream
 
 
Using the end of a wooden spoon, swirl the paint around in the shaving cream mixture.
 

Place the eggs into the mixture and press down a bit and then set aside for a minute or so.
 
 

Using the squeegee, scrape off the excess shaving cream on the eggs. 
 
 
 
 
 
The end result is a beautiful swirly marbled egg.
 
 
Nathan and I made this cute display to show off his eggs.
 
 
 
**For whatever reason Blogger let me adjust the first few pics to a larger size, but wouldn't let me adjust the last pics...I hope you can see them well enough (because I give up trying to fix them).  Maybe in the future I can play with it and try to adjust them again.
 
 

 


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Weight Loss Journey Page

I just updated my weight loss journey page found on the sidebar.
with all of the posts of my story so far....
 
I will also be adding some "before" and "during" pics there as well.
 
Figured it might make it easier for those that are following along.
 
*****
I also wanted to say Thank You to everyone that has supported me, emailed me, messaged me, cheered for me, etc.  You have all been an amazing part of this journey by keeping me going strong.
 
I appreciate each and every one of you!
 


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Apron Love

Do you love aprons?
I do
I have no idea why wearing an apron is so inspiring to me.
 
 
It's like when I am baking or cooking and I throw on my favorite apron, I feel like I am wearing a cape and using my 'super' powers or something.
 
There's just something special about wearing one that makes you feel domestic and all I'm the best mommy ever feeling that overcomes you when you tie one on.

I have found that I enjoy sewing them almost as much as I do wearing them.

all the fun colors and designs
Sewing is just another form of creativity for me and I totally love it.


 

 

My favorite thing though, I think, is making aprons for kids....and it seems to be my best seller.
I have made so many for friends and family and sold just as many in my shop as I have in person.


These aprons were custom made, but I have many in my shop to choose from.


"I got one of Charlene's aprons for myself a couple of years ago, and it is so pretty...and so much fun to wear. It's functional and easy to wash...and the ruffles and beautiful fabrics are the icing on the cake.
I could hardly wait for my little girls to be old enough to have their own aprons from Charlene. I worked with her to choose coordinating fabric, and she came up with the idea of trimming the aprons the same way...it makes for such an adorable pair!"   Mandy (of Twin Trials and Triumphs)



I have to say this as well....my aprons are mostly original pieces....meaning I usually buy enough fabric to make one or two (possibly three) aprons and that's it.   So my customers know that they are pretty much the only (well, there may be one other person) one with that apron.

The only exception is specific fabrics for sports teams or if someone actually orders duplicates of something.  I have done a lot of custom aprons...meaning a customer requests a certain fabric or color...like 'my daughter loves the color purple'....or 'she adores rainbows'...etc.

I, then, look at different websites for fabrics and email them some choices that I think they would like and we go from there.  Sometimes a customer leaves it up to my discretion and only gives me a color or pattern...say 'anything with cupcakes will do' or 'anything yellow', which is always fun too.

I'm planning on adding other fun things to my shop at some point...like tote bags, trick or treat bags for Halloween, buntings and more.  But I think my favorite will always be the aprons....

 
 
 
If you are interested, please take a look at my etsy shop.
The link is also located on the sidebar.
 




Monday, March 18, 2013

Hey Mom, Look What I Did (#68)

Welcome to the 68th edition of
 
Hey Mom, Look What I Did!!!

Here's a look at some of my faves from the past edition.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nathan and I made some fun St Paddy's Day crafts this weekend.
 
 
Now, it's your turn to show off all your super cute crafts, goodies and activities.
 
Please share your craft projects, baking activities and other fun kid friendly adventures.
Grab the link button and put it on your blog, if you like, so that others can find us and share in the fun too.
 
There are no requirements, but I would love if you would follow this blog via GFC.
I also would like to invite you to come hang out with me on facebook, pinterest and twitter, where I feature and share some your fabulous projects during the week. 
You can also follow along with BlogLovin, the link is on the sidebar.
 
Thanks for joining us....Hope to see you again soon!!
 
Adventures In Mommy Land

 
*sorry about the no "thumblinkz"...somebody forgot to pay her bill
{{whistling and looking around the room}}
 
 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

St Paddy's Day Crafts

Nathan made some St. Patrick's Day crafts this weekend.
 
Leprechaun
 
 
He painted a paper plate with skin tone paint.
made a hat out of green construction paper
made a glitter shamrock for the hat
glued on some wiggle eyes
drew a nose and mouth
 
 
 
made a beard and hair with strips of orange paper curled with a pencil
and glued them on the face
 
 
 
Rainbow
 
 
he painted a rainbow on half of a paper plate
and then made clouds and glued them to the ends of the rainbow

 
 
A Windsock
 
 
He cut a pot out of black contruction paper and then painted gold on it.
He also glued some red, blue, yellow and green streamers to the back
He punched holes in the sides of the pot and strung some string to hang it up with.
 
 
 
Happy St. Paddy's Day to you!!
 
hope your day was filled with lots of green and some good old fashioned Irish luck.
 
 
 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Easter Wreath

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Super Cute, right?
 
it cost less than 10 bucks to make {{{bonus!!}}}
 
 
Just a simple tulle tied in knots to a wreath form with a cute little Easter sign hot glued on there....easy peasy!
 
 
wreath form $1 at the Dollar Tree
tulle (x3) $2.50 each at Joanns Fabrics
easter sign $1 at a local pharmacy