Ah Sunday...

Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. Our church recently started having Saturday night services--same message as Sunday with our Pastor, more contemporary worship--and we LOVE it. Sundays have become a relaxing family day. Today, we went and ate pancakes and then bought (more) flowers for the yard. The kids planted flowers with their daddy--we bought them their own gardening gloves, shovels, and watering cans. He is definitely passing down his love of gardening to them! They can't wait to water the plants and watch them grow. It was another gorgeous day! I could live with weather like this year round! I spent my time getting the inside of the house in order and taking pictures of them. Having days like this makes you feel like you truly had a "weekend."

First Anniversary?

I was going through old pictures on the computer tonight and ran across pictures of the first custom boutique set I made to sell on ebay. Looking at the dates on the pictures, I realized I have just passed my custom boutique First Anniversary. I still have this fabric and still love this set. I may just have to remake it and offer it in commemoration! It's hard to believe that it's been that long!

Feeling Hoppy!

My ebay design group The Lil' Peas, has a Mix 'N' Match Launch starting today where the accessory designers made their items first and the clothing designers had to match them. It was SO fun and I had ADORABLE items to match! Click HERE to see my ebay listing. Win the auction and mention that you saw it on my blog, and I'll give you FREE SHIPPING!

Tackle It Tuesday (kind of)

Well, no pics for today's tackle....it was more like a series of mini tackles. I wanted to take pictures of, and list, the set you see below. Also, I am having a garage sale on Friday and have been going through the entire house pulling out old clothes, toys, ANYTHING to de-clutter my life! Also, after being away from teaching for 4 years, I have decided to drastically pare down my teaching paraphernalia. Much organizing, sorting, and throwing away going on this week. Maybe I'll take some pictures next week of my (hopefully) de-cluttered home and what I buy with all that money I'll make from the garage sale--here's hoping!

Darling Daisies!

Check out my newest listing which I've titled DARLING DAISIES! After slowing down for a bit, I am getting back into the sewing groove and will be posting quite a few new sets over the next few days. This set was born of the desire for a comfortable set that The Princess could wear anywhere! Click on the picture to be taken to my ebay listing. If you buy the set and tell me you saw it on my blog, I'll give you FREE SHIPPING!

Weekend Fun

We had a great weekend, spending quality time together as a family. It's amazing how the kids seemingly have fewer behavior challenges, are less tired, and we are ALL generally more happy when when we spend fun time together! Family time is precious and I think we are realizing that the more time we spend with our kids, the better our family is for it! Here are some pics of our great weekend!

Planting vegetable seeds with Dad.

It was a GREAT kite flying day!

Dad showing the kids how to jump off the swings. *sigh*

She would swing for HOURS!

Helping Dad in the yard...our first "playing with worms" experience--YUK! He had the BEST time just being Dad's helper!

Spring has REsprung!

After a couple weeks of a recurring winter, spring has returned....and Thank God! This is my favorite time of the year! Everything is so green, flowers are starting to bloom, and the kids can spend some much needed time outside. Here are some pics from our enjoyable afternoon outdoors! (Don't you just love that toddler pose down on their "haunches?" You know, the one you could only dream of doing for more than 10 seconds.)

LOVE these!

Adorable snap clip hairbows by Amber of bows* by*design! Contrary to popular belief, I do not put The Princess' hair up in fancy bows every day! Most days we just snap in a little barrette to keep the bangs out of her face. These barrettes do the job...with a little added cuteness! And just in case you are wondering, in her picture, The Princess is doing her dog impersonation....*sigh* 2 year olds!

NO MORE FABRIC!

I've seen others discuss this topic and I think I NEED to jump on the bandwagon! A week long project of sorting and folding my fabric has ended and what I know is this....I have TOO much fabric. My goal is to make it the next 4 weeks without purchasing any more fabric--and then see if I can actually make it longer! I have fabric I forgot I purchased! I have bright colors, muted florals, geometric patterns....I seem to have it all. I am pleased with the organization, but actually embarrassed by the excess! I guess I have some sewing to do!

YOUR Mothering Style?

I found this Mothering Style Quiz and decided to give it a whirl, already knowing my basic mothering style. WOW, let me tell you, I was a little surprised by my results! I've always thought of myself as a more strict Type 1 mom, but, I guess not. Here's the link so you can take the quiz yourself:

What's Your Mothering Style Quiz

Here are MY somewhat surprising results...not BAD results, just not what I thought I'd be! I'd love to hear if you are the type of mom YOU think you are.

3- As The Carefree Diplomat Mom, you’re able to act as mediator as well as be creative and interactive with your children. Chances are you encourage child-led activities, but aren't averse to jumping in and playing, too.

Pro: You're fair and just and will use discipline when needed, but encourage your child to work things out on her own.

Con: Be sure to assert yourself as the adult. Creative Diplomat Moms may forget to separate themselves from their children, creating confusion as to just who's in charge.

Tackle It Tuesday....Got Junk?

For this week's project, I decided to tackle my 2 "junk" areas. I know we ALL have them! The armoire, I purchased for the very reason of hiding all my junk from people when they come over. However, it had started to get out of hand (i.e. things would fall out when I'd open the door). I threw away a TON of things, put a few things in their permanent home, and added a couple more baskets to store items neatly. I even found a long lost document I had been looking for!

The second area was the junk drawer in the kitchen. It was being overrun with useless pens, kids' stickers, and, well, JUNK! I threw out all the useless pens (yes, I tested them ALL--see brain post below), put all the stickers into one envelope, threw out some trash, and organized the rest. Most importantly, I finally got around to removing ALL the scissors and placing them into a safe, high, hiding place. I'd found The Prince helping himself to the scissors on more than one occasion--you know, to open a snack he'd helped himself to....trimming a picture he'd colored, so it would look just right....fortunately, we've avoided any self hair cutting sessions!

Right or Left?

A recent discussion on the Boutique Cafe Forum led me to this post. It's a little funny because just the other day as I was cleaning my office/computer/sewing area (see Tackle It Tuesday post) I ran across a CD with all the papers I'd completed for a class on the brain (required for my Master's Degree). So, here's a little information about what makes your brain work and a little test to help you determine if you are Right or Left brain dominant.

Every time you hear, see, smell, touch, or taste something your brain grows! The brain cells literally form new connections. Different colors, smells, and tastes illicit different responses from your brain! I've actually used a few of these with my own children!

COLORS:
Black: Alertness
Blue: Excitement, Creativity, Reflection, Relaxation
Brown: Relaxation
Cream: Reflection, Relaxation
Green: Creativity, Relaxation
Grey : Relaxation
Gold : Excitement, Creativity
Lavender: Reflection, Relaxation
Orange: Excitement, Alertness, Creativity
Peach: Reflection, Relaxation
Pink: Reflection, Relaxation
Purple: Excitement, Alertness, Creativity
Red: Excitement, Alertness, Creativity
Rose: Creativity, Reflection, Relaxation
White: Relaxation

SMELLS:
Alertness or Attention: peppermint, wintergreen, pine, lemon, eucalyptus, spearmint
Relaxation or Reflection: chamomile, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood, honeysuckle
Creativity: sage, apple, rosemary, rose, basil, cinnamon

TASTES:
Vanilla: Calming
Peppermint: Grabs Attention (helps w/ memory)
Cinnamon: Creativity
Apple: Energy, Creativity
Orange: Energy, Alertness
Almond: Relaxation

RIGHT/LEFT TEST:

As most of us know, there are 2 sides to the brain. The Right Side which is more about relationships and creativity, and the Left Side which is more linear, black and white, organizational. Answer the following questions:

1. When you think hard about something/try to remember something, what do your eyes do? Do they go up/down to the RIGHT or LEFT?
   
2. When you wink at someone, what eye do you use? RIGHT or LEFT?
3. When you smile, typically one side of your mouth goes higher than the other (you may need a mirror for this one). Your RIGHT or LEFT?
4. When you fold your arms, what arm is on top? RIGHT or LEFT?
5. When you fold your hands, what thumb is on top? RIGHT or LEFT?
6. When you cross your legs, which leg is on top? RIGHT or LEFT?
7. If I rolled a soccer ball at you, which foot would you use to kick it? RIGHT or LEFT

If the majority of your answers were RIGHT, you are a dominant LEFT brainer. If the majority of your answers were LEFT, you are a dominant RIGHT brainer. Now, for me I have 5 RIGHTS and 2 LEFTS. So, I am a dominant LEFT brainer (I am SOOOOO black and white!), but a little of that creativity from the RIGHT brain creeps in there!!

I hope you found this interesting! If you found it a little confusing, maybe you should look at something black, smell some peppermint, and eat an orange!

First Black Eye

It's bound to happen with 2 toddlers. Today The Prince and Princess were running around the house. They rounded a corner going in opposite directions and....BAM! Her head connected with the top of his cheekbone. She was fine, but he was hurtin'! I'm sure this is a picture he'll love when he gets older, but that's what we parents do....take pictures to document not only the good, but also the bad parts of childhood. We iced him up and he's left with just a small shiner. I think Dad is actually kind of proud....you know, "My son got his first shiner," type of thing. *sigh*

Giving Back

Today I went to a place built by my church in one of the poorer areas of our city. I had the opportunity to teach young ladies (12-14 years old) the basics of sewing. They learned how to thread a needle and how to sew a button. Then, they had the opportunity to make these little wrist bags using a new stitch I taught them today. After they had hand stitched for a bit, I let them come over to the sewing machine to finish them off--plus, take a little spin on the machine! It was a fun time and they were VERY proud of their creations! I think that I may have had more fun than them. I am a teacher at heart and always enjoy the opportunities I get to share with young people....I need to do so more often!

What shoe are YOU?

You are Slinky Heels!

You're an uptown, well put together woman But you're not too uptight to enjoy a hot club You're always the best dressed chick in the room And you'll only settle for the best in men

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

So when my SIL did this little quiz, she KNEW she'd have to pass is on to me. I have to confess....I am a shoe FREAK!! I LOVE shoes! I can wear old clothes, just give me a new pair of shoes to jazz them up! Now, to be fair, this is an inherited trait. My love of shoes has definitely come from my own mother and grandmother--and I am continuing the tradition with my own little girl--she's at 18 pairs and counting. I decided to count up my own shoes and post the number here....43 pairs....let me qualify that the number DOES include ALL my pairs of cheap flip flops. Anyone else brave enough to post the number of your shoes? Let me see your numbers!

Healthy, Healthy, Healthy...

If I continue to say it, it WILL apply! It seems that for the past month one, then the other, then both of the kids have come down with something. I am ready for healthy children and a healthy home! Do you ever feel like going back to newborn days? Every person who touches your child MUST use antibacterial gel first...no play dates or church nursery with other germ carriers (otherwise known as sweet, innocent children)? While not practical, it is tempting. Today's goal is to go through our home and give some germ killing cleaning to the toys. We will be healthy, healthy, healthy...

WHY???

Why do I look like this? Why did I take a picture of myself looking like this? WHY did I post it on this blog for all to see? I have (once again) resolved to include exercise in my life. I HATE to exercise (of course I married a man who LOVES it)!! There is nothing I like about exercising, except the slow-to-come results. However, I am not getting any younger (or smaller) and feel the need to be an example to my children. I want to be healthy and energetic as they continue to grow and I want them to view fitness as a good and normal part of life. SO, this picture is what I look like after 45 minutes of exercising--as I regularly update this blog, I will be reminded of my determination to be a more healthy person, wife, and mom. UGH!!

Tackle it Tuesday Results!

Inspired by Amelia's post on her Sweet Feet Boutique blog, I "tackled" my sewing area! Yes, it's just an area--my own special room is something I aspire to in the next home we purchase. I wish I had thought to take the before picture, but let me assure you, it was hideous! I went out and invested in a new flat screen monitor and cordless keyboard and mouse! Wow--I doubled my workspace!! Plus, I can move the keyboard and mouse completely out of the way when I'm in "work mode." As you can see, I've culled out my own little space in a corner of our master bedroom. I've also taken over an entire section of the master closet where I've installed a bookshelf for all my fabric. The next step is paint! I've already purchase a nice soft green that should really brighten the whole room up!

Happy Easter to You!

Another Easter has come and gone. I hope your Easter weekend was as fun and peaceful as ours. I attempted my first staged family photo with the new camera--setting it and then running over to take my place. The kids were all gussied up in their Easter sets--I just love how they love each other! We went to my in-laws for Easter dinner and an indoor egg hunt (it was SO cold). The Prince got to help his cousin "excavate" a dinosaur from a stone egg--you can tell from his tongue how into it he was!

My Holiday Fun

One of the things I enjoy is baking ...fun, gourmet-type desserts. For Easter, I made this chocolate raspberry tort---and from the sneak taste, I can tell you that it's YUMMY! Also, thought I'd throw in a quick pic of the kids Easter baskets. Nothing too fancy....we figure they have their whole life to eat candy, so we're starting them out S...L...O...W! Hope you all had a blessed Easter celebrating the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus!

The New Pele?

For those of you who DON'T know, Pele was one of the greatest soccer players of all time. And while we may not be there yet, The Prince is definitely showing signs of inheriting his dad's natural talent for kicking the ball. He's in a soccer league this spring and is having fun, but his favorite thing is just kicking the ball with his dad!

Mirror, Mirror

One of the reasons I wanted a girl, was to do all the girly things I remember doing with my own mother. Today, The Princess and I had our first make-up session (yes, she's only 2). She was SO pleased with herself, I had to snap a few pics of her hamming it up in the mirror. Like mother, like daughter.

Ready...Set....BLOG!!!

This is me and my life! I am a SAHM to The Prince (4) and The Princess (2) and wife to my high school sweetheart, The King, for the past 11 1/2 years. I have decided to undertake the task of publishing my own blog because:

• I want a way to connect with long-distance family members.
• I want a way to connect with my customers and other ebay friends.
  
• This is kind of fun!!

On my blog, you will find information about my family, information about my Custom Boutique business, and little, silly, snipets from ME! Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear from you!