boo hoo

You know the flip flops I just posted about (look below)? I wore them today and didn't like them. Boohooooooo!!!! They are pretty thick, too squishy, a little squeaky, and they rubbed my feet a little raw. In defense I did wear them on an errand morning. So I will be saving these for a day at the pool or a quick errand. But now I need to find me some cheap, everyday flip flops or sandals!

flippity flop

My flip flops from last year literally fell apart. I wore them out to the sole, but we usually do that here in California. I had to get a pair quick and cheap and was hoping to stick to my favorite flip flop color of gold, so I was happy to find these cuties at Old Navy for only $7.50. They have a ton of cute flip flops and sandals right now!

still fun

My kids pitched together their money from Grandpa & Grandma to buy these Ikea Ekorre Hand Rings. I thought Mark would put them up and they would be interesting for about two days. I was wrong, the kids still love them! He attached them securely to a beam in the garage. Only $9.99.

Follow me

Just added a button so you can follow me, I had two people in one day tell me I needed it! Thank you!

beautiful

Have you ever thought of having a professional photographer at your birth, someone who could be "on call" for your special day? I am so blessed that my sister is an amazing photographer, but she lives 2.5 hours away and has her own family. It just never crossed my mind. Well that is until I saw my friend Brooke's photographs from the birth of her third child. Brooke was a warrior woman and had her little Mr. Benjamin at home! Amazing right? And look at the photographs she has of those moments.

How beautiful (and Brooke you look gorgeous even giving birth). You can see more photos here. So who is this special woman who takes birthing photographs? Her name is Lindsey Kliewer. You can see her photos at her blog Our Beautiful Mess. She is located in Orange County, California. I contacted Lindsey and asked her to give me a little insight on how it works! Here is what she had to say:

"I always want to meet face to face with the woman before the actual day, to connect and give her an opportunity to ask questions, feel out her style/likes/dislikes in regards to the birth shoot. I feel like this could be a great opportunity to get to know her and for her to know me, so that I can be a more comfortable, safe, supportive person in the room during the birth. Plus if it's a homebirth, then that gives me the chance to make sure I know where she lives. Also, during the initial meeting with the mom, I want to make it clear that at any time, she can ask (or tell) me to leave the room. I want her to feel the freedom to create the environment she needs to birth her baby and if that doesn't include me for some moments, then so be it! I also want to communicate this with her support people (spouse, mother, doula, etc) the day of the birth so that they too can be an advocate for her.

A couple things about me... I am a strong believer that a woman's body is more than capable to birth her baby, and that she needs a safe place (in all senses of the word) to do so. I also LOVE birth!!! Ever since I can remember I always have! I am a nurse. In fact I went into nursing with the hopes of someday becoming a midwife. I am well read on the art and science of birth so I understand the process and the stages and such; this can help me go with the flow of the birth and anticipate what might be coming next. "

Lindsey sounds amazing right? After having three babies of my own, I wish I had something like this for my kids. So I had to share it with you! If you would like to contact Lindsey go to her website here, click on the Contact section and you can send her a message!

sweet girl

Do you remember little Maddie James that we collected Valentine's for? You can go to the new website for her foundation to read more of her story and to see how you can contribute to her foundation and her legacy.

www.maddiejamesfoundation.org

sweet tooth

Apparently February is my crafty month. Tonight I made this cute little Tooth Fairy Pillow for my son! I love it! Too bad it's a week late for his first tooth, but he has plenty more teeth to come out. I am actually not that crafty and still not very good at sewing so I get really excited when I accomplish something.

menu planning

A fav new family tradition from my friend Noel. Enjoy!

Menu planning with the whole family

What to cook for dinner in my home is always a quandary, and choosing something everyone will like is even harder. So when I heard a new idea given to me by a mom from MOPS, I was so excited to try it out. Each member of the family gets a night; on their night they choose the dinner, they set the table, they say the prayer, and they get to clean it up. Great right? On Sunday afternoon I sit down and ask everyone what night they want and what they want to eat on their night. Each person picks a main dish, veggie, any side they want and maybe even a dessert. Our family has four people picking, so we have four planned meals per week, one night of leftovers, one night with some kind of quick dinner, and one night out. So easy!

This has been the best plan implemented into our home yet. My 3 year old loves it and is great at it! Everyone else seems happy and I find I do not have to tell anyone to "eat your food, or please take one more bite!" They pick good things too and the pressure to please and the timeless question of "what's for dinner" have been alleviated for now!

what i am working on now

So I have been in a funk about decorating our house, mostly due to money restraints and other things. We moved here in October and I have just let it sit. Well that all changed this weekend and I have been on a decorating spree. I used me Pinterest to pin ideas and I also went through all the decorations and furniture we had and reused and reshaped things. It's amazing what some research and a little perseverance can do. Most of my little projects cost nothing or pennies. I am still finishing them but I can't wait to show you!

I will show you two wreath projects that I saw that I am working on adapting for my home.

As seen here.

As seen here.

Wish me luck! I have had great success so far on my other projects!

she made me do it

(My sister's Pinterest board, mine is blank right now)

My sister just made me sign up for Pinterest, no seriously, she made me :) Have you heard of it yet? It's like making your own inspiration boards by "pinning" things from blogs or web pages. You can also follow other people and and gain followers. So wish me luck...here I go!

p.s. You can follow me on Pinterest here.