Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Crafty & Easy

The boys and I went to our MOPS group meeting for this week, and it was a craft day - they periodically do craft projects with the Moms that are quick and easy. We've made flower pins, Resurrection Eggs for our kids, some decorated blocks, and these frames.


I posted this photo on Twitter and got such a response that I thought I'd take a post here to tell you guys how we did it - this is a VERY simple version that can be customized in so many different ways. For this version you will need:

1 of these wooden frames from Michael's (they said they cost $1)
modge podge (my preference is glossy, but we used matte for these)
scrapbook paper of your choice
1 sheet of sanding paper

- Unwrap your frame and remove the paper from the middle
- Trace the outside of the frame and the middle opening
- Cut the paper
- Paint the top of your frame with modge podge and lay the paper on top - it is okay if it hangs over the edges a little bit
- Let the paper dry
- Fold any over hanging edges down over the wooden edges

- Take your sanding paper and sand off the excess paper until the edges on the outside of the frame are smooth, and do the same for the inside edges as well
- Paint the modge podge over the scrapbook paper and the edges of your frame to seal the paper
- Allow it to dry once again, and you're ready to put in a photo and enjoy your craft
- You can use the insert piece as a template for cutting your photo

Now, there are so many other things you could do... you could:
* Staple ribbon to the back for hanging
* Add embellishments to your frame on top of the paper before you seal it with the modge podge
* Paint the front & back of the frame with a coordinating color from your paper choice before putting the paper on the frame
* You could let your kids decorate the frame with paint/stickers/or anything else, and seal it to give as a gift to a parent or grandparent
* You could use off set hand prints and seal the frame to give as a gift as well

There are just about a million things you could do to personalize these and make them your own. I highly recommend this for anyone that wants something personal and unique to give as gifts... they'd be great: baby gifts, Mother's Day gifts, Father's Day gifts, Grandparent's Day gifts, teacher gifts, hostess gifts, you name it and you could probably apply it as a perfect gift!

More Than We Can Bear?

This weekend, I went to Dallas for a girls weekend with my sisters. We also had a Stella & Dot and Scentsy party while I was there - or actually that was the original reason for the trip. Anyway, while I was there - my sister and I were talking about her Step-Dad, Jerry. (We have a complicated family)

Jerry has been a part of my sisters' lives as long as I have - or actually longer. (You should go look at his bio and testimony on his website) Within the last few years, he wrote a book about his life. I never knew all of these things about him before and find his story fascinating - the amount of hardships that he has overcome is nothing short of a miracle and a true testament to the saying that "If God brings you to it - he will bring you through it."

I mainly wanted to tell you guys about this book because I know a lot of you are avid readers, and Christians... and I think that Jerry's story can bless your life as much as it has/will bless mine. There is so much to his story - and we all will take something different from it. One thing that I find interesting is that he was diagnosed with the same illness that our Grandmother died from, and he has found a way to beat it - I only wish that we'd found this treatment in those years when she was fighting it too.


On Jerry's website - this is what they say about the book: 

The child of a raped housekeeper who was deaf, mute, and poor, Jerry Smith had trouble before he even started. Does God Give Us More Than We Can Bear? takes readers through disappointments and failures as Jerry does his best to battle overwhelming odds with a deck seemingly stacked against him. Did God give Jerry more than he could bear? As an aging Jerry ponders this very question, he is diagnosed with an untreatable and terminal lung disease. With nowhere left to turn and a deadline with fate, God then reveals his plan for Jerry's life. Now, cured of his previously incurable disease but still suffering the damage caused, Jerry has been given new direction and shares with readers his struggles, stories, and wisdom. In these recollections, he reveals hope, a light for the darkest days, years, and even decades. Jerry's story is the perfect example of how God will use anything for good, even when it seems most unlikely. He now lives to share his story, the hope he has, and how the lessons he learned can change lives.

For only $10.99 - you can read about the struggle that Jerry has overcome, and what he learned in the process of dealing with each obstacle. The list is long - and I for one am amazed that he has survived it all with such grace. I know it couldn't have been easy to reconcile it all, but thankfully with God's help - we can all get through anything. Please go check out his book - I know you will not regret it!

Jerry has inspired me to start working on something for my own 2,967 day struggle to become a mother. (8 years, 1 month, and 17 days) - I would dearly love to share my story with all of you and anyone else out in the world that would be interested in reading it. If only 1 person in the world was helped by reading our story - it would make it all worth it to me. I just need to find some time to get started writing... I guess for now, a little here and there is all I can get. Maybe more when the boys are in school two days a week in the fall.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

James' Train Party




My sweet James is 2! We had a train themed party because he loves trains. Here are some pictures from the party. My sweet friend, Kristen of Little Law's Prints did all the paper goods. I got the rest of the items from BirthdayDirect.com. Things are crazy right now -- so just enjoy the photos!

























Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Liebster Award

Ya'll, I got a blog award - It's been a long time since this has happened... and I'm flattered because my struggling to keep up self needs encouragement sometimes to keep plugging away on these parts.

So with that being said, I thank my sweet friend Jess - Livin' on Sweet Tea for giving me the Liebster Award.


According to Google, Liebster is German for 'favorite'.

The Liebster Blog Award criteria:
The Liebster Award is for up-and-coming bloggers (200 followers or less) that you think deserve recognition for their fabulous blogging abilities.
How the process works...
Each nominee should:
● Choose blogs to give the Liebster Award to.
● Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
● Post the award on your blog.
● List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites.
● Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they's received the award.
● Share five random facts about yourself.
Alright ladies and gents, I'm givin' this bad boy to the following blogs:
* Ashley Jo - The "A" Team
* Michelle - The Shuttering Shell

And now for my random facts: 
  1. I never edit my posts before publishing them - if I did, they'd never be published because I'd delete 90% of them while over analyzing my writing
  2. I hate unloading the dishwasher, but most of all the silverware. I have been known to just add more silverware to the basket and run another load before emptying
  3. For over 11 years, I was a fundraising database manager (among other things in fundraising) - but I am highly dyslexic when it comes to numbers... ironic that I handled all of the donations and reporting, right? Don't worry, I triple checked my work every single day.
  4. I LOVE watching the Food Network, but rarely have I ever seen anything I'd like to make. I enjoy watching others cook (who knows why) but there literally have only been a handful of things that I've thought, "I need to add that to our menu". When that has happened - it's almost always been Pioneer Woman's recipe or Paula Deen's. 
  5. I have severe social anxiety - but have THREE social selling type businesses. See the irony? I've got a Stella & Dot business, Scentsy business (highly successful!!), and starting on May 1st a Velata business. They are all wonderful, and a lot of fun. I'd love to help you host a party, buy some Mother's Day gifts, or start your own business if you're interested.
  6. I am the least out-doorsy person you will ever meet, and yet God gave me two little boys that will most likely be interested in sports if their Daddy has anything to do with it. Literally, I'd rather do anything than be outside - likely because I get a sunburn within about 30 seconds... and I hate to sweat.
  7. I can't travel to tropical locations - why? I'm allergic (yes, allergic) to salt water... even pools. Couple that with my previous mention of sunburn issues... and it is a lethal combination.
Alright, that's all for the award - plus two bonus random facts.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Body Image

Why is it that when I look in the mirror... all I see are flaws and nothing pretty? Is it me? Is it the unrealistic ideals that America puts on all of us?

I hate that I can't just be happy with who I am... and that I feel like I'm in some sort of horrible overwhelming plan to fix it. I mean - with so many things - I can break a goal up into smaller parts, but make it be something about health, weight, or exercise... and I'm a goner.

I've tried everything to start it up, but nothing seems to catch. I have to go big or it stops... like if I start working out - I have to do it everyday without a break or I lose momentum. Truly. If I take a rest day - I will somehow lose a week or month... or even more.

Am I alone on this?

Same thing with food. I was really successful on Atkins - once I got through the incredibly sick feelings of the first couple of days detoxing from carbs... but if I moved out of the initial (NO CARB) phase... it was a quick slide back into the world of carb-loading. I could last for a few months on that initial phase - like lose 40 pounds or so... then I'd fall off the wagon in a BIG way.

What is the answer?

I wish I knew. I wish that we could all just embrace what makes us different. Isn't that what makes us beautiful afterall?! I get the unhealthy - and the obesity epidemic... but why can't people just stop judging others based on things they know nothing about?

I for instance - don't really eat that poorly - I make bad decisions once in a while, but overall - it's not the "what" as much as the "when" - because of having two vultures (aka toddlers) that I live with. Meaning that I can't eat when they are awake or it becomes a huge screaming fest of not being able to get *my* food in their mouths.

So that means that breakfast/lunch comes at naptime - or around 11 - and then I don't really eat again until they are in bed for the night... at 8. Unhealthy, more than likely... but it's not because I sit around eating chips and bon bons all day.

I just hate that perception. I once went on a blind date with a guy that later (after the date) told me that he was repulsed by me... because all he could think about was me sitting at a buffet all day. Seriously?! Who says that to someone? Especially when it is so FAR from the truth. I guarantee Tyler can eat more in a meal at his 18 months than I can in a meal. It's sad really that he is thin as a rail, and I'm a fluffy marshmallow!

I'm starting to ramble a bit, but I just get tired of the constant battle that we put ourselves through with all of this both internally and against each other. I'd love to wake up one day and just feel comfortable in my own skin - while not being made to feel bad about that by other ladies out in the world. Anyone with me?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Missing in Action

Just when I got caught up on our Photo a Day challenge posts - I went missing again. Ya'll, I don't know what to say for myself... I miss blogging so much, but lately - I just can't seem to get myself together. We've been uber busy for the last couple of weeks with zoo trips, birthdays, Easter, and life in general.

Throw in there some ear infections (each child had one) and I had one as well - between the zoo and all the other festivities... and now I've got something going on again. This time it's more of a lethargic feeling paired up with nausea, and I don't know how to kick it. It just comes on suddenly, and I literally just want to lay down. Not easy with these two crazy boys running around all day!

Tonight is my attempt to write something to update how things are going, and start a routine of sorts again. I desperately love writing and blogging... and miss it so much! I guess this is just a season for me of sorts because I can't seem to get it all together for anything these days. I'm struggling in so many areas of life - but I'm trying! That has to count for something.

I did get a couple of recipes up on Momma Hawk Cooks - the first of which is Momma Bird Pasta... you should absolutely check this yumminess out!


Just for fun, until I get more pictures uploaded and posts written - here is a photo from our trip to the zoo a couple of weeks ago. This was the day that started all the sick... within 24 hours of this very photo, our entire family was sick! 

Friday, April 6, 2012

Photo 365 - Week 13







We're getting close to being caught up...


March 24, John was helping to entertain the boys... James thought this was better than anything he'd done all day!


March 25, I bought this little back of mini-bananas and they were amazing. I have trouble with bananas being too ripe for as fast as we can eat them. These came completely green, and were the perfect size for the boys to eat a whole one. I got 6 of them for $.99!


March 26, my little trouble makers up on top of the toy box... ugh.


March 27, the start of James' birthday things coming in. Just a few things for some of our friends... I'm making special Dr. Seuss inspired cookies for his class this year. I can't wait to share the photos of those!


March 28, Tyler looked so cute in his outfit for school that I had to snap a quick photo of him.


March 29, my crazy boys playing on our pajama rest day... they are so silly! I must say it ended badly... but it was cute while they were giggling!


March 30, John caught this photo of the boys just before we put them to bed Friday night - they looked so darn cute!


March 31, we needed to take my car in for some routine maintenance which meant putting the car seats in John's car. They won't fit rear facing - so the boys got their first taste of sitting forward facing. James was so funny - he just stared with his mouth open most of the time. Occasionally, he would smile at me, but this was his face most of the time.

That catches us up! I'll likely be late getting this week's photos loaded because of Easter and James' birthday, but I'll get them up as soon as possible!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Photo 365 - Week 12



Here we are for our third installment of the catch up posts...


March 18, The boys were fighting over a push toy on Sunday, so Daddy put together their lawn mower. James was THRILLED. They've been pushing it around nonstop ever since.


March 19, My little Monkeys having some fun in their Daddy's chair. They love climbing into the chair before we can get in it... if only we could trust them in it while we're not in the room. They just don't quite get the fact that they can't stand up in it and act crazy.


March 20, This picture makes me laugh. Such a epitome of my life these days. They shouldn't be on the coffee table, but I chose to ignore that battle for the moment... but they were on it this day having a singing dance party. 


March 21, it was my small group's week to bring the breakfast for our MOPS meeting. I made these puffins (pancake muffins) they were really tasty! I wish that the maple syrup flavor would have been more pronounced, but I was pleased with them anyway. They'll be on Momma Hawk Cooks as soon as I can get caught up over there.


March 22, I went and got a pedicure while the boys were at school. Tyler was mesmerized by the color on my toes - he kept pressing them like they were buttons. 


March 23, another relaxing day - we just hung around the house and played. I caught this photo of the boys sitting together in their toy basket - the story of my days... they clear the toys off of the book shelves, out of the toy box, and out of the basket... all for me to put back together while they sleep - to destroy again the next day.


March 24, This guy... oiy! He has figured out how to climb up there and get the gate open. Luckily he hasn't fallen off of it... but geez. What am I going to do with him?!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Photo 365 - Week 11



Another week of photos for our catch up series...


March 11,  I did some baking a cooking for the week - blueberry muffins for the boys and Funfetti cookies. The Funfetti cookies were pretty good - you could make those with any cake mix you like, and they were so quick & easy. I'll post the recipe on Momma Hawk Cooks as soon as I can.


March 12, We were playing around the house - and I snapped a quick photo of my soon to be 2 year old. He's getting so big!! 


March 13, I tried out a new crock pot BBQ beef sandwich recipe that turned out really well. I'm not a huge fan of BBQ generally, but made this anyway for something different - I'll put the recipe up on Momma Hawk Cooks as soon as I can. 


March 14, was in the middle of Spring Break... which meant no school or MOPS for us. Luckily, our MOPS group set up a play date at a local park. I took the boys for a bit - we're morning nappers still so the timing was hard - they had a good time and we left in time to get home for naps. They loved this dinosaur at the park.


March 15, was a rainy day for the most part - I took this picture because the rain pools right beside our swing set - we need to move it, but I was amazed how much it rained that morning and how much it pooled up. 


March 16, Tyler is really developing quite the personality and is becoming a big stinker. He will just look at you, smile, and go right on doing whatever it is that he wants - regardless of you telling him not to do it. We are working on disciplining him out of this, but he is really hard headed. It's a good thing he's so darn cute! 


March 17, every Saturday morning we have what we call a "milk picnic" in Mom & Dad's room. John brings the boys down from their room and we pile up in our bed for the 5-10 minutes it lasts and we snuggle while watching Sprout and drinking their morning milk. It's nice, and the boys love when their Daddy is home to get them out of bed in the morning.

Until the next catch up...