Happenings in this House!

Welcome to our week in pictures!!

I'll start out by taking you back to the 4th weekend.  We went to my parents house and one of the first things we did was try out the "new" Gator.  This little vehicle belonged to my nephews; they have outgrown it so the deal was - if my dad could get it running, we could have it.  Well - of course my dad could do it :-) hehehehe  At first, Josh just sat in it but, by the end of the (very hot) afternoon he was driving it like a pro.  Nate - well, he isn't a huge fan yet :-) 

The boys love to be read too - books are always a big deal in our house.  Not only do they love to be read to - but they will often sit and "read" books themselves.  This makes me happy!

Just two little boys messing around and having some fun !!

On Friday of this past week, I decided to "live dangerously" and take all three boys (my two and the cute little munchkin!) to the park.  First, we went to Dairy Queen and they were fantastic - making friends with every person that walked in the place.  We than went to the park and, I'll just say we survived HA!  Trying to chase the two boys above and keep them in my site while walking running behind a stroller (it is a good thing it's a jogger stroller!!) was more than I want to deal with again :-)  This particular park is just to spread out for the boys at this age - there is another park closer to home where I'll take them next time :-)  They played hard though, and we ALL went to bed early!! 

Finally, my parents came over on Saturday and brought some awesome outdoor things.  My mom, who never went to garage sales, has been finding some awesome things - she got both of these little houses for $15.00.  Seriously!!!  The boys get SOOOOOO excited when "Papa and Nana" come over. (And "wiwwow"  . .Willow is their dog!) So, Papa had lots of help spectators while he put the things together.  I really appreciate them doing stuff like this for us - it helps us out a lot!  Plus, since Darryl was working, my mom stayed with the kids so I could go grocery shopping . . .and my dad even took my truck and detailed the whole thing for me.  How cool is that?

So that is our week in pictures - it was HOT this past week and is starting out that way again!  We don't do much in the heat - except watch TV :-)

Creative Memories Spotlight: July Specials

Welcome to anyone visiting from Jenna's Journey.  I am a Creative Memories Consultant (Obviously) and, each week, I try to share a Creative Memories spotlight on items.  Sometimes I share my favorite items, specials, new products - whatever strikes my fancy I guess!  Yes, I will admit, I do this in order to hopefully drum up some orders! 

A little background for everyone.  I became a Consultant 2 years ago this month for one main reason - to feed my "habit" of scrapbooking.  At the time I was about 3 years behind and wanted to catch up.  Scrapbooking using the CM digital software seemed to be the best way.  I was given the software as a gift, joined up and filled the 3 month ordering requirement with just one or two extra orders.  When we made the decision that I would stay home with the kids, I really prayed that this business would pick up and help supplement our income . .. it hasn't done it yet but I'm still praying!  I run my business only on-line at this point as I don't have room to hold crops but many people like to just order - I just need to find them!!  I normally have a website of my own to share but it is not available right now due to,  well, not meeting my quota in the last quarter :-(  (On a side note - I plan on reactivating by the end of this quarter - I chose to deactivate for one quarter since I didn't need to order) You can still order but, what I need you to do before you want to place an order is to contact me - I can quickly reactivate my website and if you are the first  person who places the order, I will throw in a free gift!!!  The great thing is that you can place your order online (as soon as I re-activate of course) and it is shipped directly to you!!  Get a group of friends together and place a group order . .. or host a book show and earn credits for all of those orders too!  Just remember to let me know first!

So here are a few July Specials:
 
Maker Mania July 1-31 - Purchase any of Creative Memories’ makers and punches (except the new Border Maker and Border Maker Cartridges) and you’ll save 25 percent* off the regular price.  (These are great for all kinds of crafts - not just scrapbooking!)


Border Maker System Bundle
July 1 – Aug. 31 Purchase the Border Maker System Bundle (which includes the Picket Fence Cartridge) and purchase two additional cartridges and get the third cartridge for free.* ($15 value)         
(This is a new system - and seems like it would add a lot to page.  Again you could use this for card making also)

                  
Pen Case Bundle July 1 – Aug. 31 Our new Pen Case is great. But it’s even better when it’s filled with Creative Memories pens. That’s the beauty of our Pen Case Bundle. Purchase all nine Dual-Tip Pens and get the new Pen Case for $5.* That’s over a 15 percent savings!
(I've seen this and the case is very nice.  It is designed to hold the new Dual-Tip pens.  This would make a great way to store your favorite craft pens and keep them all together!)

Aren't those some great deals?  Plus you can always watch the clearance section for other great items!  Honestly - all of the items above I'd like to get - there are some new punches out that I'm saving for; the border system is awesome and I can't wait to pick it up and I had been eyeing the old version of the pen case but now, I want this one!  Plus I want that new pens - I just cleaned out my pen stash and had to throw away about 3/4 of them because they were old and dried out. 

There ya go - you can see these items at the Creative Memories Website.  Feel free to shop on the site, make your wish list . .. and than contact me.  I will take care of getting my Website reactivated that day so you can finish up your order :-) 

If you have friends or family that scrapbook or do other paper crafts - feel free to share this info.  :-)

Corn Dog Muffins

So, I like Corn Dogs but we don't get the very often.  I don't even remember the last time I bought a box of frozen Corn Dogs.  That's beside the fact!  Once a week, due to my husband's work schedule, he isn't home for dinner with us so I plan something easy and kid friendly.  I found this recipe form Corn Dog Muffins over at Eating My Way Back  and decided to try them out.  I'll be honest, I wasn't really sure how these would work but I will be making them again . . not for my kids though.  For me!!!  I kinda forgot about my 2 1/2 year old has an aversion to having his "tot hog" wrapped in anything . .. he likes them plain and sliced. 

I can honestly say that this recipe tasted like a corn dog, except better :-) 

Ingredients:
1 box of corn muffin mix (I used Jiffy Mix)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon of Brown Sugar
4 hot dogs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
Mix the muffin mix, egg, milk, and sugar.  The mix will be lumpy.  Cut hot dogs (I sliced them into skinny rounds but you could also dice them) and place in batter and add the cheese.  Mix everything together. 

Grease a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.  Evenly scoop the corn muffin mix between the 12 cups.  Cook in a 400 degree oven for 12-16 minutes.

Don't those just look yummy?  In case you are wondering - my dipping sauces are Ketchup for my fries and ketchup and mustard mixed for my muffins!  I've always done that for dipping my corn dogs - mix the two together and it is perfect :-)

I'm linking up over at

(and guess what, my recipe from last week is one of her "features" this week - how fun!)

3rd Quarter Book Goal

These are the books from my 2nd quarter reading goal.  I did pretty well, if I say so myself.  There are a few that I didn't get to so those I'll carry over to this quarter. 

The books I'm carrying over are:

It Starts At Home

Shepherding a Child's Heart

Totally Desperate Mom

Reshaping it all and The Power of a Positive Mom are the books I'm using in my devotions so those are a work in progress.

With three books carrying over, that leaves me 9 more to add to my list.  I don't have a big picture of the books because I 've decided to order the books from the library.  If it is a book I really love, I'll purchase it to have on my shelf.

1. Ministry of Motherhood - I started this book but had to return it to the library.  I loved what I read and plan on purchasing this one.

2. Before Five in a Row/Five in Row - these are both curriculum books that I have reserved from the library already.  I've heard a lot about this concept and just want to read the books to get the over view.

3. RE-Church: Healing Your Way back to the People of God - just really interested in this book.

4. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

5. The Happiness Project - this book comes highly recommended by several friends - I've been told I MUST Buy this book

6. If God Is Good by K. Bruner

7. Have a New You by Friday

8. Just Give me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz

9. Financial Peace Jr by Dave Ramsey. 

This goal stretches from July 1- September 30, 2011. 

I'll post my progress as well as my very simple reviews every Wednesday :-)  (I know, you just can't wait, can you? ha!)

Tot Time - The Week I worked on plans for week 1

Before I share with you what I did this past week towards my goal of working more with my kids this fall, I wanted to share a few links with you that I've found this week OR that I follow but that posted specific ideas this week. 

First up is another one of my favorite blogs, Musings Of Me. On her site you will find lots of "tot packs" that she has created.  Just recently posted a Vacation pack that you can download for free.

Over at A Little Tipsy, she is hosting a "Make a Memory" summer series.  Each Monday, someone different shares how they do something specific to make a memory in the summer.  This week is pretty creative - it is centered around family movie night.  The kids have the chance to earn "concession money" aka Monopoly Money to spend at the family concession stand before the movie.  It really is such a creative way to make special Movie nights . . well, special!

I found this one by chance, but it is such a cute idea, I wanted to add it.  Check out the full pack over at My Shae Noel.

Even though I'm following a little bit of a specific "curriculum" I love these bonus ideas that I can throw in as a family event or use on busy weeks - tot packs are perfect for that - to keep my kids entertained!

One last thing I wanted to share.  I am a James Patterson fan - I really enjoy his books; he is a great author.  He actually has a new book out that I want to pick up from the library soon!  While he was being interviewed for his latest book, he started talking about his son who did not like to read.  In order to encourage him to read, he told him he had to read for one hour (I think??) a day.  By the end of a month, his son loved books.  Well, he has a website out there called Read Kiddo Read.   This site has different categories based on age group.  He offers lots of ideas - I really love this as I'm always looking for new ideas for books.  Feel free to check it out and see what he suggests. 

So now, on to what I did this week!  My original goal was to plan weeks 1-4 but as I dug in, I realize that was a little overly zealous!  So, instead, I figure if I can get one week planned and anything made/cute out/printed for that week.  I'll be good.  I don't plan on starting a set plan until the last week in August so that gives me about 8 weeks to get 8 weeks ahead :-)  I really don't have anything to post specifically this week but will next week. 

I realize that with summer, most of us are planning - and planning is always good!!

What I'm Reading

It is that time of week - time for me to share what I'm reading.  For those of you coming from the comment challenge - this is a weekly post (for the most part) that I do in order to share very simple book reviews on the books I'm reading. 

Books I finished this week:

Both books above are from the Elm Creek Quilters series.  The top book takes you back to Elm Creek Manor and the lives of each of the Quilters from Elm Creek - the original founders of the Quilt camp and the new comers.  I really like reading about each of the lives of the women and how they entwine with each other.  It was interesting to see how some friendships evolved and to see some things resolved.  The second book is more a story about the history behind the original family so it takes you back to the times of slavery.  It kept me riveted, honestly.  I didn't want to put it down as I wanted to find out what happened to those in the story.  I would highly recommend this series if you are looking for something interesting yet easy to read.

Books I'm reading right now:

I just started this book on Tuesday . . .. I love Liz Curtis Higgs so, until I get further into it, I'm not going to comment (honestly, I'm not sold on it yet . . . )

The above three books I'm just starting as I write this post.  Two are fiction and one is a non-fiction book dealing with teaching your children faith.  Yes, I really do read 3 or 4 or 5 books at a time.  I read them at different times - I enjoy the "easy" fiction books while relaxing on a rainy day or when we are eating lunch (a 10 month old, 18 month old and 2 1/2 year old don't offer much conversation yet ha!).  I tend to read the deeper books . .ummm .. in the bathroom!!  It isn't what you think . . it is the only room in the house where I can get peace and quiet . . .so when the hubby gets home and I disappear for a bit, he knows where I am . . I've thought about moving an old wing back chair we have stored in our basement into the bathroom.  You can stop laughing, I'm serious!!! 

My devotional books:

 No change, no updates because I'm still in summer mode.  The only thing I'm reading for devotions is my Bible (which is Good!!) because I'm trying to catch up on my Through the Year Bible Reading so I can finish strong at the end in September. 

One other update, I guess, I meant to have my 3rd quarter books ready to post on July 1st and plain old forgot!!!  I was working on a list but hadn't finalized it . . .than it got busy and hot and I didn't have time to look at it again.  I plan on finalizing my reading goal for the next three months this week and I'll what makes the list! 

Let me know if you are reading anything good - I'm always looking for something new to add to my list!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . the comment challenge taking place over at Jenna's Journey.  I've found several blogs to add to my blog roll and have enjoyed the fantastic comments I've received too!  There is nothing better than getting comments on your blog.  (And Welcome to all of those reading this from that challenge!)

I'm loving . . . .that we had a great 4 day weekend.  Such a sweet blessing in our very busy life!

I'm loving . . .  that my willow tree (Willamina) is now large enough that it blocks the view from the road.  When we planted her, we didn't think she would even survive.  I love Willow Trees!!  I hope to have two in my future back yard (some day . . .) that I can hang a hammock between!!

I'm loving . . . all the grilling we have been doing.  Lots of Hamburgers, Brats, Chicken and Pork Chops.  We are die hard Charcoal Grill people so we only grill while the weather is warm . . .cold weather is hard on charcoal grills!

I'm loving . . . that my kids LOVE Slurpee's.  They go their first Slurpee last night - Nate would not put his down and Josh figured out how to drink it without holding the cup.  (He didn't like the condensation on the cup!)

I'm loving . . .that our AC in our bedroom works perfectly.  Nothing better than sleeping in a fridge :-) hehehehe 

I'm loving . . .. The Next Food Network Star.  I don't watch as much of the Food Network as I used too but I still love this show and seeing the competition. 

So, that's what I'm loving this week, what about you?